My wife and I decided to take a quick getaway to northern Ohio. to visit Genevea on the Lake. Our The first stop was Scooter’s world-famous Hotdog House in Mentor. http://www.scootersworldfamousdawghouse.com

I have had this place on my food bucket list for a while! When we arrived, the place had a cozy diner-style charm and a menu packed with choices! i went big and ordered the Scooter Dog in their largest size available the Homewrecker (yes, that is what it is called!). it is a 18inch hotdog loaded with coney sauce, cheese sauce, onions, mustard, Ketchup and relish, a perfectly steamed bun… It was delicious!

My wife got their homemade chicken salad on oat bread. and She said it was good too. But the surprise? The fries. I ordered a junior fry, thinking it would be enough for one person- especially since I ordered the Homewrecker. The fries were thin, fresh-cut, and enough for 3–4 people; we could not eat them all! Wow, just wow, and they were good!

Scooter’s is counter service joint, so you place your order at the counter, and they call your name when it is ready. If you ever find yourself in northern Ohio near Mentor, Make the stop= You will thank me Later!

Feeling nostalgic in Geneva on the Lake

After filling up at Scooter’s, we headed north and visited the lakefront town of Geneva on the Lake; I haven’t been there since the early 2000s. Walking down the strip felt like stepping back in time. Not much has changed, and honestly, that’s part of its charm.

This touristy tiny town is packed with knickknack shops, t-shirt shops, and cute little throwback fast food stands. old school arcade and Classic fast food stands that look straight out of the 50’s. there are even a couple of dive bars. giving the whole area a laid back, summer on the lake feel.

The highlight for us was The Old Firehouse Winery. We stopped in for a wine tasting, which cost only $8.00 and came with a small stemless wine glass to keep. The staff recommended starting with the driest and working our way towards the sweeter side. We mostly enjoyed the sweeter variety.

We also visited the Ashtabula County Tourist Center, and they were a wealth of information. Did you know Ashtabula has 19 covered bridges and has the largest wine region in the state of Ohio and the third largest in the country?

After Geneva on the Lake, we made our way to Austinburg for the night. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express near Highway 90, a super convenient location very close to local wineries, restaurants, and some of the region’s iconic covered bridges. oh, and yes- We did make a stop to see the giant rocking chair. (because how could we not?)

A hidden Gem in Austinburg

The Farmer, The Butcher, The Chef

FBC New Era Steakhouse

Post #3: A Hidden Gem in Austinburg – The Farmer, The Butcher, The Chef

By Brian – Take the Trip

Every great trip has at least one unexpected surprise — and for us, this was it.

While looking through Google Maps near our hotel in Austinburg, Ohio, I stumbled across a place with a name that instantly caught my eye: The Farmer, The Butcher, The Chef. It was not on any list I’d seen or mentioned by anyone — just a hidden gem tucked behind a barn, sitting quietly behind a beautiful old home that now operates as a coffee house.

From the moment we pulled in, I had a good feeling about this place.

When you walk inside, the first thing you will notice is the massive butcher case right in the middle of the restaurant — not something you see every day. The vibe is rustic but refined, and they do things a little differently here: instead of table service, you order directly at the butcher counter where the menu is posted. That is where we met Matt Horton, the owner, who helped guide us through the ordering process. After placing our order, we were given a table number and chose our seats.

Pro tip: They’re currently in between liquor licenses, so for now, it is BYOW (bring your own wine) — or you can help yourself to water, or grab a soda or iced tea from their cooler.

We kicked things off with a salad for two, which honestly could have fed three or four. They even let us split the dressing — I went with Caesar; my wife chose balsamic. It came with shaved Parmesan and crunchy croutons, and it was the perfect start to what turned out to be an unforgettable meal.

My wife ordered the filet mignon — thick and juicy, and they were happy to butterfly it per her request. It came with grilled asparagus and mashed potatoes. I went for the ribeye, grilled medium rare, served with glazed carrots and those same creamy mashed potatoes.

And let me tell you… the steaks were next level. Perfectly seasoned, grilled with care, and melted-in-your-mouth tender. My wife said hers cut “like butter” — and she was not exaggerating. The sides held their own too, with the carrots bringing just the right touch of sweetness and the potatoes rich and comforting.

To pair with the meal, we brought a bottle of Blackberry Wine from Rosabella Winery, a nearby spot that is also worth a visit. The fruity notes of the wine went perfectly with the bold flavors of the steaks.

We finished off the evening with a decadent layered white cake with chocolate filling, topped with white and dark chocolate shavings. We were beyond full by the end — but so satisfied.

This meal was a standout of the trip — the kind of place you do not just eat at, you Remember! If you ever find yourself near Austinburg, run, do not walk, to The Farmer, The Butcher, The Chef. And when you do, tell Matt that Chef Brian from Columbus sent you. Trust me — this is one dinner you will not want to miss.