Clay’s Cafe is an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and restaurant.
Clay’s Café in Hebron, Ohio dates back to 1934. Their motto is “homemade with pride”. It is a nostalgic small-town diner located in the neighborhood. The atmosphere is created by the staff – friendly and helpful. And the comment of diners is in one word – delicious!
When West Main Street becomes more of a residential street, there is a modest yellow house with a sign in the foreground with a large colorful image of ice cream. The sign reads…
Pull up the driveway. Behind the house is a graceful yellow brick building with a red brick patio with pretty tables with umbrellas nestled next to floral flower beds. Inside is a historic ice cream parlor and diner.
Earl and Dorothy Cummins opened the Cummins Ice Cream shop here in 1934. The Clay family (Sherman and Evelyn) bought it and renamed it in 1979. And until 1997, it was known as County Fair Foods. They still serve Sherm’s fries, known as the famous “Fair Fries”. Their daughter Glenna and her husband Mark renamed the diner Clay’s Diner in honor of their family’s history and connection to the historic National Road. Today, it’s a place where families from several generations can be heard saying: “My dad used to bring me here when I was a kid.”
But the house specialty only appeared in 2000. Clay’s stromboli ignited the taste buds of a new generation. They fill pizza dough with pepperoni, sausage, and cheese. After it is baked, it is stewed in garlic sauce. And served with their signature pizza sauce.
The menu includes not only these famous fries, stromboli, and ice cream, but also a variety of options. These include classic pizza or pizza made with your own hands. A favorite of visitors is the Zach Susan. It features seasoned grilled chicken with ranch dressing, garlic sauce, and basil smothered in Swiss and mozzarella cheese. Be sure to have a napkin on hand. It’s delicious!
A favorite off the grill is their homemade pulled pork sandwich. This delight is cooked slowly and then drizzled with barbecue sauce on a fried ciabatta roll. It comes with a side of salad, but that salad takes a back seat! The solo, the solo is to die for!
They also offer your sub sandwiches, burgers that you make yourself, and lots of appetizers (try the deep fried cauliflower). The assortment of salads and homemade soups will get you started. And finally, we’ve completed the circle with ice cream, splits, sundaes, cocktails and cakes.