G&R Tavern is the home of the Famous Bologna Sandwich. (Photo credit: Ken Drenten)

By Ken Drenten

Waldo, Ohio, located about halfway between Delaware and Marion along U.S. 23, is known mainly for one thing — fried bologna sandwiches. When people ask, “Where is that place where they serve the fried bologna sandwich?” The answer for most folks is G&R Tavern in Waldo.

G&R Tavern, established in 1962, is not only the home of its Famous Bologna Sandwich. They also serve a variety of sandwiches and burgers, sides like deep-fried onion rings and mushrooms, salads, pizza, fried seafood baskets and delicious pies. Oh, the pies. More on that later.

The humble-looking restaurant and bar has been featured on the Travel Channel and the Food Network, all for its signature sandwich: an inch-thick slice of bologna, fried on the grill, on a bun with melted Swiss cheese, a slice of raw onion and crisp pickle slices. That’s it, and it’s heaven. Any further condiment applications are unnecessary, but that’s up to you.

All the while you’ll be surrounded in the wondrous ambience of a friendly place that looks like it hasn’t changed since it opened, with plenty of sports memorabilia, both local and big-league, on the walls. The tables are plastered with colorful laminated advertising for local businesses.

I visited the G&R Tavern about a year ago with some friends while camping at nearby Delaware State Park. We all had the bologna sandwich, and it was really good. I regret now that I didn’t try the pie. One of my friends who did have a huge slice of pie made up for my sin of omission with his eye-rolling, lip-smacking claims of its creamy deliciousness.

You can select from fruit pies like apple, peach, black and red raspberry and cherry, and cream pies like chocolate, peanut butter, coconut, banana and butterscotch.

So if you happen to sit next to the tavern’s pie case, as I did during my visit, don’t be shocked if people seem to be staring at you. They’re most likely looking at the pies in the case, wondering which one to order, or whether to just go for it and take a whole pie home.

G&R Tavern is located at 103 N. Marion St., Waldo, (740) 726-9685.

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Ken Drenten is creator and manager of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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