Taking the unknown road may bring you treasure or danger, but the other path will kill you with boredom.
I learnt of this place from someone who lives in the Cincinnati area. Â For most people, it's in the middle of nowhere. Â It's along a chain of small towns from Portland to Berne along U.S. 27, a road that winds from Florida to Michigan. Â Bryant is a bit closer to the north end, obviously.
I'm thinking that, as a child we stopped here on the way to the lakes near Angola. Â During summer, my mum would rent a cabin and we would travel all the way up there. Â Bryant is over 50 miles away from where we lived and where I currently live, so even now, it's a tiny trip.
If I was here in the past, I don't think the place has changed past the 1970s, and it seems to have had an upgrade back then from the 1940s. Â If you're looking for an amazing interior, forget it. Â It looks as though it would have been okay in the 1970s. Â Now, it just looks tired. Â It reminds me of a 1940s truck stop I photographed recently. Â This has a dining room, and another room with the counter and a few tables in front of the kitchen.
I ordered a Mushroom Swiss Burger and fries. Â The menu mentioned 4 ounces of beef, mushrooms, swiss cheese, and grilled onions. Â When it arrived, I was shocked at the mountain of fries. Â It was difficult to see the sandwich. Â Both were good, but at my first bite into the sandwich, something crunched and I didn't want to find out what it was! Â For all I know, it was egg shell because she had just pulled some eggs from the shelf--not the fridge--the shelf that you can see through the pass-thru. Â (If it was something else, I really wouldn't want to know. Â Some people talk about drunk food, so maybe this place is 100% better when you're drunk.) Â The sandwich was great, although I think Hardee's still has the lock on Mushroom Swiss burgers. Â The fries were also good--not greasy. Â Having a migraine, I was between a sick feeling and needing to eat, so I finished the sandwich and some fries and paid my bill.
Before I left the counter, someone brought a tray of "fresh" sweet rolls. Â I don't know anything about Jinny's but I would think that sweet rolls and donuts/doughnuts would be much fresher if they were made and delivered in the morning, instead of 7:30 in the evening.
The waitress was friendly but not overly so. Â I listened to a few men sitting near me at the counter, discussing the area, but no one tried to engage me in conversation, but no one gave me weird or angry looks, thankfully. Â You'll probably find it an agreeable area and a good place to stop compared to the few options in either direction.
Bryant calls itself the Crossroads of America. Â This is a small town with friendly people. Â There arent any factories or jobs in town. Â If ur looking for Gordon Ramsey or Bobby Flay than this place isnt for you. Â What this place has is good, truck stop grub...nothing more and nothing less and thats the way the owner/customers like it.
This place has been around forever. Â Best biscuits and gravy in the area. Â Very busy in the morning w/breakfast crowd that are mostly locals. Â Truckers also come in and enjoy. Â If you're looking for a great breakfast than stop in anytime. Â Also if u need to sober up than get gravy on ur hash browns. Â
No salads or quiche on the menu...just good food.