GALION, Ohio – Galion residents have a new option for breakfast and lunch with the addition of Chris’ Big Plate Diner in the heart of downtown.
Located at 217 Harding Way East, the diner’s namesake Chris Armstrong serves as head chef and co-owner with his parents, Scott and Lauri. Chris was flanked by his parents on Thursday for the diner’s official ribbon cutting, courtesy of the Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Armstrong family is originally from Galion, with Scott serving as treasurer of Galion City Schools until Chris was in fifth grade and they made the move to Upper Sandusky. Now, Chris Armstrong said he’s glad to be back among family and friends.
“They always say you go back to where your roots are,” he said.
Chris Armstrong graduated from Hocking College with an Associate of Applied Business in Culinary Arts degree. He worked in Upper Sandusky at the Corner Inn Restaurant for the past two years before officially opening Chris’ Big Plate Diner on June 15.
Chris’ Big Plate Diner will specialize in traditional breakfast and lunch dishes. Chris Armstrong said one signature item that has proven popular among his customers is a breakfast bowl, a dish he became familiar with while working in Upper Sandusky.
“It’s got a biscuit with gravy, cheese, hash brown, more cheese and gravy, and a choice of eggs on top,” he explained.
The diner’s location, formerly Pop’s Sweet Shoppe and Pizza Parlour, has been transformed into a homey restaurant that feels like having breakfast at a relative’s house. Chris Armstrong said his family used to own an antique store in Galion, and much of the décor came from their collection.
Chris Armstrong said he’s happy to contribute to Galion’s downtown storefronts, and hopes to see more places open downtown in his wake.
“It’s good to see a lot of different people coming in and out,” he said. “I plan to be here as long as I can.”
Chris’ Big Plate Diner is open Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
