Ohm's Café Is A Longstanding And Legendary Restaurant In Small Town North Dakota
By Sarah McCosham|Published February 02, 2024
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
There’s nothing as wholesome and comforting as a hot, home-cooked meal from a longstanding local diner. And Ohm’s Café in Mandan, North Dakota, certainly checks all of these boxes. A local favorite for well over half a century, this family-owned restaurant has been rustling up hearty, homestyle cooking for generations, keeping residents of Mandan, North Dakota, happily well fed.
In 2023, the beloved establishment went up for sale, causing quite a stir (and more than a few worried Facebook comments) about what the future held for Ohm’s Café. As luck would have it, however, a young entrepreneur and her fiancé purchased the eatery and gave it a proper, top-to-bottom polishing. And the best part? Ohm’s Café has not only remained a community cornerstone, it’s also remained in the family.
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There are certain restaurants that not only stand the test of time, but seem to grow stronger over the years. These are often the unlikeliest of places; the kind of mom-and-pop joints that rely on the time-proven recipe of good food and good service -- the kinds of places where word of mouth draws folks from far and wide, newbies and regulars alike.
This is an apt and well-earned description of Ohm's Café in Mandan, North Dakota. Welcoming diners since 1947, Ohm's is among the oldest family-owned restaurants in North Dakota and certainly one of the most beloved.
This place is the very definition of a humble local restaurant. Nothing about Ohm's is flashy or showy; what draws folks here time and time again isn't an Insta-perfect ambiance or snazzy social media presence (though make no mistake about it - Ohm's is a vibe all its own!), but a no-fail recipe of great food, great service, and great company.
Keller had worked on and off at Ohm's since she was 12 years old, when the opportunity to purchase the North Dakota icon arose in 2023, she and McMonagle went all in.
What they were inheriting wasn't merely a restaurant, something Keller knew and appreciated.
"Ohm's Café was originally established by Carl Ohms and his wife in 1947," she explains. "The Shafer family owned it after them. My grandparents [Tony and Cathy Leier] bought it in 1995, then their daughter [my aunt] bought and ran it until the end of 2023."
Before reopening under the newest generation of leadership, Ohm's got a top-to-bottom revamp, though Keller and McMonagle took great care to stay true to the heart and soul of this legendary establishment.
Keller says the restaurant is well-known for the hot, home-cooked meals and outstanding breakfasts -- the kind of food folks in the area grew up eating.
The delicious plates of pancakes and eggs are worth waking up early for, and the biscuits and gravy rival anything you'd find in the South! You'll also find classics with a twist on the menu; specials like the Poutine Burger, for example, certainly set Ohm's apart from your standard small-town diner.
And while the savory, meat-and-potatoes kind of meals certainly shine, those with a sweet tooth know Ohm's Cafe makes what are perhaps the best sticky buns in the state!
"I get to continue what my grandparents created and serve our community great food," she says, adding that continuing the legacy of her grandparents fills her with so much pride.
With a tight-knit staff and devoted local following, Keller and McMonagle are steering Ohm's bravely and boldly into the future.
This nearly 80-year-old restaurant is proof positive that sometimes, there are places that are pretty darn perfect, just as they are. Never change, Ohm's!
Many thanks to new owners Casey Keller and Taylor McMonagle for sharing the story of Ohm’s Café. Learn more and support this iconic North Dakota restaurant by visiting the Ohm’s Café Facebook page.
Of course, Ohm’s Café is one of many amazing businesses in North Dakota that’s doing great things in the state. If you have another business you’d like to see profiled on Only In North Dakota, please nominate them for a chance to be featured. And be sure to follow Only In North Dakota on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the know on the state’s events, restaurants, local businesses, and hidden gems.
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