Twenty-six scoops of vanilla ice cream and thirteen apple fritters piled into one giant bowl. That dessert made a small Pennsylvania diner famous, and seeing it in person brings a laugh out loud, because it looks more like a party than a meal.The red and white striped roof catches the eye first, looking like something out of an old family road trip photo.
Inside, the smell of warm apple fritters and butter arrives before a seat is even found.This is the kind of place that has been feeding hungry travelers for generations, with comfort food that sticks to your ribs and a menu that does not pretend to be fancy. The sundae draws the crowds, but the rest of the menu holds its own.
Breakfast plates, homemade favorites, and sweet treats give visitors plenty of reasons to return even without ordering the famous sundae.Hours slip away without notice. This cozy spot has a lot more going for it than one wild dessert.
A Striped Roof You Can Spot From the Highway
My first look at the Dutch Pantry came from the road, and that red and white striped roof made me smile right away. It sits at 2044 Rich Highway, just off I-80 on Route 219, so it makes an easy stop for anyone crossing Pennsylvania.
The building has a cheerful, old-school look that feels friendly before you even park.
Here is a handy tip for first-timers. The parking lot is reached through the corner of a neighboring lot, so keep your eyes open as you turn in.
Once you find it, the short hunt feels like part of the fun.
The DuBois location opened on August 31, 1971. That means it has been feeding travelers and locals for more than fifty years, which is a big deal for any restaurant.
It is also one of only two Dutch Pantry spots still running from what used to be a much bigger chain.
Hours are generous, too. The doors open at 7 AM every day and stay open until 8 PM most nights, with Friday and Saturday going until 9 PM.
So whether you need breakfast before a long drive or a late supper on the way home, this roadside landmark has your back.
Cozy Booths and Farmhouse Charm
Comfort hit me the second I sat down in a booth. The dining room has wooden beams, soft lighting, and older country decor that makes the whole place feel like a farmhouse kitchen.
Nothing here feels fancy, and that is exactly the charm.
Plates clink, coffee cups get refilled, and families chat at nearby tables while kids eye the dessert menu. It has the easy rhythm of a small-town diner where people come back again and again.
Some groups even make it a yearly tradition, like stopping by every Memorial Day.
The servers move quickly but never make you feel rushed. They are friendly, polite, and happy to answer questions about the menu, which helps a lot if you are new to Pennsylvania Dutch cooking.
I felt welcome from the first hello to the last refill.
Busy times can bring a crowd, especially around lunch and on weekends. My advice is simple: come a little early or a little after the rush if you want a quiet booth.
Either way, the warm room and steady service make waiting feel worth it, and you will probably leave planning your next visit.
A Family Story Over Fifty Years Long
History buffs, this part is for you. The Dutch Pantry idea started back in 1945 in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, when Lottie Kemberling and her son Jess opened a restaurant based on her farm-fresh cooking.
Their goal was to stock a pantry full of good food, just like a Pennsylvania Dutch home.
I loved learning that the word Dutch here does not point to the Netherlands. It actually comes from Deutsch, which refers to the German settlers whose culture shaped this region.
Their hearty cooking and love of sweets still show up on every plate.
The DuBois location has its own family tale. Tom Larson started working in the chain as a cook in 1981, and in 1987 he bought this restaurant.
Today his daughter, Melanie Conklin, helps manage it, keeping the same welcoming spirit going.
That kind of steady care is rare. When a cook becomes an owner and then passes the job to his family, you can taste the pride in the food.
The restaurant celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, and it still feels like a place built to last for many more years.
The Little Shop by the Front Door
Fair warning: the gift shop near the entrance is dangerous for your wallet in the best way. I meant to grab one jar of jam and somehow walked out with a bag full of goodies.
Shelves are packed with candy, jams, jellies, crafts, and fun little knickknacks.
The jams are the stars. Rows of bright jars glow under the lights, from deep red berry flavors to golden fruit spreads.
They make easy souvenirs, and they taste like a piece of Pennsylvania farm country.
Old-fashioned candy and gum fill other spots, which turns adults into kids again pretty fast. Prices are reasonable, so it is easy to pick up small gifts for people back home.
Bus tour groups often stop here and shop up a storm, and I totally understand why.
My best tip is to browse while you wait for your table or for a to-go order. The shop gives you something fun to do and a reason to linger a little longer.
It also adds a homey, general-store feeling to the whole visit, making lunch feel more like a mini road trip adventure.
Hearty Plates and Famous Apple Fritters
Lunch came out piled high, and my eyes went wide. Portions here are big and prices stay friendly, which is a winning combo for road-trippers.
Favorites include country fried chicken, meatloaf, pot roast, ham, and chopped steak smothered in onion and mushroom gravy.
Sides deserve their own fan club. The corn nuggets have whole kernels inside, and the tater tots come out with a crunchy, golden crust.
Bean soup served in cute little black kettles is another local tradition worth a spoonful.
Breakfast fans are covered too, with eggs, scrapple, and classic country plates starting at 7 AM. Fresh brown eggs with rich yolks make a simple meal feel special.
Pair that with hot coffee and you are ready for the highway.
Then there are the apple fritters. They arrive hot, soft inside, and dusted with powdered sugar, and they disappear fast.
You can even order a dozen to go, which comes with 13 pieces, a sweet baker’s dozen. Ask for the powdered sugar on the side if you plan to snack in the car, unless you enjoy wearing it on your shirt like I did.
Meet the Five-Pound Monster Sundae
Twenty-six scoops. Thirteen apple fritters.
One bowl that looks like it needs its own zip code. The Apple Fritter Sundae Challenge is the dish that put this DuBois diner on the dessert map.
Every fritter is made to order, so they come out warm and tender against the cold vanilla ice cream. Butterscotch sauce pours over the whole mountain, then fluffy whipped cream and a bright cherry finish the job.
The total weight comes to about five pounds, which is roughly the same as a small bag of flour.
Challengers get one hour to finish it. Win, and the sundae is free, plus you earn an I Conquered the Apple Fritter Sundae t-shirt to show off back home.
That shirt might be the coolest souvenir in all of Clearfield County.
Some smart advice if you try it: eat the fritters while they are warm, pace yourself, and skip the big lunch beforehand. Bringing friends to cheer also helps.
Even if you do not finish, you will leave with a great photo, a happy belly, and a story people will ask you to repeat for years.
Smaller Sweets for Normal Appetites
Not ready to battle five pounds of dessert? Same here, honestly, and the menu has gentler options that still bring plenty of joy.
The regular Apple Fritter Sundae offers fritters, vanilla ice cream, butterscotch, and whipped cream in a size a human can finish.
Shoo fly pie is a must for curious first-timers. This Pennsylvania Dutch classic has a sweet molasses filling and a crumbly top, and it tastes like a cozy grandma’s kitchen.
One fun fact: the name may come from the way sweet molasses pies attracted flies that bakers had to shoo away.
Warm apple dumplings are another treat worth saving room for. A flaky crust wraps around a whole sweet apple, often with a cinnamon sauce that makes the whole booth smell amazing.
Homemade pies round out the dessert case too.
I left feeling full, happy, and already planning my return. If you are passing through, stop by for a meal and a sweet ending, then grab fritters for the road.
Address: 2044 Rich Highway, DuBois, PA
