Northeast Ohio historic tavern receives statewide recognition for best restaurant
The Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance honored the best of the restaurant, food service and hospitality industry at the annual Industry Awards Celebration.
One northeast Ohio restaurant took home the prize for best restaurant in the area during the recent awards celebration at Villa Milano Banquet and Conference Center in Columbus.
The Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance handed out 19 awards to restaurant owners and hospitality specialists from across the state, including Bender’s Tavern in Canton.
Bender’s Tavern
For over 95 years, patrons have supported Bender’s Tavern, a fourth-generation family-owned restaurant on Court Avenue in Canton.
Bender’s Tavern is Canton’s oldest restaurant, opening in 1902.
In 1988, the team at Bender’s Tavern recovered from a fire that damaged the inside of the building.
Fred Olivieri Construction helped restore the historic building where Bender’s Tavern still is today.
Owners Jon and Elizabeth Jacob manage Bender’s Tavern, which is best known for its prime beef, craft cocktails and fresh seafood.
Visit Bender’s Tavern from 4 - 9 p.m. on Monday, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. on Tuesday - Thursday, 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. on Friday and 4:30 - 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.
“We do our part to help make Canton shine, our culinary team puts extra hours of work in and our service staff is ready to pour your favorite craft cocktail,” the Bender’s Tavern team wrote.
More restaurants recognized in Ohio
Here are all eight winners in Ohio recognized at the 2024 Industry Awards Celebration who were selected by public vote:
- Best Restaurant North: Bender’s Tavern in Canton - Elizabeth and Jon Jacob
- Best Restaurant Central: Bobber’s at the Lake in Belle Center - Matt Brown
- Best Restaurant South: Montgomery Inn in Cincinnati - The Gregory Family
- Best Ohio Craft Brewery: MadTree Brewing Company in Cincinnati - Brady Duncan and Kenny McNutt
- Best Community Partner: BTTS Holdings in Columbus - John Brooks
- Best Guest Experience Provider: Jessica Hohman from Adornetto’s in Zanesville
- Best Guest Experience Provider: Randy Arehart from City Barbeque in Columbus
- Best Behind the Scenes Employee: James Hart from Tony Packo’s in Toledo
The Cassano Family, Nick Kostis, George Schindler and Kay Ameen were inducted into the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance Hall of Fame.
The Cassano Family founded Casano’s Pizza King in Dayton.
Kostis is the co-founder of Pickwick & Frolic/Hilarities 4th Street Theatre in Cleveland, while Schindler and Ameen founded Hospitality Restaurants in Cleveland.
In addition to the awards voted on by the public and the Hall of Fame inductees, the following winners were selected by a committee of ORHA staff and Board of Directors:
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Ann Miller Reichle, retired owner of Angelina’s Pizza in Cleveland
- Industry Innovator: Land-Grant Brewing Company in Columbus – Adam Benner & Walt Keys
- Rising Star: Kristen Bailey, co-founder of Sweets & Meats BBQ in Cincinnati
- Rising Star: Matt Schmidt, part-owner of Schmidt’s Sausage Haus in Columbus
- Outstanding Public Official: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost
- Outstanding Industry Educator: Chef Gregg Needles from Tolles Career & Technical Center in Plan City
- Ohio ProStart® Student of the Year: J.D. May from Vanguard-Sentinel Career & Technology Centers in Tiffin
- ORHA Ambassador: Steve Butcher, Co-Owner of Nutcracker Family Restaurant in Pataskala
- Outstanding Vendor Award: Sugardale, a Fresh Mark company, based in Canton