Bakery case at Gracie's Gracie's offers various baked goods that can also be ordered ahead of time. Servers pictured, l-r, are Melissa Little and Autumn Ennis. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald Flora's newest eatery is Gracie's Restaurant & Bakery on State Road 75 N.

Owners are Pam and Gary Ennis and Jodi Strasser, all of Delphi.

Many customers have asked where the restaurant got its name. The answer is two-fold. First, Strasser has a daughter named Gracie. The owners said the name "Gracie's" also connotes what the restaurant stands for - good, old-fashioned, homemade cooking.

The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and in the evenings for parties of 20 or more. It is open five days of the week. It's closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

"Gracie's Down Home Breakfast" includes a variety of choices. Strasser, who is the restaurant's cook, said two of the most popular breakfast items are homemade sausage gravy and biscuits and Gracie's Sunshine Breakfast Bowl. The latter is an open faced omelet layered with hash browns, two toppings of choice, and topped with sausage gravy and shredded cheddar cheese. Those who choose the "loaded" sunshine bowl get eight toppings.

Restaurant open Gracie's Restaurant & Bakery has a full menu for breakfast and lunch. Special features include a daily lunch special, soup and bread bar, and bakery case. There is a separate kids' menu with choices for breakfast, lunch, sides, and desserts. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald Strasser said two new items they are adding to their breakfast sides are fried mush and grits.

The restaurant offers daily lunch specials, 16 sandwiches, at least six entrees, and a diet plate. Another feature is a soup and bread bar, with different spreads for the breads. Soups are served on a rotating basis. Two of the offerings are Indiana steak soup and spring chili.

The owners say they have been having a big crowd for their Sunday special - homemade fried chicken and gravy, mashed potatoes, and buttered corn.

They said another popular special has been their stuffed chicken breast meal on Thursdays.

Some of the sandwich selections are hand breaded tenderloin, chicken breast, and white fish; turkey, bacon and Swiss grilled on choice of bread; and veggie burger.

Several salads and sides are available. Vegetable of the day, sweet potatoes, and homemade curly fries are included in the side items.

Among the entrees are grilled butterfly pork chop and beef or turkey Manhattan.

There's a special kids' menu for the small fry.

The owners remodeled the restaurant, which was the former Connie's Restaurant & Catering. The building is handicapped accessible, and there is parking on both sides.

They put in a bakery case that offers a variety of pies, cookies, and bars.

Baked goods can be ordered ahead. Also available for takehome are carry-outs, soup by the quart, Gracie's gourmet chicken salad, and a selection of breads.

Wall decorations are from Leaves of Time and can be purchased.

Pam Ennis does the restaurant's paperwork and sees that the day-to-day operation goes smoothly.

The owners said they have been very pleased with their business so far. They have "regulars" already.