I’ve had a favorite lunch spot in every area of central Ohio where I’ve worked, from downtown Columbus to Lewis Center.
Of course, I’d pack my lunch for several days each week to keep costs down – and I do love a good PB&J – but one can only eat so many sad desk lunches.
Plus, going out to lunch with friends was always a highlight of the week and something I looked forward to.
In fact, now that I work from home, I need to re-establish the lunch-with-friends habit because I really haven’t done it much since Covid.
Are you ready to hear about my all-time favorite, most delicious lunches in central Ohio? Let’s go!
- Northstar Cafe’s Thai tofu burrito was my #1 favorite lunch when I worked in an office at Easton. I’ve also enjoyed this meal from the Short North, Clintonville and Westerville locations of Northstar Cafe. This unique and delicious wrap is over-stuffed with mild, slightly sweet Thai peanut sauce as well as tofu, carrots, crunchy slaw and brown rice. It also comes with an extra cup of peanut sauce and a side of salty corn chips. I never would have thought of enjoying corn chips with Thai peanut sauce, but trust me when I say that it works. I still crave – and order – this Thai tofu burrito on a semi-regular basis. Meat lovers, you can get it with chicken instead of tofu if you prefer.
- Brassica’s falafel bowl was my go-to lunch at least once a week when I worked in an office in the Short North. I still crave it often – and fortunately, you can also find Brassica at Easton and in Upper Arlington and Bexley. Falafel is a crunchy, fried ball of ground chickpeas and spices, and they go great with lots of flavorful veggies, hummus, greens, lentils and rice, and the amazing sauces made fresh at Brassica. I recommend you go with half tahini and half special sauce. This will be the most flavorful and gorgeous veggie bowl you’ve ever laid eyes on or tasted. Meat lovers, you can opt for several alternate protein choices. Side note: these incredible flavors may result in dragon breath afterward, but it’s totally worth it.
- Neehee’s Dabeli burger is so delicious that I have a hard time not ordering one anytime I’m up in Dublin. Neehee’s does Indian vegetarian street food so well; I have countless favorites on their huge menu. There’s something about the Dabeli burger’s slightly spicy, slightly sweet crunch that makes it utterly irresistible to me. According to the Neehee’s website, this spicy snack originated from the Kutch region of Gujarat. Potato, peanuts, onions and sev (fried gram flour vermicelli) are served between a pav (unsweetened buns) spread with tamarind chutney and garlic chutney. The end result is a veggie burger that makes your mouth sing!
- Bibibop’s Gojuchang tofu bowl is my go-to local lunch these days. I’m lucky to have a Bibibop less than two miles from my house, and doubly blessed because I won a year’s supply of Bibibop bowls at their grand opening earlier this year! My favorite bowl here starts with half purple rice and half mixed greens. I then add sesame kale, cabbage, corn, cucumber, pineapple ($1 upcharge and worth every penny) and tofu. Dress it with half yum yum sauce, half Gojuchang sauce (if you like spice) and you’ve got a party for your mouth and stomach. Don’t forget to grab a drink here because they have some wonderful options; I like to mix green iced tea with a little blackcurrant tea and some passionfruit lemonade.
- Swenson’s Galley Boy cheeseburger is the only non-vegetarian option on this list. While I prefer to eat vegan or vegetarian most of the time, I need a good burger once in a while. Otherwise, my iron dips down too low to donate blood! The Galley Boy burger is often imitated but never duplicated. It contains a medley of unique sauces that I’m pretty sure I would never eat on their own, but somehow on this burger it all comes together and tastes divine. It also comes skewered with an olive on a toothpick – a delightful touch that feels straight out of the 1950s. Add a side of their addictive little potato teasers, and you’re all set – unless you want to be truly decadent and add a peanut butter hot fudge milkshake. Yum!
If you’ve managed to read this whole post without stopping for a snack or bite to eat, you’re a strong soul indeed.
Where are your favorite places for lunch out in central Ohio? I’d love to hear your recommendations now that you’ve seen mine.
