What do you think?
Unique Eats and Eateries of Ohio: The People and Stories Behind the Food
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 23, 2026
Travel writer, and founder of social media management company, Gleason Media LLC Brandy Gleason is back with a guide to some of Ohio’s best diners, steakhouses, and bakeries.
Gleason evenly covers Ohio geographically—from tiny towns to downtown Cleveland. The range of cuisine is also diverse. Readers will learn about Oaxaca specialties from 3 Brothers Diner (Grove City, OH), Lebanese dining in Toledo, British gastropub in the small town of Enon, and the famous “Wor Sue Gai”, a dish from Ding Ho Restaurant (Columbus, OH), the oldest operating Chinese restaurant in Ohio. Gleason also includes an array of ice cream parlors, a proud staple in the major dairy state.
They describe each establishment in a delightful two-page story that includes insider information about the dining experience, rich history, and charming photos that make the reader wish they were there.
Gleason passionately describes the architecture of these establishments, setting a defined scene for the reader. She does not just encourage readers to try the kebobs and Turkish Coffee at Café Istanbul (Dublin, OH). Gleason describes how the eatery is “set on a hillside overlooking the Scioto River and offers breathtaking views from every seat” (p. 38). Gleason’s description of The Spot (Sidney, OH) rebuilding after a fire is poetic. She recounts “a beauty in Art Moderne style, gleaming with white porcelain tile and topped off with a classic neon sign that’s pure mid-century magic” (p. 144). This appreciation flows throughout as she describes an Italian scratch kitchen in a restored trolley station (Marion, OH), Federal-style architecture of the Levee House Bistro (Marietta, OH), and the decorative kitsch at Mike’s Place (Kent, OH).
The inspirational stories of humble beginnings and community service, resourceful descriptions of food and drinks, and supplementary information about the cities and towns in which these eateries live make this book a brilliant travel companion for the Midwest road tripper.
Gleason evenly covers Ohio geographically—from tiny towns to downtown Cleveland. The range of cuisine is also diverse. Readers will learn about Oaxaca specialties from 3 Brothers Diner (Grove City, OH), Lebanese dining in Toledo, British gastropub in the small town of Enon, and the famous “Wor Sue Gai”, a dish from Ding Ho Restaurant (Columbus, OH), the oldest operating Chinese restaurant in Ohio. Gleason also includes an array of ice cream parlors, a proud staple in the major dairy state.
They describe each establishment in a delightful two-page story that includes insider information about the dining experience, rich history, and charming photos that make the reader wish they were there.
Gleason passionately describes the architecture of these establishments, setting a defined scene for the reader. She does not just encourage readers to try the kebobs and Turkish Coffee at Café Istanbul (Dublin, OH). Gleason describes how the eatery is “set on a hillside overlooking the Scioto River and offers breathtaking views from every seat” (p. 38). Gleason’s description of The Spot (Sidney, OH) rebuilding after a fire is poetic. She recounts “a beauty in Art Moderne style, gleaming with white porcelain tile and topped off with a classic neon sign that’s pure mid-century magic” (p. 144). This appreciation flows throughout as she describes an Italian scratch kitchen in a restored trolley station (Marion, OH), Federal-style architecture of the Levee House Bistro (Marietta, OH), and the decorative kitsch at Mike’s Place (Kent, OH).
The inspirational stories of humble beginnings and community service, resourceful descriptions of food and drinks, and supplementary information about the cities and towns in which these eateries live make this book a brilliant travel companion for the Midwest road tripper.
September 27, 2026
Brandy Gleason did a great job of selecting a variety of restaurants throughout Ohio. I enjoyed reading the history of these eateries, as well as their featured foods which added reasons to get into the car and trek all over Ohio. I highly recommend for those who enjoy finding great places to eat within driving distance.
June 11, 2026
Great book about restaurants in Ohio with their history and places to see in the same towns
June 28, 2026
I really enjoy reading the history of local businesses. As I continue to explore Ohio, I now have a list of amazing local restaurants to visit and places to explore.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews