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The Meadows celebrates 75 years as city staple

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By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer 7:38 PM Sunday, November 8, 2009

Middletown: the more things change, the more they stay the same, and nowhere is that more evident than at The Meadows.

Little has changed at the 75-year-old mainstay since its original owner, Mike Mandzak Jr., built the restaurant from the ground up in 1934, except for the new monogrammed goblets marking the milestone. In a back booth you’ll find his son and present owner, Mike Mandzak III, 61, writing up the day’s menu and pricing, just like his dad did all those years ago.

The Meadows’ rustic wood paneled interior features historic prints from the old Sorg Mansion instead of sleek flat panel TVs. It harkens back to the days of executive lunches, a time when Mandzak said Armco bigwigs would come in and conduct business deals over soup and sandwiches. A back booth in the corner had a phone specially installed for The Journal reporter to call in any transactions made there.

But in its 75th year, the executives are gone, moved with AK’s headquarters to West Chester Twp., and the lunch crowd consists of a quieter group of doctors, lawyers and city politicians. It’s the fresh, home-cooked fare — made from the recipes of his mother, Leonarda — that make the restaurant unique.

“It’s the food. We would be empty without good food and good service,” said manager Gordon Lindsay.

The restaurant still brings in fresh meat and produce for each day’s meals, mostly from local vendors and some from the gardens of The Meadows’ 18 employees. Soups, sauces and dressings are made from scratch and steaks are cut to order. Most wines are available only by the bottle. It’s the kind of food, at prices at hometown lows of $13.95 for a dinner with salad and two sides, that Mandzak’s wife, Renee, 38, said gets people coming back.

She can recall a few months ago when they received frog legs so fresh the flippered feet were still attached, “but one couple came in three nights in a row to order them, they liked them so much,” she said.

“We’re not a LoneStar. We don’t want to be,” Mandzak said. “Some people say it’s kind of like the Middletown ‘Cheers’. Everybody knows everybody. It feels like home.”

The Meadows is located at 2102 Yankee Road, Middletown. The restaurant takes reservations but walk-ins are welcome.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jheffner@coxohio.com.

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Well we are going there for dinner tomorrow night and I hope it is a good atmosphere. My Dad always took us there in the 70's and my Father-in-law swears by it (the reason we are going there tomorrow)It definitely has a Norman Rockwell kind of feel to it as though you step back in time when entering. Any restaurant that has been around for 75 years can't be all bad. I bet the menu is about the same as 30 years ago but as long as the food is good and hot that's really all you need. We'll see.....

Steve
9:45 AM, 12/23/2009

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If it weren't for the Meadows, what would Mike and Gordy be doing? These are jobs saved or created by Obama. Rumor always was there there was gambling in the basement when Jr. owned the place. Gordy is in a great spot to keep track of babes from high school that are now great grandmas. Mike - you cradle robber!

Tarriqo
7:53 PM, 11/12/2009

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For those who had a bad experience at the Meadows. We invite you to try it again. We have had some turn over in staff. And dealt with issues that I'm sure all businesses face. If you felt unwelcome I promise you it was not done intensionally. If our staff treat you unfairly please ask for a manager on scene. That way we can address your issues.
For the record I have never worked for Bob Evans or even applied. And I am not personally fond of frog legs, but that is a matter of opinion.

Renee Mandzak
5:59 PM, 11/12/2009

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Can you see what's going on here? "Hey Mike, hey, Gordy, yadda yadda. Kiss their back side---good service. Walk in an unknown; TRUST ME you get treated VERY BADLY!!! Strangers are not wanted here.

Dennis
8:26 PM, 11/10/2009

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Zak,Gordy,and your staff CONGRATULATIONS !!
75 years..that's amazing. It's always a real pleasure to come in. The food, service, atmosphere are the finest of all.THE MEADOWS..
Number 1 for us.

Ed and Lynn
4:27 PM, 11/9/2009

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