Mount Hope, Ohio: An Amish "Starbucks"

By Kevin Williams

For all the fawning I do over Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen in Mount Hope, Ohio, there’s another place there worth checking out:  The Red Mug. I was there to meet blogger Bruce Stambaugh last week (more about that meeting soon) and he chose the Red Mug as a place we could have a chat. As the morning wore on, Amish homemakers, some with surprisingly glittery, stylish bags began coming in to meet with friends and have a coffee  I didn't see any Amish carrying laptops or asking for the wifi password, though.  That was probably the biggest difference between that an actual coffeehouse.  But it was fun to see Amish women (not that there were not plenty of guys there too, but most of the Amish men during the day are at work) having a place to socialize and indulge in a Starbucks type experience.

Mrs. Yoder's just down the block does a busy, brisk business, but Bruce Stambaugh said that the Red Mug offers a quiet alternative for the locals - many of them Amish - to gather and chat in a relaxing atmosphere.

. The guacamole toast I had was awesome and they offer a small selection of baked goods and craft coffee.

Marilyn Troyer Wengerd wrote on Facebook about the Red Mug: " We have enjoyed The Red Mug since it has opened. Outstanding customer service! Very friendly to answer questions about their coffee. If you get a chance you must stop in for a Cubano coffee wow my new favorite!"