Rolled Cold Creamery

4

212

186

11 months ago

I'd like to give this place four stars because I really like the ice cream. I love the flavors and consistency. It's worth the wait and the lines. However, the place is not clean. I was honestly thrown off when I first walked in. I had long seen the lines of eager people outside on Friday and Saturday nights waiting to get in and get ice cream. I thought it was a Lancaster thing, like maybe the only place in the area with ice cream. No, it's actually pretty good. But, the place is grimy. When I first walked in the middle of the day with my family, I was greeted with visibly grimy walls, empty fridges, and the most grungy thermostat and floor vent right in the entry. I'm talking chunks of dust accumulated from months, maybe more, without being cleaned. Completely unacceptable for a place that serves and charges for food. The tables were sticky, the ceiling and walls have food stains on them. Even the merch and sweatshirts they had hanging on the walls for sale were stained and dirty. I wanted to get my ice cream and get out, and not think about it. Once I saw the ice cream get made and I tried it, I understood why the wait, I love rolled stone ice cream and got it frequently in NY. In spite of the dirt I came back a couple of days later to check if it was just a bad day cleaning wise. Nope, it's the norm. This time I came at a busy hour and waited 40 minutes for ice cream on a Friday night. The girl at the register handled money, and then she grabs the ice cream by putting her fingers in the cup and gripping them by the rim with the same hand as she labels them. She was also not friendly and didn't want to talk to people. This time, the Nutella they used for my ice cream was also very stale. The community really loves this place, I want them to continue to be a staple in town, and I enjoy their ice cream. I do think it's disrespectful to the community that supports them so much, for them to keep their establishment this unclean. I hope standards improve, because I'd visit every week. I have not been back since, even though it's the best ice cream I have had in downtown, hands down. read more

Rolled Cold Creamery - Stained merch on the wall - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Rolled Cold Creamery - Grimy thermostat in the entry where the line starts - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Rolled Cold Creamery - Really grimy floor vent where the line starts for ice cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Samantha H.

80

51

129

2 years ago

Always a pleasure. My go to spot for late nights desserts whether it's a weekday or weekend. They're open at convenient hours and always have accommodating staff. I always enjoy all their flavors, especially their seasonal items. Have been here 4x already and have never been disappointed. They also allow unlimited toppings! Big plus. Flavors are also quite creative from lavender, Andes chocolate, to the classics! Service is always reliable. Kind staff. Unfortunately very small space... if they're busy which tends to be often (and reasonably so) there's not much seating. It's very clean and cute, but I don't recommend assuming you'll automatically have a place to sit, especially if you're a larger party. I can see this being more of an issue in the colder months. Other than that, I have never had a bad experience here. will be returning soon read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 1

Keith B.

176

809

81

3 years ago

Enjoyed it. Perhaps more the experience of watching them make it then the ice cream itself. Rolling through Intercourse, PA (i mean we all have to right?) we stopped here for a treat. Fun watching them make it and the presentation into the cup. read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 1

Rebecca K.

323

324

54

4 years ago

Absolutely delicious ice cream and milkshakes! My husband ordered a peanut butter milkshake, and my daughter wanted strawberry ice cream with sprinkles and chocolate chips. It was delicious! Unlimited mix-ins for the ice cream. The inside is small, with limited seating. We came on a Saturday evening and the line was out the door, shortly after we got there. It is pricey, but the portions are huge. Excellent ice cream! read more

Rolled Cold Creamery - Strawberry ice cream with chocolate chips and sprinkles - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Helpful 3

Thanks 1

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Liz M.

29

121

21

3 years ago

Very cute little spot with delicious ice cream! The best part, the ice cream is 90% dairy free, and their fruit flavors come from fresh fruit and fruit purées! It's a tiny place that gets packed at night just fyi. We like to go in the afternoon and usually it's pretty empty and quiet (which we like) read more

Rolled Cold Creamery - Strawberry Ice cream - vanilla base with chopped frozen strawberries, strawberry purée, and strawberry sauce. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Rolled Cold Creamery - Cookies and cream - vanilla base with crushed Oreos and chocolate sauce - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Robert R.

Elite 19

12

74

166

3 years ago

For an ice cream shop this place was about a thousand degrees inside. There was also a bit of a wait, but the people making the ice cream were hustling and it was interesting to watch so waiting wasn't too bad. The ice cream was super fun and tasty. They blend up your flavor and toppings on top of a super chilled circle. The girl taking our order was polite and helpful. There were lots of other customers who had allergy or vegan requests and they all seemed to be accommodated well. read more

Rolled Cold Creamery - Waffle taco - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Eric W.

42

676

3180

4 years ago

Rolled Cold Creamery is an interesting ice cream place. It serves rolled ice cream, so prep time can be a little longer than your average place. They have a good selection of ice cream flavors including specialty ones, with many optional toppings and syrups. What impressed me was the other options they offer, including Panini's and Waffles. Interior is not large and has limited seating. I ordered a Cookie Dough while my friend went with Strawberry. I liked the taste and consistency of my Cookie Dough, with the chocolate chunks remaining very cold until I was done. They offer several board games to play while eating, which I thought was a nice touch. Overall, I can see myself returning for more ice cream in the future. read more

Rolled Cold Creamery - Cookie Dough. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Rolled Cold Creamery - Strawberry. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Ara S.

Elite 24

17

91

230

4 years ago

The rolled ice cream here is sooo good! Went on a Friday evening and the line was out the door. Very crowded but it was worth the wait. I got the caramel pretzel ice cream with chocolate chips, bananas & peanut butter syrup on top. LOVED IT! My sister & mom got strawberry ice cream. They both loved it as well. It was very creamy & you could taste the fresh strawberry. We got smalls which didn't seem to be much smaller than the regular size. It was pretty filling. You can get unlimited toppings. Highly recommend checking this place out if you're in Lancaster! read more

See all

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Kyle B.

44

275

1041

4 years ago

I think we found our new ice cream spot for the summer. The rolled ice cream taste very light and refreshing. They have non-dairy options, plus their base ice cream is 99% lactose free. The staff Is very efficient and get the orders out quickly. Can't wait to try all the other flavors. read more

Rolled Cold Creamery - Rolled strawberry ice cream with fresh strawberries and waffle cone bites - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Helpful 3

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Marl C.

Elite 23

4

26

81

3 years ago

Rolled cold creamery is a fine ice cream spot! The line was long but well worth the wait. I mean come on who doesn't like rolled ice cream. I was feeling a little bad and boujee! I got Vanilla ice cream with cookie dough pretzels strawberries chocolate chips and bananas! It was delicious! Sadly I forgot random sprinkles but that was my mistake. My partner in crime got the cookie dough flavor with cookie dough! She really enjoyed it. If you never had rolled ice cream I'd recommend! read more

Rolled Cold Creamery - Omggggg rolled ice cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Rolled Cold Creamery - Sweet lord the ice cream was cold but she was so hot. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Rolled Cold Creamery - Hours - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Rolled Cold Creamery - Me n u - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Rolled Cold Creamery - Hard working professional ice cream rollers! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Rolled Cold Creamery - My ice cream was melting from being close to her! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Rolled Cold Creamery - Cookie dough pretzels strawberries chocolate chips and bananas so sensational! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Em T.

400

160

172

3 years ago

Small, cozy space with a welcoming vibe. We went at night time so it was a lot busier and packed. The location was so busy that there wasn't enough space for the ordering line to be kept inside. The staff were friendly and extremely cognizant of our time. They were genuine and efficient ! read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Mark P.

76

66

33

4 years ago

A terrific place! I had red rose rolled ice cream with a bunch of fruit for toppings. Absolutely delicious! But I gotta call out the amazing mug of hot chocolate! If you love hot chocolate, you gotta order the Nutella hot chocolate. That's what I had and I felt my toes curl with delight when I took my first sip. Oh, and they stay open pretty late too. I came by on Friday night and they don't close until 11pm on Friday and Saturday. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Nina C.

14

128

285

3 years ago

I got the cookies and cream ice cream, and really enjoyed it. They have dairy and gluten free options. I got dairy free ice cream and they had gluten free Oreos. We also tried their honey lavender ice cream, and they have other unique flavors, including maple bacon, red rose and seasonal apple pie. read more

See all

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Hannah W.

227

690

2556

7 years ago

Rolled ice cream is very trendy right now and that's what you are paying for. I get it, it's fun to watch someone "create" the ice cream right in front of you, but there are other creameries nearby that have the quality without the hefty price tag. A small for $6.25? For a family of four, that's expensive for an after dinner treat. We've tried to come here before, but the lines are always enormously long. It was at least 30 minutes from the time we walked in until the the time my kids had their ice cream (and the line was shorter than usual). The ice cream was okay. Like I said, there are other places nearby that make their ice cream locally and use fresh ingredients. Sadly, there is a bug issue that needs to be addressed. We did let the owner know immediately, but it was enough to make us get our ice cream and scurry out of there. We will likely never return. read more

Business owner information

Dante D.

Thank you for your review.…

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Sharala S.

0

43

6

6 years ago

Great experience at Rolled Ice Creamery! After a disappointing dinner out we decided to end the evening on a high note! Wonderful staff, who like making people happy plus ice cream, you can't go wrong! Beautifully prepared by a bunch of young ladies smiling and interact wonderfully with the customer s. We all got our favorites, me coffee espresso with caramel, chocolate chips and sprinkles. Done beautifully, and tasted as good as it looked!! Thanks for the great experience and we'll be back when we are back in Lancaster, PA! read more

Rolled Cold Creamery - Coffee espresso with caramel and chocolate chips and sprinkles being prepared especially for me! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

John D.

0

1

0

2 years ago

The line here was very long at 745 pm. It was quite bothersome to wait outside in the city street with all of the loud cars passing by. It would be much nicer a service to everybody if they got seating for the inside of the location. However, the food made a good difference. The ice cream was freshly made by sanitary looking workers and fresh, clean looking equipment. The inside of the location is bright to my eyes but could be different for others. The prices are high for an ice cream location, but you pay for the quality. The rolls are acceptable quality as well. There was very nice music inside the shop, it looked well kempt. It was quite interesting that they had menus for ordering. They had a variety of flavors and different styles of options for your ice cream. I ordered a strawberry rolled ice cream, and I have to admit that it was very tasty. The extra experience of watching the workers roll the ice cream was very interesting. Overall, I'd rate it a 4 to 4 and a half star. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Sam R.

3

63

145

6 years ago

All I have to say is that this place made me believe in love. I wish I didn't live 2 and a half hours away or else I'd be there every day. Anyways it was literally the best thing I've ever eaten NOT TO MENTION VEGAN!!!!!! read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Carissa K.

Elite 26 All-Star

54

583

11405

9 years ago

Finally! The world has arrived in Central PA! Introducing Thai Rolled Ice Cream: Rolled Cold Creamery in downtown Lancaster recently opened its doors and I was so excited to check it out. According to their website: "Our ice cream begins with a fresh base made in house. It is made of heavy cream and lactose free milk. The base is then frozen on a steel pan that is set to -30 degrees. As the cream freezes, we add fresh fruits, cookies, candy, and other flavors to the mixture. Lastly we roll the frozen dessert up and finish it with whip cream and your choice of toppings." They use brownies and cupcakes from Bird-in-Hand Bakery, and they just started serving Hot Cider (from Kauffman's) for the fall/winter season. This was my second time trying Thai rolled ice cream and I enjoyed it much more compared to the place I tried in Philadelphia. 1) I had no wait tonight. 2) The service was great and the staff was friendly. 3) I much preferred using strawberries in the base. Gave a wonderful fresh taste. The best thing about Thai rolled ice cream is that it's FUN! :) So, go check it out. read more

Helpful 32

Thanks 0

Love this 34

Oh no 0

Ingrid H.

56

258

778

5 years ago

My daughter has been begging me for rolled ice cream and we were glad to see downtown Lancaster had a spot for us to try. The staff were energetic, fun, and pleasant. This was our first time having rolled ice cream and it was really good. I had mint and cookie topped with Andes mints and waffle cone bites. The line was pretty long, but to be expected on a Saturday night. They do their best to get everyone through the line. Be patient, it's with the wait. read more

Rolled Cold Creamery - Mint and cookie with chocolate chips - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Rolled Cold Creamery - Mint and cookie cookie with Andes mints and waffle bites - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Rolled Cold Creamery - Cookies and cream with cookies and chocolate syrup - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

See all

Helpful 4

Thanks 0

Love this 4

Oh no 0

Tanya C.

449

1091

68

5 years ago

The food tour that I was on stopped by here. We got a nice demo of the process for making rolled ice cream were we got two rolls of the caramel pretzel ice cream. It was really tasty and creamy. read more

Helpful 3

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

EricandCheri W.

30

21

7

4 years ago

Such an interesting place for ice cream. You have to get the honey lavender. No words can describe it. Just get it. Trust me!! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Delia D.

0

7

2

3 years ago

The ice cream they provide for those who are lactose is just awesome to me because my two little ones are and they love it ! And then they are Christian based and that was a winner in my book besides they amazing food and drink options! Deff recommend to people. read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Cristene G.

12

59

13

5 years ago

Well, I wasn't sure if it would be possible to outdo the raspberry white chocolate or the espresso cream but the caramel bacon is what heaven tastes like. And the lemon blackberry is an angelic kiss. I do not think these platitudes unreasonable. I don't begrudge them a bit of the price or the lines out the door. I'm serious - think chocolate covered cherry and pumpkin cheesecake for september flavors. Big hugs to these wonderful people. I don't even know their names. But I left the store signing "I got da ice cream. I got da ice cream." read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Lamorris W.

0

3

2

3 years ago

Really good ice cream and the waffles are outstanding. Would highly recommend this to everyone. Looks like a pop in shop, but nice atmosphere inside read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Grace C.

Elite 21

98

143

385

8 years ago

I have been wanting to try this place forever now! I was finally in Lancaster and had to stop by. The place is super small and feels very crowded. We went on a Saturday after dinner time so I'm sure that added to the crowd. I felt kind of rushed to order my ice cream, so I just kind of picked a random combination. I chose a small banana matcha ice cream with honey drizzle and then chose some toppings. You get unlimited toppings which is a pretty nice perk! You get to watch them make the rolled ice cream in front of you which is very neat. Everything is very simple because you get to see which ingredients they use to make the ice cream. It's also pretty satisfying when you watch them roll it. The small is huge. I had some trouble finishing it after eating dinner. It's kind of pricey at about $6.25, but it's a unique treat that you can't find anywhere else in the area! Personally, I found it worth the six dollars. Also, props to them for having vegan options. It is a one dollar up charge to make a flavor vegan. Many of the flavors are able to be made vegan. I believe they use almond milk or coconut milk instead of heavy cream. Overall, this is a very neat place that is worth checking out if you are in the area. Loved the ice cream and hoping I will be able to come back soon! read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Brittany M.

Elite 23

30

210

1331

6 years ago

Still a favorite spot of ours! Great friendly service and a delicious product. Last time we visited I tried the small version which comes in a thin waffle cone shell- like a taco. The perfect amount of ice cream for me! read more

Rolled Cold Creamery - Rolled ice cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Michelle V.

2

62

250

8 years ago

Fabulous!! Presentation: beautiful Price: reasonable Service: friendly Experience: great! read more

Rolled Cold Creamery - Vanilla with peanuts - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Mat D.

5

49

159

6 years ago

Great place in the center of Lancaster city! The ice cream was good and it was fun to watch them make it in front of you. They had a lot of options and it was hard to choose! Glad we went with the cupcake and brownie one because they were very good. read more

Rolled Cold Creamery - Cupcake ice cream and brownie ice cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jack M.

745

1421

1499

8 years ago

Ok ice cream, but you're paying for the novelty, not the flavor profile and mouthfeel. I ordered the rolled Snicker doodle cookie icecream. This ice cream is made fresh on a cold plate. But, I don't prefer the product. The ice cream was OK, but it had a slightly dry mouthfeel (caused by freezing it so quickly and not allowing the fats from the cream to develop and expand with aeration). The size is very generous. This feels like a spot that is popular more for novelty than quality. Which is fine. read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Nicole M.

0

35

6

4 years ago

The line was out the door but moved quickly! It was fun for the adults and kiddo in our group to watch them make the ice cream. Next time I would definitely get more toppings on my ice cream. We had the strawberry ice cream with strawberries and banana Nutella with chocolate chips. Even the smalls are big, so you definitely get your money's worth! The only downside is that it is stroller friendly, so one person had to wait outside. There is no outdoor seating either. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jessi C.

0

27

53

5 years ago

Just posting this but went back in November. This was some of the BEST ice cream i have ever had. They wrote my friends name when rolling her ice cream and the workers were genuinely some of the sweetest people. I got the pumpkin ice cream which was a vanilla base and a piece of pie cut into the ice cream. i topped it with more pie and whipped cream. I would come here all year round read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Mai P.

73

49

37

8 years ago

The ice cream is okay, it's not as smooth and creamy. The taste isn't flavorful. Aesthetic wise, it's not very appealing for how much they charge for toppings. It is pricier than most places I've been to. Not worth it, I would not go again. But I think it's worth the experience for those who've never tried rolled ice cream. It's fun watching how they make it. I love the staff and owners because are very nice and friendly. read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Lucy L.

181

13

9

8 years ago

This place has Vegan Options. The Ice cream was great. Also it's open on Monday which is great because most places in lancaster are closed on Mondays We did not try the food options. staff was super friendly and helpful on the phone and in person I got Vegan ice cream with strawberries, waffle topping with strawberry syrup Only warning is the step coming into the building right near the door can cause a tripping hazard read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

M H.

0

61

3

4 years ago

Think this is more about the visual "rolled" ice cream, than the actual taste. Cool to watch them make, nice presentation , but the taste isn't going to be a new experience for your taste buds. Nice spot if you have kids or can not have lactose. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Stephanie S.

235

37

13

8 years ago

The rolled ice cream itself is wonderful! But paying $7+ dollars for ice cream is a bit excessive in my opinion. As an individual who uses a cane/rollator, this building is NOT accessible, with stairs leading to the front door of the creamery. It was a pain to carry my rollator up and down and stairs. read more

Rolled Cold Creamery - Regular sized rolled ice cream with chocolate brownie ice cream, butterfinger topping, and caramel syrup. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jess J.

491

66

51

6 years ago

If you're looking for delicious ice cream and to put whatever you want in it, this is the place. The staff is very friendly. You can add as many toppings as you want. It was heavenly and will definitely be back. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Page 1 of 3

See more reviews

More info about Rolled Cold Creamery

2495 Lincoln Hwy E
Lancaster, PA 17602
Directions
(717) 208-3805
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.rolledcoldcreamery.com

Hours

What time does Rolled Cold Creamery open?

Rolled Cold Creamery opens at 12:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Rolled Cold Creamery close?

Rolled Cold Creamery closes at 10:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.Rolled Cold Creamery is closed on Sunday.

Mon-Sat 12:00 PM - 10:00 PMSun Closed

Payment methods

Does Rolled Cold Creamery take credit cards?

Yes, Rolled Cold Creamery takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Rolled Cold Creamery have catering options?

No, Rolled Cold Creamery does not have catering options.

Indoor Amenities

Does Rolled Cold Creamery allow dogs?

Yes, Rolled Cold Creamery allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Rolled Cold Creamery have bike parking?

Yes, Rolled Cold Creamery has bike parking.

Does Rolled Cold Creamery have outdoor seating?

No, Rolled Cold Creamery does not have outdoor seating options.

Does Rolled Cold Creamery have parking?

Yes, Rolled Cold Creamery has parking options. Garage Parking, Street Parking, Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Is Rolled Cold Creamery wheelchair accessible?

No, Rolled Cold Creamery is not wheelchair accessible.

Does Rolled Cold Creamery have free WiFi?

Yes, Rolled Cold Creamery has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

We specialize in creating fresh made, hand rolled, Ice Cream.

Meet the Business Owner: Dante D.

In 2017, Dante DiCamillo, who has been interested in business for many years, decided to bring the fresh and exciting experience of rolled ice cream to downtown Lancaster. From this decision, Rolled Cold Creamery was born. He is also the owner of Live Restless, a clothing company specializing in limited, hand printed apparel.

More Info

Health Score

You might also consider

The BBQ Barn

4.7(18 reviews)

1.3 mi

On our way back from a trip to NC and up to MA, we decided to stop in Lancaster for some lunch and…read moreshopping. My husband and I looked for the best BBQ places in the area and landed on The BBQ Barn. A small and cute little barn sits in the corner of the plaza (on the right of Target). We ordered chicken and rib dinners with an extra pulled pork sandwich (we ordered way too much but needed to try it all!!). Dinner plates come with Cole slaw, a dinner roll, potatoes, and a whoopie pie. There is seating outside. We both agreed that the chicken may have been the best we have ever had. It was seasoned so well and perfectly cooked. The ribs came with bbq sauce on the side. There was a line, but service was quick and efficient. The grills are right in front and you can see the cooking happening! Inside the barn, I could see them rolling out fresh pretzels. They also had homemade root beer, which was very good! After we finished eating, I couldn't help but grab a vanilla ice cream cone to share with my dogs. They agree too, best soft serve ice cream we have ever had. Since getting home, we have already talked about how we need to plan a trip back to Lancaster to get more BBQ and explore the area a bit longer.

Important! The address listed in Yelp is wrong. The BBQ Barn is located in Lancaster on the north…read moreside of Lincoln Highway but is not visible from the road. Drive to the Target just west of the American Music Theatre and head to the far east side of the Target, driving back around the side of the building and the restaurant will be on your right. Watch for small signs directing you to the BBQ Barn. Review: Very good pulled pork sandwiches with lots of meat for a very reasonable price. Full meal is a great deal that includes three small grilled red potatoes, a small coleslaw, roll, whoopie pie, and drink for $12.50-$14.00 depending on your meat and beverage choice. They sell "homemade" root beer that I tried and it was good and tasted like the original drove in A&W root beer except it lacked carbonation. We had a sandwich plus one full meal for about $20 and left a small tip. Note that this is a casual place with outdoor seating only, similar to a food truck. Thankfully the picnic table seating is mostly in the shade. I do recommend this place for a quick lunch or dinner and noticed local Amish eating there while we had lunch. today.

Half chicken meal

See all

Lemonade part of the dinner plate

Dutch Haven Shoo-Fly Pie Bakery

3.5(129 reviews)

2.0 mi

We stopped at Dutch Haven after lunch across the parking lot, drawn in by the windmill, which…read morestands like a beacon for travelers aong Route 30 and the mildly curious. It is the sort of landmark that promises something memorable, or at least something sweet. Inside, the place leans heavily into its role as a stop-off for visitors. Shelves are filled with faux-Amish goods, hex signs, and a cheerful assortment of bric-a-brac, along with shirts that seem very proud of nearby towns with names that invite, shall we say a certain kind of humor. It feels less like a bakery and more like a general store that wandered into a theme. The people working there are genuinely kind, and generous with samples, which is always a wise and welcome strategy. We tried a bit of the shoo fly pie, and in the past we've tried some cookies, root beer, and ice cream. They were all perfectly fine. Pleasant, even. But they did not distinguish themselves from the many other places in Lancaster County offering the same treats with equal or better competence. Nothing here is bad. In fact, it is all quite enjoyable in the moment. But it is not something I would go out of my way for again. Far less so when the tourist busses are around. It is a place you stop at because you are already there, because the windmill caught your eye, because someone offers you a sample and you say yes. Three stars, for doing what it does well enough, in a place where "well enough" is abundant.

This is tourist central, which is fine, but the crowds are bad. They have plenty of fun items for…read moresale but somehow the vibe is totally joyless? I haven't experienced that at other tourist traps, it's kind of odd. I'd say this is worth checking out at least once if you're in the area, but unless you want cheesy stuff it's a pass. Also I didn't really see any shoofly pies for sale (I might have missed them though).

Whimsical decor

See all

Bird-in-Hand Bakery & Cafe

4.2(87 reviews)

1.3 mi

Cute Amish Bakery with an assorted baked goods available made Fresh. Breakfast and Ice cream too!!…read more The larger cream puff I have ever seen and was delish. The crust on the cream puff was light and airy with tons of Bavarian cream filling. Even if you can't eat it there, get it to go and it will taste good later.

This bakery and café is in a perfect location near Amish markets, theatre, antique shops, and…read morespecialty stores. Eat in upstairs to look over and above street level. Or, eat on the first floor and watch customers come and go. Homemade baked goods are divine--i love homemade donuts! Breakfast and lunch choices abound. Coffee, tea, specialty beverages, and more please everyone. And ice cream!! Staff take orders at the counter, are friendly, and are helpful. What a great place!

Upstairs

See all

Sandwich and donut counter

Uncle Leroys Candy Kitchen

5.0(5 reviews)

0.3 mi

Uncle Leroy's Candy Kitchen's location is at the historic Lancaster Central Market…read more Lots of delightful old-time goodies with the staff ready to assist. Check out the first two shelves in the glass cabinet, which have many different flavors of fudge, including salted caramel. Also cookies and brittle.

This local candy & nuts shop based in Strasburg is a great place!…read more Located in the Rockvale Outlets, Uncle Leroy's offers a good selection of homemade fudge, chocolates, candies, brittles, nuts, snacks, peanut butter dips, Amish jams, jellies, and jarred food. This store also offers ice cream, dipped cones, fresh squeezed lemonade, coffee, and cold drinks. There are plenty of free samples throughout this store, sort of reminded me of the samples at Stonewall Kitchen (ME & NH) and Kitchen Kettle Village. Recently, I stopped in at Uncle Leroy's during a shopping trip to the outlets. I enjoyed plenty of samples of the candies. spicy nuts, and dips. I purchased some mini milk chocolate peanut butter cups and chocolate caramel creams for snacking on. I enjoyed my treats in moderation this past month with my daily coffee, but unfortunately for me, I found my package of milk chocolate mini peanut butter cups missing from the company fridge last week. Someone there must have a sweet tooth too! I should return to Uncle Leroy's in the near future and get some more treats, but I will have to use a padlock next time!

Dienner's Country Restaurant

4.1(596 reviews)

1.9 mi

The buffet: 3ish stars. The lemon meringue pie: 5,000 stars…read more The restaurant seems clean, the service is fine, the buffet is nothing to write home about...like it's not bad, but nothing stands out....until you get into the pie case. All the pies we tried were delicious. The stand out: Best Lemon Meringue pie I have EVER had, and I LOVE lemon meringue pie. I made my husband go almost an hour each way (so 2 hours) so I could have this pie as my Easter dessert. He didn't mind, we ate breakfast while we were there, lol. Note: breakfast doesn't include pies, but for less than $5 you get a slice of pie to go that is really 2 slices worth. The only reason I wouldn't get a whole pie, is because I would eat the WHOLE pie. I would love to post a picture of said pie, but I ate it. (I'll try to update with some pics the next time we go!)

I was passing through the Lancaster area and I knew exactly what I wanted for dinner. But, I…read morecouldn't find it on any regular restaurants' menus. I looked at Dienner's and found it, so I decided to go there. Turns out, they call chicken & noodles "chicken pot pie"! The buffet was better than I had expected. A good salad bar, lots of desserts and, of course, the chicken & noodles I was looking for.

Dessert Buffet

See all

Miller's Smorgasbord

3.6(852 reviews)

1.7 mi

When I was a kid there was famous tourist stop on the way to Tahoe from the Bay Area called the Nut…read moreTree. It was basically a restaurant with a huge gift shop, a toy store and restaurant that was so popular you'd have to wait an hour to get in. As a kid I loved it and I've develped a fondness for these touristy restaurants. Not tourist traps because those are usually overpriced and not good. Millers Falls into that category for me. It's a gigantic restaurant with several adjacent stores and lots of branded items. But the attraction of course is the smorgasbord. Yes, that's essentially a buffet if you're reading this from one of my home towns on the west coast or Southwest. The place is huge and you'd think it might be slow to get or confusing but it's extremely well run. There are multiple stations such as Salads, Local Favorites, Appetizers and the ubiquitous carving station. I'd say stay away from the carving station; the roast beef was dried and a little tough. But everything else was great and very fresh. Some highlights included brown butter noodles, chicken pot pie (sortof a dumpling) Cabbage bake and ham balls. All the regional PA specialties are really delicious. The pickled eggs, pickled beats and spicy gardinera were yummy too. A gooey oatmeal pie was a delightful and delicious desert, but there were dozens of deserts to choose from as well. The wait staff were friendly and super efficient. If you're visiting the Lancaster area it's well worth the visit.

The service was excellent except for one thing that ultimately annoyed the heck out of me. Having…read morenever attended one of these buffets, I wasn't aware of all the idiosyncrasies connected with participation. When we sat down we were immediately approached by a very pleasant smiling server. Her first question was whether or not we had ever frequented Miller's before? We said that this was our first time. Question #2 -What can I get you to drink? She then rattled off all kinds of soft drinks. We asked for a raspberry tea and an unsweetened tea. She kept our glasses full throughout our lunch. I was surprised to see a charge of $3.99 per drink added to our bill. Now I don't consider myself cheap. BUT, please say "would you care to order some beverages? Since this is your first time drinks are not included" The food was possibly a step above a college cafeteria. When i asked one of the food attendants "where's the beef"? he replied only on weekends. If you like pork and ham you're in good hands- they had what looked like a compressed turkey breast as well. The potato soup was very good and the fried chicken acceptable. So i was looking forward to the desserts. I love cherry pie so i took a piece and a piece of yellow cake with chocolate frosting.. You have to understand they cut 10-12 pieces out of a pie, small servings. After one bite of each as i pushed them both aside my wife had a stunned look. Knowing they are my favorites she was shocked i wasn't eating them. They were absolutely not worth the calories. BTW the coffee was lukewarm and the cup size was 4oz. at best. I'm glad i got the Amish Country buffet out of my system and hope I saved you a trip and the $80+ we paid with the tip.

Yummmmm 10/2/21

See all

Anna's Chicken and Waffles and a Beer.

Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market

4.1(132 reviews)

1.3 mi

Stopped in for salad veggies. Amish stand had everything's I wanted, fresh and great pricesread more

Stopped on the drive back to Philly and it was amazing!!! Tons of different things you can choose…read morefrom. I got tea and fudge and gifts for my niece and nephew. They do take credit cards!

Amish family horsing around

Inside stalls

See all

So many local goodies here!

Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord

3.2(279 reviews)

1.4 mi

Extremely friendly staff. Delicious foods. Homey. If you're…read morein the Lancaster area, this place is a must-try. The food is always delicious, and there's a lot to choose from. You can enjoy anything from breakfast to dinner. It's conveniently located inside a grocery store, so you can dine and shop at the same time! Tip: This place can get busy sometimes, so I recommend calling ahead before visiting to check the wait time.

First things first; Bird-in-Hand; I still love ya and please take this review, as words for…read moreimprovement. Note to those navigating the Bird-in-Hand restaurant website, there is a section for coupons and "specials," that is a must to check out. I need to take a moment to emphasize the customer service, which far exceeds nearly anything I've encountered elsewhere. My hands shake and this was seen while at the hot food area (eggs/ham). The gentleman behind the bar, offered to hold my dish, scoop my food and bring the food tray to my table. Our waitress, spoke to us as if we were friends and her smile, seemed genuine. The breakfast offerings, unfortunately, were a let down. Eggs were lukewarm, scrambled hard, boiled ham, flavorless, pancakes, spongy discs, homefries, potatoes from a can (noticeable corners were cut in many food items), continuing... mini sticky buns, crisp, hard, fruit - lacked variety, baked oatmeal, toothsome, dry, unremarkable. I plan on coming back for lunch - Wednesday, for your chicken potpie; it's so good and to be treated like family.

Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord - Dessert buffet highlights: Watergate salad, hot apple crisp, orange fluff, caramel pudding, pumpkin bars, shoo-fly pie

Dessert buffet highlights: Watergate salad, hot apple crisp, orange fluff, caramel pudding, pumpkin bars, shoo-fly pie

See all

Route 30 Diner

3.6(218 reviews)

0.5 mi

I'm always on the hunt for a classic diner frozen in time and Route 30 has officially been added to…read moremy list. With most diners you either get the food right or wrong and it's mostly about the service and atmosphere. They met the mark in all aspects and we were honored to have dined with them on our trip to Lancaster. Highly recommend and look forward to returning!

I love me a good old fashioned diner. The Rte 30 diner has all the ambiance you'd expect and also…read morehas the special touch honoring local fallen soldiers by lining the perimeter with their photos. Service was prompt and friendly. Food arrived quickly and was tasty. I'd be happy to return here the next time I'm passing through.

Beautiful egg white farmers omelet.

See all

1950's vibe!!

Chick-fil-A

4.1(114 reviews)

20.4 mi

We walked in to a full restaurant. Large lines. And had to use the bathroom…read more Bathroom was spotless. The large lines moved super fast. Got our order very fast and totally accurate. This place is a well oiled machine and has amazing service.

Nice place! You get the kind of service you expect from Chick-Fil-A. Fast, helpful, welcoming. Very…read moreclean. Lots of parking. Lemonade and cookie were great!