Baker’s Belmont Cafe brings new life to longtime Amsterdam gathering spot

For decades, the building at 110 S. Main St. has been part of Amsterdam’s local heritage — a place where neighbors met after work, sometimes straight from the coal mines, where pool games stretched late into the evening and where regulars didn’t need menus to order.

When Belmont Cafe closed Nov. 9, the silence was noticeable.

Just over two months later, the doors reopened under new ownership.

Now operating as Baker’s Belmont Cafe, the longtime Main Street spot is owned by Mike Baker and his wife, Jeanne, who purchased the building shortly after Christmas and reopened Jan. 23 after several weeks of renovations.

The couple had originally considered starting a food truck, but when the cafe became available, the opportunity felt right.

“I used to come here with my grandpa, Bob Johnson, when I was young,” Mike Baker said. “The first time I brought Jeanne here was when we were dating 27 years ago.”

Jeanne Baker remembered that early visit as well.

“He told me back then he would love to own it someday,” she said. “When the opportunity presented itself, it just seemed like a no-brainer.”

Rather than overhaul everything, they chose to update the space while preserving its character. The building dates to 1932, rebuilt after an earlier structure burned down. Pieces of that history remain, including the long-standing bar that has anchored the room for generations.

The cafe now features televisions and Wi-Fi. Parking is available behind the building, and to-go orders are offered for those passing through town.

In the kitchen, the Bakers are blending tradition with personal influence.

The menu is a mix of American staples and Mexican-inspired dishes shaped by time Mike Baker spent working in Texas. A military veteran, he said his exposure to different cultures and cuisines helped expand his approach to cooking.

“I learned how to cook a lot of Mexican dishes while I was working in Texas,” he said. “I befriended a guy who owned a Mexican restaurant, and he taught me a few tricks of the trade.”

One standout is the birria taco, filled with juicy, flavorful shredded beef that Mike Baker describes as the “Cadillac of taco meat.” The slow-cooked meat is tender and rich, packed into a toasted tortilla and served hot from the grill. Another popular item is the Mexican hot dog topped with jalapeños, onions and bacon and finished with chipotle mayonnaise on a toasted bun.

At the same time, the cafe hasn’t abandoned the basics that made Belmont a favorite. Burgers remain central to the menu, and quality is a priority.

“Our meat all comes from local butchers,” Mike Baker said, noting it is sourced fresh from McConnell’s Market Butcher Shop in Richmond, Ohio. “No frozen meat. We buy fresh.”

The menu also includes fish, chicken strips, sandwiches, kids’ meals and sides.

The couple employs about a dozen people, including their daughter, Mackenzie Baker, with many staff members working part-time while balancing family or other jobs.

Hours are Friday through Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Wednesday from 4-10 p.m., and closed Thursdays.

Mike Baker's ties to the community run deep. He is heavily involved with VFW Post 232 in Amsterdam, where his family has longstanding connections. He said part of the motivation for reopening the cafe was giving the village another place to gather.

“At one time when we were growing up, there were eight establishments,” he said. “This one and the VFW are the only two left.”

The cafe’s branding also reflects its personal roots. The logo, featuring the couple’s dog, Tucker, was designed by Lori Cline of Cabin Cellar Crafts.

With steady traffic through the center of town and the longstanding Belmont name, the Bakers believe the location offers strong potential. They are planning karaoke Saturday nights and exploring the possibility of hosting poker runs in the future.

“This whole thing is really about having something in the community for residents and area visitors to enjoy,” Mike Baker said.

After a short closure and a fresh start, Baker’s Belmont Cafe is again a place where neighbors can meet after work, order without looking at a menu and stay a little longer than they planned.

For to-go orders or more information, call 740-543-7323. Follow Baker’s Belmont Cafe on Facebook for specials, events and the menu.