New W.G. Grinders owner announces menu expansion, emphasizes homemade ingredients

The new owner of W.G. Grinders has announced plans to expand the restaurant's catering service, add items to the dessert menu, and bring back the homemade ingredients that were lacking in recent years.

Bluffton resident Todd Barnes, who took over W.G. Grinders in September, is hoping these changes give the restaurant an independent feel, even though it is part of a Columbus-based franchise chain.

"We want them to feel like it's an independent restaurant that has belonged in the neighborhood for 20 years," Barnes said. "We really want to be the people's restaurant on the east side."

Located at 2100 Harding Highway in Lima, W.G. Grinders specializes in hot sandwiches, salads and desserts. It's existed in Lima for 20 years, but Barnes is adding his own touch to the restaurant.

Barnes said they now slice their own meat and cheese, and make their popular cheddar and macaroni salad from scratch. They also offer homemade ranch dressing, cookies, cheesecake and pies. Barnes said the restaurant previously used prepackaged cookie dough and ranch dressing that came in packets.

"Making it from scratch is a lot of work, but it really does make a difference," he said. "I think it sets us a part."

Barnes said customers have noticed the homemade ingredients, as the desserts have started flying off the shelves.

"The cookie business has really picked up since it's all homemade," he said. "We're almost turning into a bakery because we sell so many cookies."

On the catering side, Barnes said they offer boxed lunches and platters. The boxed lunches include a deli salad, grinder and cookie, and the platters come with a variety of grinders, deli salads and pizza, if requested.

"We can also customize our catering menu," Barnes said. "We want to be whatever they need us to be, so we have leeway to change things. We're not rigid at all."

The restaurant also offers a personal pizza, but the menu will soon feature a larger, 14-inch pie. Barnes said the 14-inch pizza will be added to the menu within the next few weeks.

Barnes said the main reason for these changes is to deliver a more quality product to customers.

"Every time somebody new walks in that door, we have a new boss," he said. "So we've got to look at every customer as our owner, and we have to please them. They have to be happy or else we don't succeed."

For More Infromation Please contact:
John Bush
Phone: 567-242-0456
Email: [email protected]

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