At Buckeye Sports Bulletin, we know how hungry fans can get while cheering on their beloved Buckeyes. So when you’re in town for the big game, give one of these great restaurants a try. You’re sure to find something for everyone. All phone numbers are in the 614 area code unless otherwise indicated.
If you’re planning a tailgate or a game party, you can’t beat City Barbeque. A hometown favorite since 1999, City Barbeque was named Best Barbeque and Best Brisket in Columbus. Ohio Magazine crowned City Barbeque the Best Tailgate Fare in the state. City Barbeque serves authentic barbeque slow-smoked over hickory wood. Inspired by the famous barbeque regions of Kansas, Texas and North Carolina, City Barbeque serves tender beef brisket, juicy pulled pork and chicken, mouthwatering ribs and sausage. Don’t forget about the homemade sides and desserts to complete your meal. Try the baked beans with morsels of brisket, corn pudding or the banana pudding.
City Barbeque offers convenient Pig Up ’n Go packs that are easy to order ahead and serve to a small or large tailgate group. You can call ahead or order online. City Barbeque has six locations in central Ohio. Closest to Ohio Stadium is the Upper Arlington restaurant at 2111 W. Henderson Road (538-8890). Other locations include Gahanna, 108 S. Stygler Road (416-8890); Reynoldsburg, 5979 E. Main Street (755-8890); Westerville, 600 S. State Street (823-8890); Polaris, 8491 Sancus Blvd. (573-8686); and Powell, 3758 W. Powell Road (224-8224).
In the MOOd for Pizza? Then Cowtown Pizza is the place for you. Graze the menu selections which include delicious choices such as The Everything Pizza, Hawaiian Heaven, Buffalo Chicken Pizza and much more. Create your own with a large selection of premium toppings including sliced almonds, goat cheese, avocado slices, banana peppers, roasted eggplant as well as more standard fare. Order the best bread and mozzarella cheese sticks in town to round off a tasty meal.
Cowtown Pizza is located in the heart of Grandview at Third and Grandview. Order one today by giving them a call at 488-4020. They are open Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-11 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-midnight.
If you’re planning a party or heading for a tailgate, Easy Living Catering and Delicatessen will customize your party trays for any occasion. They specialize in box lunches and generous deli platters with everything you need to please hungry fans. All salads are made on the premises, and Easy Living offers a tempting variety of desserts, including their famous Buckeyes.
Located just west of the OSU campus at 1355 W. Lane Ave., Easy Living, run by former Buckeye kicking great Vlade Janakievski, is the place to go for your next tailgate or game party. Call 486-1694 or 486-2695 for more information.
The Easy Street Café, nestled in German Village, offers American-style Greek cuisine in a cozy and comfortable setting uniquely decorated with sports memorabilia and cultural artifacts. Located at 197 Thurman Ave., Easy Street serves a full menu including specialty gyros and salads along with their famous Greek pizza which is layered with olive oil, feta and mozzarella cheese, red onions, gyro meat and kalamata olives atop a thick crust. A full bar is also at your disposal where you may relax and watch the large-screen TVs. Remember, Monday night is half-price pizza night (dine-in only), or stop by from 10-3 on Saturday and Sunday for brunch, which offers traditional favorites with Greek flare.
Stop by and sample this German Village icon, which is open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-12 a.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Call 444-EASY (3279) for details.
For relaxed, neighborhood fine dining, don’t miss G. Michael’s Bistro, located at 595 S. Third St. in the heart of German Village. G. Michael’s offers up a variety of tempting entrees, from shrimp and grits to grilled pork tenderloin or filet of beef. Or try the spinach-stuffed trout, walleye or braised osso bucco. Meet friends at G. Michael’s for the $5 martini happy hour or treat yourself to prix-fixe Mondays with three courses for $30.
G. Michael’s is open Monday-Thursday 4:30-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 4:30-midnight and Sunday 4-10 p.m. Reservations are accepted but not required. Call 464-0575.
If you are tired of the standard fare, try Gordon’s Gourmet located at 1335 Dublin Road Suite 1110E. Established by Chef Gordon O’Reilly, who learned his craft from Cameron Mitchell, Gordon’s elevates the dining experience to new levels of enjoyment at affordable prices. Fresh is the key word for this homegrown business which supports local businesses and farmers while making dishes from scratch. Breakfast is served Monday-Friday 8-11 a.m. for only $4.95 and includes a delicious selection of croissants, havarti on cereal bread, bagel sandwiches, egg scrambles and much more.
For lunch, served weekdays 11 a.m.-3 p.m., you may want to try one of the many amazing salad selections using local organic greens or signature sandwiches such as their California Club or Blackened Chicken. Be sure to sample the grilled flatbreads and seasonal soups also. Party and event catering is also available. Call at 832-2404.
The King Avenue Five, located on King Avenue between Olentangy River Road and Kenny Road near campus, is a great destination for all occasions. Whether you want to watch the game, enjoy a family outing or have a quiet evening of relaxation, you can indulge yourself at the King Avenue Five where the food is warm and the beer is cold.
Enjoy a well-stocked bar with plenty of TVs to satisfy the most serious of sports enthusiasts. You’ll find some offbeat variety on the jukebox, and the Champion Shuffleboard table, dartboard and pool table offer challenges for the game player. Need a quiet corner? Try one of the booths in the dining room for privacy and intimate moments while still in view of the large screen.
The spacious outdoor patio offers open-air comfort and relief from your stuffy indoor workday including a flat-screen TV for watching sporting events. A private party room is available, as are box lunches.
The King Avenue Five is a perfect headquarters for all Buckeye fans and is located at 945 King Ave. Phone 297-8060.
For a taste of the nightclub life try Martini Park at Easton Town Center. Situated at 4040 Easton Station, Martini Park offers a great combination of warm hospitality, great cuisine, signature martinis and cocktails all with world-class design. Sample the varied and exotic menu which offers delicacies such as crab cake corn dogs, Kobe beef sliders and sweet corn risotto balls. Stop by for Monday Night Football and watch the game and enjoy $10 buckets of Bud Light with free BBQ and wings and gameday ticket giveaways.
Every Tuesday is Salsa Night with live bands or a DJ and 8 p.m. dance lessons. Friday night is Ladies Night with $5 martinis, hosted by Chris Davis with DJ Phoenix. Happy Hour is Monday-Saturday 4-8 p.m. Don’t be late! Give them a call at 471-4300. Open Monday through Saturday 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
Try a longtime Buckeye fan favorite at Minelli’s Pizza and Next Door Tavern at 1189 N. Wilson Road. Enjoy all your favorite Minelli’s food including thin crust pizza, Italian specialties from manicotti to chicken parmesan, subs, sandwiches and salads while catching the Buckeye action on one of 14 large-screen TVs. Test your Buckeye knowledge with the collection of Ohio State photos at the Next Door Tavern and don’t miss any of the game with the Big Ten Network and NFL Sunday Ticket.
Take the family to dine at the old-fashioned pizzeria or meet your friends next door at the Tavern and enjoy your favorite beverages with great food from Minelli’s. Quench your Buckeye fever at the Tavern’s seven-hour Happy Hour. Too good to be true? Call them at 279-3344 and find out.
You’re sure to find something for everyone at Paul’s Fifth Avenue, now in its 43rd year. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, Paul’s features an eclectic mix of cuisine. Enjoy all your favorites at breakfast, including eggs made-to-order, omelets, waffles, pancakes and home fries. At lunch, try one of the traditional sandwiches or the homemade pasta salad paired with Paul’s famous Italian wedding soup.
For dinner, treat yourself to any of the traditional Italian favorites. In addition to spaghetti, fettuccine and lasagna, Paul’s also offers scrumptious daily specials ranging from seafood to prime rib as well as a children’s menu. Located at 1565 W. Fifth Ave. in Grandview just five minutes from campus, Paul’s is a convenient option for dining before or after the game. Phone 481-8848.
One great option for affordable family dining in Grove City, just south of Columbus, is Plank’s On Broadway, which features a wide variety of sandwiches and entrees in addition to the ever-popular pizza. Favorites include burgers, grilled chicken salad and, of course, good cold beer. Patrons can enjoy a large all-the-way pizza for four for about $14 or a burger, fries and a beer for about $7.
Plank’s is located at 4022 Broadway, off I-270 west of I-71. For more information, call 875-7800.
For great food and atmosphere in the Short North, try Press Grill at 741 N. High Street. Their menu features a variety of tasty selections including shrimp Po Boys, pesto chicken sandwiches and their famous Press Grill Burger (burger with egg). Choose from a well-stocked bar open until 2:30 a.m. and sample the daily specials. Monday night is Nathan’s Hotdog night, two for $3. Tuesday, try the 40-cent wings and make a note of the 99-cent tacos on Wednesdays. Every Thursday is Thanksgiving Dinner night for only $9.99.
The kitchen is always open until 1 a.m. with courses ranging from $9 to $13.99. So stop by for some great neighborhood ambience and dining, open Monday-Saturday 11:30-2:30 a.m. and Sunday 1 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Call 298-1014.
Schmidt’s of German Village is gearing up for another great fall season. The special events department is enjoying their 16th season of selling delicious bratwurst, Bahama Mamas and jumbo cream puffs on Lane Avenue, now in front of Riverwatch Tower.
Schmidt’s restaurant in the heart of German Village is ready to greet all of those pre- and postgame diners who make Schmidt’s a part of their fall football tradition. The same great brats, Bahama Mamas and cream puffs await you along with a wide variety of delicious entrees and desserts such as schnitzel, sauerbraten, chicken, German chocolate cake and cherry cheese tarts. The carryout department is on standby, ready to fill your order for the savory sausage you may need for your tailgate.
Schmidt’s has been doing German since 1886, and the fifth-generation family members are ready to accommodate you with their hand-crafted, award-winning foods at 240 E. Kossuth in German Village. Call 444-6808.
