All Aboard! The 318 breaks the streak.
After a string of restaurants falling short of the Positively Delicious food blog journey, 318 Restaurant & Bar in Lima, Ohio, pulls out of the station and secures a spot.
Not only is 318’s hospitality beyond exceptional, but the food and drinks surpass my expectations as well.
So stop in for a sip, a bite, and a memory. Be a party-of-one. Make it a Mommy-daughter outing. Or couple it up and have a date night. 318 brings its best players to the lima culinary game, and I’m thankful I purchased a front-row seat.
First Impressions
Approaching 318, I see why it made my recommendation list. It’s relatively unassuming, and I imagine many people think it’s just another stereotypical pizza and bar combination found in almost every town across the globe. However, 318 is precisely the kind of culinary gem I love to unearth– inspired creations in humbling environments.
As the vehicle slows and prepares to park in the free parking lot beside 318, the trendy brick building and locomotive-themed door pique my interest. The American and POW-MIA flags catch the breeze above the entrance, and the time spent on the complementary paint colors, lighting fixtures, and uncomplicated logo makes me feel welcome.
I’m already happy I made the trip, and I haven’t even taken a bite.
A Step Inside
Opening the door, a wide-eyed Phyllis Diller decoration that reads, “Housework can’t kill you, but why take a chance?” greets me. My smile widens even further as I read the “TRAIN dirty, EAT good, HAVE fun” and the “YOU don’t have to be CRAZY to WORK HERE we’ll TRAIN you!” quotes. I can already tell that 318 is going to be fun.
Taking my seat, I notice the exposed industrial-looking ceiling and the menu that looks like the front of a train when it’s folded. There’s a bar to my left and both low and high-top seating options in the dining area. Although I made a reservation for 6 pm on Friday, it wasn’t necessary as there are plenty of tables. The locomotive theme is strong, and I love it.
Our server, Jon, gives us hospitality at its finest from the moment we meet. He answers all my questions, even letting me know that 318 is the number on a locomotive from Lima, Ohio’s Lincoln Park. Jon’s easy-breezy personality, coupled with his enthusiasm for 318 and life in general, sets the tone for a beautiful, laughter-filled evening, and that tone and feeling never dissipates.
The Menu
Opening the menu, clever locomotive-inspired theme sections greet me:
ENGINEERS CABIN (Appetizers)
SALADS
RAILCARS (Entrees)
FLATBREADS
LITTLE ENGINEERS (Kid’s Meals)
SIDE CARS (Sides)
CABOOSE (Dessert)
Being a sucker for a well-executed theme, I’m immediately excited about the potential of 318 making the Positively Delicious food blog journey. Our table starts with a few beverages on tap and a frozen strawberry margarita with sugar on the rim. The drinks are filled to the brim and delivered within minutes of our order. They’re delicious and usher only compliments.
Our table orders the POTATO KEGS (“jumbo tater tots filled with creamy cheddar cheese, big bacon bits, sour cream, and a hint of chives then deep-fried and served with beer cheese and more sour cream for dipping”) and FRIED PICKLES (“not a spear or a chip, but a fry coated in a perfectly seasoned batter and flour breaded then deep-fried for a crispy bite and served with our sweet and slightly spicy Asian chili sauce for dipping”).
The appetizers’ appearance sets the expectation bar high as they arrive in miniature frying baskets lined with newspaper-printed deli paper. Taking my first bite of each, I’m blown away by the perfectly balanced seasonings and how much the warmth of the POTATO KEGS cocoons me. A moment of silence washes over my dinner companions and me as we taste the appetizers and experience their deliciousness.
Now onto the entrees!
Burgers with ‘318’ branded on the inside of the bun, ONION RINGS, a CAPRESE FLATBREAD, SWEET POTATO FRIES, FULLY LOADED SWEET POTATO FRIES, a CHICKEN PARMESAN SANDWICH, ALABAMA SLAW, and strawberry topped NEW YORK STYLE CHEESECAKE make their way to our forks. No one leaves the table hungry or disappointed.
NOTE: If you don’t like a marshmallow Mount Everest on your sweet potato fries, get the unloaded fries or ask for the marshmallow on the side.
Everything on the menu has a spin on it that makes it delightfully surprising. For example, the ALABAMA SLAW includes buffalo sauce. The SWEET POTATO FRIES are dusted with brown sugar and cinnamon and include maple dipping sauce, making these the perfect choice for those craving french toast sticks or a new take on dessert. And there are plenty of more culinary surprises and mouth-watering menu items that we don’t have room for but that we can’t wait to go back and try– MAC & CHEESE BITES, 318 HOUSE SALAD, FREIGHT TRAIN CHICKEN SANDWICH, WAFFLE SUNDAE, and more.
Final Thoughts
Lima is becoming a food guru’s playground, when you know where to look, and 318 Restaurant & Bar is a noteworthy addition. My party and I stayed well past the time taken to eat, and we didn’t feel in the way once. Our server, Jon, encouraged us to stay and even refilled drinks without being asked and brought new waters when he noticed the ice melted.
318 is a restaurant worth your visit. You taste the culinary expertise in the unexpected and balanced flavors, and you feel the approachability of the menu and the people around you. This is a restaurant with a clear vision of who they are and what they want to be. The locomotive theme conjures memories of childhood while the witty menu pleases your adult palate. So instead of visiting your usual eatery, take a risk and travel to 318 to board the culinary experience that’s not likely to disappoint.
The following photos are courtesy of 318 Restaurant & Bar’s Facebook page:
2 replies on “318 Restaurant & Bar (Lima, OH)”
I’m so glad you enjoyed your experience! The four of you were a pleasure to serve. In retrospect I feel remiss for not showing off our Patio (grin). I look forward to seeing you folks again and don’t forget…. Waffle Sunday, hehe.
This has been one of my favorite places in Lima. I love the outdoor patio. However, I recently became vegan so I don’t know if this place would accommodate that.