By Kevin Williams
The Covered Wagon is owned by German Baptists just outside of Dayton, Ohio
My mother recently joined me on a drive to the DeGraff, Ohio Amish settlement. She enjoys coming along for the ride, though she was disappointed there was no Amish bakery in DeGraff — which I had warned her about; it’s a very conservative, close-knit community. While driving home I remembered a place near Englewood that I thought might satisfy her craving for homemade baked goods. I was right.
The Old German Baptist Brethren community shares many culinary traditions with the Amish: simple, scratch-made yeast breads, cinnamon rolls, pies, and cakes are common. Those familiar, comforting flavors carry through in the bakeries and delis operated by German Baptist families.
I’ve visited several German Baptist-owned bulk food stores. Many follow a similar pattern to Amish markets, offering bagged bulk candies, spices, flour, and various pantry items. The Covered Wagon, located at 128 S. Main St. in Union/Englewood, Ohio, goes a step further. While it does offer some bulk goods, the shop is primarily a bakery and deli. The preparation areas are open and easy to see, which I appreciate — transparency in food prep is always reassuring.
The menu blends traditional favorites with a few creative twists. Alongside white bread and dinner rolls you’ll find novelties like pretzel bread and apple-dumpling bread. The selection of pies, brownies, and cakes is impressive as well. Everything I tried tasted homemade and thoughtfully prepared.
This little shop may have quickly earned a spot on my list of favorite Amish/Mennonite/Brethren-style bakeries. Its location is convenient, near the I-70 and I-75 interchange outside Dayton, making it easy to reach for a quick stop while traveling.
One oddity I noticed while reading Google Reviews: a commenter called it an “Awesome Amish bakery.” That’s a common mix-up. The Covered Wagon is owned by German Baptists, not Amish, and while the communities share some outward similarities — such as women’s head coverings — they are distinct groups with different practices. The public frequently confuses them, and no amount of correction seems to fully stop the misunderstanding.
Below are a few scenes from a place I now count among my favorites.
The Covered Wagon features a deli for made-to-order sandwiches. I’m kind of glad I don’t live clsoer to it, because I’d be there way too much!
Fresh baked breads and rolls of all kinds fill the shop.