As of October 2023 Ravenna has welcomed the newest addition to the downtown area, The Horseshoe Diner. Woodie and Sue Goodnight, a salt of the earth couple, took over the vacant space in the Buckeye Mall to turn it into a place where you can “catch up with old friends and make some new ones.”
The Horseshoe Diner had its official Ribbon Cutting on Black Friday and during Midnight Madness they hosted the Elf workshop in conjunction with the Area Chamber of Commerce. The Mall itself had over 16 vendors for the craft show they drew in hundreds of people who got to view the new diner.
Woodie, one of the most endearing restaurateurs you will ever meet, was excited to share the history of the original Horseshoe Diner. In the 1930s-40s it was located next to what is today’s Etna House on Main Street. Three trolly cars were placed together in the shape of a horseshoe and that’s where the name came from, he explained as he pointed at old black and white photos decorating the walls. The Goodnight’s diner is in a different location, which in the 1960s was known as the Skorman’s Building and housed a shopping center called the Miracle Mart.
From 2009 to 2018 they owned Angelo’s Pizzeria of Rootstown located on the corner of State Route 44 and Tallmadge Road. That was until the state decided the road needed to be widened, which meant the teardown of their first brick-and-mortar. Woodie, who has a background in contract negotiations, said they did not receive enough monetary compensation from the state.
Not to be deterred, the couple, whose combined personalities are nothing short of effervescent, continued forward and with their next food industry venture, The Slop Truck.
Sue, who has a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics, absolutely loves pigs. “I fell in love with the food truck when we saw it for sale because it had a big pig on the side!” She threw her arms up and with a big grin said, “She’s my baby!” They served BBQ from The Slop Truck all over. They could be found at places like AAA Antiques in Rootstown and Dragway 42 in West Salem.
But they hadn’t stopped looking for ways to expand and reopen a brick-and-mortar restaurant. When the opportunity in Ravenna revealed itself they were quick to take that step forward. “The soft opening was an eye opener to say the least,” said Woodie. “Running a diner is a very different world from running a food truck.”
They came from the food truck mentality where service was quick grab and go versus sitting down and ordering menu items in the diner. The biggest complaint they heard was that people wanted to have real silverware, plates and cups and not the disposable kind. They made the adjustments and things have been going well ever since.
While Sue and Woodie have differing opinions on which menu item is their favorite, they both have found they are filling a void when it comes to customers ordering breakfast. The Horseshoe Diner is open 7 days a week from 6am-2pm. In addition to all day breakfast, they have sandwiches, burgers, salads, soups, etc.
December 23rd from 10am-1pm they are hosting an all you can eat $15 Brunch with Santa to benefit The Salvation Army. Menu includes: Scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, pulled pork sliders, hot dogs, and corn dogs. Donate a canned good for $1 off per person and up to five cans for $5 off per person. Bring your camera to take unlimited photos with Santa Claus. You can also bring your four-legged friend as the photo event is pet-friendly.
The Horseshoe Diner is located at 250 West Main St. Unit 204 inside the Ravenna Buckeye Mall. For questions call 330-325-8100.
