A Michiana Life in the Spotlight: Peg Dalton

PEGGS Diner has been serving up smiles, reliable hospitality, and consistently delicious food in the South Bend community for the last 25 years. Peg Dalton, owner and operator, has placed family above all and community engagement at the forefront of her restaurant’s mission. People are the heart of her business and food is how she shares her gratitude for her beloved community.

Dalton is a lifelong resident of South Bend. Her continued commitment to the community is reflected in every aspect of her restaurant. PEGGS Diner pledges its support to local organizations and nonprofits, caters community events, and fuels many Notre Dame student athletes and organizations.

Within the restaurant, Dalton has proudly built an ethos atypical of others — two consecutive days off for restaurant employees and a commitment to family-oriented, local hiring practices. With her years of service and hospitality experience, Dalton has created a business that not only supports the community but also the workers themselves.

“I’ve been very fortunate to create a family atmosphere here. I do a lot of first-time job hiring, and many of my employees go on to work all throughout high school, and come back on summers and breaks during college,” Dalton said. “I even have one family that has had different family members working here for over 20 years – from mom to her to grandkids. I am fortunate to know that PEGGS has created a place for local people to have long-term employment and support.”

Dalton has redefined what it means to be a restaurant owner, and she, herself, is considered an anomaly. Dalton proudly represents one of two female restaurant owners and operators in the area’s competitive dining scene, a statistic that continues to solidify her with an immense sense of pride and food for thought that fuels her determination for its continued success. Dalton has changed the narrative, creating lifelong support and many regulars along the way.

The restaurant’s close proximity to the University of Notre Dame has positioned itself as a space students rely on for its heartfelt service and delicious meals that carry them through their studies. Dalton finds great joy in greeting returning alumni while establishing connections with future students.

“What we have been building goes well beyond what is inside these restaurant walls,” Dalton said. “We are building this tradition for students. They’ll bring their parents, making it a tradition while they’re here, or when their kids are here, the kids make it a tradition as alumni, and so on and so forth. I am just waiting for the day when a parent walks through the door and says, ‘We used to come here all the time.’”

Dalton shared her experience from the admitted students weekend with an anecdote about serving the nearly 4,000 students and their families over the course of the weekend.

“Over the past weekend, 10 young alumni from the class of 2024 visited the restaurant to relive their college days. As longtime regulars, we found their photo on one of our displays,” Dalton said.

At PEGGS, memories of shared meals, early mornings, and regular visits keep college alive, well beyond graduation.

“We’ve created a culture and a really warm and welcoming environment, not just for the customers, but for the staff as well,” Dalton said.

PEGGS Diner began in 2001, when Dalton opened a franchise restaurant under the Le Peep brand. It was not until 2017 that Dalton rebranded under the new name, giving the downtown area a new sense of identity.

“We will continue to be the warm, ‘Everyone knows your name’ gathering place we have always been. But as we grow, partnership within the community continues to be a strong part of our mission,” says Dalton.

Since the rebrand, the diner has continued to collaborate with the Downtown Dining Association to bring events to town, supports retail businesses through cross-promotional opportunities, and offers reciprocity with the University of Notre Dame and the South Bend Cubs.

Dalton reflected on the values she was raised with and thanked her late father for instilling in her that leadership and community are built through connection and care. 

Her father, Dave True, who passed away in the 80s, is still recognized for his kindness and leadership mentality as president of a local hospital. Dalton remembers her father for his poise and dedication to local healthcare workers, whether by simply remembering the names of the nearly 500 employees, or by delivering ice cream to third-shift nursing staff in the wee hours of the morning. Her father’s legacy transcends time, as his characteristics continue to be passed down through the generations and into the lives of her children, and hopefully into the community.

In her free time, Dalton enjoys spending time with her children, and though she remains hopeful of one day helping raise grandchildren, at present, she will settle for dogs. Dalton is an active community member and enjoys the outdoors. When time allows, she can be found gardening, playing golf, or partaking in her many book clubs. Having two consecutive days off from the restaurant allows her to connect with her family and friends, spending time with the people she loves most.

The sacrifices made along the way play a massive role in PEGGS success, though Dalton one day hopes to comfortably pass the reins and enjoy the very fruits of her hard-earned labors. PEGGS hopes to continue representing what downtown South Bend wants for its residents for years to come — one egg, one day, and one happy customer at a time.

For more information on PEGGS, visit their website here.

Wanting more? Pay PEGGS a visit at 127 S. Michigan St., South Bend, IN 46601. PEGGS is open Monday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as Friday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.