While eateries like the ones mentioned in the article have become incredibly popular it should be noted that truly authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking bears little resemblance to what you’ll find at places like The Shady Maple. As a non-foodie interested in the culture I found William Woys Weaver’s book As American as Shoofly Pie: The Foodlore and Fakelore of Pennsylvania Dutch Cuisine
Lancaster’s particular fondness for this style of eating lies within the region’s bounty. From cream-line milk and butter to Angus beef, free-range chickens to eggs, this part of the state is a top agricultural producer, not only in quantity but also in quality. While the majority of Lancaster’s population might have come from Germany, the food served at these smorgasbords is purely American, based on the region’s agricultural bounty along with nods to visitors’ palates.
Source: How Amish Foodways Became Pennsylvania Dutch Country’s Main Attraction – Eater
