Denny's now open

topey@sanduskyregister.comDenny's quietly opened its doors at 2 p.m. Monday after a two-month conversion of the former Friendly's location. The restaurant includes the newest design for Denny's restaurants.It did not take long for customers to find their way to the restaurant which identifies itself as America's Diner.The Bartolet family of Bill, Shelley and their granddaughter Alexis Johnson were happy to walk through the doors of a Denny's closer to home."We don't have to drive to Amherst now," Shelley Johnson said.The first 200 people through the doors on Monday received a gift bag with a Denny's mug, yo-yo and other items.The family loves the different burgers Denny's has on its menu, she said.Alexis ordered a mushroom burger. Denny's burgers are pressed at the restaurant and not pre-packaged and shipped frozen from some other location.Shelley and Bill went for a change. She was waiting on the prime rib Philly melt and Bill ordered breakfast."That's the great thing about Denny's- at 6 a.m. you can order a burger and at 10 p.m. you can order breakfast," said server Duncan Ogelsby.It is anticipated Denny's, open 24 hours, will be popular with late night dinners leaving late night events and bars. There are 39 tables, he said."It's a breath of fresh air," Ogelsby said.He also pointed out the 2,4,6, 8 value menu offers customers affordable food options.The restaurant will even be open News Year Eve. Until now there has been Diana's Deli or Steak N Shake, he said.There are about 90 employees at the location. Training continued all the way up until the eve of opening on Sunday to offer the best customer service possible, said Holly Dinger, area manager.There were a lot of burgers and Sizzlin' Skillets coming out of the kitchen Monday evening, Dinger said."We are just excited to be a part of the community," Dinger said.The chain restaurant has wood floors, throw back photos to old dinners and a photo of Sandusky Bay with Cedar Point in the background, a Denny' s logo is, of course, imposed in front of the park in the photo.Denny's3321 Milan RoadPhone: 419-621-5800A few deals offered at Denny's* Kids Eat Free- Guests can receive up to two free kids meal for children ages 10 and under with the purchase of each adult entree. The offer is available from 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. Tuesday.* Active and retired military receive 15 percent off.Photo by Melissa Topey. From left to right are Shelley Bartolet, Alexis Johnson and Bill Bartolet talk with Denny's server Duncan Ogelsby as they wait for their food. Denny's opened Monday at 2 p.m.