Buckets Brings Comfort Food and Community to Akron’s House 330

Buckets carries that familiar gastropub energy, diners chomping on burgers and fried chicken in a family friendly, come-as-you-are setting. But beneath the surface is a mission designed to empower the community it serves.

Located inside House Three Thirty in the heart of Akron, Buckets extends the mission of the LeBron James Family Foundation to build opportunities for low-income families in his hometown. The menu centers around classic grill fare, such as fried chicken, burgers and local craft beer. More importantly, the restaurant is a training ground for locals who previously lacked restaurant experience. Many staff members are connected to the I Promise Program, which supports at-risk students at Akron Public Schools.  

“We were charged with changing the trajectory of students who were struggling in school,” says Michele Campbell, executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation. “We learned pretty quickly the only way to do that was to wrap around the whole family unit.” 

Buckets could have leaned into the sports bar playbook, a space dominated by screens, stats and framed jerseys, with LeBron highlights on every wall. It doesn’t. Instead, TVs stay tucked above the bar, creating a space that feels built for gathering.

The concept focuses on LeBron James as a person, not just a basketball star, tracing his story back to the roots. Bike wheels hang overhead, a nod to the King for Kids Bike-A-Thon, while a tire-turned host stand quietly references Akron’s history as the Rubber Capital of the World.  The basketball ties are subtle, but intentional, with pricing that all ends in 23 cents.

Nearly everything inside has been refurbished, a decision driven by budget and intention. Tables, once discarded car hoods, have been sanded and reshaped into striking centerpieces. A long bar anchors the room, while custom-built chairs, designed for comfort, encourage guests to settle in and stay awhile. Plating leans into nostalgia; gingham-lined metal trays, cast-iron pans, literal buckets for serving and those unmistakable red plastic cups that instantly signal ease.

The menu reads comfort-forward, but the execution is sharp. The Deviled Strip ($8.23) is a standout, featuring four beet-brined deviled eggs topped with crispy shallots. 

The fried chicken, featured in the Best Buckets of Chicken 4-piece meal ($18.23), is where the kitchen’s attention to detail shines through. Built on a three-day process that moves from a pickle brine with fresh dill to a five-spice buttermilk soak, the result is a deeply seasoned bird with a thick, shatteringly crisp crust, finished with a dusting of honey powder that balances savory, sweet and tang. The full spread is served with fries, coleslaw, pickles, mini cornbread muffins, cinnamon honey butter and Buckets sauce. Elsewhere, dishes keep things playful, like the Oh the Places You’ll Go ($14.23) pull-apart sloppy joes.

"All of our teammates put a lot of effort into this menu, and I would promote every dish, because every single staff member contributed to recipes," says Aaron Blank, director of culinary for House Three Thirty. 

But the goal isn’t just to feed you. It’s to make you feel better than when you first walked in. The space is light, it’s fun and it feels lived-in from the moment you walk through the door. The dining room hums with an easy, genuine pride as servers chat through the menu, feeling supported, empowered and deeply connected to the mission.

The name Buckets carries a dual meaning, recognition of LeBron James’ scoring legacy, but also something more personal.

“We want people to walk away from here with their buckets filled,” says Campbell. 

It’s a feeling that lingers long after the meal is over.

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