The Schoolhouse Restaurant in Camp Dennison is an unique fun place to take the family. It actually was the first two story school in the Midwest. It consisted of one classroom and an auditorium above it. It operated from 1863 till 1950 and then in 1962 it was opened as a restaurant and has been a family ran business ever since. Outside they have a General Store which sits near a goat pen with a coin dispensed feeder. They also have a picnic table, play set and a tether ball. You can almost vision the kids running through the field all those years ago. Inside it still appears as a classroom however round dining tables replace the desks that once sat and the servers pushing their roll carts replace the teacher. You will find the menu on the chalkboard instead of today’s lesson. My favorites on the menu, the fried chicken in which you get four- just greasy enough- pieces, and the baked cod which has the best buttery bread crumbs on top I have ever had. Th cod portion seems a bit small compared to all their other dishes but once you taste it the size will no longer matter. In my eyes those two dishes are to die for. Also on the menu a variety of other comfort foods, fried chicken livers (which I even enjoy), baked ham, fried shrimp, meatloaf, roast beef, and many other delicious items. Lazy susans center the tables with all you can eat salad, green beans, stewed tomatoes, cole slaw, mashed potatoes and gravy, and rolls. I could just eat all this and be content. They also have a few appetizers, broccoli puffs are a favorite. Cobbler seems to be the pick of desserts which I have yet to be able to fit in after all those second helpings of side dishes. They do serve a limited selection of beer and wine which I don’t remember having on my school menu.
Their hours do vary and they are not open every day so make sure to call and check with them. Also this is a first come-first serve restaurant so getting there right as they open is a good idea. Otherwise you can usually expect a good wait however it is well worth it. So take a stroll, go feed the goats, play outside with the kids or simply enjoy sitting and enjoying the peacefulness while you wait for some good old down home cooking.
