I am a "cheap eats" kind of person, and quality cheap eats are hard to find on Put-in-Bay, Ohio…read more While on PIB, through Yelp, I found Joe's Bar and Restaurant. Although it's outside the main area of eateries around the docks, I decided to give it a try. Before leaving my room, I perused the menu, and on my walk over, I debated my choices: maybe a hot dog with homemade slaw, or a Southwest burger with chipotle sauce, bacon, and pepper jack cheese. Hmmm...
Upon arrival, I asked for a menu, and the bartender slapped a wrinkled one on the bar. The first thing I saw was the "Sloppy Scotty," which the menu proclaimed, "It's what put us on the map!" I immediately knew that was what I had to have. I ordered a Maker's Mark with ginger ale, in which the Maker's Mark was liberally poured, and I sat down to await my meal.
Service was quick, and when presented with my meal, the first thing I noted was that the hot dog bun was toasted on the outside. It was still a hot dog bun, but the outside kind of looked like Texas toast--just thinner--with Joe's signature "Sloppy Sauce" applied liberally on top, intermixed with mozzarella cheese, and topped with onions. It looked fantastic and tasted even better. It was absolutely delicious. I had an extra Maker's Mark just for good measure and was presented with a $27 bill. The night before, at a different restaurant, I had a couple of beers and a medium-sized perch plate, which was good but cost me $50. Do yourself a favor: if you find yourself on PIB, drop by the unassuming Joe's Bar and Restaurant to grab a bite. You won't be disappointed.
