Carryout from AJ's Heavenly Pizza

For a town of 36,000 (approx.), there are an unusual amount of pizza shops around. A.J.'s Heavenly Pizza is a relative newcomer to the Findlay area, opening up earlier this year. It's located in the strip mall just south of the Trenton/Main intersection.

I haven't stepped into the place since it was the old Hot Diggity Donuts from the early 90's. The location is remodeled well, seating about 15 people or so. There was also a large TV to watch, as you ate. I watched a little of it, as I waited for my to go order.

Before I talk about the pizza, I wanted to make special note the service was very friendly. He was polite and respectful from start to finish. I was very impressed. However, the pizza was pretty basic. The crust reminded me of a pizza place primarily located in college towns called "Gumby's." The sauce was spicy, but a little sweeter than I care for it to be. It wasn't a bad pie, but I have a few other places in town I like better. The one thing I can say is there was only pizza sauce for dipping. That's a refreshing thought, because sauces like ranch have no business being near my pizza.

-Reviewed by Nate L 
 

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AJ's Heavenly Pizza is located at 1404 North Main St. (in the plaza on the Southwest corner of Trenton Ave.).  They are open Sun.-Thurs. from 3pm to 10pm and Fri.-Sat. from 3pm to Midnight.  To place an order for carryout or delivery, they can be reached at 419-423-7494, and you can find out more at AJsHeavenlyPizzaFindlay.com.

Lunch @ FoodTopia

The webmaster of Findlay Eats Out! and I decided to have lunch at FoodTopia not too long ago. When I first heard of it, no real food category came to mind. If it weren't for the gyro picture on the window, I wouldn't have known anything until I read the menu.

To get it up and running, the restaurant was opened without much in the way of decor. After speaking with the main operator of the establishment (Deena), they are still throwing around ideas. Since the idea of Greek designs aren't quite popular, I'll throw the suggestion aside. There are more tables set up than I anticipated, but it wasn't packed. I think that was due to the reliance on word of mouth advertising. I can see that. Advertising isn't cheap, especially if you do business with the Findlay Courier.

Takeout From Paradise Pizza

OK, I'll admit it. I'm a sucker for a really good coupon. After all, who wouldn't want to save a few dollars? Somehow, a Paradise coupon came into my possession a while back and I found a window of opportunity to use it.

It's very important to note this is carryout and delivery only. As I walked in, they only have two waiting chairs across the counter. No dine-in option here. Upon reading their menu, they deliver to... Mt. Blanchard, Arlington, and Rawson?! Wow, I hope they have an insulated bag so the food doesn't get cold. That's the only thing I can think of that would allow them to go that far.

Tonight's selection was a 12" turkey sub. After I found a suitable location, it was dinner time! In a similar vein to Quizno's, they toast the bun. I like sub shops that toast the bread, as it adds a nice crunch to the sub. The rest of the ingredients didn't do much for me, though. It definitely could use more cheese. Overall, the sandwich was OK, but I'd rather have one made from Jac & Do's.

-Reviewed by Nate L

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Paradise Pizza & Subs is located at 542 6th Street (near the railroad tracks), and can be reached for carryout or delivery at 419-422-9200. 

Lunch @ The Bedrock Cafe

  The building at 2227 Tiffin Ave. has had a tumultuous past; originally home to Ruby Tuesday's, it stood empty for several months when the chain restaurant closed its doors.  The food and service were average, and ultimately they were unable to compete with the plethora of "mid-range casual" restaurants nearby such as Cheddar's, Applebee's, and The Red Pig Inn.

However, the building began to see new life when the owner of TKO's Restaurant and Sports Bar decided to change locations.  The interior was given a full makeover, including installation of a  mirrored bar back, mellow, modern lighting, new seating, and LCD televisions.  Unfortunately, the combined losses from being closed during the move and the cost of the remodel itself proved insurmountable.  After only being open a little more than a week in their new location, TKO's closed its doors forever.

Sushi & Beer @ Tokyo Steakhouse

I want to begin by explaining the "Sushi & Beer" description of our visit to Tokyo Steakhouse.  When we visit a restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, we realize that a certain expectation exists regarding speed and quality of service.  Because those expectations are somewhat universal, we can compare one restaurant to another within those categories; lunch at one place can easily be compared with lunch at another, and likewise with breakfast or dinner.  However, when we visit a restaurant outside of a normal meal time, or are there simply to order a limited selection, we feel we should make it clear that the review doesn't necessarily reflect a standard meal at the restaurant.  OK, enough with the semantics; on to the review:


We decided to head over to one of our favorite night spots recently, Tokyo Steakhouse.  Known for their entertaining hibachi-style cooking tables, the restaurant features a  wide selection of Japanese foods and beverages.  While we have been there for several meals (it is a great birthday destination), this trip was solely for the purpose of having late-night sushi and beers.  Not only do they offer numerous varieties of sushi and sashimi, they have a number of items that are half off after 8:30pm-fried rice, noodles, and several of the sushi rolls, to name a few.

Now, I am a huge fan of sushi.  I love the complex flavor pairings, most sushi is fairly nutritious, and the tradition involved with the preparation and consumption is fascinating to me.  However, many of my friends and family hold the view (as I am sure many of you do) of, "Eeewww....raw fish!"  They either don't like the pungent aroma and flavor of the fresh fish and various accompaniments, or the texture is what turns them off.  For some, it is simply the idea of eating uncooked seafood that doesn't bear well.  In any case, I understand that not everyone shares my enthusiasm for it.  As such, it was no surprise that one of my companions was totally repulsed by sushi in general, while the other was curious-but not a huge fan.  As such, I ordered the lion's share of the sushi that evening.

Treats @ Cold Stone Creamery

If you have never been to a Cold Stone Creamery, you may have some notion as to what the place is like; you figure, "Ice cream shop, lots of flavors, lots of toppings, nothing out of the ordinary."  While the first three statements are true, this ice cream shop is far from ordinary.

The first Cold Stone Creamery was opened in Tempe, Arizona, in 1988 by Donald and Susan Sutherland (no, not that Donald Sutherland).  Opening an ice cream shop in Arizona seems almost like a sure thing-it shouldn't have to be anything too fancy.  However, the couple wasn't happy with the ice cream that was available at the time.  Instead of offering either unremarkable soft-serve or boring, traditional hard-packed ice cream, they decided that their store would only carry the freshest, highest quality ice cream around-with a new twist.

Lunch @ Jim's Hot Dogs

I remember Jim when he used to own the gym up on the North side of town. Now I've come to find out he opened up a restaurant in downtown Findlay. Since I am a fan of hot dogs, today's lunch it was. The establishment itself is small and prone to traffic congestion. However, there is a small open area across the street, if the weather's good enough.

Locally owned and operated, Jim's Hot Dogs serve hot dogs, burgers, and breakfast Monday through Saturday. This will be more a lunch stop for me, but it's good to know. I decided on the "Findlay-style Dog," which is essentially a Chicago-style dog. The only differences I saw were the use of a regular bun (poppy seed is common for Chicago-style) and cross-cut jalapeno peppers instead of whole sport peppers. Overall, I enjoyed my dish and could taste all of the flavors in the hot dog. For a hot dog, that's pretty good.

Dinner @ Stevi B's

Stevi B's has been around in Findlay for a number of years, but only recently did I decide to have dinner there. Unfortunately, I stopped by during its peak operating hours (approx. 7:00p) on a Saturday night. It was loaded with kids running around and making lots of noise (as kids do). If you want a quiet meal out on a weekend, then I recommend you seek alternate dining plans.

The restaurant's primary focus is pizza buffet. If they don't have a pizza on the buffet table you want, then they make it and bring you out a slice. The only caveat is it has to be posted on the menu. I will say the employees were polite and answered all of my questions without hesitation and even recommended pizzas they enjoyed. That was very nice of them.

Dinner @ Shin's Fusion

We recently received an email from a reader asking us to review Shin's Fusion restaurant.  At her request, we visited today and have an in-depth review to post; however, she also included her own review. So, we'll share our thoughts first,  and post her review in the "Comments" section.

Located in the former Satang Thai Cuisine storefront, the first impression when you walk into Shin's Fusion is how small and sparse the place is.  However, I have been to many Asian restaurants in many different cities, and I can say that it is nothing shocking compared to the majority I have visited.  Additionally, Shin's is in the same shopping center as Dietsch's East and, despite the deliciousness that resides within, that Dietsch's is kind of run down inside as well.  The point I am trying to make is, don't judge this book by its cover-or else you will definitely miss out.

Arriving for an early dinner, we were greeted immediately upon walking in and were asked to seat ourselves.  There are only about 6 or 7 tables, but the tables themselves are much nicer than what you normally see in a restaurant; they are more along the lines of the type of dinner table you would put in your own dining room at home.  Like most Asian-themed restaurants, there were the fun placemats at each seat that feature the Chinese Zodiac.  Sure, paper placemats are not exactly fine-dining accoutrements, but who doesn't want to know whether or not they are compatible with their dinner mates?  People who aren't much fun, that's who.

Dinner @ Rancho Fiesta

This is one of two restaurants owned by Lorenzo Sanchez, with the first restaurant being located in Mansfield. Even though I'm positive there are unrelated owners involved, Rancho Fiesta has a very similar atmosphere to La Charrita and Mi Tequila: brightly colored dining areas, Mexican songs playing in the background, a standard menu of quesadillas, burritos, fajitas, etc. I found the service to be polite and helpful. They didn't serve horchata, but he entertained my inquiry about it.

The entree that evening was the Quesadilla Suprema. From the menu, this quesadilla provides a "flour tortilla grilled and stuffed with cheese, beef tips, and beans. Served with lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream." The entree was priced at $7.69, which seems to be the norm around town for a dinner plate. It was large, and I would be willing to say filling for most people.

Lunch @ Tim Horton's (Tiffin Ave. Location)

When we started this site, we promised you that we wouldn't just review sit-down restaurants, but fast-casual and fast-food places as well.  However, we have been letting you down; both in the infrequency of our restaurant reviews and in the lack of reviews of anything but a sit-down restaurant.  We vow to change; this will be both the third review posted in two days as well as the first review of a fast-casual restaurant.  Enjoy!

Tim Horton's,  founded in 1964 by the Canadian hockey player of the same name, is a staple of our Northern neighbors' diets-so much so that there are more Tim Horton's franchises in Canada than McDonald's.  The chain consists of 3,527 restaurants overall, including 2,971 in Canada and 556 in the United States.  Two of these are in Findlay; the first to open was the Tiffin Ave. location, where we ate lunch this afternoon.  The second location was recently opened as an in-store add-on to Cold Stone Creamery.

Known first and foremost for their delicious, always-fresh coffee and their wide variety of baked goods, Tim Horton's also features several options for breakfast and lunch.  Breakfast choices include several types of breakfast sandwiches, yogurt with fruit and berries, and hash browns.  For lunch you can order one of a variety of submarine-style sandwiches, try one of the new "Wrap-Snackers," or have a bowl of soup or chili.  All of the heartier selections are available either à la carte or as part of a meal, and you can mix and match sides like doughnuts, fresh fruit, soups, and your choice of drink within the meals.

Dinner @ Cedar Valley Café

Hey! What do we have here? A Lebanese (& American) restaurant in Findlay. At least there are some silver linings after all. With the loss of the Big Jerk and Guru India, I was starting to get a little agitated with this town.

Since there is so much American food around here, I flat out ignored that section of the menu. I know it's there to appease people who may not want something different. Fortunately, I am not one of those people. My dinner started off with the national dish of Lebanon: Kibbie (or Kibbeh or Kubbeh or Kibbe). It was a delightful mix of beef, onion, and bulgur wheat. They were served in the traditional fried, torpedo-shaped croquettes with a cup of yoghurt.

Lunch @ The Old World Café

I tend to give locally owned and operated restaurants a bit of a break, especially when it's their grand opening. Such is the case for the long awaited Old World Cafe. For quite some time, the residents were left guessing on what "Old World" would actually be. All of my conversations surmised Italian, however it turns out to be Greek. This is wonderful news, as Findlay could stand to have another Greek restaurant.

We didn't have to wait long, but I'm thinking that was due to it being a weekday rather than the weekend. Our service was polite, but not aware their duties as waitstaff. If we order hummus, then remember to bring plates with which to rest individual servings and if a party orders Greek fries with feta, please check the order to make sure it's not Parmesan.

Lunch @ Royal Buffet

We stopped in to the brand-new Royal Buffet for their grand opening, to see what all the hullabaloo was about.  Located in the old Ryan's Steakhouse building, our first impression of the place was, "Gorgeous!"

As you first walk in, you notice a giant, color-changing, fiber-optic chandelier, a fountain loaded with huge chunks of colored glass, and various lit pillars all around.  It is easy to tell that, during the planning of this restaurant, decoration was definitely a priority for the owners.  Greeted immediately, we were led through the buffet area (which itself is stunningly beautiful), and seated along the perimeter.  We ordered our drinks, and headed straight to the food.

Lunch @ Max & Erma's

Columbus, Ohio-based Max & Erma's is a fairly well established restaurant chain, having been around for more than 35 years and boasting 106 locations across the Midwest.  Originally featuring a menu heavy on burgers and fried foods, they now offer a wider variety of dishes, including pastas, paninis, and gourmet dinner salads.

In the past we have visited Max & Erma's  locations in Columbus, Pittsburgh, Toledo, and other cities, and have always brought away fond memories.  Which is why, when a franchise opened up in Findlay several years ago, we were fairly excited; finally we could enjoy Max & Erma's in our home town!  However, while the majority of corporate-owned and franchised locations have a similar decor to Cheddar's or Applebee's, this franchise just doesn't feel like the other locations we have seen.

Pizza Hut (Blanchard St. Location)

Long past are the days when Pizza Hut reigned supreme, one of the only choices for pizza in Findlay (or any other town, for that matter). Sure, there have always been smaller, local competitors, but in its heyday Pizza Hut was definitely a force to be reckoned with. Their global success can probably be attributed to their memorable pan-style pizza, distinctive buildings with dine-in and pizza buffets, and the fact that they are a cornerstone of the global giant Yum! Brands (also operators of Taco Bell, KFC, A&W, Wing Street, and a little company called Pepsi). With over 6,500 locations worldwide and some of the deepest pockets in the world from which to draw advertising dollars, not many competitors are even in the same league as Pizza Hut, much less a threat.

Alas, the success must have gone to their heads, because it seems they have been neglecting the focus on quality and customer service that helped build an empire. On a visit to the Pizza Hut location on Blanchard St. this past Saturday evening (before heading to the Downtown Winter Blues Festival), it was apparent that their biggest threat these days isn't Domino's, Papa Johns, or even the growing number of highly popular, independent pizza shops in America. No, their biggest threat is themselves.

Lunch @ Cheddar's

I am glad that I waited to post this review for a couple of reasons...We ate lunch at Cheddar's on Tuesday, and it was such a shockingly unsavory experience that I couldn't wait to get on here and blast them. However, I decided to give myself a bit of time to cool down, and went to Hulu.com to watch some episodes of Chef Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares to dull the razor-sharp edge of my retalitory wit. After viewing some truly unforgivable culinary acts, my perspective was restored and I feel that I can give this experience a less biased report. So, I present to you (a great deal less angrily, I might add) my review of lunch at Cheddar's:

A Findlay mainstay, usually the combination of well-prepared, reasonably priced food and strong, reasonably priced drinks puts Cheddar's near the top of the list of places I would like to meet up with friends. I have come to accept that, if I decide to show up during the dinner rush, I will have a bit of a wait (honestly, anyone who doesn't expect to wait for a table at any restaurant between the hours of 5pm and 8pm is delusional). However, we showed up at 4:05pm, which is hardly a busy time for a restaurant that doesn't feature "Early Bird Specials." Which is why we were less than happy to be told that, due to the "shift change," we would have to wait for "a minute."

The Gathering

I have had many lunches, dinners, and drinks at The Gathering over the past 16 years or so, and they have been through a lot in that time: a change of ownership, the flood in 2007, and the ever-changing economy of the last few years. While they are a familiar Findlay haunt, it had been a while since I last visited them.

Originally we had planned on heading over to the 13th Annual CPS Chili Cookoff at the Kohler Center. However, we had family come in from out of town, so we decided on a sit-down restaurant instead. It was unfortunate that we missed the Chili Cookoff, but the fact that most of Findlay was there -and not eating out- made it easy for us to get seated quickly. In fact, we pretty much had the entire restaurant to ourselves!

Texas Roadhouse

I'm sure that, by now, many of you have made it out to Texas Roadhouse. The company just opened up a Findlay location this past month, and last night we dined there for the second time since they dipped their toes in the shark tank of restaurants that occupy our fair town. We had a fairly similar experience to the first time we went, which was approximately three weeks ago. Known for their "fun-filled atmosphere" and the quality of their food, they are a peanut-shell-on-the-floor, random-western-kitsch-on-the-walls, rootin', tootin' steakhouse. But, I digress.

First of all, if you don't already know, you should take advantage of their "Call-Ahead" seating system. Not a reservation, but simply putting your name in the wait-line ahead of time, it's a must; wait time for a Friday or Saturday night between 6pm and 8pm varies between 45 minutes and two hours...insane, isn't it? We have noticed both nights we were there, however, that by 8:15pm or 8:30pm the line had disappeared and people were able to get seated almost immediately. So, if you can stave off your hunger until later, you won't be forced to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with a mass of peanut-crunching strangers.