Buckeye Playbook
Ohio’s Home for Legendary Recipes, Tailgate Classics & Comfort Food Traditions.
From Cincinnati chili parlors to small-town dive bars, we preserve the flavors Ohio grew up on. No trends. Just battle-tested, crowd-approved dishes passed down through generations.
👉 Cook Like an OhioanBuilt for Ohio Kitchens — Not Instagram Trends
Buckeye Playbook is a growing collection of authentic Ohio recipes, regional food stories, and tailgate-ready classics. Every recipe here is inspired by real places, real people, and real traditions — not watered-down internet versions.
What you’ll find here:
- Iconic Ohio comfort foods (City Chicken, Johnny Marzetti)
- Legendary tailgate and game-day recipes
- Small-town and regional specialties (Waldo Bologna, Amish Fry Pies)
- Desserts every Ohioan recognizes
If it belongs at a cookout, church potluck, VFW hall, or stadium parking lot — it belongs here.
Choose Your Play
Browse our three main playbooks.
Tailgate Legends
Heavy hitters built for crowds. Fried bologna, chili dogs, goetta, and game-day staples that hold up from kickoff to overtime.
View Tailgate RecipesSupper Club
Comfort food with history. Midwestern plates, old-school favorites, and meals that feel like home — from Cleveland to Cincy.
View Supper ClubSweets & Desserts
Buckeyes, fry pies, cream puffs, and candy-shop classics that every Ohio kid remembers.
View DessertsPreserving Ohio Food Culture
Ohio doesn’t get enough credit for its food traditions. Buckeye Playbook exists to document, protect, and celebrate the dishes that shaped communities across the state.
This site is for:
- Ohio natives who miss the food they grew up with.
- Transplants who want to cook like locals.
- Families passing recipes to the next generation.
- Fans who believe tailgating is a sacred ritual.
Tested. Researched. Authentic.
Recipes are researched, written, and tested with authenticity first. When variations exist, we explain them. When history matters, we include it. No shortcuts. No gimmicks.
Some links may earn a small commission — but recommendations are made with Ohio cooks in mind, not algorithms.
Start Cooking Like a Buckeye
Whether you’re planning a tailgate or feeding a family, we have you covered.
