like chef boyardee in cleveland, more recently glory foods from columbus did a lot to bring soul food staples to the masses.

 

and in fact, marble gang was probably the most famous and popular soul food restaurant in all of ohio.

 

https://www.bet.com/news/features/his/service/2015/06/04/son-of-glory-foods-founder-shares-father-s-legacy-in-african-american-cuisine-and-business.html

 

 

 

6 minutes ago, ryanlammi said:

aren't sauerkraut balls just generic German-American food? I would imagine you would find this all over the midwest.

 

 

i suppose -- i think of those and buckeyes as family gathering foods, not really in restaurants, so you dont see them otherwise. state fairs maybe?

Has anyone mentioned Grippo's potato chips? They have been a staple of life in Cincinnati since 1919. They are far and away my favorite chip. My mouth is watering just thinking about them!   

1 hour ago, ryanlammi said:

aren't sauerkraut balls just generic German-American food? I would imagine you would find this all over the midwest.

Hofbrauhaus in Buffalo does not carry sauerkraut balls as I’m certain the population is unaware of them. The one in Pittsburgh does probably since they are so close to Ohio.  

 Spent a half hour or so rummaging the internet on its origins.   Found a weird tv segment last year on WGN during covid lockdown of “weirdest state foods” from a facebook site.  Somehow Indiana was listed with Sauerkraut balls and the WGN newscasters were aghast at that concept. 

  Another site listed a recipe being asked for by Duncan Hines from 1951 from a restaurant in Shaker Heights called Grubers.  Didn’t realize that was a real person.   There are various articles claiming that they originated from Akron.  Akron also claims hamburgers. 

  If this originated in Akron in the 1930s at near its peak population then I can see why it would spread throughout Ohio as Akronites get around. 

  I’ll be interested in hearing the Cinci take on the origins. 

Grippos always taste stale to me. Mike-Sells gang rise up!

Just happened to see this thread.

 

Pierogis are a big thing in Youngstown, too.  So, I guess I'd call them an urban NE Ohio thing.  I grew up in the Massillon/ Canton area, and never heard of them, until college, when my Cleveland friends talked about them.

 

Youngstown has its own style of pizza called Brier Hill pizza.

 

Then, there is the popularity of wedding soup.  I don't know if it's a NE Ohio thing, (like pierogis) or more local.

 

Both the pizza and wedding soup originated in Italy.

 

The good humor bar was invented in Youngstown.  I don't think this was earth shattering, since it's essentially a Klondike Bar with a stick.  But, the Good Humor man and his truck are a bit more iconic.

 

Arby's was also started in the Youngstown area.  I think the first Arby's restaurant was in Boardman.

 

The Handel's ice cream chain was started in Youngstown, and the original location on the south side is still open.

 

Somewhat related, but the cookie table is popular in both Youngstown and Pittsburgh.  I've seen claims from both locations that they were the birthplace of this tradition in the US.

1 hour ago, JRC said:

 

 

Pierogis are a big thing in Youngstown, too.  So, I guess I'd call them an urban NE Ohio thing. 

Pierogis are a thing anywhere there are a lot of ethnic East Europeans, especially Poles. So you will find them in Detroit, Chicago and Pittsburgh.

Toledo has a lot of East European influence too. Pierogies and Panckis are really big here, as well as Hungarian-influenced Coneys. Tony Packo's is probably the most famous place for some of that food, and we even have several fast-food style Packo's in town now, not many places that have East European Kitchens that look like Chick-Fil-A. Toledo shares a lot of ethnic history with NE Ohio and SE Michigan. 

 

 

Middle Eastern, mostly Lebanese-inspired foods are also very popular in the Toledo area; it's easy to find Gyros and Schwarmas all over town. We have several Lebanese bakeries too. 

Edited December 4, 20213 yr by westerninterloper

^ lol -- dippin on columbus? now that is a really funny dig at osu -- two thumbs up for creativity!

 

 

On 12/4/2021 at 12:40 PM, bjk said:

Pierogis are a thing anywhere there are a lot of ethnic East Europeans, especially Poles. So you will find them in Detroit, Chicago and Pittsburgh.

 

the thing about them in cle is they were to be found at literally every bar and diner -- at least back in the day, polish or not. not so much in those places.

 

even currently, i certainly don't find that ubiquitousness in nyc polish neighborhoods for example, and best believe they got a lot of fresh off the boat poles here do not doubt -- the pierogies are mostly only found in polish restaurants or a couple specialty joints. it seems that even despite the poles presence ny mostly shrugs at them -- yet prefers their silly, overrated half a loaf of bread bagels.  😂