My food experiences when I travel are a joyful jumble of allergen friendly dining when my one son is with me to crazy unique flavor experiences that let me taste the local richness and flavor of the area I am in. Put In Bay, a village in South Bass Island offers of a lot of fun choices, but not all are allergen friendly.
Reel Bar sits on the edge of downtown, out of the cluster jumble of craziness that waits for you as you get off the boats and head for the town.
The village is well endowed with places to drink and some places to eat, but if you have food allergies and want to really savor the vibrance of the village, head to 461 Catawba Ave, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456. Whether you are craving breakfast from that drink hangover or just want a delicious lunch, dinner or additional drinks, REEL Bar is waiting for you. Honestly the Best Put In Bay Dining and Bar experience with a splash of entertainment that you will have.
Lavishly live food out loud at a destination that offers Reel Food, Reel Drinks, Reel Entertainment is is Reel Allergen-friendly.
The Owners
Meet Andy and Angela, owners of The Reel Bar, formerly known as Tony’s. In fact this is a historic building in the area, but it was totally refaced. The ‘REEL’ is all about the fishing, boating and the Lake Erie area, and the decor fits it well. Take a look at the boat on the ceiling, no you are not seeing things nor have you have one too many yet…..
Let’s Start The Best Put In Bay Dining and Bar Experience
When you travel, you look for destinations, and destinations are worthy of a visit because it celebrates the feel of the area the best. In fact, the REEL BAR not only celebrates the feel of the area, the owners live there, and really have the vibe, food, and spirit packed into the restaurant, bar, foods served, etc. Your Destination: The Reel Bar.
This is not just a pop-up place, that just started, rather it serves the local fare, drinks that offer a ‘punch’ of fun like the area, and entertainment that keeps that ‘island’ spark moving on into the hours of the morning, why let a good party stop? It’s the Reel Bar
Lunch Time
So, we stopped in to say, ‘hey’ and we were famished. We got there right before it started to get busy because you see, during the week the island begins to hop around 2p.
The Menu — Drinks First Of Course
First up, a lovely beverage called ‘Oh Boy’ (Buddy Holly) – what’s in the glass that is so amazing? Absolut Citron, Powell Mahoney simple syrup, muddled lemons and Sprite… Happy Weekend after a few of these. Or…
Reely Fresh Squeezed #Cocktail .. Vodka, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
Southwestern Salad
This salad is a just a tantalizing treat guaranteed to make any foodie drool over. This is the newest item on the menu and it is packed with flavor. Greens topped with black beans, grilled corn, red onion, cheddar cheese, tortilla strips and then drizzled with bbq and ranch! The BBQ and Ranch swirl together amplifying each other’s taste!
ALLERGEN FRIENDLY
As a mom of a child with severe food allergies, I have to be so careful where we eat and defining what places we can eat at. Dedicated fryers, latex free, nut free, seafood free and restaurants that can deliver cross-contamination-free dining are the only places I will patronize and feature.
Guess what… Reel Bar is REEL about allergen friendly dining. Look at what you can eat here, and this is just one of many options. Note: a teen child craves fries and fried chicken fingers, so this is just what he got. Remember, call ahead, ask about YOUR allergies and then head to the Reel Bar.
Chicken Tender Platter In A Bowl
It’s finger licking good because I saw kids licking their fingers! Chicken strips fried to perfection served atop a bed of fresh cut house fries rounded out with a choice of dipping sauce. What could be more delicious because it’s just plain good! Each bite provided comfort and flavor and lots of freshness.
Perch Tacos
So, for me, I can never eat another taco anywhere, because thanks to Andy and Angela, unless I can dine on theirs I refuse all others. I am not spoiled and who knew that the local fish, PERCH served up on a fresh flour tortilla with a citrus slaw would steal the show?
I have had awful seafood tacos out but this one made up for every other restaurant that tried and failed miserably. No running sauce, a crunch that just makes you crave more and the fish, a thing filet that just tucks away neatly into the tortilla. Yes, this is the winner and I suggest the above beverages of ‘Oh Boy’ or a Reely Fresh Squeezed Cocktail.
Just Get To The Edge Of Downtown
All I can suggest is once you get your golf cart, jump in, get a morning libation, see the island, come back and dine here. Grab a bite to eat, listen to the music and enjoy Reel Entertainment and Reel Food, as you lavishly live travel out loud in Put In Bay.
Here’s my thing, after talking to a lot of restaurants in the area, that either doesn’t respond or can’t provide food because my son has severe allergies, I am not about taking risks. When you find a restaurant that cares enough to cut out the risk, to take care of your family (because they understand family) you head there. This is about dining with safety, it is about good food and it’s about a really nice family that runs the restaurant. My experience could not have been any better and I can not say enough great about the Reel Bar.
Finally, if you need WiFi (which is not an easy find on Put In Bay), pull in, have a drink, use the WiFi, it’s there and it works! Yahoo!
My thanks again to the Reel Bar for such a great day, the allergen friendly dining and the opportunity to get to meet YOUR WHOLE FAMILY:) — I can’t wait to see you all soon, and I hope that all of my friends, reading my site come to visit you, because if they don’t they won’t have the Best Put In Bay Dining and Bar Experience, as far as I am concerned!
Jim says
November 25, 2017 at 11:14 amThis looks delicious.
Thanks for this cool restaurant list 🙂
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Peachy says
August 26, 2016 at 7:01 pmOh wow! I am drooling at the sight of those delicious food and drinks!! What a great family friendly restaurant.
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rocky says
August 21, 2016 at 10:46 amCool photos and yummy food you have here! thanks for sharing.
Cinny says
August 19, 2016 at 10:01 pmI love the atmosphere of that place. The decorations are so awesome!
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kristin says
August 19, 2016 at 3:39 pmThis is so great, love when you find a real connection with a place to visit.
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Amy says
August 19, 2016 at 1:25 pmThat southwestern salad is calling my name! I love that they are allergen free! A friend of ours has a severe nut allergy.
Kiwi says
August 19, 2016 at 12:19 amAw the owners look real family people. Great menu selections and you did great recap.
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mary says
August 18, 2016 at 10:10 pmThis place looks great. I love the decor and atmosphere. And love that it’s family owned.
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Kita Bryant says
August 18, 2016 at 7:41 pmIt makes traveling with allergies much less stressful when you know you have places like this to stop and eat at.
Amanda Love says
August 18, 2016 at 6:08 amWhat an awesome list of restaurants to try! I would like a plate of those tacos as well, I’m a huge fan of tacos and if you say they are good then I am very much willing to give them a try!
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Melissa says
August 17, 2016 at 11:35 pmI love restaurants that go the extra mile to cater to patrons with special food needs and this place also has the kind of ambiance that would certainly reel me in! Your photos are actually Enticing me to go there right now!
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Crystal says
August 18, 2016 at 9:45 pmIt’s definitely appreciated! I know places that go above & beyond are the ones I want to continue patronizing,
Brianne says
August 17, 2016 at 11:02 pmMy son is gluten free so I am always on the hunt for places we can eat out in and will accommodate him. The cocktails looked so yummy too!
Veronica Solomon says
August 17, 2016 at 9:56 pmThis looks like a fun place to hang out and have a good meal with the family
Melisasource says
August 17, 2016 at 8:49 pmI’ve always loved the smaller restaurants, they seem to have more character and to be honest, better food.
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Marcie W. says
August 17, 2016 at 6:37 pmI love supporting small, locally owned spots like this. Those perch tacos look amazing!
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Chavonne Harvey says
August 17, 2016 at 4:08 pmOh, those Perch Taco’s and fries are calling my name. I can imagine that they stole the show. Love that they have wifi too!
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Kecia says
August 17, 2016 at 1:58 pmThat southwestern salad looks delicious! I love that they have a menu that is allergen-friendly. That is a must for some families when traveling.
Colleen Lanin says
August 17, 2016 at 1:41 pmReel Bar looks reely good! (I had to). Seriously, though, the food there looks so yummy, and I love the atmosphere.
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Brandy says
August 17, 2016 at 12:42 pmI’ve heard so many great things about Put In Bay! If I ever visit I will have to stop at the Reel Bar!
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Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
August 17, 2016 at 11:09 amThe food and drinks look awesome. I love to eat at local places while I am on vacay.
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Erin Kennedy says
August 16, 2016 at 7:47 pmLove the allergen dedicated fryer! What a great and considerate idea! I love all those foods! I am drooling! This looks like a fun place!
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Lisa Rios says
August 15, 2016 at 8:32 amI am someone who loves traveling a lot & trying out different foods of the local place I visit. The Southwestern Salad looks so delicious and the Perch Tacos sounds amazing as well.
aziel morte says
August 14, 2016 at 12:12 pmThat bar really sounds good and I want to try their food. It looks delicious.
Christine says
August 13, 2016 at 1:39 pmI have been to Put-In-Bay a handful of times but we never stopped here! I will have to keep my eyes open for it the next time we are in town.
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Christina Aliperti says
August 12, 2016 at 1:50 amYum! Everything looks so delicious. I love traveling and one of the reasons why is trying new place to eat and new and yummy foods.
Karlaroundtheworld | Karla says
August 11, 2016 at 10:53 pmIt sounds like my kind of place! It gives off a natural bay/shore vibe with a bit of modern elegance spliced up into pieces. Good-looking food as well, nice dine!
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Kita Bryant says
August 11, 2016 at 9:57 pmI love when places are allergy friendly without making you feel like you’ve been let down. This place sounded so fun and yummy!
Pam says
August 17, 2016 at 2:03 pmI agree. So many allergy friendly foods are such a let down. This doesn’t look like it!
Crystal says
August 11, 2016 at 5:00 pmI love the look of REEL, with the nods to fishing. Totally somewhere I need to go with my dad. He’d get a kick out of it. Plus, the food all sounds and looks fantastic.
kristin says
August 11, 2016 at 4:09 pmThis looks like a great place to make memories over a great meal.
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Lisa Joy Thompson says
August 11, 2016 at 3:53 pmReel Bar looks like a fun place to eat! The Southwestern Salad looks amazing!!!
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Kristi says
August 11, 2016 at 3:44 pmWhen we travel we love to go to small local places. This would for sure be a place we would pick!
Ann Bacciaglia says
August 11, 2016 at 1:19 pmThat Southwestern Salad looks so delicious I wish I could try it right now. I will have to check them out when I am in the area.
Dawn McAlexander says
August 11, 2016 at 12:44 pmThat food is starving me to death. It looks so tasty. I love little, locally owned places like this. That’s where you find the best meals in my opinion.
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Lisa Joy Thompson says
August 17, 2016 at 1:23 pmLOL…starving me to death! That’s a great way to describe how I feel right now too!
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Rosey says
August 11, 2016 at 12:10 pmWe used to take school field trips to Put in Bay. It’s been a good long while since I’ve been there. I’d like to take the kids to see the crystal cave.
Chrystal | Nevermore Lane says
August 11, 2016 at 11:35 amI have heard so many good things about Put-in-Bay. I get travel discount emails for the town all the time. One of these days I need to take advantage of it.
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Kathy says
August 11, 2016 at 9:26 amThat sounds like a great place for some great food. All those drinks and food look amazing. I love to try some of those meals! It’s nice they have those allergy friendly meals too!
Liz Mays says
August 12, 2016 at 9:44 pmIt’s definitely nice when a place has allergy friendly meals. It shows they care!
Nicole Etolen says
August 11, 2016 at 9:24 amThere are so many great things there. I like the tacos!
Nikki Wayne says
August 11, 2016 at 9:04 amWow, that allergen-friendly meal is a real must-have. I am so glad to hear about this.
Nikki Wayne says
August 11, 2016 at 4:50 amOh, this is a very nice dining place. This place reminds me of one of our finest weekends.
Elizabeth O. says
August 11, 2016 at 3:28 amIt sounds like a nice place to dine in! I’m glad you had a wonderful experience. Restaurants are so much better to try when they have excellent customer service. The food looks great!
Kelly Hutchinson says
August 11, 2016 at 1:29 amYum! All of the food looks amazing. And the drinks look so good and refreshing.
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Theresa says
August 10, 2016 at 10:18 pmThe food does look reel-y good 🙂 I like the atmosphere of the establishment and it’s great they are conscious of allergies!
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Joyce Brewer ( says
August 10, 2016 at 9:00 pmAllergen-friendly is a requirement for us too when we’re traveling. Our son has a seafood allergy and it’s important for us to find places with dedicated fryers too.
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Dana Vento says
August 10, 2016 at 10:01 pmThe dedicated fryer is such a battle, I am so about this and always EXPLAINING to food establishments how they need to invest in separate units. They don’t all see the value.. I guess not all customers count.. That’s how I see it .. If you turn me away, your turned 5 people away and then the 9x rule kicks in:) Would be better to be 9x positive than negative!
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Liz Mays says
August 10, 2016 at 6:30 pmWhat a great place to stop and eat! I’d definitely have to try one of their cocktails and those perch tacos look good too!
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Lindsey Paris says
August 10, 2016 at 6:16 pmPoint me to the bar!! I love local concoctions, especially with lemonade!
Jeanette says
August 10, 2016 at 5:46 pmI would totally love to check this place out! I love these kinds of restaurants!
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Cindy Ingalls says
August 10, 2016 at 5:13 pmI could dive into to some Perche tacos and cocktails about now. I’m glad to see more and more restaurants embracing people’s specific needs, especially allergens. It can be hard to find places to eat when you have dietary restrictions.
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Rachel Ferrucci says
August 10, 2016 at 2:54 pmEverything looks so delicious, I can eat it all! Looks like all great places to choose from
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Pam says
August 10, 2016 at 1:45 pmThose perch tacos look really good. I love that Reel Bar was so good about allergies, too!
Toni | BoulderLocavore.com says
August 10, 2016 at 12:08 pmThis bar looks so cool! I like the ambiance of the place and the food looks delicious! And great that they have food for people with certain allergy like your kid.
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Stacie says
August 10, 2016 at 11:42 amThe Reel Bar is my kind of place! I love that laid back, beach atmosphere so much!
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katie smith says
August 10, 2016 at 10:48 ammmm the PERCH TACOS looks so good. I wish I had that near me.
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Monica says
August 10, 2016 at 10:47 amThis looks like incredible dinning for the whole family. Now I’m hungry!