Penns Valley’s Country Kitchen and Dutch Bakery has successful re-opening
AMBER MORRIS/FOR THE EXPRESS The chicken platter includes choice of breast or two leg/thighs, baked potato, macaroni salad, baked beans and a roll, for only $10.50.
AMBER MORRIS/FOR THE EXPRESS Cars began to fill the parking lot of The Country Kitchen and Dutch Valley Bakery not long after they opened their new building.
AMBER MORRIS/FOR THE EXPRESS Amos Yoder’s famous barbecue chicken cooking over the hot coals behind his new shop along Rt. 45 in Penns Valley.
AMBER MORRIS/FOR THE EXPRESS The chicken platter includes choice of breast or two leg/thighs, baked potato, macaroni salad, baked beans and a roll, for only $10.50.
AMBER MORRIS/FOR THE EXPRESS Cars began to fill the parking lot of The Country Kitchen and Dutch Valley Bakery not long after they opened their new building.
AMBER MORRIS/FOR THE EXPRESS Amos Yoder’s famous barbecue chicken cooking over the hot coals behind his new shop along Rt. 45 in Penns Valley.
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PENNS VALLEY -- Grey skies over Penns Valley had no bearing on the spirits of customers attending the re-opening of one of their favorite eateries, The Country Kitchen and Dutch Valley Bakery.
The business sits along Rt. 45 in Centre County, between Millheim and Spring Mills. Their name is tastefully scrolled across two signs near the edge of the busy highway, making those who pass by curious about what sweets and pastries might lay in wait.
The Country Kitchen and Dutch Valley Bakery has baked goods, as the sign states. But really, if you ask anyone local, it's an outstanding chicken place that just happens to have a great bakery.
Amos Yoder first opened in 2000 selling baked goods and grilled chicken every Friday during the spring, summer and early autumn months. Business boomed as word of mouth traveled outside of Penns Valley, and customers came from all around to try their offerings.
In December of 2022, the old building was knocked down, and construction began on the current shop, which is beautiful, modern and inviting, with enough space inside to provide indoor seating as a possibility in the future.
"We kind of had to expand," explained Amos. "We needed more room. In 2000, I never thought it would expand like this."
His brother, Jonas, chimed in with an innocent joke at his sibling's expense. "Amos was getting older, he needed it to be all on one level," he chuckled.
Along with their new storefront comes new hours. The chicken and food window have expanded from one day a week, to four, and is now open Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. through 8 p.m. The bakery is open Tuesdays 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Fridays 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Saturday mornings while supplies last.
Their food menu has grown to include pork, roast beef, chicken patty and fish sandwiches, onion rings, mozzarella sticks and lunch specials. The chicken, as well as the sandwiches, can be ordered as a platter, or ala carte, all from the walk-up window on the front porch.
For those with a sweet tooth, the bakery will fill every need. The smell of warm sugar wafts through the air, and fresh baked breads, handmade chocolates, brownies, pies and cookies, all line the shelves.
They carry so many types of whoopie pies in unique flavors, it makes choosing only one a hard decision. Vanilla with lemon curd and cream, chocolate raspberry, blueberry, chocolate mint, vanilla with raspberry cream, plus the classics like chocolate with white cream, oatmeal cream and chocolate peanut butter, are just a few of the choices.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, and literally behind the store, are Amos and his brother, Jonas, carefully keeping watch over the chicken. Rows of chicken breasts, legs and thighs, are placed between massive wire frames, and flipped every few minutes, giving the meat a perfectly smoky, moist, rotisserie taste. With every flip of the contraption, fat drips off the meat and puffs of smoke rise, as the oil hits the hot coals, sizzling. The experience of watching it cook is pleasing to every sense.
Amos is a seasoned chef in his backyard surroundings, only wanting to provide the best for his customers, and staying on task, on opening day he didn't realize car after car had been pulling into the parking lot all morning, each person leaving with multiple white boxes full of dinners made from his barbecued chicken. "I guess there's some people stopping in out front, but I'm busy out back here cooking the chicken," said Amos. "I was up there for a while, but I'm good back here."
Jenn Miller of Centre Hall has been a patron of Amos's since he first opened those 23 years ago.
"We have been getting their dinners for years. It's our way of supporting our local community, through local businesses," she explained. According to Jenn, the new building has not altered the quality she's come to expect. "The chicken was moist and delicious as always -- it is very well seasoned, and the sides are homemade and tasty as well."
Jami Kintzler, of Aaronsburg, agrees. "My family ordered a little bit of everything off the menu and we couldn't choose a favorite! It was absolutely delicious," she said. "We also got some baked goods and enjoyed those as well. Everyone was very friendly."
Customers are asked to note that holidays may affect hours, beginning this weekend when both the food window and the bakery will be closed on April 7 in recognition of Good Friday. Both will be open Saturday for all your Easter baked goods needs.
The Country Kitchen & Dutch Valley Bakery is located at 4699 Penns Valley Road, Spring Mills, Pa., and questions can be left on voicemail by calling 814-470-3740.