New ownership, old favorites at Maumee diner
Sometimes you just need comfort food. Maybe it’s a bad day at work, maybe it’s relationship troubles. Whatever it is, you just need something hot, delicious and familiar to help nourish away your emotional rockiness.
That’s where Dino’s can help.
This Maumee mainstay offers a menu full of delicious breakfast and lunch entrees that will fill you up with joy and nostalgia.
Old culinary classics like liver and onions, hot roast beef or hot turkey, or a simple bowl of homemade chili can come to your emotional rescue (with apologies to The Rolling Stones).
Dino’s, a Throwback
On a hot spring day, my dining companion and I took our lunch hour to Dino’s, located just east of downtown Maumee on the Anthony Wayne Trail.
Walking into Dino’s is like stepping into a time machine. It’s a wonderfully old school diner with a dining counter, overseen and operated by waitresses who call you “hon,” all armed with a pot of coffee ready to fill your ceramic cup at a moment’s notice.
I’m a chili mac connoisseur, so I ordered a large portion of the chili mac, although I was sorely tempted to go for the Monte Cristo sandwich, which you just can’t find everywhere.
The Monte Cristo is perfect for both breakfast or brunch, made of grilled ham and Swiss cheese between two slices of French toast and topped with powdered sugar.
Toledo takes its chili mac seriously; in fact, it could be argued that chili mac is to Toledo what Skyline and Gold Star Chili are to Cincinnati. Most local restaurants have their own variation of the dish, and Dino’s take on the classic—which is spaghetti topped with chili, cheese, and onions—is damn good. It’s a fulfilling, satisfying meal that will keep you full until dinner.
My lunch companion ordered the breaded veal sandwich, ordered her special unique way, which included a slice of onion, a slice of American cheese and mayo. The accompanying fries were piping hot and delicious, and the sandwich was “fantastic” according to my friend.
Dino’s also offers slices of pie and other desserts such as flan, which is made in-house.
History maintained
The restaurant has been around for many years, previously owned by Dean Yakumithis, who also owns Michael’s Bar & Grill in Downtown Toledo. But sadly, Dino’s lost its previous main line cook Timothy Haase in a car accident. Yakumithis was so distraught he decided to close down Dino’s but Xavier Rosales, whose family also owns the area Cinco de Mayo restaurants, stepped in and took over Dino’s ownership.
Not much has changed in the restaurant since Rosales took over because why mess with a great thing?
It’s still the same Dino’s, the neighborhood diner that brings the warm feelings and the hot food. And what’s not to love about that?
Dino’s is located at 129 Golden Gate Plaza in Maumee. Hours: Open from 7am – 3pm, 7 days a week. For more information, visit dinosmaumee.com.
