ONTARIO — The Ontario Center’s food court is officially full — and Operations Manager Crystal Tolliver said the milestone feels both rewarding and exciting.
“Yes, the food court is full now, and it feels really good,” Tolliver said. “Seeing it active again is incredibly rewarding after such a long time.”
The latest addition, Robsagna, marks a turning point for the shopping center’s long-term revitalization efforts.
From trailer to storefront location
Rob McKee and his wife, Lynn, originally started Robsagna as a food truck.
Being in the restaurant business for most of his life, McKee said he was told for years he needed to start his own restaurant. Pizza went along with lasagna as both were passions for him.
The venture into the food business began from McKee’s love of lasagna and sauces — he started perfecting his “House” lasagna back in 1994.
Over the past two decades he noted it has evolved and within the last five years they started smoking it, adding an “over-the-top-extra flavor.”
Rob and Lynn’s granddaughter enjoys a Robsagna meatball. (Provided by Rob McKee)
“We began working from a 20-foot trailer and soon learned it was simply not enough space,” he said.
Their daughter, Victoria and her husband, Jordan, joined them in the family business. McKee said he and his son-in-law purchased a used school bus transforming it into a restaurant on wheels.
“It’s now time though to begin moving the brand forward,” McKee added. “Eventually, we would like to bottle sauces and market them on a national scale.”
While they have planted their roots in The Ontario Center, the food truck will continue serving people.
Robsagna improves and adjusts their menu for new location in The Ontario Center. (Provided by Rob McKee)
Specializing in “smoked American-Italian cuisine,” McKee said the smoked lasagna is what they are most known for, along with their “top-notch” wood-fired pizza.
Bacon-wrapped Oreos and peanut butter espresso brownies are just a few of the other unique creations you can find at Robsagna.
He said with the move to The Ontario Center they made adjustments and improved parts of their menu.
“The size of our pizza slices have increased at the food court,” he said. “With around 40 toppings, we will also offer our traditional 12-inch and a new 16-inch size. Along with a new and improved thin crust available in the 12-inch size only.”
How Robsagna became the perfect fit for The Ontario Center
McKee said they searched for many different locations to settle, but Ontario was the place.
“Lynn and I have a strong desire to helps others,” McKee said. “When we had been researching areas we might provide free “soup kitchen” type meals from our bus, we discovered Mansfield alone has one of the largest homeless communities in Ohio.
“The Ontario community represents an area within reach, that we can impact many more lives than possible with our food bus alone.”
After booking more stops in the area, McKee ran into Tolliver and The Ontario Center team.
McKee noted how professional and upfront the new owners of The Ontario Center have been — with working towards making it a new premier spot in Richland County.
“Crystal and the team are truly looking for the best,” he said. “Take Wip Wop for example, this guy is an amazing chef. He has only been here for a short while, is very unique and very good.”
A thoughtful journey with many tastings
Tolliver said they didn’t rush the journey to a full food court, but instead built it through careful consideration and community-focused partnerships.
“The process of getting here was a lot of fun, from meeting new people to trying new concepts and plenty of new food along the way,” she said.
Robsagna stood out early in the selection process, Tolliver said, not just for its food but for the people behind it.
The family-owned business specializes in pizza, lasagna and rotating specials, all made with what Tolliver describes as heart and intention.
“From the very beginning, Robsagna just felt like the right fit,” she said. “They’re a true family-owned business with strong values, incredible food and people who genuinely care about their craft and their customers.”
Tolliver said the decision came after many conversations — and many tastings.
“Yes, we sampled many slices of pizza along the way,” she added. “After countless tastings, it was clear Robsagna stood out not only for their amazing pizza, but also for their lasagna, rotating specials and the passion they put into everything they serve.”
Looking ahead, Tolliver said Robsagna fits seamlessly into The Ontario Center’s broader vision of becoming a family-friendly, community-driven destination rooted in local support.
“We’re not just filling spaces — we’re intentionally partnering with businesses wanting to grow with us,” she said. “Robsagna believed in what we’re building here, and we’re incredibly grateful they chose to be part of this journey.”
Supporting small businesses, one meal at a time
For Tolliver, the relationship with Robsagna goes beyond business.
“We didn’t fall in love with Robsagna just because of the food — we fell in love with them,” she said. “Rob and Lynne run this business alongside their children, and it became clear very quickly they’re not only passionate about their food, but they’re also just great people who care deeply about their customers and their community.”
“We’re incredibly grateful to have Robsagna here and so excited for what’s ahead together,” Tolliver said.
Although the food court is now fully leased, Tolliver said the milestone marks only the beginning.
“We’re getting ready to start renovations in the food court, and we’re excited to share what’s coming next will offer more than the community might expect,” she said.
Tolliver also emphasized something she believes shoppers may not realize — every business in the food court is independently and locally owned.
“These are families and entrepreneurs who have taken a leap of faith alongside us,” she said. “When you grab a meal here, you’re not just eating — you’re directly supporting local families and helping strengthen our community.”
(More photos of the Robsagna menu and food. Provided by Rob McKee)
Dining and Cooking