TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Ohioan Foods
Created and celebrated in Ohio, buckeye candy is a sweet ball made with a combination of peanut butter, regular butter, and powdered sugar, dipped in melted chocolate, but not all the way, as the final result should be visually reminiscent of buckeye nuts.
In Ohio, this sweet treat is closely associated with college football games, Christmas, and weddings. Buckeyes were invented in 1964 by Gail Tabor.
Cheese Coneys are a staple of Cincinnati, consisting of a steamed bun that is split and filled with a beef or pork sausage in natural casing, freshly chopped onions, Cincinnati chili, and heaps of grated cheese (usually Cheddar). Mustard is a typical condiment, although some like a few drops of hot sauce on their Coney.
These hot dogs are not served at hot dog stands, but usually at Cincinnati chili parlors, well-known for their chili that is spiked with chocolate and cinnamon.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Hot Dog
MOST ICONIC Cheese Coney Hot Dog
Baby Swiss is an American cheese originating from Ohio. Made with cow's milk, the cheese has a smooth and open texture, while its flavors are nutty, mild, and sweet. It is called Baby Swiss because it looks like a smaller version of Swiss cheese.
On the inside, it has numerous small eyes that are as big as peas. The cheese isn't aged for a long time so the eyes don't have time to become larger. It is recommended to pair Baby Swiss with berries and sweet wines.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Shredded chicken sandwich is a sandwich that's a specialty of Northern and Central Ohio. It is made by cooking and fork-shredding chicken that is then cooked in chicken broth or condensed chicken soup with flour, bread crumbs, or crushed potato chips.
The combination is seasoned with black pepper before being served on hamburger buns. The sandwich was especially popular in the 1960s, when it was a staple of school lunch menus, dairy bars, and church gatherings. It was made with leftover old and tough chicken meat, so what anyone could do is to simply make creamed chicken, then serve it in buns or over biscuits.
Coming from the most chili-mad city in the United States after Texas, Cincinnati chili is a popular dish made with ground meat, stock, and unusual spices such as cinnamon, allspice, Worcestershire sauce, and chocolate or cocoa. The chili is usually served over pasta such as spaghetti, then topped with a flavorful combination of shredded Cheddar, fried beans, onions, and crushed oyster crackers.
With more than 180 chili joints in the city, Cincinnati takes great pride in being a chili capital. The dish was invented in 1922 by a Macedonian immigrant called Tom Kiradjieff. He opened a Greek restaurant called The Empress, which was a total failure until Tom started to serve chili prepared with Middle Eastern spices.
MOST ICONIC Cincinnati Chili
Goetta is a sausage-like patty that is synonymous with Cincinnati, although its roots are steeped in German heritage, due to the influx of German-born immigrants in the 19th century. The sausage is commonly eaten for breakfast, and consists of pork, beef, onions, spices, and unprocessed oats.
Traditionally, it is sliced and fried until golden brown, then served with eggs and ketchup on the side. What was once a humble breakfast is today a hip and glamorous dish that is sometimes even used as a hamburger topping. As further proof of goetta's popularity, there is an annual celebration held since 2004 in the Greater Cincinnati area, called Goettafest, focusing on goetta, music, dancing, and other forms of public entertainment.
MOST ICONIC Goetta
This pie variety is a specialty of the Ohio Shakers (descendants of an 18th-century Christian ascetic movement), consisting of a flaky, buttery crust and a curd-like citrus filling made with sugar, eggs, and lemons. The pie is sometimes enriched with the addition of ginger or blackberries.
Shakers believe that one should finish every last crumb and tidbit on the plate when eating, and it is not hard to do so when having a slice of this sweet, flavorful pie.
MOST ICONIC Shaker Lemon Pie
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Barberton chicken or Serbian fried chicken is a regional specialty originating from Barberton. A whole, fresh chicken is cut into pieces that are dredged in flour, then eggs, and finally in a mixture of breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper before they are deep-fried in lard.
It was Belgrade Gardens, a diner that was founded during the Depression-era by Serbian owners Manojlo Mike and Smiljka Topalsky, that first started offering this fried chicken specialty. The style of preparing and frying the chicken had its roots in Serbian cuisine and was handed down to Smiljka by her mother.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Fried Chicken
MOST ICONIC Barberton Chicken
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Ohioan Food Producers
High Bank Distillery, based in Columbus, Ohio, was founded by four partners with a passion for quality spirits. Inspired by the historical confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, which led to Columbus's founding in 1812, the distillery produces a range of premium spirits, including whiskey, vodka, and gin.
Their "Whiskey War" blend has won awards for Best Blended Whiskey in America for three consecutive years at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In addition to the distillery, High Bank operates restaurants where guests can enjoy seasonal cocktails and modern American cuisine.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Gold
2023
BEST High Bank Distillery Spirits
Guggisberg Cheese is based in Millersburg, Ohio. It was founded by Alfred Guggisberg, a Swiss immigrant, in the 1940s. Guggisberg Cheese is known for originating Baby Swiss cheese, which has a creamier texture and smaller holes compared to traditional Swiss cheese.
The company has received multiple awards for its cheese products.
AWARDS
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2024, 2018, 2016, 2012
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2023, 2022, 2019, 2015
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
BEST Guggisberg Cheese Cheeses
BLACKENED® Whiskey is a collaborative creation between the legendary metal band Metallica and Master Distiller & Blender Rob Dietrich. This innovative whiskey blends North American bourbons and ryes, which are then finished in black brandy casks. A distinctive feature of BLACKENED® is its proprietary BLACK NOISE™ sonic-enhancement process, where low-frequency sound waves from Metallica's music are played during aging, enhancing the whiskey's interaction with the barrels and enriching its flavor profile.
The brand offers a range of expressions, including limited editions and special collaborations, reflecting a commitment to craftsmanship and innovation.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Gold
2024
BEST Blackened Spirits
Great Lakes Cheese Co., Inc., based in Hiram, Ohio, is a prominent manufacturer and distributor of cheese and other dairy products. Founded in 1958, the company originally started as a small business before expanding to multiple locations across the United States.
Great Lakes Cheese serves a variety of customers, including retailers and food service providers, offering a range of products from chunks and slices to shreds and specialty cheeses.
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2010
BEST Great Lakes Cheese Co., Inc. Cheeses
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2012
BEST Miceli Dairy Products Cheeses
AWARDS
World Beer Cup - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2018, 2016
Great American Beer Festival - Gold
2023, 2022, 2020
Untappd - 4.2
BEST Fat Head's Brewery Beers
Third Eye Brewing Company, located in Ohio, is known for offering a wide range of beers, including seasonal and experimental brews. They aim to cater to diverse tastes, from craft beer enthusiasts to newcomers. The brewery emphasizes a welcoming atmosphere where guests can enjoy fresh, locally brewed beers.
Events are frequently hosted, adding to the community vibe. Their taprooms in Sharonville and Hamilton offer a perfect setting to explore their creations.
AWARDS
Great American Beer Festival - Gold
2023, 2021
U.S. Open Beer Championship - Gold
2023, 2022, 2021
Untappd - 4.0
BEST Third Eye Brewing Company Beers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Ohioan Food Products
High Bank Vodka is a premium spirit distilled from organic wheat and Ohio apples. It is known for its clean, crisp taste with a subtle hint of apple and vanilla sweetness. This vodka has received multiple accolades, including Double Gold awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
It is recognized for its smoothness and eco-friendly packaging, using up to 40% less glass than traditional bottles.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
AWARDS
U.S. Open Beer Championship - Gold
2023, 2022
High Bank Whiskey War Cigar Cask is a high-proof whiskey aged in Brazilian Amburana barrels, adding complexity to its profile. The product features a rye-heavy mash bill, with tasting notes of candied banana, coconut, pineapple, and tobacco, complemented by all-spice flavors.
After aging for at least five years, it undergoes a second maturation for up to 90 days. This expression received a Double Gold at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, highlighting its unique character.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
BLACKENED® x Wes Henderson is the second release in the Masters of Whiskey Series, a collaboration between BLACKENED® Master Distiller & Blender Rob Dietrich and Angel's Envy Co-Founder Wes Henderson. This limited-edition expression features a 6-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey finished in white port wine casks, bottled at cask strength, and non-chill filtered.
Tasting notes include aromas of pear, raisin, cinnamon, and cigar box; a palate of pear, honey, chipotle cinnamon, vanilla, barn hay, and walnut; and a long, viscous finish.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
Whiskey War Barrel Select is a distinguished bourbon from High Bank Distillery, celebrated for its unique aging process and exceptional flavor profile. This series involves selecting high-end barrels for secondary or even tertiary aging, allowing the Master Distiller to craft distinct and uncompromised products.
Each batch is aged for at least five years, with recent releases including Tawny Port and Ruby Port finishes, both barreled in May 2022. The Barrel Select series has received significant acclaim, earning Double Gold and Best in Class at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.