Community fuels MST Pub and Grub

TIFFIN — Once known simply as a neighborhood bar, MST Pub and Grub has grown into much more than just a place to grab a drink. Owner Chris Chase starts each day carefully updating MST's daily specials by hand, something he says reflects everything the business stands for. By 11 a.m., the sign flips from closed to open, and patrons are already buzzing about the tavern. They're not just there for the food but also for a sense of community that has been cultivated for more than a decade. Humble beginnings Chase's story began in 2003 while pursuing his master's degree at Tiffin University. At the time, the business was known as Madison Street Tavern and had no full kitchen. "I started as a bartender and quickly developed a vision for the business. I enjoyed serving people and wanted to see what the bar scene was all about, because it was just a bar at that point," Chase said. A year later he bought into the business. "Then we started thinking about adding a little bit more food," Chase said. "So instead of just doing drinks and late-night fried food, we started doing chicken wings and the works on just certain nights." Transformation From there, Chase slowly transformed the bar into what it is today. "It took a long time, don't get me wrong. We didn't make any money for about 10 years, just putting all the money we had back into the place," Chase said. "But I am proud to say we made it through the storm." The menu expanded to include a wide range of options with a focus on quality and flavor. Chase says MST's burgers, made in-house with a custom blend, stand out and have drawn praise far beyond Tiffin. "We just recently had some social media influencers come through and give us what they called a 'Holy Grail' score of 9.6, the second highest score he has given anyone," he said. In 2022, America's Best Restaurants, a traveling food vlog, featured MST's bacon-encrusted burger. What makes MST unique Chase, his team and family members have worked to transform the restaurant's design and upkeep over the years. He often works hand-in-hand with staff, whether on the restaurant floor or with MST's food truck. During an interview, Chase was updating daily menus by hand, a reminder of the active role he takes in the business. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. Within half an hour of opening, the restaurant was nearly packed. Food production and expansion In recent years, Chase expanded MST beyond Tiffin. "We recently started pursuing some new revenue streams with the addition of our food truck and of course our snack sticks, sauces, etc.," he said. In 2022, he launched MST Sauce Company, bottling the tavern's sauces for retail. They are now sold in more than 20 cities across Northwest Ohio, including Findlay, Bucyrus, Upper Sandusky and Fremont. MST introduced Dry Rub Snack Sticks in 2024 and quickly gained recognition. "We have a co-packer out of Chicago that helps to make our products," Chase said. "They ship them to Tiffin Paper Company, which warehouses them, and we pick them up from TPC to wholesale distribute." That same year, MST's Dry Rub Spicy Snack Sticks earned third place in the International Flavor Award's Spicy Snack category. Local partnerships and giving back Community connection remains central to MST's mission. In 2022, Chase launched a campaign pledging to donate $1 to Tiffin City Schools for every like, share, comment or review on the restaurant's Facebook page. The effort was one of many fundraisers MST has held. "We're also starting to do a lot of the same stuff with the food truck now that we have it," Chase said, noting dine-to-donate weeks where local schools and organizations receive 10% of profits. MST also partners with other restaurants. Chase highlighted its Eclipse sauce and pizza collaboration with Reino's in downtown Tiffin, as well as an upcoming collaboration with Heavenly Pizza using MST's Plum Barbecue Sauce, developed by Vanguard-Sentinel culinary arts students. Small fish in a big sea Like many small business owners, Chase has seen challenges in a corporately owned world. He noted the recent closing of another longtime Tiffin bar, The Viaduct. "I can't lie, it hits hard," he said. "Prices are up, expectations high, and at times it all feels overwhelming." Still, MST has thrived. "Consistency and persistence, especially with marketing, is a lesson many local restaurants learn the hard way," Chase said. He says social media and consistent messaging have been key to MST's survival. Looking ahead Today, MST Pub and Grub is a local destination with a diverse menu, award-winning products and a strong community presence. Chase continues to work alongside his staff daily, whether behind the counter or on the food truck, keeping the business rooted in its original vision. MST's story is one of persistence, hard work and small-town success, built by its owner and supported by its community.