The Place That Made Shoo-Fly Pie Famous
When you’ve stepped foot in as many bake shops, gift shops, and attractions in Lancaster County as I have over the last twenty years, you’d be forgiven for being a bit jaded with the usual primitives, country décor, and rustic chic that seems to overflow every retail shelf in the area.
Luckily for me, I found there is still a refreshing breath of fresh air to shop in Lancaster County, and it is none other than the original Amish Country destination, Dutch Haven. Celebrating 80 years in 2026, Dutch Haven occupies rarified air in that the swinging arms of the big Dutch Haven windmill building along Route 30 (the historic Lincoln Highway) have been beckoning travelers come inside for “Amish Stuff” since 1946.
From day one, and only more so now, Dutch Haven was responsible for making Shoo Fly Pie famous. In the early days, Dutch Haven had a fully-fledged restaurant, serving PA Dutch specialties. Today, there’s no restaurant on site, but the bakery has only grown, to provide not only that aforementioned “breath of fresh air” – I was totally charmed, and more than a little entranced, by the delectable smell of baking pies in the kitchen when I was given a behind the scenes tour during my most recent visit – but also a wide variety of baked goodies.
I spied in the original Dutch Haven menu that a slice of Shoo Fly Pie topped with real whipped cream cost only 35 cents! But, you don’t even have to part with three dimes and a nickel today, as a taste of Shoo Fly Pie is offered free to everyone that visits Dutch Haven. And yes, the free taste is topped with real whipped cream! So if you don’t know what Shoo Fly Pie is, and want to try a bite before you take the plunge into the whole confection, Dutch Haven is a must-do. Of course, if you like what you taste, you can buy Shoo Fly Pie by the slice, or whole pie, straight from the bakery. You can also ship a pie to friends and family, essentially anywhere in the US, right from Dutch Haven’s famous on-site bakery. Ship a Pie from the store itself, by phone (717-687-0111) or through their website www.DutchHaven.com.
While the baked goods will surely tempt you as they did me, there are also other Amish Country pantry-stuffers available from multiple local artisans at Dutch Haven. Think honey from local apiaries (beekeepers), PA Dutch Chow Chow, spiced dilly beans, and other jarred goods like jams and jellies, as well as dips, mustards, and seven bean salads all carefully preserved and canned for your enjoyment long after your trip to Lancaster County is over.
Dutch Haven estimates, because who could possibly really count, that the gift shop surrounding the bakery has 10,000 items to browse. This is also where I found Dutch Haven to be unique, as simply put they had all that I expected them to have, but for every one of those “of course” items, they had at least three that I never could have fathomed. Not only Amish Country and Lancaster County can be found here, but a totally indescribable variety of themes and selections from the whole universe of novelty, gift, fun, whimsy, cool, and colorful. If you have a hard-to-buy-for friend or family member, you will find something they’ll love at Dutch Haven, and something that they’ll wonder “Where did you find this? It is perfect for me!”
So after you’ve picked up the famous Shoo Fly Pie, a jug of Dutch Haven’s own Amish recipe root beer (it is totally different from the commercially produced stuff – you’ve got to try it to understand what I mean) and a maybe a half dozen jars of Amish Country’s best grocery items, you’ll need to take a few spins through the clothing, home décor, fantasy creatures, American made rocking chairs and wind chimes, and the other surprisingly one-of-a-kind souvenir choices that Dutch Haven stocks after 80 years of thriving and surviving in Lancaster County’s Amish Country visitor destination.
Finding your way to Dutch Haven cannot be any easier. It is truly impossible to pass by without knowing it. Just look for the big, swinging windmill along Route 30. GPS – 2857A Lincoln Highway East, Ronks PA 17572. There is plenty of free parking behind the store, and particularly of note, Dutch Haven is open every day (except Wednesdays) so visit any time and grab your taste of Amish Country – steeped in history, fresh today. om