Community Corner

Baugher's Old-Fashioned Restaurant Adds Some Modern Touches

Live music on Thursday night is just one of the many additions that have been made to the family-owned country restaurant.

by Samantha Lambert

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

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.

Find out what's happening in Eldersburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Baugher’s prides itself on its ability to continue to serve its customers. Over the years, the business has made regular updates. It has  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. Allan Baugher, the current owner, spoke with pride when he recalled the restaurant's history.

Find out what's happening in Eldersburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“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.

It has 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. Carta, 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. O’Conor saddles alongside 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.”

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.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Eldersburg