Der Dutchman — Restaurant in Sarasota

I placed the catering order and I had to pick it up today (Friday the 29th) Because they were not taking any more orders for Saturday that was no problem I decided to that I might as well eat while I was there as I arrived around 10:45 after waiting a while to be seated I fixed my first plate off the breakfast buffet. My waitress was not very friendly the first time around I just figured she was having a bad day, I've had dental work done so I could only eat a one side of my mouth and I also received a business call that I had to take I was slow eating and not even halfway through my meal the waitress set down the check I thought it was odd I didn't say anything, after I tried a couple of the breakfast items I went back and tried a couple more things on the breakfast buffet then I noticed that the lunch buffet was open so I had one piece of chicken a little bit of beef and noodles and about a bite of sauerkraut with two pieces of sausage. I returned to my table and the waitress walk by I asked her for a refill seem to be a bother to her keep in mind I was there Thursday night with my family who was some out of town eight of us and I eat there probably once every other week and I've never had an experience like the one I had today also keep in mind I was there to pick up $115 catering order. When she brought back my soda I gave her my credit card thinking okay she wants to turn the table as she returned I noticed she took off the breakfast buffet and charged me for the lunch buffet I would not have had a problem with this other than she should have said something I saw multiple people eating off both sides I wonder if their waitress that I hope was in a better mood than mine would inform them that they were paying for the lunch buffet not the practice granted it's only $5 but it is a principle of the thing in my book I felt like she thought I was trying to scam or something it made me feel uncomfortable. I was not only disappointed in her doing this but I was disappointed in the service. I do hope that this message gets reviewed and that you guys as a management team come up with a process to inform people that if they take one or two items off the lunch buffet they're getting charged I can afford it what about people who can't? I do have to say I didn't tip her because I felt the service was bad and I also felt that that extra $5 that she put on my bill what's her tip I wasn't trying to be rude or sarcastic but it did make a point. All in all a disappointing way to start my afternoon.. I did pop my head into the office and make a very short statement that I was disappointed in her action and got a sides look from one of the people who were sitting at the desk and a small apology from a lady who was standing there..

You may think wow why is he making such a big deal out of this the big deal was it was bad service she had an attitude I was very nice to her she should have pointed it out to me she made me feel cheap and she made me feel like I was scamming the restaurant over..

I did pick up my catering order and believe it or not I actually had money to pay for it I don't know if she thought that I didn't have any money I'm not sure what she thought but I do know this the policy should be changed she should have said we're now on the lunch buffet and since you had two items on charging you for the lunch buffet.. So this $5 difference between the breakfast and lunch buffet has left a terrible taste in my mouth and I will be hesitant to come back for a while.

I hope this young lady learns to treat every guest like a welcome...

Nestled in the heart of Sarasota, Der Dutchman isn't just a restaurant; it's a journey back in time, where the pace of life slows down, and the food is as comforting as a hug from your favorite aunt. Here's what you can expect:

Ambiance: Walking into Der Dutchman feels like stepping into a meticulously preserved slice of Americana. The decor screams 'quaint' with its hand-crafted wooden furniture and decor that could only be described as 'classic Amish chic'. It's clean, it's charming, and it's got that old-world feel that makes you want to stay a while.

Service: The staff at Der Dutchman are the epitome of hospitality. They greet you with smiles that seem to say, "Welcome to our home." Their attentiveness is not overbearing but just right, ensuring your glass is never empty and your plate never cold.

The Food: Ah, the pièce de résistance. The buffet at Der Dutchman is a testament to the art of comfort food. Here's what stood out:

Ham: Sliced to perfection, this isn't just ham; it's a love letter to pork, seasoned and cooked to bring out the best of its flavor.

Fried Chicken: Forget about fast food chicken; this is the real deal, crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, with a seasoning that whispers of home.

Homemade Rolls: These aren't just bread; they're fluffy clouds of deliciousness, begging to be slathered with butter.

Gravy: Rich, savory, and the perfect companion to everything on your plate, especially those mashed potatoes.

Mashed Potatoes: Creamy, buttery, and the kind that make you question why you ever eat instant.

Stuffing: It's like they've bottled Thanksgiving and served it up daily.

Orange Juice: Fresh, not from concentrate, and a delightful burst of citrus that complements the hearty fare.

Recommendation: If you're in the area, Der Dutchman is not just a meal; it's an experience. The buffet is a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate, each dish a note in a culinary masterpiece. Whether you're a local or a tourist, this place promises a meal that feels like a warm embrace from the past, made with love and served with a smile.

In short, if you're looking for food that feeds not just your stomach but your soul, Der Dutchman is your destination. Go, enjoy, and let the simple pleasures of life remind you why sometimes, the old ways are...

I went to Der Dutchman on Nov 8, 2023 for the lunch buffet. Advertisement said lunch buffet from 11am. At 11am it was not ready, the salad bar was, but not the hot food portion. Was quite awhile after eleven, closer to 11:30 am before ready. I have no complaints about the salad bar, everything was fresh and great. The service was excellent, I couldn't of asked for a better server, she was a gem! It was the hot food on the buffet that was my problem. I have been a chef/ cook/ hash slinger for well over 40+ years and I have NEVER in my life seen meat served like what was on this barfett. The turkey was in chunks that was so cooked that you couldn't tell the dark meat from the white, it was a grayish color and dry as the MOHAVE desert. The ham was cut in triangles and swimming in a sweet sauce, the ribs were so over cooked they flaked like cooked salmon. The fried chicken, wow was it ever, pretty close to chicken jerky with a super hard crunchy crust. The green beans, straight out the veri green can. The stuffing, chunks of bread with a bit of flavor. I tried this place many years ago and it sucked then too. I wanted to give it another go since I was reading about what great homemade cooking that was offered. Well if this is Amish cooking at it's best NO THANK YOU. Very disappointing to this old gal, dont know how ordering off their menu food might be,3 but for me, their buffet was disgusting. My daughter had to pull over and puke on the way home. Never had anything from the bakery or store, couldn't bring myself to look around after eating. The place is beautiful and many of the locals enjoy it, as for me, never again. Even 30 years between visits apparently...