7 Ohio Chains We Used To Love & 7 New Places Locals Can’t Get Enough Of
Remember when Friday nights meant piling into the family car for dinner at that go-to Ohio chain restaurant? It was a ritual, plastic booths, bottomless soda, and meals that felt like comfort on a plate.
Those nostalgic spots helped shape our food memories, but as time moves on, so do our cravings. Ohio’s dining scene has seen a major shift in recent years, with some beloved chains fading into memory while new, innovative spots rise to take their place.
Join me on a journey through seven classic chains we once couldn’t live without, and meet seven fresh favorites now winning Ohioans’ hearts (and stomachs).
1. Melt Bar and Grilled: Cheese Dreams Melted Away
I still remember my first Melt sandwich, a towering creation that required both hands and at least three napkins. The Cleveland grilled cheese institution redefined comfort food for Ohioans from 2006 until its heartbreaking bankruptcy filing in mid-2024.
The walls plastered with concert posters, the craft drinks selection, and those impossibly large sandwiches created a uniquely Ohio experience. My go-to was the Parmageddon, stuffed with potato pierogi and sharp cheddar.
The final location closed January 1, 2025, leaving a cheese-shaped hole in our hearts. Nothing quite compares to those gooey, over-stuffed creations that once defined Cleveland’s food identity.
2. Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips: The Columbus Comeback Kid
Crispy fish, thick-cut chips, and that tangy malt vinegar, Arthur Treacher’s was my grandmother’s favorite treat when I was growing up in Columbus. Founded here in 1969, this once-national chain nearly vanished completely.
By some miracle of nostalgia (and good business sense), Arthur Treacher’s has staged a modest comeback in 2024-2025. The batter-dipped cod remains unchanged, a time capsule of flavor that transports me straight back to childhood.
While only a handful of locations survive in Cuyahoga Falls, Garfield Heights, Cleveland Heights, and Columbus, they’ve become pilgrimage sites for Ohioans craving that distinctive crunch that defined fast food before burgers ruled everything.
3. Rax Roast Beef: The Sandwich Shop That Time Forgot
Whenever I pass through southern Ohio, I make a detour for Rax, the roast beef chain that’s become an endangered species. Those 500+ locations of the 1980s have dwindled to just six stubborn survivors, all clustered in our corner of the Midwest.
The sandwich itself hasn’t changed: thinly sliced roast beef piled high on a soft bun, best enjoyed with horsey sauce and a side of those crinkle-cut fries. What McDonald’s is to burgers, Rax once was to roast beef.
Each remaining store feels like a time machine, with wood-paneled walls and vintage signage. The BBC (beef, bacon, and cheddar) sandwich alone is worth the road trip for a taste of fast-food history.
4. Max & Erma’s: Columbus’s Fading Neighborhood Favorite
The cookie sundae alone was worth the trip! Max & Erma’s wasn’t just a restaurant, it was my family’s celebration spot for decades. Born in Columbus in 1972, this quirky chain with its mismatched decor and bathroom phones once boasted 110 locations.
Those garbage-can sundaes, tortilla soup, and signature burgers fueled countless birthday dinners and after-game meals in my household. Each restaurant had its own personality with local memorabilia covering the walls.
Bankruptcy struck hard, and by early 2024, only seven locations remained standing. The chain that once defined casual dining in the Midwest has become a ghost of its former self, though loyal customers still flock to the survivors for a taste of nostalgia.
5. Red Barn: Springfield’s Fast Food Pioneer That Vanished
My grandfather still talks about Red Barn’s Big Barney burger like it was yesterday. This Springfield-born chain once dotted Ohio highways with its distinctive barn-shaped buildings and cheerful mascots, Hamburger Hungry, Chicken Hungry, and Big Fish Hungry.
Founded in the 1960s, Red Barn pioneered the self-service salad bar in fast food and introduced many Ohioans to fried chicken worth pulling over for. The chain’s quiet death came not from bankruptcy but from corporate neglect, they simply let franchise licenses expire in the late 1980s.
Today, not a single location remains, though a few repurposed red barn buildings still stand as silent reminders of Springfield’s contribution to fast-food history.
6. Ruby Tuesday: The Mall Mainstay’s Disappearing Act
Remember when every shopping mall outing ended with potato skins and a Garden Bar salad at Ruby Tuesday? I spent countless teenage afternoons huddled in those wooden booths, nursing a bottomless soda while gossiping with friends after school shopping.
The chain’s signature casual vibe and American comfort food made it a reliable stop for Ohio families for decades. Their loaded potato skins, crispy, cheese-covered vessels of bacon and sour cream, were my personal kryptonite.
Chapter 11 bankruptcy hit hard in 2024-2025, and now finding a Ruby Tuesday in Ohio requires serious detective work. The once-ubiquitous restaurant has quietly closed dozens of locations, leaving behind empty spaces in malls and shopping centers across the state.
7. Casual Dining Casualties: Denny’s, TGI Fridays & Red Lobster
Growing up in Ohio, these three chains formed the holy trinity of special occasion dining. My first date? TGI Fridays. Late-night study sessions? Denny’s. Grandma’s birthday? Those cheesy biscuits at Red Lobster!
While not Ohio-born, these chains became deeply woven into our local culture. Each represented a distinct milestone: Denny’s for after-prom breakfast, Fridays for graduation celebrations, and Red Lobster for anniversaries when fancy meant unlimited shrimp.
The pandemic and changing dining habits delivered a crushing blow. By 2025, these once-mighty chains had closed dozens of Ohio locations amid bankruptcies and restructuring, leaving vacant buildings and memories of birthday celebrations with embarrassing singing waiters.
8. Speck: Columbus’s Fresh Pasta Paradise
I stumbled into Speck on a rainy Tuesday, not expecting to have one of the best meals of my life. This 2023 newcomer has transformed Columbus’s pasta scene with handmade noodles that make you question everything you thought you knew about Italian food.
The mussels in spicy broth arrive with house-baked scacciata bread perfect for soaking up every last drop. Chef Josh Wiest changes the menu daily based on what’s fresh, creating a dining experience that never gets stale.
Getting a reservation requires setting calendar reminders weeks in advance, but the pasta, often finished tableside in hollowed cheese wheels, makes the wait worthwhile. Come hungry and prepare for a pasta revelation!
9. Barroluco: Argentine Alley Treasure in Columbus
Tucked away in a downtown Columbus alley, Barroluco feels like a secret I’m almost reluctant to share. Owner Victor D’Angelo (Ohio Small Business Person of the Year 2025) greets regulars by name while serving up the most authentic Argentine food this side of Buenos Aires.
The empanadas arrive piping hot with perfectly crimped edges, each one a little masterpiece. For lunch, nothing beats their milanesa sandwich, a breaded steak cutlet that extends well beyond the boundaries of its crusty roll.
Downtown workers pack the café at noon, creating a lively atmosphere that feels more Buenos Aires than Ohio. Their weekend paella has developed such a following that pre-ordering has become necessary, trust me, it’s worth planning ahead!
10. Columbus’s Culinary Core: Five Rising Stars
Last month, I embarked on a five-day food tour of Columbus’s hottest new restaurants, and my waistband still hasn’t forgiven me. The city has quietly become a Midwest food destination with spots like Agni, where Bengali-American fusion creates flavor combinations I’m still dreaming about.
Cobra’s fried-bologna bánh mì sounds wrong but tastes so right, especially paired with their inventive drinks. Chapman’s Eat Market delivers globe-trotting small plates in a space that feels like your coolest friend’s dining room.
Don’t miss Ginger Rabbit’s intimate jazz-bar vibe or Metsi’s stunning African-inspired cuisine that opened summer 2025. These five spots represent Columbus’s evolution from chain restaurant haven to legitimate culinary powerhouse.
11. Birdietown Mini Golf & Lounge: Cleveland’s Playful New Hangout
Who knew putting a tiny ball through a windmill could work up such an appetite? Cleveland’s newest entertainment venue combines two of my favorite things, mini-golf and actually good food, in a concept that’s drawing crowds since opening in early 2025.
Unlike the sticky-floored putt-putt courses of my youth, Birdietown offers craft drinks you can carry through the course. The indoor 9-hole layout features Cleveland-themed obstacles that change seasonally.
After golfing, the lounge area serves elevated bar food that defies expectations. Their loaded tater tots topped with local cheese curds and house-smoked brisket have become my mandatory post-golf reward. Weekends require reservations, as locals have quickly made this their go-to group hangout.
12. Masthead Brewing: Cleveland’s Craft Beer and Pizza Heaven
I’ve never been a beer snob, but Masthead Brewing changed that with one sip of their hazy IPA. This sleek brewery and bistro has become Cleveland’s gathering spot for both serious beer enthusiasts and casual pizza lovers like me.
The industrial-chic space occupies a renovated 1920s auto dealership with original brick walls and soaring ceilings. Long communal tables encourage conversation with strangers who quickly become friends over shared pizza platters.
Their wood-fired pizzas feature locally-sourced toppings and a crust with the perfect balance of chew and char. The Cleveland Hot pizza, topped with spicy sopressata and hot honey, pairs beautifully with their flagship stout, a combination that’s worth the drive from anywhere in Ohio.
13. Pho Lee’s Vietnamese Restaurant: Cleveland’s Noodle Nirvana
On a frigid Cleveland afternoon last winter, I discovered the healing powers of Pho Lee’s beef noodle soup. Steam rising from the massive bowl, fragrant with star anise and cinnamon, worked magic that no cold medicine could match.
This family-owned gem opened without fanfare but quickly earned a devoted following through word-of-mouth. The pho broth simmers for 12+ hours, creating a clear, complex base for rice noodles and your choice of proteins. Bánh mì sandwiches arrive on perfectly crusty bread with pickled vegetables that provide the ideal crunch.
The minimalist space lets the food take center stage, though the warm service from the Lee family makes every visit feel special. Their house-made chili oil is so popular they now sell bottles to take home.
14. Scorpacciata Pasta Co.: Cleveland’s Neighborhood Pasta Joint
The first time I tried Scorpacciata’s cacio e pepe, I nearly cried, it was that good. This unassuming Cleveland pasta shop opened in early 2025 and immediately had lines out the door for their handmade noodles and wood-fired pizzas.
Chef Anthony Calanni learned pasta-making in Italy before bringing his skills back to his hometown. You can watch him stretching dough through the open kitchen while waiting for your order. The menu changes weekly, but the ricotta gnocchi with brown butter sage sauce has developed such a following it’s become a permanent fixture.
The cozy space only seats 30, creating an intimate atmosphere where you can hear the pasta water boiling and smell the garlic hitting hot oil. No reservations means weekend waits, but regulars know it’s worth every minute.