Cheddar’s Casual Cafe
2100 Tiffin Ave.
419-423-4499
Open Monday thru Thursday, 11am-10pm
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 11am-11pm
We used to drive by Cheddar’s and wonder why the parking lot was always full.
Now we know.
We decided to celebrate a birthday by checking out an anchor of Findlay’s east side eateries. We made no promises for dessert — after all, birthday cake was waiting back home — but we knew we’d grab an early dinner. Little did we know that it was worth sticking around for dessert, too!
Cheddar’s sells itself as having good food at good prices in a friendly atmosphere. We definitely noticed the cheerful wait staff as we entered the restaurant, which is paneled in dark wood and
features ferns peeking over the ledge above the main dining area. A rustic brick wall separates the bar area from the dining room. During nice weather, you have the option of sitting out on the seasonal patio.
Not very hungry? Lighter fare includes soups and salads, including combos. Some of the appetizers, including the quesadillas and Triple Treat Sampler, could certainly stand for meals on their own.
The children’s menu had some nice choices, ranging from a grilled chicken breast to penne pasta marinara, but my growing girls have increasingly started to order from the adult menu. There they found plenty to choose from. My teenager chose a chicken tender platter ($7.99) and my pre-teen selected the handmade chicken pot pie ($6.69).
My husband chose the full rack of ribs ($13.99). It was nice that I, a vegetarian, had something to choose from other than pasta. I ordered a grilled portobello ciabatta sandwich ($6.99), a nice, sophisticated option. Other menu offerings include a wide range of fish, chicken, sandwiches, pasta and burgers, as well as steaks and ribs. Menu favorites include shepherd’s pie, beef roast and baked spasagna — spaghetti layered with cheese and sauce and baked in the oven.
The chicken tender dinner portion was so generous it was shared, but still some was taken home. My daughter was impressed with its crunchiness and a slight little kick. The daughter who ordered the pot pie was in a pickle: Her aunt makes a mean homemade chicken pot pie. Was it as good as Aunt Diana’s? She was diplomatic, while at the same time knowing the right answer. “Aunt Diana’s is a little better,” she said. “But this is pretty good, too.” The ribs and ciabatta were also hits with the grownups. When we dine out we always nibble off each other’s plates, and we agreed that it was hard to choose the best dish of the bunch.
We were thinking about that birthday cake when we looked at the dessert menu. Dare we order something? Luckily, Cheddar’s has just the thing if you want just a taste — Dessert Minis. For 99 cents each you can have a taste (served in a shot glass) of chocolate trifle, key lime pie and red velvet cake. It was indeed just enough, a couple spoonfuls of each decadent dessert. A little harder to share than their full-sized servings, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices when it comes to birthday celebrations.
Next time we go to Cheddar’s, we’ll know not to have dessert waiting for us at home. Then, we get to pick from Monster Cookie Sundae or Apple Pie A La Mode — and explore the rest of the menu as well.
THE SHORT COURSE
Kid-friendly Yes
To avoid wait Consider off-peak times or lunch
Bathroom amenities Changing table in the women’s restroom
High Chairs Yes
Got Milk? Not on the menu, but healthier options include strawberry and raspberry lemonade
Anything healthy for the kids? Fresh steamed vegetables and edamame are side options on the kids menu, as well as carrots, broccoli and corn from the sides menu
Food allergy concerns? As always, ask
