Diner by day, bar by night. A pair of local businesses will bring an all-day presence to the former home of Marshall’s in Grandview, 1105 W. First Ave.
A long-running neighborhood fixture, Marshall’s closed its doors in July 2022 after 37 years. The sale of the business saw it split into two entities – Delaney’s Diner will occupy the 3,330 square feet considered the restaurant side, while Grand Tavern will take up residence in the 2,500 square foot bar portion.
Grandview will be location number four for Delaney’s, a breakfast and lunch spot serving up classic diner fare.
Owner Jeff Miller has over two and a half decades of experience in the industry, working for a number of establishments. After leaving a position at Bob Evans corporate office, he and wife Lisa decided it was time for something new.
The couple opened their first location in Westerville six years ago, naming it after their daughter. As for their growth, the proof is in the experience. Reynoldsburg came about from a satisfied customer who said Delaney’s should open a location at a property he owned. That spot’s been up and running for three and a half years.
Similarly, a glowing review from a Groveport City Council member put them on the path to their third restaurant – a new-build in the city that just opened at the beginning of February.
The Millers weren’t necessarily looking for another location on the heels of Groveport’s opening, but the same broker they worked with on Westerville reached out about the Marshall’s space. They decided it didn’t hurt to meet. Miller says they had some good conversations with former owners Matt and Shannon Marshall and felt the diner would be a good fit.
“We have finally found the PERFECT business (and owner!) to take over the restaurant portion of Marshall’s,” a post on Marshall’s Facebook page shared. “We hope that you all welcome Jeff and the Delaney’s family with the same love and support you all showed Matt, Shannon, and the Marshall’s crew from over the years.”
Westerville, Reynoldsburg, Groveport and now Grandview – there’s a theme in the location.
“We like to be the diner that’s tucked away in the small communities,” Miller says, adding you won’t find a Delaney’s somewhere like Polaris or Easton.
And it’s got a menu that’s just what you’d expect from a neighborhood diner – with a few nostalgic surprises.
There are a few dishes Miller says are must-trys at Delaney’s. First, the corned beef hash, made with cubed corned beef (not ground), red skin potatoes and onions, topped with eggs and served with toast. The pork tenderloin sandwich is a show-stopper, spilling out of its Hawaiian bun. Locals Falter’s Meats provides the star of the fried bologna sandwich.
There are omelets, pancakes and french toast, a variety of sandwiches, burgers and a few platters – all served all day. And then there’s the PastaSalvi.
With the blessing of Chef Salvi himself, Delaney’s has been keeping the storied dish from bygone restaurant B.G. Salvi’s alive. Egg noodles in cream sauce are left to meld into one solid pasta brick, then sliced, covered in panko breadcrumbs and fried. It can be devoured on its own, or topped with marinara and provolone.
Taking over an existing restaurant space, Miller says most of the work to get Delaney’s up and running is cosmetic. They’ll add some kitchen equipment and shoot for an opening by the end of June.
Delaney’s in Grandview will keep the same hours as its other locations – 6:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Just as Delaney’s is winding down, Grand Tavern will be getting its day started.
Owner Andrea Spence wants Grand Tavern to be an upscale neighborhood bar where there’s a little something for everybody – whether that something be wine, cocktails or beer.
The cocktail menu will boast 10 to 12 options at a time, featuring local spirits, handcrafted ice and fresh juices and garnishes. The draft beer lineup will be a mix of popular beers and local pours.
A love of bars and hospitality put Spence on the new career path of bar ownership. She’d had her eyes open for a location for several years and finally found a winner in Marshall’s.
“It’s a nice walkable community, people are very involved in their community, they like to support local business,” Spence says of Grandview.
Grand Tavern will be drinks-only to start. Small plates are on the radar for the future, but the bar plans to program some food trucks as it opens.
Work is underway on the space with plans to open sometime in May.
Grand Tavern’s hours will be 3 p.m. – 12 a.m. Monday to Friday and 12 p.m. – 12 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, visit delaneysdiner.com and follow Grand Tavern on Facebook.
