Unearth The Voyage
Ohio might surprise you with its incredible food scene that goes way beyond corn and soybeans. From historic inns serving meals since 1803 to family-owned diners that started as chuck wagons, the Buckeye State offers amazing eats around every corner. Pack your appetite and comfortable shoes because this delicious road trip will take you from Cincinnati’s countryside to Cleveland’s downtown, with plenty of unforgettable bites along the way.
1. The Schoolhouse Restaurant — Camp Dennison (Cincinnati area)
Step back in time at this charming Civil War-era schoolhouse that’s been serving comfort food since 1962. The original blackboards still hang on the walls, and you’ll feel like you’re dining in your great-grandmother’s classroom.
Their famous fried chicken comes with all the fixings, plus roast beef that melts in your mouth. Don’t skip dessert because their homemade pies are legendary among locals.
The attached general store sells old-fashioned candies and gifts. Call ahead since their hours can be limited, especially during winter months.
2. The Golden Lamb — Lebanon
America’s oldest continuously operating inn welcomes you just like it welcomed Charles Dickens and Mark Twain back in the 1800s. Walking through these doors feels like entering a living museum filled with antiques and stories.
Their classic Midwestern menu features pot roast, fried chicken, and seasonal specialties that have satisfied travelers for over two centuries. Each dining room showcases different historical periods with authentic furniture and décor.
Located right on Lebanon’s picturesque Main Street, it’s perfect for combining lunch with antique shopping. The ghost stories are just an added bonus to your meal.
3. The Pine Club — Dayton
Cash only, no reservations, and absolutely no nonsense – that’s how The Pine Club has operated since 1947. This old-school steakhouse doesn’t need fancy gimmicks when their prime steaks speak for themselves.
Your perfectly cooked steak arrives with their famous wedge salad and crispy fries. The dim lighting and red leather booths create that classic supper club atmosphere you can’t find anywhere else.
Bring cash or a personal check because credit cards aren’t welcome here. The wait might be long, but regulars know that’s just part of the Pine Club experience that keeps people coming back for decades.
4. The Spot Restaurant — Sidney
What started as a traveling chuck wagon in 1907 became Sidney’s most beloved diner when it settled into this stunning Art Moderne building in 1941. The chrome and curved lines make you feel like you’re in a classic movie.
Their burgers are hand-formed perfection, and the onion rings are crispy golden circles of joy. The malts are thick enough to stand a spoon in, and the pies rotate daily based on what’s fresh.
Right on the courthouse square, it’s the perfect small-town lunch stop. Local farmers, business people, and travelers all mix together at the counter, sharing stories over comfort food.
5. Tony Packo’s (Original) — Toledo
Thanks to Corporal Klinger on M*A*S*H, Tony Packo’s became famous nationwide, but locals have loved their Hungarian-American hot dogs since 1932. Celebrity-signed hot dog buns cover the walls like a delicious hall of fame.
The chili dogs are messy perfection, and their sweet hot pickles add the perfect tangy crunch. Each bite combines Old World Hungarian flavors with American comfort food in ways that shouldn’t work but absolutely do.
Make sure you visit the original location on Front Street in Toledo’s East Side. The newer locations are fine, but this weathered building holds all the history and authentic atmosphere.
6. Slyman’s Restaurant — Cleveland
Prepare yourself for the most ridiculously tall corned beef sandwich you’ve ever seen. Since 1964, Slyman’s has been piling hand-sliced corned beef so high on rye bread that eating it becomes an engineering challenge.
The meat is tender, smoky, and sliced thick enough to satisfy any carnivore. One sandwich easily feeds two people, but good luck sharing once you taste that first bite.
Downtown Cleveland’s lunch crowd knows to arrive early since they keep weekday daytime hours only. The no-frills deli atmosphere lets the incredible sandwich do all the talking, and trust us, it speaks volumes about Cleveland’s food scene.
7. The Barn Restaurant — Smithville (Wayne County)
Eating inside a genuine remodeled barn creates a cozy country atmosphere that makes every meal feel like a family gathering. The exposed beams and rustic décor transport you straight to Ohio’s agricultural heartland.
Their comfort food menu changes seasonally, but the country-style salad bar remains a constant favorite among regulars. Homemade pies showcase whatever fruits are fresh, from strawberry rhubarb to apple crumb.
No reservations means popular dinner times require patience, but the wait gives you time to explore Smithville’s charming downtown. Local families have been making this their Sunday dinner tradition for generations, which tells you everything about the quality.
8. Der Dutchman — Walnut Creek (Amish Country)
Amish country cooking reaches its peak at Der Dutchman, where broasted chicken and buttery noodles over mashed potatoes create the ultimate comfort food experience. Every dish tastes like it came from someone’s beloved grandmother’s kitchen.
The portions are generous enough to fuel a day of barn raising, and the cream pies showcase traditional Amish baking at its finest. The adjacent bakery tempts you with fresh bread, cookies, and pastries.
Located in the heart of Ohio’s Amish country, it’s the perfect stop while exploring Walnut Creek’s shops and scenic farmland. Come hungry because leaving food on your plate feels like a crime against deliciousness.
9. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus — Columbus (German Village)
Five generations of German hospitality have perfected the art of sausage making at this German Village institution. The famous Bahama Mama sausages pack tropical flavors into traditional German craftsmanship, creating something uniquely delicious.
Their jumbo cream puffs change flavors seasonally, from pumpkin spice in fall to strawberry in summer. The returned Autobahn Buffet in 2025 brought back beloved dishes that locals missed terribly.
German Village’s brick streets and historic charm make the perfect backdrop for authentic German dining. The biergarten atmosphere encourages lingering over good food and cold beer while accordion music plays softly in the background.
10. Historic Clifton Mill — Clifton (near Yellow Springs)
Breakfast inside one of America’s largest working water-powered grist mills creates an unforgettable dining experience. The massive wooden gears still turn while you enjoy pancakes and fresh sandwiches overlooking the rushing water below.
During holiday season, their Legendary Lights display transforms the mill into a winter wonderland that draws visitors from across the Midwest. The combination of history, food, and seasonal magic feels purely magical.
Open for breakfast and lunch hours, it’s perfect for exploring Yellow Springs’ quirky shops and Glen Helen Nature Preserve afterward. The mill’s grinding stones still produce fresh flour, connecting your meal directly to centuries of tradition.
