In Mt. Sterling, Ohio, revisit the 1950s and have a great breakfast or
lunch (or supper) at Ben and Joy’s Restaurant on the corner of the main intersection in
town (Rts. 62 & 56).
Sandwiches are around $4.00. Grilled cheese and grilled bologna (how
long since I’ve had that!) for $2-something.
The lunch buffet was $9.00—a good deal. We 
were there
a little after 1:00, and, though the food was a bit tepid, it was tasty. The fried
perch and chicken were moist and tender, in spite of sitting out awhile, and
the baked beans were excellent. There was plenty to choose from at the salad bar.
were there
a little after 1:00, and, though the food was a bit tepid, it was tasty. The fried
perch and chicken were moist and tender, in spite of sitting out awhile, and
the baked beans were excellent. There was plenty to choose from at the salad bar.
When we entered, the place was still about half full,
and it seemed every customer was local. The familiarity and good cheer among
the people were right out of Mayberry. I’ve eaten at quite a few Mom &
Pops, but no place surpasses Ben and Joy’s for an amiable atmosphere and good food.
About 7 - 10 days ago, these wildflowers were all over south-central Ohio, along two-lane roads and at the park itself. What are they?
I see places like this and think of Blandinsville, Illinois -- the first place I ever heard of or tasted twice-baked potatoes and biscuits and gravy. Fond memories.
ReplyDeleteAH, What could be better? Or a better place to discover them? And someday you're gonna write about Indiana and Illinois . . . right?
ReplyDeleteYellow.
ReplyDeleteI actually have never eaten many of the foods you mention, so it wouldn't be nostalgia for me, but discovery.
aw, that's nice. I love places like that. Though the grilled cheese and bologna sounds....not so healthy
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a restful place to be, and to while away a summer day. Blissful!
Jean, thanks. I was thinking purple.
ReplyDeleteJean and Kitty, yeah, it ain't health food, but the taste plus the nostalgia . . .
Whenever I see store fronts that look like those, empty and quaint, I start running real estate numbers through my head and art studio fantasies. Or a nice place to age and die. I have many trailer courts in SoCal and beyond that I think might work. Peoria; I could go gray AND have river front property.
ReplyDeleteGuilty pleasure: Ramona and I used to go to the nearby Temple City (founded by mormons) and order double fried fries. Then they dumped the lunch counter. Haven't had them since
Ramona's my mother - Big Fred is my father
ReplyDeletePA, the end of double-fried fries is a tragic story (tho' I've never had them, maybe never heard of them till now).
ReplyDeleteI don't know about Illinois, but southern Indiana and Ohio might have great deals for the kind of retreat you're thinking about. Marietta, Ohio is esp. promising. Portsmouth, Ohio has seen better days and might have great deals on the river. Leavenworth and Corydon, Indiana on the river--very, very small, but . . . Evansville, IN is bigger, but not too big, and might be cheap and has a university. Don't mean to take your quip too seriously--I'm just sayin' . But come on, you couldn't part with SoCal at this point . . .
I ever I come to Ohio I shall know where to eat ... :-)
ReplyDeleteSo far I have only visited Michigan, California, Washington (state), New Jersey and New York.
I like Reno. I saw a trailer park right past where the Dohner party tragedy on the way to Lake Tahoe that was rather appealing. You are right - nit would be alien for a western girl to leave her western town
ReplyDeleteGrilled bologna? Why?
ReplyDeleteRune, I'd be interested to hear what cities or towns in those states. But please don't ask how many places I've been to in Norway (or all of Scandinavia).
ReplyDeletePA, I've never been to the Tahoe area either, but I've heard good things.
Brenda, I enjoy your conciseness. However, try it. I haven't had it for decades, but I used to love it. Of course, I loved Spam too, and now it's basically a virus.
Brenda, grilled anything . . .
Brenda, if you have to ask the question . . .