13 Hole-In-The-Wall Ohio Soul Food Restaurants That Locals Swear Taste Just Like Home
Ohio might be famous for its buckeyes and roller coasters, but the real treasure lies in its hidden soul food spots scattered across Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and beyond.
These unassuming restaurants serve up the kind of comfort food that reminds you of Sunday dinners at grandma’s house, complete with perfectly seasoned collard greens and crispy fried chicken that crackles with every bite.
Local families have been keeping these culinary secrets to themselves for years, but it’s time to let the cat out of the bag and share where Ohioans go when they’re craving authentic, soul-warming meals that feed both body and spirit.
1. Carbry’s BBQ & Soul Food — Cleveland
Walking past this Cleveland neighborhood gem might seem ordinary until the aroma of perfectly seasoned fried chicken hits your nose and stops you dead in your tracks. Carbry’s has mastered the art of comfort food without any fancy frills or pretentious plating.
The portions here could feed a small army, which explains why regulars often leave with enough leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch. Locals consistently rank the fried chicken among the best in the entire city, praising its crispy coating and juicy interior.
The casual atmosphere makes everyone feel like family, whether you’re a first-timer or a weekly regular. Service comes with genuine smiles and the kind of warmth that makes good food taste even better.
2. CMB Soul Food — Cleveland
Family recipes passed down through generations form the backbone of this beloved takeout spot that keeps Cleveland’s soul food traditions alive and thriving. CMB operates with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine, getting hot, satisfying meals into hungry hands faster than you can say mac and cheese.
The homemade-style plates taste exactly like what your auntie would serve at a family reunion, complete with that secret seasoning blend nobody will share. Busy workers and families alike depend on CMB for quick meals that never sacrifice flavor for speed.
Everything gets prepared fresh daily, ensuring each bite delivers maximum comfort and nostalgia. The no-nonsense approach focuses purely on great food without unnecessary extras.
3. Zanzibar Soul Fusion — Cleveland
Long before food fusion became trendy, Zanzibar was already blending traditional soul food with creative twists that keep customers guessing and coming back for more. The signature soul rolls have achieved legendary status among Cleveland foodies who appreciate inventive takes on classic appetizers.
Smothered meats arrive at your table swimming in rich, savory gravies that beg to be sopped up with cornbread or biscuits. The unpretentious setting puts all the focus where it belongs, squarely on the soulful entrees that have kept this spot thriving for years.
My cousin swears their oxtails are better than our grandmother’s, though I’d never admit that out loud at family gatherings. Prices remain reasonable despite the restaurant’s growing reputation across the city.
4. Soul 2 Go — Columbus (Downtown)
Downtown Columbus workers have discovered the perfect antidote to boring lunch breaks at this fast-moving counter that cranks out soul food with impressive speed and consistency. Soul bowls pack all your favorite comfort foods into one convenient container, perfect for eating at your desk or on a park bench.
The fried chicken special changes daily, giving regulars something new to look forward to throughout the week. Lines form quickly during lunch rush, but the efficient staff keeps things moving smoother than butter on hot grits.
Portions strike that sweet spot between satisfying and reasonable, leaving you full but not uncomfortably stuffed for afternoon meetings. The grab-and-go format works perfectly for busy professionals.
5. CJ’s Soul Food — Lewis Center / Columbus Area
Suburban soul food might sound like an oxymoron, but CJ’s proves that authentic Southern cooking thrives just fine outside the city limits. Generous portions ensure nobody leaves hungry, with plates piled so high they practically defy the laws of physics and gravity.
Classic Southern flavors shine through every dish, from the tangy collard greens to the creamy, cheesy mac that stretches when you lift your fork. The friendly, community-centered vibe makes this spot feel more like a neighbor’s kitchen than a restaurant.
Families celebrate birthdays here, coworkers grab lunch together, and friends meet up for comfort food that tastes like childhood memories. The welcoming atmosphere keeps Lewis Center residents loyal.
6. LaGlory’s Soulfood Café — Columbus
Old-school charm radiates from every corner of this cozy Columbus kitchen where traditional recipes get the respect and attention they deserve. Smothered pork chops arrive tender enough to cut with a fork, covered in gravy that could make a vegetarian reconsider their life choices.
Collard greens simmer low and slow until they reach that perfect texture somewhere between tender and substantial. The mac and cheese gets baked until the top forms a golden crust while the inside stays creamy and indulgent.
Home-style favorites fill the menu from top to bottom, offering zero surprises but maximum satisfaction. Regular customers have their usual orders, though exploring the full menu reveals consistent quality across every dish.
7. 6 ‘N The Mornin’ — Cincinnati
Beating the weekend breakfast crowd at this Cincinnati favorite requires either waking up early or accepting your fate in a line of hungry locals who know good food when they smell it. Southern-style breakfasts here go way beyond basic eggs and bacon, incorporating soul food elements that make mornings worth celebrating.
The name hints at the ideal arrival time, though the place stays packed well into the afternoon on Saturdays and Sundays. Soul staples like grits, salmon croquettes, and smothered potatoes transform breakfast into a proper feast rather than just fuel for the day ahead.
I once waited forty minutes for a table and regretted nothing after tasting their catfish and grits combo. The beloved status among locals speaks volumes.
8. Soul Secrets — Cincinnati (OTR)
Over-the-Rhine might be known for its trendy restaurants and craft breweries, but Soul Secrets keeps things refreshingly real with straightforward comfort food that needs no Instagram filter. Fried chicken here achieves that elusive combination of extra crispy exterior and impossibly moist interior that makes people wonder if magic was involved.
Soulful sides complement the main dishes perfectly, with each one prepared from scratch using recipes that have stood the test of time.
Warm service makes every customer feel like an honored guest rather than just another order number. The small space fills up quickly with a big local following that treats this spot like their personal secret. Word spreads slowly in OTR, but quality always finds its audience.
9. Southern Grace Eats — Cincinnati (Norwood)
Modest appearances can be deceiving, as proven by this Norwood gem that puts all its energy into scratch-made classics rather than fancy decor or marketing gimmicks. Southern Grace Eats operates on a simple philosophy that great ingredients plus time-tested techniques plus plenty of heart equals food worth traveling for.
Scratch-made means everything from the cornbread to the desserts gets prepared fresh in-house without shortcuts or compromises. The comforting home-cooking style reminds diners of meals prepared by people who actually care whether you enjoy your food or not.
Flavor profiles hit all the right notes without being too salty, too sweet, or too anything except delicious. Norwood residents consider themselves lucky to have this treasure.
10. Side Piece Soul Café — Dayton
Hidden gems earn their status by delivering quality that exceeds expectations, and Side Piece accomplishes this mission with every generous platter that leaves the kitchen. Creative menu items add unexpected variety to traditional soul food offerings, giving adventurous eaters something to get excited about.
Passionate local fans defend this spot with the kind of loyalty usually reserved for sports teams or favorite relatives. Soul food platters arrive loaded with proteins, sides, and extras that make you question whether the kitchen understands the concept of portion control.
The playful name hints at the fun atmosphere inside, where good food and good vibes go hand in hand. Dayton’s food scene benefits greatly from this hidden treasure that punches above its weight class.
11. Soul Food Carryout — Dayton (West Third St.)
Grab-and-go convenience meets serious Southern cooking at this small West Third Street shop that proves takeout can be just as good as dining in. Gumbo greens combine the best elements of two beloved dishes, creating something familiar yet distinctly special that keeps customers coming back.
Shrimp and grits get executed with the kind of skill that suggests someone in the kitchen has deep roots in the South.
Fried fish arrives hot and crispy with a coating that stays crunchy even after the drive home, which qualifies as legitimate culinary wizardry in my book. Southern staples fill the menu without any filler items or unnecessary additions. The focused approach results in consistent quality across every order.
12. Josephine’s Kitchen — Toledo
Homey vibes permeate this Toledo establishment where diner-style service meets soul food excellence in a combination that feels both nostalgic and timeless. Locals swear by the fried chicken with an intensity that borders on religious devotion, claiming it rivals anything found in the Deep South.
Fish dinners showcase perfectly seasoned and fried fillets that flake apart at the gentlest touch of a fork. Scratch-made sides demonstrate the care and attention that separate good soul food from merely adequate comfort food.
The welcoming atmosphere encourages lingering over meals rather than rushing through them like fast food pit stops. Toledo residents treat Josephine’s Kitchen like a community gathering spot where good food brings people together naturally.
13. J Mae’s Home Cooking — Toledo
Neighborhood favorites earn their status through consistency, quality, and the kind of cooking that makes people feel cared for rather than just fed. Classic home-style plates at J Mae’s deliver exactly what their names promise without any surprises or disappointments along the way.
Fried fish has achieved legendary status among Toledo seafood lovers who appreciate the perfect balance of crispy coating and tender interior. Mac and cheese gets prepared with enough cheese to satisfy even the pickiest comfort food enthusiasts, creating that stretchy, gooey texture everyone craves.
Sunday-style meals bring that special-occasion feeling to any day of the week, proving you do not need a holiday to enjoy food this good. The loyal following speaks volumes about quality.