Baugher's Old-Fashioned Restaurant Adds Some Modern Touches

by Samantha Lambert

The down to earth, country-cooking eatery is striving to make some minor changes to benefit the local customers who frequent the Westminster hot spot located on W. Main Street.  

Baugher’s, a family-owned restaurant for over 60 years, has been a staple for homestyle cooking, along with providing the public dozens of different pie and ice cream flavors. Produce used at the restaurant is supplied by their own orchards, and many of their goods, like their famous cider or apple butter, can be bought at their marketplace (located off Rt. 140 and at the restaurant). 

Baugher’s prides itself on its ability to continue to serve its customers. Over the years, they have updated their farm and business regularly. They have expanded from a 60-acre piece of farmland to a 600-acre operation, complete with several orchards, a marketplace, bakery, petting zoo and of course the restaurant itself.

Baugher’s Thursday Music Night is one of the many changes made to the restaurant to keep it current and fresh for the public. Allan Baugher, the current owner, speaks with pride when he recalls the restaurant's history.

“Back in 1948 was when we opened up this restaurant, and over the years my family has worked hard, so hard, to maintain it,” he said.

They have also added popular theme nights including Mexican Monday, Pasta Tuesday, Seafood Wednesday, and Steak Thursday.

Earlier in the spring Baugher's made some other changes including updating kitchen equipment, bathrooms, floors and paint. The Thursday Music Night started shortly after those renovations were complete.

“We are not a chain. We work hard to keep our customers happy, and new bathrooms and other updates were things we needed to do, so we stepped up,” said Baugher.

The musicians are “Cowboy” Joe Carta and Miriam O’Conor. Joe, the acoustic guitarist, is every bit of the classic cowboy charmer. Dressed in cowboy boots and hat, he goes around table to table to ask if customers would like a particular song played. His partner, Miriam O’Conor, saddles along side him with her violin, serenading crowds with music they've honed over the past 20 years.

Local customer Kristie Bowling said, “We come here at least once a week, but now we will definitely be here every Thursday”.

Kristie Bowling’s husband, Michael Bowling commented, “The music gives it a warmer and more welcoming feel."

"As long as the music plays and the customers keep coming in, we’ll be here," Baugher said.