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Hidden In Rural Tennessee, A Mennonite Bakery Serves The Freshest Pies You’ll Ever Taste

Swiss Pantry in Belvidere is a spot where Mennonite heritage meets Southern hospitality, and everything is made from scratch just like your grandma used to do.

Since 1989, the Miller family has been feeding folks who crave authentic, homemade goodness.

What started as a simple bakery has blossomed into a beloved destination that draws road trippers, locals, and anyone who appreciates food made with care.

The building itself has that welcoming country store vibe, and you’ll quickly discover why visitors plan entire day trips around stopping here.

Bakery Favorites

The Famous Donut Saturdays: Mark your calendar for the first and third Saturday of each month when Swiss Pantry opens its doors at 8 AM instead of 9 AM for their legendary donut days.

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You’ll find vanilla-glazed, chocolate-dipped, and maple donuts that disappear fast—seriously, call ahead to reserve yours because they stop making them at noon and often sell out earlier. Each month features a specialty donut that changes, so there’s always something new to try.

Sourdough Bread: This is what regulars rave about most consistently. The sourdough here develops that perfect tangy depth, with a chewy crumb and crispy crust that makes it ideal for sandwiches or just slathering with butter at home. They also bake Italian Parmesan, 100% whole wheat, Swedish rye, cheesy herb, seven-grain, and sunflower wheat varieties—all produced fresh on the premises.

Cowboy Cookies: These hefty cookies are famous for good reason. Packed with oats, chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut flakes, they strike that perfect balance between crunchy edges and a soft, chewy center. They’re substantial enough to count as a snack all on their own.

Oatmeal Cream Pies: Think childhood nostalgia but elevated. Two perfectly cinnamony oatmeal cookies sandwich a silky, creamy filling that’s far superior to anything you’ll find in a package. The cookies have just the right amount of crunch around the edges while staying soft in the middle.

Fried Pies: Every Monday and Thursday, the kitchen fires up the fryers and fills them with beef tallow to create authentic, old-fashioned fried pies. You’ll encounter flavors like peach, apricot, apple, cherry, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, triple berry, coconut, chocolate, and pecan.

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The pastry achieves that ideal texture—flaky and slightly crisp on the outside, tender within—while the fruit filling tastes genuinely homemade.

Cinnamon Rolls: Fluffy spirals loaded with cinnamon and finished with a generous glaze, these rolls arrive warm and fresh from the oven. They’re big, they’re indulgent, and they’re absolutely worth saving room for.

Lunch & Deli Selections

Fresh Sandwiches: Swiss Pantry serves lunch daily with sandwiches built on their homemade bread—and that bread makes all the difference. Whether you go for a simple grilled cheese oozing with gooey melted cheese on slightly sour sourdough, or opt for specialty paninis and subs, you’re getting fresh ingredients and hearty portions. The chicken salad is particularly popular among regulars.

Seasonal Soups: During fall and winter months, you’ll find homemade soups that pair beautifully with sandwiches. These are the kind of warming, comforting soups that make you feel like you’re eating at someone’s kitchen table rather than ordering takeout.

Deli Counter: The deli offers an impressive array of sliced meats and cheeses, from off-the-bone ham and Virginia ham to German bologna, sweet and regular Lebanon bologna, salami, roast beef, corned beef, and various turkey options including Cajun and oil-braised varieties.

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On the cheese side, you’ll spot smoked cheddar, smoked Swiss, smoked gouda, habanero jalapeño, bacon cheese, and dozens more.

Plate Lunches: Keep an eye on their social media for Wednesday plate lunch specials, which offer rotating home-style meals starting at 10:30 AM.

Bulk Foods & Specialty Items

Wide Variety of Goods: The shelves groan under the weight of bulk foods, spices, baking mixes, pancake syrups, chips, cheese curls, beef jerky, dried fruits, pickled items, jams, jellies, and candies galore.

You’ll discover hard-to-find ingredients alongside gluten-free mixes, sugar-free candies and jams, and non-GMO options.

Chocolate-Covered Treats: The selection of chocolate-covered nuts, pretzels, and other goodies makes for dangerous browsing. These make excellent gifts or just a special treat for yourself.

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Local Products: Swiss Pantry proudly features products from local vendors, including Tennessee honey, locally-raised beef and chicken, handmade soaps and lotions, and various artisan items. This commitment to supporting small businesses extends to their annual vendor days in spring and fall.

Specialty Fruitcake: Come holiday season, Swiss Pantry releases their famous fruitcake made from a secret recipe. Unlike typical fruitcakes that get joked about, this version actually flies off the shelves and generates repeat customers year after year.

Shopping Experience & Setting

Open Kitchen: Part of the magic here involves watching the bakers work their craft. You can see them kneading dough, sprinkling cinnamon, and frying pies and donuts right before your eyes. It’s mesmerizing and adds to the authentic, homemade feel of everything they produce.

Country Store Atmosphere: The interior has that quintessential country bulk food store character—well-stocked shelves, a welcoming layout, and a relaxed pace that encourages browsing. While the space isn’t enormous, it’s thoughtfully organized so you can navigate easily even when it’s busy.

Outdoor Dining Option: You can dine inside or take your sandwich and soup outside for a picnic. Free Wi-Fi is available if you need to catch up on emails while enjoying your meal.

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Natural Health Products: Beyond food, you’ll find a selection of natural health products and holistic beauty supplies, adding another dimension to what’s available.

Practical Details

Pricing: The prices here are remarkably fair considering the quality and handmade nature of everything.

Sandwiches run around $6-7, donuts are affordable enough to grab a dozen, and bulk goods often cost less than what you’d pay at grocery store chains. You’re getting excellent value for artisan-quality food.

Parking: The gravel parking lot provides ample space, though it can get full on Donut Saturdays. The loose gravel surface does present some accessibility challenges for wheelchairs, and the doorways are somewhat narrow, so those with mobility concerns should be aware.

Timing Your Visit: Arrive early on Donut Saturdays if you want the full selection—calling ahead to reserve donuts is smart planning. For fried pies, remember Monday and Thursday are your days. The lunch crowd builds around midday, so going slightly earlier or later can mean shorter waits.

Road Trip Destination: Located about 80 miles from Nashville, 34 miles from Huntsville, and 51 miles from Chattanooga, Swiss Pantry makes an ideal stop when you’re exploring middle Tennessee. Many visitors combine their trip with a visit to nearby Falls Mill for a full day of rural Tennessee charm.

Annual Events: The first Saturday in October brings their customer appreciation event complete with fresh copper kettle apple butter and free donuts. Local vendors set up, creating a festive community atmosphere worth experiencing.


Swiss Pantry
📍 10026 David Crockett Pkwy, Belvidere, TN 37306

Writer: June Holloway
Click to read bio

June Holloway is a lifelong Tennessean who grew up in the shadow of the Smokies and now writes from her home just outside of Gatlinburg. She has a deep love for winding mountain roads, American barbecue joints, and stories passed down on front porches.