By Paula Pyzik Scott

A local dining gap has been filled with the opening of CrispyJo at 415 State Route 103, the western-most restaurant along Bluffton’s “Restaurant Row” near I-75. The building previously housed KFC and then Li CO restaurant and has been empty for some years. In January 2024 the installation of a new sign revealed that the wait for an additional dining option was almost over.

Chicago entrepreneur Ali Pto has opened a new enterprise with counter service for American and Mediterranean foods. The Icon sat down with Pto just prior to lunch service on the third day of a “soft opening” for the restaurant. The credit card machine had just been installed and Pto was still in the process of hiring staff. 

During the soft open–a period during which restaurants test out arrangements and get feedback from diners–CrispyJo has been open until they run out of food. The plan is for the restaurant to be open from 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.

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But word was out that the restaurant was open for business and customers were lining up to investigate the menu. Diners included people on lunch breaks, retirees and families with small children.

The first panel on the menu links to the restaurant’s name, including Crispy (chicken) tenders, Crispy drums and thighs and the CrisyJo Chicken sandwich. Gyros and Chicken Shawarma wraps, combination plates with Mediterranean rice, fattoush salad and hummus options are next on the lineup. Desserts are cheesecake and baklava. Pto explained that he makes everything with his own recipes and with fresh ingredients, nothing frozen.

With friends in Ada, Pto became familiar with this corner of Northwest Ohio and “loves this area, Bluffton and Ada and Findlay.” He has moved to Ada to start CrispyJo. He has been very happy with customer responses and is eager to hire more staff so that he can extend hours–and get more sleep.