Super Chef #2 in Gahanna

Good News Northeast Columbus. It's Open!

 

 

 

ComicCom, the convention for all things comics with special emphasis on Super Heros, is going full blast in C-bus and for us somewhat 'normal' people it's greeted with a big 'Ho Hum!' But what could more appropo than a SUPER HERO themed restaurant to kick open this new location!  One of our absolute favorite breakfast joynt's has opened a second location and Columbus Culinary landscape is better off because of it. Super Chef has opened in Jeff Blocks' Gahanna Shopping Center at the southeast corner of Cherry Bottom Road and East Morse Road. We've been watching this location for months and finally got to check it out last week. Our initial reaction is that breakfast is great and truly unique. The lunch menu didn't offer this Southsider a lot to get excited about.

 

I had the Pineapple Upside Down Pancake Stack and Jersey Boy, not exactly feeling up to normal max super power, went with the French toast. Both where well prepared, well presented and absolutely perfect. The Breakfast menu is right on and you can get some of the traditional eggs and bacon stuff by just asking one of the absolutely DYNAMITE servers. Megan greeted us and Diamond took us to the bank!

Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes for One!

Jersey Boy and Diamond about to pour
 maple syrup all over his French toast.

 

The interior features Super Hero's motif and your kids and grandkids are going to go ape over it. Honestly, it gives us the impression of a great sports bar.... perhaps they'll go for a liquor license so we could get a bloody mary with our eggs next time. Heads up! This is a special place and you're not going to get out of the door cheap. But it's worth the investment.... did I tell you that they've got a full drum set in the front window? Don't know what a full trap set signifies but it could be disaster if one of my grandkids spies it. I did notice that the cymbals and drum sticks are missing.  These folks aren't dummies.

Remember, they just opened so cut them some slack while they work out the kinks. This isn't your same-old same-old plastic chain restaurant with frozen entrees made in Mexico, that's warmed in an oven and brought to you by servers wearing name tags designed by a focus group in Cherry Hill, NJ. It's a mom and pop with a great menu that worthy of your tastebuds. So put them on your must-visit list.

 

Super Heros' come in all sizes and shapes at Super Chef #2!

Our staff was young, eager and good looking. Whoever is running the HR Department for Super Chef #2 has a discerning eye. Keep up the great work! We enjoyed our first visit and will return.

 

Super Chef (#2)

1344 Cherry Bottom Road

Gahanna, OH  43230

 

We proudly award this restaurant 3 Bellies

 and award their staff 1,000,000!



German Village Coffee Shop

German Village Coffee Shop does breakfast and lunch.

It's a weekend of extra effort in C-bus. Pelotonia is pedaling towards a cure for cancer with hundreds of 'funds-raising' riders pedaling to beat cancer. Jersey Boy and I had thought about pedaling along the 100 miles or so but laid down in Schiller Park til that insane desire passed into history. Rising, brushing off the dust and grass we walked over to what has become one of our favorites; The German Village Coffee Shop at 193 Thurman Avenue. This neighborhood institution is situated between two other very nice and famous restaurant endeavors; Easy Street Café and Thurman's (as seen on TV.) The German Village Coffee Shop has had numerous owners but the current Masters of Disaster are: Christa and Craig Foreman. They are doing a great job in maintaining the very high quality of verbal abuse, disrespect and general nastiness they heap upon their customers, staff and suppliers! It's truly a wonderful thing to watch people who really enjoy abusing other people. A truer example of Amerian Diner tradition can't be found.

To the food, Southsider, you shout!

The sign outside states it's home to the World's Best Western Omelet and I agree. It's my favorite dish. Three egg omelet with all the ingredients one needs to personalize it. They do it right....first they sauté the vegetables and diced meat, then add the eggs and swirl til it's set...Add the cheese and fold over on itself. Then, here's their secret, put into the microwave to finish cooking the 'original' top side, which is now the inside...and melt the cheese. This isn't made in the French style of a crepe..it's made in the industrial, hash style of working German factory hands. Big, substantial and filling.  The Club Sandwiches are not to be beat in Columbus....try one for lunch.

From the left. Darcy, husband, children Renee, Fred and Heather Abramovitz

But, if the truth be told, this place is the go-to joint for Pancakes. Just order one, that's all you need. Each cake is about the size of a medium pizza and you're good for the day! Yesterday, the pancake special was: Pineapple Upside Down Cake Pancake. It was very popular especially with some old friends of Your ColumbusChow Team who happened to be dining. Dr. Fred and Mrs. Renee Abramovitz along with Heather and Darcy, husband and numerous grandsons has travelled in from Bexley in order to load Heather (A visiting Chicago Northsider!!!) up with grease from this Columbus institution. You might know Fred....he's delivered more babies than Donald Trump has had wives.



Chrsta the boss of the da' grill and\
Scott the boss of da' cash register

 

The food is good, economical and served by two of the most memorable, and abrasive, hash-slingers you'll ever make the mistake of being served by. Debbie and Jeff have been here way too long. If the plate gets within 6 inches of where it supposed to go.....they are happy...if you ask for something special; forget about it! They take turns trying to be most un-caring servers possible, but their fundamental goodness shines thru. These two are a joy to be around, always happy to see a regular or newbie. Usually with a new, raunchy joke and a fresh pot of coffee.

Deb and Jeff. Or is it Jeff and Deb?

What makes the German Village Coffee House special? It's the people! The owners Craig and Christa, the staff during the week and Deb and Jeff on most Saturday mornings. It's the regulars; the Judges, Lawyers, Landscapers, entrepreneurs, ne'er do wells, bums, trust babies and more. Visit this place a few times and you'll know everyone's life story. And they'll know yours. It's like a comfortable pair of weekend shoes....just feels good.

The German Village Coffee Shop

193 Thurman Avenue

Columbus, OH 43206
 ( Christa and Craig also own and operate The Aladdin in Granville, OH. )

We proudly award this Columbus Greasy Spoon

3.95 Bellies!

ALa Carte Cafe - Port Clinton

You just never know where or which Columbus Chow-ers will discover a neat restaurant. Today was such a day! The old 'Southsider' was invited to spend the day on board a 38 foot Island Packet sailboat, named Class Act, skippered by local barrister Scott Shaw. Jersey Boy stayed in bed. So at 0-dark-thirty I headed north; to the north coast of America. If you are un-familiar with the harbors and islands of the Ohio, especially around Sandusky Bay then prepare to be impressed; Put-In-Bay, Kelly Island, Lakeside, Sandusky and of course, the iconic Cedar Point Amusement Park. But the real economic engine is Lake Erie fishing. And those early risers need grub and the go-to joint in Port Clinton is ALa Carte Café. My skipper took me to this 23 year institution to enjoy what everybody in this part of the world knows.

When you are THE CAPTAIN you can relax while your SAILORS do the work!

Opening at 4:30 am everyday of the week during fishing season and following the sun the rest of the year this little place serves a powerhouse breakfast. We sauntered in (sailors saunter don't you know) at 8:30 and grabbed the last two seats. This place was packed! Housed in a cinderblock storefront with cabinets and countertops from Home Depot, freshly painted and spotlessly clean the 'Front of the House or FOH' is tightly laided out and everybody sits close  together. What a wonderful feeling when you walk in the door to a new place and find every seat taken. The national chains would kill for this business.

Lisa Black and Ellie Carte...two very nice, and happy, restaurateurs

23 years ago Denny and his bride, Ellie Carte opened for hungry fishermen and last January passed the spatula to Lisa and Bill Black. Lisa, their niece, had spend the last twenty years teaching food service in the Ottawa School System, so she was ready.

Capt. Scott is at a loss for words as our feast is served by Diane.

Was the food good? Let the plates decide.

To the menu You Shout! It's traditional American Grub. Eggs, Bacon, Ham, Sausage...great portions and all at a very moderate price. I had two eggs, corned beef hash and a homemade biscuit...Captain Scot and I split a Quarter Order of Hashbrowns and still had some leftovers. The traditional breakfast that we try to have at all of our stops is Two eggs, meat, and toast. At Ala Carte it was $5.95. Very moderate pricing. For lunch they've got fresh lake perch and other nice entrees. Close at 2pm.

Lisa runs a very competent and skilled staff. While her first love (after Bill) is the griddle she handles the FOH with the skill of a traffic cop. Tight spaces call for tight coordination with FOH and the Back of the House (BOH.) In all my foodservice experience I've never seen a restaurant with two griddles located on opposite walls....I can't begin to tell you how difficult it is coordinate having all the items you need to be ready at the same time....it's hard enough when the grills are located next to each other; it's impossible to do it when you can't see the grill. Lisa and her crew make it look easy...

The North Grill and ten feet away....

The South Grill

The Southsider awards this Port Clinton Gem a rating of 4 Bellies. Good food, good portions, good prices and great people make this a winner...add it to your must visit list.

ALA Carte Café

225 Madison Street

Port Clinton, OH 

419/734-9939

 

4 Bellies!

Voted Best Breakfast in Ottawa County for 2014

Portside Restaurant just south of the Scioto Racino

Portside is just south of the Fox Run Gentleman's Club

Feeling like gambling? Then head across the street to Scioto Racino. Don't want to 'gamble' on your breakfast? Then head for Virginia's Portside Restaurant. First directions: Interstate 270 to High Street South.... keep on going past Scioto Racino (reported to have looser slots than Hollywood Casino,) and keep on going past Fox Run Gentlemen's Club (also known as The House of Flab) at the third traffic light and Virginia's is just ahead on the right. Second Key Observation: This is a typical roadside restaurant that offers the traditional American menu; eggs, pancakes, burgers and blue plate specials. The most important aspect of this operation is that it's a family place run by a family of good looking hash-slingers.

Chief Cook and Boss Virginia with her girls. Check out the food load on the griddle top!

Virginia, in a moment of weakness, purchased the place four years ago and hasn't missed a beat or lost a spatula since. If you are looking for a substantial breakfast, at a fair price, in a clean place served by a real nice group of people then Virginia's Portside Restaurant is a great place to stop. Jersey Boy states, "they almost got my toast right!"

Jersey Boys toast is still edible to normal people... not to him!

Virginia's Portside Restaurant

6515 South High Street

Columbus

 

614/409-9888

 

 

 

We award this 'joynt' 3 Bellies!

Cucos Taqueria and Cassandra's Front Row Sports Bar

It was a cold, dreary Saturday morning in Columbus. Typical February Saturday? No, it was September 13th! Your Columbus Chow 'gumshoes' were on the hunt for a Mexican Restaurant known as Cucos Taqeria. We pulled into the lot off of Henderson Road to a totally dark, closed, not opened joint! Now what? Jersey Boy's eyes shifted a little and landed on The Front Row Sports Bar.

The strawberry blond booze slinger looked us over as we entered. We looked her over back. And she was easy to look over with all the right curves in all the right places. "Wha'ta have boys, a cold one?" That's the last thing we wanted from her; just some information. "What time does Cucos Taqueria Open?" "Not til 8:30," Cassandra Brockman, owner and head cheerleader, said. "I can put on a pot of joe," she offered. "Thanks," I said as I pushed back my fedora and lit up a Lucky Strike. Jersey Boy looked around, soaked up the images of a neighborhood bar at 7:45 in the morning and let his memory take over.

She's a shrewd bartender, good looking, smart, with a great smile and happens to own the joint!

Jersey Boys been my breakfast partner since 1977 and he's taken me down his memory lane many times. I don't mind; it's so much more interesting than mine. The Front Row Bar took him back to a summer job throwing trash into the back of a garbage truck in Laurence Harbor. That was a awesome job. You know what I'm talking about if you where raised in a union environment like New Jersey and Chicago. Good hourly pay and the work is usually not too hard. Well, Jersey Boy was the junior member of his particular team and the team he was on liked to stop at bars.... a lot of them. Seems that they would stop at each of the nine on their route and have a boilermaker. A boilermaker is a shot of whiskey or bourbon chased with the contents of a tall bottle of cold beer. After his first week Jersey Boy stayed in the truck. The Front Row Sports Bar was full of guys that reminded him of that time. Cassandra yelled over "Cucos opened." I laided out a few bucks, stubbed out my Lucky and we left reluctantly.

Rene was our greeter and server...the food was as bright as his smile!

We walked in and were welcomed by Rene into the restaurant at 8:31. Cucos Taqueria is a full service Mexican Restaurant and we mean full service. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bar and outside seating on a patio. They also maintain a very minimally stocked food store. While I've never been to real Mexican restaurant (Cancun doesn't count nor does watching endless reruns of Rick Bayless shows) this place had all the expected décor and music playing. We could have ordered a Modelo Especial, Dos Equis, Corona or a Carta Blancha Beer to go with our scrambled eggs.

Oaxaquena Enchiladas



Huevos Con Chorizo

He ordered Oaxaquena, Three eggs, potatoes wrapped into enchiladas topped with black bean sauce with sour cream and lettuce for just $6.99. It was a lot of food. The Southsider went for the Huevos Con Chorizo. Two eggs scrambled with Mexican sausage. Served with rice and refried beans for just $7.00. Our opinions? While we really don't know this cuisine we do know that the food was good, hot and well presented. The restaurant was clean and our server attentive.

So your Columbus Chow 'Gumshoes' had solved the mystery! We found a pretty good breakfast spot and a great place to quench your thirst; The Front Row Sports Bar! A tip of our fedoras to both of them.

 Cucos Taqueria

2166 West Henderson Road

Columbus

 

We proudly award this restaurant 3 bellies!

Death in the Columbus Chow Restaurant Family - Breakfast Barn

The Breakfast Barn and Skill Games Restaurant was called to it's heavenly home to be with all those other great C-bus restaurants that are no more; Marzetti's, Clarmont, Court of Small Clams, Jai Lai and yes, even Elby's. The Barn passed sometime in the last few months and the building now has begun it's second 'coming' as a Mexican Restaurant...it won't be, can't be, the same.


Note: Masking tape on lower portion of sign.

My high school Spanish helps with the translation; Abierto means Welcome!

For those of us who knew the joys and delights one could find inside The Barn then at least we still have the memories. To those of you who had never visited this very unique and slightly quirky breakfast joint....Oh, well, so sad, too bad. The Barn not only had your basic American Grub BUT it also allowed you to play four (4) different skill games at the same time. What greasy spoon have you been at where you could also play skill games? The Breakfast Barn enjoyed serving anyone and everyone, it loved decorating itself with 'trailer park kirsch' items and Woody Hayes Posters. The Barn is survived by it's owners; Kay Crane and Ruth Mulford. It will be especially missed by it's Mistress of Ceremonies Joell Wilson.

 

This passing is especially hurtful to your Columbus Chow Crew. The Breakfast Barn was our first restaurant we reviewed on May 8th, 2011. Our first, our baby, the one we learned to take baby steps with and now, it's no more. We'll miss the grease! Enjoy your well earned rest. R.I.P.

 

The Breakfast Barn and Skill Game Restaurant

1275 Brown Road

Columbus, OH.

(just south of Greenlawn Cemetary)

 

 





South of Lane Restaurant and Boutique

1927 Guilford in Upper Arlington.

Outside dining with the kitchen's herb garden on the left.
 

It's known by it's acronym, SOL, which the owner, Catherine V. proudly announces stands for South of Lane. But after spending a delightful hour with her today your Columbus Chow Hounds have determined stands for "Story Of my Life!" You see this petite, 'Audrey Hepburn-ish' woman as a really interesting story, but more on that later.

The Staff is friendly and professional.

 

This unique and compact restaurant is located on a quiet street in Upper Arlington. It's features a very tastefully designed interior with a sophisticated color palette and an eclectic array of furnishings. Any woman from Arlington, Bexley, New Albany or German Village would immediately feel at home. This is the type of place where J.K. Rowling could spend a morning conjuring up an interesting character or two. Yet, all she would have to do is interview Catherine.

Poor Meleah Moore got stuck with Jersey Boy.
She can't wait to get back to Scotland!

 

 

This restaurant features a limited breakfast and lunch menu that is packed with wonderful selections. The breakfast is heavy on Omelets and Waffles. Lunch is still a unknown to us but the Rueben is highly touted by the staff. Jersey Boy and I both went for the Omelets. He had the Capri while I dug into the namesake SOL. Both of the omelets where excellent and prepared properly. Cooking an egg is one of the most mundane cooking tasks we all face. Yet, it really is challenge that a lot of professionals cannot master. You want your eggs to be cooked, yet moist. Not watery or cooked into something from the geology lab. These pros got it right. And the ingredients; onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and cheeses where all prepped correctly so that not one of them was stronger than the other but worked together to deliver a great taste profile. The coffee is a good 'wake-up' coffee; flavorful and robust without being too strong. This Southsider doesn't like the fact that there is no Sweet-n-Low provided, just Splenda and natural sugar.

Capril Omelet.....BEFORE

Capri and SOL Omelets ....... AFTER!

 

 

Jersey Boy was intrigued  by another menu item titled 'Hungry Boy Browns' which got his substantial taste buds watering. Hash browns, Chili, Eggs and Cheese...what else could one crave in this life? Next time. And, perhaps next time, they'll get his toast right. Normal people just don't understand why Jersey Boy would want to put a piece of dried up charcoal like toast in his body. But unless it's as black as your-mother-in-laws-heart he's not happy.

 

Our hostess/owner/operator is a very unique woman. Elfin in stature yet with a spirit that makes her a giant amongst her peers Catherine V. is the creative force behind this very unique endeavor. She's conquered an horrendous encounter with a dog, stood tall against the ravages of cancer, and dealt with a failed relationship all to lead her to a point where opening her own creative boutique restaurant was her way of shouting back at the world....I'm still here! And with her inherent taste and sense of style she's really back....in a big way.

 

SOL serves Breakfast and Lunch and is available for Private Parties.

 

South of Lane (SOL)

1927 Guilford

Upper Arlington, OH 43221

614/586-2233

 

Your Columbus Chow proudly awards this Restaurant

3 1/2 Bellies!

 

Note: There is an un-substantiated rumor that Catherine is eyeing a spot in Bexley that will go by the name of SOB (south of Broad!)

Super - Super - Super - Super - Super Chef!

199 E. Broad Street and the old Spook Beckman rocked Columbus from next door! He was the man!

Be careful, restaurateur with what you name your endeavor. Super anything is setting yourself up for rough going. Talk about raising expectations. The Super Chef diner does just that. That's the name and that's what it delivers! This downtown eatery is located next door to Spook Beckman's world famous open studio and man, if you remember it you're old! Bless you. Your Columbus Chow team recently visited this very special restaurant for the second time...this time to show off the culinary delights to The Southsiders daughter, who is  a VERY adventurous eater and her children. We descended on Super Chef one recent Saturday morning and had a great time.

First, the name. The owner was part of the Olympic Culinary games and, due to his energy, skill, creativity and expertise, was nicknamed "Super Chef" and it stuck. He opened his Columbus storefront with that name and brother, whoever came up with that name hit the nail on the head!

Second, the menu offerings. Like nothing you've ever seen. Eggs are actually fighting to get delivered to this place! I've seen bottles of Cream actually elbowing each other to get delivered first to this place.

Barbara, ordered the Pancake Platter. Red Velvet Pancake, Baked Alaskan Banana Pudding Pancake, Reese Cup Pancake, Reese Cup Pancake and the Apple Caramel Pancake. Now if you're mortal, you'll drop whatever you are doing and head out to 199 E. Broad Street. Case closed. Any chef that can put this together on one plate earns attention of your taste buds! Samantha and Sean went crazy over this selection.

 

I had the Smoked Salmon and Cheese Omelet with roasted red peppers sauce and hash browns. Delicious. STOP. Imagine, Columbus Ohio, cow town, Smoked Salmon, get down daddy and screw you Food Network!

 

Jersey Boy went crazy over the Super Chef's Breakfast Platter. Three eggs, hash browns, pretzel croissant, and bacon all for $9.99. Super breakfast.

 

We actually got Mrs. Southsider to accompany us and she was blown away by everything. The menu, the size of the portions and the creativity of the selections. The Super Chef isn't your daily stop-off for a hot cup of joe and a cigarette to shake off the booze of the night before. This is a place for special occasions. Just like you take your out-of-towners to German Village you need to add Super Chef to the itinerary.

 

 

Breakfast Buddy's .... Samantha Smole and Jersey Boy Share the same B'day!

 

Super Chef lives up to it's name. Run, don't walk to this Columbus gem. Hold your breath that it doesn't disappear before you get there. They are planning a second location in Gahanna (Morse Road at Cherry Bottom for all you Columbus Academy alums.)

Mrs. Southsider, Barbara and Jersey Boy lord it over Samatha, Sydney and Sean. Notice bellies protruding.

 

 

Super Chef

199 East Broad Street

Columbus, OH 43215

 

Columbus Chow easily awards this the highest designation possible....

5 bellies

 

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!

 

Best Restaurant & Sandwich Grill

Twos wonderful and threes a charm. Our third visit to this 'somewhat hidden' south Westerville restaurant/grill was even more impressive than the first two; which had been pretty damn impressive in their own right. I'll give you the driving directions later in this report from the road.



Last November this mature, established business was purchased by Scott Brown and he has made some noticeable changes....not to the main ingredients of a successful business but to 'other' things... he's eliminated some of the slower sellers off of the two page menu and he's freshen the place up. Paint, décor, etc. The founders of 'the Best' kept the place clean but a fresh coat of paint can give you a 'big bang for the buck.'

In the tradition of 'greasy spoons' this is an open kitchen with the 'masters of the griddle' doing their dance right in front of you. And, this place takes it one step higher in 'Grease-dom!' They wash all the dishes, service ware, pots and pans in front of you! How many restaurants have you been in where they wash the dishes in front of you....I've been in a few where they seem to never wash the dishes!

Enough with the physical stuff. Let's get to the food. Go to The Best Breakfast for the corned beef hash! Period. The best we've enjoyed since the Skillet in German Village. Maybe The BEST. Large chucks of corned beef atop a layer of potatoes covered with two eggs perfectly cooked. And freshly baked bread! (Here's a restaurant truism....if all of whatever you are eating is the same size and shape...then they bought it from a factory.) This corned beef was homemade! And The Jersey boy went crazy. Our smooth-talking, hip-swiveling, hash delivery waitress indicated that this corned beef also produces the most popular sandwich; The Reuben.

Kathy Casselberry, a refugee from Cleveland, served your 'Columbus Chow' team in the highest standard of Greasy Spoon tradition. By talking back, not taking any gruff, ignoring us and generally exerting her own personality. It was wonderful! Your team doesn't like servers who (1) hover, (2) tell you their birth sign, (3) wear neatly pressed uniforms sporting name tags, and (4) constantly fill water glasses and coffee cups. We truly 'like' having to yell for more service.

Chicago boy really likes to judge a restaurant by it's bread offerings. When he was running a catering/banquet operation he always insisted on fresh bread and sliced just before serving. Killer. The Best Restaurant does it right. They bake their own biscuits and finish baking the bread (white, wheat and rye.) The bread is started in the Cellones Bakery in Pittsburgh and finish in the ovens of The Best Breakfast. This restaurant gets 4 Bellies based on the Corned Beef Hash and The Bread!

Doors open at 8 am on Saturday. Get off of 270 on Route 3C (Westerville Road) south. Go south pass Dempsey Road and turn left in the strip shopping center on your left...go to the far southern end... between the Beauty School and the Drivers Education place. Don't give up too soon....it's set back a little. When you walk in say hello to the skinny short-order cook Scott....he's never met a stranger.

The Best Breakfast and Sandwich Grill

5916 Westerville Road

Westerville, OH

614/776-5788

 

Your Columbus Chow eaters award 4 Bellies

to this culinary landmark!

The Skillet Restaurant

Like Rip Van Winkle your Columbus Chow Team has awoken from their two plus year sleep. And with a vengeance! Today we enjoyed the hospitality of Chef/owner Kevin Caskey along with his wife Angie. This little (25 seats?) storefront has a great ambiance, staff and menu. Being the first two customers allowed us to stick out heads into the service window and observe; homemade biscuits, clean and organized kitchen, staff all uniformed and in place...a large staff for such a petite establishment indicates the menu demands a lot of experienced hands. We where served by a former, temporary waiter from our catering days who remembered the writer (when asked he said his checks had cleared the bank successfully....yeah!)  Back to the actual eating part of our visit; New Jersey Boy had an Artichoke Omelet which he observed was ok. I had the corned beef with poached egg and topped with a pickled pepper confetti. The corned beef was truly homemade. Not a common occurrence. Lots of restaurants take deli corned beef from Sysco, GFS, etc. thickly slice and then dice and heat. Not Chef Caskey. Brines and corns it himself...cooked to perfection. Added to potatoes and you've got true corned beef hash. The biscuits where homemade; refreshing taste and texture. Almost worthy of being ordered just by themselves. Other diners around us ordered off the menu. One favorite was Toad-In-The-Hole. Looked great. Coffee was strong, good and our cup never ran dry. Wait staff was attentive. Menu is above average pricey. Our two breakfasts with coffee came to $37.00 so save this place for a special occasion.

The Skillet Restaurant

featuring Urban Rustic Food

410 E. Whittier

Columbus, OH (in the environs of German Village)

W to F lunch from 11 to 2:30  Dinner from 5:30 to 9 pm

Sa & Su Brunch from 8 am to 2 pm.

email: skilletruf.com

We award this little gem....4 Bellys!

Katalina's Cafe Corner

 

Next time one of your out-of-town sophisticates lays one of these lines on you, "But Columbus is so-o-o-o provincial." Grab him by the nose (or some other appendage) and body slam him thru the front door of Katalina's Café Corner. Here he will (it's usually always a guy) discover what folks have known for years. Good fresh food made with local ingredients and served in a quirky, abet petite, environment by an eager staff who acts like they are on the verge of reversing global warming!  

 



Here's our experience. Fresh ingredients, good recipes, large and helpful staff combine to give the diner a great breakfast.
We both ordered Huevos Rancheros which now seems like a dumb idea. We do eat off of each others plate so why did we both order the same item? Dumb and Dumber. This dish was good and filling but next time I will order the slow roasted pork with fried egg sandwich. The décor was visually exciting and the furniture one-step above urban chic. Your out-of-towners will be impressed with this place.

Yet, us blue-collar types have some pet peeves. Mind you, not negatives, just personal likes and dislikes.
1. We are at an age when we need to SEE the menu. Get a cup of coffee and peruse a piece of paper. Standing in the front door and looking up, over the cash register, to a chalk board hanging from the ceiling doesn't work with me.
2. When paying three dollars for a coffee I expect a porcelain cup. In their defense this place is so small the waitresses must have to take the dirty dishes home to wash them and bring them back for the next diner.

If you're gastric juices have stopped flowing from the corporate 'culinary sameness' of the chains then you must visit Katalina's. This joint will get them flowing again. Katalina's is located in a building that was built to satisfy the hungry needs of automobiles and now continues in that tradition by filling hungry bellies with fresh food.

 

So hold your olfactory glands high Columbus....we've got Katalina's.

Katalina's Café Corner

1105 Pennsylvania Avenue

Columbus, Ohio

 

We award this little gem 3 1/2 bellies!

Sunbury Grill & The Good Guys Car Show

It's Good Guys Weekend in C-Bus and the Columbus Chow Team hit the road! For those of you Fans who don't know what Good Guys Weekend is allow me to introduce you to the finest, most comprehensive, mind blowing experience in the world of muscle cars, hot rods, street rods, old stuff that runs with an internal combustion engine and anything else you can drive, drag or carry to the Ohio State Fairgrounds. Tens of thousands of car-crazy fans come from the distant corners of this great country; from the rocky coasts of Maine, to the bayous of Louisiana, to the wheat fields of Nebraska and out to the land of fruits and nuts! California! Three days of chrome, burn outs and ooooglying some of the best hot rods in existence. Jersey boys' knees get weak when he sees any 1967 Pontiac GTO in triple black!

 

Now you know. So of this morning we cruised to Sunbury, Ohio. A little farm town about 25 miles up 71. We visited the Sunbury Grill which was recommended by a friend of Jersey Boy
The Sunbury Grill is located at 35 E. Cherry Street (the main east-west drag) and on the town square. We inquired of numerous diners and they all agreed this diner was at least 75 years old. Jersey opened the door while I was getting the camera, took one look, turned his head and said "This place is Perfect!" We had walked into a movie set from Andy Griffin's Mayberry. When I rotated my still asleep eyeballs onto the guy working the flatiron grill, my instant impression was that we where on the set of the TV show Alice and the character of Mel was actually named Kenny. Along one wall stretched the mandatory stainless steel parade of cooking machines and along the other, wooden booths with faded formica tops...faded from the tens of thousands of diners who had preceded us. Of course there is a counter. Occupied by regulars. The whole damn place was filled with regulars. Talked to one regular who has been eating at The Sunbury Grill since 1941! These fellow diners are the types of folks who still get teary-eyed when they hear God Bless American, stand when the American Flag marches by, won't even mention Obama without spitting on the floor and think that if the Berlin Wall was good enough for those Commies then it should be good enough for our borders. Solid folks, farmers, construction types, few Harley-Davidson t-shirts, even an engineer I knew from business. But, these folks are not Rube's wandering around the fruited plains. They know the score, they know what's valuable and one of the life's 'gems' is having a second family at the counter at the Grill. This is truly one place where everyone knows you're name.

We had a ball. Here's the kicker the food was good, plentiful and OK. The maintenance standards are high. The ambiance and feeling of this 'joynt' earned it 4.5 Bellies. Why, because Jersey Boy finally got his toast made right. BURNT.

The next time you are interested in seeing a true American icon. To visit the type of restaurant that every neighborhood or town once had then join the very friendly locals at the Sunbury Grill where the food is good and the welcome is great!

Isn't that customer, sitting alone, someone from The Witness Protection Program?

Sunbury Grill
35 E. Cherry Street
Sunbury, OH

We are pleased to award this classic American diner a Columbus Chow rating of 4 1/2 Bellies!

Observations and Pontifications

We've both been a little remiss in not making postings. It's not that we've quit eating .... it's because we quit writing! We've got a whole year to make up. So, here we go. Number One We can't agree on when we started meeting for Saturday Breakfasts but have decided it was the late 70's (1977.) Number Two I (Chicago) never knew that Jersey Boy had a not-so-secret addiction. Imagine, breaking yolks with someone for over 30 years and not knowing his obsession. I knew how he liked his eggs (over medium), how many tall glasses of ICE water he would have with a meal (three,)his favorite breakfast bread (rye,) or how he liked his coffee (hot and black.) His dirty little secret? He LOVES burnt toast. Oh, not so fast, yes this is a sickness. Not dark toast but burnt toast. I mean really Black toast. Like the black on a new set of Firestones. So black it crumbles when bit into. So black that surrounding diners go "Yuck!" And get this....his brother likes it the same way! It's gotta be a DNA thing. Number Three We have only accepted one free meal during our restaurant visits. Not because of any holistic, moral, ethical, righteous reasons or our own set of internal standards. Oh no. We've only been offered one free meal! If more restaurateurs would offer we would gladly accept free meals and we would give them a Great Review here on Columbus Chow. That's the way I was raised in Chicago and it certainly applies to Jersey Boy, whose family was the model for the main characters on the hit TV show, The Sopranos!

A 50's Diner named Nutcracker?

Doesn't seem right but it's true. There's a 50's diner with really cool interior décor...shiny red and white plastic booths, neon décor, mock models of a 57 chevy (your writer drove a black one home from the navy) and parked outside an absolutely pristine 1951 ford two door coupe that had been lowered with a frenched am radio antenna. The staff...all in black and white with our waitress a gum snapping, fast talking take-no-crap 'Flo' type who kept our cups filled, water glasses replenished and repulsed our 'sophisticated repartee' with sardonic wit....like "Don't let the door hit you in the ass or the good Lord split you in two!" How elegantly said.

Today Steve and I visited this diner in the far east; the far east side of Columbus know as Pataskala...located at the southwest corner of East Broad Street and State Route 310 this joint looks like any other typical small town eatery. But not when you walk inside. It's retro! As for the food...good, good portions but nothing really special, except the corned beef hash is prepared on-site and then combined with shredded potatoes and then grilled. Excellent and the grill grease actually made it taste better than last week's homemade hash...see The Skillet. Steve had eggs, meat (that's so Ohio,) potatoes and blacken-toast all for 6.99. I followed along with Corned Beef...Out the door with coffee was less than $20. The menu was certainly diner food; Blue Plate Specials, and All You Can Eat Special on Tuesday thru Friday. Also the glass pie case features numerous homemade pies. Jersey Boy kept talking about the large, rotating glass dessert cases of his hometown!

So if you're in the mood to take a drive in the country (this place is located south of Lynd's Fruit Farm) head on out. The place was clean, the portions good size and the food was wholesome...The waitresses are another story and that's a good attribute in a diner. Try this place....but, they should change the name from The Nutcracker to something more 'diner-ish' like Crackers, Skips, Jerry's, Dan's, Jersey-boy was going on and on about the diners of his youth! What a dray!

The Nutcracker

Nancy and Steve Butcher, Owners

63 E. Broad Street, Pataskala, OH 43062

www.nutcrackerpataskala.com

 

We award The Nutcracker 3 Bellies