PERRYSBURG, OH – Eye-catching, an experience, crazy-creative menus, and Instagram-able are just a few things that make Odd Fodder the thriving trademark of the small suburb of Toledo. 

Odd Fodder is a fast, causal restaurant that uses creativity to take their menu to the next level. Opening in late 2019, Odd Fodder is the third restaurant venture for the founder and owner, Scott Bownan. Bownan said he worked 12-13 years in the restaurant business before deciding to do something different. About nine years ago, he opened Fowl and Fodder. But after about six years, Bownan was ready for something different. 

“We had an opportunity to do something different,” Bownan said. “So, we started to put the idea of Odd Fodder together.” 

Utilizing his experience, Bownan was able to create something spectacular. His years in the restaurant business and the lessons learned from running Fowl and Fodder helped shape Odd Fodder. Bownan said he wanted to create an experience and something for everyone. Like Fowl and Fodder, Odd Fodder is a farm-to-market, fast and causal style restaurant. 

Why fast? Because that’s what fits the modern wants of Americans. Today, everyone is in a hurry and looking for ways to save time. But that doesn’t mean Bownan can’t give them an experience while being fast. 

“We developed some unique systems so that people can text us,” Bownan said. “And we can bring food out to them. It was all contactless delivery.” 

The pandemic has been hard on everyone. Thousands of small businesses have closed their doors due to the difficulties COVID-19 brought about. But at Odd Fodder, the owner and staff have worked together to continue to remain open. They were only open for a few months before the initial lockdown in March 2020, but through online delivery and contactless pickup, they’ve remained open. In September 2020, they were able to reopen their dining room. 

“How do we make the happiest place in town?” Bownan said. 

Many business owners are stuck thinking about price differences and product availability, Bownan said. But he is not thinking like other business owners. According to Bownan, people go to restaurants for an experience, not just for food. By understanding this difference, he has been able to create a successful business that continues to thrive. 

“You can go anywhere and get a hot dog and a shake,” Meisha McClain, an Odd Fodder customer, said. “But you can only go to Odd Fodder for an over-the-top shake and sloppy joe hot dog.” 

Odd Fodder may be considered fast food, but that doesn’t mean they look like fast food. Odd Fodder offers a selection of items that are an experience by themselves. From double chocolate, cheesecake topped shakes to sloppy joes meeting hot dogs, customers are sure to have a story to tell when they leave Odd Fodders. 

“The specialty milkshakes make this restaurant stand out more than others,” Alicia Rodriguez, a customer of Odd Fodder, said. 

Connor Sprague, another customer, said the creativity of their menu is what makes Odd Fodder special and successful. A similar comment was made by McClain. McClain said the restaurant is special because their menu is over the top and the shakes are great. Rodriguez also said they is successful because of their location, which is right off I-75, and their social media. 

Bownan said they will continue to grow their database of customers emails. But more importantly, he said they will continue to tell their message over and over which is in the bio of their Instagram page. 

“A place that is fresh.” Odd Fodder’s Instagram bio said. “A place that is fun, fast, eccentric. A place that is odd.”