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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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