Here's What Schmucker's Pie Couldn't Fix
Their pie!
Every person, and restaurant, is expected (and forgiven) for having an off day here and there. Unfortunately, it wasn't just the pie that left me disappointed. Keep reading to find out!
Starting in 1948, it was named Schmucker’s Dairy Bar, and owned by Harvey and Nola Schmucker. Back then, it focused on ice cream and pies made by Nola. As the dairy bar became a restaurant, the pies remained a constant and over the years became renowned.
Harvey and Nola’s children worked with them during the early years. Allen, their son, pedaled a three-wheeled tricycle around the neighborhood with a freezer box between the front two wheels with homemade ice cream novelties to sell, and eventually made Schmucker’s his life’s work.
Allen’s children, Tim, Doug, and Judy, worked at the restaurant throughout their high school years. When Allen died, Doug assumed general management duties, and he has made Schmucker’s his life-long career.
Driving down Reynold’s Road, you can’t miss the iconic Schmucker’s sign. Lit in neon lettering, and in capital letters, it serves as a beacon to all the customers that have been going there throughout the years.
The parking lot is very nostalgic to me. It just so happens that it is the place that David and I shared our first kiss three and a half years ago. No matter what, Schmucker’s will always have a special place with me because of that.
If I could describe the restaurant in one word, it would be comforting. It’s comforting in the fact that not much has changed since its inception. The chrome stools lining the counter, the wooden phone booth in the corner that looks like a place Superman would jump into to change, and the register have all been there from the beginning.
The dining space is small but cozy. You are sitting close to other tables, but I didn’t feel crowded. It reminds me of a diner you’d see on TV where the main character sits at the counter and the waitress comes up and asks as she’s pouring a cup of coffee, “The usual? Alright, be back in a jiff!”
Not only is the space a time capsule, their menu is as well. Everything you’d expect and want from a classic American diner is available, from traditional breakfasts to cheeseburgers and gravy covered meatloaf, and for the most part it’s all solid.
The prices on the menu are fair and after reading the options, I settled on the day’s special, which was goulash. Since it was the special, it only cost $8. My friend got the chicken and biscuits. ($11.59) We both received fries as well. The portion sizes were huge, and I personally love feeling that I’m getting more than what I paid for.
Now I’ve been to Schmucker’s a number of times and every time my opinion is the same. The food is good, but not great. I can appreciate that the place can boast that all their meals are made from scratch and the comfort and nostalgia that these meals can bring to someone, but for me, everything just lacked flavor and was bland. My friend agreed with me.
Schmucker’s has a variety of staple pies and seasonal pies to choose from. You can take a whole pie home to share and order in advance. If you want a whole pie that day, it’s a first come, first served basis.
Now I’ve also tried a few of their pies here and there, and I wish I could say that this time around the pie was great, but sadly I cannot.
I had originally wanted the Lemon Chiffon pie but was told they were out. So, I settled for the Peach pie instead. My friend ordered the Banana Cream. Her pie was the superior of the two, but it wasn’t memorable. Both slices were $3.79.
My peach pie was disappointing. Cold canned peaches sat on top of a soggy under baked bottom. There was a weird gelatinous filling too. The only part I liked was the top crust, which was a little crispy with granulated sugar on top.
Just because the food is less than desirable, one can’t deny the charm of the place.
Virtually unchanged since opening over 70 years ago, one doesn’t have to imagine what the atmosphere was like back then.
It’s a place where, for an hour, you can be in a simpler time, a place where you can forget for a minute how much the world has changed. For that feeling of peace, it’s worth going for that alone.
Now, if you find yourself at Schmucker’s but are looking for a more predictably amazing dessert, I strongly suggest heading right next door to Sweet Experience. I loved it!
Dine In?
YES
Outdoor Seating?
NO
Amazing Pies?
NOT IN MY
EXPERIENCE
Credit Cards?
YES
Schmucker’s
- https://www.facebook.com/SchmuckersToledo/
- https://www.yelp.com/biz/schmuckers-toledo
- 2103 N. Reynolds Rd
- (419) 535-9116
- See The Menu
- https://schmuckersrestaurant.com/
