We found ourselves near Somerset after a day spent bicycling on the nearby GAP Trail. Our wives, who began the day running a 10K in Rockville, had snagged coupons for the Oakhurst Tea Room, and it seemed like the perfect stop: we were ravenous, tired, and a little weary from being out in the sun. As an added bonus, the place scored Nostalgia Points: my family used to go to the Oakhurst when I was a kid, more than 30 years ago, with my favorite great-aunt and great-uncle. Second thoughts greeted me in the entry, which houses what I'll generously describe as a really tacky gift shop--not quaint or cute or kitschy tacky, just tacky. Angel figurines. Gnomes. Fake Pennsylvania Dutch candies. Hallmark. One of our companions observed that everyone would be better served by a yard sale in the lobby--less overhead, lower prices, and all that junk is headed to the yard sale anyway. From a quick look at the target demographic in attendance it was headed there sooner rather than later. It was Saturday evening, and the place was humming. We didn't have to wait to be seated, but business was brisk. I noticed the strangest thing--out of at least a hundred grown women in the place, the two in our party were among only 5 who were not wearing white slacks. If someone had told me that we had stumbled into a convention of long-retired nurses, I would have taken nodded my head and taken it at face value. Quite a few of the men wore white pants as well. It has to be a generational thing. Our waitress seated us close to the multiple steam tables--dozens upon dozens of possibilities protected beneath crystal clear sneeze guards. I didn't even take my seat, but rushed for the calories. I had a slice of ham that wasn't bad, but that was about it. The famous onion rings I had so enjoyed as a kid were still unbelievably giant, but they were bland and soggy, along with the potatoes. i tried the mashed potatoes and found them overly processed and unrecognizable as potatoes--reminded me of baby food. There were two pastas with red sauce: the "marinara" on the rigatoni was sticky and foul, while the sauce on the penne tasted slightly better--a little zing from sausage and pepper seeds. My kids had chicken that was serviceable, but for the most part the food was bland and overcooked and/or soggy from too much time on the steam tables. Perhaps the best way to describe the food as an ungodly hybrid of Sunday Church Covered Dish Dinner and old school College Cafeteria, with a lot more sticky sauces and gravy. Sigh. They had fresh ice cream you can scoop yourself (the highpoint of the meal, but although the other deserts looked pretty, they were uniformly dry and boring. I am a fat man, but I didn't finish my cake. We sent our waitress for ketchup when she brought our water, and after she brought it to us we did not see her again until we flagged her down for the check. We never saw her stop moving the entire night, and I didn't want coffee of more water enough to disrupt her frenzied rounds--seems like the Oakhurst could use another waitress or two at peak hours. I usually prefer privately owned local restaurants, but while I was eating my mind kept returning to the realization that the $50 tab would have been better spent at Ponderosa of Fire Mountain--keeping in mind that the review I wrote of Fire Mountain was so loaded with caustic negative hyperbole that Yelp! deleted it and sent me a warning. I would have thought, on such a busy night, that the food would be at it's peak. I'd be scared indeed if that were true. Maybe the breakfast buffet is better? read more

I stumbled upon this place and am so happy I did! I thoroughly enjoyed the raisin bread and soft cinnamon butter spread, the salad bar in general, and the chicken noodle soup. The soup's broth was amazing!!! The salad bar was clean and everything looked fresh. My only complaint is all the lettuce was iceberg. Other than that, it was perfect! read more

Only reviewing the bar since we no longer eat their buffet. Recently they raised their bar menu prices (again). Up to $6.50 for appetizer of 4 cheese sticks. 1/2 pound of steamed shrimp app is up to $12.99!!! Ridiculous. Entree prices have increased as well. We used to eat at bar several times a week. Now we will be there maybe once a month. Shame read more

The staff was exemplary and courteous. Great service. The food left something to be desired. While edible, it had no flavor, many of the items were over cooked. Tasted like something you would eat at a nursing home. read more

We spend a lot of time in the Laurel Highlands year round and have always wanted to stop and eat here. We were seated quickly and went right to the buffet. They call it a smorgasbord. Lots and lots to choose from. Beef, turkey and ham are carved and very good. Actually all the dishes were good except the pastas. They looked as though they had been sitting all night and the buffet began about 20 minutes before we arrived. Dry and old looking. I just didn't try any of them. So many choices it didn't matter. Desserts were very good and displayed nicely.I don't know if they are made on the premises are not but the coconut cake alone was worth the trip. If you like a lot of food for a great price you will enjoy it. Will we go back? Occasionally. Ate too much. read more

The quality if food has really dropped since me last visit here. What a shame. Everything used to be home made not anymore. Don't think I will go back. read more

Food was bland and overpriced. Much of it was inedible and severely overcooked or dried up. Expected a bit of a wait as our visit was on a Friday evening, but that was not the case. The price difference for their seafood buffet was more than double, and only meant access to four items (boiled shrimp, clams, crab legs and mussels). As expected, all were terrible. read more

Food was good, hot, fresh, and plentiful. We were there for a lunch buffet and will return again. Gob cake was excellent.

Freeze dried space food has more flavor. What an abomination. Two chicken drums, a salad and bowl of soup were the only items among multiple buffet stations that I could muster the courage to touch. I prefer my food in better condition than the average high school cafe food (Come to think of it, my high school did in fact have a better salad bar). Had I not ordered the Vodka I may have lacked the courage to eat. It's been an hour and I am now cooking food for myself because I don't eat Grey food. Bon-voyage Oakhurst read more

Not a good selection and selections they do have are nit that good. This is a good tourist trap for they can sit and often do large tour buses. Not a fan. read more

We vacation about an hour from Oak Hurst Tea Room. For years eating there has been on our list. Finding ourselves in the area, we had to stop. Viewing the entrance should have taken as a warning to go elsewhere as the gutter downspout was disconnected, leaves were strewn about the entrance area, and the carpet in the entrance was in very poor condition. We were greeted immediately and seated. Our server was prompt, neat, and got us started right away. We chose the regular evening buffet on a Friday night when a seafood buffet was featured at extra cost. Salads were fresh and dressing very good. Meats were good and most vegetables were good. The squash we found to be way under cooked. Onion rings looked as if they had be put back into the deep fryer to warm then up as they were very dark brown. Fried shrimp were of medium size and well fried but likely had been on the hot table for a long time. They were not a all crisp. Deserts were good for the most part except the blue berry pie which had crust that was not backed long enough. It tasted more like dough and wasn't at all browned. Oak Hurst may be existing today based on a reputation earned in times past. There are other very good places to eat in the area that have better quality. It is unlikely that we will return. read more

I ate at Oakhurst Tea Room as a kid many times as my father loved this place. We returned last evening for the dinner buffet. The best thing I can say is they have many selections on the buffet. However, most of the dishes were very thick and mushy... as if they were cooked to death. Lots of carb and low quality foods for the most part. The salad bar was ok. The soups were extremely salty...no need for this. Chef... taste your food before you put it out!! The carved meats were fairly good. The turkey was tasty. A few ok desserts. Overall, poor to fair quality food. I ate only enough to feel slightly full but my stomach is not the same this morning!! The atmosphere is like that of a cafeteria. No table coverings. Not impressed and I most likely will not return. Sad to say as I had good memories as a child dining here with my family. read more

Had dinner there last night. The food was delicious. I have been there many times over the years and the food was always very good. Service was sometimes lacking. Our waitress did not give us straws or hand wipes, nor did she refill our drinks. She did however keep our table cleared off. Got there about 6 PM and there was a good crowd in the diningroom the food temperatures were great. A good dining experience all in all. read more

Oakhurst Tea Room used to have a good reputation, but the food speaks to its current reputation. Anyway, upon arrival, we were given the choice between the breakfast buffet and the 'world famous smorgasbord'. I asked what the difference was, and told the difference was $2. I said I didnt care, and we were seated in the buffet area. It was terrible. The chicken was dry, the pulled pork has so much oil that the US threatened to invade, and the dessert was dry and bland. The food didnt have any taste and was forgettable. I smuggled out some sausage for my dog who was waiting in the car. She has less refined taste and eats cat poop, but wouldn't eat the sausage. Let that speak for itself. read more

We just got home from the Oakhurst Tea Room and I have to say that was one of the most disgusting meals I've ever had to eat in my life. First off, the restaurant wreaked. Right when you walk in it smells like an indoor swimming pool and felt humid like we were eating in a sauna...an unclean one at that. As you walk closer to the buffet area numerous repulsive smells hit you in the face starting from swimming pool, then PineSol, then old folks home. The buffet offers like three different tables all with food that has been cooked under a hot lamp to the point that half of it has a film on top of it and has turned into mush. This is the first time I avoided the meat offerings at a buffet. The baked chicken was burnt to a crisp and the other meets tasted of salt and only salt. I guess the most tolerable thing I had was a baked potato, but let's face it, it's pretty hard to mess up a baked potato. The highlight of the meal was the fact that the server was nice and gave us a pitcher of Diet Coke so we never went without a drink. If we were allowed to give this place 0 stars I would and it's a shame that we couldn't get reimbursed for the gas from Greensburg. Avoid this place at all costs even if you have a coupon there are a lot of good restaurants out that way or even in Ligonier don't waste your money on this place. read more

What has happened to the well established Oakhurst that pleased everyone for decades? The gift shoppe has turned out to be better than the food. Too many frozen products that reheated come out as cafeteria food. Salads are inferior. Meats are not quality for the cost. Come on Oakhurst, increase your business by increasing the quality, the people will come back. Check out your competition at Laurel Mountain Inn, you can pick up customers from them if you just match their level.Then keep improving! read more

I went to the Oakhurst for the first time with my family yesterday afternoon and I must say I was not impressed at all!!! Everyone raves about this place and I'm not sure why. The baked chicken was extremely salty and the other meats that they had available on the buffet were dry and unedible, even the sides were gross. The mashed potatoes were too runny and the stuffing was too dry. Even the desserts were not up to my liking. ( and I love any kind of dessert) Dry Cheescake!!!! I think not!!!! Plus, the whipped topping tasted very phony to me. Shame on the Tea room!!!! There were some upsides to this place, only 2 I can think of though. The wait staff was very attentive and friendly and the only good thing about the buffet was the cherry bread that was next to the dinner rolls, other than that this place blows!!! I wouldn't suggest this place to my worst enemy. Save your money and go to Hoss's Buffet..... read more

We have enjoyed the Friday seafood buffet for many years. We travel 1 hour each way to get there. This is the first time since it has changed owner. Never have we waited 15 minutes to get waited on, not a large crowd there. Also the fried bananas are no longer on the buffet. Also the broccoli and cauliflower mix was not there. The dessert table no longer has the vast choices of deserts on it. The crab legs and shrimp most in the trays were over cooked. Not a good experience this time. Will probably be at last time there. read more

Gave this establishment a second chance after 2 years. Should have saved my money. Pasta on the buffet looked like it had been there for days. Very limited buffet offerings. Ordered a club sandwich, picked up and fell apart. Took a long time for order to come up, only 6 people in dining room and they had buffet. Found a lazy attitude from most of the staff. Will never go back. Such a shame cause they used to be the place to go in the area. read more

My husband and I made a day trip to Somerset today, and had lunch in our establishment, about 1:15 pm. Since it took 10 minutes for even one employee to show up- (3 people were waiting at the cashier desk to pay- one went looking for ANY employee)- that should have been our cue to leave. Once we were seated, and not given water or menus, we waited several minutes for Andrea, our server to arrive- with no water or menus. Her question was "Are you here for the buffet?" I answered that we had never been there before, she explained the cost of the buffets, and as a side note indicated that we could have menus if we wanted them. Our thoughts were to leave or just go with the buffet or we may never get served our food. Should have left. The clam chowder was acceptable. The salad buffet was in good order but only iceberg lettuce is a poor choice- leafy greens and spinach are better. The fried fish pretty pathetic- there is no doubt those were frozen, the chicken legs non-descript, the vegetables mushy. Our digestion reminded us all through the day of our regrettable decision to have lunch at Oakhurst. read more

Cute gift shop. Food was a disappointment. The meats were very dry and flavorless. There was a dry film over most dishes even the spaghetti squash. We mistakenly thought chicken gravy was creamed corn. Mashed potatoes were homemade but had little flavor. I suppose it was off season and hence the food quality was off but this was pretty much a write off for $25. Perhaps we should have had some tea. read more

Okay for the good price. The food is rather bland in taste albeit a good variety. Nice salad bar. No real ambiance, not even any music. The turkey as seved was real good. The carving young man never stopped touching his face, teeth , etc. He's a reason that we may not return--better training is needed! read more

Food was cold, table cloths were shit, ceiling is covered in smoke stains, ran out of soda, service was even worse. Ice cream was good, though. MASHED POTATOES MADE MY FRIEND GAG. read more

Traveling thru area, stopped by at the recommendation of a local resident. All 3 of us had the dinner buffet and found the food to be fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. read more

I live in Orlando, Florida now, but spent the first 34 years of my life living in Ligonier. From the time I was old enough to own a car, I would take some of my dates to Oakhurst to eat. Now, comfortably into our 60's, coming home for a visit, my wife and I never, ever leave without taking family out to Oakhurst for a great old fashion meal. We are now planning a summer visit and we will be there again atleast once. If you are looking for a quaint, historic restaurant with excellent food, great service and a wonderful atmosphere, Oakhurst is a great place to eat. If you are more the fast food type, this may be out of your comfort level ! This is the way people used to eat out. As far as the gift shop, we always find some interesting trinket to give to a friend or family member. We didn't have computers or internet back in those days, and we actually enjoyed browsing shops and stores and talking to a live person who really lives in this country, besides internet sales do not keep local people employed. Maybe you have to be Age Appropriate to be comfortable here ? But eating at a big box store, so you can save money in thier Gift Shops, may make sence to you ?? To each thier own. I would be disappointed if the Oakhurst ever closed, atleast in my life time. Greg / Orlando, Fl. read more

A great meal, good value and staff could not be any more attentive! Love the deserts and don't miss the Chicken & Waffles! Will be going back! read more

Sometimes things change for the worse. This was, at one time, a great place to eat. Sadly the restaurant has gone downhill. The food is bland, often cold, and really not that appetizing. If you do go, try the chicken and waffles, usually a much better choice than the buffet. read more

Having moved back to the area after 30+ years, we decided to stop for the Saturday lunch buffet. Big mistake! This place has definitely not aged like a fine wine. The only positive was a very friendly wait staff - 4 stars. Everything and I mean everything after this was lucky to be 1 star. In fact, the food deserved to be 0 stars. We were seated promptly. The seating area needs a serious refurbishment. Food - limited selection and way way overcooked, dry and bland. On the way to our table, I looked over the buffet and knew we were in trouble - looked worse than a Denny's. Nostalgia will never bit us again for this place. Now I wonder if it was really this bad 30+ yrs ago. read more

This was the worst dining experience we have ever had! The food was all dried out, yet it was not hot - how does that happen?? The staff was wandering around the buffet, but nobody was stirring the food to keep it hot and moist. So the food on the tops of the trays was not hot at all, and the gravies had a lukewarm skin on them. There were flies all over the dining area, and they were on the tables (and on the desserts!). People were actually moving to other tables to try to avoid the flies. When we paid our bill (yes, they charged $14.99 per person), I let the person know at the register know how bad everything was, and I told her the flies were a major problem - which I'm sure they already knew! When we left, other people approached me and said how bad their meals were too -- This restaurant went from bad to horrible!!! I gave this restaurant one star, only because the review would not post with no stars. We will not be returning! read more

used to be great . now not so good. we went for the tapioca and tuna salad and both immediately taken out with new owners. the old ownership of 2 generations ran it like a home made kitchen . not so now. used to drive 50 miles but now maybe once a year. times change andin this case not for the better. great memorys but current ownership has moved away from family dining. read more

I would give this place a zero, but there is no option for that. My family and I just went to this awful place tonight for dinner, what a mistake. The service was friendly and attentive, but the food was just horrid! The meat was dry as jerky, there was no gravy to put on the potatoes, the rolls were like petrified hockey pucks, and the cake was awful. All the things that we first had 5 years ago, and loved, have since passed and have been replace with awful garbage. We spent $45 for an uneatable meal! NEVER go here it is a waste of time, money, and just disappointing. read more

In a word Ridiculous. I was given a gift card for the Oakhurst Tea Room for Christmas,( a gift card for $50.00). The environment is strange with a bar, tea pots, and a cheap Hallmark looking gift store. We found the place to be very un-friendly, I was told that my three year old would be free,as long as she didn't waste food, but couldn't have anything from the seafood table, if they felt that she was wasting food she would be half the Buffet cost ($14.00) We were constantly watched by there excessive waitstaff to verify that my daughter didn't eat a shrimp. Upon leaving, the rude, pompous owner informed me that our gift card was a month out of date. The gift card that was purchased in September as a Christmas gift expired at the end of December. This rude, demeaning Jerk would not even give me 1/2 the face value. I have never been spoke to by a "Business owner" like this, I'm pretty sure I know why the place is empty. read more

My husband & I went to the Oakhurst Tea Room on Friday, August 12, 2011 for the seafood buffet for my husband's birthday. The buffet was horrible! The snow crab legs wouldn't come out of the shell & were very dry. The steamed shrimp were soggy. The scallops were tasteless. The breaded shrimp were overcooked. The mussels were cracked & alot of them weren't open. (which meant they were not any good) The clams were like rubber. Our bill was too high! We were charged $34.00 per person & this didn't include our drinks! The deserts weren't good as well. What a disappointment, when we were supposed to be having an enjoyable dinner. I don't think we will go back there. read more

Please stay away from oakhurst tea room, you walk in the door and pay for the buffet and the next thing you know they will tell you to quit eating and leave, this is good business isn't it. It doesn't matter if you are still eating, they will tell you to finish and leave this is called a buffet, you gets your money's worth by eating half of the buffet when you are chased out of the dining room area. And also please don't complain to them they won't listen the customer is a fool to oakhurst tea room. Oakhurst seems not to care for their paying customers how can they when they chase you out when you are not done with the buffet you paid for. You will get treated better at McDonalds than at Oakhurst Tea Room. So please stay away from people who cheat you. read more

Oakhurst Tea Room has meals just like my Grandma cooked! Everything is homemade and tastes like food, not over processed dishes that are passed off as "food." The salad bar has fresh veggies and salads. The main buffet has many selections from pasta to vegetables to other homemade casseroles. The dessert bar is filled with homemade cakes and pies and also ice cream! The servers are wonderful too! They treated us like family. They took care of our every need and even wanted my opinion on the food. There were many servers that were so friendly and caring. This last meal we had Andrea, who provided quick service with a true smile. The other servers also took the time to help each customer. The entire staff was wonderful along with the food. I recommend this restaurant for anyone who wants homemade food and excellent service! I wish I had a bigger stomach! read more

The food was good, the food was hot and there was good variety on the buffet. Desserts were great and the price was competitive. The waite staff was helpful and cheery. If you like buffets you can't do much better than Oakhurst! read more

do not waste your money,it may have new owners but,old food!!!!!!!!!!!!!very dried out,look like some of the buffet was from the day before!!!!!!!!!!less buffet items,for the cost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Were there last night, Friday, for seafood buffet. You have choice of regular buffet or seafood....seafood is $28.95. What a joke! We got there at 8....they said could seat as late as 9....no problem. All the food...I'm talking all the food on the buffet was dried up and pretty much inedible. The seafood consisted or mussels and clams, crab legs, shrimp and the very worst scallops I have ever experienced. They were boiled or steamed with absolutely no salt of spice. When I can't eat a scallop they are bad. All the vegetables were mushy and the rolls were doughy in the middle. We tried it about a year ago and were unhappy and thought we would try it again. Bad mistake. Do yourself a favor and spend another $10 and head for Seven Springs for their buffet...better ambiance and food is actually fantastic. If anyone thinks this is a good buffet they don't get out much! read more

First time at Oakhurst Tea Room yesterday......will be my last. Food was boring, bland and not impressed at all. Hubby went there years ago and has always wanted to take me there.....told him I would rather go to Shady Maples....that place is AWESOME!!! It must have really changed over the years for when husband was there years ago he said it was good.......The chicken was tough......had to pull it off from the bone....and very bland. Not a big selection of food. They should be ashamed of the dessert table......whatever I had was hard as a rock......think they would have new and fresh cakes and desserts out for the bus they knew was due in. Also, maybe if they covered them with plastic wrap.....they wouldn't dry out. Our sever had a personality of a door knob......never smiled and acted like she hated her job. As soon as we entered the door.....smelled like mildew. Many of us started sneezing.....thinking it was from that. There wasn't even a pasta/sauce dish at the buffet table? I don't think it was over priced.....for I will pay more for good food. I did enjoy the ham....that was about it. I hope they are reading these reviews and try to improve their restaurant. Maybe they should give Robert Irvine a call!!!!!???? read more

My dad wanted to go there for Father's Day this year - we have frequented in the past so we decided to take the hour drive again. Needless to say they firstly would not take a reservation for a party under 8 - we had 5 and this included my 4 year old son. We got there at noon and they said it would be about 30 minutes - at 1:00 we were told we would be seated next. They however called for a party of 6!!! Tell me what type of table seats just a party of 5? Do they make special tables for this - I think not. In any case I was angry enough to tell them about it. By this point my son was crying he was hungry - I went and pulled our name from the LONG list. I asked what the owner's name was as I intended to call the next day however I was directed to him at the cash register. I went an expressed how upset I was at 1:30 and was completely blown off by this man! Not only did he not really care he was barely able to utter an apology. My mom sent an e-mail that night and has yet to hear from them. I will NEVER go back or recommend again. read more