Why the Mel-O-Dee Restaurant is one of the area’s most beloved dining destinations

Sarah Childers opened her Mel-O-Dee Restaurant at its present location more than 50 years ago.

The “Big Family Restaurant” famous for its broaster chicken is co-owned by her sons Woody and Leon and managed by her grandchildren. Childers died in 1999.

The general manager is Charlotte Farley, who’s been with the restaurant for more than 40 years. And, many of the other employees are also Mel-O-Dee server veterans; including, Head Chef Phil Roth, who’s been with the restaurant for more than 40 years.

>> MORE: Classic restaurants you have to try, including the Mel-O-Dee

Credit: Bill Lackey

Credit: Bill Lackey

The loyal staff emphasizes the highest standards of service to its customers seated throughout Mel-O-Dee’s two large rooms on one-floor. Also, they concentrate on the careful preparation of the trademarked Broaster Foods, as well as all the fresh American standards in food on its humongous menu, to continually bring its customers back to Mel-O-Dee Restaurant.

THE MENU

Beverages: Royal Kona Coffee-$1.99; Pepsi products-$2.25; Blue Bunny Ice Cream Milkshake-$4.50.

Credit: Bill Lackey

Credit: Bill Lackey

Breakfast (served all day): Danish-$1.79; Hot Cakes (three)-$5.50; Cheese Omelet-$6.49; French Toast-$6.50; Mel-O-Dee Chops 'N X-Lg. Eggs-$9.99.

Soup and Salad Special $5.99

Bread: White Bread made in-house, or Dark Rye Bread from Klosterman's-$4.25 a loaf.

$9.99 Weekly Specials:  Monday: All-You-Care-To-Eat Broaster Fish, Tuesday: 4-Piece Broaster Chicken, Wednesday: 2-Piece Broaster Combo, Thursday: 2-Piece Boneless Broaster Pork Chops

"Soup-of-the-Day": Monday, Cream of Broccoli; Tuesday, Potato w/bacon; Wednesday, Ham & Bean; Thursday, Chicken Noodle; Friday, French Onion w/cheese & croutons, and every other Friday, Tomato Soup; Saturday, Vegetable Beef; Sunday, Vegetable Beef-$3.29 a bowl.

Salads: Fiesta Cling Peach Salad-$5.99; Mel-O-Dee Fresh Vegetable Salad-$7.99.

Sandwiches: Grilled Cheese-$4.19; Broaster Center Cut Cod Fillet-$6.99; Broaster Pork Tenderloin-$6.99; Mel-O-Dee Cheese Steak-$7.69.

Sides: Fruit Jello-$1.99; Cottage Cheese-$2.99; Mel-O-Dee Broaster Potatoes-$2.99.

Kid's menu (up to 10 years of age): Hamburger Slider, Fish Bites, or Spaghetti & Meat Sauce-$5.29. Each meal has sides, bread, and drink.

Dinners (with two sides and bread): Beef Liver w/Sauteed Onions & Gravy-$10.99; Choice Sirloin Steak (eight oz.)-$13.99.

Desserts: Fresh Baked Fruit Pie-$2.99; Fresh Cream Pie-$3.29; Warm Cobbler (weekends)-$4.59.

Credit: Bill Lackey

Credit: Bill Lackey

THE BASICS:

Restaurant: Mel-O-Dee Restaurant

Location: 2350 S. Dayton-Lakeview Road, New Carlisle

Telephone: (937) 849-1378

Website: www.MelodeeRestaurant.com

Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

More information: Expected price range for your Mel-O-Dee meal is $8.99 to 14.99. Golden Buckeye Card holders get a 5 percent discount off their senior tab.

CARRYOUT: A large carryout menu is on site. "Broaster by Buckets" has eight pieces of Broaster Chicken for $14.99 to five thousand pieces for $4,999!

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