Posts from March 17th, 2021
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9 Ohio Restaurants With Ties to the Past
Food is more than simply fuel for our bodies. Throughout the years, cultures have defined, and been defined by, cuisines that reveal much about a specific time and place.
Get a fascinating glimpse into how Ohio's past ties into its present with a visit to one of these historic restaurants in Northeast Ohio, Columbus, and Cincinnati.
Johnny's Bar
3164 Fulton Rd., Cleveland, OH 44109
Despite the unassuming name, Johnny's Bar is a true icon among Northeast Ohio restaurants. Its roots go back to the glamorous days of the 1920s when Louise's Garden became a top dining destination. The name changed in 1952, but the restaurant continued to offer upscale Northern Italian cuisine and impeccable four-star service. Thanks to the addition of heaters, you can enjoy filet au Poivre and pasta Putanaise on the stunning courtyard year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended. Hours are 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Thursday, 11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Saturday.
Spread Eagle Tavern
10150 Plymouth St., Hanoverton, OH 44423
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More than 150 years ago, Hanover was a thriving commercial port as well as a major stop on the historic Underground Railroad. During that lively era, the Spread Eagle Tavern was constructed by many of the same artisans who had worked on the Sandy & Beaver Canal. The upscale menu includes traditional favorites such as beef Wellington, pan-seared elk, and Maryland crab cakes. Reservations are strongly recommended. Lunch and dinner are served seven days a week, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Gunselman's Tavern
21490 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park, OH 44126
Legend has it that whiskey salesman Henry J. Gunselman acquired the bar that bears his name in 1936 when the previous owner couldn't pay the liquor bill. What's not in dispute is that Gunselman's Tavern serves up the best burgers in town, prepared old-school style in a cast-iron skillet. In addition to menu mainstays such as Black & Bleu and the Beast, "Gunny's" offers a special Burger of the Month. Order online for curbside pickup or delivery. Gunselman's is open 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily except Sunday when doors close at 9 p.m.
Schmidt's Sausage Haus
240 E. Kossuth St., Columbus, OH 43206
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In Central Ohio, the Schmidt name has a long and illustrious association with food. The family-owned company, started in 1886 by German immigrant J. Fred Schmidt, includes a meat-packing plant, fair concession business, and Schmidt's Sausage Haus. With their signature sausage platters and authentic dishes such as cabbage rolls and weinerschnitzel, Schmidt's is still one of the most popular destinations in German Village. Hours are 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily.
The Old Mohawk
819 Mohawk St., Columbus, OH 43206
Ghosts of bootleggers past keep watch over The Old Mohawk, which is rumored to have begun life as a speakeasy during the 1920s. Mohawk's famed turtle soup is a tradition from those days of old, when the ill-fated turtles were supposedly raised in the building's basement. In addition to the soup, the restaurant's signature meatloaf, and chorizo and beef lasagna are available as family dinners for four to serve at home. Mohawk is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., with extended hours until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
94th Aero Squadron Restaurant
5030 Sawyer Rd., Columbus, OH 43219
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Aviators played a crucial role during World War II, and one of the most famous was Columbus native Eddie Rickenbacker, whose 94th Aero Squadron gave the restaurant its name. Situated between runways of the Port Columbus Airport, the restaurant is located in a 1917 French farmhouse filled with military memorabilia. The steakhouse-style menu includes the finest quality cuts of beef along with a selection of classic side dishes. Hours are 4 - 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, with brunch served on Sunday from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Arnold's Bar and Grill
210 E. Eighth St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
At a sprightly 150+ years old, Arnold's Bar and Grill is the oldest tavern in Cincinnati, but it wears its age well. The old-school fixtures blend with new additions such as the courtyard dining area and music stage. Arnold's signature Greek spaghetti, made with olives, bacon, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, has been a fixture on the menu since 1957. In a nod to the present, the Sean Evans Hot Ones burger is a tribute to a trendy YouTube celebrity. Hours are 4 - 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 4 - 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Mecklenburg Gardens
302 E. University Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45219
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The prominence of Mecklenburg Gardens extends far beyond Cincinnati. In 1976, the restaurant was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it's been recognized as one of the top beer gardens in the country by sources such as Travel + Leisure and Thrillist. The charming building, with its canopy of decades-old grapevines, dates back to 1865. Customer favorites include the sauerkraut balls and portabella spaetzle, especially when paired with one of the German beers on tap. Hours are 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant
1000 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant may be part of Cincinnati's history, but they bring the flavor of the Deep South to the Buckeye State. The restaurant's Canal Room refers to the building's location near the site of the once-thriving Miami-Erie Canal, while the original lagering cellars beneath the room are a regular stop on walking tours of the city. Menu highlights include shrimp and grits, Cajun grilled snapper, and Southern-fried oysters. Hours are 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday.
Changing Times and Tastes
What food did you hate as a kid that you just love as an adult?
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