Thanks to Richland Source and Galion Live readers, the staff members here at Richland Source have decided to explore the top burgers and fries voted best during our informal Facebook poll. As a result, we’ve instituted “Foodie Friday,” an excuse to get out of the office together and check out some of the area’s hidden gastronomical treasures.
In the Facebook poll, Richland Source readers chose Uncle John’s Place, Five Guys Burgers and Fries (though they aren’t currently local) and the Buckeye Express Diner. Galion readers responded with the top three choices of Taylor’s, Caleb’s Brookside Dari, and The Varsity Grille of Galion.
Uncle John’s Place, a short walk from the office, was our first “Foodie Friday” destination.
Located on the square at 18 South Main St. in downtown Mansfield since 1984, Uncle John’s Place has recently undergone renovation. Owner Nick Tanchevski said he didn’t add much, just uncovered the historical aspects of the building, including a 160-year-old cast iron pillar, original brick, and higher ceilings.
Tanchevski noted that the remodel brought about such an increase in business that the kitchen required remodeling to accommodate the increase in traffic.
The newest item, not even listed on the menu yet, is the “Constitution Burger.” A hamburger on an “everything bagel,” topped with bacon, a green onion cream cheese, and balsamic caramelized onions.
The name came from Tanchevski’s recent family trip to Gettysburg, Baltimore, Virginia, and Washington D.C. “We had a lot of history, and I was thinking about it, so I came up with the Philadelphia cream cheese thing,” he said, noting that after a few other ideas he came up with the name “Constitution Burger.”
Another interestingly named item is “Naked in the Park,” a summer version of Uncle John’s “Central Park.” The “Central Park” is a bread bowl filled with fried peppers and onions, shaved ribeye in the center, and topped with a fried egg. The “Naked in the Park” is the same dish with potatoes added, minus the bread bowl, thus the “naked.”
“It sparks a lot of conversation. It’s one of my top selling things,” said Tanchevski.
Unfortunately, none of us decided to get “Naked in the Park.” Editor Rhonda Bletner did, however, try the “Constitution Burger,” which was recommended by our server Grace Champion.
Bletner declared the burger “tasty” and said she liked the hand cut fries. She said the sanwich held up well sandwiched between the two slices of bagel.
Account Executive Diana Snell tried the Hot Pepper Salad. At one point during the meal, she noted her lips were tingling. Asked how she liked the salad, she replied, “It was amazing!”
Editor David Yoder selected the “Italian Stallion,” a burger topped with grilled hard salami, parmesan cheese, Swiss cheese, Italian dressing, lettuce, tomato, and onion. It took Yoder two hands to get a bite of this huge burger.
Office Administrator Becky Crozier ordered the Crispy Fried Chicken Salad with ranch dressing which she enjoyed.
During our lunch, we discovered a food critic in our midst: our very own Staff Reporter Dillon Carr. Carr ordered the regular hamburger with all the toppings and a side of breaded mushrooms. He said the hamburger was overcooked, but tasted good. The mushrooms, he noted, had more breading than he preferred, but the mushrooms themselves had a good texture and flavor.
Staff Reporter Brittany Schock tried the “Cyclops Burger,” a burger with the works, topped with a fried egg. “I do really like this; it has a good flavor,” said Schock. “I ended up having to eat it with a fork because it was very messy and fell apart, but it still tastes really good.”
For those that are gluten-free or just eating healthy, Uncle John’s Place offers a variety of salads, including the Grilled Chicken Salad made with tossed greens, tomato, egg, cheddar, and a generous portion of grilled chicken breast. The chicken had a great flavor, and the dressing was unique: a house-made vinaigrette that Champion suggested.
We aren’t going to institute a rating system, afterall we’re not real food critics; but overall the food was good, the service was amazing, and the portions were huge. Check out Uncle John’s Place for yourself and tell us what you think.
Coming up on the next Foodie Friday: Taylor’s, 146 Portland Way North, Galion.
