Just like you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, you shouldn’t judge a restaurant’s cuisine by its building’s appearance. All throughout the state of Ohio are what some might call “hole in the wall” restaurants serving up unexpectedly delicious food. If you love finding these hidden gem sort of eateries, then you’ll want to pay a visit to the following restaurants (listed in no particular order). They’re what we consider to be 11 of the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Ohio.
- The Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe (Greenville)
The Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe/Facebook
Luke B./Yelp “Home of the famous Maid-Rite, Cheese-Rite and Big Jim,” this unsuspecting sandwich shop upholds a strange tradition. Visitors stick their chewing gum outside along the “Wall of Gum” and come inside for what is arguably Ohio’s best loose meat sandwich. (Pictured: Big Jim.) This unusual eatery is located at 125 N Broadway St., Greenville, OH 45331.
- Remo’s Hot Dogs (Gallipolis)
Andy B./Yelp For just $4.25 you can get a footlong (complete with a secret family sauce), chips and a drink. This delicious hot dog joint is the perfect stop along a road trip. Remo’s Hot Dogs is located at 241 2nd Ave., Gallipolis, OH 45631.
- Uptown Grill (Athens)
Uptown Grill/Facebook
Uptown Grill/Facebook This walk up window is a late night favorite for Ohio University students. Stop by for lunch, dinner or a late night chicken and waffle sandwich. It is located at 11 W Union St., Athens, OH 45701.
- Sand Bar (Huron)
Holly M./Facebook
Holly M./Yelp While the staples of this unsuspecting bar and American restaurant are pizza, burgers and perch, the Sand Bar also features a full menu and exceptional, home-cooked specials you don’t want to pass up. It is located at 54 McKinley St., Huron, OH 44839.
- Funday’s: The Root Beer Stand (New Philadelphia)
Fundays, The Root Beer Stand/Facebook
Charity H./Yelp This unsuspecting drive-in diner is a true gem. The Cheeseburger with Grilled Onions (pictured) and the Creamed Chicken sandwich are popular options here. Funday’s is located at 1345 4th St. NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.
- Oler’s Bar & Grill (Findlay)
Oler’s Bar and Grill/Facebook
Oler’s Bar and Grill/Facebook This “hole in the wall” Mexican restaurant is a family owned and operated diamond in the rough. The Tex-Mex here is out of this world, as are their margaritas. Oler’s Bar & Grill is located at 708 Lima Ave., Findlay, OH 45840.
- Tilton Hilton (Lakeview)
Tilton Hilton/Facebook Where the burgers are bigger than your head and the floors are tilted, this local favorite is a fun, quirky stop after a day on Indian Lake. You can even dock your boat right alongside the restaurant. Tilton Hilton is located at 10861 Country Rd, 293, Lakeview, OH 43331.
- Bagel Street Deli (Athens)
Bagel Street Deli-Athens, Ohio/Facebook
Laura C./Yelp You’ll never eat a bagel the same again after you experience what a bagel can truly be, thanks to this unique deli in Athens, which features several signature bagel sandwiches. Bagel Street Deli is located at 27 S Court St., Athens, OH 45701.
- Leaning Tower of Pizza (Mansfield)
Brannon C./Yelp
Chris P./Yelp For exceptional pizza and subs that keep you coming back for more, visit the Leaning Tower of Pizza at 180 Lexington Ave., Mansfield, OH 44907.
- Windward Passage Restaurant (Upper Arlington)
Ellen F./Yelp
Jared E./Yelp The dark dining room makes you feel like you’re under the sea while you’re enjoying the best shrimp cocktail and seafood dish of your life. (Pictured: Surf n’ Turf.) Windward Passage Restaurant is located at 4739 Reed Rd., Columbus, OH 43220.
- Crabill’s Hamburger Shop (Urbana)
Crabill’s Hamburger Shop/Facebook
Keith B./Yelp Now in its third generation of local owners, this tiny burger joint —with just eight dine-at-the-counter seats—appropriately specializes in tiny burgers. (White Castle’s sliders will make you laugh after you’ve dined here.) Crabill’s Hamburger Shop is located at 727 Miami St., Urbana, OH 43078.
Have you been to any of these restaurants? Would you consider them to be the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Ohio? What other “hole-in-the-wall” restaurants in Ohio would you recommend? Share your opinions and experiences with us!
The Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe/Facebook
Luke B./Yelp
“Home of the famous Maid-Rite, Cheese-Rite and Big Jim,” this unsuspecting sandwich shop upholds a strange tradition. Visitors stick their chewing gum outside along the “Wall of Gum” and come inside for what is arguably Ohio’s best loose meat sandwich. (Pictured: Big Jim.) This unusual eatery is located at 125 N Broadway St., Greenville, OH 45331.
Andy B./Yelp
For just $4.25 you can get a footlong (complete with a secret family sauce), chips and a drink. This delicious hot dog joint is the perfect stop along a road trip. Remo’s Hot Dogs is located at 241 2nd Ave., Gallipolis, OH 45631.
Uptown Grill/Facebook
This walk up window is a late night favorite for Ohio University students. Stop by for lunch, dinner or a late night chicken and waffle sandwich. It is located at 11 W Union St., Athens, OH 45701.
Holly M./Facebook
Holly M./Yelp
While the staples of this unsuspecting bar and American restaurant are pizza, burgers and perch, the Sand Bar also features a full menu and exceptional, home-cooked specials you don’t want to pass up. It is located at 54 McKinley St., Huron, OH 44839.
Fundays, The Root Beer Stand/Facebook
Charity H./Yelp
This unsuspecting drive-in diner is a true gem. The Cheeseburger with Grilled Onions (pictured) and the Creamed Chicken sandwich are popular options here. Funday’s is located at 1345 4th St. NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.
Oler’s Bar and Grill/Facebook
This “hole in the wall” Mexican restaurant is a family owned and operated diamond in the rough. The Tex-Mex here is out of this world, as are their margaritas. Oler’s Bar & Grill is located at 708 Lima Ave., Findlay, OH 45840.
Tilton Hilton/Facebook
Where the burgers are bigger than your head and the floors are tilted, this local favorite is a fun, quirky stop after a day on Indian Lake. You can even dock your boat right alongside the restaurant. Tilton Hilton is located at 10861 Country Rd, 293, Lakeview, OH 43331.
Bagel Street Deli-Athens, Ohio/Facebook
Laura C./Yelp
You’ll never eat a bagel the same again after you experience what a bagel can truly be, thanks to this unique deli in Athens, which features several signature bagel sandwiches. Bagel Street Deli is located at 27 S Court St., Athens, OH 45701.
Brannon C./Yelp
Chris P./Yelp
For exceptional pizza and subs that keep you coming back for more, visit the Leaning Tower of Pizza at 180 Lexington Ave., Mansfield, OH 44907.
Ellen F./Yelp
Jared E./Yelp
The dark dining room makes you feel like you’re under the sea while you’re enjoying the best shrimp cocktail and seafood dish of your life. (Pictured: Surf n’ Turf.) Windward Passage Restaurant is located at 4739 Reed Rd., Columbus, OH 43220.
Crabill’s Hamburger Shop/Facebook
Keith B./Yelp
Now in its third generation of local owners, this tiny burger joint —with just eight dine-at-the-counter seats—appropriately specializes in tiny burgers. (White Castle’s sliders will make you laugh after you’ve dined here.) Crabill’s Hamburger Shop is located at 727 Miami St., Urbana, OH 43078.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 125 N Broadway St, Greenville, OH 45331, USAAddress: 241 2nd Ave, Gallipolis, OH 45631, USAAddress: 11 W Union St, Athens, OH 45701, USAAddress: 54 Mc Kinley St, Huron, OH 44839, USAAddress: 1345 4th St NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, USAAddress: 708 Lima Ave, Findlay, OH 45840, USAAddress: 10861 Co Rd 293, Lakeview, OH 43331, USAAddress: 27 S Court St, Athens, OH 45701, USAAddress: 180 Lexington Ave, Mansfield, OH 44907, USAAddress: 4739 Reed Rd, Columbus, OH 43220, USAAddress: 727 Miami St, Urbana, OH 43078, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurants In Ohio January 03, 2020 April Dray What are the best mom and pop restaurants in Ohio? There are several mom and pop restaurants in Ohio that are worthy of a weekend road trip. From nostalgic diners to upscale bakeries, there’s a little something for everyone. Some of the best locally owned and operated restaurants to visit when you’re craving comfort food or breakfast include The Blueberry Cafe in Bellbrook, Nutcracker Family Restaurant in Pataskala, and Collier’s Family Restaurant in Springfield. There are also several hometown burger joints in Ohio you can’t go wrong with, such as Carl’s Townhouse in Chillcothe and K’s Hamburger Shop in Troy. For a list of some exceptional mom and pop restaurants in Ohio, check out our previous article here. What are some of the oldest restaurants in Ohio? The oldest restaurants in Ohio are more than 200-years-old. The Golden Lamb in Lebanon is Ohio’s oldest continuously operated hotel and restaurant. It was established in 1803 and features antique furnishings, themed dining rooms and historic rooms upstairs where famous individuals such as Harriet Beecher Stowe and several U.S. Presidents have stayed. Other historic restaurants in Ohio worthy of a road trip include The Buxton Inn Restaurant in Granville and Spread Eagle Tavern & Inn in Hanoverton. For a list of some of Ohio’s oldest restaurants, check out our previous article here. Where are the best dive restaurants in Ohio? Some of the best dive restaurants in Ohio are the small town diners and drive-ins that have stood the test of time, serving up exceptional burgers and breakfast with a side of nostalgia. Nancy’s Main Street Diner in Grafton and The Spot To Eat in Sidney are great options. You’ll even find some solid big city options such as Schmucker’s in Toledo and The Root Beer Stand in Cincinnati. For a list of some of the best drive-ins and diners in Ohio, check out our previous article here.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurants In Ohio
January 03, 2020
April Dray
What are the best mom and pop restaurants in Ohio? There are several mom and pop restaurants in Ohio that are worthy of a weekend road trip. From nostalgic diners to upscale bakeries, there’s a little something for everyone. Some of the best locally owned and operated restaurants to visit when you’re craving comfort food or breakfast include The Blueberry Cafe in Bellbrook, Nutcracker Family Restaurant in Pataskala, and Collier’s Family Restaurant in Springfield. There are also several hometown burger joints in Ohio you can’t go wrong with, such as Carl’s Townhouse in Chillcothe and K’s Hamburger Shop in Troy. For a list of some exceptional mom and pop restaurants in Ohio, check out our previous article here. What are some of the oldest restaurants in Ohio? The oldest restaurants in Ohio are more than 200-years-old. The Golden Lamb in Lebanon is Ohio’s oldest continuously operated hotel and restaurant. It was established in 1803 and features antique furnishings, themed dining rooms and historic rooms upstairs where famous individuals such as Harriet Beecher Stowe and several U.S. Presidents have stayed. Other historic restaurants in Ohio worthy of a road trip include The Buxton Inn Restaurant in Granville and Spread Eagle Tavern & Inn in Hanoverton. For a list of some of Ohio’s oldest restaurants, check out our previous article here. Where are the best dive restaurants in Ohio? Some of the best dive restaurants in Ohio are the small town diners and drive-ins that have stood the test of time, serving up exceptional burgers and breakfast with a side of nostalgia. Nancy’s Main Street Diner in Grafton and The Spot To Eat in Sidney are great options. You’ll even find some solid big city options such as Schmucker’s in Toledo and The Root Beer Stand in Cincinnati. For a list of some of the best drive-ins and diners in Ohio, check out our previous article here.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are several mom and pop restaurants in Ohio that are worthy of a weekend road trip. From nostalgic diners to upscale bakeries, there’s a little something for everyone. Some of the best locally owned and operated restaurants to visit when you’re craving comfort food or breakfast include The Blueberry Cafe in Bellbrook, Nutcracker Family Restaurant in Pataskala, and Collier’s Family Restaurant in Springfield. There are also several hometown burger joints in Ohio you can’t go wrong with, such as Carl’s Townhouse in Chillcothe and K’s Hamburger Shop in Troy. For a list of some exceptional mom and pop restaurants in Ohio, check out our previous article here.
What are some of the oldest restaurants in Ohio?
The oldest restaurants in Ohio are more than 200-years-old. The Golden Lamb in Lebanon is Ohio’s oldest continuously operated hotel and restaurant. It was established in 1803 and features antique furnishings, themed dining rooms and historic rooms upstairs where famous individuals such as Harriet Beecher Stowe and several U.S. Presidents have stayed. Other historic restaurants in Ohio worthy of a road trip include The Buxton Inn Restaurant in Granville and Spread Eagle Tavern & Inn in Hanoverton. For a list of some of Ohio’s oldest restaurants, check out our previous article here.
Where are the best dive restaurants in Ohio?
Some of the best dive restaurants in Ohio are the small town diners and drive-ins that have stood the test of time, serving up exceptional burgers and breakfast with a side of nostalgia. Nancy’s Main Street Diner in Grafton and The Spot To Eat in Sidney are great options. You’ll even find some solid big city options such as Schmucker’s in Toledo and The Root Beer Stand in Cincinnati. For a list of some of the best drive-ins and diners in Ohio, check out our previous article here.
