Mike Mariola Restaurants

09/01/2026

This is what it's all about! We love you, Ted! 💙

🛑 Stop what you're doing, this is an IMPORTANT read!

How many 18 year old restaurants can say they still have a team member from DAY ONE? Well...we can!

Meet Ted: our prep guru, our soup legend, and an original member of The City Square Steakhouse family.

Before City Square was even City Square, Ted briefly crossed paths with our founder (Mike Mariola) at the Wooster Inn. Then, after spending 11 years at Wooster Country Club...Mike sniped him for a steakhouse he was opening in downtown Wooster. 18 years later, Ted is still here, doing our prep as he has since day one. For all these years, he’s been behind the scenes putting in the work that makes so many of the dishes you know and love possible.

And here’s a fun fact! Our beloved lobster bisque AND French onion soup? Both Ted's recipes!

Ted, THANK YOU for taking a chance on City Square 18 years ago and for sticking with us ever since. We wouldn't be the same without you.

Help us show some love to Ted in the comments! ❤️❤️

08/25/2026

Today, with the help of our friends at Habitat for Humanity in Wayne County, our leadership team was able to step away from our desks and get out into the community.

We spent the morning helping a Wooster Habitat resident mulch her property, then enjoyed lunch at a local park and went for a walk to get our steps in!

None of this would be possible if we didn't have such capable and talented store teams that manage their respective businesses at an extremely high level day in and day out, allowing us to give back outside of the office for a day without a worry. We are so lucky to have the teams we do! 💙

08/06/2026

Our annual leadership conference is a very special time for our group...it's the one day a year we all get to be together in the same room, celebrating our wins from the previous year, and enjoying each other's company. This year we did some team bonding with arcade games and high voltage go karting followed by an amazing dinner at our very own The City Square Steakhouse with team recognition and raffle prizes!

Fun fact - we had ONE HUNDRED PERCENT retention from this leadership conference group from last year to this year. That is truly unheard of in our industry, and is a testament to the strong culture we've built at Mike Mariola Restaurants. We are so proud of the work our teams do day in and day out, preparing amazing food and coffee and above all, creating memorable experiences for our guests.

This event would not be possible without the gracious support from our sponsors: Commercial Kitchens, Sysco, O'Neill Insurance, Blue Ribbon Meats and Seafood, REA Advisors, Oswald Companies, and Alco-Mandala Products. We have the best vendors and partners in the world who recognize how important it is to gather and celebrate together to maintain our team health!

07/24/2026

It sounds crazy to say, but it's been TWENTY FIVE years since the birth of Mike Mariola Restaurants.

In 2001, Mike & Emily Mariola opened South Market Bistro in downtown Wooster and planted the seed for everything that's grown since. Although that original restaurant closed its doors many years ago to pivot to different opportunities, it will always be where it all began!

The same spirit of memorable hospitality that began at South Market Bistro lives on today across every MMR brand, whether you're grabbing a morning coffee at one of our franchise Caribou Coffee locations, a quick lunch at Mariola Italian, enjoying happy hour at Rail Craft Kitchen & Bar, or celebrating a milestone at The City Square Steakhouse. Cheers to 25 years of great food, excellent service, and making a difference in our community, and here's to 25 more! 💙

To our long-time Wooster residents...what's your favorite South Market Bistro memory?

05/13/2026

Yesterday was a productive day for our President and founder, Mike Mariola, with the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance. He had the opportunity to visit with elected officials (Representatives Craig, Sweeney, and Dovilla - pictured in the photo with Mike) to discuss some of the issues impacting our industry.

Thank you, ORHA, for another informative and important event!

04/27/2026

It's going to be a beautiful Monday...sunny and warm - perfect day for your favorite iced beverage! One for you and one to share, or stop by for lunch and grab a coffee and a bakery item or sandwich 50% off 🤩

Wooster location only! See you soon!

Happy first day of the week, and happy "Make it Two Monday!"

Now through June 1, make any food or beverage purchase on Mondays and receive a second food or beverage item 50% off!
Wooster location only; see you soon! 🥳

(Not available for online ordering - only available at our drive thru or walk up window)

04/23/2026

Our community is strong because of amazing educators like Laura! 🥳

Meet your Mariola Italian Teacher of the Year: Laura Chewning of Triway Elementary School! 🏆

Laura, our community showed up to show you major love with over 340 votes, and you deserve every bit of this moment.

We asked Laura to share a few words and she said it better than we ever could:
"If you know me, you know how much I love what I do and how much my students mean to me. From my first class 29 years ago, to the students in my class today, every single student has a special place in my heart. Teachers everywhere who show up every day, not just to teach a lesson, but to be a safe place for their students, deserve to be recognized and honored."

We could not agree more!

Laura will be receiving a fully catered Mariola Italian lunch for the entire Triway Elementary teaching staff so she can share this special moment with her peers!

And to our other finalists, Beverly, Tessa, and Mary - you are all extraordinary. This community is so lucky to have you. We have something special coming for each of you as well...check your inboxes! 🍎

Thank you, Wayne County and beyond, for making this the most heartwarming thing we have ever been a part of. ❤️💚

04/15/2026

04/13/2026

We can't wait for this! 🦀🐄

04/13/2026

It's a great day to enjoy a coffee and a sandwich or pastry! 🤩

Introducing... "Make it Two Mondays!"

Now through June 1, make any food or beverage purchase on Mondays and receive a second food or beverage item 50% off!

Wooster location only; see you soon! 🥳

(Not available for online ordering - only available at our drive thru or walk up window)