Been There, Eaten There,
I’ll Be Back

Have you ever eaten at a restaurant or eatery of any type and said to yourself and/or friends, “that was good, I’d eat there again.”? One of the pleasures that we have in America is the joy of eating a variety of foods. We have the choice of thousands of restaurants, with an endless array of choices. Many of these restaurants are run by independent owners (Mom & Pop’s) making their living trying to please you and me. When my wife and I travel, we look for the Mom & Pop restaurants. We enjoy giving them our business and seeing new dishes or even some old familiar dishes done well.

I have written this page to share some of my good experiences: places I’ve been at, eaten at, and will be back! As a former restaurant owner, I know

what it’s like to work long hours, creating menus to please my customers and enjoying the satisfaction of a job well done. You will find their addresses listed by states, meal time I have eaten, and a note or two. Next time you travel, take the time to look them up, enjoy something different. Good people doing a great job!!

One last quick note: Remember, everyone has a bad day every once and a while, and so do restaurants. That said, I will not make any negative comments about any restaurant, deserved or not. If I visit a restaurant and have a bad experience or poor service, I’ll give them a second chance if it’s possible to return. My dissatisfaction will be to not list them. Hope to see you at a local Mom & Pops!

Alabama

Arkansas

2017-07-28T01:57:05+00:00

Calico County Restaurant

Calico County Restaurant  2401 South 56th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas www.calicocounty.net When you walk into this place, you just say “WOW!” Home cooking done will, very friendly atmosphere. For Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner or Catering, Calico County is your choice for Traditional American Food served in an atmosphere full of American [...]

Georgia

Illinois

2019-07-11T17:06:11+00:00

Yoders Kitchen

        1195 E Columbia St, Arthur, IL 61911 Open Mon-Sat 7am-8pm  CLOSED SUNDAY Located in the center of the largest Amish community in Illinois. They draw customers from several county's around and is a destination for tourist. They are a large operation with a very friendly, small town charm.They offer [...]

2019-07-11T14:49:50+00:00

Pauly’s BBQ

310 E Columbia St, Arthur, IL 61911 Open Mon.-Thurs. 10:30am - 8pm, Fri.-Sat. 10:30am - 9pm  CLOSED SUNDAYS Located in the center of  Illinois Amish Country They are smoked meat specialist. They offer a pulled pork bbq, ribs, smoked pork tenderloins, smoked turkey, grilled salmon, fried walleye and pork chops [...]

2019-07-10T19:54:52+00:00

Blue Dog Inn

111 S Sangamon St, Lincoln, IL 62656 bluedoginn.net Open Mon -Thurs. 9am - 9pm      Fri. -Sat. 9am - 10pm The Blue Dog Inn has been serving up good food in Lincoln, Illinois since 1979. They are known for their highly acclaimed burgers. , Blue Dog Inn also serves [...]

Indiana

2021-08-30T22:02:58+00:00

Tony’s Famous Grill

  103 North 5th street, Goshen, In 46528 574-534-2777                        tonysfamousgrill.com Been serving the Goshen since 1989 They are a breakfast and lunch restaurant that is very popular  hangout for the locals in Goshen. They have a large breakfast menu [...]

2021-05-30T12:46:01+00:00

U.S. 6 Diner

1103 E Market St. Nappanee, IN 46550   Located in the small town of Nappanee, IN, a popular tourist town in Indiana Amish country. U.S. 6 diner is a very popular place for locals and tourist visiting the area. They offer a great variety of breakfast  dishes such as pancakes, [...]

2019-07-11T21:49:48+00:00

Benjamin’s II

605 E Ohio St, Rockville, IN 47872 open daily 6am - 9pm Breakfast served all day! Benjamin's offer a large menu, if you can't find something you like on this menu, your just picky. They have a large dining room that sits at least 200 people. They also have a [...]

2019-07-01T21:42:02+00:00

Aunt Karen’s Cafe

129 Orpha Dr # B, Middlebury, IN 46540 Facebook anutkarenscafe   574-825-1122 Open: Mon. - Fri. 6am-2pm,  Sat. 7am -2pm Closed Sundays When you walk in and see the giant chalkboard. then as you read the selections with their descriptions, you know this is going to be a good place to [...]

Kentucky

2019-07-12T14:15:12+00:00

Davy Crockett Restaurant

3282 E Morris Blvd, Morristown, TN 37813 Open daily 6am -8pm, Sunday closes at 2pm A very popular local restaurant in Morristwon, Ky. Breakfast offers a variety of local favorites, eggs to order, pancakes, French toast, omelets and breakfast sandwiches. Lunch and dinner of a wide variety of dinner salads, [...]

2019-07-12T00:28:36+00:00

Back Home Restaurant

251 W Dixie Ave, Elizabethtown, KY 42701 Open Tues-Sat 11am - 9pm   Sun-Mon Located in a old two story house in downtown Elizabethtown , Ky Serving lunch and dinner with creative recipes that emphasizes taste and presentation. You can start with a selection of appetizers, such as fried green onions [...]

Louisiana

2017-07-28T01:57:05+00:00

Burger Grind

1405 North 7th Street, West Monroe, Louisiana Visited them on Facebook at "Burger Grind" Putting a creative twist on the classic hamburger! Open for lunch and supper 10:30am  to 9:00pm They offer many house creations listed for you , sch as the "Missing Link", Blue Bomber", Breakfast Burger", A-1 Burger", [...]

2017-07-28T01:57:05+00:00

Ranch House Café

1110 North 5th Street, Leesville , La 71446 “Home cooking done well” Opened for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The building was long and somewhat narrow, looked like it cook have been a hardware feed store before becoming a restaurant.  Asked the waitress what was this place before? She said that [...]

Michigan

2019-07-08T23:24:51+00:00

Buck’s Restaurant

218 S Main St, Ishpeming, MI 49849 Open daily 5am -9pm I stopped at this restaurant for one reason. They offer a sandwich called a "Cudighi sausage sandwich" this is a fresh grounds sausage that was created in the Ishpeming Michigan area by local Italian cooks.  This sausage can only [...]

2019-07-08T23:02:25+00:00

Dogpatch Restaurant

325 E Superior St, Munising, MI 49862 Open daily 8am - 9pm A popular local restaurant for locals and seasonal visitors. Large operation, (may sit 250) we were there in early June 2019, they were using on half the dining rooms. I asked if they fill this place up during [...]

2019-07-08T21:27:25+00:00

Moe-z-inn

249 S Cass St, Morley, MI 49336 Open daily 6am - 11pm Casual restaurant in the small town of Morley Mi. We stopped for lunch about 11:30 am on a Sat.  The restaurant sits at least 125 people and it was full. What I liked was the light roar of [...]

2019-07-08T21:30:22+00:00

Beechwood Grill

380 Douglas Ave, Holland, MI 49424 Beechwoodgrill.com Open: Mon. - Sat. 11am - 10pm, closed Sundays Local steakhouse with a log cabin/lodge look. Has a large porch where dinners can enjoy a meal. Specializing in burgers, steaks and seafood. Good choice of entrees, appetizers and salads. Price are very good, [...]

2019-07-08T13:28:27+00:00

Mary’s Diner

14 S Ridge St, Port Sanilac, MI 48469 Open daily 7am - 2pm 810-622-9377 Small little restaurant in the popular tourist community of Port Sanilac. They offer a variety of breakfast item, such as eggs to order, omelets, pancakes and french toast. Very clean fast and friendly service, price were [...]

2019-07-02T20:15:20+00:00

Quincy Diner

E Chicago St, Quincy, MI 49082 Just a simple diner serving breakfast and lunch 7 days a week, dinner on Friday nights. When I simple , I mean a basic diner menu that is doing it right.  Fresh hot plates good portions, quick and friendly service. I would love to [...]

Mississippi

2017-07-28T01:57:05+00:00

Bill’s Hamburgers

310 North Main Street, Amory, MS 38821 Been in business since 1929 Serving breakfast lunch and dinner. Hours: 6:30am – 5:30pm Known for their freshly grilled hamburger, French fries and Onion rings. We stopped for breakfast, they have “chocolate gravy” that you can get served over biscuits.  Now when I [...]

2017-07-28T01:57:05+00:00

Chicken Nuggets

Hwy 16 East, Carthage, MS 601-267-9133 Local Family restaurant featuring an assortment of freshly breaded chicken nuggets. Don’t let the name fool you, they have a whole lot more that chicken nuggets. A daily fresh salad bar is a favorite of many of the local. They are known for their [...]

North Carolina

2022-03-01T00:43:17+00:00

Kountry Kitchen

    618 Ward Blvd, Wilson, NC 27893 Monday -Friday Breakfast 7-10AM, Lunch 11-2pm Sunday 11am-2pm "It ain't fancy" but it is very good. Very popular little restaurant in Wilson, NC.  Plated breakfast menu and a lunch buffet. I ate on a Monday in late Febaruary in 2022, place was [...]

2017-06-26T23:16:51+00:00

Triangle Restaurant

2200 N William St, Goldsboro, NC 27530 (919) 736-2810 Serving Breakfast and lunch: Mon. - Fri. 6am-2pm, Sat breakfast only 6am -12 noon I local diner cooking up local favorites for over 22 years.  Breakfast dishes are many of the classic dishes the southern locals have enjoyed for years.  For [...]

2017-07-28T01:57:07+00:00

Moore’s BBQ

reenville NC is know for having some great BBQ restaurants, and "Moore's BBQ" can be listed with the best. Two BBQ restaurant families joined together to create this restaurant. With over 100 years experience between these families, that brought their best to the drawing board.

2017-07-28T01:57:08+00:00

Banner Elk Cafe

324 Shawneehaw Ave S, Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828) 898-4040 bannerelkcafe.com     Facebook: Banner Elk Cafe Hours:  Sun - Thurs: 7:00 am - 9:00 pm, Fri - Sat: 7:00 am - 11:00 pm They are a cafe, bakery, smoothie bar, espresso bar, and are 2 restaurant combined with outside patios.  You [...]

2015-10-23T13:40:47+00:00

Anchor’s Away Cafe

110 Reservoir Road, Burnsville, NC 28714 828-678-3474 "Affordable Family Dining" A small seafood restaurant (about 30 + seats) serving fresh seafood for the locals in Burnsville NC. They offer flounder, perch, catfish, whitefish, deviled crab, jumbo and small shrimp and oysters.  Most of the seafood is lightly breaded and fried. [...]

2015-10-23T12:56:35+00:00

The Pedalin’ Pig

4235 Hwy 105 South, Banner Elk, NC 28604 website: thepedalinpig.com                    like them on Facebook: The pedelin' Pig 828-898-7500 We ate here on our fall "leaf looking" trip.  Let me just say "WHAT A FIND".  This place knows how to cook pork BBQ and all the sides to go with it.    [...]

New Hampshire

New York

2018-06-22T21:33:58+00:00

Sal’s Pizzeria

110 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY, 13326 Open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. They serve several hundred customers a day that are in town to visit the "Baseball Hall Of Fame" Specializing in New York-style thin crust pizza, calzones, strombolis, lasagna, antipasto, spaghetti, baked ziti, and [...]

2018-06-22T18:46:07+00:00

The Historic Naples Hotel

  111 South Main Street Naples, NY 14512 websitewww.napleshotelny.com An Historic Hotel and restaurant the as built it 1895.  Located in the small quaint township of Naples N.Y. Beautiful dining room keep in the rustic theme of it's historic past. They offer a variety  seafood, steak and pasta, along with [...]

2018-06-21T18:49:04+00:00

Keuka Restaurant

10 Main Street Penn Yan, NY 14527  Tel: 315-536-5852 Website http://www.keuka-restaurant.com   Relaxed local restaurant offering steaks, seafood, pasta, sandwiches, burgers and wraps. Very spacious, nice decor, done in a wood accent.   We stopped for lunch, party of five got quick and friendly service. Waitress was very knowledgeable about [...]

2018-06-21T18:50:18+00:00

Emily’s Diner

9980 Main Street Clarence, NY 14031 716 759-1886 Facebook.com/EmilysFamilyDiner Open 6:30 - 2 pm, 7 days a week, Friday until 8:00pm Cash and check only! Local Diner serving many of the popular local favorites in Clarence, NY  They are know for their breakfast, with a wide variety of items. Some [...]

2017-07-28T01:57:08+00:00

Parkside Pizza & Subs

We shared a 16 inch pizza and a large steak sub. My daughter said it was the best she has ever had. Prices were great, service was great and as I said earlier pizza was great. Talked with the owner, he said they has owned it for 18 years. The store is an old store front, very clean and well keep.

Ohio

2022-09-03T23:29:27+00:00

The Grill On The Hill

  3208 Wilmington Rd, New Castle, Pennsylvania 16105, United States Hours Open Tuesday-Saturday 7am-7pm  Sunday 8am-5pm   Monday  Closed They are kinda of a diner, burger place, all day breakfast place.  If you look at the menu, thats how you need to describe it. Good variety of dishes with their own [...]

2022-09-03T22:14:39+00:00

Pete’s Restaurant

 4223 W. Tuscarawas, Canton, OH 44708  Open at 7am Everyday M-Sa 7am–8pm Su 7am-2pm Pete's Restaurant has been open since 2004. They are a family owned and operated restaurant that takes pride in be family and kid friendly, with a warm family atmosphere and outstanding service. They offer a wide variety of [...]

2022-08-21T19:55:20+00:00

Mary Yoders

Mary Yoders is located in the small town of Middlefield Ohio.  This beautiful Northeast Ohio town is located in Geauga County. Middlefield is the center of the fourth largest Amish community in the world!   Mary Yoder's Amish Kitchen opened in 1987 and is owned by Dan and Rita Miller. They [...]

2022-08-29T23:15:24+00:00

Bishop’s Restaurant

  1638 Old Columbus Road, Wooster, Ohio 44691 330-601-1601 Serving Wayne County since 1960 OpenTues. - Sat. 11AM - 7PM, Sunday11AM - 3PM Onion rings anyone? If you like fresh prepared to order onion rings this is the place for you.  They are known for their onion rings. You can [...]

2022-10-24T22:29:26+00:00

Whitey’s Diner

  216 E State St, Fremont, OH 43420 419-334-9183 Open 6AM - 2Pm M-Sat., Sun 7AM - 3PM Popular local diner on State Street in Fremont, Ohio. Serving popular breakfast items such as pancakes, omelets, French toast and eggs to order.  If you want a large breakfast, they have it [...]

2022-08-29T23:22:42+00:00

Park Street Pizza

215 Dover road NW Sugar Creak, Ohio, 44681. Online: PARKSTREETPIZZA.COM I enjoy all the restaurants that I write about, but sometimes you visit a restaurant that just knocks it out of the park. Well this is one of these restaurants. Visited on a Sunday evening, in late May 2019. The [...]

Oklahoma

2017-06-14T15:05:30+00:00

The Museum Grill ( Inside the National Cowboy and Western Museum, Oklahoma City, OK)

   Locate inside the National Cowboy & Western Museum, Oklahoma City, Ok If you are visiting the museum, this is a must stop.  great for and good prices, all sandwiches made fresh to order. The Museum Grill features the freshest ingredients including wraps, BBQ brisket, loaded potatoes, hamburgers, signature salads [...]

Pennsylvania

2021-08-30T20:15:37+00:00

Baker’s Diner

  515 U.S. Route 15 North, Dillsburg, PA 17019 10717-432-8800 Open Sunday - Wednesday  6:00am - 9:00pm Thursday - Saturday 6:00am - 10:00pm Very new looking and spacious restaurant that  can accommodate many customers at one time.  Very clean, nice decor. They offer breakfast lunch & dinner. With many of [...]

2018-06-22T20:49:36+00:00

white Horse Diner

5408 Lincoln Hwy W Thomasville, PA 17364 ( 5 Miles out of York, PA on hwy 30) Country diner serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Debbie and I stopped for breakfast on a Sunday morning.in Mid June 2018. Very busy for early on a Sunday. They offer seating at the old [...]

2018-05-31T18:12:38+00:00

Country Cupboard

This a mega operation, must set 300 plus, but don't let the size fool ya! They make most of their meals from scratch, fresh baked goods.Established in 1973 with the goal of serving the local community with good home cooked meals. They have been doing that and have become a large operation with that small mom and pop atmosphere.

South Carolina

2018-05-31T19:19:53+00:00

Q on Bay

The restaurant overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, in historic Beaufort, SC. You can sit on the back patio and enjoy the beautiful Waterway and park, with its beautiful well keep grounds. The view itself is worth the trip.

Tennessee

2017-07-28T01:57:05+00:00

Bravo Cafe and Grill

514 N Willow Ave, Cookeville, TN 38501 931-520-1111 All American restaurant with a touch of Greek! Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Offering a variety of sandwiches, entrees, salads, daily soups and homemade soups. They have just opened the Bravo Express at 612 East Spring Street, Cookeville, Tennessee This restaurant [...]

Texas

2017-07-28T01:57:05+00:00

West Station Road House

128 North Main Street, West, Texas 76691 Facebook: West Station Road House Specializing in char-broiled steaks, chicken steaks, fresh pit cooked BBQ.  They have a very popular burger menu, along with their stuffed potatoes entrees. The store has that retro western feel, with the wooded tables and booths, and a [...]

Virginia

2021-09-12T21:30:50+00:00

Woodbooger Grill

921 Park Avenue SW  Norton, VA 24273 Tel: 276-325-0551 Open 7 days a week   11-9, Fri-Sat 11-10   What a name. let me give a bite of history behind the name. Known locally as the "Woodbooger," the city erected the statue and Norton City Council designated the recreation area a "Woodbooger Sanctuary" following [...]

2021-08-30T21:29:27+00:00

Thunderbird Cafe

  42A Island Ford Road McGaheysville, VA www.thethunderbirdcafe.com 540-289-5094 Open M-F 8AM - 8PM, Sat. 7AM - 8PM, Sun 7AM - 3PM Located just 7 miles from Harrisonburg, VA. Only 3.5  miles west of the famous Massanutten Resort, VA They are located in a store front, but when you walk [...]

2020-10-16T21:51:32+00:00

Inwood Restaurant

19095 James Madison Hwy  Gordonsville, VA 22942 (540) 832-3411 Family restaurant serving breakfast, lunch & dinner since 1976.  The owner said that 2 families owned the restaurant before them, may go back a total of 70+years. Offering a selection of popular breakfast favorites, such as pancakes, omelets, eggs to order, [...]

2020-10-13T20:08:54+00:00

Rudy’s Diner

418 N. 5th Street Shenandoah, VA 22849  Rudy’s Diner is located on Rte 340 in the Town of Shenandoah VA. Locally owned and operated by a father and son, Doug and Ian Rudolph.  A town tradition since 2016! The decor inside and out, is do in a fireman's theme. No [...]

2020-08-03T00:09:46+00:00

Indian Fields Tavern

  9220 John Tyler Memorial Hwy ( route 5), Charles City, VA 23030 (804) 829-2200 Facebook: Indianfieldstavern   A Bistro and tavern located among the beautiful farmland in eastern Virginia.  The building dates to the mid 1800's where it was a general store. It has been a restaurant since the [...]

2018-06-22T21:04:40+00:00

Lisa’s Diner

2844, 236 E Broadway Ave, Hopewell, VA 23860 Mon-Fri 8:30 -3pm, Sat 9:30 - 2pm Quaint diner on Broad street in Hopewell.  Owner Lisa has been in the restaurant businesses most off her life and her passion for quality and homemade cooking is vert evident. Asked why she opens at [...]

2018-05-31T19:25:43+00:00

Patsy’s

"Good Friends & Great Food" Your Home Away From Home" If you are looking for a restaurant cooking home style meals you have found it. They offer a good variety of dishes at breakfast that the locals love.

Vermont

West Virginia

2019-07-01T14:58:10+00:00

Hometown Restaurant

137 Market St, Peterstown, WV 24963 Open M-F 7AM -7:30 PM, Sat. 8AM- 3:30Pm, Sunday 11AM-3:30PM A country diner with a good variety of local favorites. They serve breakfast all day, with choices of assorted omelets, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and several breakfast sandwiches. Lunch and dinner offer a variety [...]

Wisconsin

2019-07-10T19:39:37+00:00

Borgens Cafe

109 S Main St, Westby, WI 54667 borgenscafe.com Open daily 7am - 4pm, Friday till 8pm A local cafe that opened i 2008. They are a popular eatery for locals and the many tourist that visit the area every year. Breakfast offers a wide variety of eggs to order plates, [...]

2019-07-09T23:27:11+00:00

Julie’s Cafe & Catering

1685 Main St, Green Bay, WI 54302-2628 juliescafecatering.com Open daily 5am -9pm Serving breakfast all day.  They have a wide variety of breakfast dishes.  Eggs to order, omelettes, French toast,  pancakes, breakfast sandwiches.  They also offer a variety of skillet meals, chicken fried steak w/ gravy and biscuits and gravy. [...]

2019-07-09T22:05:03+00:00

Farm Inn’ On Main

123 N Main St, Shawano, WI 54166 farminnonmain.com Open daily 4;30am - 9pm, Fri. & Sat. till 10pm A family style restaurant with a wide variety of local favorites and comfort foods. They have a bakery with a wide variety of sweet goodies, such as pies, cakes, cookies, muffins, etc. [...]