Diner with ‘smoked pizza’ nears 1-year anniversary

Pepperoni pizza at the All Inn Diner & Pizzeria. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Pepperoni pizza at the All Inn Diner & Pizzeria. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

A family-owned restaurant in Clark County is about to celebrate its one-year anniversary.

Restaurant: All Inn Diner & Pizzeria

Location: 3836 Lawrenceville Drive, Springfield (Lawrenceville)

Contact: Facebook | (937) 964-8181

>>JUST IN: News-Sun work honored as among best in Ohio

The All Inn Diner & Pizzeria. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

icon to expand image

Background/Overview:

Lawrenceville was designated when its post office was established in 1875. The residents of the small town soon nicknamed it “Bullskin,” due to the presence of a prominent one-room log structure that was built to be a village post to house travelers. The edifice of the post had no covering, thus, the town’s people hung a hide over the entrance to avoid inclement weather.

Over a half century later, Lawrenceville Creamery inhabited this building, and was very popular with locals and visitors for decades thereafter. Then, several owners took turns making the foundation into eateries.

The structure sat empty for a short time in early 2018. A friend of Todd Midgley called to let him know this diner that seats 28 customers in Lawrenceville was vacant again! Midgley and his family had been searching for over a year in Champaign County for the right spot to open their restaurant. He came to inspect this Clark County site, and within six weeks their All Inn Diner & Pizzeria was open for business!

>>MORE DINING COVERAGE: You’ll find plenty to like at Linardos Villa in Springfield

Todd Midgley, co-owner of All Inn Diner & Pizzeria, cooks breakfast on the grill. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

icon to expand image

All Inn Diner & Pizzeria was so named because Todd and the Midgley family are “all in” this business venture, both physically and financially. Todd’s daughter Katie is the co-owner. His three other adult children — Chad, Lela, and Sean — are always “on-call,” and Todd’s brother Allen Midgley is often running around doing everything he can to keep the family enterprise operating smoothly.

Beckie Shaffner has restaurant experience, and met Todd in 1997. She told him whenever he opened an eatery she’d manage it for him, and so she does. Melanie Calland is their dedicated assistant who adds to the devoted staff of All Inn Diner & Pizzeria.

The one year anniversary of the All Inn premiere is in March. This Diner & Pizzeria is already well-known for having the “Friday Special,” featuring thick-cut smoked pork chops, and for being the “Home Of The Smoked Pizza!”

>>MORE DINING COVERAGE: Lincoln & Main Gastropub breathes new life into historic Urbana space

Every Friday, thick-cut smoked pork chops are on the menu at the All Inn Diner & Pizzeria. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

icon to expand image

The Menu:

Beverages: Coke, or Pepsi products — $1 (Cans Only); GFS Coffee (“Bottomless”), or Tea — $1.50.

“Daily Lunch Special” (Tuesday through Friday, could be): BLT, one side, & beverage; Brisket Sandwich, one side, & beverage; Cheeseburger, French Fries, & beverage; Pulled Pork Sandwich, one side, & beverage — $7.99 to $9.99.

Lunch Menu (Served w/Chips): PB&J — $3; Grilled Cheese — $4; BLT — $5; Hamburger — $5 (One-third pound)/$7 (One-half pound); Grilled Ham & Cheese — $5.50; Grilled Chicken Sandwich, or Pulled Pork Sandwich — $6.99; Bacon Cheeseburger — $7; Double Cheeseburger — $7.50; Beef Brisket Sandwich — $7.99.

“Friday Special” (Served All Day): “Pork Chop Day!” A thick-cut, smoked Pork Chop & two sides — $12.99. Your order in

advance of that Friday is strongly encouraged!

Starters: Bread Sticks (Five), or Mozzarella Cheese Sticks (Five) — $4.50; Cheesy Bread Sticks (Five) — $5.50. Dipping Sauces — $.50 each

Salads: Macaroni Salad, Potato Salad, or “House” Side Salad — $2.35.

Sides: Baked Beans, Cole Slaw, Corn, French Fries, Green Beans — $2.35; Onion Rings — $2.85.

Subs (6-inch or 12-inch): BLT Sub, CBR Sub (Chicken, Bacon, w/Ranch Dressing), Ham & Cheese Sub, Italian Sub, or Pizza Sub — $5.50/$8.50.

Pizzas (9-inch, 13-inch, or 15-inch): Cheese Pizza — $6.50/$10/$12.

Additional Toppings — $.75 to $1.75 ea.

Premium Toppings — $1.25 to $2.75 ea.

Specialty Pizzas (9-inch, 13-inch, or 15-inch): All Meat Pizza, CBR Pizza (Chicken, Bacon, w/Ranch Dressing), Deluxe

Pizza, or Veggie Pizza —$10/$15.50/$18.50.

Smoked Pizzas: Add $6 each

“Daily Dinner Special” (Thursday through Saturday, could be): Chicken Breast & Veggie, or Meatloaf & Veggie — $8.99; Brisket Sandwich & Fried Potatoes — $9.50.

“Saturday Dinner Special” (6 p.m. to Close): Chicken Leg Quarter & two sides — $10.99; New York Strip Steak & two sides — $14.99;

Pork Ribs & two sides — $12.99 (One-half Rack)/$18.99 (Full Rack).

>>MORE DINING COVERAGE: How did Winans get to Springfield? The coffee shop’s story started in 1933

Breakfast at the All Inn Diner & Pizzeria. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

icon to expand image

Hours:

Tuesday & Wednesday, 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon and 5p.m. to 10 p.m.

More Information:

Follow OH-41 North into Lawrenceville in German Twp., Clark County.

Pizza delivery is available within a 3-mile radius of All Inn Diner & Pizzeria.

Catering for any size event is now being booked 30 days in advance; call the Midgleys to schedule.

Look for local restaurant profiles by Glenn and Kim Creyts every other week in “Life.” For inquiries regarding this column, and “Restaurant Profile” ideas and suggestions for future columns, please contact Glenn and Kim via e-mail: glenncreyts@att.net.

The All Inn Diner & Pizzaria in Lawrenceville. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

icon to expand image

About the Author