I went out for a quiet country drive and came home with a trunk full of flour, cheese, and one very sticky cinnamon roll wrapper. Ohio has plenty of Amish bulk food stores, but this small one on a winding back road packs in more than seems possible.
The deli prices alone could make a chain grocery store blush. Regulars plan whole road trips around a lunch stop here, and first-timers leave planning their next visit before they even reach the car.
Pack a cooler and come hungry.
A Small Building On A Back Road
First impressions can fool you. The building sits along a quiet country road in Perry County, and from the parking lot it looks like a modest shop that might sell a few jars of jam and call it a day.
Step inside, though, and the shelves start talking. Visitors often say the store is on the smaller side but somehow holds an incredible amount, all arranged neatly from floor to ceiling.
Bags of flour, bins of spices, candy, baking supplies, deli meats, cheeses, and homemade sweets share the space without feeling cluttered.
The place is called Amish Ridge Bulk Foods and Variety Store, and it works as a grocery store with a country soul. Folks come for bulk staples, but many leave with a sandwich, a pie, or a bag of cookies they never planned to buy.
Getting there means leaving the highway behind and following roads that curve past farms and fields. A few shoppers note that it feels way off the beaten path, which is part of the charm for some and a small hurdle for others.
You can find it at 11245 Amish Ridge Rd, Somerset, OH 43783.
Sarah, Aiden, And A Warm Welcome
Ask longtime shoppers what keeps them coming back, and the answer usually starts with people rather than products. Regulars mention owners Sarah and Aiden by name, describing a warmth that makes customers feel right at home.
Friendliness shows up again and again in what visitors share. One first-time shopper asked detailed questions about the flours and received patient, thorough answers, including information about non-GMO options.
That same visit ended with a recipe book holding from-scratch doughnut and cinnamon bun recipes, plus a sweet little gift on the way out.
Small touches like that turn a grocery run into a story you tell your friends. Shoppers also mention the young women working the deli counter and the cashier at checkout as kind, cheerful, and helpful.
Here is a fun bit of trivia regulars like to pass along: Sarah has also been known as a Tupperware rep. It fits the picture of a busy, community-minded shopkeeper who knows her customers well.
In a world of self-checkout lanes and quick nods, a store where staff remember faces and take time to help can feel like a breath of fresh country air.
Rolling Hills Of Perry County
Half the fun happens before you even park. Shoppers often describe a beautiful ride on the way in, with country roads rolling past farms, pastures, and wooded hills in southeast Ohio.
Somerset itself is a small village with deep roots, and the surrounding countryside feels a world away from busy city streets. Driving out here can feel like a mini vacation, especially on a sunny weekday morning when traffic is light.
Not every visitor loves the trek. A few mention that the store is far off the beaten trail, so it helps to plan ahead and trust your map app.
Cell service and road signs can be sparse in rural areas, so jotting down the address before you go is a smart move.
Many people treat the trip as a full outing. One regular calls it a favorite stop before heading on to nearby Perry County destinations, and others say it was a wonderful little find while simply out for a drive.
Seasonal note for drivers: fall brings gorgeous leaf color but also deer near the roadsides, and winter weather can make back roads slick. Check conditions before heading out.
Deli Counter Bargains
Price-conscious shoppers, take note. The deli is the most talked-about corner of the store, and the reason is simple: visitors keep calling the prices amazing.
Lunch meats and cheeses get sliced to order, and regulars say the quality stays high even while the cost stays low. Several shoppers describe loading up on deli meat and cheese every single visit, stocking their fridge for weeks of sandwiches.
Bulk buyers find plenty to love too. One shopper specifically praises the store as a great place for bulk deli meats, which can make a big difference for families packing school lunches or folks feeding a crowd at a reunion.
Compared with chain grocery stores, people say prices on many items run below the norm. That kind of value adds up fast when you are buying pounds of turkey, ham, or cheese at once.
A practical tip from the cooler-carrying crowd: bring an insulated bag or ice chest. The drive home through the countryside can be long, and you will want those freshly sliced meats to stay cold.
Between the quality, the friendly slicers, and the bargain pricing, the deli case alone might justify the trip for many Ohio shoppers.
Sandwiches Piled Sky High
Lunchtime regulars have this figured out. They time their arrival around noon so they can order a custom deli sandwich built right at the counter.
Descriptions of these sandwiches sound almost cartoonish. Shoppers talk about towering creations overflowing with meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion, piled high with all the toppings.
One longtime fan, writing a few years back, recalled paying just 2.99 for one of these giants, though prices may have changed since then, so expect today’s cost to differ.
Subs come made to go, which makes them perfect road food. More than one visitor suggests saving room for a deli sandwich to enjoy on the ride home, and another calls it their regular stop before heading to a nearby event in Perry County.
Freshness is part of the appeal. Because the meats and cheeses come from the same counter where locals buy their weekly supply, every sandwich gets the full benefit of that quality.
Picky eaters and big appetites alike can build exactly what they want. Ask for extra cheese, skip the onion, or load on every topping available.
Grab napkins. You will need more than one.
Flour Bins And Baking Treasures
Home bakers, brace yourselves. This store may be one of the best baking supply stops in the region, and shoppers say the selection is outstanding.
Specialty flours line the shelves, and some come in commercial sizes for anyone who bakes in serious quantities. Gluten-free bakers have noticed too, with one family buying Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free flour in bulk because the price beats what they find elsewhere.
Staff know their stock. When a first-time visitor asked detailed questions about different flours, the team explained the options, including non-GMO choices.
That level of knowledge helps whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pie maker.
Beyond flour, expect sugars, mixes, and the kinds of ingredients that make weekend baking projects possible. Several shoppers say good prices on bakery supplies are a big reason they make the drive.
A baker who left with that recipe book full of scratch doughnut and cinnamon bun instructions planned to return with friends and fellow bakers. That tells you a lot about how inspiring the aisles can be.
Bring a list, but leave a little wiggle room. Something unexpected usually finds its way into the cart.
Spice Shelves Worth Sniffing
Cinnamon, paprika, garlic powder, and more wait in tidy rows for anyone who cooks with flavor in mind. Visitors call the spices amazing, and that word choice says plenty.
Buying spices in bulk can be a real money saver. Little jars at chain stores often cost far more per ounce, while bulk bags let you stock up on the seasonings you use every week without paying for fancy packaging.
Freshness matters with spices, too. Shoppers who care about aroma and color in their cooking tend to appreciate a store where products move steadily and staff can answer questions.
Think about your kitchen routine before you go. Do you make chili every fall?
Bake pumpkin bread in October? Season a holiday ham?
Picking up those spices in larger amounts may stretch your grocery budget much further.
Neat displays make browsing easy, even in a compact space. Customers often mention how well organized everything is, so finding a specific seasoning rarely turns into a scavenger hunt.
Tip for gift-givers: small bags of spice blends paired with a recipe card make a thoughtful, budget-friendly present for the cook in your family.
From Sarah’s Kitchen
Lucky timing pays off here. Regulars say you should consider yourself blessed if you show up on a day when homemade goodies from Sarah’s kitchen are available.
The lineup can include cinnamon rolls, sloppy joe, a cheese ball, and broccoli salad. These items may not appear every day, which only makes them more exciting to spot.
Broccoli salad earns special praise. Shoppers rave about the broccoli cauliflower version, calling it amazing, and it pops up again and again in conversations about the store.
It makes an easy side dish for a picnic or a quick weeknight supper.
Cinnamon rolls also have their fans. Soft, sweet, and homemade, they are the kind of treat that rarely survives the drive home intact.
Sloppy joe and cheese ball round out the comfort-food corner. Both are handy for gatherings, game days, or simply a lazy lunch at home.
Because availability varies, it may help to call ahead at 740-743-0611 if you have your heart set on something specific. Otherwise, treat it like a happy surprise and grab whatever looks good that day.
Peach Pie And Monster Cookies
Sweet tooth on high alert? The baked goods case is where willpower goes to take a nap.
Fresh pies draw plenty of attention, and peach comes up often. One recent shopper urged others to definitely try the fresh pies after picking up a peach one.
Selection can vary by day, though, and one visitor found only peach on the shelf, so variety depends on timing.
Monster Cookies have their own fan club. A visitor from Texas, brought in by local relatives, fell in love with the baked goods and candies, especially those cookies, and wished the store offered mail order.
That kind of longing travels a long way.
Shoppers describe the Amish-made desserts as the best and the homemade sweets as really amazing. Expect classic country flavors made the old-fashioned way.
Candy also fills part of the shelves, giving kids and grownups something fun to pick out at checkout.
Plan for the treats to disappear quickly. Many visitors admit to opening a bag of cookies before leaving the parking lot.
If you want something for later, consider buying two of everything: one for now, one for home.
Hard-To-Find Pantry Oddities
Ever searched three grocery stores for one odd ingredient? Shoppers say this little store often carries items that common supermarkets simply skip.
Tiny dry marshmallows are a favorite example. Those miniature bits work beautifully in hot cocoa mixes, snack blends, and homemade gift jars.
Tapioca pearls also show up, perfect for old-fashioned pudding or creative drinks.
The word variety in the store name is no accident. Alongside bulk staples, shelves hold random treasures that make browsing feel like a treasure hunt.
One visitor summed it up by praising the large variety packed into the space.
Bulk buying also means you can grab exactly the amount you need for a big project. Holiday baking, church potlucks, and family reunions all get easier when the pantry is properly stocked.
Fresh produce rounds out the mix, with shoppers mentioning it among the items worth checking. What appears may depend on the season, so it can be fun to see what is available on any given day.
Keep a running list on your phone of hard-to-find ingredients. Next time you visit, you may be surprised how many you can cross off in one stop.
Cozy Aisles, Country Feel
Walking in feels a bit like stepping into a well-kept farmhouse pantry. Shelves are tidy, labels are clear, and nothing feels rushed.
One visitor called it a beautiful store, while another marveled at how neatly so many products fit into a small footprint. The compact layout means you can see much of the store from the entrance, which makes it easy to navigate.
Who will love it? Home bakers, budget-minded families, retirees on a scenic drive, and anyone who enjoys chatting with shopkeepers.
Day-trippers exploring Perry County will find it a pleasant, low-key stop.
Kids can enjoy picking out a cookie or candy, though the narrow aisles mean strollers may need a little patience during busier moments.
The pace here is relaxed. People take time to answer questions, recommend favorites, and make sure you found what you needed.
That unhurried feeling is a big part of the experience.
Restroom facilities are basic. One shopper mentioned a portable toilet that could use more frequent cleaning, so it may be wise to plan a stop elsewhere if that matters to you.
Overall, the atmosphere blends small-town friendliness with real shopping value.
When The Doors Are Open
Timing your trip right saves frustration. The store opens at 8 am Monday through Friday and closes at 5 pm on those days.
Saturday hours run a little shorter, from 8 am to 4 pm. Sunday is a closed day, so do not plan a Sunday drive around a stop here.
Lunch hour can be a smart target if you want a fresh deli sandwich, as regulars like to show up around midday. Arriving earlier may give you the best shot at homemade items like cinnamon rolls or pies before they sell out.
Weekday mornings tend to suit shoppers who like a calmer experience. Saturdays may draw more drivers out enjoying the countryside.
Got a question about what is available? Call 740-743-0611 before you go.
The store also has a listing on the Just Plain Business website, which can be handy for checking details.
Seasons matter, too. Fall makes the drive especially pretty, winter calls for checking road conditions, and spring storms are a good reason to look at the forecast first.
A little planning helps you make the most of every visit.
Paying, Parking, And Packing Up
Good news for plastic fans: the store accepts both cash and cards. That flexibility is not always a given at small country shops, so it is a welcome detail.
Parking is easy, with shoppers noting there is plenty of room. No circling the block or squeezing into tight spaces here.
Prices are a major draw. Visitors repeatedly describe them as great, fair, or below the norm, especially on deli meats, cheeses, and bakery supplies.
Exact costs will vary, but many people feel they leave with more groceries for less money than at chain stores.
Plan your cargo space before you go. Bulk bags of flour, pounds of sliced cheese, and boxes of baked goods add up quickly in a trunk.
A cooler with ice packs keeps deli purchases fresh for the ride.
Reusable shopping bags or sturdy boxes can make loading easier, especially if you plan to stock up for months.
Bringing a friend? Split bulk orders to share savings.
Commercial-size flour bags, for example, can be divided between households.
A full trunk and a lighter wallet than expected is the typical way folks drive away.
Worth The Winding Drive
So, is it worth the trip? For bargain hunters, home bakers, and anyone who loves a good sandwich, the answer leans strongly toward yes.
The store combines low deli prices, specialty flours, flavorful spices, homemade treats, and genuinely kind people in one compact building. Few places manage to make a grocery run feel this personal.
Expectations matter, of course. The location is remote, homemade items rotate, and restroom options are simple.
Shoppers who go in knowing that tend to have the happiest visits.
Pair your stop with a leisurely drive through Perry County, maybe timed with fall color or a nearby event. Grab a towering sub, a slice of peach pie, or a bag of Monster Cookies for the road.
Many first-timers become regulars, returning with friends, relatives, and fellow bakers. That kind of loyalty usually means a place is doing something right.
Bring a cooler, an appetite, and a little patience for the back roads. Odds are good you will drive home with a full trunk, a happy stomach, and plans to come back soon.
Some country stores are simply worth the extra miles.
