MAC'S CAFE

Mac's Cafe is located in the heart of Columbus' Short North District. With a fine collection of Celtic food ,beers, and scotch, it has been a destination for eaters and drinkers for years.

With empirical flags hanging from the ceiling and golf towels from some of Scotland's finest links courses including St. Andrews as well as all the rest. There are a few reminders that you haven't left Columbus such as random Buckeye and Blue Jacket signs. All in a dim, neon lit room (tasteful enough for a first date), the atmosphere is very pubbish. While you wait for friends or dinner take advantage of the pool tables hidden in the back room.

For the hungry, you MUST try the Scotch Egg. This is a hard boiled egg wrapped in homemade sausage, lightly breaded and deep fried until crisp and golden on the outside and warm egg on the inside. Try with Mac's special sauce which is kind of a chunky ranch with cream cheese and fresh onions (the Cholula hot sauce adds a nice touch without hiding the flavor). I could take on Paul Newman in Cool Hand Luke if these were offered!!!

This is for Johnny!!!! Delicious!!!

The chili was chock full of meat and cheese. Spicy but not hot this was a nice way to start the meal. The diced onions were a nice touch.

The pub style pretzels were nothing to write home about after the Scotch Egg but once we dipped them in the home made beer cheese sauce we didn't mind them nearly as much.

The Mac Burger was nice. It was a hand pattied half pound of lean burger. It was a bit over cooked yet the meat remained juicy and tender. The bacon was crisp and the cole slaw added a bit of tang with the Swiss cheese. You get your choice of sides...the tater tots were crisp and light.

Great burger for the price. 1/2 pound burger with toppings and tots for under $10...great deal for being in the Short North!

All in all Mac's was a great lunch. I will make a point to stop in more often for the Scotch Eggs!

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Mac's Cafe

693 N High Street

Columbus OH

614 221 6227

http://www.macscafe.com/

The Top Steakhouse

The Top Steakhouse is one of the East Side landmarks. Everyone has eaten at The Top, all the way to Sinatra! The Top is accidently retro cool. This place has been meticulously upkept since it opened in 1955. Under new independent management the restaurant is back to it's original glory.

Known for their fantastic steaks, The Top has seafood, pork chops, ribs and more but why would you not get a steak. Being a mainstay on the East side of Columbus has not been an easy task for 55 years but thanks to the regular customers and excellent food The Top will probably be around for another 55.

Even though there are tableclothes and a dress code, The Top is a very laid back, casual place to hang out. It is about as Rat Pack as dining in Columbus goes. From the martinis and scotch to the live piano at the bar, The Top is just about as cool as they come.

There is a main dining room, two side party rooms, the bar, and atrium seating next to the bar. The dark wood and dim lights keeps the 'circus tent' theme (hence the Top as in Big Top) in the shadows. Make sure to ask your server about the mafia room and the girlfriend door (not it's real name).

I said it is old school. Every table in the restaurant still has a four prong telephone jack for customers who received a private call while dining.

Every meal starts with complimentary pickles and sauerkraut. Who and where this combination came from is beyond me but it really works.

Finally tried the jumbo shrimp cocktail appetizer. My God these things are huge. Five shrimp make about a pound of delicious shrimp with a perfectly spicy cocktail sauce. I've never had shrimp this big and delicious this far from the ocean.

Like I said, big and delicious!

Now for the main course! This is what I have been talking about! Prime T-bone steak here cooked Pittsburgh rare (yeah, I like my beef waved over the fire) with a kosher salt rolled baked potato with butter and sour cream. The onion rings are a wonderful garnish (yes you can eat this one Adam). Nothing says dinner like over a pound of perfectly cooked beef with a softball sized baked potato.

If this is your finished product then you truly ate at The Top (you can't see this on the plate until you've eaten it all. After a meal like this there is no more room unless....

...unless they happen to serve cheesecake from the Carnegie Deli in New York City. If you've had it you know what I mean, if not, get your butt to The Top and fall in love. There is a full assortment of desserts to choose from most of which are home made.

Seasonally, The Top has outdoor dining available. Very casual. A nice fountain. If you're like me you'll enjoy that you can smoke a nice cigar after a heavenly piece of meat...if you're like my wife the occasional cigar or cigarette on the patio might encourage you to take advantage of the air conditioning.

The Top Steakhouse

2891 E Main St

Columbus Ohio

614239 8238

http://www.thetopsteakhouse.com/

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Take me out to the ballgame!!

Looking for something fun to do this year? Put on your jersey and head downtown to Huntington Park to watch the Clippers play. In their sophomore season in Huntington Park the Clippers have put together some dining. City BBQ, Roosters, and Bob Evans all share space at the venue but I thought I would try some traditional ballgame fare.

Located on each deck is some form of food. Bob Evans and Roosters share the deep left field while City BBQ is way out in right field. I chose Curveball Carvings located behind home plate. A nice array of sandwiches and sides, I went for some stadium favorites. (Most Carving stations have daily specials including roast beef and potatoes some nights)

My first sampling was the Italian sausage. This was moderately priced (we are at a ball game) at $4.50 and for another $0.75 added a pile of grilled peppers and onions. The Youngstowner in me was not disappointed. Though not too spicy, the flavors were full and the sausage was tasty with a nice crisp outer skin the only letdown was it is served in a hotdog bun.

My second taste was the bratworst sandwich (again $4.50). This was offered with sauerkraut but I chose the stadium mustard and onions available at the condiment station. Again a good sandwich except the hotdog bun.

To finish off my stadium dinner I chose the funnel fries. Skeptical at first I was in love with these tasty fries as I watched Columbus spank Indy. These are basically funnel cakes in french fry form deep fried and touched with powdered sugar!!! Piping hot, they are a wonderful treat but becareful taking them back to your seat as I found your neighbors will want to taste them repeatedly.

Overall I was not disappointed in Opening Night's food. I had great seats, watched a great game and had some really good ball park food that didn't break the bank. I thought I was going to miss the Coop but Huntington is where it's at. It's like a giant party with a baseball game in the center.

330 Huntington Park Lane

Columbus Ohio

614 462 2757

http://www.clippersbaseball.com/

King Gyro

KING GYROS



King Gyros in Whitehall is a wonderful place to get your fill of traditional Greek fare. Located on Hamilton Rd, Yanni Chalkias makes all of his food with recipes from his family every day. His motto is "the King is each one of our customers" and it shows! Never a disappointment at King Gyros.













Ordering is simple. You can call in or order at the counter. As you can see, there are quite a few choices to make and it is always a good idea to order a few smaller items to taste all of the great food King Gyros has to offer.

You can pick your food up at the counter or there is a drive thru window. However it is always a good idea to eat at King Gyros with ample seating in the restaurant and a nice patio for dining out during warm weather.

Don't forget to try some of King Gyros home made Greek pastries. The many flavors of baklava are wonderful but they also offer rizogalo (rice pudding), Greek custard pastry, tiramisu, NY style cheesecake and many other tasty treats.

This is an appetizer of the Dolemades (stuffed grape leaves), these are some of the best. They are hand rolled grape leaves stuffed with rice, beef, lamb, vegetables and Greek seasonings topped with a creamy lemon dill sauce. These also are available as an entree.

Here is a traditional gyro. This is the Supreme (which is huge). They are available in mini, regular, supreme and Big Fat (ginormous). They call it the Big Fat for a reason!!!

The Mousaka is home made and is layered potatoes, eggplant, Greek spiced ground beef topped with bechamel sauce, tomato sauce with parmesan cheese and it starts at $8.25

The Papa's Lamb Shank (2 piece) i s two 14 oz. bone in oven roasted lamb shanks with a side of rice pilaf and vegetables with dill sauce at an easy $11.95

And you have to try Yanni's Lamb Kebob. Marinated lamb with red onions, green and red peppers grilled and served on a bed of rice with gyro sauce. Delicious!!!

King Gyros is located at:

400 S Hamilton Rd

Whitehall Ohio

614 866 9008

http://www.kinggyros.com/

The Grill & Skillet



The 'Grill' or the 'Kill and grill it' as it is affectionatly known, is an East Side breakfast beacon. If you're expecting your corporate cookie cutter diner you will be mistaken, the 'Grill' is a well seasoned East Side eatery. From open until about noon it is hard to find a seat. The portions are big and tasty and the coffee doesn't stop. It's great for breakfast on the go, or a place to sit and talk over a couple of cups of Joe.









This as traditional a diner as you are going to find in Columbus. It's almost as if it has been plucked out of the late 50's and transplanted to modern Columbus. There are booths and a square counter bar for service.













These are a couple versions of the breakfast special. Bacon and sausage being the differences.

Here is the short stack. If you like your pancakes big and fluffy this is the place. Also available in blueberry.

WiFi available

The Grill and Skillet

2924 E Main St

Columbus Ohio

614 231 1702

W.G. Grinders

W.G. Grinders is not your average sub shop. They have an ever changing list of both hot and cold subs. The subs as well as the salads are handmade. 'Grinders' has expanded from it's campus roots and has become a local favorite, giving the national competition a run for their money and after one bite you'll know why.

The interiors are set up diner style and most are equipped with some type of patio or outdoor facilities.

A glance at the homemade salads offered fresh daily. You can't go wrong with the pasta salad or their famous 'Cheddar Mac'.

This is the 10' pizza grinder.

This is the Sicilian Grinder with sausage, pastrami, salami and provolone. Toasted to chewy cheese perfection!

The local favorite: Cordon Blue with fresh grilled chicken.

This is the rigatoni with homemade sauce and meatballs. Unexpectedly good for 6 bucks!!!

Grinders has many locations through central Ohio, one being just as tasty as the rest. We happened to eat at the Bexley location. Ask about free delivery.

W.G. Grinders

2376 E Main St

Bexley Ohio

www.wggrinders.com

Barry's New York Deli

A stroll north of downtown Columbus will find you at the North market. Here you will find a plethora of items not found in your local grocery. Venison, rabbit, Boar's Head meats, the freshest seafood in Columbus, and the only true New York style deli in the city. Barry's New York Deli is located on the east side of the North Market












Barry Rosenthal opened his New York style deli 13 years ago and recently renovated. he still features his super stacked sandwiches, Matzo ball soup, and famous cheesecake from Brooklyn. Barry's also carries Sabrett hot dogs (the best hot dog in the world).









Barry's uses only the freshest ingredients in all of his super stacked sandwiches. He is best know for his Reuben but we decided to go with the Manattan (a reuben with pastrami and coleslaw) and the Empire Stack.
























Look at the size of this thing!!! You definatly can't go wrong with the Empire Stack. It is over 10 inches of stacked corned beef, bologna, turkey, ham, cheese, and lettuce tomato onion on your choice of bread. If you ask nice they'll toast it for you.













These are some monsters. The Empire Stack is on the bottom (it FILLS an entire togo box) and the Manhattan is on the top...about as much pastrami as the heart is allowed!












A














This is it!!! This sandwich is the mother of all sandwiches (at least of the ones I have found in Columbus) and it is under 11 bucks. Look at that! That is only half. I hope I didn't make any dinner plans tonight.















No way you're getting your mouth around this one. Just open up and shove whatever fits in. I think my jaw cracked.

Here is the ultimate test. Yeah, he ate about 10 giant bites of this monster.

A surprising addition to the Empire Stack is this Brown's Cel-Ray soda...don't knock it till you've tried it. It is a combination of ginger ale and celery juice. It is crisp and light with a celery seed finish. Think non tomato bloody mary mix.

"I can't believe I ate the whole thing!!!" This wasn't nearly the task that I thought it would be. Am I full? STUFFED. Was it delicious? Every single bite!

Barry's New York Deli

North Market

59 Spruce St.

Columbus Ohio

http://www.northmarket.com/

Barry's has a full menu of sandwiches, salads, sides, beverages and lunch meats available.