Why This Amish Bakery In Jamesport, Missouri Is A Must-Stop — Fresh Pies, Breads & A Behind-the-Scenes Look (25 Photos)

For those who have kept track of my posts over the years you have likely noticed my particular fondness for the Jamesport, Missouri Amish community. I suppose many elements have factored into that.

While not quite close enough for a day trip from my home, it is close enough for a good visit even if I am limited to a single over-night stay.

Additionally, being somewhat more tourist-friendly, there seems to be more acceptance and friendliness that have not always been felt in other places.

And while Jamesport itself is relatively small with a population barely reaching 500, the surrounding Amish community has an estimated population double that, meaning there are usually a number of things to see whether one’s visit is short or not.

Also those who have watched my posts and comments closely have possibly picked up on my fondness for Amish baked goods – in Missouri and other states with Amish communities.

I still hold to a comment I made some time back that if it were left to me, the food pyramid would be reconstructed with the largest and foundational level made up of Amish bakery items!

So, considering these two factors it isn’t too surprising that one of my all-time favorite stops is an Amish bakery in Jamesport.

Amish Bakeries of Jamesport, Missouri

As of my last visit, Jamesport actually has at least two well-established Amish bakeries. One of those is Anna’s.

I believe Anna’s is run by Anna and another family member, in a cozy building adjacent to their home, and offers a nice variety of breads and baked goods to choose from.

But while Anna’s and similar bakeries have a special place in my heart (and taste buds), they are up against some stiff competition from Jamesport’s larger Countryside Bakery.

Unlike the home-business bakeries where mom and maybe daughters sandwich their baking and store tending between other home duties, Countryside is a stand-alone business on a main highway and staffed by a handful of employees tending to a regular flow of customers.

Customer numbers and buying are large enough that it warrants a constant flow of numerous types of fresh-baked goodies coming from the kitchen throughout the day. From donuts to fried pies to pastries and flavored breads – it is must-stop shopping for tourists and locals alike.

When I say that Countryside is a must-stop destination, for my wife and me that means a stop soon after pulling into town for a few items for immediate tasting, plus breakfast and snacking options during our stay.

And it’s also a stop on the day we’re leaving town to stock up on some travel eats as well as some once-we’re-back-home goodies to make the enjoyment last as long as possible.

For those in a hurry, the bakery has at times offered a drive-thru service. In my opinion, though, anyone who stays in their car instead of walking in and enjoying all the wonderful smells of fresh-baked goodness is missing one of the great (and free) features of this place.

Inside, the bakery offers a spacious room featuring more than just wonderful smells. Display after display of tempting (and at times, diet-busting) options are available, such as cookies, whoopy pies, buttery pecan cinnamon rolls and other treats.

And with a side order of honey, jams and jellies – what’s not to like about any of that?

A Behind-the-Scenes Look Into The Kitchen

In 2014, early in my Jamesport experience, a local English guide who conducted tours through various Amish-area businesses got permission for me and my camera to get a behind-the-scenes view into Countryside’s kitchen.

Pan after pan of all kinds of breads and rolls. Shelves upon shelves of fresh pies cooling right out of the oven. I was in bakery heaven!

Closing…For a Little While

A quick peek out the back door revealed a couple of additional items of interest. The first was a gasoline-powered motor mounted near the kitchen wall, presumably to provide power for the larger kitchen appliances.

The second item is a walk-in cooler.

But as I have noticed in some other Amish areas as well, business can fluctuate with the seasons, and especially among those impacted by the decline in tourism as the colder months set in.

On one visit to Jamesport during the last days of November, a stop at Countryside revealed that they were about to close for the season.

I’m not sure if this three-to-four-month shutdown was routine or due to special circumstances. But I must admit that it felt I was saying a goodbye to a trusted (and tasty) old friend – but yet finding some comfort in knowing it was only for a short while.

In the fairly-recent past the Amish woman who operated Countryside retired from this work, and the bakery has been taken over by another Amish woman.

But I’m glad to say that in the couple of visits I’ve made under the new management the store seems to be living up to the same previous high standards.

If you enjoyed this post, check out Don’s visit to an Amish noodle business.

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