Location: Defiance
Top Restaurants in Defiance
Where to eat American food in Defiance: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Reviews on American food in Defiance, Ohio, United States. Defiance is a city in and the county seat of Defiance County, Ohio, United States, about 55 miles (89 km) southwest of Toledo and 47 miles northeast of Fort Wayne, Indiana, in Ohio's northwestern corner. The population was 16,494 at the 2010 census.
Things to do in Defiance
10. Captain D's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Margaret F
The food is freshly cooked and hot. The coleslaw was crunchy and tasty, and the okra was good. Service was friendly.Having said that, it wasn't what I was expected. It bills itself as a seafood restaurant, so I walked in, expecting to be greeted and shown to a table, but it's actually a self-service place. I looked around the dining room and couldn't see any staff, so I returned to the counter to ask if I should order there. The server said yes, but there was no menu to read, only a cluttered board behind the desk. I managed to figure out what I thought I would like, but then was unsure whether to wait or to go and sit in the restaurant. The servers need to be more proactive in guiding first timers.The food in my seafood platter was fresh, but most of it was so smothered in breadcrumbs, cornmeal or batter that the flavor couldn't come through. I had expected juicy shrimp and tasty crab, but really all I could taste was the coating. The white fish was better, and the hush puppies were yummy. I can see that it offers a cheap meal in a themed restaurant that is a cut above the usual fast food chains. I would have been prepared to pay double for seafood that was grilled or steamed, just served with a little butter.
9. Bob Evans
Overall Ratings
3 based on 61 reviews
Welcome to America's Farm Fresh. Stop by this fall for tender, juicy, USDA choice steaks served all day along with your cooler weather comfort favorites. Serving breakfast, lunch or dinner at our table or yours. Click, call or come in today!
Reviewed By lawnbarber
Went to breakfast before we hit the hwy. Looks like a new bobs place food was good. Our hash browns were over cooked but was quickly address by waitress and the manager came over to talk with us. Busy place, fast service great price
8. Applebee's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By ghostgirl74
The wait staff was excellent. Extremely friendly and attentive. Brenda was our server, and she was able to gage the type of group we were and adjusted her style to fit our needs. Food was good and served quick. Drinks were very good. While there was a wait, this is the only restaurant of this type that we found in town, so this was expected...just plan ahead. :) Close to the interstate and to the hotel so the location was awesome. I would eat here again if I were to find myself in Defiance.
7. Jewell Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By suchaprincess
After reading the great reviews here on Tripadvisor and having several rave reviews from co-workers and family, we decided to venture the drive to the lovely crossroads of Jewell, Ohio... equidistance between Defiance and Napoleon off US 24. To begin, the waitress, Ali, was delightful, lovely, friendly, warm, attentive... everything you want in a waitress. It kind of spiraled from there.The salad was very good ... fresh, crisp greens with homemade dressings ... couldn't have been better. The huge platter of golden onion rings looked marvelous ... however, the oil they were cooked in just wasn't hot enough. The coating fell off from the steam of the onion, The taste was there, but really oily and greasy. If the oil had been 10 degrees hotter there would not have been a problem. The entrees were equally unimpressive. Supposedly renown for their steaks and beef, we were underwhelmed. The 12 oz rib eye was done on a flat-top... no color and no taste and about 1/4" thick and very fatty. No way it was going to come to us Med-Rare or even Medium. Both were Well Done and no seasoning. DH's 12oz strip was Medium (ordered MR) but again... no color and no seasoning. Again, done on a flat-top, but almost looked microwaved or steamed if I didn't know better. Sides were very good ... crisp french fries, perfect;y al dente broccoli and the best mac and cheese ever. All in all, it was only a 6 out of 10, at best. The pleasant waitress saved the day. Maybe the prime rib, fish and seafood and the daily specials were better. But, steer clear of the steaks until they get a hotter grill or a better meat cook.Doubt if we'll drive all that way from Toledo for what was a marginal meal.
6. Cosmos
Overall Ratings
4 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By Curious608198
Hadn't been here in at least 10 years. Place is very busy with mostly retired people. Numerous cell phones going off in the 45 minutes that I was there and people talking on them. Lots of cigarette smell from the customers. Food was not very good. Waitresses hollering across the room about orders. Certainly zero atmosphere, only a slop chute.
5. Kissner's Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By Verne K
Probably the oldet eatery in Defiance. Celebrated its 90th Anniversary with 90 cent draft beers. However, the menu cover was still celebrating its 85th anniversary in 2013. Long old fashioned two level bar with an antique store front and long narrow room with banquet rooms downstairs. I orded a medium steak but it came very well-done. Otherwise food OK.
4. Defiance Pancake House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By fred s
Two specials posted. Each of us had one. Mine was the chirizo with eggs and hashbrowns, and warm tortilla. Awesome. Her's was the spinach and sausage with toast. also awesome. Attentive service, hot coffee, clean.
3. Jersey's Gameday Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By LVJAKE
Average burger and brew place along with pizza. Service was fast and friendly and lots of sports on the TV's.
2. Bud's restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 58 reviews
Long time defiance family restaurant located across from our.courthouse, downtownGood food and service. Specialty is mouth watering pies
Reviewed By Curious608198
Family owned small restaurant with a long history. Many daily specials. open breakfast through early evening. Great friendly service.
1. Sweetwater chophouse
Overall Ratings
4 based on 125 reviews
Formerly Kettenring country club.....now owned by cooper farms
Reviewed By OneLaker2
This was our first time here, and the place was not busy at 12:30pm on a Tuesday. We were seated promptly with a great view of the golf course. Our waitress was efficient and courteous, and our lunch arrived in about 15 minutes after we ordered. Our food was tasty, but not spectacular. I would compare it to an Applebeeâs in quality and quantity. Prices seemed high for lunch ($48 including a $8 tip for two), but the setting on the golf course is very nice. We ordered two salads, salmon and beef, one coke and waters. No wine or cocktails.
