Returning to Stately Breakwind Manor from a road gig in Ohio, There wasn't a lot to find vis-a-vis…read morebreakfast joints on the way. (the Denny's and IHOPs have all been terrorized by accountants, apparently, as their offerings have all declined exponentially in quality.) The nearest Cracker Barrel was literally 100 miles in front of us.
Nope, I was in the mood to find the tiny local joint where folks in the kitchen had a mission. This quest has been front and center in all my travel plans since always, and when I win one, it's always a bonus (find my Yelp about "Lu-Bob's" in Greenville, IL)
As wife was driving, I had time to reconnoiter Yelp, and the "Invention" in Milan (a few miles ahead) looked like a bullseye.
Milan is a quaint little town with a picturesque town square, and the "Invention Restaurant" was smack dab on the corner- it looked EXACTLY as I hoped it would.
It was crowded inside with Families (2nd good sign).
We got seated in a tiny booth right next to the kitchen and restrooms- Siberia in any other place, but at least we wouldn't escape the eye of the Waitress when our drinks needed a refill. The Lady Chef expediting was a riot to watch and listen to. I could tell these folks were serious about their jobs.
The Waitress seemed right out of central Casting-jovial in a good natured smartass way. Wife went with the "Triple"- Eggiwegs, Pancakes and Bacon. I swung with the special "Hot Trash" which was basically a "garbage plate"-a bit of everything mixed up with potatoes and eggs. (this one promised to be "spicy")
A really Good Cup of strong coffee was the 3rd good sign, but the "Pepsi" was a bit suspect. Luckily that was the onliest barnacle on this visit. Not enough to foul the mood, but If we're ever there again, we're drinking Iced Tea.
Both Breakfasts were max yummy. The "Hot Trash" wasn't especially spicy, but the dish was really great. I didn't care about the spicing. Wife was happy with hers-everything was top fresh. My plate was so sumptuous, I couldn't finish. Made sure the Chef knew it was a matter of capacity, not lack of quality.
Prices VERY reasonable as well. This WAS a "small-town winner" for the books.
One note-The unisex toilet was about as spacious as the last one I visited on a Boeing 737. Although clean, you could wash your hands in the sink without leaning forward on the throne. I'm a man of size, and if I was 10 pounds more, I would have had considerable trouble navigating the facility here. Not enough to sour me on the place, but I'm glad I didn't have to do major work there, if you know what I mean.
If you're enroute to or returning from Cleveland, take the little detour off of I-80/90 and visit the Invention Restaurant in Milan...