One Toledo diner keeps more than 20 kinds of pie on hand, and that number still makes me grin. Twenty kinds.
That means somebody wakes up early to fill a case before most of us find our socks.
The best part is where those pies sit. In a handful of small-town Ohio restaurants, the dessert case greets you near the door.
Brown bag apple, black raspberry, peanut butter cream, and coconut cream wait under the lights like they own the place.
You came for meatloaf or biscuits and gravy, sure. Then you spot a tall slice of cream pie, and your plans start to wobble.
Do you order lunch first, or do you ask them to set a slice aside before it disappears?
That small question is the real fun of these stops. A few of them sit in Amish Country, one wears nutcrackers on its walls, and one has served pie since 1948.
So which slice gets your vote first?
1. Nutcracker Family Restaurant
Nutcrackers on the shelves and pie in the case? Pataskala clearly knows how to decorate a diner.
Nutcracker Family Restaurant sits on East Broad Street in this Licking County town. It has a 1950s small diner feel and plenty of nutcracker figures to spot.
The pie case gets right to the point. Homemade coconut cream pie leads the lineup, and the peanut butter pie earns loud praise.
Seasonal slices show up too. Pumpkin pie and a playful pumpkin s’mores pie have appeared in the case.
Hungry for more than dessert? The menu covers meatloaf stacks, beef and noodles, fish and chips, and pork tenderloin sandwiches.
Breakfast fans can grab the Big Breakfast or a grilled cinnamon roll. Chocolate shakes and old-fashioned root beer round out the classic diner lineup.
Plan ahead, because the place closes on Mondays. It doesn’t take reservations, but parking is usually easy.
Address: 63 E Broad St, Pataskala, OH 43062
2. Boyd & Wurthmann Restaurant
Pie for breakfast at 5:30 in the morning sounds bold. In Berlin, Ohio, it just sounds like Tuesday.
Boyd & Wurthmann Restaurant dates to the 1940s and sits right in the heart of Berlin. The kitchen serves homestyle Amish cooking and specializes in house-baked pies.
Those pies wait at the counter as you come in. Good luck walking past them without making a mental list.
The brown bag apple pie is a showstopper. The double-crusted black raspberry pie and the custard pie deserve your attention too.
Peanut butter pie fans will find a slice with their name on it. Honestly, choosing one might be the hardest task of your day.
The room mixes rustic Americana with a 1950s diner look. It’s an odd combo on paper, yet it works.
Biscuits and gravy, country fried steak, and cheeseburgers fill out the menu. Expect a wait on busy Saturdays, and remember it closes on Sundays.
Address: 4819 E Main St, Berlin, OH 44610
3. Schmucker’s Restaurant
More than 20 kinds of pie in one case is not a menu. It’s a happy dilemma with a fork.
Schmucker’s Restaurant has been a Toledo tradition since 1948. The family-owned diner still runs on homemade food and pies made from scratch.
Yellow brick walls and a wrap-around counter with barstools set the mood. It feels like a classic 1950s diner, because that’s exactly the idea.
The pie display greets you near that counter. Chocolate peanut butter, cherry, and banana cream are just a few highlights.
Plenty of folks show up mainly for pie, and you can see why. Still, the diner entrees hold their own with generous portions.
Try the Wimpy Burger Platter, chicken and biscuits, or a stack of pancakes. Then finish with a slice, obviously.
Hours run from early morning to mid-afternoon, Monday through Saturday. Weekday visits help you skip the busiest late-week crowds.
Address: 2103 N Reynolds Rd, Toledo, OH 43615
4. Der Dutchman
Rocking chairs out front are a gentle warning. You may need one after this meal.
Der Dutchman sits in Walnut Creek, a rural Holmes County community famous for its rolling farmland. The dining room offers sweeping countryside views.
Before you reach those views, a big bakery counter and dessert case catch your eye. Homemade Dutch apple pie and gigantic cinnamon rolls make a strong first impression.
Want a little extra? Real vanilla ice cream pairs nicely with that apple pie.
The menu leans Amish-style and Pennsylvania Dutch. Broasted chicken, buttered noodles, and chicken pot pie are hearty favorites.
A salad bar and full vegetarian and vegan menus help mixed groups. Kids get their own menu too.
Saturday afternoons get busy here. Weekday visits tend to be calmer, and it closes on Sundays.
Address: 4967 Walnut St, Walnut Creek, OH 44687
5. Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen
Some bakeries sell pie by the slice. This one has baked pies for an entire wedding dessert bar.
Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen sits in Middlefield, a Geauga County village with deep Amish roots. The restaurant is Amish owned and operated.
You walk in through a bakery shop with dedicated dessert cases. Housemade pies, cakes, and cookies fill them up.
That bakery also handles bigger orders. Planning a party?
Pies for special events are part of what they do.
The dining room serves hearty comfort food from breakfast through dinner. Amish mashed potatoes and a soup and salad bar are popular picks.
A gift shop adds a bit of browsing time. It’s handy for anyone who likes a souvenir with their slice.
Unlike a few stops here, this one accepts reservations. The drive to Middlefield is a pleasant bonus, especially in autumn.
Address: 14743 N State Ave, Middlefield, OH 44062
6. Hartville Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery
A restaurant, a bakery, and a candy shop under one roof? Your sweet tooth just packed a suitcase.
Hartville Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery is a big venue in Hartville, a Stark County village. It’s a local staple for hometown cooking and baking.
The bakery showroom gets your attention first. Its pie counter offers peanut butter vanilla pie, seasonal fruit pies, and whole cream pies to go.
Whole pies are the clever move here. You enjoy lunch, then carry dessert home for later.
The dining room serves homestyle dishes like broiled cod, roasted pork, and creamed chicken. Salads and the Hartville Burger keep things flexible.
A fireplace adds charm on chilly Ohio days. Cakes and other baked goods tempt you on the way out too.
Check hours before you go, since it closes Wednesdays and Sundays. Reservations are accepted, which helps on busy Saturdays.
Address: 1015 Edison St NW, Hartville, OH 44632