THE PLAINS, Ohio — Micah Kesselring, an acoustic Appalachian Country Blues singer-songwriter, told a Wednesday night crowd enjoying a preview of spring at the Eclipse Company Store: “We wait all winter for a day like today.”
This remark, made during the first outdoor live music evening of the year at Eclipse, perfectly captured the delight of early spring in Ohio — and the joy of patio season for those of us who prefer dining al fresco. Eclipse, located in The Plains and adjacent to the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway, boasts one of the largest and most inviting patios in our community. Paired with their overflowing drink menu, original meal offerings alongside American classics, and a casual, family and pet-friendly atmosphere, Eclipse is a must-visit as the evenings grow longer.
Before becoming the bustling restaurant and event space it is today, the Eclipse Company Store served as the pay station and general store for miners living in the company town built by the Hocking Valley Coal Company in the early 1900s. The Eclipse Company Town, which operated from 1902 to 1938 and again from 1940 to 1948, is part of the Little Cities of Black Diamonds and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Eclipse Company Store encourages combining a few of life’s pleasures into one enjoyable evening: biking to burgers, brews, and bands. Or, exhaust yourself on the hills at the Baileys Trail System, then indulge in a cold beer and burger at Eclipse. Their classic cheeseburger is a contender for the best burger in Athens County: two quarter-pound RL Valley Ranch Beef patties on a toasted bun with white cheddar and your preferred toppings.
With over 30 beers on tap, Eclipse is also a great spot for enthusiasts of craft brews.
For vegetarians, two sandwiches delighted my dining companions: the Garden Burger, a homemade vegan patty made from a seasoned blend of beans and oats, garden veggies, and a smear of hummus on a toasted bun, and the Copperheads Rally Cap (named after our local baseball team), a portobello melt featuring raspberry sauce, Swiss cheese, sautéed spinach, and roasted tomatoes on rye.
Eclipse has built a reputation around its smokehouse BBQ platters, smoked ribs (available on weekends), wings, and sauces. The standout smoked wings — available in both traditional and boneless options — are large, flavorful, and come with an array of sauce choices, ranging from a sweet red barbecue to the sweat-inducing Fear the Reaper. Sample the wings on a Wednesday when wings are BOGO (dine-in only).
The BBQ platter, with your choice of protein, two sides, and two cheesy jalapeño corn muffins, is a hearty way to sample a few items on the menu. My go-to sides are the potato salad, made with red-skinned potatoes in a sweet and tangy dressing, and the side salad with tomato, cucumber, julienned radishes, and house-made croutons. If you’re particular about your ranch, Eclipse’s version will not disappoint.
Eclipse is open daily for lunch and dinner, has ample seating inside and on two patios, and offers events and specials in addition to their food and drink menu. Visit their website to learn more about family night, trivia night, live music, and their Sunday brunch. Round up some friends, dust off your bicycle, and venture to Eclipse to soak in the outdoor fun we have been waiting all winter for.
5/5 stars
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