Hello from a Huskie fan.

I'm planning on being in Toledo all next week and would like to ask the locals where you like to eat. This could be around campus, but I plan on being downtown and by the river most of the time.

If you want to tell me to eat my shorts, I wholeheartedly understand. Especially when the picture below appears on your board.

Thanks a bunch.

(07-17-2023 01:21 PM)NJTB Wrote:  Hello from a Huskie fan.

I'm planning on being in Toledo all next week and would like to ask the locals where you like to eat. This could be around campus, but I plan on being downtown and by the river most of the time.

If you want to tell me to eat my shorts, I wholeheartedly understand. Especially when the picture below appears on your board.

Thanks a bunch.

Like any large city, we could be sending you all over. You have any food preferences or restrictions? We're well known for Lebanese. Even Dearborners will come down here to eat.

My go to is Michael's downtown on 11th and Monroe for a large chili-mac. It's a comfortable tavern type place. Maumee Bay Brewery just up river a bit has good food, beer, and easy going vibe. And as an Eastsider of course I have to mention Tony Packos on Front St. There's one near the ball park but please, not the same. Go original or go home.

I like the stuff East said. Home slice for pizza. Durty Bird is probably my all around downtown favorite. Grumpys for a light lunch

Bubba 33 for amazing bar food and cold beers with too many TVs to count. Frickers also an amazing regional, sports bar.

Pizza is good everywhere. I like vitos and Mike's, or Gino's, or Stubborn Brother or Mama Mary's.

If you're looking for the truly Toledo-only experience, go to the following:

Dinner: Inky's (homemade pasta/pizza institution), Mancy's Ideal (original Mancy's menu from way back in the day w/more variety than the Steakhouse), The Beirut (best Lebanese food in the area IMO), Souk (great classy small plate Mediterranean place), Rosie's (Toledo's other Italian institution), Maumee Bay Brewing (decent food, but you're going there for the brewery itself), Whiskey and the Wolf (hole in the wall with some of the best burgers and roast beef sandwiches around), Inside the Five (owned by two former NFL'ers from Toledo, another place like MBB), and Kengo (arguably the best sushi I've ever had, including many highly rated places on the coasts)
Lunch: Any of the Chili places (Packo's, Rudy's, Michael's, Ideal), Grumpy's, Durty Bird, Swig, Balance (started by two Toledo grads, now going regional as a franchise Vietnamese/Asian fusion restaurant), Adam's Street Cafe, 5th Street Pub, Chicago Post Cafe (decent Chicago style dogs and beef, though I'm sure you'll roast them lol)
Breakfast: Fowl and Fodder, Scrambler Marie, Executive Diner

The best chili-mac in Toledo is at Ideal Hot Dog. There is one on Heatherdowns and one on Alexis.

Yummy squared.

(07-18-2023 08:30 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  If you're looking for the truly Toledo-only experience, go to the following:

Dinner: Inky's (homemade pasta/pizza institution), Mancy's Ideal (original Mancy's menu from way back in the day w/more variety than the Steakhouse), The Beirut (best Lebanese food in the area IMO), Souk (great classy small plate Mediterranean place), Rosie's (Toledo's other Italian institution), Maumee Bay Brewing (decent food, but you're going there for the brewery itself), Whiskey and the Wolf (hole in the wall with some of the best burgers and roast beef sandwiches around), Inside the Five (owned by two former NFL'ers from Toledo, another place like MBB), and Kengo (arguably the best sushi I've ever had, including many highly rated places on the coasts)
Lunch: Any of the Chili places (Packo's, Rudy's, Michael's, Ideal), Grumpy's, Durty Bird, Swig, Balance (started by two Toledo grads, now going regional as a franchise Vietnamese/Asian fusion restaurant), Adam's Street Cafe, 5th Street Pub, Chicago Post Cafe (decent Chicago style dogs and beef, though I'm sure you'll roast them lol)
Breakfast: Fowl and Fodder, Scrambler Marie, Executive Diner

Way to commit. You left out Green Lantern.

Of those, the only ones I feel on a map for "Toledo,"

Beirut, Kengo and Packos maybe the only ones not replicated everywhere.

Maumee Bay Brewery, Poco Loco, add in Georgio's downtown and Pho Viet Nam on Upton. Old school or brought somethingnew to the area. That's not to disparage other recommendations you made. I just wouldn't consider them to be "Toledo" as they're not really been here that long and there's much better Italian almost everywhere.

As for pure food thread:

I'd add in San Marcos if it was still a counter in the grocery store and there weren't one mexican restaurant/food truck per 100 inhabitants. If a visitor wanted that vibe, head over to the Eastside to La Mexicana or head 40 minutes up the road to Mexican Town in Detroit. The rest, same everywhere. A couple I'd say run from but it's not that kind of thread.

Downtown, I am an absolute fan of Focaccia's, across the street from where NIU is most likely staying. For Mexican, Lowriders near the library is quickly gaining solid reputation. It was very good, but just another of the same to me.

(07-18-2023 09:03 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-18-2023 08:30 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  If you're looking for the truly Toledo-only experience, go to the following:

Dinner: Inky's (homemade pasta/pizza institution), Mancy's Ideal (original Mancy's menu from way back in the day w/more variety than the Steakhouse), The Beirut (best Lebanese food in the area IMO), Souk (great classy small plate Mediterranean place), Rosie's (Toledo's other Italian institution), Maumee Bay Brewing (decent food, but you're going there for the brewery itself), Whiskey and the Wolf (hole in the wall with some of the best burgers and roast beef sandwiches around), Inside the Five (owned by two former NFL'ers from Toledo, another place like MBB), and Kengo (arguably the best sushi I've ever had, including many highly rated places on the coasts)
Lunch: Any of the Chili places (Packo's, Rudy's, Michael's, Ideal), Grumpy's, Durty Bird, Swig, Balance (started by two Toledo grads, now going regional as a franchise Vietnamese/Asian fusion restaurant), Adam's Street Cafe, 5th Street Pub, Chicago Post Cafe (decent Chicago style dogs and beef, though I'm sure you'll roast them lol)
Breakfast: Fowl and Fodder, Scrambler Marie, Executive Diner

Way to commit. You left out Green Lantern.

Of those, the only ones I feel on a map for "Toledo,"

Beirut, Kengo and Packos maybe the only ones not replicated everywhere.

Maumee Bay Brewery, Poco Loco, add in Georgio's downtown and Pho Viet Nam on Upton. Old school or brought somethingnew to the area. That's not to disparage other recommendations you made. I just wouldn't consider them to be "Toledo" as they're not really been here that long and there's much better Italian almost everywhere.

As for pure food thread:

I'd add in San Marcos if it was still a counter in the grocery store and there weren't one mexican restaurant/food truck per 100 inhabitants. If a visitor wanted that vibe, head over to the Eastside to La Mexicana or head 40 minutes up the road to Mexican Town in Detroit. The rest, same everywhere. A couple I'd say run from but it's not that kind of thread.

Downtown, I am an absolute fan of Focaccia's, across the street from where NIU is most likely staying. For Mexican, Lowriders near the library is quickly gaining solid reputation. It was very good, but just another of the same to me.

True, I should've gone with Toledo-Area, I was just trying to stay away from chains or regional places more than anything...and hey, I'm just going for the buckshot approach, if I give him all of my recommendations, he might take one of them to make me feel good lol. Inside the Five is overpriced for what it offers, but I figured I'd throw in one other brewery option if he wants that sort of thing, I've completely stopped going there since the chef they started with left last fall.

Focaccia's is great for a quick bite for sure, love hitting that place whenever I've got to go downtown for a meeting.

(07-18-2023 09:29 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  Inside the Five is overpriced for what it offers, but I figured I'd throw in one other brewery option if he wants that sort of thing, I've completely stopped going there since the chef they started with left last fall.

Focaccia's is great for a quick bite for sure, love hitting that place whenever I've got to go downtown for a meeting.

Did their chef land locally?

What's that place downtown with the view over-looking the river? Food good, priced fair or just relying on location.

Another quick bite because I'm there place: Art Museum and Library, which may be the same owner. They know how to make a soup. There used to be a place called Pam's on 10th that had soup-sandwiches like those. In the "chili" category, you missed Coney's downtown. I think they've been there forever.

Going to school downtown, Lorain Hotel (now a dive) used to have the best morning smells. There's talk turning that into a boutique hotel which DT and Toledo desperately need a business like that. Should we tell NIU about Belamere Suites? lol

(07-18-2023 09:49 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-18-2023 09:29 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  Inside the Five is overpriced for what it offers, but I figured I'd throw in one other brewery option if he wants that sort of thing, I've completely stopped going there since the chef they started with left last fall.

Focaccia's is great for a quick bite for sure, love hitting that place whenever I've got to go downtown for a meeting.

Did their chef land locally?

What's that place downtown with the view over-looking the river? Food good, priced fair or just relying on location.

Another quick bite because I'm there place: Art Museum and Library, which may be the same owner. They know how to make a soup. There used to be a place called Pam's on 10th that had soup-sandwiches like those. In the "chili" category, you missed Coney's downtown. I think they've been there forever.

Going to school downtown, Lorain Hotel (now a dive) used to have the best morning smells. There's talk turning that into a boutique hotel which DT and Toledo desperately need a business like that. Should we tell NIU about Belamere Suites? lol

Not sure about their chef, I had heard he may be out of the industry entirely which is a shame, I thought he was great, especially in his private catering when he got to cook up off-menu stuff.

Are you talking about The Heights on top of the Renaissance Hotel or am I on the wrong side of the river? The Art Museum cafe surprised me when I was in there for a conference...their gnocchi were pretty good, not sure if they still offer them or not and the prok belly sandwich I had was excellent. I've had some rough experiences at Coney's...or I guess after Coney's ? That's why I left them off.

Belamere Suites...man...more divorces started there than anywhere in the Midwest lol.

(07-17-2023 01:28 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-17-2023 01:21 PM)NJTB Wrote:  Hello from a Huskie fan.

I'm planning on being in Toledo all next week and would like to ask the locals where you like to eat. This could be around campus, but I plan on being downtown and by the river most of the time.

If you want to tell me to eat my shorts, I wholeheartedly understand. Especially when the picture below appears on your board.

Thanks a bunch.

Like any large city, we could be sending you all over. You have any food preferences or restrictions? We're well known for Lebanese. Even Dearborners will come down here to eat.

My go to is Michael's downtown on 11th and Monroe for a large chili-mac. It's a comfortable tavern type place. Maumee Bay Brewery just up river a bit has good food, beer, and easy going vibe. And as an Eastsider of course I have to mention Tony Packos on Front St. There's one near the ball park but please, not the same. Go original or go home.

No restrictions, but I'm definitely interested in the Lebanese options. I saw The Beirut listed.

Thanks all.

(07-18-2023 01:46 PM)NJTB Wrote:  

(07-17-2023 01:28 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-17-2023 01:21 PM)NJTB Wrote:  Hello from a Huskie fan.

I'm planning on being in Toledo all next week and would like to ask the locals where you like to eat. This could be around campus, but I plan on being downtown and by the river most of the time.

If you want to tell me to eat my shorts, I wholeheartedly understand. Especially when the picture below appears on your board.

Thanks a bunch.

Like any large city, we could be sending you all over. You have any food preferences or restrictions? We're well known for Lebanese. Even Dearborners will come down here to eat.

My go to is Michael's downtown on 11th and Monroe for a large chili-mac. It's a comfortable tavern type place. Maumee Bay Brewery just up river a bit has good food, beer, and easy going vibe. And as an Eastsider of course I have to mention Tony Packos on Front St. There's one near the ball park but please, not the same. Go original or go home.

No restrictions, but I'm definitely interested in the Lebanese options. I saw The Beirut listed.

Thanks all.

Beirut is an incredible choice, but if you want a more casual Lebanese option Tiger Bakery is great and not far from UT campus. Just Like Home and Sidon are good options too. Souk if you’re downtown. Kengo has great sushi downtown and their sister restaurant Kato has great ramen. Registry Bistro is highly recommended if you want finer dining. Frickers has decent wings etc and San Marcos or Poco Loco for Mexican.
Bearcatman had a nice list that I can mostly endorse too. Enjoy your time here.

(07-18-2023 03:50 PM)toledobigmike Wrote:  

(07-18-2023 01:46 PM)NJTB Wrote:  

(07-17-2023 01:28 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-17-2023 01:21 PM)NJTB Wrote:  Hello from a Huskie fan.

I'm planning on being in Toledo all next week and would like to ask the locals where you like to eat. This could be around campus, but I plan on being downtown and by the river most of the time.

If you want to tell me to eat my shorts, I wholeheartedly understand. Especially when the picture below appears on your board.

Thanks a bunch.

Like any large city, we could be sending you all over. You have any food preferences or restrictions? We're well known for Lebanese. Even Dearborners will come down here to eat.

My go to is Michael's downtown on 11th and Monroe for a large chili-mac. It's a comfortable tavern type place. Maumee Bay Brewery just up river a bit has good food, beer, and easy going vibe. And as an Eastsider of course I have to mention Tony Packos on Front St. There's one near the ball park but please, not the same. Go original or go home.

No restrictions, but I'm definitely interested in the Lebanese options. I saw The Beirut listed.

Thanks all.

Beirut is an incredible choice, but if you want a more casual Lebanese option Tiger Bakery is great and not far from UT campus. Just Like Home and Sidon are good options too. Souk if you’re downtown. Kengo has great sushi downtown and their sister restaurant Kato has great ramen. Registry Bistro is highly recommended if you want finer dining. Frickers has decent wings etc and San Marcos or Poco Loco for Mexican.
Bearcatman had a nice list that I can mostly endorse too. Enjoy your time here.

Frickers (Ray) and Rooster's (Bob) being another source of Eastside pride. In hindsight, there were an awful lot of wingless chickens in the neighborhood. We just thought it normal....

is Rudy's hotdog still around? The one I remember was on Sylvania Ave, West end.

(07-18-2023 05:09 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-18-2023 03:50 PM)toledobigmike Wrote:  

(07-18-2023 01:46 PM)NJTB Wrote:  

(07-17-2023 01:28 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-17-2023 01:21 PM)NJTB Wrote:  Hello from a Huskie fan.

I'm planning on being in Toledo all next week and would like to ask the locals where you like to eat. This could be around campus, but I plan on being downtown and by the river most of the time.

If you want to tell me to eat my shorts, I wholeheartedly understand. Especially when the picture below appears on your board.

Thanks a bunch.

Like any large city, we could be sending you all over. You have any food preferences or restrictions? We're well known for Lebanese. Even Dearborners will come down here to eat.

My go to is Michael's downtown on 11th and Monroe for a large chili-mac. It's a comfortable tavern type place. Maumee Bay Brewery just up river a bit has good food, beer, and easy going vibe. And as an Eastsider of course I have to mention Tony Packos on Front St. There's one near the ball park but please, not the same. Go original or go home.

No restrictions, but I'm definitely interested in the Lebanese options. I saw The Beirut listed.

Thanks all.

Beirut is an incredible choice, but if you want a more casual Lebanese option Tiger Bakery is great and not far from UT campus. Just Like Home and Sidon are good options too. Souk if you’re downtown. Kengo has great sushi downtown and their sister restaurant Kato has great ramen. Registry Bistro is highly recommended if you want finer dining. Frickers has decent wings etc and San Marcos or Poco Loco for Mexican.
Bearcatman had a nice list that I can mostly endorse too. Enjoy your time here.

Frickers (Ray) and Rooster's (Bob) being another source of Eastside pride. In hindsight, there were an awful lot of wingless chickens in the neighborhood. We just thought it normal....

Eastside Pride?
Don't miss stopping by Popoffs on Front Street for a bowl of Mrs Minoff's famous Chicken Noodle Soup!

https://www.facebook.com/EastToledoHisto...sL4zU&_rdr

second all the posts on Lebanese, Palestinian, Middle Eastern food in Toledo. expectations for the quality of food is high so most everywhere is at least solid, and some places very good, and often pretty cheap. Whenever I'm back in Toledo I go for several of the places listed above.

Been going to the Beirut since it had lava lamps. Always order off the Lebanese side, but the Italian side is great for your safe eaters. Plan to stay for a while, it has that let's hang around and talk vibe.

Besides Beirut, I prefer places that also have a busy little supermarket attached. Most of the people in line eat that kind of food everyday and will come back if it's good. Get one of your favorites and something they serve a lot of.

My family still goes to the Original Gino's for pizza (3 blocks from the Beirut), well done with cajun sauce. Some have moved on and there may be other good options. But it's a unique pizza and sentimental. it's something people request I bring back when travelling long distances from Toledo.

(07-19-2023 12:31 AM)pono Wrote:  Besides Beirut, I prefer places that also have a busy little supermarket attached. Most of the people in line eat that kind of food everyday and will come back if it's good. Get one of your favorites and something they serve a lot of.

San Marcos on Broadway would qualify. Sidon's-Middle East Market on Bancroft I don't know others. They do put up great food for lower prices it seems. Sidon's I think they must pass deserts through a window from the Market. Looks like the same.

(07-18-2023 11:49 PM)Sleepy Wrote:  

(07-18-2023 05:09 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-18-2023 03:50 PM)toledobigmike Wrote:  

(07-18-2023 01:46 PM)NJTB Wrote:  

(07-17-2023 01:28 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  Like any large city, we could be sending you all over. You have any food preferences or restrictions? We're well known for Lebanese. Even Dearborners will come down here to eat.

My go to is Michael's downtown on 11th and Monroe for a large chili-mac. It's a comfortable tavern type place. Maumee Bay Brewery just up river a bit has good food, beer, and easy going vibe. And as an Eastsider of course I have to mention Tony Packos on Front St. There's one near the ball park but please, not the same. Go original or go home.

No restrictions, but I'm definitely interested in the Lebanese options. I saw The Beirut listed.

Thanks all.

Beirut is an incredible choice, but if you want a more casual Lebanese option Tiger Bakery is great and not far from UT campus. Just Like Home and Sidon are good options too. Souk if you’re downtown. Kengo has great sushi downtown and their sister restaurant Kato has great ramen. Registry Bistro is highly recommended if you want finer dining. Frickers has decent wings etc and San Marcos or Poco Loco for Mexican.
Bearcatman had a nice list that I can mostly endorse too. Enjoy your time here.

Frickers (Ray) and Rooster's (Bob) being another source of Eastside pride. In hindsight, there were an awful lot of wingless chickens in the neighborhood. We just thought it normal....

Eastside Pride?
Don't miss stopping by Popoffs on Front Street for a bowl of Mrs Minoff's famous Chicken Noodle Soup!

https://www.facebook.com/EastToledoHisto...sL4zU&_rdr

So few neighborhood restaurants left. That was a bit far for us or I just didn't know about it. I was in college before I even ever went to Packos. Ours was either bar food at Beer Barrel or a place on E Broadway and Delence (still a buidling there), Starr Restaurant (I think, but it was on Starr near Main) and of course hot dogs and spinning on the stools at Murphy's was the special treat. Still try to get out to Oregon Inn or Blackforest Cafe a couple times a year.

(07-20-2023 04:44 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-18-2023 11:49 PM)Sleepy Wrote:  

(07-18-2023 05:09 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-18-2023 03:50 PM)toledobigmike Wrote:  

(07-18-2023 01:46 PM)NJTB Wrote:  No restrictions, but I'm definitely interested in the Lebanese options. I saw The Beirut listed.

Thanks all.

Beirut is an incredible choice, but if you want a more casual Lebanese option Tiger Bakery is great and not far from UT campus. Just Like Home and Sidon are good options too. Souk if you’re downtown. Kengo has great sushi downtown and their sister restaurant Kato has great ramen. Registry Bistro is highly recommended if you want finer dining. Frickers has decent wings etc and San Marcos or Poco Loco for Mexican.
Bearcatman had a nice list that I can mostly endorse too. Enjoy your time here.

Frickers (Ray) and Rooster's (Bob) being another source of Eastside pride. In hindsight, there were an awful lot of wingless chickens in the neighborhood. We just thought it normal....

Eastside Pride?
Don't miss stopping by Popoffs on Front Street for a bowl of Mrs Minoff's famous Chicken Noodle Soup!

https://www.facebook.com/EastToledoHisto...sL4zU&_rdr

So few neighborhood restaurants left. That was a bit far for us or I just didn't know about it. I was in college before I even ever went to Packos. Ours was either bar food at Beer Barrel or a place on E Broadway and Delence (still a buidling there), Starr Restaurant (I think, but it was on Starr near Main) and of course hot dogs and spinning on the stools at Murphy's was the special treat. Still try to get out to Oregon Inn or Blackforest Cafe a couple times a year.

For sure...luckily Dino's, Dale's, and the Idiot have stayed alive, albeit changing management and ownership, so this old Maumee kid has his favorite old haunts, but it is sad to see the mom and pop's with so much history go by the wayside.