Take a Trip on Ohio’s I-76: Breakfast Edition
Who doesn’t like finding local breakfast spots, diners and fun places to eat? In this special breakfast edition of “Take a Trip on Ohio’s I-76”, My Ohio Fun shares with you unique diner and dining stops along this special eighty-two miles of highway.
There are two major rules that we have applied to our list:
- All the breakfast stops must be located no more than 10 miles from the interstate.
- No “chain” diners or restaurants. Only locally owned.
We will continue to update our listings as we continue to visit diner’s along I-76.
Keep on exploring.
~Diane
MAHONING COUNTY breakfast stops.
Canfield
JR GRINDER (10 miles)
400 W Main St #1478, Canfield, OH 44406
330.702.8782 | jrgrinder.com
Step inside JR Grinder and you will be taken back to the 50’s & 60’s. This local diner with bright colors serves up breakfast sandwiches, subs, hand-dipped milkshakes, floats, malts, breakfast items, pizza, as well as grinders. Order a sandwich and you will be treated to a piece of bubble gum. How retro is that?
Side trips:
If you enjoy looking for hidden treasurers, the Mahoning County Visitor & Convention Bureau has put together a shopping trail for you. Details can be found here.
Another cool stop is the TP Tools Auto Museum.
Location: 7075 State Route 446,Canfield, OH 44406
1.800.321.9260 | LEARN MORE.
Open every Saturday from 10am to 3pm.
If your road trip brings you to the area on a Saturday, and you love cars, a pit stop at the TP Tools Auto Museum should be on your itinerary. Over 500 classic cars are on display. Don’t forget to bring your camera, because not only are you going to want to take photos of the cars, you are going to want to take photos of all the different store themes recreated. Did I mention FREE ADMISSION?
MEDINA COUNTY breakfast stops.
Seville
DIGSBY’S TOO
31 W. Main St., Seville, OH
digsbystoo.com
Like their sign says. They serve comfort food, as well as a good cup of coffee.
Things to know before you go:
Parking is available on the street.
Lunch specials available.
Side trips:
Allow time to shop Downtown Seville.
Visit the home and gravesite of the Giants of Seville.
Northern Ohio Railway Museum
Wadsworth
ALEXANDRIS RESTAURANT (1.5 miles)
146 Main St., Wadsworth, OH
Facebook
Breakfast. lunch and dinner are served at this downtown restaurant.
Parking is available on the street and around back. The restaurant posts its daily specials on their Facebook page.
Since it was already noon the day of my visit I opted to try their fish sandwich special. The lunch special came with a large piece of fish, a choice of potatoes and coleslaw.
THE WATER MAIN GRILLE (1.6 miles)
339 Main St. , Wadsworth, OH 44281
watermaingrille.com
The Water Main Grille serves breakfast and lunch. Although I did not request an order on this visit; you are given a choice of sausage or bacon gravy if you order their version of biscuits and gravy.
Parking is a bit tricky. You can park on Main Street or Water Street, or the parking lot across from the Junk Store.
Side trips: Allow time to do a little Downtown Wadsworth Main Street shopping. Take a selfie at the angel wings mural. Parking is free around town.
A few of my favorite spots include The Book Loft (a used bookstore that gives back to promotes adult literacy) and Ann’s Pastry Shop. You can not go wrong with one of their cream sticks. Get there early if you want the best selection at Ann’s. Growing up my grandparents would visit the bakery once a week for their Vienna bread. Although they are new owners, the recipe and taste are still the same.
PORTAGE COUNTY breakfast stops.
Kent
Although Mike’s Place may not be considered a diner, I felt the need to include them as a stop, because I am sure, somewhere there is a diner stool.
MIKE’S PLACE (2 miles)
1700 S. Water St., Kent, OH
mikesplacerestaurant.com
Is it a restaurant? You may not be sure when you first pull into the parking lot and spot a replica Star Wars X-Wing Fighter sitting out front. But rest assured this family-owned restaurant has been serving locals, tourists and the Kent State college crowd since 1987.
Allow plenty of time to read the extensive list of menu items and taking in the eclectic and random decor’, including an actual bus and boat, license plates and memorabilia everywhere, soap box derby cars, Elvis in the rafters, and so much more. During patio weather you are going to want to spend time on the “Key West” inspired patio. Don’t forget to look up and see the castle. Mike’s Place is a definite bucket list stop when visiting Kent.
Menu options include…
Let’s just say everything from breakfast to burgers, pasta, to BBQ, to sandwiches, salads, you get the idea.
Breakfast pro tip: If you love potatoes, order their Florida home fries.
Things to know before you go:
🔹 Open everyday, except major holidays.
🔹 Allow plenty of time to read the menu. Lots of choices and fun descriptions.
🔹Parking is available on-site.
🔹Cash and credit cards accepted.
Side trip:
For those who love to shop, Downtown Kent has a nice selection of galleries, one-of-a-kind shops, a used bookstore, coffee shops, and more.
For those who want to get close to nature, a short drive south is Wingfoot Lake State Park. Easy walking path, Storybook Trail for the little ones, kayaking, disc golf, and a nature center. You may even get a glimpse of the Goodyear Blimp.
Deerfield
CIRCLE RESTAURANT (5.5 miles)
1290 OH-14, Deerfield, OH
circle-restaurant-restaurant.business.site
Can you say “HUGE” pancakes? Serving breakfast anytime, the Circle Restaurant is the area’s go to place for homestyle cooking. The Circle Restaurant less than 6 miles south from I-76. Some say it is even haunted.
Side trip: Just down the road is the Deerfield Cemetery. One its a historic site of Rachel Grant, U.S. President’s grandmother. Second the cemetery is the resting place for a little Indian boy. 
Circle Restaurant | photo credit: My Ohio Fun
SUMMIT COUNTY – breakfast spots.
Akron
EAT-N-RUN (.3 miles)
1323 Kenmore Blvd., Akron
I found this little diner just by chance. The staff will tell you they are the best kept secret in the area. Don’t bring your credit cards, this diner is cash only.
Serving breakfast and lunch.
Soups, sandwiches, dinners and more.
Things to know before you go:
🔹Closed on Mondays. T-F 6am-2pm
Sat-Sun 6am-1pm (breakfast only)
🔹 Parking is in the center of the road. Directly across the entrance.
🔹 CASH only.
🔹 Walker accessible. Not wheelchair.
FRED’S DINER (3 miles)
930 Home Ave., Akron, OH 44310
All I can say is, it’s a “Baconfest” when you order their breakfast with bacon. Not just one or two pieces, you get a nice portion of their “fried” bacon. No wonder this unassuming diner is such an area favorite.
Menu includes breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, soup, burgers, dinner selections including pork chops and fried ocean perch.
Things to know before you go:
🔹 Open: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 6 am to 3 pm, except major holidays. (Posted on website.)
🔹Parking is available on-site.
🔹Seating area fills up. Allow time if crowded. Word is out.
🔹Cash and credit cards accepted.
EAST SIDE LAMP POST (.3 miles)
2146 E. Market St., Akron, OH 44312
330.733.5308 | Facebook
This little dinner with it’s 50’s feel and red bar stools may be known for staying open late and serving their famous “He-Man” breakfast platter ( 3 eggs, double order of hash browns, biscuits & gravy, pancakes, meat and a side of toast), but don’t under estimate their burgers or their hand dipped milk shakes. Even their soup of the day was delicious.
Menu items include American classics like burgers, fries, salads, soups, fried chicken, dinners, and those hand dipped milk shakes. Kids menu available.
Things to know before you go:
🔹Breakfast and dinner is served all day.
🔹Make sure your check out their “specials” board.
🔹Parking is available on-site.
OLDIES & GOODIES DINER (3 miles)
641 Massillon Rd., Akron, OH 44306
This small family run business may not look like much from the outside, but the locals have no problem with that. Find classic breakfasts, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and daily specials.
Barberton
DEE’S 50’S PLACE DINER (2 miles)
581 Norton Ave., Barberton, OH
Listen to 50’s music as you enjoy your meal at Dee’s. Dee’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner items. All the American classics. Make sure to check the daily special list before ordering.
THE ENCHANTED CAFE (2 miles)
559 Norton Ave., Barberton, OH
This family run breakfast spot is sure to find its way on to your Ohio diner list. Everyone is just so friendly. Their breakfast selections include everything from breakfast platters, sandwiches, biscuits and gravy to eggs benedict. For lunch try one of their burgers, Reuben sandwiches, homemade soups, salads, or one of their daily specials. Don’t forget their award-winning chili! For dessert, order a few pieces of their delicious baklava. Take time to view the charming “enchanted” artwork throughout the cafe. It’s not a large cafe, but you will find plenty of warmth and charm, as well as a nice cup of coffee.
REMARKABLE DINER (3.3 miles)
451 Fairview Ave., Barberton, OH
remarkablediner.com
Can you say delicious waffles! If you love a good waffle, the Remarkable Diner is your spot. Their breakfasts are not bad either. Make sure you visit their website for updated specials. I had just missed their Maple Bourbon Bacon Waffle!.
FA-RAY’S FAMILY RESTAURANT (2 mile)
1115 Wooster Rd. N. Barberton, OH 44203
farays.com
Fa-Ray’s has been serving all your favorite family style breakfasts and foods since 1946. Omelets, French toast, pancakes, waffles, sausage & biscuits and more can be found on their breakfast menu. You are sure not to leave hungry.
THE COFFEE POT (2 miles)
202 2nd St., NW., Barberton, OH
This little diner is located right in Downtown Barberton. Their menu selection includes breakfast favorites, sandwiches and salads. And yes, they serve a delicious cup of coffee.
CISSY’S DINER (2 miles)
465 W. Park Ave., Barberton, OH
This family owned diner is located inside the old Barberton post office, You can even see some of the boxes on the back wall. Local favorite that only accepts CASH.
Barberton side trip: Al’s Meats. Just around the corner is Al’s Meat and Restaurant, If you love Hungarian sausage, paprikash, cabbage rolls and meat from the butcher, you might want to make a quick stop.
Norton
SWEET HENRIE’S RESTAURANT
1365 Gardner Blvd., Norton, OH 44203
sweethenries.com
Sweet Henrie’s is the local go-to place for everything from breakfast, lunch, dinner and even ice cream. They serve a classic country fried steak and eggs that looked delicious. I sampled the classic breakfast and the portion was not small.
Side trip: Grandpa Cheese Barn
(Stay tuned for additional I-76 Road Trips.)
Article and photos, unless noted by: MyOhioFun.com (Last updated: 11/14/24)
Diane is the owner and editor of MyOhioFun.com. She is an avid baker, gardener, Little Free Library owner, who loves to read and travel. She spends most of her days sharing her love of things to do in Ohio, as well as creating destinations and itineraries for group tours and individual travelers.
Editor’s note: Any use of the above article or images without prior permission, will be in violation of copyright laws.
***Disclosure: My Ohio Fun receives compensation from advertising banners. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***