Posts from September 2020

There's a reason why Food Network star Guy Fieri chose Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives as the subject of his hit show. The combination of unpretentious decor, friendly service, and delicious food gives these establishments a timeless appeal.

It's no surprise that diners are especially popular in Ohio. Head to these classic eateries around Northeast Ohio, Columbus, and Cincinnati for tasty meals that always hit the spot. 

NORTHEAST OHIO

Guerne Heights Drive-In

3004 Dover Rd., Wooster, OH 44691

 

 

 

 

 

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Opened in 1956, Guerne Heights Drive-In is an authentic mid-20th-century diner. Throughout its history, the restaurant has been owned and operated by local families, adding to the nostalgic feel. Hot dogs and burgers are the main event on the menu, which is rounded out with classic sandwiches such as grilled cheese and BBQ pulled pork. In true '50s style, Guerne Heights Drive-In also serves an incredible variety of ice cream treats, including milkshakes, floats, flurries, and eight types of sundaes. Follow them on Facebook for updates on weekly ice cream flavors and limited-time specials. Guerne Heights Drive-In serves lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday.

Nick's Diner

4116 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113

Nick's Diner takes pride in maintaining the same commitment to quality over the years, but you'd be forgiven for thinking the prices haven't changed either. A breakfast combo of three eggs any style, hash browns or grits, and toast is only $3.95. Most dishes on the menu, including the signature black cast iron skillets, come in huge portions with a price tag of $10 or less. Breakfast and lunch are served every day but Tuesday.

Honeymoon Grille

3458 Manchester Rd., Akron, OH 44319

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Honeymoon Grille (@honeymoongrille) on Aug 20, 2020 at 3:46pm PDT

Don't let the name fool you. Singles, friends, and families will all have a great time at Honeymoon Grille. Once housed in the former Honeymoon Donuts building, the recently remodeled diner boasts a genuine '50s-style dining counter along with the addition of a modern drive-thru window. The extensive menu offers something for everyone, from omelets, French toast, and corned beef hash for breakfast to egg salad sandwiches, French dip, and pork chops for lunch and dinner. Watch their Facebook page for news about all-day fish fries, Pizza Night, and other special events. Honeymoon Grill is open seven days a week, with dinner served after 4 p.m. while breakfast and lunch are available all day.

COLUMBUS

Nutcracker Family Restaurant

63 E. Broad St., Pataskala, OH 43062

Nutcracker Family Restaurant is celebrating its silver anniversary in 2020, but a visit will take you back to the golden days of the 1950s. The name may have a holiday feel, but it's actually a remnant from the restaurant's original incarnation as a candy and dessert shop called Nutcracker Sweets. While the shop has expanded into a full-service diner, it still holds an incredible assortment of nutcrackers in all sizes, shapes, and styles. Play some Chuck Berry on the jukebox while you wait for your meal of meatloaf, chicken Parmigiana, open-face beef sandwich, and other comfort food favorites. Nutcracker Family Restaurant opens bright and early at 7 a.m. every day but Monday.

Tommy's Diner

914 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43222

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Tommy's Diner (@tommysdinercbus) on Aug 30, 2020 at 6:38am PDT

For Tom and Kathy Pappas, Tommy's Diner is truly their American dream come to life. Tom immigrated to Columbus from Greece, while Kathy is the first-generation daughter of Greek parents. The restaurant business is definitely in the family's blood, with younger son Michael working in the diner and older son Louis owning a catering business. How outstanding is their customer service? One guest tells a story about being unable to decide between a Reuben sandwich and an omelet, so the staff made him a Reuben omelet. Visit the website or Facebook page to see the list of daily specials. Tommy's Diner is open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week.

Canal Wigwam

4 S. High St., Canal Winchester, OH 43110

The sign outside the front of Canal Wigwam welcomes you to "The Gathering Place." Canal Wigwam's roots extend all the way back to 1899, when the combination restaurant, bakery, and bowling lane was the place to be for local residents. Over the years, the consistent thread has been a focus on home cooking that warms the heart and stomach. The menu features classic dishes such as chicken and waffles, BLT sandwich, and tuna salad, along with daily specials like baked pork loin and ham and bean soup. Canal Wigwam's website now allows online ordering for pickup. Breakfast and lunch are served daily.

CINCINNATI

Hathaway's Diner

441 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202

 

 

 

 

 

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Breakfast and lunch at Hathaway's Diner has been a downtown Cincinnati tradition since 1956. The iconic checkerboard-style floor, brightly-lit red-and-aqua color scheme, and dining counter create the kitschy, comfy ambiance that's such a traditional element of diners. Goetta, the meat-and-grain sausage uniquely beloved in Cincinnati, is a staple of Hathaway's menu. Other traditional diner favorites include country fried steak, club sandwich, and patty melt. Be sure to save room for a slice of apple pie or a Creamsicle milkshake. Hathaway's is open for business seven days a week.

Sacred Beast Diner

1437 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202

While nostalgia is the name of the game at most diners, Sacred Beast takes the traditional concept and adds a contemporary twist for the 21st century. The decor is clean and elegant, with modern touches such as an open floor plan and floor-to-ceiling windows. Most importantly, the diner's slogan, "Simple Food. Taken Seriously." lets you know you're in for some good eating. The Diner Breakfast is an upscale combo of scrambled eggs, lemon ricotta pancakes, and pork belly, while the European-influenced Dirty French burger is topped with Gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, au poivre sauce, and Mornay. Sacred Beast is open for dinner Thursday and Friday and all day on weekends.

Sugar n' Spice Diner

4381 Reading Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45229

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sugar n' Spice Diner (@eatsugarnspice) on Aug 28, 2020 at 10:38am PDT

In business for 79 years and counting, Sugar n' Spice Diner is clearly doing it up right. Generations of families keep coming back for the cartoon wall art, vividly colored decor, trademark rubber ducks, and quality food. Signature dishes such as Wispy Thin pancakes, Cuddlin' Puppy hot dogs, and Spanish Bull burgers remain largely unchanged since Mort Keller opened the original Reading Road location in 1941. In July, current owner Adam Myerson opened a second location in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood inside a one-time railroad dining car. Both locations are open daily for breakfast and lunch.

Food Is Love

What comfort food classic most reminds you of Mom's home cooking?

Living in Northeast Ohio grants us access to acres of farm-fresh foods, including the oh-so-sweet local honey that we love to drizzle on everything we can. After much taste-testing, we've found that these nine places are the bee's knees for honey in Northeast Ohio.

Jacobs Heritage Farm

2196 Jacoby Rd., Copley, OH 44321

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jennifer (@jacobsheritagefarm) on Aug 27, 2020 at 6:22am PDT

A fourth-generation farm that's been restored and preserved, Jacobs Heritage Farm includes a honey bee preserve. If their name sounds familiar, it's likely because you've seen their honey for sale at markets and stores throughout the area such as Target. A stop at Jacobs Heritage Farm is a must as they have much more than just their raw honey. You can also pick up meat and eggs from their livestock as well as firewood, antiques, plants, natural soaps, and plenty of other locally produced goods.

Heavenly Hill Farm

18375 State Road, North Royalton, OH 44133

Heavenly Hill Farm is well…heavenly! From apple picking and hayrides to pumpkin patch playing, cider tasting, and market strolling, it's easy to spend hours of your weekend at Heavenly Hill Farm with your family. Of course, if you're just looking to pick up a quick batch of honey, you can easily grab a jar fresh from the hive in their market.

Arrowhead Orchard

11724 Lisbon St., Paris, OH 44669

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Northeast Ohio Family Fun (@neohiofamilyfun) on Sep 4, 2019 at 6:03pm PDT

You probably already know Arrowhead Orchard as the home of the crispy and juicy apples Paris residents love, but you should know that their farm produces much more than a single fruit. Along with apples, you'll find delicious raw honey, ciders, homemade goods, sunflowers, vegetables, and other fruits throughout the property. Best of all, in the fall parents can enjoy a leisurely stroll around the market while their children have fun in the corn maze, on a hayride, or engaging in other fun activities.

Sheffield Farms

5100 Richelieu Ave., Sheffield Lake, OH 44054

Sheffield Farms believes that when it comes to knowing exactly what goes into your honey, too many big-name producers say "it's none of your beeswax." The local producers at Sheffield Farms insist that their customers understand what's in – and what's left out of – their honey. Their honeybees are housed according to organic practices and every batch of honey is free of additives, miticides, antibiotics, chemicals, and pasteurization. No matter if you're picking up raw honey, comb honey, propolis, or other beeswax products, you can confidently purchase knowing that their products are as natural as it gets.

Wade's Fruit Farm

12915 Warren Rd., Paris, OH 44669

Wade's Fruit Farm is a pick-your-own farm located in Paris. While they are open throughout the year, their operating hours will vary depending on season and harvest. Blueberries and black raspberries are among their most popular fruit and vegetable offerings but you can usually find their fresh honey, cider, and eggs all year long. We especially love Wade's Fruit Farm because they offer their own unique blueberry honey made from the bees and blueberries that call their farm home. Imagine making blueberry pancakes, blueberry waffles, or blueberry French toast and topping it with delicious blueberry honey.

Kall Christmas Tree Farm

3605 Foskett Rd., Medina, OH 44256

If you've only visited Kall Christmas Tree Farm during the holiday season, then you've been missing out on their year-round supply of honey, beeswax candles, snacks, and other products available in their gift shop. Raw honey, strained honey, wildflower honey, and beeswax candles are just a few things you'll find around their farm, which includes a refreshment stand and cuddly farm animals. While you can stop by throughout the year, Kall Christmas Tree Farm encourages you to call ahead outside of the Christmas tree season so they can ensure that they'll be able to provide you with the specific honey you want.

Plum Creek Farm

66 Station Rd., Valley City, OH 44280

 

 

 

 

 

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For over 100 years, the family at Plum Creek Farm have tended to their land and livestock to produce free-range eggs, meats, jams, honey, and more throughout the year. Their goal is to deliver farmers market quality at prices that allow all residents of Valley City to enjoy a fresh farm to table experience at home. All honey is produced from hives on the farm and all of their animals are raised cage-free with ethical standards and are not fed hormones or antibiotics. A great family farm that's been a staple of Valley City for a century, Plum Creek Farm is one of the best places to sample the freshest foods from Northeast Ohio.

Hamey's Apiary Hives & Honey

6894 Smith Rd., Medina, OH 44256

Would you love to responsibly source honey from your own backyard? Then make a stop at Hamey's Apiary Hives & Honey. Not only do they bottle and sell their own local honey, but they also sell pollen for consumption and bee colonies so you can source your own honey at home. All bees are descended from their own Select Breeder Queens and are able to excel even in the winter months. Sample Hamey's honey then make your own batch! Your support of Hamey's Apiary also helps them donate colonies and host educational events each year.

A Taste of Honey

Do you know of any other sweet places to find local honey around Northeast Ohio? Let us know where we should make a beeline for honey in the comments below.