Kimball Farm Lancaster — Restaurant in Lancaster

OK, I'm a little "miffed" here about my eating experience at Kimball Farm. I thought ordering a lobster roll with a side of onion rings would be a nice meal. However, when it was handed to me, what family of four did they think I was bringing the food back to at the table? I must confess that I really don't like wasting food, so I had to give that mound of onion rings the "old college try" to finish them while they were warm, since they never taste as good when reheated the next morning for breakfast. Well, OK again, I have to further confess that the only thing about my attempt to make a dent in the rings pile was that it was more of just an "old try" as I haven't been in college for almost 50 years. Needless to say, I had to bring about half of my colossal lobster roll home since I was starting to feel pretty full. However, I wasn't going to go to Kimball Farm and not get some of my favorite Maple Nut ice cream for dessert as you can't buy it in the midwest where I've been living since 1975. You can only find Butter Pecan - WHICH IS NOT THE SAME!! I will partially blame myself for filling up too much on rings before even starting to shovel into my heap of a lobster roll. BUT..., the real annoyance with my Kimball Farm eating experience really kicked in "Small-time" as a result of my standing in one of their ice cream lines. You see, it was here that I noticed the signs next to each order window showing the different size / price options: "Mini" - $4.75, "Kiddie - $5.75, "Small" - $6.00, "Large" - $7.00. While reviewing this sign, I thought to myself that the "Mini" was just for dogs who love ice cream or infants under 1 year old that wouldn't notice that their parents and possibly older siblings' ice creams were all bigger. The "Kiddie" actually looked to be about the right size of what I could now still manage to plop down on top of all those rings in my already-expanded stomach. BUT..., hold on a frugal second here..., for just $0.25 more..., I could get a "Small" size which looks TWICE THE SIZE of a "Kiddie!!" Hmmm.... No reasonable reservation is needed here, especially since I was about to get my "Holy Grail" Maple Nut flavor! Did I mention that I can't get it in the midwest..., and that I may not be back to New England to have it again for another year or so? Here we go - $6 + tip + returning smile for the young server, and I was in "Small Size Maple Nut Ice Cream Hog Heaven!!" Based on the serving size photos, any "reasonable" place would have jumped the description / price from "Kiddie" to "Medium" and add at least a dollar more to "protect" already-full risk takers from themselves. BUT..., ONE MORE TIME HERE..., it was that "Small" temptress of a size name FOR ONLY $0.25 MORE that reeled this "should-have-known-better" old man in!! And then what do you suppose happened? What am I going to do, not eat it... all...?!?! Did I mention..., oh never mind.... Too late.... Damage done.... I am now fuller than full..., "miffed" at myself for being such a frugal "gullet-ible" fool!! I vow not to come back to Kimball Farm again..., that is..., at least until I get back "home" to New England in another year or so..., or maybe...

Kimball Farm, my beloved--I genuinely miss you every time winter rolls around!

This location in northern Lancaster is a short detour off Route 2. Heading down Lunenburg Rd, you'll easily spot a wide entrance right across from Dunkin' Donuts. Parking is straightforward, with extra lots opened during busy days.

Dining is set beneath a large tent that protects from rain and intense sun, but if you prefer sunshine, there are tables that sit just outside the tent. There's also seating on the grassy area, pleasantly shaded by trees.

You place order at the window and pay up-front, and then you wait around for your number to be called. So make sure you're still paying attention if you're listening to music or having a conversation. Condiments, utensils, and napkins are all self-serve, along with the beverage dispensers.

Kimball Farm introduced me to fried seafood plates, and it remains my favorite spot. I'm utterly addicted to their fried scallops--perfectly golden and flavorful--and the crispy, juicy whole belly clams. Seafood is available either as a fried plate (served with fries and coleslaw) or as "sides" in half-pint or pint portions.

Prices here aren't cheap--I usually spend around $40-$50--but the quality, freshness, and generous portions make it entirely worth it.

If you're not too stuffed after finishing your meal, Kimball Farm also serves fantastic ice cream. I highly recommend the Coffee Oreo, but honestly, there's no wrong choice here. Just keep in mind their portions start from "mini" and quickly get larger--don't be surprised if even a "small" is more ice cream than your...

I liked this place and there is a good bit of cute trinkets and gifts inside the store. My critical review is based on the "method" my ice cream was packaged for me. The wait was OK, about 40 min, but when we ordered five pints of ice cream to take home for our family cookout, we didn't expect what we were given. We got ice cream. OH yes. About a pint and a half overflowing about three inches from the top of the cup, topped with a lid that was too small for the cup, wrapped in wax paper and set on its side in a brown paper bag.

Firstly, I appreciate the huge portion, but I honestly would have rather had a pint of ice cream that was properly packaged than an overflow of melting sticky goo in the back of my car. Because that's what happened. We had to repackage all of the pints when we got home and it made a huge mess. Once we realized the tops didn't even fit the containers, I decided never to go back. That was just lack of consideration to package the cups that way. The ice cream is good, but not good enough to wait in line for 40 min and have to clean up a huge unnecessary mess from poorly packaged food out of my car and my home.

Get containers and lids that fit and package them to handle transport. It was mind-blowing the thought process (or lack thereof) on how this was presented to us. First impressions last...