After a recent conversation with my husband, I’ve decided to amend my extensive Ohio Bucket list to include 13 restaurants I’ve never eaten at before. I’m often asked for recommendations of places to eat in our hometown and ashamedly, I can offer very little beyond my favorite pizza place or the typical chain restaurants. My husband and I have made a pact to visit a new restaurant in our town every couple weeks so next time someone asks, I’ll be prepared to give them a tried-and-true recommendation of the best places to eat in Mansfield, Ohio.
I couldn’t think of a better place to begin, then Mansfield’s oldest restaurant, Coney Island Diner located on the historic Main Street in the heart of the Carrousel District. The simple, nostalgic downtown eatery is famous for it’s Coney’s and Pea Salad.
I’m not a fan of hot dogs, so while my husband and son ate hot dogs with the onions, mustard and a special Coney sauce, my daughter and I opted for fried delicacies like golden fries, steaming fried mushrooms and delicious cheese sticks dipped in Ranch dressing.
If it hadn’t been so cold outside, we’d have opted for a Root Beer Float made with premium Hershey’s ice cream. We’ll definitely stop back in the summer for a special treat.
This downtown diner that has been serving customers since 1936, closed briefly as it underwent renovations in 2012 to repair extensive damage caused after a water sprinkler break.
You’ll find good food, good service and good prices at this hometown diner decorated with memorabilia from the area. My teens can’t wait to go back. If you find yourself in Mansfield, and are looking for an unusual place to eat, you should definitely stop in at the Coney Island Diner.
Who wants a Coney?
Location:
98 North Main Street
Mansfield, Ohio 44902
Phone: 419-526-2669
Website: www.coneyislanddiner.net/
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Saturday 6:30AM to 7:00PM
Closed on Sunday
Mansfield Area Attractions:
The Richland Carrousel
The Historic Ohio State Reformatory
Biblewalk
Kingwood Center
The Blockhouse in South Park
Oak Hill Cottage
Mansfield Memorial Museum
Gorman Nature Center
Fowler Woods State Park
Malabar Farm State Park
Little Buckeye Children’s Museum
This post is linked to Friday Daydreamin’ with R We There Yet, Mom?
© 2013 – 2015, Tonya Prater. All rights reserved.
sARA says
Awesome! My son goes to college in Ashland, and we are always looking for local spots for meals when we visit. Have you tried Lyn-Way in Ashland?? We LOVE it! It is delicious for breakfast, lunch or dinner! I would highly recommend it if you are looking for Mom & Pop places! Definitely save room for dessert – they are “famous” for their pies! Also, an unusual place to eat in Ashland is The Mill Restaurant…it’s inside the grocery store, Buehler’s. Another two thumbs up spot for us!
Tonya says
I love Lyn-Way! Do you know, Restaurant.com has gift certificates available for Lyn-Way. I didn’t have room for pie on my last visit so I’m planning a return visit. 🙂 I’ve not heard of The Mill Restaurant. I’ll have to check that one out. Thanks for the tip!
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} says
Looks delicious and a place my family would love if we were in the area. We’re doing an International Food Fair here at our Malaysian school, and I’m in charge of rounding up people to make chili dogs — the quintessential American food.
Tonya says
That’s so funny and you’re exactly right- you can’t think of American food and not think of hot dogs!
InsideJourneys says
Oh, I was sure this was going to be about Coney Island, NY!
Those hot dogs look so delicious, I could eat one now.
[email protected] We There Yet Mom? says
YUM YUM YUM!! You know how much I LOVE local eateries!! Thanks for sharing this one with us!
Thanks for linking up this week!
Mary {The World Is A Book} says
I love small town diners like these that have been around for years My kids love hamburgers and hotdogs so they would love a place like this too. That’s a great pact you made to visit those restaurants. It should be fun discovering new places to eat right in your own hometown.
Tonya says
If we can decide which one to visit next, we’ll be doing good. That’s our problem, we’re too indecisive!
EverywhereAmy says
OK, my kids would love this. They would live on hot dogs if they could. I’ve never spent any significant time in Ohio, but it is seeming like I should…
Tonya says
Stick around long enough Amy and you’ll have plenty of reasons to visit Ohio! 🙂
Lisa says
Love that first shot of Main Street in Mansfield – it’s exactly how I imagine small town America (or smaller – I have no idea how big Mansfield is!). 🙂 This sounds like a restaurant with a lot of character and worth visiting even if you don’t eat hot dogs!
Tonya says
You guessed right. Mansfield is a small town. Not terribly small, but certainly not large considering we have a population that hovers somewhere around 50,000. I always love the shots of Main Street. 🙂