The Small-Town Ohio Tavern With Steaks Worth Planning A Trip Around
A tiny Ohio village is holding one of the most extraordinary dining experiences in the entire Midwest, and most people drive right past it without knowing.
The building opened in 1837. Twelve fireplaces.
Seven dining rooms. Underground tunnels that once sheltered people seeking freedom on the path north.
Five guest rooms named after presidents and first ladies.
And the steaks. House-cut Certified Angus Beef smoked over hickory, sassafras, and apple wood until they earn every superlative visitors have been attaching to them for years.
Is a historic tavern with Underground Railroad tunnels beneath the dining room really a thing that exists in Ohio?
It absolutely is, and it has been quietly earning devoted fans since it reopened in 1990. Dinner here comes with ghost stories, presidential history, and a Beef Wellington that guests are still talking about on the drive home.
Ohio’s Best Kept Secret
Picture driving through a quiet Ohio village and spotting a grand brick building that looks like it belongs in a history book. That feeling is real, and it waits for you in Hanoverton, Ohio.
The Spread Eagle Tavern and Inn opened its doors in 1837. It sits proudly on Plymouth Street, a road lined with twenty-two original historic buildings.
The Federal period architecture is stunning.
The building features three full floors and twelve fireplaces. Architect Asher Benjamin’s drawings inspired its design.
Every detail tells a story from a different era.
This place closed in the late 1800s and became a private home. A massive twenty-month restoration brought it roaring back to life.
It reopened on October 2, 1990.
Today, it stands as one of Ohio’s most remarkable dining and lodging destinations. Travelers come from across the state just to experience it.
Once you arrive, you will completely understand why.
The Sandy and Beaver Canal once ran through this tiny town, bringing merchants and travelers to its doors. That same spirit of welcoming guests continues today.
Ohio has many hidden treasures, but this one truly stands apart.
Steaks That Change Everything
Some steaks are good. Some steaks are forgettable.
Then there are the steaks at this Ohio tavern, and those belong in a completely different category.
The kitchen prides itself on house-cut, Certified Angus Beef prime strip steaks. These are not frozen, pre-packaged cuts.
They are the real deal, prepared with serious skill and care.
One guest described the 18-ounce Delmonico as absolutely unforgettable. Another said the Beef Wellington was perfectly cooked with crisp pastry and a massive, generous portion.
Those are not small compliments.
The smokehouse plays a major role in the flavor experience. Hickory, sassafras, and apple woods are used to smoke meats.
That combination creates a taste profile you simply cannot replicate at home.
Beyond beef, the menu features rack of Ohio lamb, pheasant, and seafood specialties. Sweet-potato-encrusted snapper and shrimp dumplings bring exciting variety.
There is truly something for every adventurous eater.
Desserts are equally memorable. Apple crisp uses locally grown fruit.
Blueberry slapjack cake and classic pecan pie make the perfect sweet endings to a truly epic meal.
Treat yourself to a steak dinner here. You will leave Ohio with a very full heart and an equally full stomach.
This meal is worth every single mile of the drive.
Seven Rooms, One Journey
Walking through this tavern feels like flipping through a living history textbook. Every room has its own personality, its own story, and its own jaw-dropping details.
There are seven distinct dining rooms inside. Each one is decorated with period antiques that reflect colonial American charm.
No two rooms feel the same.
The rustic Barn Room anchors itself around a vast stone fireplace. It is warm, dramatic, and absolutely unforgettable as a dining backdrop.
Many guests call it their favorite spot.
The Patriot’s Room displays a 1779 Revolutionary War battle flag. Tiles behind its fireplace tell the story of the canal era.
History literally surrounds your table.
Rooms are named after remarkable historical figures. The Asher Benjamin parlor honors the architect who inspired the inn’s design.
The Marcus Hanna room celebrates a local industrialist who funded presidential campaigns.
The McKinley and Taft dining rooms pay tribute to former presidents, both Ohio natives. The Barbara Bush dining room opened during her time as First Lady.
Ohio history fills every corner.
Look closely as you explore. Some chairs once served as actual Senate seats, complete with plaques naming who sat there.
A painting by Archibald Willard hangs proudly in the hall. This place is practically a museum that feeds you.
Sleep Inside History
Most hotel rooms look the same. This place throws that idea completely out the window.
Staying overnight here means sleeping inside a piece of genuine American history.
There are five guest rooms located upstairs, each one named after a significant historical figure. Abraham Lincoln, George and Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Dolley Madison all lend their names to these remarkable spaces.
Each room is decorated with period antiques chosen with real care and attention. Some feature canopy beds and claw-foot tubs.
Others include fireplaces that add a romantic, old-world atmosphere.
A full breakfast is included with every overnight stay. Guests rave about the morning meal, which features eggs, crispy bacon, fried potatoes, fresh fruit, and toast.
It is a warm and satisfying start to any day.
Free WiFi keeps you connected to the modern world. Daily housekeeping ensures comfort throughout your visit.
The combination of historic charm and practical convenience works surprisingly well.
One reviewer who stayed in the Washington Suite described it as spacious, with a large queen poster bed and impressive antique details. They called the dinner that night out of this world.
The whole package left them planning a return trip.
Booking a room here is not just accommodation. It is an experience that Ohio simply cannot offer anywhere else.
Reserve early, because these rooms fill up fast.
Underground Railroad Roots
History here goes far deeper than the dining rooms. Literally.
Beneath this building lie tunnels that once served as part of the Underground Railroad. That is a story worth sitting with for a moment.
Hanoverton, Ohio was settled in 1813 by Quaker abolitionist James Craig. Early on, this town became a safe haven for people seeking freedom.
The community took that responsibility seriously.
Remnants of an underground passage still exist beneath the building. This passage connected structures across the street.
Freedom seekers would hide in an upstairs room, accessible only through a second-story window.
At night, they would board a canal boat and move toward the next safe location in Canada. The Sandy and Beaver Canal was not just a trade route.
It was a lifeline for many brave individuals.
Today, guests can actually dine in the tunnels below. Multiple reviewers described this as one of the most unique dining experiences imaginable.
Quiet, atmospheric, and deeply meaningful.
The tunnels add a profound layer to every meal enjoyed here. You are not just eating in a historic building.
You are sitting in a space where real courage and humanity played out.
Ohio has many historic sites, but very few let you dine inside them. This is one you absolutely must experience firsthand.
Make a tunnel reservation and feel the history beneath your feet.
Stories And Legends
Ready for a little mystery with your meal? This tavern has more than great food going for it.
It also has legends, folklore, and at least a couple of resident spirits who never quite checked out.
Guests and staff have reported unusual experiences near that area of the building. The stories have been passed down for generations.
Another well-known spirit is Olivina Nicholas, daughter of an original owner. She pursued an acting career in New York before returning to Ohio after disappointment.
The Jefferson Room is said to be the most haunted space in the entire inn.
History adds another thrilling layer. Abraham Lincoln is said to have stopped here before becoming president.
Folklore suggests he gave a small speech by the fireplace before dinner. A historical bill confirmed his visit.
Presidents William McKinley and William Howard Taft also dined within these walls. The Sandy Valley Order of Free and Accepted Masons held meetings on the third floor.
This building has witnessed more history than most museums.
Exploring the hallways, reading old newspaper clippings, and studying portraits of historical figures on the walls feels genuinely exciting. Every corner holds another surprise.
Come curious and leave with stories of your own to tell.
Fresh, Local, And Unforgettable
Great food starts long before it hits the plate. The kitchen at this Ohio tavern understands that better than most.
Fresh, locally sourced ingredients are the foundation of everything served here.
The on-site garden sometimes supplies beans and tomatoes directly to the kitchen. That kind of farm-to-table commitment shows up in every bite.
Flavors are vibrant, honest, and deeply satisfying.
The smokehouse is a serious operation. Hickory, sassafras, and apple woods create layers of flavor that slow-cooked meats simply cannot achieve any other way.
The result is something genuinely special.
Beyond steaks, the menu surprises with dishes like Louisiana-inspired sweet-potato-encrusted snapper. Lobster Rangoon dip served with fried wontons has earned rave reviews from guests.
Arancini makes a wonderful starter for adventurous eaters.
One reviewer described the Beef Wellington as perfectly cooked with crisp pastry and a huge portion. Another raved about the vanilla bean bread pudding, saying nearly every bite made them weak in the knees.
These are not exaggerations.
Seasonal specials keep the menu exciting throughout the year. Holiday meals embrace tradition while elevating every dish with memorable flavors.
Returning guests always find something new to love.
The kitchen team clearly takes pride in what they create. Plating is described by guests as five-star and genuinely beautiful.
This is fine dining done with heart, soul, and serious culinary talent.
Plan Your Ohio Adventure
A trip to this Ohio tavern deserves more than just a quick lunch stop. The surrounding area is packed with outdoor adventures, scenic beauty, and small-town charm worth exploring for a full weekend.
Guilford Lake State Park sits just 5.6 miles away. It offers fishing, boating, and peaceful lakeside walks.
Zepernick Lake Wildlife Area is also close by for nature lovers.
Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail provides gorgeous scenery for hikers and cyclists. Beaver Creek State Park is another nearby option worth exploring.
The Pioneer Village and Wildlife Education Center inside the park showcase Ohio’s incredible natural history.
Historic Plymouth Street itself rewards a slow, leisurely stroll. Twenty-two original buildings line this remarkable road.
Tall trees frame the architecture beautifully in every season.
The tavern is open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch, with extended hours on Sundays. Always check current hours before visiting, as schedules can vary.
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend visits and special occasions.
Multiple guests have booked tunnel dining seats months in advance for Valentine’s Day. Planning ahead ensures you get exactly the experience you want.
Early booking is smart and highly encouraged.
You will find this one-of-a-kind destination at 10150 Plymouth St, Hanoverton, OH 44423. Ohio has many great places to visit, but few combine history, food, and adventure quite like this.
Come ready to smile, explore, and treat yourself to something truly memorable.