I spent the better part of the last two weeks of a 2016 road trip with my friends, the Miami Meat Machine. We stayed five days in Columbus, Ohio. I would return in 2019 with Marcela during my book signing tour.
This year, as part of the Camacho Bold Burger Battle, we drove through Ohio to Indianapolis from Detroit. We spent a few nights in Troy.
There are many burger joints left to explore in Ohio, and when I do, you can bet this list will be updated.
Burger Beast Visits Ohio Table of Contents
CINCINNATI
American Sign Museum
April 9th, 2017 – I love vintage signs, so stopping at the American Sign Museum (1330 Monmouth Ave, Cincinnati) was a must. However, don’t expect many small signs since this museum is full of giant ones.
We left particularly enamored with the vintage McDonald’s neon featuring their former mascot, Speedee.
Price Hill Chili
April 9th, 2017 – Price Hill Chili (4920 Glenway Ave, Cincinnati) was chosen as the restaurant to try some real-deal Cincinnati chili. Marcela and I were starving, so our starter was a cup of chili.
The chili was enjoyable, but it’s the coney dogs I was dreamin’ about eating; no mustard this time on the wieners, just straight-up coney sauce and diced onions.
These fellas were phenomenal, so mission accomplished.
Graeter’s Ice Cream
April 9th, 2017 – We couldn’t leave town without Graeter’s Ice Cream (11511 Princeton Pike, Cincinnati). Marcela and John got cones while I enjoyed a couple of scoops of their creamy salted caramel with chocolate chips.
As a bonus, they sell Barq’s Red Creme Soda, which isn’t available in our home state of Florida, and we obsess over it.
COLUMBUS
B Spot
March 19th, 2016 – On our first night in Columbus, we went to B Spot (5091 N. Hamilton Rd., Columbus) by Chef Michael Symon. This dude has four South Beach Wine & Food Festival Burger Bash wins.
I attended the Burger Bash, where he won with the Fat Doug (topped with slaw, pastrami, stadium mustard & Swiss cheese).
I thought, here’s an opportunity to try a larger version of the slider I enjoyed a few years back; great burger. In addition, the Stadium Brat (beer brat with griddled onions & stadium mustard) and chocolate shake w/Kahlua are worth ordering; you will love them.
Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace
March 20th, 2016 & March 22nd, 2016 – We stopped at Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace (248 South 4th St, Columbus) twice. Still, I preferred what I ordered the first time around.
What was that? A chili dog (meat coney sauce, diced onions, yellow mustard & cheddar cheese), Puff The Magic Popper & the Cincinnati 4-Way (spaghetti, meat coney sauce, cheddar cheese, chopped onions, jalapeños & sriracha sauce drizzle).
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream
March 20th, 2016 – After hitting up Dirty’s Franks, we knew that dessert in the form of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream (59 Spruce Street, Columbus) was in our future. A couple of salted caramel scoops on a house-made waffle cone were excellent.
Tim Hortons Cafe and Bake Shop
March 20th, 2016 – Our visit to Tim Hortons (1135 Dublin Road, Columbus) was a spur-of-the-moment decision since I couldn’t eat there five years ago in New York. Colella chose a Boston Creme; I ordered a few Timbits (bite-sized donuts) with a cup of joe. The snacks worked, and we were off to Raising Cane’s.
Raising Cane’s Chicken Tenders
March 20th, 2016 – I’m not sure how we did it, but we each got a chicken tender platter at our fourth restaurant in a row. I’ve got a significant weakness for chicken tenders and knew I needed this in my life.
There are many chicken tender restaurants around Northern Florida and near college campuses in the Southeastern states; Raising Cane’s (2823 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus) ranks right near the top.
The Thurman Cafe
March 20th, 2016 – As punishment for leaving Gerther & Isaac behind on the four-stop excursion, they head out to the Thurman Cafe (183 Thurman Ave, Columbus). Isaac not only dares to order the Thurmanator (lettuce, tomato, mayo, American cheese, provolone cheese, ham, sautéed onions, mushrooms, bacon, cheddar cheese, hot peppers & 2 – 12 ounce burger patties), but he eats the entire thing.
The worst part is we’ll never hear the end of it from him.
White Castle Headquarters
March 21st, 2016 – I was invited to White Castle Headquarters before the building was torn down and rebuilt.
May 14th, 2019 – Three years later, I was in town for a book signing at the same spot, but it was in a different building.
Pastimes Pub & Grill
May 12th, 2019 – Marcela wanted nachos and a couple of drinks after a long day of antiquing. Pastimes Pub & Grill (121 E Campus View Blvd, Columbus) was right across the street from the hotel we were staying in and fit the bill.
I was looking for a snack, and the ham & cheese called out to me. The fries had some tasty seasoning on ’em, and the added bacon to my sando tied the whole meal together.
Eating ham & cheese sandwiches is a lifelong passion, and this one did not disappoint.
Pablo’s Havana Cafe
May 14th, 2019 – What a find, Cuban comfort food in Powell, near Columbus, Ohio.
DUBLIN
Wendy’s Headquarters
March 22nd, 2016 – The good folks from White Castle introduced me to the Wendy’s people, and the next thing I knew, I was visiting Wendy’s Headquarters.
Max & Erma’s
May 15th, 2019 – Many years ago, I ran across an auction website selling everything from one of the closed Max & Erma’s restaurant locations. I loved the decor and made sure to remember the name of the regional chain for our next visit to Ohio.
While on my book signing tour, we stopped at the Max & Erma’s (7480 Sawmill Road) in Dublin, Ohio. After walking around and enjoying the decor, it came time to order some grub.
My eyes stopped at Cola BBQ Bacon Burger Cheddar while perusing the menu. This beauty brings caramelized cherry cola onions, smoked bacon & crisp onion straws drizzled with cherry cola BBQ sauce on a toasted brioche bun.
F’n great.
Unfortunately, this Max & Erma’s location was one of the many victims of the 2020 pandemic.
Swensons Drive-In
May 15th, 2019 – I had plans to visit Swensons Drive-In back in 2016, which fell through. In 2019, Marcela and I happily ate our food in our car.
GAHANNA
Gahanna Grill
May 16th, 2019 – Titus and I wanted to hit up a restaurant from the Hamburger American book while we were both in Ohio. We both agreed on Gahanna Grill.
GREENVILLE
Jim’s Drive-In
June 20th, 2022 – On our way to Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe, a DM on Instagram suggested we stop at Jim’s Drive-In (100 Martz St, Greenville). Jim’s Drive-In sounded promising, and a Spanish Hot Dog and a cold root beer could open up our appetites.
I was right.
It was my second Spanish Dog ever, and the tomato-heavy meat sauce with some vinegar was a different kind of chili in a good way. And the root beer? That fella was served a cold mug, so there were no complaints on this side of the table.
Jim’s Drive-In
100 Martz Street
Greenville, OH
(937) 548-5078
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063991936210
Monday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe
June 20th, 2022 – I’ve often dreamt of eating at Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe. Unfortunately, the inside of the restaurant has been closed for a few years now.
Marcela was driving, allowing me to overthink my order while waiting in the drive-thru. While the Big Jim Sandwich sounded like a great idea, sticking to a Maid-Rite and a Cheese-Rite was what we were here to eat.
Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe
125 N Broadway Street
Greenville, OH
(937) 548-9340
Website – https://www.maidrite-greenville.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/the_maidrite_greenville_ohio
Monday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Dairy King
June 20th, 2022 – On our way out of town, we spotted Dairy King. Alright, that is not true. We saw Dairy King on the way in, but we had pressing food matters.
And we had a soft serve swirl for the win.
Dairy King
805 Martin Street
Greenville, OH
(937) 459-5021
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/GreenvilleDairyKing
Monday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
LIMA
Kewpee Hamburgers – Downtown
March 21st, 2016 – I collect Kewpee Hamburgers memorabilia and ephemera, so our stop made my day.
Kewpee Hamburgers – East
May 17th, 2019 – Another Kewpee Hamburgers fix, so I returned a few years later, plus I was here for a book signing.
MILLERSPORT
Roxy’s Pizza
March 23rd, 2016 – We laid low on the last night in the Columbus area and picked up some pizza, cheese bread, and a chicken parm hero from Roxy’s Pizza (12110 Lancaster St, Millersport). It’s a solid neighborhood pizza joint.
Hometown Hotdogs
March 23rd, 2016 & May 15th, 2019 – I was with the Miami Meat Machine on my first visit, so it was a full-on lunch stop. The return three years later was strictly for breakfast and to catch up with Kim Oxley, the owner of Hometown Hot Dogs.
TOLEDO
Green Lantern, Rudy’s Hot Dog & White Tower
May 12th, 2019 – Green Lantern looked cool, but closed that day. However, I did make it to Rudy’s Hot Dog and White Tower.
TROY
Frisch’s Big Boy
June 19th, 2022 – We arrived early at Frisch’s Big Boy (20 Troy Town Dr, Troy). Usually, I’m not opposed to having a burger for breakfast, but Frisch’s Breakfast Big Boy caught ever roving eye.
This sandwich was a pleasant surprise early in the morning: 1/4 of lb. sausage, cheese, pickle, a fried egg, crispy bacon, and Frisch’s Original Tartar Sauce on a double-decker bun.
I was happily stuffed; maybe too early for a nap?
B-K Root Beer
June 19th, 2022 – There were more than 200 B-K Root Beer (2780 Stone Circle Drive, Troy) restaurant locations around the midwest. This drive-in is one of thirty independently owned restaurants (in Indiana, Michigan & Ohio) left.
B-K Root Beer popped my Spanish Dog cherry. I washed it down with a root beer float; skipping out on one at B-K Root Beer would be criminal.
B-K Root Beer’s Spanish Dog is one of the best chili-esque dogs I’ve encountered.
K’s Hamburger Shop
June 20th, 2022 – Much like the Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe, K’s Hamburger Shop (117 E Main Street, Troy) lived on my Burger Bucket List for way more years than I care to admit. Unfortunately, we were leaving Troy that morning, which left a small window for K’s.
Marcela slept in, so I showed up at the 8 AM opening time, ready for some burgs. K’s Hamburger Shop was exactly what I was hoping for and more.
I washed down my cheeseburger and a double cheeseburger with an ice-cold cola, and an hour later, we were on our way to Indianapolis.
So basically you are on a seefood diet.