Behind the Food

Triple Nickel/Amvets 555 | Behind the Food

Joe Sigler has a lot of history with the building at 216 Fourth Street NW in downtown Canton. At age 20, he started working there at his uncle Sylvester Premier’s Italian restaurant called Premier’s. Later, he and his uncle remodeled the place and renamed it Primo’s. Setting out on his own in 2008, Sigler ran the AMVETS eatery nearby (in the space now occupied by Fronimo’s Downtown), then in 2012 returned to 216 Fourth Street, bought the building and opened Triple Nickel/Amvets 555 there.

By Dan Kane / January 17, 2020

December '19 About Food & Dining Behind the Food

Damascus Mediterranean Cuisine | Behind the Food

It’s no exaggeration to call Damascus Mediterranean Cuisine a family operation. Sanaa Aboulaban, a Syrian woman who’d been cooking professionally in Brooklyn, New York, had yearned to have her own restaurant for 30 years and found it at Damascus, which opened in July at 4469 Hills and Dales Road NW in Jackson Township.

By Dan Kane / December 16, 2019

November '19 About Food & Dining Behind the Food

Nothing Bundt Cakes | Behind the Food

Retired NFL defensive end Kenny Peterson enjoyed overnight success when he opened a Nothing Bundt Cakes in his hometown a year ago. “It was shocking. It makes me feel good the amount of support that the city has given us,” Peterson said about the instant popularity of his bakery at 4468 Belden Village Street NW in Jackson Township, which is a franchise of a Texas-based company and employs 20 people.

By Dan Kane / November 18, 2019

October '19 About Food & Dining Behind the Food

Eadies Fish House | Behind the Food

Rudy Diotale had a specific atmosphere in mind when he opened Eadies Fish House in Plain Township in 2006. “I had traveled to a lot of islands, the Caribbean and up and down the East Coast and been to a lot of these dives that always have good food,” he said. “I wanted to remind people of places they’ve been to when they’re on vacation. We have lots of tchotchkes hanging up everywhere. I think of it as my big man cave.”

By Dan Kane / October 22, 2019

September '19 About Food & Dining Behind the Food

Esso Coffee | Behind the Food

About 10 years ago, Andrew (Drew) Koehn bought a home espresso machine, and his future found a new direction. In November 2017, Andrew and his younger brother, Kirby, opened Esso Coffee in Alliance, a shop located at 1686 S Union Avenue, directly across from the University of Mount Union campus.

By Dan Kane / September 17, 2019

August '19 About Food & Dining Behind the Food

Aunt Alyee’s Berd-House Deli | Behind the Food

While it’s slightly off the beaten path, Aunt Alyee’s Berd-House Deli is a popular weekday destination for many, who flock like birds for its freshly made breakfast and lunch fare.

By Dan Kane / August 20, 2019

July '19 About Food & Dining Behind the Food

Lowry’s Family Restaurant | Behind the Food

In a small town like East Canton, a local restaurant can be a social hub as well as an eatery. Lowry’s Family Restaurant, open since October 2015 at 800 Nassau Street W, draws a lively crowd of locals. Here, manager Melissa White talks about its food and fans.

By Dan Kane / July 16, 2019

June '19 About Food & Dining Behind the Food

Sublime Smoke | Behind the Food

Zach Salapack was fully confident of his barbecue skills when he opened Sublime Smoke in his hometown of Bolivar in July 2014. He’d already had success with a BBQ food truck in Columbus, where he’d lived since graduating from Ohio State University. When his wife Aimee was offered a teaching job in the Canton area, Salapack began thinking seriously about opening a brick-and-mortar barbecue restaurant in the area. He found an old storefront at 110 Water Street SE in downtown Bolivar, whose previous tenants had included a general store and a speakeasy.

By Dan Kane / June 18, 2019

May '19 About Food & Dining Behind the Food

Arcadia Grille | Behind the Food

Robin Muntean has cherished childhood memories of Saturday shopping with her family in downtown Canton and wintertime skating on the downtown rink. “I’m a big part of bringing Canton back,” said Muntean, who bought the downtown Italian staple Arcadia Grille at the beginning of 2019, after working there for 17 years as a waitress, cook and manager. The Arcadia’s website said it has been in business for more than 85 years.

By Dan Kane / May 17, 2019

April '19 About Food & Dining Behind the Food

Dragonfly Tea Room | Behind the Food

A handsome Victorian house built in 1901 houses one of the liveliest lunch spots in Canal Fulton in its former living room. The Dragonfly Tea Room, which opened in 2011 at 116 Canal Street S, is popular for its menu of what owner Tiffany Craney calls “Southern tea house cooking.” The cozy setting, with lace curtains and loads of teapots, has plenty of period charm. And the Dragonfly offers popular monthly events for kids.

By Dan Kane / April 19, 2019