Stone Crock - St Jacobs

My husband and I went here about 4 years ago. Apparently, it was a landmark restaurant that was popular with the tourists. We went in with anticipation and left with utter disappointment. Bland boring buffet food that was clearly targeting a much older crowd. Mass produced unfavourable, luke warm food. We vowed never to return. Yesterday, I was reading my newly arrived book Edna Staebler 's Food That Really Schmecks book written the year I was born 1968 and was completely taken with all the recipes and history of the Waterloo area. In particular, her reference to these amazing fried golden desserts called FETSCHPATZE. I did a web search on how to pronounce this, and was led to an article online announcing The Stone Crock Restaurant was under new ownership, and was modeled after Edna Staebler 's Food that Really Schmecks. My husband and I had to go try it out. I loved the concept that a local restaurant was bringing the true culinary cuisine of the region to the mainstream. We arrived with even more anticipation .. abandoning our Keto diet for what I knew would be quality worth going off script for. They did not disappoint.. apart from some glitches with staff, not knowing who was serving us, and the kitchen forgetting a sauce.. the food was incredible. We were seated at a large table for 6 in a room alone in front of the fireplace. So no worries about being too close to other patrons during covid 19. Staff were masked and our waitress Mary was a rock star. She noticed that no one had paid any attention to us for close to 10 minutes and made it her mission to offer 'The Save '. Guessing it was due to being newly open and training younger staff who seemed to be aplenty roaming around and doing very little and completely ignoring us while they conversed about what was supposed to do what and who got cut. Growing pains for sure... Hence the 4 star rating. I suspect this will change as more experience settles in with staff. The Brussels Sprouts roasted with pickles of all things are INCREDIBLE..and I am NOT a fan of Brussels sprouts normally. Pickled beets have the most unique flavour, coleslaw fresh and the side salad perfect. The schnitzel was the perfect blend of crispy, golden outside and juicy tender pork inside. My husband had the Jaeger mushroom and I had the farmer. The bacon for the farmer was thick sliced and easy to cut into, and the egg the perfect topping. The mushroom sauce was gloriously rich as it should be. My husband has gone to Bavaria many times and noted this Jaeger was absolutely comparable to homemade perfect versions he has enjoyed there Finally the dessert the thing that got us here... The FETSCHPATZE.... These golden, crunchy balls of dough are the perfect spongey inside that can soak up the syrup and the icing sugar finishes it. You HAVE to try them. Sooo simple, and yet so delicious and comforting. Keto out the window.. it was worth every glorious bite. Next.. we want to try the cabbage rolls. We will make this part of our go to favourites for food that really schmecks. Well done...

Really nice bread, jam, soup, pastry. Can’t resist this freshness. Must try and go. For sure will go back.

Had a great lunch here. Food was absolutely fantastic, fresh and delicious. We can’t wait to come back and try other dishes. Thank you

Told by a former employee that this place is very dirty, haven't eaten here since then. When I have eaten here the food wasn't awful, it has a great location and not bad food, a great family environment.

My sister and I drove to St. Jacobs and explored the charming craft shops before having a late lunch at the Stone Crock Restaurant. We both opted for the buffet, which was priced at $12.99 per person. The buffet included a variety of dishes such as salad, mashed potatoes, double baked potatoes, turkey cacciatore, schnitzel, roast beef, turkey with dressing, sausages, corn, broccoli, and more. Overall, the food was decent but not outstanding. The gravy had a somewhat off-putting skin on it, but the roast beef was surprisingly tasty. For dessert, there were pies available for an extra charge which we decided to skip. The restaurant seems to be popular among older patrons and our server provided good service.