Pho Asian Noodle House is a vietnamese restaurant in Upper Arlington, Columbus.
Pho Asian Noodle House on West Lane Avenue near Ohio State runs Columbus's reference Vietnamese counter for pho and banh mi at a college-town price.
Signature dishes: Pho tai, Banh mi
Must order: A bowl of pho tai with the herb plate, plus a banh mi to go.
Tip: Cash and card; lunch is faster than the OSU weeknight rush Walk-ins usually OK.
Address: 1288 W Lane Ave, Columbus, OH 43221
Northstar Cafe on North High Street is Columbus's Short North outpost of the founded-here chain, with the Big Sky burger and the Northstar daily bowl.
Signature: Big Sky organic burger, Northstar bowl
Order: The Big Sky organic burger with a fresh-pressed juice.
Tip: Counter ordering, no reservations; weekend brunch waits an hour.
Northstar Cafe Beechwold on North High Street in Clintonville is the original Northstar location, with the Big Sky organic burger and the Yoga bowl.
Signature: Big Sky organic burger, Yoga bowl
Order: The Yoga bowl with grilled tofu, plus a side of sweet potato fries.
Tip: Counter ordering; weekend brunch fills the patio by 09:00 Walk-ins usually OK.
The Pearl on North High Street is the Cameron Mitchell oyster bar and gastropub anchoring the Columbus Short North restaurant strip with a raw bar.
Signature: Oysters on the half shell, Steak frites
Order: Half-dozen oysters from the daily list and the steak frites.
Tip: The bar takes walk-ins; oyster happy hour weekdays from 16:00.
Schmidt's Sausage Haus on Kossuth Street in German Village is the canonical Columbus German hall, with the Bahama Mama sausage and the fist-sized Cream Puff.
Signature: Bahama Mama, Cream Puff
Order: The Autobahn buffet with the Bahama Mama, followed by a cream puff.
Tip: No reservations; mid-afternoon is the shorter line.
Katzinger's Delicatessen on South Third Street in German Village has run as Columbus's Jewish delicatessen since 1984, with the Reuben and matzoh ball soup.
Signature: Reuben sandwich, Matzoh ball soup
Order: The Reuben on rye with a cup of matzoh ball soup.
Tip: Counter ordering; the cured-meat case at the front sells whole salami and rye loaves to go.
The Old Mohawk on Mohawk Street in Columbus's German Village has been a tavern since 1933 with turtle soup, the tavern burger and a cash-friendly back bar.
Signature: Turtle soup, Tavern burger
Order: A cup of turtle soup followed by the tavern burger and a cold draft.
Tip: Weekend lunches are the easiest seating; dinner gets a wait.
