by Located at 426 Main St, Grafton, OH, 44044 the story of Nancy’s Main Street Diner is absolutely amazing. I’m blown away after hearing about it and when you look at the quality of the menu, the service and the smiles on the customers leaving, you learn quickly why they are a Grafton Food Institution!
When you go to their website https://www.nancysdiner.net/ it will tell you this-
“Nancy’s Diner was founded by Bob and Nancy McCarrick in the Spring of 1984. Both proud military veterans, they established a loyal customer base with their fresh cooked meals and down-home recipes.
In 2005, after 20 successful years, they kept the business in the family by selling the diner to their daughter, Denise, a proud U.S. Navy veteran. Denise decided to give the family restaurant a new look by incorporating a 1949 Silk City diner with an old-fashioned soda shoppe design.
Nancy and Bob may have sold the business, but you will still see them here with Denise, cooking up your favorite homemade dishes, soups, and desserts.”
-We are truly a family business-
In keeping with our values, we cook for our guests as we would our friends. We only prepare your meals with the freshest ingredients. Our dishes are made to order, we don’t use heat lamps, and we take no shortcuts what-so-ever.
Not many restaurants stay true to this set of values today. Most others choose to be fast by serving pre-made food and they elect to sacrifice quality. Here we prepare your meals with care and that may take a little more time. We ask for your patience, but if you happen to be in a hurry, please ask your server for the wait time before ordering. Thank you for your loyalty and understanding.”
But after further investigation, there is more, much more in explaining why they are so beloved and the greatest diner in Northeast, Ohio history. In a world where it seems like all you see are chain restaurants anymore, this is a “mom and pop” establishment that gets better by the year, and tastier!
I recently had the chance to speak with second generation owner Denise Worthy, about her time in the family business, the military and what makes “Nancy’s Main Street Diner” so special! Including how a stroke of bad luck that left her parents looking for work and the need to feed five children, turned into a miracle of culinary magical proportions!
After you’re done reading the interview, be sure to stop by page two for a peak at just a few of their tasty options!
KOS – Why in 1984 did your parents Bob and Nancy decide to open up the diner?
Denise – My mother was, at that time, the first women foremen of the US Steel Coke plant in Lorain and my father was a foremen at Ford. They were informed that both jobs were being cut so they both were losing their jobs and with 5 kids they needed to come up with something quick.
The restaurant was Marks Place and was for sale so they went to the bank and explained they were both being laid off and they wanted to buy the restaurant. The bank said “ok” and gave them the money.
My parents ended up with the restaurant and then both got jobs also, my Mom at Ford on the line and my Dad with the turnpike so they’d also have insurance for us. So, they ended up doing both.
KOS – What are some of your favorite memories of working there and being around the environment growing up?
Denise – I was a senior in high school and we all obviously worked there but one thing we always talk about is that as a waitress we also had to wash dishes during the day shift and I was the one that would wash anything except silverware so they’d always have to run after me because I’d try to escape leaving it at the bottom of the sink …..
KOS – Your parents and yourself all served in the military, thank you so very much for your service! How would you describe the role being a patriot plays in your life?
Denise – We are all very prideful towards anyone in uniform. I grew up knowing that I’d get my butt kicked if they ever found out I disrespected ANYONE in uniform, be it a police officer, firemen or a mechanic. I knew early on that the military and the military way was not to be taken lightly …..
My father was in Vietnam and my mother being with 3 kids on her own was actually spit on at a store because of my father’s military career. The military has made such vast changes over the years. It has steadily evolved to where we are now.
KOS – 16 years ago, you took over the Diner, what factors led to that and how excited were you to carry on the family legacy?
Denise – My mom had called and said she was ready to retire and did I have any interest in buying it. At that time, I worked for the Ohio Prisons and was feeling a little burned out so I agreed and that was that. I added the diner car to the existing structure 2 years later and we have steadily maintained our quality and had amazing growth.
Obviously, Nancy and Bob have remained, they just want to remain and work, keeps them young! We have had such amazing support and it is exciting to see how happy we can make our guests.
KOS – What is the most important thing about being a restaurant owner?
Denise – My staff and my guests. We are a family. We are not perfect by any means but my staff and I ALWAYS care. It’s important to me that my staff are treated well and I’m very lucky to have such amazing workers.
KOS – Covid 19 has been crazy for so many business owners, what measure have you been taking to keep everyone safe and comfortable.
Denise – It’s a challenge for sure but we have worked as a team to ensure that we keep every aspect of the diner sanitized and safe for all. We do require masks as the mandate requires and we do not waiver on that at all.
We keep writing pens and menus as well as tables and booths scrubbed down and maintain clean and sanitized bathrooms. We have removed extra tables and chairs to maintain the 6FT requirement. We will deliver food to cars if persons prefer to carry out their meals also.
KOS – What are some of the most popular dishes?
Breakfast – Skillets, pancakes, homemade sausage gravy and biscuits.
Lunch – Our fresh made burgers as well as our soups and salads
Dinner – Meatloaf, roast beef, chicken pot pie or chicken paprikash specials
KOS – How does it feel to know so many people have walked away with a full stomach and happy smile on their face.
Denise – That is all we strive for…
KOS – Have you had any nationally or locally famous people stop in?
Denise – Robin Swaboda filmed her show when she was with fox 8, New Day Cleveland also did, Tony Rizzo also.
KOS – Customers dietary habits have changed greatly since your parents sold you the diner, what are some of the healthier options you offer?
Denise – We offer many salad plate options, grilled chicken, grilled fish and since our foods are fresh and cooked to order we can adjust for anyone’s special requests.
KOS – Are you a sports fan, if so, who are some of your favorite teams and players?
Denise – YES… The Browns and The Indians. I’m more partial to baseball but have always caught some Browns games.
KOS – Finally, and speaking of sports, you are beloved by Midview athletes and their families, how does that make you feel?
Denise – ABSOLUTELY AMAZED!! I am, after all, a Midview Middie graduate!!! Class of 1985 (shush)
