Location: 321 Xenia Ave. in Yellow Springs
Website: www.millsparkhotel.com/elliesrestaurant
Telephone: (937) 319-0400 (Mills Park Hotel) | (937) 319-0402 (Ellie's Restaurant & Bakery)
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Background/Overview: Connecticut lawyer Elisha Mills and his family weren't the first Yellow Springs land owners, however, his son Judge William Mills spent his youth here, and would become known as a prominent figure in making the village a railway stop for future commerce and prosperity in this region of Ohio.
In the mid-18oos, Judge Mills received a large monetary loan to complete the railroad between Lake Erie and the Ohio River, and then made certain that the rails would run through Yellow Springs. He diligently worked to improve roads for transporting goods via the new local railway; thus, encouraging entrepreneurship throughout the village.
In April 2016, Mills Park Hotel/Ellie’s Restaurant & Bakery opened after being built from the ground up on a corner of downtown Yellow Springs by local residents and business owners Jim, Libby and Katie Hammond. The large, white plantation-style building was modeled after the 19th century, three-story home of that famous settler, and bears his name.. Ellie’s is named after one of Katie Hammond’s most beloved pets.
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The notable management of this family-friendly hotel, restaurant, and bakery consists of Maka Williams, Susan Butler, Katie Hammond, Phillip Renfro, and Leo Brandon. In 2018, they and their staff gained more recognition by receiving the “Hospitality Team Of The Year Award” by OHLA (Ohio Hospitality And Lodging Association).
The cuisine at Ellie’s Restaurant & Bakery points to “southern-inspired comfort foods, with a modern twist.” Along with the classic foods, healthy living has the chefs offering dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian options on most of the menu items, which are sourced from partners in Ohio and South Carolina.
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The Menu:
Beverages: Coca-Cola products, Lemonade, Milk, or Sweet/Unsweet Tea — $2; Brewed Deeper Roots Coffee (Bottomless Mug; Reg./Decaf.), Cold-Brew Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Juice, or Organic Hot Tea/Iced Tea — $3.
Barista/Full Bar List (Includes): Arnold Palmer — $2; Cafe Au Lait — $2.25; Deeper Roots Espresso (Iced/Hot) — $2 to $7; Italian Sodas — $3; Steamed Caramel Apple Cider — $3.50; Specialty Drinks — $3.50 to $6.50; Smoothies — $6.50 to $8.
Breakfast: Anson Mills Grits, or Fresh Seasonal Fruit — $3; Croissant — $3.50; Healthy Start (Multi-grain Toast w/Almond Butter, Flax Seed, & Fruit) — $7; Yogurt & Berries — $9; Almond Butter Oatmeal Bowl w/Fruit & Coconut, Aussie Toast w/Avocado Spread, Feta Cheese, Tomatoes, & Fruit, Blueberry & Lemon Curd French Toast, Garden Omelette, or Sweet Potato Bowl w/Avocado, Egg, Onions, & Tomato — $10; Croissant w/Bacon, Fried Egg, & Cheese — $11; Buttermilk Pancakes (Two) w/Side of Meat — $12; Chicken And Waffle w/Side of Potatoes, or Farmers Smokehouse Platter (Bacon, Eggs, Gravy & Biscuits, Sausage) — $15; Tiger Shrimp And Grits — $16; Sirloin Steak (6-ounce) w/Side of Potatoes — $18.
Daily Specials: Mondays — Seniors (65 years and older) receive 15 percent off breakfast and lunch, excluding alcohol. Wednesdays — Prime Rib dinner specials, and one-half off select bottles of wine. Thursdays — $3 off all beers, and military personnel receive 15 percent off any meal, excluding alcohol.
Lunch Kid’s Menu (10 years and younger): Your Choice of Three Items For $5 —Bacon, Biscuit, Egg, English Muffin, Potatoes, French Toast, One-half Waffle, Pancake, or Side of Gravy.
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Lunch “Soup-of-the-Day” (Could Be): Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup, Gazpacho, Prime Rib Stew, Tomato Basil Soup, or White Chicken Chili — $4/$6.
Lunch Salads: BBQ Chicken Salad, or Buffalo Chicken Salad — $8/$12; Country Caesar Salad — $8; Basil Mint Chopped Salad — $10; Ellie’s Cobb Salad — $12.
Lunch Sides (Includes): Cole Slaw, Collard Greens, Herb-Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Kettle Chips, or Seasonal Fruit — $4.
Lunch Sandwiches: Open-Faced Mushroom Melt w/Cole Slaw — $10; Southern-Style Pulled Pork w/Cole Slaw — $10.50; Chicken Salad Croissant w/Kettle Chips — $11; Grilled Ham & Cheese w/Kettle Chips & Pickle — $12; Mills Park Cheeseburger w/Kettle Chips & Pickle — $12.50; Classic BLT w/Kettle Chips — $13.50; Corgi Club w/Kettle Chips — $15.50.
Lunch Specialties: Hoppin John (Carolina Gold Rice, Carrots, Celery, Green Onions, Red Peas in Sauce & Vegetable Stock), or Sweet Potato Bowl — $10; Chicken & Waffle — $15; Hot Brown, or Shrimp & Grits — $16; Crab Cakes w/Potatoes, or Sirloin Steak (6-ounce) & Eggs w/Potatoes — $18.
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Dinner Kid’s Menu (10 years and younger): $5 Each — Cheese Pizza, Chicken Tenders w/Mac & Cheese, Grilled Cheese w/Kettle Chips & Pickle, Mac & Cheese w/Fresh Fruit, Nathan’s Hot Dog w/Kettle Chips, or Peanut Butter & Jelly w/Kettle Chips.
Dinner Starters: Fried Green Tomatoes, or Southern Pimento Dip w/Crackers — $8; Ohio Charcuterie Board (Chef’s Weekly Selection of Meats, Cheeses, Crackers, & Accompaniments) — $15; Crab Cakes — $18.
Dinner Soup (Could Be): She Crab Soup — $4/$6.
Dinner Salads: Buttercrunch Wedge, Country Caesar Salad, or Hurricane Garden Salad — $5; Strawberry Beet Salad — $8.
Dinner Sides: Anson Mills Cornbread w/Ohio Honey Butter, Collard Greens, Macaroni & Cheese, or Roasted Sweet Potatoes — $4; Asparagus, or Honey Roasted Carrots — $5.
Dinners: Hoppin John — $15; Chicken & Waffle, Spring Vegetable Plate, or Wizard of Oz (Fresh Pesto, Linguine Pasta, Parmesan Cheese) — $18; Duroc Pork Chop, or Shrimp & Grits — $22; Lobster Carbonara — $24; Sweet Tea Salmon Brulee — $25; House Filet Mignon — $26.
Desserts (Could Be): Key Lime Pie — $7; “Bradley Cooper Cake” (Raspberry Mousse Sponge Cake) — $8; Chocolate Extravaganza Cake, or Coconut Cake — $9.
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Hours:
Monday through Saturday, Breakfast: 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Lunch: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Wednesday through Saturday, Cocktail Times: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday through Saturday, Dinner/Supper: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday Brunch: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More Information:
Ellie’s Restaurant & Bakery is found on the first floor of Mills Park Hotel on a corner of Xenia Avenue. Wheelchairs can easily access the building via the ramp that extends from the sidewalk off West Limestone Street.
There’s free limited front and side-street parking, and a free private back lot that has 80 parking spaces.
Shared entrees incur a $3 split charge. Parties of six or more guests will have a 20 percent gratuity automatically applied to the check.
Mark your calendars! The Yellow Springs Street Fair is June 8 and Ellie’s Restaurant & Bakery will have coffee, dessert, and drink specials for this occasion.
Look for local restaurant profiles by Glenn and Kim Creyts every other week in “Life.” For inquiries regarding this column, and “Restaurant Profile” ideas and suggestions for future columns, please contact Glenn and Kim via e-mail: glenncreyts@att.net.
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