Sam and Ethel's — Restaurant in Tipp City

We found this to be a delightful little spot in the heart of Tipp City. This is the type of restaurant every downtown area in America should feature if that area has any historical significance at all. The nostalgic feel of this establishment added immensely to our visit, and the cozy atmosphere further accentuated the casual dining experience. The seating capacity was limited, as there were about 11 or 12 tables spread over three small rooms (one table was closed off due to social distancing) and a counter that accommodated two or three people. They were well equipped to handle the pandemic protocols with plastic barriers erected between booths.

We were greeted in the friendly, low-key manner you'd expect from a small, local Midwestern restaurant as we entered. We were invited to sit where we liked and our server, Jodi, attended to us quickly. She was friendly and efficient, and did a great job during our time there.

The menu featured the favorites you'd expect from a place like this. My wife settled on Sam's Favorite, which included eggs and corned beef hash with a choice of toast (she chose rye). I opted for the Downtown, which was two eggs, meat (bacon for me), hash browns and bread (English Muffin for me). My scrambled eggs were done well and nicely topped off by Frank's Red Hot. The bacon was ideally crispy, and the hash browns were a perfect golden consistency. The coffee was OK, but I'm more of a dark roast fan.

Our bill was quite reasonable for this wonderfully traditional fare. Our tab with food, drink and tax was $19.32. Adding in a tip, we were able to keep our outlay to about $12 each, which was a very fair value overall.

Needless to say, we were quite pleased with our experience. Given that Tipp is on our way home to Michigan after visiting family in Dayton, we are very likely to make another stop here in the...

Tucked away in Tipp City is a delightful breakfast and lunch spot called Sam and Ethel's Diner that serves up huge portions of comfort food classics. This charming local joint may not look like much from the outside, but inside you'll find a cozy retro diner atmosphere and one of the best breakfasts around.

The star of the show is their legendary plate-sized pancake, and let me tell you, they are not exaggerating the size! These fluffy flapjacks are wider than the plate and stacked sky high. I opted for the chocolate chip variety which provided the perfect sweet counterpart to the pillowy pancake interior.

My wife chose the colossal breakfast burrito packed with eggs, cheese, potatoes and sausage. Let's just say neither of us needed lunch that day!

Other winners on the menu include their mouthwatering biscuits and gravy, loaded hash browns, and hearty sandwiches.

Despite the demand for Sam and Ethel's cooking, the service couldn't be friendlier. The staff makes you feel like a member of the family. Yes, there is often a wait on weekends, but passing the time on their homey porch is all part of the charm.

For a top-notch, affordable breakfast in a one-of-a-kind setting, Sam and Ethel's can't be beat. Be ready to bring your appetite if you visit because the portions are giant and delicious. Just make sure to save room for a slice of their...

First time there. It's a popular place and is quite small. There was a wait for Saturday brunch. When you walk in, there is seating for a dozen or so people. There is more seating in connected rooms.

The biscuits and gravy are some of the best I've ever had! The gravy was meaty and had just a touch of spicy. It arrived at the table hot, just like it should, but is so rare these days.

The generous amount of gravy was ladled onto some of the best biscuits I've ever had. Some places simply cover store bought hockey pucks with gravy. Nope. Not at Sam and Ethel's. The insides were light and fluffy like they should be, and the buttery, crisp outside was amazing. It easily cut with a fork and had a pleasing crispy sound as I cut through them. When I put the biscuits in my mouth, I was treated to the buttery, delicate crunch of the browned outside which was complemented by the fluffiest, lightest biscuit I've had.

One of my co-brunchers watched me enjoying my meal and he looked longingly at my plate. "You chose better than I did." I smiled, "yes, I did." "I know what I'm ordering next time." "I know what I'm getting again, too."

He had a breakfast bowl, which was one of my final choices. It was good, too. But for someone who continually searches for amazing B&G, I found my...