Tag Archives: Reuben Sandwich

Malabar Farm Restaurant, Mansfield, Ohio

Malabar Farm Restaurant re-opened in May of 2021 having closed due to the 2020 COVID Pandemic.  In addition to its spectacular menu of mouth-watering food, this eatery is a beautiful historic site.

My first experience visiting Malabar Farm Restaurant was in tandem with a tour of Malabar Farm, former home of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, Louis Bromfield.  During the hayride, our driver pointed out the restaurant and suggested the Reuben sandwich and their famous mushroom soup, so I couldn’t resist.

The location of the restaurant is on prime real estate – a former home located inside of the park, owned by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.  The two-story residence was built by frontiersman, David Schrack in 1820, made of brick and local sandstone.

I was immediately seated at an inside table and ordered the restaurant’s signature passion fruit tea which was spiced with a little cinnamon.  I was already set on the mushroom soup but couldn’t help considering the crab cakes with remoulade sauce.

The soup arrived steaming hot so I allowed it to cool down for a few minutes.  Silky smooth and seasoned perfectly, I enjoyed every last spoonful.

A table beside me had ordered the meatloaf and was raving over their meal, focusing on the taste and texture of the  gravy. The portion size was enormous and it smelled amazing, but I had just finished the bowl of soup.  I placed my order for the sandwich with a side of kettle chips.

My Reuben sandwich was served on marble rye and stuffed full of corned beef and sauerkraut.  Oozing with thousand island dressing, my meal was full of flavor and perfectly prepared.

In preparation to leave, I requested a take-out box and gave my regards to the chef.  Of course I was completely satiated, but I couldn’t help asking myself, should I place an order for the meatloaf to-go?

Malabar Farm Restaurant was a wonderful experience and I hope to return.  I love supporting businesses that make their home in historical places, in an effort to conserve history.  Do you have a favorite historical place?  Have you had the opportunity to visit Malabar Farm Restaurant?  What did you order?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my visit to Malabar Farm Restaurant and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

Malabar Farm Restaurant
3645 Pleasant Valley Road
Lucas, OH  44843
Telephone:  419 938 5205

The Malabar Farm Restaurant is open year-round.
Tuesdays through Thursdays: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.,
Fridays and Saturdays: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sundays: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

A Taste of Home at Sam and Ethel’s, Tipp City, Ohio

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I remember learning about Sam and Ethel’s in Tipp City, Ohio when my grandparents would visit here for breakfast on Sunday mornings.   This amazing diner in the heart of town has been serving delicious, down home meals since 1944.  That’s over 70 years of yummy food.

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The menu was endless with amazing options, including buffalo, but I had my mind set on their famous Reuben Sandwich, a decadent combination of rye bread, thousand island dressing, corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut.  My mouth was watering as I ordered this local favorite and one of Sam and Ethel’s best sellers. Along with their tenderloin and roundhouse club, each sandwich is served with their signature chips and garlic onion dip.

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The front room of the restaurant is reminiscent to the diners of the good ole days, where locals can sit at a counter and enjoy a hearty, home cooked meal or a cup of coffee with a slice of pie.  I found a seat at one of the booths where I could see the kitchen through the pass-through and was close enough to take in the delicious smell of meat cooking on the grill.

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When my sandwich arrived with a heaping of Sam and Ethel’s famous, homemade potato chips, I was in culinary heaven.  One of the most amazing sandwiches I had ever eaten, this Reuben was oozing with dressing and Swiss cheese.  The buttered bread was perfectly toasted with a generous portion of juicy corned beef piled high to make this the ultimate sandwich.

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While I was ordering my meal, the waitress mentioned Sam and Ethel’s signature dill dip and she asked if I wanted to try it.  The gentleman sitting at the bar turned from his meal to agree with her.  He further warned me that it was addictive and guaranteed I would not be able to stop eating it once I started.

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I was so happy I had asked for a to-go box, because secretly, I probably would have ordered another sandwich…it was that amazing,  I was disappointed that I didn’t save room for pie, but promised myself that on a return visit, I would definitely order one to share with my friends.

I learned a lot about Sam and Ethel’s from reading the menu.  This former single family home was built in 1869 and housed a variety of businesses before Bill and Flora Sensemen turned it into a restaurant in 1944.   Mom and Pop Pittinger bought the restaurant and ran it from 1947 to 1955 until it was purchased by Sam and Ethel Moore, giving the restaurant its current name. The restaurant stayed in the Moore family when Sam and Ethel’s son John took over and ran the business for forty years before selling the property to Keith Long in 2009.   The restaurant has won several awards including the 2012 Best Comfort Food and 2013 Best of Dayton Restaurants.  There is also a photo of former comedian and actor Jonathan Winters, a Dayton, Ohio native stopping in to enjoy a meal at this longtime eatery.

The Dayton newspaper had just written an article about Sam and Ethel’s famous pancakes, which are also a hit with the locals. I guess I will have to try them on my next visit.  Could I order the pancakes with a piece of pie on the side please?

Have you eaten at Sam and Ethel’s Restaurant in Tipp City?  What is your favorite menu item?  I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many Thanks and Bon Appetit!

What to See and What to Do:

Sam and Ethel’s Restaurant
120 East Main Street
Tipp City, Ohio  45371
Telephone:  937 667 0113

  • Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday from 6AM to 3PM and on Sunday from 8AM to 2PM
  • What to Eat:  I highly recommend the Reuben sandwich with the chips and homemade dill dip, the fried bologna sandwich and any one of their fabulous pies!  For breakfast, enjoy their plate-sized pancakes and corned beef hash (I like mine crispy).  Enjoy!

Where to Stay: 

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dayton North – Tipp City
1100 W. Main Street
Tipp City, OH  45371
Telephone:  937 667 5161

Where to Eat:

Sam and Ethel’s Restaurant
120 East Main Street
Tipp City, Ohio  45371
Telephone:  937 667 0113
Website:  www.samandethels.com

  • Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday from 6AM to 3PM and on Sunday from 8AM to 2PM
  • What to Eat:  I highly recommend the Reuben sandwich with the chips and homemade dill dip, the fried bologna sandwich and any one of their fabulous pies!  For breakfast, enjoy their plate-sized pancakes and corned beef hash (I like mine crispy).  Enjoy!

Photo Guide for Tipp City: 

  • Canal Lock located just outside of town
  • Charleston Falls, 3538 Ross Road
  • Coldwater Creek for food photos
  • Mums during the Tipp City Mum Festival 
  • Gem City Ice Cream Mural, 1462 Harmony Drive
  • Tipp Roller Mill is an historic grist mill where they provide entertainment on Thursdays from May to December.

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Mike & Rosy’s Deli: A Springfield, Ohio Institution

I had a friend in high school, Joanna, whose father was a professor at nearby Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.  I always admired her because she was so smart and had such great experiences having access to the nearby college campus and its restaurants.

I remembered that she talked about hanging out at Mike & Rosy’s deli, located on McCreight Avenue.  The deli was considered a Wittenberg institution for local college students for as long as I could remember. The closest I had ever been to the restaurant was passing by in our car on our way to church on Sundays.

Mike Rosencrans (“Rosy”) Mike Wagner founded Springfield’s local deli in March of 1977, forty-five years ago.  I  couldn’t wait to try their famous steamed Reuben Sandwich, a bag of kettle chips and delicatessen pickles.

Waiting for my made-to-order sandwich, I climbed the stairs to check out Rosy’s press box where locals stop by to watch the latest sports game with access to a full-service bar.  There are also televisions in each room for overflow that seats up to 50 visitors.

As a former Athletic Director at Wittenberg University, Rosy knew a lot about sports, was a friendly guy and loved to great the deli’s customers.

The refrigerators are a great place to pick up a couple of take-out side items in addition to their the sandwiches.

From the counter where I ordered my lunch, I could watch the servers making several sandwiches ahead of mine.  The location of the deli was once a gas station in the 1960s and 70s but expanded in 1981 with the addition of the dining room. In 1983,  Mike and Rosy’s expanded their kitchen and added the Pressbox in 2006.   The walls in the dining room display all types of sports memorabilia including photos and a variety of jerseys from college and professional sports.

I spent a few minutes browsing the jerseys on the wall and soon my Reuben was ready.  I found a seat near one of the televisions mounted on the wall to watch the Cincinnati Bengals game and enjoyed my sandwich dripping with Thousand Island dressing and sauerkraut.  In addition to creating thick, juicy sandwiches from Boar’s Head meats, Mike & Rosy’s success comes from their continued support of local sports teams and their deep love of the Springfield community.

Have you visited Mike & Rosy’s Deli in Springfield, Ohio? What did you order?  I would love to hear about your stop at one of my favorite hometown restaurants if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

What to See and What to Do:

Mike & Rosy’s Deli
330 W. McCreight Avenue
Springfield, OH  45202
Telephone:  937 390 3511

Where to Stay:

Courtyard Marriott Springfield
100 S. Fountain Avenue
Springfield, OH  45502
Telephone:  937 322 3600

Where to Eat:

Heart of Country Gift Shoppe and Teaberries Cafe
1600 E. Leffel Lane
Springfield, OH  45505
Telephone:  937 325 3030

I could spend hours strolling the Heart of Country Shoppe, but when I visit, I can’t wait to have lunch at Teaberries.   I always start my lunch with a piece of yummy, moist orange bread.  Known for their wide varieties of chicken salad sandwiches, I always revert to the House Favorite, the Midwest Delight, served on a butter croissant.   If you have room, try their homemade carrot cake or peanut butter pie.

More favorite Springfield eateries:

  • Schuler’s Donuts:   Their chocolate cream-filled doughnut is their best seller…”home of homemade”. The bakery has several locations in Springfield.
  • Simon Kenton Inn:  This historical home is an inn, restaurant and entertainment venue.  With great food, I love the atmosphere of the Simon Kenton Inn.
  • Guerra’s Krazy Tacos:  One of my favorite places to eat in Springfield, Guerra’s is known for their unique gourmet tacos.
  • Salato Deli:  I love stopping by this deli for their charcuterie board
  • Le Torte Dolci Bakery;  Located next to the Salato Deli, this European French bakery also serves amazing gelato.
  • Mike & Rosie’s Deli:  This staple of Springfield is located near the Wittenberg campus and I am extremely fond of their Reuben sandwich.

Where to Drink: 

What to Read:

  • The Book of Springfield, Ohio, 1906, by Springfield Commercial Club
  • Springfield, Ohio:  A Summary of Two Centuries, by Tom Dunham
  • Ridgewood in the Country Club District, by Tamara K. Dallenbach
  • Still Standing:  A life of pain, adversity and perseverance, by James Cooper
  • Hometown Killer, by Carol Rothgeb

Photo Guide for Springfield, Ohio:  

  • Hartman Rock Garden
  • Westcott House, Frank Lloyd Wright House
  • Glen Helen Nature Preserve in nearby Yellow Springs
  • Heritage Center of Clark County
  • Tecumseh Land Trust in nearby Yellow Springs
  • Ohio Caverns in nearby Bellefontaine
  • Oakes Quarry Park in nearby Fairborn, Ohio