10 Local Ohio Eats Worth The Journey For Foodies

Ohio’s culinary landscape is a hidden treasure trove that combines Appalachian, Amish, Eastern European, and classic Midwestern influences. From savory comfort foods to sweet treats with historical roots, the Buckeye State offers remarkable dining experiences that rarely make national headlines. These local eateries and signature dishes represent authentic Ohio flavors that showcase the state’s diverse cultural heritage and regional specialties.

1. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus Cream Puffs

The half-pound cream puffs at Schmidt’s Sausage Haus in German Village have achieved legendary status among Columbus locals. These massive pastries feature a light, airy shell filled with rich vanilla cream and topped with a generous dusting of powdered sugar.

The Schmidt family has been serving these sweet giants since 1886, maintaining the same recipe for five generations. Each puff is handmade daily in small batches, often selling out before closing time.

While Schmidt’s is primarily known for authentic German sausages and schnitzels, these cream puffs have developed their own following. Food Network has featured them multiple times, with visitors often planning their entire Columbus trip around experiencing these iconic desserts.

2. Tony Packo’s Hungarian Hot Dogs

Made famous by M*A*S*H actor Jamie Farr, Tony Packo’s Hungarian-style hot dogs have been a Toledo institution since 1932. These aren’t your average franks – they’re spicy Hungarian sausages topped with the restaurant’s signature sweet-hot chili sauce and sprinkled with shredded cheese.

Served on fresh-baked buns with a side of their famous pickles and chips, these dogs represent Toledo’s rich Eastern European heritage. The walls of the original Front Street location are covered with hot dog buns signed by celebrities who’ve visited over the decades.

Family-owned for generations, Tony Packo’s has expanded to multiple locations while maintaining its authentic recipes. The restaurant’s chili sauce and pickles are so beloved they’re now sold in grocery stores throughout the Midwest.

3. Slyman’s Corned Beef Sandwich

Cleveland’s sandwich royalty can be found at Slyman’s Restaurant, where the towering corned beef sandwiches have been drawing crowds since 1964. These monsters feature nearly a pound of thinly-sliced, house-brined corned beef stacked impossibly high between two slices of rye bread.

The Slyman family still uses their original Lebanese-influenced recipe, slow-cooking the beef for hours until it’s tender enough to melt in your mouth. During lunch rush, the line often stretches out the door and down the block.

Presidents, celebrities, and food critics have all made pilgrimages to this downtown Cleveland institution. The restaurant maintains a no-frills atmosphere with the focus squarely on the quality of their signature sandwich, which many locals consider the best corned beef outside of New York City.

4. Graeter’s Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Handcrafted since 1870, Graeter’s Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip ice cream represents the pinnacle of Cincinnati’s sweet traditions. Using a French Pot process that makes just two gallons at a time, this family-owned company creates incredibly dense, creamy ice cream unlike mass-produced varieties.

What makes their signature flavor extraordinary are the massive chocolate chunks scattered throughout the rich black raspberry base. These aren’t mere chips but substantial pieces created by pouring melted chocolate into the ice cream during the final mixing stage, creating irregular “chips” that can sometimes be the size of a chocolate bar.

Oprah Winfrey once named it her favorite ice cream, causing nationwide shipping orders to skyrocket overnight. Cincinnati natives who move away often report that this specific ice cream is what they miss most about home.

5. Barberton Fried Chicken

Serbian immigrants brought this distinctive style of fried chicken to Barberton in the 1930s, creating what locals now proudly call “Barberton-style” chicken. Unlike Southern varieties, this chicken is lard-fried with no breading – just a dusting of flour, salt, and paprika – resulting in a uniquely crispy, ruddy exterior while keeping the meat incredibly juicy.

Traditionally served with hot rice (actually spicy Serbian rice pilaf), vinegar-based coleslaw, and “hot sauce” (a tomato-rice soup, not a condiment), this meal represents Ohio’s industrial immigrant heritage.

The original restaurants – Belgrade Gardens, White House Chicken, and Hopocan Gardens – still operate today. Food historians consider Barberton a must-visit destination for anyone studying American regional cuisines. On weekends, these chicken houses serve thousands of meals, with some families maintaining four-generation traditions of Sunday chicken dinners.

6. Amish Country Fry Pies

In the rolling hills of Holmes County – home to the largest Amish settlement in the world – roadside stands and bakeries offer a portable treat that’s become synonymous with Amish country: fry pies. These half-moon pastries feature flaky dough wrapped around fruit fillings like apple, cherry, or peach, then deep-fried and glazed.

Originally created as practical, portable desserts for field workers, these hand-held pies don’t require refrigeration or utensils. Local bakeries like Miller’s in Charm and Hershberger’s Farm & Bakery in Millersburg sell thousands weekly to visitors seeking authentic Amish treats.

Unlike commercially produced hand pies, these Amish versions use lard in the crust for exceptional flakiness and feature homemade fillings often made with fruit from nearby orchards. The contrast between the crisp exterior and soft, sweet filling makes them irresistible to travelers exploring Amish country.

7. Skyline Chili 3-Way

Cincinnati’s most famous culinary export began with Greek immigrant Nicholas Lambrinides in 1949. His unique chili – spiced with cinnamon, chocolate, and other unexpected ingredients – created an entirely new regional food style that locals fiercely defend against outsider criticism.

The signature dish is the “3-Way”: a bed of spaghetti topped with Skyline’s thin, fragrant chili and finished with a mountain of finely shredded cheddar cheese. Add onions for a 4-Way or beans for a 5-Way.

First-timers are often surprised by the sweet-spicy flavor profile and soupy consistency. Cincinnati natives living elsewhere frequently request care packages of canned Skyline. The city hosts more than 250 chili parlors, but Skyline remains the standard-bearer with its distinctive blue and white storefronts. Food anthropologists study Cincinnati chili as a perfect example of immigrant cuisine evolving into a distinct regional tradition.

8. Grandpa’s Cheesebarn Aged Cheddar

What started as a small cheese counter in 1978 has grown into a beloved Ohio institution that draws cheese lovers from across the Midwest. Grandpa’s Cheesebarn in Ashland specializes in naturally aged cheddars that develop increasingly complex flavors over 3, 5, 7, or even 12 years of careful aging.

Their signature sharp cheddars offer a crumbly texture and intense flavor that mass-produced versions can’t match. The family-run business still hand-selects each wheel and monitors the aging process in their on-site caves, maintaining traditional methods rarely seen in modern cheese production.

Located just off I-71 between Cleveland and Columbus, the barn-shaped store has become a mandatory stop for road-trippers. Beyond cheese, they offer house-made mustards, smoked meats, and local honey, creating a complete Ohio artisan food experience that showcases the state’s dairy heritage.

9. Waldo’s Famous Bologna Sandwich

This working-class favorite is elevated to cult status throughout Ohio. The classic preparation features a thick-cut slab (nearly an inch thick) of all-beef bologna that is grilled until the edges are nicely charred, then layered with cheese, pickles, and onions on a soft bun.

This humble sandwich, often considered a desperation meal elsewhere, inspires deep passion in the Buckeye State.

While the famous version once served at the G&R Tavern in Waldo is no longer available (the tavern has closed), you can still experience a fantastic example of this regional comfort food. For a hearty, authentic take on a classic Ohio diner meal, we recommend trying the Fried Bologna Sandwich at The Thurman Cafe in Columbus, Ohio.

10. Jeni’s Splendid Brown Butter Almond Brittle Ice Cream

Before artisanal ice cream became trendy nationwide, Jeni Britton Bauer was pioneering innovative flavors in Columbus. Her Brown Butter Almond Brittle flavor – featuring butter that’s carefully browned to develop nutty, caramel notes – represents the creativity that made Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams a national sensation.

What makes this ice cream special is the technique: Jeni developed a unique base without egg yolks, using cream cheese and corn syrup to create an exceptionally smooth texture. The handmade almond brittle is folded in while still warm, creating pockets where the candy slightly melts into the ice cream.

The original North Market location remains a Columbus landmark where visitors can taste test multiple flavors. Jeni’s commitment to Ohio producers means many ingredients come from local farms and producers, making each scoop a showcase of Ohio’s agricultural bounty.