Today is Your Final Chance to Eat at Miller's Dutch Kitch'n

BRADENTON – Miller’s Dutch Kitch'n, a landmark Bradenton restaurant, bakery and gift shop known for its unrivaled from-scratch pies, will close at the end of business today after 36 years of operations.

The Miller family started with 200 pies sold annually, but quickly became the go-to place for to-go pies on holidays or for special events. By 1975, the family had to expand the kitchen just for the pie business. Last Thanksgiving alone, they sold 3,500 pies in 23 different flavors.

Pie was far from the only beloved offering, however. Miller's had, hands down, the best fried chicken in the area and served it as an entree or on its buffet line, which, because of the restaurant's immense popularity, turned over food so fast that it was always fresh out of the kitchen rather than heat-lamp sustained. Other comfort food staples like chicken and dumplings, meatloaf and chicken pot pie were also favorites, along with fresh rolls served with a side of their out-of-this-world homemade peanut butter.

The family will now concentrate their efforts on its other business, AMS Billing, which they started 14 years ago. The restaurant business and its building at 3401 14th St West are currently for sale. While it's possible that someone will again operate a restaurant at the location, it's hard to imagine anyone recapturing the Miller’s magic.

Today's hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. if you'd like to stop in for one last meal. The family posted the following statement on the restaurant website this week:

"We would like to thank all of our loyal customers, friends, and family for supporting us for the last thirty six and a half years! It’s been a wonderful run. God has been so good to us and blessed us immensely. Come and see us this week and say goodbye. Come have a piece of your favorite pie! We’re moving on to the next adventure in our lives."