Traditional Ohio Food: What to Eat in Ohio

Heading to Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, or anywhere in Ohio and not sure what to eat? Here are our picks for the tastiest treats that Ohio has to offer. From Skyline Chili to Frosty's & Fries and so much more. Of course Buckeyes are involved.
Food from Ohio. Traditional Ohioan food. Foodie tour of Ohio. What to eat in Ohio.
Filmed in Ohio on Lake Eerie
Copyright Mark Wolters 2021
Visit Our Amazon Store for Drinkware, cookingware, travel gear, and other necessities of life. www.amazon.com/shop/woltersworld
Follow Jocelyn on Instagram - / jocelynwoltersworld
Follow Simply Jocelyn on Facebook - / simply-jocelyn-a-globa...
Grab Some of Jocelyn's Favorite Kitchen Gear
Ninja Blender/Food Processor - amzn.to/30F4vXZ
Calphalon Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware - amzn.to/30sZ91O
GreenPan Lima Ceramic Non-Stick Griddle - amzn.to/2BNCa77
PriorityChef Mortar and Pestle - amzn.to/3ff4rCd
Silicone Stretch Lids for Keeping Things Fresh - amzn.to/2UvX6pL
Le Creuset Stoneware Butter Crock - amzn.to/2UwIxSV

[@philzail2532]

Cincinnati and Cleveland might as well be in two separate states in many ways.

[@WoltersWorldEats]

Can't disagree with that.

[@degausserrr]

You need to try Swensons Drive-Ins if you haven’t already! It is a local staple, very unique old-school drive-in experience

[@kayd731]

There places are hit or miss. I have been to good and bad ones

[@jooberboober4609]

Good Ice cream in Danville, OH too, at the Velvet Ice Cream Co., at the Ye Olde Mill

[@jefferykovacs4211]

Wendy's started in Dublin ,Ohio! Dave Thomas got a loan from Bob Hope to franchise it in early 70's.

[@bisceg181]

Ohio local and twenty seven years young I love this state with all my heart and would highly recommend a local staple for chili instead of the fast food. Located near cinci called pleasant ridge chili is a spot that converted my taste buds and I was not a big fan of chili! Thank you for showing this state some love! Dayton Strong!!!

[@jeffdarnell4386]

In Cincy we have so many local foods: Cincy chili, goetta, opera cremes, Graeter's ice cream, Aglamesis ice cream and candy, LaRosa's pizza, and double decker sandwiches. We never have to eat at any national chains.

[@kevinsealschott1090]

Don’t forget Montgomery Inn Ribs

[@KevinKarTunes]

goetta is the best!!!

[@offthebeatenpathadventures1348]

The What to Eat videos are my favorites. It's great to know what to eat when you arrive somewhere

[@jena6587]

Thank you and your husband for the great Cleveland shout out! We’re proud of our small little town!

[@WoltersWorldEats]

We absolutely loved Cleveland. Like if it weren't for winter I could live there!

[@jena6587]

@@WoltersWorldEats Come back in August! Sultry and beautiful!

[@bogeysbaby]

Nicely done.

[@coreywatts8183]

I'm about to travel to Ohio and this has been one of the most helpful videos

[@BrewNub]

Honey hut icecream is a must when you visit cleveland

[@larkmacgregor3143]

And Mitchell's. They started out as a Graeter's clone, but they've gotten a lot more original since.

[@sr7312]

All the regional styles of pizza. Johnny Marzetti, which is a basic macaroni casserole. Bob Evans. The pork tenderloin and fishtail sandwiches are fair favorites. Also, pawpaws are an Appalachian thing that are probably actually more known in WV and KY than OH.

[@WoltersWorldEats]

Yummy

[@andreavaughn854]

Fried Goetta balls!!!! I went to Cinci for Oktoberfest, in 2010, with my high school buddy who lived in Indiana. He thought goetta balls were disgusting, but I friggin' LOVED them. Gliers gave me the goetta recipe, but I'm not sure how to make the fried balls. I'm totally finding out how.

[@micaiahgerber1041]

You gotta try ham loaf in kidron Ohio, popular Amish Mennonite meal

[@philipwilliams7947]

Cleveland area is known for Slavic foods. That’s where you want to go for that.

[@thegenerikshow8545]

This is more of a Youngstown OH deal but super unique. Cookie tables at weddings, grad parties, etc. it’s like an add on to the cake table, but completely stands on its own. Also never got into skyline either. Not for everyone.

[@tosht2515]

@4:09 😳👍 Did you see that?! The French fry split in half during the flip but it settled perfectly just before the dip! 😆

[@WoltersWorldEats]

😆 it totally did! Ah, the perfection of Frostys (frosties??) and Fries.

[@ED-lc8qk]

I grew up in Columbus, Ohio and have not heard of most of the things she spoke of. Different things happen in different parts of Ohio.

[@philipwilliams7947]

Say you don’t go anywhere without saying you don’t go anywhere. Lol

[@larkmacgregor3143]

Skyline is definitely an acquired taste. As a Colorado transplant, I can say that if you go in expecting a standard tasting bowl of red - you will not understand what you've just put in your mouth. The originators of Cincinnati "chili" were Greek immigrants, so that is where the spicing originates, not the American southwest. It tastes a lot like Moussaka. So if you like Greek food, you will like Skyline. If Greek food isn't to your taste, then you probably won't like it. On the other hand, I have it from many people that they didn't like it at first, but now they crave it. I'm one of those! I don't think of it as "chili", but it's pretty darn tasty , and sometimes, nothing else will do.

[@SplitrockStudios]

Ohio native, in a perpetual war with my family about Skyline. Wouldn't feed it to my worst enemy.

[@ronniedove2891]

You guys need to check out Bob Evans next time your in Ohio or PA

[@BillGreenAZ]

I love the pot roast sandwich at Bob Evans!!

[@nelsonanthony213]

Hi

[@WoltersWorldEats]

Ronnie, we have one here!

[@tosht2515]

*This was a really fun EATS episode.* I haven’t tried goetta, buckeye candy, The Polish Boy or pierogi covered in Buffalo sauce 🤔😆 so this was especially interesting to me. And I see you went to the Rowley Inn while visiting the house from A Christmas Story. I noticed the *leg lamp!* 😆😆

[@WoltersWorldEats]

The Rowley Inn was my favorite place in Cleveland. Full of locals after the museum closed, we made friends and ate well!

[@brentparks3669]

Krispy Creame donuts also, but not the big chain version, the one in Chillicothe Ohio!

[@eclem3]

Skyline is the bomb!

[@TheDanlovejoy]

you are definitly missing out on great icecream if your in the cleveland area and dont try honeyhut

[@tosht2515]

*corned beef hash* is delicious but my favorite corned beef dish/item is the Reuben. Mmm, mmm. *Skyline* greatly popularized Cincinnati chili so I’m glad you tried their version as a nod to their contribution. *The Polish Boy* - I have yet to try one but kielbasa, fries, slaw and BBQ sauce sounds good to me. 😀

[@WoltersWorldEats]

The Polush Boy is good but I am not a fan of bbq sauce so...

[@Tv-Titan_YT]

@@WoltersWorldEats only in ohio 💀💀💀💀 cannot own a dog in ohio

[@Kristenm28]

Born and raised in Ohio, I've never eaten skyline chili.

[@jerryg2232]

The Kewpee Hamburger, in Lima, is Tops along with a Malt. Dave copied Kewpee.

[@douglan3]

Does anyone actually like Skyline Chili? I never understood the hype. Maybe it's a Cincinnati thing? Not only does Ohio have great ice cream but, we also have great donuts and bagels too! Oh and you absolutely hit the nail on the head about eating local. If it's a national chain, skip it while you're visiting.

[@WoltersWorldEats]

It might be a Cincy thing🤷‍♀️ I like the hint of cinnamon and I love noodles with my chili, it's the crumbly texture that grossed me out....like cat food. 😝

[@davidfrania8990]

Skyline is the first, and only, restaurant in my life where I simply could not eat the food! I tried and tried, but it just grossed me out! So we went to Graeter's for ice cream afterwards and that fixed everything. We still laugh about my Skyline experience to this day!

[@kevinsealschott1090]

If you live here you’ll grow to love it

[@UserName-ts3sp]

eh. i used to really like it as a kid, but it’s not something i really go after as an adult. it’s not bad, just weird

[@demetriusevans4139]

No

[@philipwilliams7947]

Skyline chili is different. If you like sweet/different sauce. I don’t like it because of it. Try it once make your own decision.

[@yrbelite8450]

I wonder why cornbeef is so prevalent here In Ohio. Every other state I go to they hardly have but in Ohio I can get it almost anywhere lol.

[@larkmacgregor3143]

Lots of Irish people and many Jewish delis. 😁 Izzy's is still my favorite (their potato pancakes and kosher half dills are also as good as the corned beef, imho), but up here in Cleveland, you can get Slyman's corned beef both at their restaurants and at many grocery deli counters. It's our go-to for St. Patrick's Day!

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

We love our corned beef and ice cream. We were in Cleveland and had a good time visiting friends doing a little food tour. Brings back good memories. Thanks for the memories Jocelyn. Sending you lots of love😍 Harriet and Jim. Richmond, Va.

[@Luv2tickt]

Pierogi w/ Buffalo Sauce...never would have thought of that! May have to try that with BW's Spicy Garlic! THANK YOU! BTW, with Wendy's new fries, is the fascination still there with the frosty's? I've never understood that one, but hey...I dip my fries in tartar, so...

[@WoltersWorldEats]

Fascination still there! It's the juxtaposition of sweet, salt, hot, cold. Mmmmm

[@marcjsolis]

Three of the best restaurant chains in Ohio in no particular order: Swenson’s Drive-in Melt Bar and Grilled Barrio

[@BrewNub]

Barrio is top tier :P

[@marcjsolis]

@@BrewNub 100%. There aren’t many places around where you can build everything about your order

[@larkmacgregor3143]

I prefer Your's Truly to Swenson's. They are a sit-down place, rather than a drive-in, but you can get carry-out if you want to.

[@marcjsolis]

@@larkmacgregor3143 we’re talking fast food vs sit down here

[@jenniferalbert910]

Central Ohio: great tacos at La Michoacana grocery store, top-rated Al Pastor at Los Gauchos Taqueria on Godown Road, fine dining at Jeff Ruby’s and M at Miranova, amazing diner food at Fitzy’s Diner, pho and banh mi at Buckeye Pho, spectacular hot dogs and funnel cake fries at Dirty Frank’s…the list goes on and on.

[@MrCromocrunch]

Great video! Should’ve picked up some Sauerkraut balls in Akron though!

[@charleshart5563]

Slymans in Cleveland.

[@codydonkey231]

Don't forget about perch fry's, one of my favorite things is going to an all you can eat perch fry

[@WoltersWorldEats]

We've had that in Illinois before. Not too bad

[@charlesdarnay5455]

Yeah, she left out both lake perch and walleye sandwiches. You can't visit anywhere along Lake Erie and not have those.

[@castlecorn593]

You forgot that Cleveland has the best fish, pizza, wings, sandwiches, and soul spots in Ohio by far.

[@charlesdarnay5455]

A lot of these are just fast food chains and not particularly local, and you didn't specify where the real local eats can be found. You missed out on the lake perch po'boy (Port Clinton), the walleye sandwich (anywhere along the Maumee River), Tony Packo's Hungarian sausage and chili (Toledo), the beef and pork rib platters (New Rigel), fried sauerkraut balls with bacon or ham (Cleveland and Akron), the Hofbrauhaus in Cleveland, and Mama Berardi's potato fries (Sandusky, Cedar Point)...?

[@jenniferalbert910]

Omg! You were within a half-mile of our house 🥰🥰🥰 I’m with you on the Buckeyes - didn’t know they existed before moving here but YUM.

[@nelsonanthony213]

Hello Jennifer 👋👋

[@jirayuketwattha7592]

i eat oiho gyatt skibidi rizz toilet in real life it very tasty

[@thomashenley4035]

There's only 2 things I can think of you missed. Swensons Drive In and Saurerkraut Balls which are deep fried golden goodness lol

[@WoltersWorldEats]

Sauerkraut, fried?! What glorious-ness...we must try it next trip! Thanks for the input.

[@BillGreenAZ]

Stoddard's Frozen Custard!! It's way better than ice cream, IMO. Also, Cleveland's Little Italy has some of the best Italian food I've had anywhere.

[@shaeneo_official]

how do people eat in ohio?

[@yrbelite8450]

Don’t forget YOUNGS DAIRY!

[@DS40764]

My goodness. My favorite foods: ices cream chocolate, peanut butter and popcorn-and corn beef. A girl from Hs, now lives in Ohio, I should visit her.

[@WoltersWorldEats]

I particularly like Cleveland and the food there was excellent.

[@nelsonanthony213]

Hello Deborah 👋

[@Neonman69420]

Down in Ohio, Swag like Ohio

[@frankisfunny2007]

You can find quite a bit of good places that serve pierogies, and kilbasa in Pennsylvania, as well. (Those who don't know what pierogies are, it's a stuffed dumpling with potato, cheese, (if you want) onions. I do put Old Bay seasoning on my pierogies, but don't add too much.) There's quite a bit of Polish immigration since the American Civil War in Pennsylvania. Specifically in Luzerne County. So, some Polish restaurants here as well.

[@tetsuyohasakirashishiwakam2218]

I'm from Columbus, Ohio, currently been living in Sao Paulo, Brazil for the past 7 months. My wife is from Brazil. As I'm sure you know, there are no Wendy's in Brazil, and I really miss it a lot!! I miss Buckeyes too!! Great video!

[@People_of_the_Mouse]

Happy Comfest! And I miss the north market.

[@WoltersWorldEats]

But you have Brigadiero!!! And mousse de maracuja!! 💛

[@mimi.w667]

Where is the kielbasa & pirogi and chicken paprikash from in this video ? You never said the place?

[@WoltersWorldEats]

I actually don't remember. We don't typically talk about specific restaurants unless they are tried-and-true-been-around-forever kind of places. I'd hate to recommend a place and it shut down or be under new management and not as good as I'd said, ya know?

[@People_of_the_Mouse]

The first Wendy’s is gone. Used to be across from the Borden building.

[@FelixNathanielTPring]

food in ohio

[@aaront936]

You won't find geotta outside of Cincinnati.

[@DS40764]

Oh , how were the prices?

[@douglan3]

As a native Clevelander, the prices in downtown Cleveland can be a bit higher than in the outlying areas, as I think most cities are similar when it comes to prices downtown. However, you can typically find something in any price range. Most restaurants will also show the prices of their menu items on their websites. If you're in Cleveland and are really hungry there's a good chance you can find a quick, cheap bite from a hot dog vendor for around $2.00 - $3.00.

[@mateomoreno6125]

I’m from Ohio

[@Tv-Titan_YT]

cant eat food in ohio 💀💀💀

[@bradb3248]

Hi Jocelyn, I’m an Ohio guy who just doesn’t get the Skyline thing either. Have you tried the new Wendy’s fries, have great memories of my mom taking me and my brother to Wendy’s when they first opened. Haven’t had for awhile but Buckeyes are awesome, Graeters is my favorite, black raspberry chip! thanks

[@WoltersWorldEats]

I've not had them! Shot this vid several months ago. I hope the new fries are still string enough to dip in frostys.

[@TripHacksDC]

Had a funny situation on one of my tours recently where two guests were arguing over whether buckeyes are great or terrible. Turns out one was talking about the nut and the other about the candy 😂

[@WoltersWorldEats]

😆😆😆😆 stop! I might pee pants laughing at that!

[@TripHacksDC]

@@WoltersWorldEats 😆😂🤣

[@ravincent000]

Marion’s, Cassano’s, or Joe’s. Dayton style pizza is where it’s at.

[@CombatWychi]

Where’s Toledo ???

[@WoltersWorldEats]

My husband spent his summers visiting Toledo. His grandfather lived there.

[@juliethomas3087]

Northern border with Detroit

[@theresa8956]

FYI the Buckeye is a nut, not a seed.

[@tosht2515]

Actually, Jocelyn is correct. Buckeyes are seeds not nuts.

[@nelsonanthony213]

Hello Theresa 👋

[@texasbbq3191]

God, all this video did was make me miss my home state of Texas.

[@eddydirtville]

Skyline isn't all that. To tell you the truth, it just sucks...

[@c71score]

Don't forget Kahn's hot dogs and JTM meats. Go Reds!!!!

[@willynilly_in_Ohio]

SCHMIDTS IN GERMAN VILLAGE

[@atimetokeep1136]

Skyline Chili is not popular in Columbus. Its really just a Cincinnati thing. Honestly its just gross.

[@tyshayedwards5808]

Wait wait im not even tryna watch this vid it just the fact that… Traditional Ohio foods: Skyline Chili 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Are they really a tradition im askin as an Ohioan.

[@jadenpollard8014]

I live in ohio...what is a "paw paw"😭

[@sr7312]

A fruit you will only find in the Appalachian counties. They don't ship well at all and are terrible until very late in the fall.

[@esquiredan2702]

Pierogies, kielbasa, and dutch apple crisp desert. That's the pinnacle. Get that chili/spaghetti junk out of here. Cincinnati is practically Kentucky, anyway...

[@WoltersWorldEats]

😆

[@wncjan]

Everything sounds delicious besides the Wendy's thing. I haven't eaten at a Wendy's since 2010. My son and I had lunch at a Wendy's in Idaho. We both had chicken and we both got sick after a couple of hours, and had to block the restroom at a gas station in Island Park for a couple of hours. After that no more Wendy's for me. 😬😬😬

[@jena6587]

Skyline is horrible! Not a fan from northern Ohio

[@robynkilianek7822]

Please forget about skyline chili no one likes that place..

[@christianoliver3572]

They put cinnamon in chili?? That's just not right!!

[@Chelseyandfam]

Lifelong Ohioan here: never heard of that before!!!

[@jeffdarnell4386]

Yes. It's not officially chili; it's a Greek meat sauce over spaghetti with cheese.

[@christianoliver3572]

@@jeffdarnell4386 Is it similar to the tomato sauce part of pasticcio? Now that might be good!! I'm referring to the part of that dish that's hanging out with the pasta underneath the bechamel sauce. If I remember correctly it has both cinnamon and nutmeg.