You’re driving down Oakwood Avenue in Austintown, maybe feeling that specific kind of hunger that only a burger can fix. You see the sign. Shotz Bar & Grille. From the outside, it might look like your standard Ohio neighborhood joint, but honestly, once you step inside, the vibe shifts. It’s clean. It’s loud in the way a good sports bar should be. And the smell of those homemade cheese sticks? It’s basically a local siren song.
The Shotz Bar Austintown Ohio Experience: More Than Just a Dive
Most people think they know what to expect from a township bar. A few dusty domestic taps and a frozen pizza, right? Wrong. Owner Chris McFall actually pivoted the business years ago. He moved it away from the "younger, rowdier" crowd and turned it into a spot where people in their 30s, 40s, and beyond actually want to sit down and stay a while.
There are TVs everywhere. If the Browns, Cavs, or Guardians are playing, you better believe every screen is tuned in. It has that authentic sports bar feel without being greasy or neglected.
Why the Burgers Are Different
The Shotz Bar Austintown Ohio menu isn't just an afterthought. They take their meat seriously. We’re talking about burgers ground fresh every other day using a blend of brisket, chuck, and 80/20 beef.
- The Italian Greenz Burger: This is the one. If you’re from the Youngstown area, you know "greenz" are a religion. They pile them high with Hungarian peppers and provolone. It’s spicy, salty, and messy.
- The Western Burger: A massive 1/2 lb. patty topped with BBQ, cheddar, bacon, and those thin, crispy onion straws.
- The BLTE: Bacon, lettuce, tomato, and a fried egg. Simple, but they season the beef so well it feels like a gourmet meal.
The "Special Blend" Cheese Stix
You can’t talk about Shotz without mentioning the cheese sticks. These aren't the frozen, breaded twigs you get at the grocery store. They use a custom blend of cheeses—Chris McFall himself spent time perfecting it. They are gooey, massive, and come with a side of red sauce that actually tastes like it saw a real tomato. Most regulars tell you to skip the sauce for the first bite just to taste the cheese blend properly.
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Daily Specialz and Late Night Eats
If you're a bargain hunter, you have to time your visit. Shotz is famous for its "Daily Specialz" (yes, they love the letter 'Z' here).
- Monday: $2.00 off homemade pizzas and $1.00 boneless wings.
- Tuesday: Taco Night. They do hard and soft shells, but the steak tacos are the secret winner.
- Wednesday: Quarter-pounders for under $5.00. You can’t even get a fast-food meal for that price anymore.
- Friday: The Prime Rib. They offer a Queen Cut (12 oz) and a King Cut (16 oz). It’s slow-roasted and surprisingly high-end for a bar setting.
- Sunday: Leg of Lamb. This is a bit of a curveball, right? But the lamb gyros and lamb dinners are a huge draw for the Sunday afternoon crowd.
The kitchen usually stays open until 10:00 PM, which is decent for the area, though the bar itself keeps the drinks flowing later.
Breakfast? In a Bar?
On Saturdays and Sundays, they open early for breakfast (usually around 7:00 AM). The Big Breakfast comes with French toast, eggs, red skin potatoes, and your choice of meat for about eleven bucks. It’s the kind of place where you can find someone finishing a night shift and someone starting their weekend both sitting at the same bar.
What Most People Get Wrong About Shotz
There’s some old history floating around the internet about Shotz having issues years ago. If you see old news reports from 2012 or 2013, ignore them. The place underwent a massive "rebranding" and physical renovation. They expanded the seating, added a garage-door style opening for the patio in the summer, and shifted the focus toward being a restaurant that happens to have a great bar, rather than just a place to get hammered.
One thing to keep in mind: the parking lot can get tight on Friday nights. If there's a band playing or a big game on, you might be walking a bit. Also, while they claim to be accessible, some patrons have noted that the ramp and door width can be a bit tricky for larger wheelchairs.
The Authentic Local Vibe
The service is generally what you’d expect from a local hangout—friendly and fast, though it can get a little "hustle-heavy" when the dinner rush hits. Bartenders like Alice have been mentioned by name for years because they actually remember your drink order.
They also serve Shotz Old Fashioned Cane Soda. It’s made with real sugar and comes in flavors like grape, orange, and raspberry lime. If you aren't a drinker or you're the designated driver, it’s a nice change of pace from a flat fountain cola.
Planning Your Visit
If you’re heading to Shotz Bar Austintown Ohio, here is the ground truth:
- Location: 3713 Oakwood Ave, Austintown, OH 44515.
- Best Time for Families: Saturday afternoons or early evenings. It stays pretty chill until the sun goes down.
- Must-Order: The homemade cheese sticks and the Italian Greenz burger.
- The Patio: In the summer, they open the garage doors. It’s one of the better spots in Austintown to catch a breeze while you eat.
Basically, Shotz is a staple because it doesn't try to be something it’s not. It’s a neighborhood spot with better-than-average food and a layout that makes it easy to watch three different games at once.
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Check the chalkboard when you walk in. The monthly specials often feature things like Bourbon Chicken or a "Double Grilled Cheese Cheeseburger" that isn't on the permanent menu. Grab a seat at the bar, order a local Ohio craft beer from their dedicated cooler, and just soak in the Mahoning County atmosphere.
To get the most out of your visit, aim for a Wednesday if you want a cheap, high-quality burger, or a Friday if you’re looking for that Prime Rib fix. If you're planning on a large group, calling ahead (330-799-2510) is a smart move since the booth seating fills up fast during peak hours.