January offers an additional incentive to hungry diners — the fourth annual Comfort Food Cruise promotion.
The Hocking Hills Comfort Food Cruise takes place over the last three weekends in January — Jan. 14-15; Jan. 21-22 and Jan. 28-29.
WHAT IS IT?
With the purchase of an $18 ticket ($5 of which benefits food banks in the region), you buy yourself a comfort food dish at most of the locally owned restaurants and charming diners in the Hocking Hills area.
“Winter is one of the most beautiful seasons in the hills,” said Karen Raymore, who has served as executive director of the Hocking Hills Tourism Association since 2007. “(The Comfort Food Cruise) became really popular with folks that live in the region and many people made it out to restaurants they had never been to before … it’s guilt-free because there are so many places to get outdoors and be active in between meals.”
Raymore says the cruise has grown in popularity since its inception, and she expects more than 700 hungry diners to take part this year. She says that although some have successfully eaten at all 12 restaurants in one day, most break it up over two days with breaks in between to savor the natural phenomenons that exist in the landscape of Hocking Hills.
THE RESTAURANTS & FOOD
2017 participating stops in the Comfort Food Cruise includes:
The Boot Factory Grill: Prime rib sliders
45 E. Canal St., Nelsonville
740-753-9100 x2329
Hocking Hills Diner: Banana bread French toast
2217 East Front St., Logan
740-380-9987
The Home Tavern: Chicken salad and chili
363 Gallagher Ave., Logan
740-385-9985
Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls: Ultimate chocolate brownie
21190 Ohio 374, Logan
740-385-7489
Jack’s Steak House: Jack’s famous cabbage soup
35770 Hocking Drive, Logan
740-385-9909
M&M Family Diner: Meat Loaf
34 W. Main St., Logan
740-380-9181
Maya Burrito: Chocolate Churro
12 E. Main St., Logan
740-380-9773
Millstone Barbeque: Mac & Cheese
12790 Grey St., Logan
740-385-5341
Olde Dutch Restaurant: Chicken & Noodles or Mashed Potatoes
12791 Ohio 664 South, Logan
740-385-1000
Pearl’s Diner: Biscuits and Gravy
12908 Ohio 664 Suite B-7B, Logan
740-385-3663
Pizza Crossing: Pizza
58 N. Mulberry St., Logan
740-681-9889
MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR TRIP
Raymore recommends planning your first stop at the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center to pick up cinnamon rolls, a free souvenir as part of the promotion and, most importantly, to get a plan together for maximizing your time in the area. Tickets can be purchased online in advance, or at the welcome center.
With an overnight and a little planning much of your breakfast, lunch and dinner over two days can be covered with your ticket.
Reservations are not required, but as a general rule of dining, you might want to call ahead to skip any potential wait times.
When you’ve had your fill of food, there are plenty of wondrous winter places to explore and burn off those calories including Cedar Falls, Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave, Cantwell Cliffs, Conkle’s Hollow and Rock House.
It’s a great way to get a real taste for some of the dining options in that part of southern Ohio without breaking the bank and getting some chill time in with Mother Nature.
If you’re looking for a quiet weekend away, remember that on Jan. 21 more than 5,000 hikers will descend on the area for the 52nd annual Hocking Hills winter hike that runs from Old Mans Cave to Ash Cave with a stop at Cedar Falls. That same day the Logan Frozen Festival, an ice sculpture festival featuring 30 ice sculptures up and down Main Street, will take place featuring live entertainment, food trucks and more.
If you are looking for big crowds and big fun, Jan. 21 is the date for you.
For more information on the Comfort Food Cruise promotion and other events happening in the Hocking Hills area visit www.ExploreHockingHills.com.
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