A Pennsylvania family has been smoking meats and making deli favorites since 1920, and its Lancaster County market is still going strong more than a century later.
S. Clyde Weaver in East Petersburg is known for its sweet Lebanon bologna, hardwood-smoked hams, and aged cheeses.
The family-owned business still uses traditional smoking and curing methods, with products available in its retail store and online.
But this is more than a meat counter. The market also has a cafe serving breakfast and made-to-order subs, plus house-made shoofly pies and other Pennsylvania Dutch specialties.
What started with Clyde and Emma Weaver selling meats at Lancaster markets has grown into a destination where visitors can shop, eat, and take home foods made using generations-old traditions.
A Lancaster County Market With Deep Roots
Some family businesses fade after a generation or two, but this one kept going. S.
Clyde Weaver traces its story back to 1920, when founder S. Clyde Weaver began smoking and curing meats in Lancaster County.
Today, the company’s retail store and cafe sits at 5253 Main Street in East Petersburg, Pennsylvania 17520. It is a short drive north of the city of Lancaster, right along a busy main road.
The building holds a lot under one roof. You can shop for fresh meats, smoked specialties, cheeses, baked goods, and prepared foods.
There is also a deli counter that makes subs and a cafe area where people can sit down with breakfast, lunch, or a coffee.
I find it interesting that a business with roots in old-fashioned curing has grown into a full neighborhood stop. It still feels connected to its beginnings, since smoked meats remain the heart of the shop.
Getting there is simple, with plenty of parking out front. The store is open Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays, so plan weekend trips for Saturday.
Once you are inside, the smokehouse traditions are the first thing worth exploring.
Sweet Lebanon Bologna Leads the Lineup
Ask anyone from central Pennsylvania about Lebanon bologna, and you will likely get a strong opinion. This smoked, tangy, slightly sweet beef sausage is a true regional specialty, and S.
Clyde Weaver makes its own.
The company produces both regular and sweet Lebanon bologna. Sweet bologna has become a favorite for snacking, sandwiches, and party trays.
It slices thin and pairs well with sharp cheese and crackers.
Here is a fun bit of history. Lebanon bologna takes its name from Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, just north of Lancaster County.
Pennsylvania Dutch families developed it as a way to preserve beef through smoking and curing.
Many shoppers have a hard time finding the Weaver brand in their local supermarkets outside the area. That makes the East Petersburg store a handy place to stock up straight from the source.
Some travelers even ask staff to help pack their bologna for long trips home.
If you have never tried it, start with a small amount. Ask for a few thin slices and taste it plain first.
Then try it with a slice of cheese, which brings us to the next stop in the store.
Cheese Counter Conversations Worth Having
Cheese gets serious attention here. The store carries a big selection, from sharp cheddars to imported favorites like Irish cheddar, and the staff knows their stuff.
Shoppers often mention a cheese expert behind the counter who offers samples and helps with choices. That kind of guidance is useful when the case is full and you do not know where to begin.
Tell them what you like, and they can point you toward something new.
Pairing ideas are part of the fun too. Staff members can suggest which cheese goes well with a certain meat, cracker, or spread.
That makes building a snack board much easier, even for beginners.
The store has also hosted special cheese events, including a cheddar-focused tasting day. These events give people a chance to sample several options at once and find new favorites.
My advice is simple. Ask for a taste before buying a big wedge.
You might walk in planning to grab plain cheddar and leave with something you never expected to love.
Once your cheese is picked out, the meat counter is right there waiting.
Help From the Folks Behind the Meat Counter
Buying a brisket can feel a little scary if you have never cooked one. At S.
Clyde Weaver, the people behind the meat counter seem happy to walk you through it.
The fresh meat case holds a wide range of cuts, along with smoked items like ham, bacon, and sausage. Staff can help you find the right package and explain how much you might need for your group.
One customer shared that an employee gave detailed cooking tips for brisket, and even sent slow cooker instructions later by email. That kind of follow-up is rare these days.
I like that the counter feels like a place to learn, not just a place to pay. If you are trying something new, like a ham loaf or a smoked pork chop, ask how others usually prepare it.
You can also email ahead to check whether a specific item is available, especially during busy holiday seasons. That small step can save a wasted trip.
Good meat makes good sandwiches, too. That leads straight to one of the most talked-about parts of the store.
Subs Stacked With House-Made Meats
Lunch might be the easiest reason to stop by. The deli counter builds subs and sandwiches using the same meats and cheeses sold in the cases nearby.
That connection matters. When a shop smokes and cures its own products, the sandwiches become a tasty way to try several items at once.
It is like a sampler you can hold in two hands.
Brisket sandwiches have earned plenty of attention, and classic deli subs are a regular order for many shoppers. Some people come in only for subs and never make it past the sandwich line.
If you are planning a picnic or road trip, grab a sub along with a few prepared side dishes. The store sells ready-made deli items like chicken salad, which can turn one sandwich into a full meal.
A practical tip: lunchtime can get busy, so arriving a little before noon may help. Weekdays are often a good choice if you want a calmer visit.
Not hungry for a big sandwich? The cafe side of the store handles mornings and smaller cravings quite nicely.
Coffee and Breakfast in the Cafe
Coffee shows up in conversations about this store almost as often as meat. The cafe serves coffee drinks, and the hazelnut coffee gets a friendly mention from more than one shopper.
Doors open at 8 AM, which makes it a handy morning stop. You can order a breakfast sandwich and a hot drink, then sit down for a bit before starting your day.
The cafe also works well for slow, relaxed meetups. One customer described bringing her daughter for coffee and lunch as an affordable little date.
The space feels suited to long chats without anyone rushing you out.
I can understand the appeal of mixing errands with a coffee break. Grab your drink, enjoy a sandwich, and then shop for dinner ingredients on your way out.
The cafe area keeps things simple, focusing on comfort food and good drinks rather than fancy extras. That fits the down-to-earth spirit of the whole store.
After your coffee, take a stroll toward the bakery shelves. The sweet side of S.
Clyde Weaver is easy to miss if you head straight for the deli.
Shoofly Pie and Other Bakery Treats
Pennsylvania Dutch desserts have a special place in Lancaster County, and the bakery section here keeps those traditions alive. Baked goods line the shelves, including specialty cookies and pies.
Wet-bottom shoofly pie is a local classic worth knowing. It has a gooey molasses layer on the bottom and a crumbly topping above.
The company even ships it through its online store, so people far away can enjoy it.
Did you know? Shoofly pie may have gotten its name because the sticky molasses attracted flies that bakers had to shoo away.
It is a funny story, though food historians still debate it.
Beyond pies, you can find cookies and other sweet snacks that make easy gifts. They also pair nicely with a cup of coffee from the cafe.
If you are bringing dessert to a family gathering, a Pennsylvania Dutch pie is a thoughtful choice. It tells a little story about the region with every slice.
Sweet treats are only part of the pantry fun. The shelves also hold jars and spreads that are tough to find elsewhere.
Jams, Sauces, and Amish Pantry Finds
Shelf browsing is half the adventure here. The store stocks jam spreads, sauces, specialty candies, and Amish-style foods that bring Lancaster County flavors home.
One fun surprise is flavored applesauce, like an apple-apricot version a shopper tried and enjoyed. Products like that make great small experiments, since they are easy to add to lunch or serve with pork.
Pantry items also make easy gifts. A jar of local jam and a small block of cheese can create a simple, homemade-feeling present for a friend or neighbor.
The store carries local produce too, so you can pick up fresh fruit or vegetables along with your meat and cheese. That makes it possible to plan a whole meal in one stop.
I would set aside a few extra minutes to wander these aisles. Reading labels can teach you a lot about regional cooking, from chow-chow style relishes to old-fashioned spreads.
And if you need something that is not food at all, there is a corner of the store made just for that.
A Gift Corner for Browsers
Not everything in the store ends up on a plate. S.
Clyde Weaver has a shopping area for non-food items, which gives browsers something extra to enjoy.
The gift section offers a variety of items that fit nicely with a food gift. It is a good place to find a little extra for a host, a birthday, or a holiday basket.
Reusable shopping bags with the company name are another fun detail. Some fans proudly carry them in other states, which is a cheerful way to show off a favorite Pennsylvania shop.
Gift baskets and boxes are also part of what the company offers, especially around the holidays. Pairing meats, cheeses, and treats in one package makes gift shopping simple.
Families with kids can turn this corner into a short break while adults finish shopping. It adds a relaxed feel to the visit, since you are not just rushing in and out.
What if you live too far away to visit often? The company has a solution for that, and it reaches well beyond East Petersburg.
Shipping Lancaster County Flavors Far and Wide
Homesick Pennsylvanians, this part is for you. S.
Clyde Weaver runs an online store that ships smoked meats, cheeses, and treats to customers across the country.
Stories of long-lost flavors pop up often. One shopper from Illinois tracked down the Pennsylvania sausage he remembered from childhood and was thrilled when the taste matched his memory.
Moments like that show how food can connect families across many years.
The online store also works for special occasions. Customers have sent pies for gatherings, and the deliveries arrived on time to share with loved ones.
If you visit in person, staff can help pack items for travel. That is useful for anyone driving several hours with bologna and cheese in the trunk.
A good cooler and some ice packs are smart to bring along.
The company also has stands at farmers markets in the region, including Lancaster Central Market. Those spots give more people a chance to grab their favorites.
Still, the East Petersburg store offers the fullest experience. You can taste, ask questions, grab a coffee, and leave with a bag full of smoky Pennsylvania tradition that started more than a century ago.
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