Ohio’s Top 9 Legendary Restaurant Dishes

Ohio’s food scene is packed with dishes that locals rave about and visitors travel miles to taste. From Cincinnati’s unique chili to Cleveland’s Polish favorites, these iconic meals have stood the test of time. The Buckeye State’s restaurant legends aren’t just meals – they’re delicious pieces of Ohio’s history and culture that keep people coming back for more.

1. Skyline Chili’s 3-Way

Cincinnati-style chili stands apart from its Texan cousin with a unique blend of cinnamon, chocolate, and Mediterranean spices. Skyline Chili, founded in 1949, perfected this regional specialty with their famous 3-Way: a plate of spaghetti topped with their signature meaty chili and a mountain of finely shredded cheddar cheese.

Locals don’t consider it properly served unless the cheese completely covers the chili beneath. First-timers are often surprised by the sweet-savory flavor profile and the fact that Cincinnatians eat this chili with oyster crackers and hot sauce.

The dish inspires fierce loyalty among Ohioans who’ve moved away, with many requesting Skyline care packages during holidays. The restaurant serves over two million pounds of cheese annually just for this iconic dish!

2. Slyman’s Corned Beef Sandwich

Standing tall in downtown Cleveland since 1964, Slyman’s Restaurant has transformed the humble corned beef sandwich into an edible monument. Each sandwich comes stacked impossibly high with warm, tender corned beef that’s been slow-cooked to perfection – easily reaching three inches in height.

The meat is carved to order right at the deli counter where customers can watch the magic happen. Served on fresh rye bread with simple condiments that don’t overshadow the star ingredient, this sandwich has attracted presidents, celebrities, and food critics from across the country.

Morning lines often stretch around the block, especially on St. Patrick’s Day when the restaurant serves thousands of these iconic sandwiches. Many customers insist you haven’t truly experienced Cleveland until you’ve attempted to fit your mouth around a Slyman’s masterpiece.

3. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus Bahama Mama

In Columbus’ historic German Village, Schmidt’s Sausage Haus has been serving their signature Bahama Mama sausage since 1967, earning it legendary status among Central Ohio food lovers. This spicy, all-beef and pork sausage gets its distinctive flavor from a secret blend of spices that hints at Caribbean influences while honoring German traditions.

Served on a steamed bun with sauerkraut and Schmidt’s own sweet-hot mustard, the Bahama Mama offers the perfect balance of heat, smokiness, and juicy satisfaction. The sausage snaps when you bite into it, revealing a coarsely ground interior with the perfect amount of fat for flavor.

Featured on multiple food shows and named one of the “20 Most Iconic Food Destinations Across America” by the Food Network, this sausage draws visitors from across the country. Many Columbus natives who’ve moved away make it their first stop when returning home.

4. Tony Packo’s Hungarian Hot Dog

Made famous when M*A*S*H character Corporal Klinger (played by Toledo native Jamie Farr) mentioned it on national television, Tony Packo’s Hungarian hot dog has been a Toledo institution since 1932. Unlike typical American hot dogs, this unique creation features a Hungarian sausage topped with the restaurant’s secret-recipe chili sauce, mustard, and shredded cheese.

Served alongside pickles and their famous sweet-hot peppers, the dish represents a delicious fusion of Hungarian and American flavors. The restaurant’s walls are covered with hot dog buns signed by celebrities who’ve visited, creating a quirky museum of pop culture around this beloved food.

The original Front Street location maintains its vintage charm, drawing tourists and locals alike. Despite changing ownership over the decades, the recipe remains unchanged – a testament to the saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” that has kept generations coming back.

5. Thurman Cafe’s Thurmanator Burger

Columbus’ Thurman Cafe created a monster that has become the ultimate challenge for hungry Ohioans – the legendary Thurmanator burger. This colossal creation starts with a 12-ounce patty topped with mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickle, banana peppers, bacon, cheddar, another 12-ounce patty, sautéed mushrooms, onions, ham, mozzarella, and American cheese.

Standing nearly 6 inches tall and weighing over two pounds, the Thurmanator requires both hands, plenty of napkins, and often a strategic plan of attack. The German Village establishment has been family-owned since 1942 and rarely changes anything about their beloved burgers.

Featured on Man v. Food and countless social media challenges, this burger has become a rite of passage for Ohio State students and visitors to Columbus. The cafe doesn’t offer prizes for finishing – the bragging rights and commemorative photo on their wall of fame are reward enough.

6. Camp Washington Chili’s 5-Way

Operating 24 hours a day (except Sundays) since 1940, Camp Washington Chili has elevated Cincinnati-style chili to an art form with their perfect 5-Way. Building on the 3-Way foundation of spaghetti, chili and cheese, this version adds kidney beans and diced onions for a complete flavor experience that has earned the restaurant a James Beard America’s Classic Award.

The chili itself features a distinctive spice blend with hints of cinnamon, allspice, and chocolate, simmered for hours to develop deep flavor. Unlike most chilis, it’s specifically designed to top spaghetti rather than stand alone in a bowl.

Owner Johnny Johnson still works in the kitchen most days, ensuring quality remains consistent. The restaurant serves over 1,000 pounds of cheese weekly, with many regulars visiting multiple times a week for their chili fix – proof that some food obsessions never fade.

7. Melt Bar & Grilled’s Parmageddon

Cleveland’s Melt Bar & Grilled transformed the humble grilled cheese into an over-the-top culinary experience with their signature Parmageddon sandwich. Named after nearby Parma, Ohio, this monstrous creation stuffs a thick grilled cheese sandwich with potato pierogi, fresh napa vodka kraut, and sharp cheddar – creating a carb-loaded homage to Northeast Ohio’s Polish-American heritage.

The buttery, perfectly grilled bread develops a satisfying crunch that gives way to gooey cheese and soft pierogi centers. Each sandwich weighs nearly a pound and comes with hand-cut fries, making it a challenge to finish in one sitting.

Founder Matt Fish started with one location in 2006 and has since expanded across Ohio, with lines often stretching out the door on weekends. The restaurant’s cult following includes the “Melt Tattoo Family” – customers who receive 25% off for life after getting a Melt-themed tattoo.

8. Swensons Drive-In’s Galley Boy

Since 1934, Akron’s Swensons Drive-In has been serving their signature Galley Boy – a unique double cheeseburger that has developed an almost cult-like following across Northeast Ohio. The magic happens when two smashed beef patties are topped with not one but two special sauces: a sweet, smoky BBQ sauce and a tangy mayo-based sauce that creates a perfect flavor combination.

Served on a toasted bun with a signature olive on top, the Galley Boy arrives wrapped in wax paper delivered by actual running servers – the restaurant has maintained its classic carhop service style with no indoor seating. Even LeBron James has publicly proclaimed his love for these burgers.

Swensons refuses to franchise or change their winning formula, maintaining the exact same cooking techniques and ingredients for nearly 90 years. The burgers are still made to order, with the meat delivered fresh daily.

9. G.D. Ritzy’s Peanut Butter Shake

Columbus old-timers get misty-eyed talking about G.D. Ritzy’s peanut butter shakes, a frozen delight that has survived decades of changing food trends. Made with real ice cream hand-dipped from visible freezers, these shakes combine premium vanilla ice cream with generous scoops of real peanut butter for a thick, creamy texture that barely makes it up the straw.

Founded in 1980 as a nostalgic throwback to 1950s diners, Ritzy’s distinctive green-roofed buildings became local landmarks. Though many locations closed in the 1990s, loyal fans kept the remaining stores in business, coming back specifically for these legendary shakes.

The shake comes served old-school style – in a tall glass with the metal mixing cup on the side containing the excess shake that wouldn’t fit. Employees still mix each shake individually on vintage machines, refusing to cut corners on what has become a Columbus tradition.