Lunch Break: Friends, Family, and Good Food

Sampling dishes and diners in and around Miami County

Family means something different for everyone. But at George’s Family Restaurant, it means the sound of chatting between friends while enjoying a bite to eat. The family diner is located just off of North Dixie, making it the perfect place to grab a bite to eat between your morning commute and post-sports tournament. Or, even before catching a movie at the nearby drive-in. Owner Steve Socrates found his love for George’s when visiting with family in his younger years. After spending some of his adulthood in North Carolina operating a chain of Wendy’s restaurants, Steve purchased the diner when it went up for sale in 2022. Now, Steve and his wife, Samantha, operate the restaurant as a team while maintaining the family-friendly atmosphere that the restaurant was built upon in the 1950s.

As they gear up to celebrate the restaurant’s 30th birthday and their own three-year anniversary as owners, Steve and Samantha's love for each other and George’s reverberates throughout the diner. Each customer is greeted and left satisfied with a full stomach and a homegrown warmth you can’t get anywhere else. This homegrown attribute also runs deep within George’s menu. The Midwest home-cooked meals create many options, ranging from breakfast specials to dinner items.

As I went in during lunch, I decided to order a less popular diner pick but delicious option, the Greek Gyro. However, with a divine loss in tzatziki sauce, I switched to the Frisco Burger instead, and I was far from disappointed. Everyone loves a burger, and George’s makes a half-pounder like no other. In fact, the Frisco Burger happens to be a George’s best seller. The juicy slab of meat was topped with melted cheese, savory bacon, crunchy lettuce, and delicious slices of tomato. The tasty burger and toppings were sandwiched between two delicious buttery toast slices. As a Reuben lover, I was also excited about the touch of Thousand Island dressing, which sealed the deal for a perfect bite. The burger and my thick and tastefully seasoned steak fries were devoured within minutes and washed down with a crispy fountain diet Coke.

George’s Family restaurant is the epitome of a midwestern family diner. The restaurant is the perfect spot to grab lunch with a loved one or plan a date with a friend. Not to mention their unbeatable deals for almost every day of the week. If you’re reading this, chances are you might want to check out the Wednesday special. The kind and inviting atmosphere and scrumptious menu make George’s Family Restaurant not only a local family favorite but a “must go” on my list.

George’s Family Restaurant is located at 5216 N Dixie Dr, Dayton.