By: Betty Lee
A place where the coffee is hot and the food delicious, a place where you come to enjoy a county home-cooked meal and are greeted with friendly faces and smiles as soon as you walk in the door: Blanch’s Family Diner in Clendenin has officially opened for business.
Blanch’s was a well known spot years ago in town for locals, and now, years later, Blanch Jones’ family has opened Blanch’s Family Dinner to re-live some of those childhood memories. Daughters Lynn Taylor and Diana Chandler have made it their mission to bring back some of those memories to pass on to their families.
These ladies have taken pride in this diner, and you can tell in the way they speak about their mother that this will be a place where you can definitely come and enjoy a meal and leave feeling like family. There is thought in even the smallest details inside the diner, such as the red checkered curtain tie backs, representing their mother.
“I remember when mom would have dinners or gatherings she would collect all the red checked table coverings and keep them, they were her favorite,” said Lynn, speaking on the diner décor. The diner sign hanging in the entryway is the same sign that hung in the original diner.
The décor isn’t the only thing that will be a tribute, some of those favorite menu items will be returning to the new diner, as well. Stop in and enjoy a slice of graham cracker pie or the popular diner burger. Making their guests feel like family is their goal. From serving coffee while the older generation gathers to chat, to employing local high school students to work after school, this diner is all about the family atmosphere.
Hours for the diner will be Sunday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. with daily specials. You can call 681-230-2088 for details and orders, stop by and visit, located in the previous Clendenin Gino’s building, or swing by the drive thru for an easy pickup. Their staff includes Diane Chandler-Owner, Lynn Taylor-Manager, Amber Rucker- Chef, and Tiffany Mace- Evening Shift Lead.
