Some of the best bites in Ohio hide inside places you might drive past without a second look. You walk in expecting a regular plate of bar snacks, and then a basket of golden, crunchy sauerkraut balls lands on the table and changes your whole day.
These little fried treats are a true local legend, packed with tangy kraut and savory filling. If you are hungry and curious, this list will point you to the spots that make them best.
1. The Merchant Tavern, Akron, OH
Vintage charm meets serious comfort food on Merriman Road. The Merchant Tavern feels like a place that has been around forever, with a cozy, vintage-inspired room that still manages to feel trendy and fresh.
Here, the sauerkraut balls share the spotlight with the famous Merchant Nachos, and both are worth ordering. The rest of the menu leans upmarket American, with dishes like mussels, Cajun gouda grits, goat cheese mac, and a maple bourbon apple glazed salmon BLT.
Vegetarians get a full menu too, including a vegan poutine.
Expect good music, friendly staff who know the menu well, and outdoor seating when the weather cooperates. Prices run about $20 to $30 per person.
The doors open at 4 PM most days and at noon on Saturdays, but the tavern is closed Mondays. Weekends get busy, so a quiet Wednesday night is a smart pick, and reservations are accepted.
2. Gasoline Alley, Akron, OH
People have been known to drive two hours just for the kraut balls here, and one bite explains why. Gasoline Alley, tucked in Bath Township, has an old-school, nostalgic feel and a quirky deli personality that makes it easy to love.
Order the kraut balls with honey mustard for dipping. They come out crunchy and loaded with flavor, and they set the tone for a menu that adores corned beef.
Reuben pizza, a turkey Reuben, pastrami, and bacon fat boy burgers all live here, along with thick chili and a generous prosciutto sub.
Meals stay friendly to the wallet at around $10 to $20 per person. Kids are welcome, with a kids’ menu and high chairs ready.
The spot opens at 11 AM Monday through Saturday and stays closed Sundays. Reservations are not taken, but parking is usually plentiful, so just show up hungry.
3. The Lockview Restaurant, Akron, OH
Grilled cheese might be the headliner, but the sauerkraut balls at The Lockview easily steal a scene or two. Sitting right on South Main Street in downtown Akron, this neighborhood pub is famous for gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and a strong craft lineup.
Start with the kraut balls, then pick from a long list of melty sandwiches. Mac n cheese is a crowd favorite, and there are veggie burgers, arugula salads, housemade hummus, and baskets of tots or sweet potato fries.
It is a chill, cozy place where groups and families both fit right in.
Budget around $10 to $20 per person. Hours run Wednesday through Saturday, with Saturdays starting at 2 PM, and it is closed Sunday through Tuesday.
Street parking downtown can be tricky, so give yourself a few extra minutes. Rooftop and patio seating make warm evenings extra fun.
4. Iron Grill, Akron, OH
Seven pieces per order. That is the magic number for the sauerkraut balls at Iron Grill on East Waterloo Road, and you may wish you had ordered two plates.
Appetizers are where this place really shines. Alongside the kraut balls, look for fried pickle spears, fried calamari, and Bavarian pretzels with house-made cheese sauce.
Wedge salads arrive huge and full of bold flavor. Bigger appetites can move on to smothered steak, a porterhouse pork chop, chicken parmesan, or a classic Reuben.
The interior is clean and attractive, and a cute outdoor patio welcomes dogs. Expect $20 to $30 per person.
Iron Grill is open every day starting at 11 AM, which makes it an easy lunch stop. Parking is free and usually easy, and families will find a kids’ menu plus high chairs.
5. Waterloo Restaurant & Catering, Akron, OH
Brick walls, a historic feel, and a signature appetizer with the restaurant’s own name on it. The Waterloo Sauerkraut Balls are the reason many folks pull into this East Waterloo Road favorite, and they are a must on every visit.
The menu keeps things simple and satisfying with pasta, steak, sandwiches, and onion rings. Save room for the giant cream puffs, which are a treat on their own.
Plenty of TVs make it a fun place to catch a game, and prices stay reasonable at about $10 to $20 per person.
Early birds will love that doors open at 9 AM most days and 8 AM on Saturdays, so breakfast and brunch are on the table too. Sunday mornings get busy.
There is also a patio, a private dining room, and an elegant events center for bigger gatherings.
6. Papa Joe’s, Akron, OH
An Italian dining room is not where most people expect to find a great sauerkraut ball. Yet Papa Joe’s, a family-run spot on Akron Peninsula Road, serves a version that holds its own next to the classics.
Pair them with the smoked provolone appetizer for a winning start. Warm buttery rolls arrive at the table, and the side salad with white French dressing is something regulars insist on.
Entrees lean Southern Italian, with chicken marsala, veal parmigiana, spinach cannelloni, and cashew encrusted trout. Finish with tiramisu or cannolis.
The setting is cozy and a little romantic, complete with a fireplace, though it still feels relaxed. Plan on $20 to $30 per person.
Papa Joe’s opens at 4 PM Tuesday through Sunday and is closed Mondays. Dinner reservations are recommended, especially on busy Saturday nights.
7. Houston Pub, Norton, OH
Fun fact: Houston Pub opened in 2011 inside a building that once held the local VFW. The family behind it brings more than 50 years of restaurant and catering experience to this cozy Norton neighborhood bar.
That know-how shows in the bar food. Sauerkraut balls, corn dogs, and soft pretzels make a tasty trio for sharing, and daily specials keep things interesting.
It is the kind of place where good food and fair prices come standard, usually about $10 to $20 per person.
A really nice patio, live music, and a warm, relaxed crowd make it easy to linger. Hours are generous, running Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM until midnight or later on weekends, with Sundays and Mondays off.
Friday evenings bring the biggest crowds, and free parking is easy to find.
8. Sammie’s Bar and Grill, Tallmadge, OH
Award-winning burgers may get people through the door at Sammie’s, but the sauerkraut balls are what you should not skip. Just over the line from Akron in Tallmadge, this family-owned tavern has a comfy, welcoming feel.
Think of it as a gastropub with a few surprises. Beyond burgers and filling appetizers, the menu includes fried perch, chicken parmesan, wedge salads, and sweet potato fries.
Seafood and other non-traditional bar dishes give it more range than the usual pub stop.
A fireplace adds warmth on cold Ohio nights, which makes it nice for a date or a casual meal with friends. Families get a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables.
Prices sit around $10 to $20 per person. Sammie’s opens daily, starting at 11 AM most days and noon on Sundays, and reservations are accepted.
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