Bud's Pie - A Fan Favorite Throughout the Region and Based in Defiance

There’s always room for pie … especially if it comes from Bud’s in Defiance.

For more than 85 years, Bud’s Restaurant has been providing delicious pie, hamburgers and more to the community. 

“It’s a great atmosphere for someone looking for the timely experience, and who can turn down the pie?” stated Kirstie Mack, executive director of the Defiance Development and Visitors Bureau about Bud’s. 

She added that the eatery is one of the long-time institutions of the community. 

Matt Mayer, current owner of Bud’s, said the longevity of the restaurant speaks for itself.

“It’s a testament to the people of Defiance – to keep a business going that long,” he said. 

Mayer pointed out that there are lots of long-time couples who continue to patronize the restaurant. “They came here in high school, and this is back in the ‘50s and ‘60s,” Mayer explained. “They are older couples now and they all come back and say ‘when we dated this is where we came.’ “

Bud’s was built in 1939 by Bud Deatrick. The shop was called Bud’s Hamburger Shop.  The shop opened on May 29, 1940, touting that it was open 24 hours a day and featured “hot and cold sandwiches of all kinds, pies, pastries, rolls, soups, homemade chili, all beverages – no beer.” The restaurant at 505 W. Second St.,  touted itself as being a “fine new establishment, modern in every detail.”

Those who attended opening day and ordered a sandwich were given a coupon for any sandwich for 10 cents any day after opening day. 

In 1941, William Battiste leased the shop from Deatrick.  The following year, G.B “Bud” Hiatt purchased the business. He would operate it for the next decade.

Under Hiatt’s ownership, Bud’s received some national recognition in some unusual ways. 

In 1950, G.B. Hiatt, and his wife were on their way to Fort Wayne when they stopped to help a stranded motorist. The motorist offered them money to thank them for helping him, the Hiatts refused and just stated that if they gentlemen that if he was ever in Defiance, they run Bud’s and he should stop in.

A few weeks later, Hiatt received an original drawing from the syndicated comic strip “Steve Roper.” The artist, Elmer Woggon, was the motorist the couple had helped. The drawing was hung in Hiatt’s office for years. 

Two years later, national syndicated columnist Earl Wilson was in Defiance. After eating at Bud’s, Wilson reportedly told Hiatt that he “might get a Pulitzer Prize for the most valuable contribution to mankind.” He printed Hiatt’s recipe for bean soup. 

“You can't get bean soup like that in New York,” Wilson stated at the time. 

In 1952, Bud’s was sold to Elden and Marilyn Mayer, who owned and operated the restaurant for the next 13 years. 

In 1965, Elden Mayer sold the business to his brother, Lowell, and his wife Pat. The couple operated Bud’s for 47 years. During their tenure, they made various updates. The grill was moved out from the front window. Changes also were made to the dining room and kitchen to expand the restaurant’s menu and make it easier for family and friends to come together. 

In 2011, Lowell and Pat’s son Matt took over ownership from his parents. He and his wife, Susan, currently operate the restaurant. 

When asked what his favorite memory was growing up with Bud’s, Mayer couldn’t pick just one.

“There’s a lot of them,” he answered, stating that most are just memories of his parents working there together as long as they did.

He acknowledged that Bud’s is a consistent element for many in the community. Folks that used to live in the area or who passed through and stopped in, all seem to remember one of Bud’s staples.

“People know our pies all over the country,” Mayer acknowledged. “If they are near they will stop by and get some. The fresh peach pie in the late summer is the absolute favorite.”

Anyone wanting to try a slice of life in Defiance, should stop in to Bud’s for a tasty treat.