Shady Maple Smorgasbord Menu – Updated Prices 2026
Shady Maple Smorgasbord runs from about $12.99 for a lunch buffet up to $32.00 for dinner nights, with breakfast starting around $13.99-$14.99. Below is the full menu across every category, how a small stall under a tree in the 1960s grew into America’s largest buffet, and why themed dinner nights — prime rib, seafood, steak — turn the same admission price into a genuinely different meal each night of the week.
How we built this page: prices below are estimated national averages compiled by cross-checking multiple public menu-price trackers as of 2026, not a single unverified source. Shady Maple Smorgasbord is a single-location destination buffet in East Earl, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania — figures below are the buffet’s own publicly documented per-person tiers, before the added 6% Pennsylvania sales tax and service fee. Shady Maple is closed Sundays. Always confirm current pricing and hours directly before visiting.
Jump to: Breakfast Buffet | Themed Dinner Nights | 46-Item Salad Bar | Allergens | FAQ
About Shady Maple Smorgasbord
Shady Maple Smorgasbord traces its origin back to 1962, when Henry Z. started a small stall under a tree in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. That modest beginning has grown into America’s largest buffet, set alongside a 44,000-square-foot shopping experience that includes an onsite farm market and gift shop.
There is no à-la-carte ordering at Shady Maple — one admission opens the entire smorgasbord, with a single lunch alone spanning a 46-item salad bar, roughly 14 hot vegetables, carved meats, fried shrimp, soups, six breads, and a full dessert smorgasbord. The buffet mainly serves Pennsylvania Dutch-style comfort food alongside broader American dishes, and has been named the nation’s best buffet in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice results for 2024.
Breakfast Buffet
| Item | Estimated Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast Admission | $13.99-$14.99 | Breakfast grills close daily at 10:30 AM, breakfast buffet closes at 10:45 AM |
Breakfast includes a Made-to-Order Omelette Station (eggs, cheese, ham, peppers, onions, mushrooms), scrambled and fried eggs, scrapple (the Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast classic — a seasoned pork-and-cornmeal loaf, sliced and griddled crisp), bacon, sausage, ham, pancakes, French toast, mush, puddings, oatmeal, waffles, biscuits, fruit, cereal, baked goods, and beverages.
Lunch Buffet
| Item | Estimated Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lunch Admission | $18.99-$20.99 | Lunch prices begin around 10:10 AM |
Lunch includes fried shrimp, smoked beef brisket, the full 46-item salad bar, 5 homemade breads and rolls, 4 soups, 6 cheeses, 8 meats, 14 vegetables, 10 cold desserts, 4 hot desserts, 8 pies, 6 cakes, a sundae bar, and many beverages.
Themed Dinner Nights
| Night | Theme | Estimated Price |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Steak Night — Delmonico & NY Strip Steaks, brisket, pork chops, fried shrimp | $27.99-$31.99 |
| Tuesday | Seafood Night — fried, steamed & grilled shrimp, clams, mussels, scallops, salmon, Cajun catfish, brisket, NY Strip Steak | $28.99-$32.00 |
| Wednesday | Prime Rib Night — hand-carved prime rib, brisket, honey ham, liver & onions, NY Strip Steak, fried shrimp | $28.99-$32.00 |
| Thursday | Wing & Rib Night — BBQ ribs, pulled pork, brisket, fried & steamed shrimp, ham, grilled chicken, eggplant parmesan, NY Strip Steak | $27.99-$30.99 |
| Friday/Saturday | Grand Menu — fried shrimp, crab cakes, salmon, Cajun catfish, NY Strip Steak, brisket, pierogies | $29.99-$32.00 |
The all-you-can-eat buffet dinner is priced between $28 and $32 (plus a service fee) and features 46 salad bar items, 3-4 soups, 6 homemade breads and rolls, 4 cheeses, 8 meats, 14 vegetables, 10 cold desserts, 3-4 hot desserts, 8 pies, and 6 cakes.
Early Bird Special
| Item | Estimated Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday Early Bird Special (10:00 AM-3:00 PM) | $16.99-$18.99 | All-you-can-eat, featuring hot entrees, meats, seafood, sides, and desserts |
The 46-Item Salad Bar
| Category | Notes |
|---|---|
| 46 Salad Bar Items | Included with every lunch and dinner admission — one of the largest salad bars of any buffet in the country |
Chinese Takeout Station
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Classic Chinese Takeout Favorites | Bold flavors, fresh ingredients — prices may vary, call for current pricing |
Catering & Banquets
| Item | Estimated Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Banquet Hall (up to 800 guests) | Priced per event | Perfect for parties, meetings, and special occasions |
| Wedding Reception Catering | $27.99/person | |
| Luncheon Catering | $12.99/person |
Shady Maple’s Specialty & Services
Shady Maple’s specialty is genuine scale — a 200-foot buffet line spanning breakfast, lunch, and dinner with over 200 items, all traced back to a small 1962 stall under a tree in Lancaster County. Beyond the standard menu:
- Themed dinner nights: Steak Night, Seafood Night, Prime Rib Night, and Wing & Rib Night each bring a genuinely different lineup to the same admission price, giving regulars a reason to return on different nights
- National recognition: named the nation’s best buffet in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice results for 2024, reflecting genuine national attention beyond its regional Pennsylvania Dutch roots
- Farm market and gift shop attached: the Smorgasbord is part of a larger complex that includes an onsite farm market and gift shop, making it a genuine destination beyond just the meal
Allergen Quick-Reference
| Item | Gluten | Dairy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scrapple | Yes | No | Cornmeal-and-wheat-based loaf |
| Homemade Breads & Rolls | Yes | Possible | Wheat-based |
| Carved Meats (plain) | No | No | Naturally free of major allergens before sauce |
| Salad Bar (plain vegetables) | No | No | Naturally free of major allergens before dressing |
Given the buffet’s sheer scale and shared serving stations, cross-contact between items is common. This is a general reference only — staff should be notified of any severe allergy before dining.
Approximate Nutrition
| Meal | Typical Calorie Range (full plate) |
|---|---|
| Breakfast (typical plate) | ~800-1,200 kcal |
| Lunch/Dinner (typical plate) | ~1,200-1,800 kcal |
Given the all-you-can-eat format, total intake varies significantly by how much and how many trips a guest makes through the buffet line.
Most Popular Orders
| Item | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Prime Rib Night | $28.99-$32.00 |
| Tuesday Seafood Night | $28.99-$32.00 |
| Lunch Admission | $18.99-$20.99 |
| Saturday Early Bird Special | $16.99-$18.99 |
Shady Maple vs. Other Large Buffet Chains
| Chain | Comparable Item | Estimated Price |
|---|---|---|
| Shady Maple Smorgasbord | Dinner Admission | $27.99-$32.00 |
| Golden Corral | Adult Dinner Buffet | $16.99-$20.99 |
| CiCi’s Pizza | Adult Pizza Buffet | $8.99-$9.99 |
| Sizzler | Endless Salad Bar | $14.89 |
Shady Maple prices well above Golden Corral and other national buffet chains, reflecting its genuinely massive scale (46-item salad bar, themed nightly proteins, national recognition) — some local diners have described the shift toward a “tourist trap” pricing tier as the buffet has grown, worth factoring in before a visit.
Price Quick-Reference
- Cheapest admission: breakfast — around $13.99-$14.99
- Cheapest full meal: Saturday Early Bird Special — $16.99-$18.99
- Most expensive standard item: themed dinner nights — up to $32.00 plus service fee
- Best catering value: luncheon catering at $12.99 per person
Deals & Ordering Hacks
- The Saturday Early Bird Special (10 AM-3 PM) offers the full all-you-can-eat experience at a lower price than standard dinner admission
- Themed dinner nights let you plan a visit around your favorite protein — prime rib on Wednesdays, seafood on Tuesdays, steak on Mondays
- Prices are before a 6% Pennsylvania sales tax and an added service fee — factor both into your total before visiting
- Shady Maple is closed Sundays — plan accordingly
Service Options & Dining Details
- Service options: dine-in buffet only, no à-la-carte ordering, banquet hall for events up to 800 guests
- Popular for: destination dining, Pennsylvania Dutch comfort food, large groups and bus tours
- Amenities: onsite farm market, gift shop, bus and motorcoach parking
Shady Maple Hours
Shady Maple Smorgasbord is closed Sundays. Breakfast grills close daily at 10:30 AM, with the breakfast buffet closing at 10:45 AM; lunch begins around 10:10 AM. Confirm current hours directly at shady-maple.com/smorgasbord/pricing-hours before visiting.
Nutrition & Dietary Quick Facts
- The salad bar and steamed vegetable stations offer the lightest options across any meal period
- Given the buffet format, portion control is entirely up to the guest — total calorie intake can vary enormously
- Cross-contact between items is common given the shared serving stations across such a large buffet
- Shady Maple’s official nutrition information can be requested directly for specific dietary needs
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the buffet at Shady Maple Smorgasbord?
Breakfast starts around $13.99-$14.99, lunch around $18.99-$20.99, and dinner nights range $27.99-$32.00, before a 6% PA sales tax and service fee.
Is Shady Maple Smorgasbord really America’s largest buffet?
It’s widely recognized as one of the largest, with a 200-foot buffet line and over 200 items, and was named the nation’s best buffet in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice results for 2024.
What are Shady Maple’s themed dinner nights?
Steak Night (Monday), Seafood Night (Tuesday), Prime Rib Night (Wednesday), Wing & Rib Night (Thursday), and a Grand Menu on Friday and Saturday.
Is Shady Maple Smorgasbord closed on Sundays?
Yes — it’s closed every Sunday.
How many items are on the Shady Maple salad bar?
46 salad bar items, included with every lunch and dinner admission.
Where is Shady Maple Smorgasbord located?
East Earl, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, as part of a larger complex with an onsite farm market and gift shop.
Does Shady Maple offer catering?
Yes — a banquet hall hosting up to 800 guests, plus wedding reception and luncheon catering options.
What is scrapple?
A Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast classic — a seasoned pork-and-cornmeal loaf, sliced and griddled crisp — served on Shady Maple’s breakfast buffet.
How did Shady Maple Smorgasbord start?
As a small stall under a tree in 1962, started by Henry Z. in Lancaster County.
Is Shady Maple more expensive than Golden Corral?
Yes, notably — Shady Maple’s dinner pricing runs well above Golden Corral’s comparable buffet tier.
What Makes Shady Maple Smorgasbord Different
Shady Maple Smorgasbord built its identity around genuine scale — a 200-foot buffet line with over 200 items that’s grown from a single 1962 stall under a tree into America’s largest and most nationally recognized buffet. The themed dinner nights, spanning prime rib, seafood, and steak across different days of the week, combined with the massive 46-item salad bar, give Shady Maple a distinctly destination-dining identity that draws visitors well beyond Lancaster County.
This page is independently published and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Shady Maple Smorgasbord. All prices are estimated based on the restaurant’s own publicly documented pricing tiers and may not reflect current pricing. Last updated: 2026.
