rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
SYLVANIA — Tina’s Iron Skillet Restaurant is sitting in a prime location off Route 6 in Sylvania.
The unique name was given to the restaurant by the previous owners. New owner Tina Losey, a Troy native, worked for the previous owners for eight years before they had asked her to take over completely.
The restaurant burned down in 2010, and rather than continue with the business, the owners asked Tina to take over. After a couple months, it opened back up.
“I told them no a couple times, and then I thought about it and said ‘just go ahead and do it,’” said Tina.
The inside of the restaurant is decorated in a homey, country-primitive style that is sure to welcome guests and invite them to a nice, homemade meal. Inside, Tina has multiple iron skillets on the walls with a big fireplace to top off that country-style home feeling.
Tina’s family helps her with the restaurant. Her son, Mike, is a cook for the restaurant. Her daughter Mindy is a waitress. Her grandchildren come in and help with dishes and whatever needs done.
Cooking and baking has always been a passion of Losey’s.
“That sense of making someone feel so happy and enjoying your food,” she said, “It’s a good feeling that you can do such a good job that other people want your food.”
“We have such a variety,” said Losey, when talking about the Iron Skillet menu.
“Tenders are a big seller,” said Mike.
“Pancakes. We sell a lot of pancakes,”added Tina.
“And mountain man burgers,” replied Mike.
A mountain man burger is a double bacon cheeseburger that’s dressed twice, which means it has double tomatoes and lettuce.
Philly cheese steaks are another big hit.
Desserts are a favorite at Tina’s and she loves to bake them.
“We make everything,” she said. “Pecan pie, hickory nut pie when the hickory nuts are available, coconut cream pie,” Tina said, just to name a few.
They also sell the whole pie for customers as well.
“I’ve had to ship two hickory nut pies to Colorado,” she said. “They had gone through Sylvania on a trip somewhere and got a piece that day and wrote to me and asked me to mail it to them.”
Tina’s chocolate cake with peanut butter icing is an award winner as well, winning at Troy Fair and even made its debut at the PA Farm Show.
The regular customers are what make this family love dishing out delicious homemade food.
Tina’s Iron Skillet is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, but open the rest of the week. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.
They do a daily special every day they’re open. Every Friday is a fish fry with her mac and cheese.
“I have a regular couple come in and ask me to make my mac and cheese at their wedding,” she said.
Saturdays are prime rib with two sides. This Sunday is roast beef with two sides for only $8.95.
“I love what I do,” she said. “I’ll stick with this restaurant as long as my health tells me it’s OK to keep going,” said Tina.
Dine in and take out are both available. Gift certificates are also available for purchase. For more information or to place an order, call (570) 297-4848 or find them at 2605 Sylvania Road, Troy.