Unique restaurants Archives - Place To CoolEat https://www.coolplacestoeat.com/category/unique-restaurants/ Ohio Restaurants Blog Wed, 06 Mar 2024 12:46:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://www.coolplacestoeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/cropped-food-g099dce70b_640-32x32.png Unique restaurants Archives - Place To CoolEat https://www.coolplacestoeat.com/category/unique-restaurants/ 32 32 Signature Flavors of Ohio Cuisine https://www.coolplacestoeat.com/signature-flavors-of-ohio-cuisine/ Wed, 06 Mar 2024 12:46:48 +0000 https://www.coolplacestoeat.com/?p=121 From hearty comfort foods to ethnic fusions, Ohio’s culinary landscape captivates locals and visitors alike. The Buckeye State boasts diverse […]

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From hearty comfort foods to ethnic fusions, Ohio’s culinary landscape captivates locals and visitors alike. The Buckeye State boasts diverse restaurant scenes showcasing fresh regional produce, signature dishes, craft beverages and global influences. Exploring Ohio’s distinctive food cultures by neighborhood provides tasty adventures.

Classic Steak and Potatoes

Midwestern cuisine takes pride in top-quality beef and potatoes, favorites locals never tire of. Classic steak houses like Hyatt’s and R V’s Restaurant grill up expertly aged prime cuts. Small town diners and taverns serve satisfying burgers and roast beef sandwiches. Polish Boys feature kielbasa over fries.

And of course, what would a hearty Midwestern meal be without potatoes? Potatoes appear mashed, fried, baked and roasted across the state. Potato skillets and hash browns start days right. Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen makes potato donuts. Ohioans balance meat and potatoes with fresh veggies and salads from local farms. Comforting, filling classics never fall from favor.

Italian Classics

From pizza and pasta to subs and cannoli, Italian restaurants thrive in Ohio hubs like Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton. Local spins on Parmigiano Reggiano meatballs, chicken piccata, and spaghetti and meatballs draw loyal regulars. Pizzerias supply steaming thin or thick crust pies loaded with toppings and cheese.

Italian desserts like tiramisu, gelato and biscotti conclude meals on a sweet note. Upscale Northern Italian restaurants pair Cabernet Sauvignon with Osso Bucco. Casual trattorias offer lasagne and bruschetta with a carafe of Chianti. Whatever the price point, Italian fare from pasta to gelato delivers cherished flavors.

Mexican and Latin Flair

Ohio benefits from a growing Latin American population, with authentic Mexican restaurants blossoming. Mom and pop taquerias serve up tacos al pastor, carnitas, cochinita pibil and handmade tortillas. Chile rellenos, tamales and mole poblano transport diners south of the border. Margaritas and Mexican lagers wash everything down festively.

Salvadoran pupusas, Peruvian ceviche and Brazilian steakhouses add more Latin flair. Food trucks park curbside slinging Mexico City-style tacos and more. Latino groceries stock spices and ingredients to try at home. Vibrant Latin communities generously share their food heritage.

Classic Diners and Drive-Ins

Retro diners and drive-ins remain gems treasured by locals. These laidback eateries sling homestyle blue-plate specials, patty melts, club sandwiches, pie and milkshakes. Swing in for eggs sunny side up, biscuits and country gravy any time of day. Old-fashioned soda fountains serve phosphates, malts and egg creams.

Drive-ins like Swensons peddle double cheeseburgers and onion rings to patrons in cars. Clifton Mill’s old woolen mill houses a mouthwatering bakery downstairs. Legendary Sugarcreek Restaurant draws crowds for Amish cooking. With neon signs and jukeboxes, classic diners deliver nostalgic comfort.

Farm-to-Table Fare

Ohioans increasingly seek restaurants supporting local agriculture and food purveyors. Seasonal menus let fresh produce and meats shine, from sweet corn and berries to grass-fed beef. Upscale establishments like Table 45 in Cleveland creatively transform local ingredients under the guidance of renowned chefs. Others like Brown Bag Deli simply highlight quality local ingredients in sandwiches.

Many restaurants partner with family farms for ingredients or even operate their own gardens. Food cooperatives expand access to sustainably raised meats, eggs and dairy. Menus proudly list the sources supplying that evening’s heirloom carrots, cage-free eggs or dry-aged sirloin. Farm-to-table dining sustains communities.

Brewpubs and Craft Beers

Craft breweries constitute a booming industry across Ohio. Once the beer capital of the world, Cincinnati remains a major hub. But every region celebrates distinctive local brewmasters. Brewpubs pair homemade drafts with burgers, wings and other pub grub. Craft beer trails guide visitors to sample Ohio’s IPAs, sours, stouts and more. After a filling farm-to-table dinner, some opt for a nightcap at the casino trying their luck at live baccarat.

Major cities host festivals showcasing beers and ciders. Restaurants allow build-your-own flights for tasting. Local ingredients even make beer unique, like Great Lakes Brewing using Cleveland honey. Small batches keep improving with originality. Pairing creative brews and meals encourages slowing down to savor.

Amish Country Cooking

Northeast Ohio offers quintessential Amish country cuisine, from made-from-scratch pies to family-style feasts. In Berlin, Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen dishes comforts like pot pie and strawberry rhubarb pie. Der Dutchman serves skillet-fried chicken alongside mashed potatoes with chicken gravy and green beans. Walnut Creek Cheese whips up grilled cheese sandwiches. Elsewhere like Hackman’s Bakery scents the air with fresh cinnamon rolls and other Amish baked goods.

Weekend crowds flock for hearty breakfasts and Amish specialties. Old-fashioned general stores stock jams, pickles and baked items to take home. Simple, delicious cooking the Amish way makes for cherished memories.

Urban Global Flavors

Ohio cities offer culinary diversity rivaling any global destination. Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton feature Chinatowns and Koreatowns with restaurant gems. Little Italy carries on traditions in Cleveland and Columbus. Polish and Serbian ethnic enclaves serve comforting Old World dishes.

In more diverse neighborhoods, mom and pop eateries dish out Ethiopian injera, Brazilian feijoada or Lebanese shawarma platters. Food halls like Cleveland West Side Market gather flavors under one roof. Fusion restaurants blend cuisines into marinated ribs tacos or bulgogi pizza. Sampling leaves taste buds thrilled.

Sweet Indulgences

No trip to Ohio feels complete without giving in to a sweet treat. Iconic ice cream parlors like Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams craft artisan bold flavors using Ohio grass-grazed milk. Graeter’s handcrafts French pot ice creams in small batches. Creamies serve soft serve cones in Cincinnati.

In candy shops, Modaks Chocolates of Columbus invent new confections monthly. Marcia’s Buckeyes whips up their namesake treat using Ohio’s official state tree nut. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus makes cream puffs in German Village. Donut shops supply 24/7 glazed goodness. When a sugar fix calls, Ohio obliges.

Chef-Driven Innovations

Talented chefs drawn to Ohio’s thriving local food scene energize regional dining. Their scratch cooking and fearless flavors take Midwest tradition to new levels. Chef Jonathon Sawyer’s Cleveland restaurants like Greenhouse Tavern pioneered playful small plates and revived the city’s food reputation.

Younger star chefs like Josh Dalton bring fine dining to historical inns via The Merchant in Sharonville. Texas expat Tim Bando resurrected beef ribs in Columbus. Woman-owned June’s Northside kitchen blends Southern cuisine with Ohio sass. Following chefs’ journeys through pop-ups and food trucks to eventual brick and mortars reveals creativity flourishing.

Relaxing Mealtime Rituals

Food lovingly prepared fortifies body and spirit. The communal table at Young’s Jersey Dairy transports guests back to simpler times over family-style fried chicken. Cozy mom and pop restaurants build rapport with regulars. Meals here feel more like reunions with old friends.

Chatting over hearty breakfasts starts days grounded no matter what comes. Slowing down for a long Italian dinner with wine connects us to heritage. Desserts prompt childlike wonder. At its best, dining together nourishes our humanity. Ohio’s one-of-a-kind eateries foster this nourishment through time-honored rituals.

Start Planning Your Taste Tour

Like a quilt of patchwork flavors, Ohio cuisine offers comfort with delightful surprises. Meat and potato staples share space with ethnic emergences and chef originals. Farm-to-table sustainable fare coexists with old-fashioned diners. Whether seeking the familiar or adventurous tastes, Ohio satiates every appetite.

Begin mapping nearby favorites to try or rediscover. Look for the hot new taco counter or hidden pierogi hub. Hit an apple orchard for fresh baked pies. Ask friends for beloved holes in the wall they swear by. Let Columbus-style Jeni’s Salty Caramel gelato melt away stress. Ohio’s diverse culinary treasures await your exploration. Just come hungry and ready to make memories over meals that become lifelong comforts.

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Culinary entertainment is spread across Miami County https://www.coolplacestoeat.com/culinary-entertainment-is-spread-across-miami-county/ Thu, 11 Nov 2021 13:42:00 +0000 https://www.coolplacestoeat.com/?p=79 Food is no longer a side dish to tourism, in many cases it is becoming the main course! It is best served at the regional level, where originality and freshness are the ingredients for success.

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Food is no longer a side dish to tourism, in many cases it is becoming the main course! It is best served at the regional level, where originality and freshness are the ingredients for success.

Miami County contains the seven wonders of foodie travel in Ohio. But it’s no surprise that family-owned specialty shops just know how to give you that extra touch that keeps you coming back again and again. A small town storefront is a joy in itself. Done right, it deserves to be snapped as a keepsake, like a new friend.

Olive Oasis in Troy, Ohio, has that kind of appeal. When you approach it from the sidewalk, you get a Mediterranean feel. Inside, you’re likely to meet its owner, Luke Schlumpf. He is in his early 20s. His mission is to provide the region with the best olive oils and balsamic vinegar. The wide assortment is much fresher than what you are likely to buy in the grocery store. In addition, you can taste dozens of options straight from the Fusti imported from Italy.

Bakehouse Bread & Cookie Company is located to the left of the hypnotic fountain and opposite the town square. Its founder and baker, Margaret Begg, is a true master at baking bread. She first experimented in her rural kitchen, then at the Culinary Institute of America in New York, and then at the National Baking Institute in Minneapolis.

Take a short walk in the countryside and relax against the backdrop of the scenery as you lead the way down a long, shaded road to a quaint little building next to the family home. As soon as you walk in, you’ll be greeted with a warm smile – probably Janet Rissinger’s. Her spice rack in West Milton, Ohio, is like visiting a friend to get that rare herb you know you can’t find anywhere else.

Some private businesses have succeeded. That’s what happened to Trophy Nut. In a residential alley near the center of Tipp City, there is an old brick building that serves as a factory store. Inside, you will feel 50 years of history. The large measuring spatulas used to fill chocolate-covered nuts in transparent containers, the old-fashioned scales for weighing your purchase, and the antique machines that distribute the treats are all relics of a bygone era.

But leave the heavenly confections for later. Now it’s time for a guilty indulgence around the corner at Sweet by Kristy. In front of the pretty shop, there’s a table with a couple of chairs that offers a picturesque view of one of Ohio’s most beautiful cities. Its sidewalks are always filled with pedestrians shopping. Many duck into the smallest spot, and inside, Christy usually has cupcakes in the oven. She says: “the best ingredients make the best cupcakes” and they are made from scratch every day! She even has gluten-free cupcakes. But that’s not all; she also has turtles, caramelized apples, ant pies, bakai, candy, and even dog treats. The place is colorful!

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Donut Trail in Butler County https://www.coolplacestoeat.com/donut-trail-in-butler-county/ Tue, 21 Sep 2021 13:39:00 +0000 https://www.coolplacestoeat.com/?p=76 According to the Butler County Visitors Bureau, Ohio's first and only Donut Trail boasts one of the largest per capita donut shops in the Midwest.

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According to the Butler County Visitors Bureau, Ohio’s first and only Donut Trail boasts one of the largest per capita donut shops in the Midwest.

The Butler County Donut Trail highlights small, family-owned donut shops and invites visitors to explore the county through donuts. With one donut shop for every 17,000 residents, a visit to the local donut shop is a favorite morning tradition in this southwest Ohio community.

The featured Donut Trail locations represent a combined 372 years of donut making experience. With a loyal fan base, Butler County doughnuts inspire loyalty.

“I would drive nine hours to get a Milton’s pink doughnut, and I would… because I live in Chesterfield, Virginia. There’s nothing better than sitting on my back porch with a couple Milton’s and a cup of coffee on a Saturday morning. I wish they had one in Richmond!” said Mike Bogan of Chesterfield, Virginia.

Capitalizing on the enthusiasm for these sweet donut confections was an easy choice for the Butler County Visitors Bureau.

“With the vast number of independent donut shops, creating the Donut Road was a fun way to highlight some of the unique and off-the-beaten-path businesses that make Butler County a great place to live and visit,” said Mark Hackett, Executive Director of the Butler County Visitors Bureau.

There are 12 donut shops participating along the route: Jupiter Coffee & Donuts, Kelly’s Bakery, Martin’s Donuts, Milton’s Donuts, Mimi’s Donuts & Bakery, Oxford Donut Shoppe, Ross Bakery, Stan the Donut Man, Central Pastry, Holman’s Donuts, The Donut House and The Donut Spot. At last count, more than 10,000 people have completed the route, including visitors from more than a dozen different countries, including Alaska and Hawaii.

“Kelly’s Bakery is thrilled to be a part of the Butler County Donut Trail. We can’t wait to welcome people to our store, our city, and our corner of the Midwest,” said Diane Ramsey, owner of Kelly’s Bakery.

The 80-mile Butler County route takes 4.5 hours to complete. A Donut Trail passport is available for donut lovers to register their journey. Each participating donut shop has a sticker with a code. Visitors who complete the passport with all the correct codes will receive a free Donut Trail T-shirt.

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Clays Cafe https://www.coolplacestoeat.com/clays-cafe/ Fri, 17 Apr 2020 13:36:00 +0000 https://www.coolplacestoeat.com/?p=73 Clay's Café in Hebron, Ohio dates back to 1934. Their motto is "homemade with pride". It is a nostalgic small-town diner located in the neighborhood.

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Clay’s Cafe is an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and restaurant.

Clay’s Café in Hebron, Ohio dates back to 1934. Their motto is “homemade with pride”. It is a nostalgic small-town diner located in the neighborhood. The atmosphere is created by the staff – friendly and helpful. And the comment of diners is in one word – delicious!

When West Main Street becomes more of a residential street, there is a modest yellow house with a sign in the foreground with a large colorful image of ice cream. The sign reads…

Pull up the driveway. Behind the house is a graceful yellow brick building with a red brick patio with pretty tables with umbrellas nestled next to floral flower beds. Inside is a historic ice cream parlor and diner.

Earl and Dorothy Cummins opened the Cummins Ice Cream shop here in 1934. The Clay family (Sherman and Evelyn) bought it and renamed it in 1979. And until 1997, it was known as County Fair Foods. They still serve Sherm’s fries, known as the famous “Fair Fries”. Their daughter Glenna and her husband Mark renamed the diner Clay’s Diner in honor of their family’s history and connection to the historic National Road. Today, it’s a place where families from several generations can be heard saying: “My dad used to bring me here when I was a kid.”

But the house specialty only appeared in 2000. Clay’s stromboli ignited the taste buds of a new generation. They fill pizza dough with pepperoni, sausage, and cheese. After it is baked, it is stewed in garlic sauce. And served with their signature pizza sauce.

The menu includes not only these famous fries, stromboli, and ice cream, but also a variety of options. These include classic pizza or pizza made with your own hands. A favorite of visitors is the Zach Susan. It features seasoned grilled chicken with ranch dressing, garlic sauce, and basil smothered in Swiss and mozzarella cheese. Be sure to have a napkin on hand. It’s delicious!

A favorite off the grill is their homemade pulled pork sandwich. This delight is cooked slowly and then drizzled with barbecue sauce on a fried ciabatta roll. It comes with a side of salad, but that salad takes a back seat! The solo, the solo is to die for!

They also offer your sub sandwiches, burgers that you make yourself, and lots of appetizers (try the deep fried cauliflower). The assortment of salads and homemade soups will get you started. And finally, we’ve completed the circle with ice cream, splits, sundaes, cocktails and cakes.

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