This Epic 3-Day Restaurant Road Trip In Ohio Is A Delicious Adventure
What could be better than an Ohio restaurant road trip? From the traditional American favorites to authentic international cuisine, The Buckeye State has some pretty delicious restaurants. If you’d like to experience some of the best of the best of Ohio’s restaurants, then this journey is for you. The total trip takes a little more than 11 hours of drive time, which can easily (and ideally) be done in three days. We’ve included a link to the Google map here.
We begin our trip in northeast Ohio with an iconic Cleveland eatery, but the trip is designed as a loop so that you can start with whatever restaurant is closest to you. Enjoy…
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/brunch 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 the website for Slyman’s Restaurant in Cleveland.
All aboard the Buckeye Express Diner for a late lunch. Just off of Interstate 71, you'll find this iconic not-your-average diner. (Note: Michigan fans must park across the street.) Buckeye Express Diner is located at 810 State Rt. 97 W., Bellville, OH 44813. Check out Buckeye Express Diner's website to learn more.
3. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant (Columbus)
Spend the night in Ohio's capitol city and treat yourself to a truly unique dinner experience. In addition to the best genuine German cuisine around, this historic restaurant has an animated atmosphere complete with live German music on certain nights. You can also find this popular eatery in Columbus' German Village at 240 E Kossuth St., Columbus, OH 43206. To learn more, visit the website for Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant.
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. Check out Casa Nueva's website to learn more.
With slow, southern cooked meats and sides made from scratch every day, this family owned and operated smokehouse serves up some exceptional barbecue. Pictured is "The Mad Dog" with pulled smoked chicken, beef brisket and pulled pork, topped with grilled onions, sauce and creamy signature cole slaw. Seven Miles Smokehouse is located at 285 E 7th St., Chillicothe, OH 45601. To learn more, visit the website for Seven Miles Smokehouse in Chillicothe.
Ohio’s oldest continuously operated hotel in Lebanon holds a unique dining experience, complete with antique furnishings and historic rooms upstairs where famous individuals such as Harriet Beecher Stowe and U.S. Presidents have stayed. Enjoy a delicious dinner here and stay for the night. The Golden Lamb Inn is located at 27 S Broadway St., Lebanon, OH 45036. Visit The Golden Lamb's website to learn more.
Both literally and figuratively, this is the spot to eat in Sidney. What started out as a chuck wagon more than 100 years ago is now a stationary old fashioned eatery that will make you feel like you've temporarily stepped foot into a Happy Day's episode. The Spot To Eat is located at 201 S Ohio Ave., Sidney, OH 45365. To learn more, visit the website for The Spot To Eat.
Within the fictionalized setting of "Glee," this signature fast food joint in Lima has three locations that serve up the city's best burgers. french fries and malts. Check out the Kewpee Hamburgers website to learn more.
End your restaurant tour of Ohio with chili dogs for dinner. For a truly epic chili dog, check out this iconic hotdog joint, with multiple locations in Toledo. A strange tradition of displaying autographed hotdog buns began here in 1972 when Jamie Farr of M*A*S*H signed a bun. While that bun is no longer in existence, today the cafe proudly showcases Styrofoam bun look-alikes signed by various celebrities, including five U.S. presidents. The original Tony Packo's is located at 1902 Front St., Toledo, OH 43605. To learn more, visit the website for Tony Packo’s in Toledo.
What do you think of this Ohio restaurant road trip? Are there any local eateries you would add to the list? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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Address: 810 OH-97, Bellville, OH 44813, USA
Address: 240 E Kossuth St, Columbus, OH 43206, USA
Address: 6 W State St, Athens, OH 45701, USA
Address: 285 E 7th St, Chillicothe, OH 45601, USA
Address: 27 S Broadway St, Lebanon, OH 45036, USA
Address: 201 S Ohio Ave, Sidney, OH 45365, USA
Address: 2111 Allentown Rd, Lima, OH 45805, USA
Address: 1902 Front St, Toledo, OH 43605, USA
Address: 3106 St Clair Ave NE, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Ohio restaurant road trip
November 17, 2020
Elisa Regulski
What are the best restaurants in Ohio?
With various locations scattered throughout the state, Melt Bar And Grilled is one of the best restaurants in Ohio. This comfort food restaurant serves the most delicious grilled cheese sandwiches you’ve ever eaten, and it’s perfect for the whole family! If you’re looking for an elegant dining experience, visit The Golden Lamb in Lebanon. This historic restaurant is both gorgeous and scrumptious.
April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.
