Diehl's Restaurant

With 50 years of history behind it, Diehl's Family Restaurant is as true an example of small-town family cooking as you'll find in the Mountain State.First opening in 1960, the restaurant and menu are largely unchanged since Jack Diehl first started. Today, the diner is run by Aaron Diehl, grandson of the restaurant's founder. Aaron Diehl's father, Keith Diehl, still stops in regularly."Our 50th anniversary is this year," Aaron Diehl said. "Back when my grandfather first opened this place, some people criticized him because no one ate out. Now we're still around and still doing things the same way. We still have the same menu. We could probably change a few things to make things easier, but my grandfather would roll over in his grave if he thought we short-changed you on something."Everything is made from scratch, from the cornbread to fresh baked pie. Onion rings are hand-breaded and homemade sage salad dressing is also a specialty.The restaurant is best known for home-cooked meals such as roast beef and gravy ($9.29), country-cured ham ($10.59) and pork chops ($11.49). Spaghetti ($10.49) also remains a favorite.For lunch, there is a wide assortment of sandwiches, such as the deep-fried flounder fish sandwich for $4.84 and the pulled pork barbecue for $4.29. One relatively recent addition is to the menu is the Josh Culbertson No. 33 ($7.29), an extra-large 12-ounce cheeseburger named for (and frequently consumed by) the local high school football star.Another sandwich named for a local athlete is the J.R. House Chicken Fajita Hoagie ($6.39). There also is a selection of specials, such as baked steak, fresh fish or chicken liver, that changes every day.The restaurant's one-of-a-kind atmosphere is a big part of its charm. The place is practically a museum of its era. One of the restaurant's walls features a collection of license plates from all 50 states as well as some Canadian territories. Another is dedicated to NASCAR memorabilia and features the bumper of a car driven by the late Dale Earnhardt in 1994.Yet another wall is dedicated to local and state athletes such as 2006 World's Strongest Man winner Phil Pfister and Jujitsu champion Ernie Boggs. Two tables are made from old doors from a torn-down Nitro bungalow. Another was made by Keith Diehl from an old car engine.A must for any new visitor to Diehl's is a slice of freshly made pie."I make all of the pies every day," Aaron Diehl said. "My grandmother made them, as did my mother before me. Our graham cracker pie is our most popular variety, followed by the coconut cream. There's also cheesecake and chocolate cream pie. Some days we also offer blackberry and blueberry pies. In the fall months around Thanksgiving we make pumpkin pies, and in the spring we start making strawberry pie."A large slice of pie can be enjoyed for $3.39. Customers can call a day ahead to special order a whole pie or cake.Diehl's is located at 152 Main Ave., in Nitro. The restaurant accepts cash, checks and all major credit cards and is open from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. It is closed on Mondays.For more information or to order a pie, call 304-755-9353. -http://www.herald-dispatch.com/entertainment/dining/x2086849570/A-museum-of-its-era-Diehls-Family-Re...