Kissner's - A Defiance County Treasure!

Just mention the sculptured wooden bar, friendly atmosphere or maybe a Tom & Jerry and everyone in Defiance knows what’s being talked about (and where to head to eat).

Kissner’s has been a local landmark for more than 90 years in the downtown area. Recognized as one of the oldest taverns in the area still run by the same family, the eatery means a lot not just to the owners, but the whole community.

Kirstie Mack, executive director of the Defiance Development and Visitors Bureau, said that Kissner’s is a staple in downtown.“The time and effort they have taken to keep the character of the space is greatly appreciated and people travel to see (it),” she stated. 

In 2011, the city of Defiance honored Kissner’s for its dedication to the community. During a special program, it was noted that Kissner’s was one of the businesses “that really makes Defiance.” Then city historian Randy Buchman stated that Kissner’s has “remained loyal to this community” and that it was only fitting to recognize the family and business. 

Karl Kissner, the third generation of Kissners to run the eatery, said the family really doesn’t think a lot about being one of the oldest taverns/restaurants in the area.

 “We run a business and make a living,” he said. “We don’t think about it in terms we’re the oldest. It’s neat. … I suppose, generationally, it’s quite an accomplishment.”

The restaurant’s beginning was marked in the local newspaper. 

It was announced in the Defiance Crescent-News on Nov. 5, 1928, that John M. Kissner and his sons, Anthony and Bruno (“Bing”), purchased the soft drink parlor at 524 Clinton Street. 

One of the first ads for Kissner’s states “If you like home cooking here is the place to eat.” 

After John Kissner passed in 1932, the business was renamed Kissner Brothers. Anthony retired in 1971, after selling his half of the business to his brother. At that point in time, the restaurant was renamed Kissners. Bing and his wife Peg as well as their sons Bill and Karl ran the business. Bing passed away in March 1978, leaving the business to Peg. 

The same year, Kissner’s was honored as a city landmark, celebrating its 50th anniversary. 

“It isn’t a bar and it isn’t a restaurant,” Peg said at the time. “I guess it’s just Kissner’s.”

While generations of the Kissner family have been seen behind the bar and counter, generations of customers also have been seen at the tables and bar, enjoying delicious food and the atmosphere.

“That part is neat,” Karl happily remarked. “We do occasionally run into it where we will have three generations (come in to eat). A grandpa (will be here) with his son, who’s there with his son and a fourth-generation is on the way. They’re still here, and we’re still here. For them that’s the neat part.”

Kissner’s holds special memories for many.

“We had a couple that their first date was a barn dance in 1928 and they came in for their 75th anniversary,” Karl said. “We were there for their first date and for their 75th anniversary.”

Throughout the years, Karl has heard a lot of stories about Kissner’s past. The best one he has heard was “the one about the man on the horse.”

“John Wirick’s father, John Sr., made a bet with some guy that he could ride a horse in and get served a beer, and he did,” Karl said. “My father served him on the horse, and then (Wirick) proceeded to ride the horse out the back door. He rode in the front door and out the back door. Now, I always heard that it was a rumor, and then I was talking to somebody one day about it and John Wirick Jr. happened to be sitting there and went ‘that’s true.’ I said, ‘oh, it is John? How do you know?’ He said, ‘because it was my dad and I held the door.’ That’s probably one of the most unique hometown stories. It was confirmed to be true so even better.”

Walking into Kissner's, one of the first things that catches the eye is the bar itself. It was built around 1903 by Brunswick-Balke Collender Co.  The bar caught fire in 1981, but every effort was made to make sure it was rebuilt as accurately as possible. 

“There was a fire at the front counter – the stand-up bar,” Karl recalled. “It burned in half. Fortunately, the fire department caught it before it really got rolling. We were able to save it and, in a sense, put it back together. There is some damage to the back bar because of it. You can’t change that. It’s now part of it.”

Karl asserted it was vital to restore the bar after the fire.

“The back bar, the bar and layout are all part of the place, and it’s been there so long that if you change it, it wouldn’t be the same place,” he said. “It’s like people say ‘that back bar is worth a lot of money, why don’t you sell it?’ Then it wouldn’t be Kissner’s would it? It’s an important part of the overall business. Granted it's a decoration, but it’s a decoration that is functional.”

Kissner’s is known for several things including its decor and its delicious food, which includes some specialty items. 

In addition to its burgers, chicken, fish and other menu items, Kissner’s has kept a specialty dish of a pork brain sandwich (which CNBC called Kissner to talk about) on its menu since it started. 

The sandwich is part of Defiance’s German immigration heritage. While viewed as a novelty item now, they are a piece of nostalgia for many families. 

The eatery also has been mentioned in several nationwide publications such as the New York Times, when it profiled Defiance’s politics and noted that Kissner’s was “a popular gathering place” downtown. 

Indeed, it seems like Kissner’s is one thing both political parties agree on.

“Politically, we’ve been around through quite a bit,” Karl said of the restaurant. “There was always a rumor that whenever Ike (Eisenhower) was in town to talk with his ghost writer (Defiance College president Kevin McCann) that they would sneak down here for a beer. That's a rumor, never confirmed. Justice Thomas was in one Friday afternoon. That was neat. Politically, locally, it’s been a common ground. It doesn’t matter what party you are at, you’re all welcome.”

Karl said, in general, there were different articles written by national media that mention Kissner’s. He said when something unique happened in northwest Ohio, journalists would just “stop at a local restaurant and local tavern to get a comment by people” or the restaurateurs themselves. 

The restaurant also was featured in 2004’s Family Destinations Guide, a nation-wide publication. It called Kissner’s “a living, breaking piece of Ohio history that serves some of the most mouthwatering steaks this side of the Mississippi.” It also praised Kissner’s other well-known and much sought after item – the Tom & Jerry. The drink, which uses an old family recipe, is only available around the holidays. 

When asked for the recipe, Karl laughed.

“Even my family has to call me once in a while and say ‘Karl, how do I do this?’ That’s OK. There are about three of us with the actual recipe. We’ll keep it that way,” he said, adding that many people ask him why the restaurant doesn’t serve the drink year-round. “Then it wouldn’t be special. It wouldn’t be a treat. It wouldn’t be a Christmas tradition.”

Speaking of the future of Kissner’s, Karl is very straight forward.

“I always tell people that when I’m ready to retire, if nobody (in the family) wants it, it’s for sale,” he stated, adding that one of his children is currently working in the business and will have to, at some point, make the final decision if he wants to continue “on this path.” 

“It’s a lot of fun, but it’s a lot of work,” he acknowledged. “Your rewards aren’t just monetary. You make a living. You are never going to get rich. You make a nice living and you have a lot of fun doing that.”