Originally posted by Columbus Underground
Written by Susan Post, July 20, 2023
Bites & Sips: Burgers, Bagels & Buckeye Donuts, Plus More New Restaurants
Openings and national recognitions make the list in the latest Bites & Sips. From new North Market vendors, to some of the best bagels in the U.S. and a gin that tastes like summer, get a rundown on what’s happening in the Columbus food scene.
Smashburger Opens in the University District
Smashburger has arrived in the University District. The burger joint opened at 1840 N. High St., joining a number of eateries filling in the new development at 15th & High.
As the name implies, Smashburger’s menu features over a dozen burger options, plus chicken sandwiches, black bean burgers and the all-important accompaniments of fries, tots, milkshakes and more. It’s the second Smashburger in Central Ohio, joining a location in Westerville.
Smashburger is one of several new dining options coming to the University District, and joins Barrio, Roots Natural Kitchen and the recently-opened Genghis Grill at 15th & High. (Dave’s Hot Chicken is still in the works.)
Get your burger fix daily from 10:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
For more information, visit smashburger.com.
Winn Winn Cafe Makes Grandview Debut
Grandview has a new grab-and-go eatery. Winn Winn cafe has opened its doors at 1212 W. Third Ave.
The menu features an array of pastries, from cookies to banana bread, coffee cake and muffins, and a small selection of savory sandwiches. In the drinks department, it’s coffee and tea. Winn Winn also offers pre-order business lunch packages.
Grab-and-go hours are 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Thursday to Sunday.
For more information, visit winnwinncafe.com.
Buckeye Donuts Now Open at North Market
Donuts are back at North Market Downtown. Columbus’ iconic Buckeye Donuts can now be found at 59 Spruce St. The gang’s all there – glazed donuts, cake donuts, fancy donuts, bismarks – with over two dozen varieties to choose from. Wash it down with coffee, hot chocolate or milk.
The North Market location is an expansion of the Buckeye Donuts on South High Street.
For more information, visit northmarket.org.
Tajine House Coming Soon to North Market Bridge Park
A vendor will expand from Downtown to have a presence at both North Markets. Tajine House is slated to open soon at North Market Bridge Park, 6750 Longshore St.
Tajine House offers a menu of Moroccan-inspired eats, like chicken tajine and lamb shank, along with a number of salads and veggie-based sides.
Earlier this year, Tajine House Moved into a new spot at the Market Downtown, taking over the former home of Preston’s.
For more information, visit northmarket.org.
Cup O Joe Reopens After Remodel
Cup O Joe in Clintonville, 2990 N. High St., is sporting a new look. Work had been underway on the coffee shop for some time, when it closed in mid-May to wrap up renovations before finally reopening in late June.
The shop has a lighter, brighter feel with more seating, but its signature fireplace remains. The coffee bar has shifted to the back wall, and the shop’s added square footage by taking over the space next door, which served as a seating area while work was underway in the main space.
The new look is similar to Cup O Joe’s new location at 366 E. Broad St. Downtown.
Cup O Joe Clintonville is open daily from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
For more information, visit cupojoe.com.
Gallo’s Expanding in Dublin
Gallo’s has plans to expand its footprint in Dublin. The family restaurant group opened a pizzeria inside the North Market Bridge Park in 2021, and will add to it a standalone restaurant.
Gallo’s Pizza Cucina & Bar will open at The Corners in Dublin by the end of the year. The restaurant will occupy 4,450 square feet of space as part of the mixed-use development at the corner of Frantz Road and Blazer Parkway.
“Gallo’s Pizza Cucina & Bar has been a tremendous success at The North Market,” says Co-Owner Nick Gallo. “We wanted to not only expand our presence in Dublin, but also expand on the type of experience our patrons can have when enjoying our pizza.”
The restaurant will feature an expanded pizzeria menu, spanning classics to specialty pies, along with wings, salads and a selection of appetizers.
“Customers can look forward to enjoying a glass of wine or craft beer at our bar, dining area or on the patio space,” Gallo says. “It will closely resemble our other great locations in Columbus”
In addition to North Market, the Gallo’s restaurant group has four other locations in Central Ohio – Gallo’s Taproom in Northwest Columbus and Powell, Gallo’s on High in Clintonville, and Gallo’s Kitchen & Bar in Upper Arlington.
For more information, visit gallostaproom.com.
One of the Best Bagels in the US is in Columbus
If you’re looking for not just one of the best bagels in Columbus but the nation, according to Bon Appétit, anyways, look no further than The Lox Bagel Shop.
The Short North shop was recently included on a list of The Best Bagels in the US (Yes, Outside of New York) curated by the food and lifestyle magazine.
The Lox Bagel Shop, 772 N. High St., opened its doors in December 2018 and quickly became a popular stop for its namesake staple. The Lox’s menu keeps it simple with four flavors of bagel – everything, plain, sea salt & herb and sesame – and amps it up with a variety of cream cheeses and breakfast and lunch bagel sandwich options.
Score a bagel from 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. -2 p.m. on the weekends.
For more information, visit theloxbagelshop.com.
North Market Makes National List
Lox isn’t the only Columbus institution getting some national recognition. North Market was voted the 7th Best Public Market in a USA Today reader poll.
“We are immensely proud and humbled to be recognized as one of the top 10 public markets in the USA Today 10 Best reader poll,” said Rick Harrison Wolfe, Executive Director + CEO of North Market. “This recognition is a testament to the passion, hard work, and dedication of our incredible merchants, staff, and the loyal community that has supported us throughout our nearly 150 years in service. We remain committed to providing an unforgettable experience, offering exceptional products, and being a platform for small businesses to thrive.”
The North Market Downtown opened its doors in 1876, adding a Dublin location at Bridge Park in 2020. It’s not the only expansion for the Market, as work has begun on the 31-story Merchant Building, which will expand the Downtown location.
Both Markets are welcoming a number of new vendors. Buckeye Donuts is now open Downtown, while COLO has plans to expand its footprint and take over the poultry and butcher shop categories. At Bridge Park, work is underway for On Paper, Holy Crepes and Market Bar Vinoteca, with Tajine House also lined up for an opening.
Visit the North Market Downtown at 59 Spruce St., or Bridge Park, 6750 Longshore St.
For more information, visit northmarket.org.
Dueling Axes Adds Bar Downtown
To celebrate its fifth birthday, Dueling Axes is adding an element it will technically be old enough to enjoy in 16 years – a bar.
The axe throwing facility converted one of its lanes Downtown into a 34-foot long bar. Axe-throwing imbibers will find four draft beers along with a selection of bottled and canned beers, wines by the bottle, plus a lineup of signature cocktails and specialty shots.
Since opening five years ago, Dueling Axes has expanded with locations in New Albany and Las Vegas, as well as a mobile, four-lane, axe-throwing trailer that frequents events around Central Ohio.
Find the new Downtown bar at 309 S. Fourth St.
For more information, visit theduelingaxes.com.
Four Peel Strawberry Gin’s Back for the Summer
Summer in a bottle – Watershed Distillery’s Four Peel Strawberry Gin is now available at the distillery and select liquor stores across Central Ohio. The distillery’s Four Peel Gin is infused with Ohio-grown, sun-ripened strawberries.
Track down a bottle – when it’s gone, it’s gone – or join the party and celebrate all things gin at Four Peel Fest on Saturday, July 22.
For more information, visit watersheddistillery.com.
