Catch up on the latest bites of food news in Central Ohio, from a bar’s new look, an ice cream shop’s seasonal return, and new eats at Budd Dairy, to coffee shop comebacks and The Butcher & Grocer’s march across Central Ohio! What are you excited for?
Goody Boy Gets a Makeover
Short North’s Goody Boy, 1144 N. High St., is sporting a brand new look and a new name – Goody Boy Burger Club. The One Hospitality property recently got a refresh, aiming to give the bar more lounge-style, neighborhood watering hole type of feel.
“I want to see Goody Boy return to the local hang out it once was, but above all I want to create an environment that is welcoming and comfortable for every individual who comes through our door,” says Justin Kintz, executive director of marketing at One Hospitality.
The bar’s sporting a darker color palette and more loungey seating areas, along with a few new arcade games and a shuffleboard. Patrons will find new furniture on the patio, and walk-up service windows for patio ordering when warmer weather (hopefully) soon arrives.
The menu has been streamlined as well, focusing on diner classics: burgers (smashburgers), fries (waffle) and shakes (chocolate, strawberry and vanilla). A couple of chicken sandwiches and a grilled cheese round things out.
In the drinks department, it’s largely domestic beers, approachable cocktails and a handful of shots. Goody Bags – think adult, alcoholic capri suns – are sticking around as well, and will be joined by two frozen drinks: a raspberry margarita and a Yoo-hoo mudslide.
Happy Hour will run from 4 – 6 p.m. daily with $2 domestics and $3 wells. Doors open at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
For more information, visit shortnorthgoodyboy.com.
Stauf’s Ready for Downtown Comeback
After a pandemic hiatus, Stauf’s is making its Downtown comeback. The Discovery District coffee shop will reopen its doors at 350 Mt. Vernon Ave. on Monday, March 28.
Coffee starts flowing at 7 a.m. with regular hours of 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday to Friday.
For more information, visit staufs.com.
S’wich Social Reopening for the Season
As the weather gets warmer that means one thing…It’s time for ice cream! (Ok, really anytime is time for ice cream.) S’wich Social will reopen for the season on Friday, April 1.
S’wich Social made its debut last March at 869 N. Fourth St. in Italian Village, serving up mammoth, build-your-own ice cream sandwiches. After hitting pause for a few months this winter, the ice cream shop will be back with a few new additions, like customizable cookie shakes, and longer hours. The shop will be open from 5 – 10 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday and 12 – 10 p.m. Friday to Sunday.
For more information, visit swichsocial.com.
Ohio Restaurant Association Endorses DeWine for Governor
Thanks to their support for the industry over the last two years, the Ohio Restaurant Association is endorsing Mike DeWine for Governor and Jon Husted for Lieutenant Governor in the 2022 election.
“Mike DeWine is an advocate for Ohio’s business community and has demonstrated an appreciation for the unique challenges that face the restaurant community,” said ORA president and CEO John Barker. “This has never been truer than over the past two years during the pandemic where he consistently reached out to listen and understand our industry’s complex issues.”
In their endorsement, the organization highlighted both DeWine and Husted’s frequent communication and engagement with the group during the pandemic. Barker added that the governor’s plan to reopen restaurants in May of 2020 and other grant programs enabled the industry in Ohio to better weather the pandemic that some other states.
“It is critical to our members that Ohio’s leaders are balanced and pro-business, pro-economic growth, and pro-job creator, especially now as our economy continues to rebound and we position restaurants to thrive again,” Barker said. “Because of this, DeWine and Husted have earned our endorsement in the 2022 election.”
The ORA also endorsed the pair in the 2018 election.
For more information, visit ohiorestaurant.org.
New Rotating Vendors At Budd Dairy
As Budd Dairy Food Hall approaches its one year anniversary, it’s welcoming back a familiar face. The Cheesecake Girl will return in rotating dessert space Sugar on March 28. The dessert maker was the first rotating vendor at Budd Dairy, taking up residence from its April opening until September. Since its last visit, The Cheesecake Girl has opened a standalone shop in Dublin and continued its operations at Center Street Market in Hilliard. Its second run will include an appropriate new dessert: birthday cheesecake jars with layers of birthday cake and cheesecake topped with rainbow sprinkles.
In the savory department, Falafel Kitchen has set up shop at the food hall’s other rotating kitchen, Hatch. Falafels and other Middle Eastern specialties are the highlights of a menu which spans salads, pita pockets, dips, samplers and more. It’s the second spot for Falafel Kitchen, which calls North Market Bridge Park home base. It will be set up at Budd Dairy though at least May.
For more information, visit budddairyfoodhall.com.
Butcher & Grocer Picks New Albany for Next Expansion
The Butcher & Grocer technically only has one location now – its flagship spot in Grandview at 1089 W. First Ave. – but soon it will have three more. Adding to already announced plans for Shawnee Hills and an anchor spot at the East Market, the butcher shop and specialty grocer will open at 160 W. Main St. in New Albany this fall.
“More and more consumers want to know where their food comes from, and we provide that with 100% certainty,” says Owner Tony Tanner. “We only buy directly from our Ohio farmers and ranchers. New Albany has always been on the radar…we had to take the opportunity as that area is perfect for us.”
The New Albany shop will offer Ohio-raised meats including beef, lamb, pork and chicken, as well as fish, charcuterie, cheese, produce, deli, grocery items, beer and wine, with other Ohio makers well represented. A meat-focused eatery with sandwiches, charcuterie boards, oysters and more will round things out (and also offer a full bar).
“Since we first opened, I have always preached that we need butchers in every corner of the Central Ohio, and we are seeing it happen,” Tanner says. “Dan Varga in Worthington, Bluescreek in Plain City, Saddleberk in Dublin – now we will cover Grandview, Shawnee Hills, Olde Towne East and soon, New Albany – it is very exciting to see the re-birth of the local butcher shop.”
For more information, visit thebutcherandgrocer.com.
Caribou Coffee Making its Columbus Comeback
After a nine-year absence, national chain Caribou Coffee will be making a comeback to Central Ohio. The reemergence comes courtesy of operator Mike Mariola Restaurants (MMR) and Dublin-based real estate developer Crawford Hoying who signed on after Caribou launched its domestic franchising program in October 2021.
Wooster-based MMR operates The City Square Steakhouse, The Rail and has an Italian concept in the works.
“I was raised in Ohio as a big fan of Caribou Coffee, so when I heard the news that the brand was now franchising, I jumped at the opportunity to partner with one of the most notable coffee concepts on the market,” said Mike Mariola, president of Mike Mariola Restaurants. “With a successful background in hospitality, I am relentless about delivering memorable experiences by taking care of my team and serving customers with warmth and enthusiasm, which you will see reflected at our future locations.”
No exact locations for Caribou’s return have been announced, but the partners are looking for spots in Wooster, Marysville, Delaware and Greater Columbus. The first units could open by the end of the year.
For more information, visit cariboucoffee.com.
