9 Restaurant Lines Around Ohio That Are So Worth Standing In

When you spot a line out the door, that's usually a clear sign that something amazing is hiding inside. Here in Ohio, we have several restaurants that are hard to find seating for, simply because the food is the star of the show. From upscale Italian restaurants to unsuspecting diners and dives, the following are 9 restaurant lines around Ohio that are so worth standing in. See how many you've been to before and which ones belong on your dining bucket list. These are some of the most popular restaurants in Ohio, and it's easy to understand why.

1. Slyman’s Restaurant (Cleveland)

This downtown Cleveland eatery is home to the best corned beef you can find in Ohio. (Fun fact: This beloved breakfast and sandwich joint appeared on Rachael Ray's "$40 a Day.") An early lunch around 11 a.m. is recommended here to avoid the lunch rush. Slyman's is located at 3106 St Clair Ave. NE, Cleveland, OH 44114. To learn more, visit their website here.

2. Kewpee Hamburgers (Lima)

This signature fast food joint in Lima has three locations that serve up the city's best burgers, french fires and malts. There's usually always a wait at the drive-thru during lunch or dinner time, so we recommend going inside if you're pressed for time. To learn more, visit their website here.

3. Tom's Ice Cream Bowl (Zanesville)

Since 1950, Tom's Ice Cream Bowl has served up the area's best homemade ice cream. Its homey, 1950's style makes it a nostalgic stop for many. (You can't go wrong with any flavor here but if you like nuts on your sundae, definitely get them. Their nuts are roasted fresh daily and all of their toppings are processed in-house.) Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl is located at 532 McIntire Ave., Zanesville, OH 43701. To learn more, visit their website here.

4. Casa Nueva Restaurant & Cantina (Athens)

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this beloved Athens eatery features the area's best Mexican cuisine, made with fresh, local ingredients. On the weekends, business really picks up, so expect a wait. If the wait is too long for you, we suggest grabbing a seat on the bodega side. Casa Nueva is located at 6 W State St., Athens, OH 45701. To learn more, visit their website here.

5. G & R Tavern (Waldo)

With a population of just a little more than 300, the tiny village of Waldo in Marion County is unexpectedly hiding a delicious secret. G & R Tavern is a must-stop when you're in the area. For more than 50 years, it's been the village's best spot to eat. The signs here don't lie; this modest, seat-yourself, no-frills tavern is home to the best bologna sandwich in the world. G & R Tavern is located at 103 N Marion St., Waldo, OH 43356. To learn more, visit their website here.

6. Boyd and Wurthmann Restaurant (Berlin)

Boyd and Wurthmann Restaurant in Berlin, Ohio isn’t just home to some delicious home-cooked meals and local history, it’s also home to some of the best made-from-scratch pies in the state of Ohio. What was once a grocery store in the 1930s is now a beloved Amish restaurant that locals and visitors alike can't get enough of. It's not uncommon to see a line out the door here. You'll find it at 4819 East Main St., Berlin, OH 44610. To learn more, visit their website here.

7. Hot Chicken Takeover (Columbus)

The "juicy, perfectly fried chicken, that's rubbed with a secret cayenne-infused paste" is what keeps the customers coming back for more at Hot Chicken Takeover in the North Market. (This homestyle eatery also offers free sweet tea and house made syrup and ranch with every order.) The line forms fast, but the line also moves fast. Once the fresh, 100% local chicken is gone, it's gone, so be sure to get in line in plenty of time here. Hot Chicken Takeover is open Wednesday - Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is located at 59 Spruce Street in Columbus on the second floor of the North Market. To learn more, visit their website here.

8. Z Cucina di Spirito (Columbus)

With more than 750 reviews, this upscale Italian restaurant earned the #1 spot out of 1,957 restaurants in Columbus on Trip Advisor. (Pictured above: Housemade Mozzarella Caprese.) It is unbelievably gorgeous and is located at 1368 Grandview Ave., Columbus, OH 43212. To learn more, visit their website here.

9. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus und Restaurant (Columbus)

For the best German cuisine in Ohio (and a friendly ghost sighting or two), go to 240 E Kossuth St., Columbus, OH 43206. A true classic, this German Village restaurant has been around since 1886. The bratwurst and cream puffs are out of this world. To learn more, visit their website here.

How many of these classic restaurants in Ohio have you been to? Let us know in the comments below!

For more amazing historic restaurants in Ohio, check out our previous article: The Historic Restaurant That’s Been Around Since Ohio First Became A State.