With restaurants starting to open up in higher capacities, it is only natural for those of us who are starved for food that we didn’t have to whip up in the kitchen or get from a drive-thru. Amanda, Ohio has no lack of that for tourists, or even if you’re a local looking to find your new favorite place. In this, we will be showing you a handful of restaurants highly rated and reviewed that your taste buds are dying to try. 

So prepare yourself for some detailed descriptions of mouth-savoring foods you may just want to shove in your face.

The Village Food and Spirits 

5070 Sand Hill Rd. | Amanda | thevillage1819.com

A fairly new restaurant, the Village Food and Spirits opened up in February 2019. It is described as a “Pub-Style” restaurant where anyone and everyone can eat at. 

All the classic appetizers can be found at this place, pretzels and beer cheese, loaded fries, Wisconsin cheese bites, and of course onions but not just any, they’re “beer-battered” onions. All less than $8.

Sandwiches, Burgers, Entrees and Chicken are all options available for your main course. 

The most appetizing course in our opinion is the Famer burger which is Angus beef topped with applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato, mayo, and a sunny side up egg. This with some french fries sounds perfect. 

“Great local place to enjoy some great food. Family friendly! Have family in the area so we look forward to our visit with them and a burger with cold beer here! I have my fries double fried...SO perfect , and I'm a picky fry person! Fried pork rinds are a different app & tasty. Lots of seating options. This is a family owned business. Every time we've been there he's walking around making sure Everyone/Everything is good!” -Yelp review.

Ale House 1890 

149 W. Main St. | Lancaster | alehouse1890.com

Located in the downtown area of Lancaster you will come across this next delicious restaurant. Their food is “made-from-scratch” and from what we can tell, that’s just going to heighten the flavor of the foods we are about to describe. 

There is a lunch and dinner option. Lunch is served from 11 am-4 pm, and dinner is from 4 pm-11 pm. 

Observing the lunch menu, the starter options range from many different kinds of food like “Scallops Classico” to spinach and artichoke dip. You can then choose from the soups and salads, and sandwiches and burgers. 

Some notable options are Fusion poke bowl which is “Sesame-ginger dressed Red Quinoa topped with an assortment of traditional Poke accompaniments, pineapple salsa, sesame seared Ahi Tuna and a glazed wonton;” then there is the Ultimate Bleu Burger which is thick-sliced grilled onion, cranberry aioli, smoked bacon, rich blue cheese sauce, tomato, and fresh greens on a 7 oz Angus Chuck patty on a toasted Brioche bun. 

Tell us that doesn’t sound amazing. 

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“We stopped here on a whim as we passed through town, so glad we did. The service was excellent and the food was amazing. Everything we had was cooked to perfection, and full of flavor! We will stop here every time we are back in Lancaster!” -Yelp review.

Cherry Street Pub

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202 N Cherry St. | Lancaster | cherrystreetpub.com

The aesthetic of this restaurant is to die for. In the description on their website, the overall feeling of the place will have you feeling like you’ve walked into a “centuries-old English pub.” The building itself is over 100 years old, but the inside renovations certainly are not. 

Appetizers for this place include gluten-free options like the pimento cheese plate which is homemade pimento cheese, carrots, celery, and tortilla chips.

More options to choose from with their large menu are “The Pub Grub, the sandwiches, the macs, the greens, the sides, the desserts,” and of course their selections of beers, cocktails, and wines.

We had to look closer at “The Macs.” Take a second to prepare yourself for this mouth-watering description; The Nashville Hot Chicken Mac which is ranch mac’ n cheese, Nashville hot chicken, Texas toast, and pickles. 

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“This was the first restaurant my family and I visited since COVID. We are traveling and we were so pleased with the outdoor seating area, the food, and the service! Wonderful! We highly recommend!” -Yelp review.

Crosstown Creamery and Diner

90 E Main St. | Tarlton | crosstowncreamery.com

The history of this place alone makes you want to see what has kept this place in business for so long. In 1950 “Granpa Johnson” started Johnson’s Real Ice Cream, and three generations later ice cream was still being made. 

Breakfasts, salads, sandwiches, and entrees are served here alongside the tasty ice cream. You have your choices of omelets (Cheese, Ham and Cheese, Farmer) among other breakfast options. 

The “Cowboy Chicken Sandwich” is also a yummy option. Fresh chicken breast covered in their honey mustard spice marinade, flame-broiled and topped with bacon and cheddar cheese all on a grilled bun with a side of fries. You also have the option of making that a wrap. 

And of course, the ice cream. Two options that sound delicious are the Puckered berry shake and the Root beer float. 

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“Best food ever. Reuben, alfredo. Biscuits and gravy. Farmers omlette with gravy poured over it. Pancakes are my #1. Sweet potato fries. Hungry man breakfast. You will not go away hungry i promise.” -Yelp review.

The Well

203 South Broad St. | Lancaster | thewelllandcaster.com

At this restaurant, freshness is emphasized. To the point where their website proudly states that “...we promise that the beans in your cup of coffee were roasted not more than 14 days ago and ground within minutes of being served.” As for the smoothies made, they only use non-GMO contents both organic and local. 

This sounds like the kind of place you might not feel bloated after leaving which is definitely a plus. 

Offering both breakfast and lunch, they have some very healthy tasty options. 

A scrumptious breakfast meal we saw was the “Nana-nut buckwheat waffle,” fresh ground buckwheat-oat waffle with bananas, maple pecans, cinnamon cashew spread, and local maple syrup. 

For lunch consider ordering a “Nourishing bowl,” kale, quinoa, fermented cabbage, carrots, cucumber, red onion, roasted red pepper hummus, and fire-roasted chickpeas. You can add tuna, tofu, a hard-boiled egg, avocado, or sheep feta to any bowl or salad. The extra charge ranges from $1.50 to-2.50. 

“My favorite dining/shopping for healthy lifestyles.  Weather it's a salad, eggs, smoothies or treats made fresh daily with detail to clean eating. Try their combination of salads or select your own ingredients, you will be totally satisfied.” - Yelp review.

Wild Ginger Asian Bistro 

1130 N Memorial Dr. | Lancaster | wildgingerohtogo.com

If you’re tired from hiking around all day in Amanda, why not choose this restaurant to pick up some amazing Asian food. This place is a pick-up-only restaurant where you can order from a ton of different options of food such as different rolls (California, tuna, avocado, spicy tuna, etc.), general tso’s, and sesame chicken, and even Pad Thai! 

We’re a HUGE fan of Lo Mein which for them is egg noodles, garlic chives, carrots, bean sprouts, red onions, shiitake mushrooms, with a soy-based sauce. 

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“In town for a funeral and ordered take out. Tropical, Crunchy and Great Harvest rolls along with edamame. Absolutely delicious. Definitely give them a try. We'll be back in the Fall for the fair and be sure to stop in.” -Yelp review.

Pizza Cottage

2223 W Fair Ave | Lancaster | pizzacottagelandcaster.com

Had to throw a good old-fashioned pizza shop in this mix. We don’t know a single individual who might just want a tasty pizza at the end of the day. 

Well, this is your spot. Seven different spots this restaurant sits at throughout Ohio. 

Their menu is filled with all the breaded cheesy Italian dishes you could want. From wings to salads, subs, calzones, and pizzas. They have a signature P.L.T. sub which is crispy pepperoni, provolone cheese, lettuce, Roma tomatoes, and mayonnaise on a bun. 

As far as pizza, they have quite a range of specialty pies. Loaded baked potato pizza (cheddar cheese blend, roasted redskin potatoes, and bacon topped with chives. All served with sour cream on the side), chicken Philly pizza (creamy alfredo sauce topped with cheese, chicken, onion, green pepper, and mushrooms), and the whole hog pizza (provolone cheese, pepperoni, bacon, ham, and sausage). 

You also have the option of creating your own pizza (with the option of making it gluten-free as well).

“My wife and I love their pizza. It is one of our top 3 places in Lancaster to get pizza.” -Yelp review.

Bob’s Backyard Barbeque 

157 W Main St. | Lancaster | bobsbackyardbarbeque.com

Who doesn’t like good barbeque food? It’s the perfect messy food to have when you want something heavier. 

Starting out as a food truck business, as the popularity grew Bob’s Backyard Barbeque they created their first restaurant. 

There is a list of signature sauces available ranging from barbeque sauces to specialty sauces, to barbeque salad dressings, and options of gluten free as well. Concerning the food, “Bob’s Meat Market” (pulled pork, pulled chicken, Angus brisket, etc.). Delicious scratch-made sides like cheesy potatoes, baked beans, and corn casserole.

For main courses to eat, you have your choice of different pulled pork, chicken, and brisket sandwiches. 

“We stopped here on our way home from the Hocking Hills and it was a great find! We had the Monte Cristo and the Reuben and both were delicious. They offer a large and small option and the small was plenty for each of us for dinner. Place was clean and is trying very hard to keep everyone separated and safe during COVID. Everyone was very welcoming.” -Yelp review.

The Smoked Food Factory

1217 S. Broad St. | Lancaster | thesmokedfoodfactory.com

Another barbeque place to choose from while in Ohio, this restaurant newly opened in 2019. They are a carryout and catering restaurant. 

Their hours are 11 am- to 8 pm Tuesday through Saturday and 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Beer is available for purchase with carryout.

Some of the factory meals on the carryout menu to consider is “The cow on fire,” which is brisket with potato dumplings, hot pepper cheese, caramelized onions, and “sweet sumpin bbq” and green onions. The “teriya-que” rice bowls also sound delicious, “smoked meat of choice over bbq dusted sticky rice, country teriyaki, stir fry green beans and carrots & green onions.”

“Such good brisket, better than any other in the area. I wasn't expecting to find a new favorite take out place but they really surprised me. Their mac n cheese is also incredible. Everything I've tried from here is so savory and made right. Some interesting menu options beyond the norm too if you're feeling experimental - like Teriyaki brisket. Surprisingly excellent. So happy to have such a quality place in town” -Yelp review

Something for everyone

Even though Amanda is such a small part of Ohio, there is plenty to offer food-wise. You can always count on some good barbeque, pizza, or even Asian food. Take your pick from this list, our opinion and the reviews of others won’t let you down.