Lima, Ohio

I greatly enjoyed turkob's series of posts on Lima, Peru a few months ago but figured it's high time we talk about the other Lima (pronounced like the bean). Enough with all the beautiful tropical fruit and pristine fish; let's talk about Kewpee burgers, fried bologna and donuts! We weren't in Lima for long but had time for a three course breakfast. First stop, Kewpee.

Lima is the headquarters of the Kewpee chain, once with several hundred locations. It's down to five now—one in Racine, another in Lansing and three in Lima. Two of Lima's Kewpees are fairly nondescript modern structures but the downtown location is this 1939 gem.





A car turntable, currently paved over and nonfunctional, remains in the back lot. It once spun autos around for an easy exit after orders were filled at the side window.



Inside, it's a gleaming white burger palace catering to all the folks . . .



. . . with pretty, plump Kewpies silently hovering overhead, keeping an eye on the proceedings.



Breakfast can be a hamburg-pickle-on-top . . .



. . . or maybe a croissant sandwich makes your heart go flippity-flop.



Pie—often including such local favorites as raisin and sugar cream—is always available at Kewpee.



Appetizer taken care of, it was time for the main course.

Lombardo's is one of downtown Lima's somewhat notorious late-night bars. Come morning, it transforms itself into a popular breakfast venue. Some patrons sit at the long bar, catching up on unfinished business from the night before, while diners fill a row of booths on the opposite wall. Action at the pool table in back never stops.



The Zerante Special—fried bologna cubes over hash browns—seemed like a slightly missed opportunity. A good crust on those cubes and decent tomatoes (it was peak season) would’ve helped a lot. Biscuits and gravy was a respectable version.



Time for dessert.

Limaites sometimes argue about who makes the best donuts, Pat’s or Mello-Creme, but there’s no question who has the cooler store.



There's some amazing donut shop neon out there but Mello-Creme has to at least be in the conversation about best signs.



The building itself isn't so bad either.



And at least one of their donuts is worthy of such surroundings.



Raspberry filled was marred by disappointing red glop inside. The glazed donut was excellent but didn’t distinguish itself from a few others in my memory. That cinnamon cake donut, though, was probably the best I've had, with a unusually light yet crumbly texture. It's the rare donut like this that makes me understand why people get excited about fry cakes.

I don’t get the sense the Lima dining scene is terribly deep but there are some worthwhile stops.

Kewpee Hamburgers
111 N Elizabeth St
(also 2111 Allentown Rd and 1350 Bellefontaine Av)
Lima OH
419-228-1778

Lombardo's Café
447 N Main St
Lima OH
419-227-9804

Mello-Creme Donuts
625 W North St
(also 822 S Metcalf St)
Lima OH
419-229-1980