Cheap Eats Affordable LocaL Spots In & Around Columbus C
Clearview BBQ Home of the less than a dollar fifty chipped sandwich, and yes, it’s good. Definitely bigger than a dollar burger at the fast food restaurant. If you want to mix things up, get a Junkyard dog with a side of Brunswick stew. One of the oldest barbeque joints in town – just make sure you bring cash. facebook.com/ClearviewBbq/ Criolla This hole-in-the-wall and just out of town joint will have you coming back again and again. Chef David hails from the Panama City streets and his food has a flair like New Orleans. I had the best club of my life there just the other day. Please tell him we sent you. Menu changes weekly so make sure you check it ahead of time. facebook.com/CriollaRestaurantPC Dinglewood Pharmacy Synonymous with Columbus culture. The Scrambled Dog is the most recognizable hot dog in town. Just across from Aflac on Wynnton Road. The late Lieutenant made sure every hot dog tasted like the best hot dog of your life. Dinglewoodpharmacy.com El Carrizo Mexican Restaurant With two locations, El Carrizo has served most of Columbus with their icy margaritas, crispy tacos and the absolute best chips in town for years. On our top 5 list of best dishes in town is the Cocos Salad. You’re welcome. Whittlesey & Macon Road locations. Ezell’s Catfish When you want true southern fried catfish, theirs is unmatched. Cole slaw and hushpuppies are their chips and salsa and it is yum. Eat catfish and be somebody. The second location is in Phenix City. eatcatfishandbesomebody.com Frank’s Alley NY Street Food This quirky and eclectic shop delivers menu items that run the gamut from sweet to savory, no small feat for a place that’s literally in an alley and mostly serves hot dogs. Each dog is named after the five New York City boroughs, and the ingredients vary depending on what you choose. Golden Chopsticks Korean Restaurant Their bulgogi is legendary and they are routinely mentioned as the best place to eat Korean food in Columbus. Their food is always freshly prepared and it’s the kind of place you can take the whole family. facebook.com/Golden-Chopsticks-Korean-Restaurant Jarfly Located smack dab in the middle of midtown, this gastropub has some of the most interesting and eclectic fare around. Our favorite is the Jarfly burger, but stop by on Ramen Wednesdays to get your noodle fix, and if you’re feeling bold, have one of their signature Tiki Drinks like the Jarfly DTO. jarflymidtown.com Jordan’s Girls Gourmet Dawgs It doesn’t seem likely that you would hear the word “gourmet” in the same breath as hot dogs, but Columbus has never seen anything like Jordan’s girls. This hot dog
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olumbus patrons have it made when it comes to dining out. We have so many tantalizing options to choose from, with classic places around every corner and amazing new places opening up every week. The truth is, there are absolutely too many places to be able to mention them all. We’re going to try our best anyway. So here to help you steer through the mountain of options, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best local-only eateries we think any foodie should try on a budget. In Alphabetical Order Banks Food Hall Almost too easy. Banks has something for everyone. Grab a Fountain City coffee from the Bake Shop, Multitude Bar for your craft beer cravings, frozen treats at Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, Poke bowls at Poke Sun, Tacos from El Primo Taqueria, Hotdogs from the Original Hot Dog Factory and the Jazzy Crab and Filberto’s Authentic Filipino Cuisine (opening soon). Stay tuned. Banksfoodhall.com Bodega 1205 Not the cheapest on our list. But you definitely need to go. We dare you to try to eat a full sandwich in one sitting. The coffee is amazing, they have a little grocery as well as yummy empanadas that are only $2.99 a piece. Add one to any of their delicious breakfast or lunch items. On 12th and 1st in Uptown. Bodega1205.com Caffe Amici Mostly Italian and a little ‘down unda.’ This place is held close to a lot of locals’ hearts. Known as “the best kept secret” in Columbus, for lunch or date night. It’s a must. Amicicolumbus.com Chef Lee’s Peking So taken for granted. I left town once, and how many times while I was away did I long to come back to Columbus only to have another bite of their mongolian beef? Chef Lee knows how to give you the ultimate dining experience, and this is one no one should miss. Chefleespekingrestaurant.com Chicken Comers Locals who know will tell you: this is the one. You won’t find another version of their soupy, mustard-based and oh so delicious sauce, anywhere. Chickencomersbbq.com Chili Thai Right on 10th in Uptown. Everyone loves Chili Thai. It’s an adorable spot with adorable staff and you’re gonna like anything on the menu - from callyour mama spicy to mild and comforting. Clean Eatz As one of the shops in Old Town (N. Veterans) you’ll go for the food and stay in awe of the area. This is a great place for a quick healthy option for lunch or a great way to stay on track of your health with weekly meal plans. www.cleaneatz.com
stand cooks food to order, including vegan options. facebook.com/jordansgirlsgourmetdawg La Mexicana Although this is definitely one of the most delicious Mexican restaurants in our area, it also serves as a grocery store. So if you don’t want to necessarily eat out, you can grab all the fixings for an authentic Mexican meal at home. la-mexicana-de-columbus.business.site La Nacional Mexican Buffet If your idea of heaven is a boat load of Mexican food, then this is the lunch spot of your dreams. Served cafeteria style, all you have to do is tell them what you want and they will load you up. facebook.com/LaNacional-Mexican-Buffet Lemongrass Thai and Sushi Get ready for some of the most authentic Thai and sushi you’ve ever had. With a location on Wynnton Rd and another on Northlake, everything on the menu is a winner. We are partial to the Tom Khai Gai and Columbus Roll. You can even order online. Lemongrassthaiandsushi.com Luke’s Pub Steak dinner or lunch. You’re gonna get good food, good service and everything is made like home. Just a little drive north in Harris Co. It’s worth it. Mercy’s Jamaican Kitchen Customers are encouraged to ask “fi wey yuh want” at Mercy’s and when you do you will likely get a mouthful. As one of the few authentic Jamaican restaurants in Columbus, you’ll come for the jerk chicken, but come back for the Yardy style oxtails. If Mercy’s doesn’t have a Jamaican meal or item on the menu, you can call ahead and request it. mercysjamaicankitchen.com Mexi Grill Taqueria Hands down, some of the most authentic Mexican food in Columbus. From Birria Tacos to horchata, you are sure to love this place. They offer military discounts on Tuesdays, and their service is quick and friendly. facebook.com/Mexi-Gril Minnie’s Uptown Restaurant Serving up the area’s best meat-and-three, Minnie’s is practically world famous for their traditional homecooking. This local favorite has won countless awards and continues to offer the most reliably filling meal of the day. minniesuptownga.com. Mr. Pizza Brick Oven and Tap Just off I185 on Macon Rd. Much like the days of old. A place where you can find a willy good pizza or a fantastic salad, watch the game with some friends or play against them in a friendly game of billiards. Lots of fun for the family as well. And the staff is great. mymrpizza.com My Boulange A slice of Paris right here on 12th Street. They also hand make their own dough for their pizza’s and they are definitely a must try. thetowerboulange.com Neicy’s BBQ of Columbus While the ribs are top-notch at Neicy’s, it’s the sausage dog and Q-Stew that really puts it on the local radar. The food is amazing and the prices and customer service is just a bonus when you pop in to eat lunch. facebook.com/Neicys-BBQ-of-Columbus
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