THESE OHIO-MADE SNACKS ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD
Summer 2023
PHOTO BY AARON MASSEY
push for sustainability, turn to pg. 18
brewery’s growth in Columbus its
more about the Athens-based
recently-updated patio. To learn
cold drinks at Jackie O’s on Fourth’s
Patrons enjoy warm weather and
Whether you lean salty, sweet, or somewhere in between, central Ohio is a snack haven, and we’re here to guide you through it, even if we end up with orange cheese dust on our fingertips when it’s all said and done.
COVER PHOTO BY SARAH PFEIFER DESIGN BY BRYCE PATTERSON30
Born in Athens, Jackie O’s recently-refurbished Columbus taproom brings a polished new space with massive patios, on-site restaurants, and a whole lot more.
62 57
BUILT
How an Old North venue, built on the backs of a craft soda company, took on a magical life of its own
The popular Short North-born ice cream shop CRMD has opened a brand new Lewis Center location, with a top-secret speakeasy hidden inside.
Stock & Barrel editor Jack McLaughlin digs into some of the weirdest and wildest candy and treats Butler County has to offer. In the name of content.
PUBLISHER
Wayne T. Lewis
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Lindsay Press
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Jack McLaughlin
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
JACK MCLAUGHLIN Editor-In-ChiefWhenever you walk down the aisle at the grocery store, or allow yourself a quick glance at the vibrantly-wrapped gas station candy display, those snacks are looking right back at you.
Well, no. Not literally.
Whether it’s from the electric-green text bubble on a soda can or the impossibly shiny red pouch that holds those fruit-flavored candies, snacks, more than anything, feel like they’re designed to not just get your attention, but to grab it. There’s an agency there, a presence, a forcefulness even.
But here’s the thing: I’ve come to love it.
Yes, I’ve read White Noise, and yes, deceptive marketing practices do exist in the world, but we’re talking about snacks here. And like the title says: I’m just here for the snacks.
In a small way, walking into a supermarket or the fluorescent-lit hallways of a pharmacy chain, I know an entire world of flavor possibilities, of fun, awaits me.
Call me a capitalist, or just call me hungry (although I don’t think I’m either), but there’s a small yet very real surge of joy I get when stepping into the chip aisle to find a seemingly-endless array of wild new flavors (ketchup tortilla chips, I’m looking at you) that WIlly Wonka himself would be impressed by.
I’m choosing to lean into this, to throw any political or philosophical notions out the window for the time being, because, first and foremost: snacks are fun. Yes, they should be enjoyed in moderation, just like anything, but there’s a time and place for them, and when it’s that time, we should all be able to let ourselves dive in.
I know more than anyone that quiet guilt that comes when I’m eating too much of something that’s not really healthy, and I’ve been working to be able to let that go. Because in the summer sun, surrounded by friends, a cool pool, and a bowl full of whatever you love, who has time for the doubt?
I doubt that anyone does. So let’s enjoy the summer and get into some serious snacking. Welcome to Stellar Snacks.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
CREATIVE DESIGNERS
VIDEO PRODUCER / EDITOR Austin Black
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Justynne Pride
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Julia Attanasio
MARKETING ASSISTANT
Zoe King
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Meggin Weimerskirch
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Mindy Wilhite
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Paul VanHorn
Anna Gerhard
BRAND MANAGER, 614 LAGER
Lizzy Saunders
EVENTS COORDINATOR
Lizzy Saunders
Questions about advertising? Scan here!
Summer is here, Columbus! Check out ways to celebrate below, and keep an eye on 614now.com and our social media for more.
Ohio State Fair
July 26-Aug. 6
Location: 717 E. 17th Ave. (Ohio Expo Center & State Fair)
Columbus Beerfest
Aug. 12
Location: 405 Neil Ave. (KEMBA Live!)
Columbus Food Truck Festival
Aug. 19-20
Location: 4951 Northwest Pkwy. (Franklin County Fairgrounds)
Columbus Fiery Food Festival
Aug. 26-27
Location: 303 W. Broad St. (Genoa Park)
Whether you’re on team salty or team sweet, summer is a season for snacks. What goes better at a barbeque than a trusted bag of kettle chips? Need to make the drive-in theater experience just a bit better? Grab popcorn or something chocolate to dig into. This summer, we asked our staff about their favorite Columbus-based snacks, and here’s what they said.
“Crazy cucumber pickles 100% (Extra Hot Garlic flavor is my fav).”
Tori
Smith Creative Designer“I would eat my bodyweight in Al’s Delicious Popcorn every day if I had an endless supply.”
Jack McLaughlin Editor“Global Gallery’s Oat Milk Iced Matcha OR Graeter’s Banana Spilt OR Cottage Inn Garlic Cheese Bread with ranch.”
Lizzy Saunders Brand Manager, (614) Beer
“Admittedly, it’s not exactly a snack, but my go-to evening treat is a glass of High Bank Whiskey War.”
PaulVanHorn
Account Executive“Brownie Delight or Warrior Blitzer from The Dairy Hut in Pataskala! Soooooo good.”
Justynne Pride
Marketing Director“It’s more of a dessert but Whit’s Frozen Custard!”
Bryce Patterson
Creative Designer↑
Hellfire Club Pub Grub, Bite This by Annie, Take your snack mix game to the next level with this local blend from Budd Dairy Food Hall vendor Bite this by Annie. Offering a satisfying crunch and a level of spice that’s definitely, but definitely not overbearing, Hellfire Club Pub Grub takes the dub.
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Worth It Chews, Created by local social media star turned entrepreneur Kelly Yager and her husband Chris Vogel, this fruit-flavored candies come in three different sizes and five different flavors. You can buy them at the brand’s website. And it’s Worth It.
↑
Cold-Blooded IPA Columbus Brewing Co.
Warm weather doesn’t just mean cold beer, it means cold IPA. A recent trend in the world of craft beer, this CBC offering their first cold IPA, which is fermented at lower temperatures, resulting in a ultracrisp and incredibly drinkable ale that will be around for the next few weeks.
↑
Ohio State Classic Thins, Ballerich Snack Food Company
It’s never too early to start cheering for the Buckeyes, and since football season will be here before we know it, Ballerich’s is one step ahead of the game. The Tiffin, Ohio-based snack company has rolled out OSU brand potato chips as both Classic Thins and Cheddar Slider Chips.
Did you know that (614) has a YouTube channel with some very shareable video content, including delicious food stories from Stock & Barrel? It’s true. We've expanded our ever-growing content to include video across our web and magazine stories. Keep an eye out for more on our (614) Columbus account and on social media. In the meantime, check out the newest videos on our channel:
After years in the corporate world, learn how Stephanie Dougherty left it all behind to chase this deliciously sweet dream. Scan the QR
Pulling together a fusion of globally inspired bakes treats, 3 Bites Bakery is creating some delectable treats beside their perfectly
Bringing flavors and unique cooking styles of his home of Argentina, Sebastian LaRocca serves as the head chef of one of Columbus's
Serving soulful meals that hit the spot and live music to match any
It’s difficult for us here at Stock & Barrel to catch it all. That’s where you come in: while you’re out there capturing the city, you might as well slide some of your best shots our way. Use the hashtag #Eat614 on twitter or instagram to put your photos on our radar.
After 30 years in Columbus, Hoggy’s is well known for being one of the most established BBQ restaurants in town. Offering a classic assortment of smoked meats like pork and brisket, along with a wide variety of sides, toppings and condiments that are all made in-house, the location at 830 Bethel Rd has stood the test of time.
Wings, however, are not necessarily known for being part of the lineup at standard BBQ joints - especially not secret wings. →
“We’re unique because we offer 10 different wing sauces, and every wing is smoked and then fried,” shared owner Kyle Turner, son of Hoggy’s co-founder Mark Turner. “With the secret wings, they are is coated in a glazy sweet sauce, then we re-fry it so it carmelizes on the outside, then toss it in a savory hot sauce. So you end up with a delicious sweet-salty-spicy wing.”
There’s no official name for this off-menu option, and getting your hands on some isn’t guaranteed. But here’s how you can try:
Start with an in-person visit (they aren’t listed for online ordering) and ask for the secret wings for either dine-in or carryout. Then cross your fingers that someone is available to cook you up a batch, since only a few employees know how to make them. “We try not to make tons of them because they absolutely destroy the fryers,” laughed Turner.
And while the sticky, savory wings provide plenty of flavor on their own, since you’re already there you may as well pair them with a made-from-scratch side like potato salad, mac and cheese or cheesy potatoes.
“Hoggy’s is distinctive because our meats and wings are good enough to stand by themselves, and they’re going to be some of the best you’ll ever have,” said Turner. “The plethora of flavors we offer and how you can experiment with them is definitely different from other restaurants.”♦
To learn more, visit Hoggys.com
Born in Athens, Jackie O’s recently-refurbished Columbus taproom brings a polished new space with massive patios, on-site restaurants, and a whole lot more
In a city renowned for its expansive selection of craft breweries, how does Columbus’ newest addition, Jackie O’s On Fourth, stand out? Well, aside from their rare, complimentary downtown parking lot and stunning skyline views from the rooftop, their commitment to sustainability, their eclectic beer selections and styles, and their ability to bring a slice of Athens to Columbus makes this brewery a distinct Downtown hangout. →
General Manager Johnny Clift knows Jackie O’s is popular, but he was astonished by the way Columbus welcomed the Athens staple to the community. “The amount we’ve been embraced by everyone…well, it’s overwhelming,” he said. “It was busier than we thought! I knew people would show up on our opening weekend, but not quite in the numbers they did. I may have underestimated the excitement.”
For the past decade, people would ask Johnny when, and if, Jackie O’s would ever build a taproom in Columbus. Cbus has always been Jackie O’s #1 market for canned sales and distributing, even surpassing the sales in Athens, so opening a taproom and brewery here was the next logical step. After all, we do love our beer. While little pieces of Athens are still honored in the taproom, such as the family style oak tables made from trees in Athens, the Columbus location will have its own unique and exclusive style of beers and flavors debuting this summer, made from scratch right on Fourth Street.
In 2020, Jackie O’s launched a small Columbus taproom at the current home of Jackie O’s on Fourth. Only a fraction of the size it is now, the space did offer Columbus denizens a place to grab cult favorites like Mystic Mama IPA or Dark Apparition Imperial Stout on tap, but it didn’t offer too much else. At the time, at least.
Part of this was due to the timing of their opening, in the heart of the pandemic; but just as much stemmed from the small size of the taproom. So what did Jackie O’s do? They built. →
It was busier than we thought! I knew people would show up on our opening weekend, but not quite in the numbers they did. I may have underestimated the excitement. ”
In early 2022, Jackie O’s broke ground on the project that transformed their modest Columbus taproom into a Downtown destination, now boasting a 4,500 square foot brewery, 5,000 square of space for a bar, retail store and more, and 8,000 square feet of patio space. The updated space, which reopened in May, also offers Athens’ very own Bagel Street Deli, who operate a food cart slinging their signature bagel sandwiches on the new patio. A Midwestern-inspired restaurant from the owners of lauded Columbus sandwich-makers Wario’s Beef & Pork is also set to open soon at Jackie O’s on Fourth this summer, boasting both seating and a concession-style walkup window. →
While their Columbus expansion was important to the brewery, keeping sustainability at the forefront is essential for the progression of the Jackie O’s brand. “We thrive and survive alongside each other,” said Jackie O’s President Art Oestrike.
They’re utilizing solar energy on the roofs of their Athens production facilities, and soon, they’ll do the same at the Fourth Street location. Their 4 and 6 pack cans come on eco-friendly, biodegradable, and compostable rings in an effort to minimize their footprint. The highquality grains used for beer production find a second life as feed for local cattle. They worked closely with local construction and architecture businesses to ensure the Columbus location was upgraded using upcycled materials. Even the rain in Columbus will have a greater purpose – they’re making a conscious effort to harvest and recycle rainwater to make their beer.
The Athens brewers’ devotion to their craft also makes Jackie O’s noteworthy. They recognize the world of beer is evolving, so they are, too. They’re trying to stand out in the brewery business by continuing their bourbon barrel and sour programs, but also by dabbling in new brewing styles, such as their Pique (pronounced peak), which is kind of like an ale and seltzer fusion. Known for its lightness, drinkability, and “patio pounder” tendency, it’s already making a name for itself this summer. Their mango grapefruit version, which is canned and also offered on draft, is the perfect pick for watching the sun set over the Columbus skyline.
If you’re not a beer person yet you find yourself at Jackie O’s (hey, maybe you wanted to take in that incredible rooftop view?), cocktails and mocktails like a Cucumber Smile or N/A-quiri are there for you. Johnny’s intent for this new space is for your cocktail friends to be able to come and enjoy themselves, too. And if you are a beer person, then welcome to your new favorite Columbus hangout. ♦
While the Buckeye State isn’t necessarily known for beaches–or for its wineries–Ohio does have its fair share of both. It also happens to have a healthy number of wineries located on the water, and we can’t wait to dive in.
A few local spots made an appearance, while some were more of a hike, but we tried to keep things within a day-trippable hour and a half drive of Columbus.
So come on in, the water—and the wine—is fine.
The closest waterfront spot to Columbus on our list, Hidden Lakes—like its name suggests—is situated on a small body of water just off US Route 33. Hidden Lakes is close enough to feel you’re nearby Columbus, but still removed enough to make the winery feel like an escape.
Boasting a casual setting with a surprisingly robust food menu, this winery is tucked neatly into a point on the south shore of Buckeye Lake, making it feel like a real getaway, although it’s less than an hour away from Downtown Columbus.
Located a (literal) stone’s throw south of the Hocking River, this award-winning winery boasts a beautiful and totally immersive outdoor space, complete with weekly live music that makes patrons feel like they’ve discovered their own pristine slice of Hocking Hills wilderness.
Head northeast of Columbus for just over an hour and you’ll find yourself at Morrow’s Valley Vineyards, located on the banks of the Little Miami River. Boasting a large outdoor space and a full restaurant, the unique spot also brews its own craft beer, and hosts plenty of live music on the weekends.
30402 Freeman Rd., Logan ~50 Minutes from Downtown
2276 US-22 & OH-3, Morrow ~1 hour, 15 minutes from Downtown
Valley
↓ Photo courtesy of Hocking Hills Winery
↓ Photo courtesy of Valley Vineyards
1 2 3
Did you know Ohio is one of the top 10 wine-producing states in the country, supporting more than 300 different wineries?
Ohio boasts five distinct wine-grape growing areas, known as appellations. While none run through Columbus, these zones include: Lake Erie, Isle St. George, Grand River Valley, Ohio River Valley and Loramie Creek.
We’re thankfully coasting toward warmer temperatures now, but Ohio’s combination of vineyards and cold weather leads to the production of Ice Wine, a unique variety that’s made from grapes that undergo cycles of freezing and thawing.
(614) Beer is a Registered Trademark of 614 Media Group, Inc.
The popular Short North-born ice cream shop CRMD has opened a brand new Lewis Center location, with a top-secret speakeasy hidden inside
Story Design by Atlas Biro
By Melinda Green / Photos by Aaron Massey
↓ Ben Stoyka, Owner of CRMD inside hidden speakeasy
The Coke machine sits quietly in a corner in a brand-new storefront in Lewis Center. Too quietly, in fact. Like it has something to hide. For a while, nothing happens, and it feels a little weird.
And then the Coke machine swings open, and a couple of guys walk out from behind it. Inside of it, in fact.
“Did ya have a good time?” the young man behind the counter asks.
“Yeah!” they exclaim, and exit the store.
When you venture behind that Coke-machine door at the newest CRMD location, you’re transported back some 25 years, to the height of vibrant 1990s style. The long black hallway is laced with trippy, angular spirals of neon orange and chartreuse. At the other end, you emerge into a small, dark room with lucite bar stools, neon signs, inflatable chairs, and Justin Timberlake’s “Rock Your
Body” pumping on the big screen behind the bar.
What the Lewis Center location of the popular Columbus-born ice cream brand houses is an entire, neon-laden speakeasy. While speakeasies have been trending in recent years, popping up in greater numbers, this one is special.
This one has ice cream.
“So we originally wanted to kind of do something different than most of our locations,” said owner Ben Stoyka. “When we started our brand, we were already aiming to be different than typical mom and pop ice cream shops. That was our main goal, to step outside of that boundary and change it up a little bit while bringing in things that we've experienced traveling and living in the West Coast and Asia and overseas.
“We wanted to have a speakeasy. And when the developers up here came down to our [Short North] store, around summertime of 2020, we kind of saw the opportunity to take that leap.” →
It took almost three years to go from those initial talks to actually opening this location in the rapidlygrowing development of Evans Farms. The area is destined to become a walkable community, with housing developments, apartments, a sports park, retail, dining, and entertainment. CRMD is one of the first businesses to open up shop here.
Despite the fact that Evans Farms is still heavily under construction, CRMD’s business is going great. The bar stays open until guests go home or last call, whichever comes first. There are UFC watch parties, and the speakeasy sometimes has to turn away guests because its admittedly tiny 600-square-foot capacity is at its limit.
“We didn't want to bite off too much at once and have it be too big of a space where it doesn't have a high energy level. A small space doesn't take much to get that. We wanted to test the space and make sure it's going to work before going bigger,” Stoyka explained.
The high energy certainly fits with the bright 90s vibe. “We're 90s kids,” Stoyka said. “So, I mean, we’re doing things that we know and like. We didn't want to do a traditional speakeasy because it just wouldn't work with our branding.”
They found a few key design features that they wanted, like the transparent orange and clear inflatable furniture imported from Switzerland. “It's not cheap for something that's inflatable. In a bar, you want it to be durable,” Stoyka said.
And yes, patrons have jumped on the furniture. It’s frowned upon, but Stoyka has a few backup chairs just in case one springs a leak.
The speakeasy is 21 and older, of course, and adults can buy ice cream at the storefront and bring it back. The real treat, though, is the cocktails made with CRMD’s frozen goodness. →
"WE'RE 90S KIDS...DOING THINGS THAT WE KNOW WE LIKE"
Take the espresso martini (a 90s staple, you know). It’s vodka blended with the shop’s Vietnamese coffee ice cream and, with around 90 mg of caffeine, packs a serious punch— perhaps enough to have you shouting along to “Hollaback Girl” on the big screen. Or the sorbet drop, CRMD seasonal sorbet muddled with vodka and prosecco. Or a twist on a Long Island Iced Tea with that same sorbet.
Not all of the drinks have a frozen component, but the truly unique ones do. Still, the most popular cocktail on the menu is an Old Fashioned.
As they continue to find their footing, the CRMD team is looking forward to having fun at Evans Farm—block parties, farmers’ markets, maybe even cornhole tournaments. In such a community, the possibilities are exciting.
“Adding on the bar side of things was another new step for us,” Stoyka admitted. “We didn't come from any bar background, we didn't come from any ice cream background, so it was a learning process. Granted, we're still learning to this day.
“We definitely want to reach as many people as we can and, you know, create an awesome experience that's a little bit different than normal.”
So step behind that delusive Coke machine and see the awesomeness that awaits. ♦
To learn more, visit getcrmd.com
The new Columbus concept
Warmly is bringing cold milk and warm, fresh-made cookies to the front door of Columbus diners, literally
Story Design by Atlas Biro
By Sarah Grace Smith/ Photos by Aaron Massey
↓ Warmly Sea Salt Choclate Chip Cookie
Imagine this: after a long day of summer activities in the sun, you and your family, partner or pets all cuddle up on the couch, ready to watch your favorite nostalgic movie. All you’re missing is a sweet treat to munch on. But then the doorbell rings. Warmly has arrived, delivering fresh-baked, gooey chocolate chip cookies right to your door.
Cody Miller has already been known in the Columbus dessert scene as the creator of Rime Time, a gourmet popsicle truck, but he has now expanded into the world of cookies. Through his new company Warmly, Miller delivers customers the “perfect evening cookie” (while it’s still warm) with exceptional customer service.
Billed as a cookie delivery service, Warmly is keeping things classic (and streamlined), offering only its Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies and ice-cold pints of whole milk from Snowville Creamery.
“Just milk and cookies,” Miller said.
And if milk and cookies stirs up some nostalgia in you, it’s because, the Columbus food scene veteran said, that’s what Warmly is rooted in.
“I personally have a lot of interest in making nostalgic treats and nostalgic things,” Miller explains. “We are ultimately trying to provide both experience and provide a product that we believe is really good…. My favorite part is growing this to become what we believe can be the ice cream truck of the future.”
Miller has been working on perfecting the classic chocolate cookies for a while now. His cookies are 4-ounces each, compared to a 1.4-ounce Chips Ahoy cookie.
“We’ve meticulously developed our chocolate chip cookie recipe to be a perfect version of that indulgent and comforting warm cookie we’ve always wanted when we’re winding down the evening. Warm and gooey and soft on the inside but crisp edges and large salt flakes on top,” he said.
And now you’re (rightfully) asking: “How do I sign up for these cookies?” →
"I
On Warmly’s website, interested cookie connoisseurs can sign up with their name, email, zip code and number. When Warmly is planning a drop in your neighborhood (deliveries are rotating on a weekly basis, and occur within only a single zip code or specific area of the city each week), they will send you a text earlier in the day. From this message, you can follow a link and order your own four-pack of Miller’s signature Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies that will be dropped off sameday, typically by 6 p.m.
The company utilizes top-of-the-line customer service, trying to be on a first-name basis with customers. If customers have questions, they can use Warmly’s text line that is always open for conversation rather than waiting hours on hold with customer service.
“We named it Warmly to invoke this intimate, thoughtful and caring approach that you might not always see through text message,” said Miller.
And while Warmly opened recently— it launched in April with just two people in the kitchen—within a matter of weeks, more than a thousand Columbus cookie enthusiasts have signed up for delivery, and each round of cookie deliveries have sold out in a half hour or less.
With the exponential growth, Miller and his staff have had their hands full working both Warmly and Rime Time. Miller credits his incredible team with being able to balance the two companies gracefully. “Our staff is really excited about the idea and concept of Warmly,” he adds. “So [our success] is because of them.”
He also gives a special thanks to Riley Harris, a baker for Warmly. The founder of From Scratch Cupcakes, Harris has helped conceptualize many of the ideas behind Rime Time and Warmly. Miller believes her whimsical mindset around treats combined with her high standards has contributed to the success of both companies.
Going forward, Miller hopes to expand Warmly to more nights of the week. “A lot of customers have already sent us feedback of how exciting this has been for them—both the experience and the cookies,” he says. When the fall and winter approach, he plans to lean even more into the cozy vibe. What’s better than eating cookies while snuggled up next to a fire?
However, with any growth, whether that’s by making more nostalgic treats or adding more cookie drops in the week, Miller wants to make sure they maintain their high standard of customer service and cookie quality as core to Warmly.
Throughout this entire process, Miller has been focused on creating cozy, nostalgic treats for the community. He dreams that Warmly cookies will enhance any day, drawing friends and family together throughout Columbus: “The cookie is the complete complement—the cherry on top—for the evening.” ♦
To learn more, and to join their ordering list, visit warmlycookies.com
From crispy chips and soft pretzels to a world tour of candy, we’re snacking our way through The Arch City with a wide variety of out of this world treats. And you’re invited. This cover section features guides to Ohio-made salty snacks, some of the top snack-sized menu items from local eateries, a closer look at one sweet and salty treat that the city is going nuts for, and a globetrotting tour of tastes featuring the massive international offerings of Gahanna-based candy company. Let’s unwrap! →
↓
Photo by Sarah Pfeifer
From potato chips to pretzels, nuts and more, here’s your guide to salty and savory snacking in Columbus
By Jack McLaughlinThe sweet stuff is great from time to time, but when it comes down to it, but many of us pefer to reach for salty snacks the majority of the time.
That’s why we’re kicking off our cover section with a deep-dive into some of the Buckeye State’s best salty snacks, and where to find them.
The top of the totem pole in the snack world is, for many, the potato chip. Lucky for us that here in Ohio, we have more than a few tried and true options to dig into.
The Cincinnati-based Grippo’s offers a signature BBQ flavor with enough seasoning powder to take down an elephant (in the best way), while Ballerich’s in Tiffin offers just about the coolest, vintage-leaning bag you’ll find, housing their “marcelled” chips (a term the brand invented to described the ridges in their chips, inspired by the starkly wavy hairstyle of the same name). Both brands are over 100 years old, and the prolific Conn’s isn’t too far off.
And don’t count out the Dayton favorite, Mikesell’s, either. While the brand announced its closure following 110 years in early 2023, the aforementioned Conn’s bought the Mikesell’s naming rights and began producing them again a short time later.”
One of the snack world's most versatile and underrated players is popcorn. Equally delicious whether it’s prepared with salt and butter, cumin and saffron, or drenched in a sugary shell, popcorn is more of a triple threat than Ray Allen in his prime.
There’s plenty of it to go around in Columbus, but the long-standing established can’t-miss option. While they cater to all the classic flavors like caramel and cheddar, their Columbus Mix (a combination of Vanilla Butternut and White Cheddar that riffs off the ever-popular Chicago Mix) is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. And if you’re feeling salty (get it?) new savory options like Dill Pickle, or spicy variants including their Habanero Mango offer fun ways to mix things up.
For those in the Gahanna area, Market Popcorn & Windy City Eats another fantastic option.
Columbus Mix, from Al's Delicious Popcorn →
For decades, The Peanut Shoppe’s ionic neon signage has served as a beacon for downtown diners looking for a salty (or sweet) fix. Self-described as Downtown’s oldest retail business, part of The Peanut Shoppe is, well, the experience. First opened in 1936, the store stays true to its roots, offering visitors an olde-timey candy and nuts store that they pick out by the pound.
Like popcorn, pretzels often erroneously receive a bad rap for being boring, but you better check the facts on that one. Not only does Ohio serve up a huge variety of bagged pretzel snacks (Conn’s, Grippo’s and more come to mind), but soft pretzels are also widely available in The Arch City.
Stop by the North Market Downtown to pay a visit to Brezel, where hand-rolled soft pretzels in falvors like Everything, Sriracha Mozzarella, and indulgent sweet pretzels like Carrot Cake and Mixed Berry + Lavender.
If it’s good pretzels you’re after, following the German restaurants is a failsafe tactic. Spots like Hofbräuhaus and Schmitt’s Sausage Haus serve fantastic soft pretzels, and pairing a soft pretzel at Gëmut Biergarten with one of the traditional German lagers they focus on is hard to beat.
If you're looking for a handful of great options outside of these categories, check out the following local options:
HELLFIRE CLUB PUB GRUB
from BITE THIS BY ANNIE NO. 1 SALAMI
from NORTH COUNTRY CHARCUTERIE
from BLACK RADISH CREAMERY
from STAN EVANS BAKERY
BEEF SNACK STICKS
from THE BUTCHER & GROCER
Candy has always played a special part in Jay and Shana Sokol’s relationship.
When they were dating, the two would gift each other bags of candy, and, at their wedding in 2007, the couple even had a candy buffet. Early in their marriage, Jay and Shana operated a small candy business in California, but when they began to start a family, they decided to place their dream on hold for a while.
Later, when the two moved to Columbus in 2017, they decided to go all-in on their dream, and Buckeye Candy Company was opened in Gahanna.
“We picked [the name] Buckeye Candy Company because, while I’m an Ohio State alum myself, the initials BCC are after our three kids, the first letters of their first names,” Jay said.
After they opened the store, they first ventured into the world of nostalgic candies and international imports after customers kept asking for a Marathon bar, a footlong braided caramel covered in chocolate. While
With sweets from Germany, Japan, Mexico and more, Buckeye Candy Co. has become a hub for everyone from immigrants to expats, and all the curious candy connoisseurs in betweenBy Sarah Grace Smith / Photos by Sarah Pfeifer Story Design by Tori Smith ← "Fring" (Freeze-Dried Peach Ring), from Buckeye Candy Co.
Their company grew quickly, and in 2022, the duo moved their shop from a tiny strip mall to a location on Granville Street (it remains in Gahanna), increasing their area by 1,000 square feet. The new shop has led to more visibility and walk-ins, helping the company continue to thrive.
Because of its wide selection of international candies, the store has gained a large fanbase of both immigrants and expats searching for a taste of home. It also caters to anyone looking to expand their worldview with candy.
“We’ve tried to open up this portal into the world,” said Jay. “It’s bringing you a taste of everything without having to buy a $1000 ticket to Europe or Australia….You can come to Gahanna and find an international trip.”
When new customers ask Jay what’s the most unusual candy they sell, he points them to the candy bar Turkish Delight, a rose-flavored gel covered in chocolate. He also recommends Crunchy, a honeycomb or sponge candy bar from England.
Many customers are drawn to the wide variety of seemingly normal candies Buckeye Candy Company offers. For example,
they carry 15-20 different flavors of KitKats, including cookie dough, Lotus Biscoff and banana peanut butter. They also sell around 30 flavors of cotton candy.
The store doesn’t stop at candy, either. Jay and Shana have expanded into sodas, with 14 types of Root Beer and the famous Scottish Irn Bru. British crisps have been another recent development, with flavors like prawn cocktail, pickled onion and smokey bacon.
As the couple looks to the future, they hope to build a longterm sustainable business. With two of their children already interested in continuing their legacy, the two feel that Buckeye Candy Company will be here to stay.
“We just want to keep growing and expanding and being that old-school mom and pop candy store that a lot of people grew up with in their community,” Jay said.
And we think that’s pretty sweet. ♦
Follow Buckeye Candy Company @buckeyecandycompany to learn the latest on the store
↓ Candy stock, at Buckeye Candy
By Laura Hennigan
As official state nut, the buckeye is fun to use symbolically or as a mascot, but not so enjoyable to actually eat (they’re poisonous). Thankfully there are plenty of edible nuts to be found, including several local Columbus establishments that serve fresh, flavorful and creative offerings.
If you’ve been downtown anytime over the past several decades, you’re likely familiar with the giant neon Mr. Peanut sign that has been a staple of The Peanut Shop since 1936. Mike Stone took a job at the shop in 1972 in order to pay for dates at Burger King with his future wife, Pat. Dressing up in a Mr. Peanut costume for $1.50 an hour eventually led to first Mike, then Pat managing the store before they decided to purchase it in 1996. With such a long history, the Peanut Shop invokes pure nostalgia for many people. “People love the smell and are drawn in when we’ve been roasting peanuts or pecans,” said Pat. “I have customers who come in and say this place reminds them of being a kid, or memories of visiting the store years ago with their grandma or grandpa.”
The Peanut Shoppe sells a large variety of nuts, milk and dark chocolates, dried fruits and candies. Their nut products go directly from the roasters and cookers into the case, instead of being prepackaged, and when you walk in Pat can tell you exactly what is fresh and still warm. Along with their best selling mammoth cashews and chocolate covered peanuts, there are plenty of old fashioned treats like Boston Baked Beans. They also make an extra effort to have plenty of hot nuts ready to go whenever there is a show at the neighboring Ohio Theatre, so that patrons can grab a snack on their way in. Pat shared, “it’s such an important presence downtown, we’d like to see it continue forever.”
When Lisa Robitaille first moved to Columbus, she had aspirations of starting her own business and set her sights on opening a shop in the North Market. In 2017, Robitaille decided to combine her entrepreneurial spirit with her love of cooking, ditch her corporate gig and launch American Nut Company.
The next time you’re craving that perfect bite of crunchy and salty, with plenty of local history built in, be sure to check out these Columbus nut staples.Story Design by Tori Smith ↓ Neon Mr. Peanut sign at The Peanut Shoppe
The business started out specializing in offering cinnamon vanilla flavored pecans, almonds, cashews and walnuts. It’s grown by leaps and bounds, though, and today they feature over 30 sweet and savory handmade nut flavors, along with a variety of popcorns in fun, unpredictable combinations. “We are obsessed with snacks,” said Robitaille. “We're always coming up with fresh and modern twists on nuts. Our team is pretty crazy and always inventing new ways to combine ingredients. We believe in the 4 S's of snacking: Sweet, Salty, Savory, Spicy.”
The menu includes plenty of gluten-free and vegan options, and has seen a huge increase in products like their Rosemary Bar Mix being used on the charcuterie boards popping up everywhere. Customers know there will always be something new to try, and that they can test out a mix before purchasing. Robitaille also partners with other local businesses like North Market Spices and Al’s Gourmet popcorn to create unique and delicious collaborations “We are part of the food culture in Columbus and we love every bite!”
In operation since 1898, Krema Nut Company has the distinction of being one of the oldest peanut butter manufacturers in the United States. The company has been tucked into the same space on Goodale Boulevard since 1922, which houses their manufacturing area, retail storefront, plus a retro sandwich and milkshake counter. Coowner Brian Giunta’s parents purchased Krema in 1991, then he and his wife bought it from them in 2017. “What makes us stand out is our freshness and commitment to quality,” he shares. “We’re very specific and picky about the vendors we work with and the products we sell. We’re committed to partnering with fantastic, high quality growers.”
Krema works in small batches, roasting nuts like pecans from Texas and cashews from Vietnam once per week, and only making seven to nine days worth of their famous peanut butter at a time. The company is also wrapping up an extensive remodel that will create a larger, more open feel while still allowing customers a view into the roasting area.
“It’s been amazing being a Columbus staple for so long,” said Giunta. “The great support of the community from the beginning in 1898 until now has really been fantastic.” ♦
BITE THIS BY ANNIE
It’s hard to say what’s more amazing about these:
1. The fact that nobody else thought to create this incredible local snack, made from stuffing fillings like pepperoni pizza ingredients, butter chicken and more into a spherical chunk of bagel dough, and:
2. Just how delicious these things actually are. Note: these are big enough as a meal for some, so a half may suffice for many!
2:54 p.m. is the worst time of the day, but you already knew that.
It’s the dreaded in-between, the gray space between meals that we all, unfortunately, know too well.
We’re here to change that, though. While it’s easy to associate dining out with massive meals, in a food city as vibrant and diverse as Columbus, that doesn’t have to be the case.
In fact, if you know where to look, even some of our best-restaurants boast snack-sized menu items that are perfect to fill the afternoon void, without totally filling you up before dinner.
While this list is by no means exclusive, there’s plenty here to give any serious snacker what they’re after, so let’s dig in.
Inspired by both South America and central Ohio, this Arepa from Cilantro features grilled beef, grilled cheese, cornmeal bread and a cilantro-based sauce. The concept opened its first-ever brick and mortar recently, so now you can grab an Arepa there or at the eatery’s popular food truck.
Fried in beef fat and clarified butter, these Columbus French Fries aren’t just perfectly snack-sized, they’re also served from the local restaurant that was named one of the 50 best in the country by the New York Times
As its name suggests, this compact breakfast sandwich—which features egg, white cheddar, crispy prosciutto and rosemary aioli served on an English muffin—can be held and eaten entirely with one hand, (although technically you need a mouth too). The One-Handed is available at both Emmett’s Cafe locations,
Don’t let the name fool, this is what most of us in the US would consider a corn dog. But it’s far from a typical one. This popular Korean corn dog spot in the Short North packs half of this dish with melty mozzarella, and the other half with a more
LITTLE WEST POUTINE
While this eatery—which is located inside the brand-new Junto Hotel—isn’t open just yet, it will be very soon, and it deserves a mention. Mirroring the uniqueness of The Junto itself, Little West Poutine (which will even operate a walk-up window for latenight diners), is tastefully a bit off-center. The Franklinton spot will also offer indulgent speciality poutines and even a dessert dish featuring churros strips served “poutine style.”
JOYA'S CAFE
Think of a South Asian-inspired version of a popular fast food taco item, created by one of the city’s best chefs, and you have the Cheesy Double Crunch. An order comes with two, so share one with a friend and you both can grab a near-perfect snack.
MESHIKOU CHIKIN
Don’t look now, but Columbus is quickly becoming a certified hotbed for Korean fried chicken, but one of its original spots remains one of the best. While you can’t go wrong with their wings or crispy fried chicken by the piece, this Bethel Road spot is now offering Chikin Bites for those who want a boneless option. These new bites—which can be coated in any of the eatery’s six sauces or rubs—is the perfect, poppae snack to share as well.
HUBERT'S POLISH KITCHEN
Don’t sleep on the pierogi, people. One of North Market Downtown’s most popular eateries, Hubert’s Polish Kitchen, offers the traditional dish European dish for only $3 each, filling theirs with mashed potatoes, cream cheese and carmelized onions.
GHAR
Momo Ghar didn’t become one of the city’s best Cinderella restaurant stories for nothing. This dish, which lit the National food scene on fire several years back, features Tibetan dumplings served in a spicy, tomato-based sauce.
How
an Old North venue, built on the back of a craft soda company, took on a magical life of its ownStory Design by Atlas Biro Story and Photos by Taylor Dorrell ↓ Photo courtesy of Michael Furman Photography
In the 2021 film, Poser, the Old North neighborhood of Columbus is referred to as a “modern Florence.” Due to the cheap housing stock and proximity to the city’s intellectual nucleus – Ohio State University and its extremities – the area hosts an unmatched concentration of musicians and artists. “It feels like it's been a little bit of an oasis,” Geoff Wilcox, co-owner of Rambling House, located at 310 E. Hudson St., told me. “It's just a unique neighborhood.”
It’s also home to an extensive amount of music venues, all of which are united, if by nothing else, their distinctness: Ace of Cups, a bar and music venue housed in an old bank on High; Dirty Dungarees, a laundromat that hosts some of the city’s smallest yet most aggressive mosh pits; Dick’s Den, a dive bar that somehow balances bluegrass and jazz nights seamlessly; there’s Rumba Cafe and Cafe Bourbon Street, both are staples of the music scene yet neither are cafes; and then there’s one of the coziest, most well-hidden venues in "modern Florence:" the soda house, bar, and music venue known as the Rambling House.
The modest homey interior, rustic yet modern, is a place where anyone can, and many often do, spend hours talking with other Old Northerners and experiencing the city’s local music scene. In the daytime, it’s a second home for coffee drinkers and freelancers like myself who spend hours posted up in Honey Cup, the cafe that operates out of the venue in the morning, discussing the pressing topics burning on the minds of the neighborhood’s specialists – what actually happened during the 2022 blackouts, can the Kia Boys be stopped, will the city ever get passenger rail?
But at night, the venue is transformed into an intimate space for the city’s local talent and, to an increasing degree, touring bands. →
“We're constantly trying to book great music here."
“We're constantly trying to book great music here,” Paige Vandiver, manager at the Rambling House told me. Their loaded calendar is filled with bands, comedy acts, jam nights, and open mics. On any given day, a folk show will take place in the early evening – a Kentucky folk artist like Jay Skaggs will play at 6pm – then a rock show with bands like Ace Monroe and Bohemian Funk will play from 9pm to midnight. The venue is as much of a music incubator as it is a social one.
Founded in 2014 by John Lynch, Rambling House doubled as a music venue and a small craft soda company. Lynch expanded the soda business far outside the confines of the venue, pressing over 40,000 lbs of ginger root, collaborating with Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, producing wellness shots, and becoming the first company in Ohio licensed to produce a CBD nutritional supplement.
Ironically, as the soda side of the business grew, it became clear that the venue was something more than just a home for a soda company. “They realized,” Vandiver said, that “they had built this really magical venue that they loved and they wanted to make sure it was in good hands.”
In 2019, the Rambling House venue was passed to two members of the since-disbanded Columbus group, The Jeffs. The band members, made up of two Jeffs, one Geoff, and one Paige, stayed in contact even after the band faded away. In fact, Paige married one of the Jeffs and Geoff became business partners with the one Paige, now forming the leadership of the Rambling House venue, which, over the course of their short and turbulent tenure, has witnessed a drastic transformation.
During the pandemic, the Rambling House hosted virtual shows that were livestreamed and uploaded online, producing high quality live videos during a time when in-person shows were virtually outlawed. As the pandemic lightened up and shows got back on track, the venue began hosting the coffee shop Honey Cup during the day. Since the bar opens just after Honey Cup closes, the space is one of the very few places in the Old North where one can socialize almost anytime between 8am and midnight.
It has become, within a few pandemic years, a nucleus for the Old North’s artists, intellectuals, and activists. →
It's just all about building that whole community and surviving together.” “↓ Live music performing at the Rambling House
“We're trying to find places where people could just come and hang out,” Vandiver told me. In an area that is so car-centric, often ignored as a surplus space between High Street and I-71, spaces like Rambling House are a much needed refuge for the city’s urban working class who often lack walkable cultural hubs to meet and socialize at before the sun goes down.
That it takes on so many functions – a cafe, bar, music venue – sets the Rambling House apart from so many of the city’s other musical counterparts. “It's just all about building that whole community,” Vandiver said, “and surviving together.” ♦
To learn more, visit theramblinghouse.com
By
Well, here we are again: Staring down an entire score of weird and wild snacks, emotionally stuck somewhere between adventurous glee and animal terror.
In the second volume of Snack Attack!, we’ve decided to dig into a big bag of exotic treats sent to us by Travel Butler County from the massive international grocery store Jungle Jim’s. Currently, I’m looking at a giant cow figurine filled with fruity Jell-o cups, and a sucker with a damn bug in it. So that (plus a whole lot more) is what we have in store for you. →
Stock & Barrel editor Jack McLaughlin digs into some of the weirdest and wildest candy and treats Butler County has to offer. In the name of content.Jack McLaughlin Photos by Sumner Howells Story Design By Bryce Patterson
These are Mexican chicken and tomato chips, in a bag covered in traditional Chinese, being consumed in North America.
Maybe a little confusing, but delicious regardless. The flavor is subtle, but distinct, and unexpectedly complex. Similar to the way Strawberry KitKats mimic the taste of real strawberries (versus opting for an anonymous artificial strawberry flavor), these chips actually taste like tomatoes, with an umami backbone and some interesting, aromatic spice.
There’s a bit of an issue I’m having understanding exactly what they’re going for here (due to the package being in a different language), but I could easily tune that out and eat this entire bag.
Score: 7/10
Because I’d like to retain some of my humanity before slipping into the abyss of Chinese cow-fruit and cricket-pops, we decided to opt for the treats we thought would be better first.
And in this case, we were right.
While I’ll still go for some fake strawberry flavors any day, these offer the satifying crunch and wafer cookie of an American Kit-Kat, paired with an actually interesting fruit flavor. It tastees, quite honestly, a bit like really strawberries. Still milky and smooth from the chocolate, the flavor is tart and slightly and acidic, all of which combines for a top-teir snacking experience.
Score: 8/10
As far as packaging goes, these unique candies–held inside a satisfyingly simple, resealable tube–are the clear winners. As far as taste, I’m not entirely sure what to make of them.
Everyone knows that only sociopaths get use gummy bears and chocolate chips as ice cream toppings at the same time, mostly due to the way the flavors and textures combine in the mouth. Well, these snacks are the weird distillation of that combination, as they are quite literally chocolate-covered fruit gummies.
That being said, they’re not bad. Not being able to read the package, there’s a lot I can’t tell, but it I’m almost they boast some sort of added fragrance. While the chocolate-gummy mixture is just as weird as it normally is, the really strong, almost florally and fruit scent actually help the flavor a lot.
Score: 5.5/10
As far as packaging goes, these unique candies–held inside a satisfyingly simple, resealable tube–are the clear winners.
The flavors of these–which contain gummies that are covered in chocolate and coated in a candy shell– are nice. I’m personally a big fan of gummies and chocolate by themselves, but not necessarily as excited about the combination of the two (my score reflects this, although it’s just a personal preference). If you are a fan of the gummychocolate duo, though, these are likely a new go-to, even if this means a lot of Jungle Jim’s trips in your future.
The best part about Meiji Gummy Choco actually has nothing to do with gummy candy, chocolate, or cool cylindrical packaging. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what these scents are, but each flavor has its own distinct fragrance. Similar to other Asian candies I’ve tried, there’s an emphasis on floral scents, which is an understated, but surprisingly enjoyable addition to these snacks.
Score: 5.5/10
