Ohio takes its fish sandwiches seriously, and the best ones hang off the edges of the bun like they are trying to escape. From Lake Erie perch in fishing villages to cod in Canton and fish logs in Cincinnati, the Buckeye State has a long tradition of bar kitchens frying up fillets that refuse to fit the bread.
These are not fancy seafood palaces. They are neighborhood taverns, riverside stops, and skyline gastropubs where the fryer does the heavy lifting and the portions do the talking.
This list covers six spots across the state, from the shores of Lake Erie to the hills above the Ohio River. Each one earns its place with a specific reason, whether that is a three-fillet perch stack, a famous fish log, or a view that makes lunch last a little longer…