Ohio is moving in...

[lprmesia]

The Ohio chain I really want is White Castle. I know calling what they serve "food" is questionable as best, but there's something about them I love.

I'm happy with Penn Station, though the 3 area locations fail to capture the spirit of the original (or even some of the other Ohio chains). Part of the appeal was watching them make the food, which you don't see in the Pittsburgh area locations since everything is done behind a tall counter. They serve "fresh squeezed" lemonade here, but they actually fresh squeeze the lemonade at the locations I've been to in Ohio. The cookies here are pre-wrapped instead of sent through the oven. It's still fine or whatever, but they're missing some of the WOW factor by cutting a few corners.

[corpgypsy]

I could be wrong, but I believe they were once in Pittsburgh...as recent as the 1950s perhaps ; possibly even in the 60s, but fairly certain in the 30's to 40s....OH I am referencing White Castle...sorry! Someone call Rick Seback, he'll know the answer!

[EggMaker]

We recently moved to OH from Pgh. So far, my vote for an OH chain to expand east would be Heinen's, a grocer headquartered in Cleveland. Pretty comparable in price to Giant Eagle*, but such better quality! And actual people work there, who are actually helpful and knowledgeable and polite. Which was completely not the case with my old GE.

I suspect Heinen's wouldn't move east, though, due to the alcohol sales restrictions. My Heinens has a pretty fantastic wine and beer section that probably partially subsidizes the amazing produce, meat, and deli.

* I would say that prices on meat, produce, and deli are better at Heinen's. The middle aisles are more expensive at Heinen's than at GE, but I usually use Costco for that stuff anyway (as I did in Pgh).