Great lunch spot can be hard to find: Try these 10 in Stark County
It used to be relatively easy to grab lunch at a locally owned restaurant any day of the week. But now, the restaurant scene is very different.
Labor shortages, supply chain issues and record-setting inflation have taken a toll on the restaurant industry.
Since the pandemic started, some restaurants have closed and many are working with a much smaller staff. And thanks to inflation, many restaurants also are seeing fewer customers, making them rethink their hours.
All of this has led many restaurants to adjust their hours, with many closing for an extra day or cutting lunch hours on specific days, or altogether. This makes it especially difficult to find reliable lunch spots.
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A great lunch restaurant can be hard to find. Here are 10 in Stark County that are open Monday through Friday.
Top 10 Stark County lunch restaurants
1. Deli Ohio
Deli Ohio is a family-owned and community-focused sandwich shop serving fresh, high-quality ingredients. The staff is friendly, and the food is delicious. The casual window-lined sandwich shop offers you views of downtown Canton while you eat, or you can order your meal to go. The menu offers 13 different sandwiches, salads, soups and sides for lunch, as well as handmade pastries and a full line of bottled craft sodas, teas, sparkling waters and juices.
Location: 328 Walnut Ave. NE, Canton; 330-453-7777; deliohio.com
2. BAM! Healthy Cuisine
With "healthy" in the name, BAM! is committed to offering healthy options to its customers. With two locations featuring bright interiors and ample seating, you can take a break from work and enjoy a healthy meal. Carryout is also available from both locations. The menu offers a variety of healthy specialty pizzas; grilled sandwiches; nine salads, plus a to-go pre-packaged salad; 17 wraps; the option to build your own sandwich, bowl, grilled dinner or pizza; smoothshakes, which can have protein added; a variety of sides; and to-go sides and sweets.
Locations: 2185 E. Maple St., North Canton, 330-494-7136; 7160 Fulton Drive NW, Jackson Township, 330-880-0226. bamhealthycuisine.com
3. Aunt Alyee’s Berd-House Deli
Serving breakfast and lunch for 12 years, Aunt Alyee’s Berd-House Deli offers daily hot lunch specials, starting at 11 a.m. Sandwiches, salads, wraps and desserts are available all day. Choose from indoor, outdoor and the recently added indoor porch seating, plus to-go orders. The restaurant has a vinyl room that is dedicated to the music they love and decorated with vintage album covers and memorabilia.
Location: 2103 Gambrinus Ave. SW, Canton; 330-479-1671; auntalyeescatering.com
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4. Grinder’s Above & Beyond
With six locations in Stark County, Grinder’s is a reliable spot for lunch no matter where you find yourself. The restaurant offers a homey feel and traditional homestyle food. The menu offers appetizers, flatbreads, salads, burgers, croissants and wraps, grinders, dinners, combo meals, sides and desserts.
Locations: 3114 Whipple Ave. NW, Plain Twp., 330-477-5411; 1820 W. State St., Alliance, 330-821-6665; 1212 W. Maple St., Hartville, 330-587-4280; 500 W. Main St., Louisville, 330-875-9700; 404 E. Lincolnway, Minerva, 330-868-7824; 1671 N. Main St., North Canton, 330-497-4800. grinders.net
5. 330 Bar & Grill
Located inside the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Canton, 330 Bar & Grill has a cool lounge feel and offers lunch and dinner seven days a week, plus brunch on Sunday. The menu includes shareable dishes, flatbreads, soups and salads, a variety of entrees, handheld sandwiches, sides and dessert. Whether you choose a light lunch of soup and salad or something heavier, like the smoked mozzarella and red pepper ravioli, there’s plenty of options to make this a go-to lunch spot.
Location: 330 Market Ave. S, Canton; 330-471-8000; 330barandgrill.com
6. Walthers Twin Tavern
Walther’s is a family restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Opened five years ago, Walther’s menu features appetizers, soups and salads, steak burgers, turkey burgers and portabella burgers as well as build-your-own burgers, chicken wings and tenders, pasta dishes, seafood, sandwiches, sides and desserts. There is also a seniors’ menu.
Location: 430 Applegrove St. NW, North Canton; 234-714-9533; waltherstwintavern.com
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7. Basil Asian Bistro
Inspired by Pacific and Southeastern Asian cuisine, Basil’s menu features gourmet offerings such as spicy Szechuan, Thai curries and Pad Thai, along with fresh sushi. Also available are traditional dishes, including 23 different stir fry options, such as General Tso’s chicken and moo goo gai pan. Stop in for lunch or grab carryout any week day.
Location: 585 Market Ave. N, Canton; 330-452-3888; basilasianrestaurant.com
8. The Crush House
A contemporary eatery on the grounds of Gervasi Vineyard, The Crush House is a great spot to get away from work and enjoy a weekday lunch. The menu features a variety of appetizers, several pasta dishes, sandwiches, soup and salads, entrees, sides and a large selection of desserts.
Location: 1700 55th St. NE, Canton; 330-497-1000, ext. 5; gervasivineyard.com/dine/the-crush-house
9. The Howlin Bird
Open seven days a week, The Howlin Bird views itself as a spin on an elevated quick service restaurant. With flock meals that can feed two to six people, it’s a great spot for a working lunch or meeting up with some friends. The menu offers a variety of chicken entrees, including rotisserie chicken, chicken tenders, wings, chicken and waffles, salmon, sandwiches, burgers and salads; flock meals, which feature chicken and a variety of sides; appetizers, and sides.
Location: 123 S. Main St., North Canton; 234-714-9000; howlinbird.com
10. John’s Bar & Grille
In its new location in Oakwood Square, John’s Bar & Grille is still a staple in the area. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. John’s Bar & Grille’s lunch menu features a large variety of appetizers, chicken wings, several handcrafted burgers, sandwiches and tacos, salads and soups, and chef’s specialty meals.
Location: 2658 Easton St. NE, Plain Twp.; 330-454-1259; johnsgrille.com
This article originally appeared on The Repository: A great lunch spot can be hard to find, here are 10 in Stark County
