BY JENNIFER ALEXANDER RUPLE
Fall is the perfect time of year for a little road trip. When looking for a unique dining experience, pack up the family and head to Archbold, Ohio. In less than an hour, you’ll reach your destination – Mom’s Diner, located at 213 N. Defiance St. Family owned and operated since 1969, Mom’s offers scratch-made, American comfort food in a casual 50s diner style setting, delightful for all ages.
Mom’s menu features a wide variety of classic diner fare including burger baskets, sub sandwiches, salads, milkshakes and specialty pizzas. “We are known for our décor and homestyle cooking – we prepare everything in house,” said owner Dave Wyse.
The operation of Mom’s Diner has been a family affair since the beginning, starting when Wyse’s father purchased the restaurant with help from his parents over 50 years ago. “It was my grandma who taught my dad how to make the sub buns, breadsticks and pizza dough. She was the last of the great cooking generation,” said Wyse.
The family tradition remains today as Wyse and his family – wife Jen, daughters Cassi and Faith, and sons Chan and Caleb all work together at Mom’s. “I took over the restaurant in the 80s when my dad was ill, and I’ve been here ever since. My kids are the fourth generation to work here,” Wyse explained.
For those with a hearty appetite, Mom’s Diner offers the Big Bopper Burger with three 1/3 pound, all-beef patties topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo. For the dining finale, customers won’t want to miss out on a slice of scratch-made pie in irresistible flavors such as Raspberry Cream and Peanut Butter plus seasonal varieties including Pecan Carmel Cheesecake and fruit pies. “We have a long list of pie selections. Every part of them is homemade – the crust, the pudding, and the fresh fruit filling,” said Cassi Wyse who manages a team of five staff members making pies daily.
Good food is only part of the experience at Mom’s. The restaurant’s family-friendly atmosphere is full of nostalgia from yesteryear. Vintage signs dot the walls from floor to ceiling. A working jukebox is available for customers to choose golden oldies, and an Elvis room is available for larger parties. “Everything out there is the real deal. There are no reproductions,” Wyse commented. Wyse and his wife have collected all the memorabilia over the past few decades. “It’s getting harder to find things now, and they are not cheap. But back then, we went to junk yards, through abandoned buildings, and we dug through a lot of stuff. That stuff is what makes our place stand out.”
Mom’s Diner is open for dine in and carryout Monday through Saturday 11 am to 7 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm.