Dine-In: My Father’s Place Offers ‘Amish Friendly’ Hospitality With Great Meals
Photo by Meredith Winner/Mer-Made Photography
AC JosepH Media
BRIDGETON – My Father’s Place, the quaint family owned restaurant that sits inside the Greater Bridgeton Amish Farm Market, works like a magnet when one first walks in the door with the aroma of freshly made soups and the serving of mouth-watering dishes.
My Father’s Place, owned by Chris and Lillian Stolzfus, has now become the primary reason for some to visit the Greater Bridgeton Amish Farm Market, at 2 Cassidy Court, off State Route 49.
Front Runner New Jersey.com Dine-In experienced My Father’s Place’s atmosphere cozy, comfortable and relaxing while serving up meals that are fresh and delicious.
Depending on the time you arrive, lines for My Father’s Place can stretch to near the market’s entrance but the staff keeps it moving and any wait is worth it.
You will find My Fathers Place entwined among the hustle and bustle of market shoppers, yet the atmosphere remains homey, regardless of if it is in the middle of a busy holiday weekend or a quiet Thursday afternoon.
During our recent Dine-In review, dishes served included grilled cheese with freshly sliced tomatoes with adorned with sweet potato fries and a pickle, tasty homemade chicken corn soup, big delectable onion rings and a hardy chef’s salad.
Although it was close to closing time, the staff made accommodations to make sure the dishes were freshly prepared and served without delay. The portions were very generous. The simplicity in the presentation afforded time to savor the home-cooked cuisine.
When visiting My Father’s Place consistency of the food and service is a top priority. The restaurant accommodates about 130 people. The hours coincide roughly with the rest of the market. Thursday and Friday hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Stoltzfus’s purchased the restaurant from Lillian’s parents, Jonas and Kathryn King.
The name honors Lillian’s father and their religious faith. My Father’s Place has been operating at the Amish Market for 13 years.
Actually, the restaurant is part of the Stoltzfus’s love story. Chris started working at the restaurant, trying to impress the Kings when he fell for their daughter, who also worked at the establishment. Retelling the story love that happened between food orders and dish washing, still brings a smile to Chris’s face.
The Kings had previously owned and operated another restaurant but when they came across the last of the spaces within the market, they decided it was the perfect spot to start My Father’s Place.
Signage with the Bible verse John 1:14 can be spotted at the restaurant in recognition of its name. The verse reads: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Family inspired and managed, Lillian Stolzfus said her mother still makes all the restaurant’s soups from scratch, with her recipes of love and devotion delighting customer’s taste buds. Chris added that his mother-in-law’s soups have become so popular that they are the most profitable dishes at the restaurant, particularly during the slower winter months.
Kathryn King’s are a fan favorite on the restaurant’s buffet, which was introduced about 18 months ago. Chris Stolzfus said the effort to keep the soup containers full requires a bit of work, but the customers love them so much and keep coming back for more.
Some of the most popular items include breakfast and lunch sandwiches and wraps, large egg omelets, pancakes, waffles, homemade jams and spreads, and paninis. Fountain drinks, juices, milk, tea, coffee and hot chocolate are available.
Chris Stoltzfus said he wants people to know that everything is made fresh with prep starting when they arrive from Lancaster on Thursday every week.
“We get the job done right and we want to satisfy our customers,” Chris Stoltzfus said.
Lillian talked about how much they love the area and the people who visit regularly. It’s like family she said, adding that the customers are so friendly.
Traveling from Lancaster on Thursday, Friday and Saturday begins at 3 a.m. when the workers are picked up for the roughly two-hour drive to Bridgeton. They arrive about 5 a.m. on Thursday and 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturdays.
The dedication of My Father’s Place’s crew is evident in the dishes they serve assuring them repeat customers. In the Amish culture, the large meal of the day comes around noon and is called “dinner,” while the evening meal is called “supper.”
Come on out to the Greater Bridgeton Amish Farm Market with plans to visit My Father’s Place, where you will experience Amish hospitality and where you can have the meal of your choice of your choice.
Follow Us Today On:
Note from AC JosepH Media: If you like this story and others posted on Front Runner New Jersey.com, lend us a hand so we can keep producing articles like these for New Jersey and the world to see. Click on SUPPORT FRNJ and make a contribution that will go directly in making more stories like this available. Thank you for reading.
About Author
