If happiness is a warm burger, homemade specialty pizza or an irresistibly fresh salad, then The Hambone is the place to go.
If happiness is a warm burger, homemade specialty pizza or an irresistibly fresh salad, then The Hambone is the place to go.
Situated in the heart of Hambden Township, the restaurant — which opened its doors at 13960 Rock Creek Road last July — continues to gain traction in Geauga County.
“The Hambone has brought a new atmosphere to the intersection of (state routes) 6 and 166,” said Jacob Smith, a friend of owner Nick Raischel. “He has brought years of owning and operating restaurants from across the country to Hambden. Simply put, it’s great food with a menu that welcomes anyone’s taste.”
The restaurateur’s vision became a reality when Raischel took over the property that was the former Hambden Country Inn in July of 2022, spending the next year putting an extensive amount of time and energy into renovations.
“They have done a tremendous job,” Hambden Township Trustee Dave Johnson said.
The building has been newly designed into an inviting open atmosphere with decorative sports influences, a hand-painted wall mural, attractive lighting, plenty of seating and more.
As an homage to its former life, Raischel picked the name The Hambone, which people used to call the old bar/restaurant for years.
“We are a family-friendly restaurant here in Geauga County,” said Raischel, who is no stranger to rising the ranks in the restaurant business.
A 1999 Chardon High School alumnus, Raischel started his career washing dishes at the then Fowlers Mill Tavern by Alpine Valley while attending high school.
“Restaurants have always been my thing,” he said. “I knew I wanted my own restaurant one day, so I moved to Atlanta to attend culinary school.”
After that, Raischel moved around the country for a few years, helping open and run restaurants in Georgia, Florida and California.
He moved back home and in 2016 and opened his first restaurant — the Red Creek Bar & Grill in Painesville Township.
The Hambone marks his second restaurant and latest venture, offering a diverse menu that includes homemade specialty pizzas, specialty calzones, jumbo wings, wraps, fish n’ chips, ribs, stuffed breadsticks, grilled ribeye steaks, fresh salads, huge nachos, deep fried pickles and gourmet burgers on a brioche bun from Hambden’s award-winning G.A.R. Horizons.
Daily specials and Lenten Friday fish fry options include North Pacific cod, beer battered in-house.
The Hambone also offers a wide variety of beverages, including roughly 30 different bourbon selections, neatly displayed behind the bar in their artistically-lighted shelving.
“The restaurant has a great atmosphere and the staff is impressive and friendly,” Smith said. “It is my family’s and my friend’s favorite place to sit down, relax and enjoy the newly-designed restaurant.”
Gearing up for the spring and summer months, The Hambone will also offer al fresco dining as weather permits in their newly-designed patio.
“We are planning to do a lot more live music this summer,” Raischel said.
The Hambone is open seven days a week. The kitchen is open Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday 12-8 p.m.
