While we were exploring Ashtabula County, we had lunch from the Jefferson Diner in downtown Jefferson, Ohio.  Jefferson is the Ashtabula County seat (bet you thought it was Ashtabula!).  It is a small town and the biggest building in it is the county courthouse.

Fortunately, the Jefferson Diner sits across from the courthouse, so it is a busy place at lunchtime.  Despite Covid-19 social distancing guidelines for a restaurant, the diner was packed with people.  Every booth and counter stool was packed and only the workers were wearing masks.  I only know this because I was the person who placed our order and then went in to collect it.

The Jefferson Diner is a family owned and run 1950’s style diner.  They advertise “homemade everything.”  Their specialty is the Wimpy Burger, which is a non-wimpy pound of beef.  Mom and Dad split a Wimpy Junior (half pound) and Tom had a Wimpy Junior to himself.  I got a bacon cheeseburger and fries.  After we collected our food, we went to the Jefferson Park to eat.

The Jefferson Park is an older downtown park with picnic tables, a playground, and port-a-potties.  It also has a beautiful “covered bridge” amphitheater.  I could imagine the town gathering there for summer concerts.

We enjoyed eating our delicious burgers in the shade at a comfortable picnic table.  It was breezy so we had to keep track of our napkins and Styrofoam take-out containers.  As we ate, Tom noticed a Tyrannosaurus Rex flying overhead.  Not something you see every day.  We all watched in amazement as it flew by.  We were so enthralled, I forgot to take a picture of it.  I think it was a giant helium balloon that got away.

We enjoyed our lunch from the Jefferson Diner very much.  Even though we didn’t try any of the homemade pies or cakes, the burgers were very good.  They gave us strength to continue our covered bridge adventure.