Cafe Creekside - It's The Real Deal !



Erected in 1823 this two story structure features a second floor meeting room and outside dining.

Have you ever been accused of 'listening without hearing, or looking without really seeing?' More than once if you've been married longer than 3 months; at least in my case. That's exactly what happened to your Columbus Chow Team! We've been visiting this Gahanna institution for years; often when other duties require Jersey Boy to 'eat and go!' This morning we had planned on visiting Super Chef's new Gahanna digs but, alas, they weren't ready for customers. We'll save that one for another day, but, as always we quickly headed to The Creekside. Located in old Gahanna along the creek this full service restaurant is always ready to welcome a new face or old timer.

 

Located at the end of Route 62 at the bridge, this traditional American hometown restaurant features a menu that can only be described as 'comfort food.' Jersey Boy observed that it had a Hispanic influence and as such he ordered the Mexican Scramble. With his Burnt Toast, of course! Our waitress, a delightful young mother named Anna Katanyuta, just rolled her eyes and went off to place the order. We've been coming here for years and finally took a look around to really see the décor....quite an eclectic collection. Booths repaired with red duct tape, Christmas tree that never comes down, Jimmy Buffet type of string banners across the restaurant, red and white checkerboard square floor tiles, framed pictures of old time Gahannians hanging off the walls along with a brass plaque announcing that the structure was erected in 1823 as a tavern.

No wonder Jersey Boy's smiling!

My order was inspired by my desire to return to the fun-filled, action-packed, days with the United States Navy. I ordered SOS aka Chipped Beef On Toast Points with potatoes. If you don't know what 'SOS' stands for go ask somebody born before 1960. The serving was large and the presentation nice, but it didn't have much flavor. I don't use salt so I was stuck, but I did get a clean plate award from Anna.

 

I asked her what was the most popular breakfast item she served. Her immediate response was the Eggs Benedict. I agreed because I had ordered this in the past. Real farm fresh eggs, real Canadian bacon, real hollandaise sauce equals a killer breakfast entrée. I'll order it again. (ie: I try to order something new off the menu so I can provide you, our culinary groupies, with new information....I sacrifice my taste buds so you don't have too!)

S__t  On A Shingle

 

We wandered back to the kitchen to meet the owner; Chris Katanyuta. Yep, Mother and Daughter. One the front of the house and the other the back. Seems that seven years ago Chris was the lead kitchen person and the boss indicated he wanted to be done with all the 'administrative BS' so she bought the place and switched places with the owner. He's now, and has been, the lead grill guy and Chris handles all the daily details. (Note: To any of our dedicated followers. If you ever even think about going in the restaurant business you need to talk to Chris and her lead grillmaster first.)

 

Proud owner Chris with former owner!

 

 

Chris runs a tight 'submarine' type galley that is well organized, clean and efficient. You should be very comfortable with anything that comes out of this kitchen. She also explained that the basket of complimentary muffins on each table are homemade, the soups are made from scratch, all the sauces and gravies are made by hand with real ingredients. Butter, vegetables, cream, etc. FYI: All of the above items can be purchased already made from GFS or Sysco and a lot of the chains do so...not here.

 

Your Columbus Chow crew really likes this place. Oh, yeah, the décor is rather strange, but we'd rather see the local owner/operator spend her money on fresh ingredients, better help and more money in her pocket than spend on some 'corporate-inspired' décor with ferns and brass railings.  The food is good, the service is good and this place is worthy of your attention.

 

Here's the real kicker! The local cops eat here. They order a dish that not on the printed menu; The Big Nasty. Are you man-enough? This Southsider isn't sure.

 

The Café Creekside

53 Granville Street

Gahanna, OH 43230

 

Your Columbus Chow Team proudly award this

 Americana Restaurant 4 Bellies!