Feature Story : Miller's Dutch Kitch'n
Miller’s Dutch Kitch’n: New owners, same great recipes
By Jennifer Kneuss
Some things get better with time. Miller’s Dutch Kitch’n restaurant has been dishing up delicious food to its customers for 37 years, and their food has continued to grow in popularity. Folks from all over have made the scenic drive to Baltic just to enjoy Miller’s famous broasted chicken and other mouth-watering recipes.
Kelly and Cindy Yoder purchased the eating establishment in July of 2008, after Cindy had worked there for 16 years and the owners, at the time, decided to retire. The Yoders have kept most of the favorite recipes exactly the same, but have made a few wonderful additions as well.
“In addition to our broasted chicken, is an excellent Swiss steak, which we are well known for too. We also have a wonderful roast beef. We use local meats…because of their freshness. We are also starting to get well known for our delicious
prime rib. It’s served on the weekends” said Kelly Yoder.
“We have a great lunch special, because it’s reasonably priced and it will fill you up. We have a three piece chicken special on Mondays, and different pasta every Thursday. Friday is a fish day.”
One of the pasta lunch specials is our lasagna. “We have a wonderful lasagna. We keep getting more and more compliments. I’m part Italian, and I make my sauces from scratch. The response has been extremely enthusiastic. I’m hearing, ‘it’s the best lasagna I’ve ever had. My wife and I have been making lasagna for years.”
Miller’s still serves their vegetable and chili soup made from family recipes from many years ago. They also make some of their own salad dressings. “We make three of our own dressings of the six from scratch. Sweet and sour is the most popular dressing we have. Customers even get it for carryout. They love it! French is made here, too, as is the 1000 Island.”
Kelly Yoder enjoys keeping the best of the old while blending in the new. “Our regular broasted chicken soaks in a special marinade. That’s what makes it so unique. We’ve recently started using a special marinade on our charbroiled chicken breast, too, the boneless/skinless breast is good on a plate, or on top of a salad. The secret marinade was passed on to me by my mother.”
Portions are generous, and are served with three side dishes. Choices include a new macaroni salad, long-time favorite coleslaw, all types of potatoes, onion rings, vegetables, salads, and more.
Kelly Yoder is quick to point out the noodles on the menu. “We are well known for our extremely thin egg noodles - they are homemade by an Amish couple nearby.”
No dinner in Amish Country would be complete without a delicious dessert. Miller’s Dutch Kitch’n is well known for its pies. “The Amish ladies who make the homemade pies for us here in the restaurant insist on using fresh ingredients, never frozen. On any given day, there are usually 12 different types of pies to choose from, and the crusts are made from scratch. We probably go through 80-90 pies a week on average,” explained Kelly Yoder.
He is especially proud of his newly developed chocolate soft-serve ice cream. “We already have a world renowned soft-serve homemade vanilla ice cream. In the last few months, I’ve developed a chocolate, too. It’s a chocolate unlike any offered at any dairy in the state of Ohio. It was a two-month challenge to develop this flavor - I’ve finally got a recipe I love. I’m a chocolate ice cream fanatic, and I believe it’s the best. I know it’s good when all my help at the restaurant has to have a dish of it every day.”
They also serve fabulous milkshakes and chocolate angel food cake, using a special chocolate syrup that comes from the New England states.
Saturdays feature a morning breakfast buffet, with eggs, sausage, bacon, homefries, sausage gravy & biscuits, bakery fresh maple/cinnamon rolls, French toast, pancakes and a fresh fruit mix. All foods are prepared under the capable, skilled hands of long-time cooks Verby and Mandy, who have been with Miller’s for more than 20 years.
The restaurant has always been a family run business. The Yoders have three daughters who also help out. Miranda is 17 and works as a waitress and hostess, and Alyssa and Bianca like to help with bussing tables.
“While I know I won’t be able to please every customer, I guarantee that 99 percent of them will enjoy their visit to Miller’s Dutch Kitch’n. We always want people to come back, and they do,” said Kelly Yoder proudly. “Our food is reasonably priced, and there’s a lot of it. We’re known as the place ‘where you won’t go home hungry.’”
Miller’s Dutch Kitch’n also serves banquets and family-style meals. The restaurant is open Monday-Friday, from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and closed Sundays. Call 330-897-5481 or visit www.mdkitchen.com.
Miller’s Dutch Kitch’n is a stop not to be missed for some of the best food in Amish Country. The Yoders look forward to serving you.
