The Amish Deli In Florida Where You Buy Friday Cream Puffs, Fruit Ciders, And Amish Preserves

Friday at one little Florida deli has come with its own dessert holiday, and the star is a cream puff. I can’t think of a better reason to circle a day on the calendar.

The same small shop sells Amish preserves, pepper jam, honey mustard, and cheese curds you can carry home. Apple and blueberry ciders have shown up in the cooler too.

Sandwiches get stacked on thick, fresh slices of bread, with chips and a side riding along on the plate.

I like how the whole place feels like a pantry run and a lunch date rolled into one. There’s even an Amish buggy and horse outside, which may be the slowest ride in Central Florida.

So what happens when a Reuben, a pie case, and a jar of jam all compete for your attention on the same afternoon?

A Small Deli With Serious Pantry Energy

Mount Dora already charms people with its lakeside streets, but one of its best lunch stops is a modest little deli. Ken’s Amish Deli & Bakery sits just outside the busiest part of downtown, and it packs a surprising amount into a small footprint.

Think of it as three shops sharing one roof. There’s a deli counter slicing meats and cheeses, a bakery side with pies and treats, and a little market stocked with Amish-style goods.

Google lists it simply as a deli, which feels almost too modest. The shelves and cases tell a bigger story, with preserves, spreads, cold cuts, cheeses, and baked goods all within a few steps.

Plenty of folks describe it as a cute local shop rather than a polished destination. That’s part of the appeal, honestly, since nobody comes here for chandeliers.

This Lake County stop works for a quick lunch, a grocery detour, or a dessert mission. You can do all three in one visit if your willpower runs low.

Mount Dora sits in Central Florida, an easy drive northwest of Orlando. That makes the deli a natural add-on for anyone already spending a day wandering town.

Meet The Guy Whose Name Is On The Sign

Yes, there really is a Ken. He’s been known to chat with customers, and his stories have a reputation for turning first-timers into friends.

That personal touch matters at a place this small. Friendly staff is one of the most frequently mentioned topics tied to the deli, right alongside the Reuben.

Midwest transplants seem to feel especially at home here. The shop has earned a following among people hunting for meats, cheeses, and pantry items they struggle to find elsewhere in Florida.

I believe that’s the quiet magic of a place like this. It’s a grocery stop for some, and a small taste of home for others who moved south years ago.

Staff have also been described as genuinely helpful. That comes in handy when you’re staring at a wall of jams and can’t decide between three flavors.

Owner-run shops tend to carry a personality that chains can’t copy. Here, it shows up in the made-to-order sandwiches, the homey market shelves, and the easygoing counter service.

Don’t be shy about asking questions at the counter. A good recommendation can save you from leaving with only one jar when you clearly needed four.

Fridays Belong To The Cream Puff

Cream Puff Friday. Say it out loud and try not to smile.

Ken’s Amish Deli & Bakery has been known to roll out cream puffs as a Friday special. It’s the kind of tradition that makes the end of the workweek feel like an actual event.

Cream puffs show up again and again when folks talk about this deli. They’ve been called among the best around, and some say they’re well worth the small splurge.

Friday specials have also extended to pies at times. That gives dessert fans two good reasons to plan a lunch break around the calendar.

Specials can shift, so it’s smart to confirm before you drive over with high hopes. Nothing stings quite like arriving ready for pastry and finding the case empty.

A good plan is simple. Order your sandwich first, then grab the cream puff as your reward for finishing lunch like a responsible adult.

Or skip the order entirely and start with dessert. I can’t imagine anyone at the counter judging you for it, and life in Florida is too short for rigid rules.

The Reuben That Keeps Stealing The Spotlight

Ask what to order and the answer comes back fast: the Reuben. It’s the most talked-about item at this Mount Dora deli by a wide margin.

The version people describe comes stacked with meat, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on marble rye. The bread has a reputation for holding up instead of turning soggy halfway through.

One Michigan native who’d lived in Florida for decades called it the best Reuben around. That’s high praise from someone who clearly grew up with strong deli opinions.

There’s also a Country Reuben on the lineup. It gives repeat visitors a reason to switch things up without wandering too far from a winning formula.

Meat portions get plenty of attention too. The sandwiches are known for being piled high, and some folks have stretched one into two meals.

Pace yourself if a cream puff is in your future. A Reuben this hearty can quietly eat up all your dessert space before you notice.

Got a friend who swears by their hometown deli? Bring them here and let the sandwich do the arguing for you.

Sandwiches With A Full Supporting Cast

Lunch here doesn’t arrive alone. Sandwiches have typically come with chips and a side like coleslaw, macaroni salad, or potato salad.

Some orders have even included a cookie and a drink. That’s a lot of lunch for one tray, and nobody’s complaining.

Every sandwich gets made to order with freshly cut meats. The chicken salad sandwich has earned love for its soft, fresh bread, and the slices are known to be thick.

Macaroni salad deserves its own small fan club. It pops up repeatedly when people talk about the place, which says a lot for a side dish.

The pickles have a following too. They’ve been compared to homemade jarred pickles from a mom’s kitchen, and that’s about the highest compliment a pickle can earn.

Packaging gets a nice touch as well. Meals have come in red boxes with full silverware packets and napkins, which makes a patio lunch feel tidy.

Soups and hot meals have been part of the mix in the past. Check the board when you arrive, since daily options can shift and the best surprise might be sitting right there.

Jars Of Jam That Beg To Ride Home

Good luck walking past the preserve shelf empty-handed. The little market at Ken’s Amish Deli & Bakery stocks Amish preserves, jams, and spreads that make tidy souvenirs.

Pepper jam is one of the standouts people have picked up. Honey mustard has also gone home in shopping bags, sometimes as a gift for family.

Amish-inspired spreads fill out the selection. You’ll find made-from-scratch items with all kinds of ways to add a kick to everyday meals.

I like how a jar of jam stretches the trip. Lunch lasts an hour, but a good preserve keeps the visit going for weeks of toast.

The market has been called the best part of the whole place by some. That’s bold, considering the Reuben’s reputation, but the shelves really do invite slow browsing.

Pepper jam plays nicely with cream cheese and crackers. Honey mustard could easily upgrade a home sandwich built from deli meats you grabbed at the counter.

Visitors from out of state have filled bags here before heading home. Florida souvenirs don’t always have to be shell-covered, after all.

Fruit Ciders, Cheese Curds, And Cooler Treasures

Apple cider and blueberry cider in the same cooler? That’s a tough choice on a warm Florida afternoon.

Both fruit ciders have earned strong recommendations at this deli. They make an easy pairing with a sandwich or a bag of pastries for the road.

Cheese is another big draw. Cheese curds have gone home with shoppers who planned to fry them up later, which sounds like an excellent use of a weekend.

Deli meats and cheeses are sold beyond the sandwich counter too. You can stock up on cold cuts for the week instead of just eating them at lunch.

The shop has also carried a small selection of organic groceries. It’s a compact setup, but the variety keeps surprising people who expect only sandwiches.

Inventory can change, so treat the ciders as a happy maybe rather than a guarantee. A quick look in the cooler will settle it.

Bring a small cooler bag if you’re driving far. Cheese and cold cuts travel better with a little help, especially during Central Florida’s steamy months.

Pies, Lemon Cake, And A Bakery Case To Browse

Italian lemon cake isn’t the first thing most people expect at an Amish deli. Here it has made fans, with dense layers and a mild lemon flavor.

Coconut pecan cookies have earned their own shout-outs. Cherry pie has tempted shoppers into planning a second visit, which is how bakeries win.

Pies come up often when people discuss the place. Whole pies have been described as reasonably priced, a handy detail if you’re feeding a crowd.

Pasties have made an appearance in the conversation as well. Bagels and donuts have also been part of the bakery chatter over the years.

The bakery selection isn’t always huge, though. Some early visitors have found a lighter case than expected, so morning pastry hunters should keep expectations flexible.

That variety means each trip may look a little different. It’s part of the fun if you enjoy a small surprise with your lunch.

My advice? Grab whatever looks freshest, then add a slice for later.

Future you will appreciate the planning, especially around four in the afternoon.

Patio Tables And An Amish Buggy Out Front

Your ride has arrived, sort of. An Amish buggy and horse sit outside, adding a playful bit of character to the stop.

Seating here is outdoors, and the area is covered. That shade matters plenty in Florida, where midday sun doesn’t mess around.

Most tables are two-tops. It’s an easy fit for a lunch date or a solo sandwich break, though big groups may need to spread out.

Don’t expect an indoor dining room. Eating outside is simply part of the deal, so dress for the weather and enjoy the fresh air.

The overall mood has been called cozy and quaint. Simple tables, friendly service, and a buggy for photos make for a relaxed hour.

A small gift shop rounds things out. It’s worth a wander while your order comes together, since you might spot a gift you didn’t know you needed.

Families, couples, and day-trippers all fit here nicely. Dog owners have even worked a visit around nearby errands, which proves lunch can be wonderfully practical.

Finding The Lot Before You Zip Past It

Plug in 335 S Highland St, Mt Dora, Florida 32757, and you’re on the right track. Just keep your eyes open as you get close.

Parking sits in the rear of the building. It’s easy to zip past the entrance, so slow down a little as you approach.

Missed it anyway? There’s a public parking lot within a short walk, which turns a wrong turn into a minor detour.

The shop sits outside the busiest downtown streets. Some folks have joked it would be swamped if it moved to the center of town.

Breakfast has been offered, though some have arrived too late to catch it. If morning plates are your goal, check timing before heading over.

Hours can change, so a quick call or online check is smart. That’s especially true for Friday treats that can sell out.

Prices have been described as fair by many, while a few find them a bit steep. Plan for a modest lunch budget, with extra room for jam, cheese, and pie.

Why This Lake County Stop Earns A Spot

Some lunches end at the napkin. This one tends to end with a bag of goodies on the passenger seat.

Ken’s Amish Deli & Bakery holds a 4.3-star average on Google from more than 170 ratings. That’s a solid showing for a small, owner-run shop.

The formula is refreshingly simple. Hearty made-to-order sandwiches, a cooler of ciders and cheeses, shelves of preserves, and a Friday cream puff habit worth forming.

Not everything is flawless, and that’s fine. Service can slow down during busy moments, and the bakery case isn’t always fully stocked.

Still, the good stuff clearly outweighs the quirks. A Reuben with a loyal following and a market full of Amish-style finds make a strong case.

I believe it’s best treated as a relaxed half-hour stop. Grab lunch on the patio, browse the shelves, and leave a little room for something sweet.

Pair it with a stroll through Mount Dora’s streets afterward. Few Florida day trips end better than with cream puff crumbs and a jar of pepper jam.