Visit These Retro Diners, Drive-Ins and Root Beer Stands

From neon-lit diners to drive-ins staffed by carhops, Ohio offers a rich collection of nostalgic eateries that serve more than just good food — they have memories on the menu. These spots across our state offer a heaping helping of Americana, complete with chrome stools at the counter, tableside jukeboxes, classic coneys and hand-spun milkshakes.

Whether you’re sipping a root beer float at a 1950s-style stand in Dayton or ordering the G.I. Special at a Pennsylvania diner that got a second life when it was relocated to a spot next to Port Clinton’s Liberty Aviation Museum, prepare for a tasty ride into the past.

Many of these beloved locations have been serving generations of Ohioans and have plenty of old-school charm to go around, while others infuse modern creativity with mid-century vibes. These roadside treasures aren’t just about the food either. They’re also about tradition, community and the simple joy of a cheeseburger and fries. Buckle up, grab some napkins and prepare for a tasty road trip this summer.

Tin Goose Diner, Port Clinton
Built in 1951, the stainless-steel diner that sits adjacent to the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton had a previous life serving diners in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. Then, the museum purchased it, moved it to Ohio, had it meticulously restored and opened it to customers in 2012. Today, the Tin Goose Diner — named after the planes that once ferried passengers to and from the Lake Erie islands — stands as an immaculate tribute to the past and serves old-time and modern favorites for breakfast and lunch. A popular breakfast item, the G.I. Special S.O.S. Platter, features creamed chipped beef over toast with eggs and house potatoes, served on a genuine G.I. mess tray. 3515 E. State Rd., Port Clinton 43452, 419/732-0236, tingoosediner.com

The RootBeer Stande, Dayton
When Emily Collins bought The RootBeer Stande in 2008, the Dayton carhop had been serving hot dogs and floats since the early 1960s. Today, Collins has expanded her menu while remaining faithful to the classics, serving footlong hot dogs alongside pickle-fry-topped Angus burgers, crispy chicken sandwiches and the Dirty D, a bacon-wrapped, deep-fried beef hot dog covered in chili, mustard, onions and cheese. Dedicated to offering a family-friendly environment with affordable food, Collins runs themed days, with July anniversary specials, and charity events to support causes in the Midwest. Of course, no drive-in meal is complete without dessert and a drink, and the root beer floats here offer both simultaneously. A collaboration with the Springfield-founded root beer brand Frostop — one that Collins established soon after buying the drive-in — the floats are served in steins with soft serve ice cream for the perfect fizzy finish. 1727 Woodman Dr., Dayton 45420, 937/640-1114, rootbeerstande.com

Blue Bell Diner, McConnelsville
Tucked among the historic buildings of downtown McConnelsville, Blue Bell Diner is as much a community gathering place as it is a spot to grab breakfast or lunch. Housed in the 1884 J.C. Bolen building, Blue Bell Diner’s opening date remains a mystery (as does the source of its name), but local lore indicates that it opened around the middle of the 20th century. It had been closed for about five years when the local Harper family bought the place and, in 2021, revived it with mid-century charm and hints of blue throughout the space, from the diner stools to the quirky tile floors. The diner is open for breakfast and lunch. Favorites include the biscuits and gravy, pancakes and burgers. 2 W. Main St., McConnelsville 43756, 740/962-3939, facebook.com/bluebelldiner

Ashland-Wooster Drive-In, Ashland 
The thought of a drive-in brings burgers to mind, but the Ashland-Wooster Drive-In on U.S. Highway 250 has a slightly different approach. Milkshakes and fresh-cut fries are on the menu, but so are shredded chicken, veal sandwiches and the Pickledog (a fried pickle spear in a hot dog bun with tomato, American cheese, fire sauce and slaw dressing). The spot opened in 1957, operating as an A&W drive-in franchise known for its root beer, but went independent in 1985. The root beer still reigns here, with fresh batches made daily using real cane sugar. Get in on the goodness by pulling up under the awning and turning your lights on for service. 1134 E. Main St., Ashland 44805, 419/281-2658, ashland-wooster.com

Buckeye Express Diner, Bellville 
If juicy half-pound burgers, fresh-cut fries and deep-fried sides weren’t enough to draw diners to this hillside spot off Interstate 71 in Bellville, the Ohio State Buckeyes-themed train dining car just might. Relocated to Bellville from Roanoke, Virginia, in 2008, the bright red train car has become a just-off-the-highway oddity of sorts, complete with a menu of classics, like a half-pound hot dog and Lake Erie perch, and a larger-than-life, bobblehead chef standing outside. Outdoor seating is great for warmer weather, but sitting indoors is a must to get the full effect. Inside, the train car is decorated on every surface with Ohio State decor and signed memorabilia, such as jerseys and photographs, as well as railroad mementos. 810 St. Rte. 97 W., Bellville 44813, 419/886-2900, buckeyeexpressdiner.com 

Eddie’s Grill, Geneva-on-the-Lake
The sweet sounds of Elvis, The Crests and more music from 1950s and ’60s float through the open-air dining room at Eddie’s Grill, a Geneva-on-the-Lake institution that offers summer visitors a frozen-in-time experience. Eddie Sezon founded the place in 1950, building a small, 14-square-foot root beer stand on a corner lot along the city’s main drag. Today, that original spirit remains. The menu is simple yet utterly satisfying, with cheeseburgers, footlong hot dogs, Slovenian sausage, crispy fries and fresh-squeezed lemonade. Tabletop jukeboxes add to the retro ambiance, while a condiment and relish bar (from the typical mustard and ketchup to horseradish and hot peppers) lets diners personalize their orders. True to the spirit of its age, Eddie’s Grill only takes cash. 5377 Lake Rd. E., Geneva 44041, 440/466-8720, eddiesgrill.com

Michael’s Goody Boy Diner, Columbus 
While Columbus’ Short North Arts District has evolved over the decades, one thing has remained relatively unchanged: the blue and yellow neon sign of Michael’s Goody Boy Diner. Open since 1947 and named for original owner Michael Pappas, the spot has long been a destination for easy-to-love eats. Owner Jacob Gaus, who took the reins in late 2023, covered the interior walls in colorful murals, while bright pink and turquoise chairs surround the tables and a long bar fills one end of the space. Michael’s Goody Boy Diner currently opens for lunch and serves it late, but breakfast is available all day. Diners will love the chunky and peppery biscuits and gravy and the double-patty Goody Boy burger. 1144 N. High St., Columbus 43201, 380/219-2905, goodyboydiner.com

White Turkey Drive-In, Conneaut
Keep with the classics at this roadside spot with shredded turkey sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, sundaes and ice-cold soda made using syrup from Rochester, New York’s Richardson Root Beer. Open since 1952, the simple stand near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border still uses its original root beer barrels and countertops and has jukeboxes loaded with vintage tunes. Menu highlights include the Large Marge, a turkey sandwich with cheese and bacon, and the Super Ed, a double cheeseburger with bacon and an onion ring. Sticking with the retro feel, the counter-service joint only accepts cash, but there is an ATM on-site. 388 E. Main Rd., Conneaut 44030, 440/593-2209, whiteturkey.com

Jolly’s Drive-In, Hamilton 
Jolly’s Drive-In’s annual reopening is so celebrated in Hamilton that it’s often covered in the local newspaper, the Journal-News. People flock to the drive-in, which started in 1937 as Vince Sr. and Betty Jolivette’s A&W root beer stand, for cheeseburgers served with mustard, chili sauce, onions and dill pickles; footlong hot dogs, which you can get drenched in cheese or chili or both; funnel cake fries, root beer floats and a hearty helping of nostalgia. Although there are two locations, the Brookwood Avenue spot’s angular car-park awning provides a wonderfully retro feel. The spot is such a vibe that it served as a backdrop for “The Bikeriders,” a movie starring Tom Hardy and Austin Butler that filmed here in 2022. 165 N. Brookwood Ave., Hamilton 45013, 513/863-4191, jollyshamilton.com

Rhonda’s Emerald Diner, Hubbard 
A 1950s-style jukebox, neon clock and license plate collage in the shape of the United States greet you as soon as you walk in the door at Rhonda’s Emerald Diner. Set in a 1939-built train dinning car that was transformed into a restaurant in the 1990s, it became Rhonda’s in 2019 after being restored following a 2012 fire. The vibes are charming, thanks to a wood-paneled ceiling, nine-stool counter and weekly car cruise-ins, and the menu of diner classics keep regulars coming back. Owner Rhonda Boos says the roast beef, served as either an open-faced sandwich or pot roast dinner, is a favorite, as is the Hand Jive Chicken, topped with Italian greens, roasted red peppers and provolone cheese. Breakfast is available all day, and the cakes are baked in house. 825 N. Main St., Hubbard 44425, 330/534-7600, facebook.com/rhondasemeralddiner

Mary’s Diner, Geneva
Checkered floors, neon signs and the shiny red bumper of a ’57 Chevy at the register welcome visitors to Mary’s Diner in Geneva. Although it opened in 2004, the restaurant evokes the feel of a 1950s diner. But Mary’s story stretches back even further, when nearly a century ago, Mary’s Kitchen became a seasonal fixture in the town. In 2014, Neil and Nicole LaRusch purchased both restaurants and have been carrying on the tradition of taking the classic comfort food recipes from Mary’s Kitchen and combining them with classic diner fare. Today, the couple operates two additional Mary’s Diner locations in Madison and Concord, each carrying the same retro feel. Menu favorites include stuffed peppers, meatloaf, pulled pork and pot roast. Breakfast is served all day, but specific offerings (and some special decorative touches) may vary between locations. Geneva: 666 E. Main St., Geneva 44041, 440/466-6393, marysdiner.com

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