Abner's Casual Dinings — Restaurant in Norwich Township

Went to Abner’s because my friend was playing a cover show with another local musician. Sat down on the patio outside, ordered food from the friendly wait staff, and was really enjoying the music and the atmosphere.

Between songs, an older man started heckling the musician. Weird but okay? Then, the older man reveals that he is the owner of this restaurant and the musician better start playing some better covers. Literally the owner is out here heckling the entertainment because he didn’t like the music covers. The atmosphere got extremely awkward fast. The owner, Gordon, told my friend that he wasn’t paying them and ripped up their gig money in front of the musician’s faces and then stormed out of his own restaurant.

This story is hard to swallow and I’m personally still in disbelief that it happened. I’m pretty sure the owner was intoxicated throughout this entire episode. He also made a comment about how cheap me and my friends were because we ordered food but no alcohol. I’ve never had to deal with someone calling me cheap after I ordered an appetizer and food.

Many thanks to all the other employees who are very kind and forced to deal with Gordon...

AMBIENCE: Entering Abner's you're welcomed with walls adorned in local memorabilia. Growing up in Hilliard, it was a bit of nostalgia seeing pictures of old downtown before it's make-over. The local high school athletics fill the booth area and give you that feeling you're eating in a town of tradition and pride. Abner's is truly a local, family-run business; there's nothing commercial about it and that's what makes it special.

SERVICE: The service is always and prompt and courteous. Sometimes you can tell the waitress is having a rough day - but we're all human and it didn't affect my experience.

DRINKS: Just had coffee.

FOOD: The Abner's fare is always on point. I can easily say the biscuits and gravy is the best I've ever had. It tastes homemade, like my grandma's. I've been to Abner's a half-dozen times, mostly breakfast and lunch. The food is always fresh and cooked to order and served fresh off the griddle. There's is enough on the menu to keep me coming back to try new things.

OVERALL: Abner's is everything you want from a local diner. It's the perfect balance of "greasy-spoon" and family restaurant. I...

I have lived in Hilliard my whole life and have visited Abners on a few occasions. Each time the “restaurant” has felt dirty, aged, and unwelcoming. While I will say it is nice on the patio, good luck getting a server to check on your table within 30 minutes. But to be fair, you would get that service inside too. Not only does the food taste like it’s right out of a box or bag from the food service store, it likely is. Their oatmeal was literally a microwave packet I watched a waitress heat up.

What really bothers me about this place, is the reports of non mask wearing staff. Many patrons are senior Hilliard residents, an at risk population. To claim that it is too difficult to wear a mask for 7 hours is ludicrous. The entire country is wearing their masks all day every day to get through these dark times and this one business thinks they can be exempt. This is the reason we’re still in this mess. At a time we are all trying to lift up small businesses I would suggest supporting other local establishments that treat their patrons with respect, quality...