The great state of Ohio may not seem like a prime tourist destination, but, in fact, Ohio has many restaurants that are intriguing. Seven Archer student in the past five years have attended college in the state at universities such as The Ohio State University, Kenyon College and Miami University.

If you ever find yourself in Ohio, I recommend a visit to Cleveland Home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland is a friendly, sports-crazed and electric city with a lot of great restaurants.

At the beginning of February, I ventured to Cleveland to visit family and old friends. I don’t automatically think of the city as offering fine dining and elegant restaurants. However, when my family and I ate at Soho Chicken and Whiskey, a modern eatery serving popular southern food, I was quickly proven wrong.

At first, I was nervous because I generally don’t enjoy southern cuisine, but my opinion quickly shifted once I started eating. Before we even ordered, the waiter gave us complimentary warm biscuits with homemade jam. The biscuits were baked flawlessly, and the jelly offered a sweet flavor that complemented the bread. 

The menu offers several different versions of chicken and waffles, the restaurant’s most popular dish. Some renditions are healthier than others, and since I wanted something basic, I ordered the “Mornin’ Chicken and Waffles,” which consists of rosemary waffles covered in Ohio maple syrup, powdered sugar and a deep-fried chicken breast.

Simply put, it was amazing. The chicken was cooked just to my liking, and its saltiness served as an ideal contrast to the sugary waffles. Additionally, Soho Chicken and Whiskey did a great job of providing meals for my vegan family members. They offer tofu versions of several of their menu items, and the staff is able to remove any ingredients that vegans and vegetarians cannot eat.

The eatery also has a prime location in downtown Cleveland, located right next to the West Side Market, a large market place with a series of vendors offering everything from meats to pastries. If you ever find yourself in Cleveland, Ohio I would highly recommend that you check out Soho Chicken and Whiskey for a fun and new dining experience.

The restaurant is located at 1889 W. 25th St in Downtown Cleveland and is open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.