It all starts out so well. You’ve picked an awesome place for dinner near South Bloomfield, the meal is great, the conversation flows, and you both want to keep the night going. SUCCESS. But which spots deliver that perfect experience? Here are the 10 best restaurants that make it happen.
Taco Bell
$ | (740) 207-2535 | WEBSITE
Let’s say you’re craving something quick and satisfying after a long day. You already know you want something familiar that won’t break the bank, so you’re off to a good start. But now you might be looking for a place where the staff actually seems to care despite the chaos. Make moves to Taco Bell, a reliably clean little spot where you can get a decent meal and park yourselves at a couple tables until you’ve finished your burritos and shared a good laugh.
Arby’s
$ | (567) 203-4702 | WEBSITE
Are you a busy parent who needs a reliable spot for a quick family meal? You and your kids will probably like Arby’s. While it’s very much a fast-food chain, Arby’s has the vibe of being distinctly more put-together than you expected, but in a way that almost makes you want to come back again. As for the food, it’s straightforward American favorites. Come armed with napkins.
Cherry Street Diner
$ | (740) 983-9669 | WEBSITE
Continue the theme of knowing what the f*ck you’re doing by driving a few minutes to Cherry Street Diner in South Bloomfield. It’s an awesome, tiny family diner – if you’re hungry, the home fries alone will impress.
Triple Play Pizza
$ | (740) 983-6300 | WEBSITE
Sometimes you just need a good pizza. Not a fancy one, not an artisanal one, just a solid, honest pizza that hits all the right notes. Triple Play Pizza brings that simple, satisfying pizza experience to South Bloomfield, and we only wish there were more spots like it. While the pies are delicious, and the service is friendly, this is really a place where you can just focus on the food in front of you. Better make it a Grand Slam.
Ashbrook Grill
$ | (740) 983-6400 | WEBSITE
Before you dismiss yet another roadside, you-might-drive-right-past-it, old-school diner and bar, know that while Ashbrook Grill is all of those things, it’s also really great. It can be slow to get your food, but once you do, the burgers and fries make it all worth it.
McDonald’s
$ | (606) 656-6413 | WEBSITE
You’re heading out for a quick meal with someone who’s become your go-to hangout buddy. When you asked what they’re craving, they texted ‘Something fast. But good!!’ Ugh. What does that even mean? Let’s make this simple: it means McDonald’s. This is a straightforward, no-fuss spot – but also the kind of place that’s impossible not to appreciate.
Partly because the menu has those familiar golden arches, partly because you can make it a game here (if that sounds fun, try customizing your Happy Meal) – but mostly because the food here is consistently fresh and hot. And that milkshake? Probably the best you’ve had in ages. The young lady at the drive-thru was bright and pleasant, making the whole experience smooth. It’s clean, welcoming, and even the dogs get pup cups.
For a reliable bite that hits the spot every time, this McDonald’s delivers.
Wendy’s
$ | (740) 983-2808 | WEBSITE
Taking a drive-thru order at this Wendy’s is basically like taking a test of your patience – it’s the ultimate indicator of whether you’re in the right mood or not. With its insanely good fresh burgers and insanely friendly staff, it’s the kind of fast-food spot you’d kind of have to be grumpy not to appreciate. If you don’t finish every last bite of that Dave’s Single, you’ll know it’s time to reconsider your taste buds.
Tim Hortons
$ | (740) 983-8180 | WEBSITE
We call this move: the drive-THEN-coffee stop. It’s called being practical, people, and your morning will thank you. Tim Hortons is one of our favorite spots in the entire area – it’s friendly without being fussy, it’s reliable without being boring, and it just feels like one of those places where good mornings start. Begin the day here (on the early side, as they can get short-staffed later on), with their excellent large coffees and best ice cappuccino offerings.
The Candied Cottage, LLC
$ | (740) 777-3832 | WEBSITE
As for the getting fat part? That’s on you. But if you want to continue to move things in the right direction, head to The Candied Cottage. It feels much more like a place you would find much farther out in the country. And in this case, that’s a good thing.
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
$ | (740) 983-4548 | WEBSITE
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill is like a giant freezer of fast food, and if that doesn’t sound like something you want to be inside immediately, we don’t have much else to say. When you want chicken strips and ice cream, but you also want a place that feels decidedly different from your kitchen, you come to Dairy Queen Grill & Chill. You’re going to encounter a wait, but that’s what the $1.99 any size cone promotion is for.