North Towne - Toledo, OH

North Towne was once known for the North Towne Mall that was built in 1980. Since its closing in 2012, the area is now a target for many businesses looking to buy the previously mall-owned land for new endeavors. Recently, many small and family-owned businesses are coming to the area, including individual art galleries, craft shops and antique stores.

A number of restaurants sit within the borders of North Towne, along with a variety of bars, most of which border the south of the square.

Cinco de Mayo is one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants you can find in northwest Ohio. Located along East Alexis road, the restaurant offers traditional dishes, such as chimichangas, taquitos and burritos, along with some specialties such as the Ohio burrito, the monster chimichanga and El Tapatio, a favorite among locals that features grilled chicken breast sautéed in onions and Mexican sausage, topped with Mexican cheese. The restaurant is also a prime spot for the nightlife scene in North Towne, with a separate bar area and dance floor. Stop in Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for karaoke, followed by DJs spinning tunes and live music. During the summer, the patio is a great spot to eat a meal, enjoy fresh air, and have some drinks with friends while enjoying the live entertainment.

Right down the street from Cinco de Mayo is Koney Grill. The grill's menu is the epitome of Americana cuisine, featuring hot dogs, burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Koney Grill is known for its prompt service, friendly staff and consistent quality of food. The hot dogs are high-quality casing-style Coneys, the fries are crispy and hot, and the burgers are hard to beat. This eatery sells 18 different types of hot dogs, ranging from the Vermont dog that comes topped with fresh coleslaw and mustard to the Virginia dog that comes with crispy bacon and gooey cheddar cheese.

Just a little way down the street, Sidelines Sports Eatery and Pub sits near the intersection of Telegraph and Alexis. When it comes to food, Sidelines has close to anything you could possibly crave, including ribs, chicken dishes, pizza, fish, buffalo wings, fried pickles and steak. If you're in the mood to go out and grab a drink and watch the game, Sidelines has that covered too, as it's one of the most popular sports bars in all of Toledo.The environment in Sidelines is definitely sports oriented, catering predominantly to fans from around the city. The pub offers drink specials every day of the week, including $1 margaritas on Monday and $10 beer buckets on Saturdays.

The North Towne neighborhood is small, so many destinations are within walking distance. Bike lanes on both Telegraph and Alexis roads go both ways. If you need a cab, Uber is available and can take you anywhere in Toledo. Best Cab is another reliable taxi service, costing around $40 for 30-minute trip.

You can gain easy access to both Highway 24 and 184, which run right through North Towne. If you're looking for public transportation, TARTA buses make stops in North Towne at Brook Park and at the intersections of Lagrange and Bennet and Lewis and Alexis.

Northgate Park, located between Telegraph Road and North Detroit Avenue, provides plenty of space for locals to enjoy the outdoors. This free park is the ideal location to enjoy a picnic, play a baseball game or walk your dog on a leash.

There are no annual events or activities that occur in the park, but locals are free to hold gatherings there, such as birthday parties or family reunions. Northgate Park is a great place to go for a jog, but if you're looking for a more versatile workout, swing by Super Fitness, conveniently located in the middle of North Towne Square.

The cost of living in North Towne sits on par with the rest of Toledo. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment costs an average of $429 a month. The public bus system costs $2 to any destination in the city and $4 round-trip. If you're driving your own car, the gas prices in North Towne typically trend just below the national average. Expect to pay $2 to $3 for a beer at a local bar or pub.

Westgate Village is like a small town with stores located on several streets. You can get your hair done at Fiesta Salon, fill a prescription at Rite-Aid, find household furnishings at Stein Mart, and pick up some groceries at The Fresh Market. Grab some quick take-out from one of the many small restaurants in the area before heading home. Area residents like to shop at Ollie's Bargain Outlet, which specialises in a wide range of closeout merchandise, from home decor to children's toys. La Casa de la Habana is a cigar smoker’s paradise. They claim to have the largest selection of fine cigars and accessories in the Toledo area. You can smoke a cigar from their huge collection while you enjoy a drink in their lounge. If you want to get some ink done, check out NeedleMasters, one of the top tattoo parlors in Northwest Ohio. NeedleMasters was the first tattoo shop in Toledo to be accredited by the Better Business Bureau and hosts artists from several different style backgrounds, including realism, portraits and traditional.