In Ohio, I’ve learned that the sneakiest restaurant signs are the ones you almost miss because you were busy singing to the radio and hunting for a “shortcut” that absolutely was not one.
Somewhere between a quiet back road and a suspiciously empty parking lot, I keep finding dining rooms with loyal regulars, serious comfort, and plates that make you want to text your friend who keeps receipts for “research,” “Cancel your plans.”
These are the away-from-the-crowds favorites where the staff remembers your order, the specials feel like local folklore, and the “secret” table somehow always has a name attached to it…