We Are Buckeye Playbook
We don’t do foam. We don’t do deconstructed. We do gravy, we do crackers, and we do cheese. This is the definitive archive of Ohio’s culinary heritage.
The Mission
Ohio food is often misunderstood. Outsiders look at our chili and ask why there’s cinnamon in it. They look at our “City Chicken” and ask where the poultry is. They see “Hot Chicken” sandwiches and expect Nashville spice, not creamy comfort.
Buckeye Playbook exists to set the record straight.
These recipes weren’t created for Instagram. They were created for steelworkers in Youngstown, German immigrants in Cincinnati, and farmers in the flatlands who needed calorie-dense fuel to survive the winter. We are here to document the history, preserve the technique, and ensure that the next generation knows exactly how to shred the chicken and fry the bologna.
The Playbook Philosophy
We believe that food is the ultimate stat sheet of a region’s history.
Our Core Values
- Respect the Ratio: Whether it’s the peanut butter in a Buckeye or the meat-to-oat ratio in Goetta, we don’t mess with the physics of tradition.
- No Apologies: Yes, we put chili on spaghetti. Yes, we eat cold cheese on hot pizza. If you don’t get it, you’re not from here.
- Community First: Food tastes better in a church basement, a VFW hall, or a parking lot in November.
The Roster
What you will find in our archives.
- Tailgate Legends: Recipes built for parking lots and cold weather.
- Regional Oddities: The hyper-local dishes (Waldo Bologna, Barberton Chicken).
- Holiday Staples: The cookies and casseroles that define Ohio Christmases.
- Immigrant Roots: The Eastern European and German influence on the Rust Belt.
Final Whistle
Whether you still live in the 88 counties or you’re an expat missing the taste of home, welcome to the huddle. Grab a plate, pull up a folding chair, and let’s eat.