"Chef" Restaurants in Columbus
In my attempt to adapt to the rapid moving life style of a Fisher SMF graduate student, I have personally failed already in my attempt to save more money. How does one save money? Cooking at home for most is the best start. The average meal I have cooked at home thus far costs me roughly $3.50. Eating out? Roughly $12 (after tip) and can grow exponentially if you find yourself ordering alcohol. If any good has come from my failed attempt to cook is that I have discovered two very good home-style restaurants that offer great options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Chef-O-Nette (2090 Tremont Center, Upper Arlington)
Chef-O-Nette's interior is similar to what one would expect a diner to look like from the 1950s. I went for lunch with a few friends and discovered a must have item. Their milkshakes. Diners are traditionally known for greasy food and milkshakes, and Chef-O-Nette answers to the call. Priced a bit steep in my opinion ($3.50 for approx 16oz), the taste makes up for any raised eyebrows on the cost. I chose the vanilla which was far superior to any shake at Shake-N-Shake or Johnny Rockets. I politely asked for a free refill but the waitress laughed and looked as if I was psychotic. The lunch menu offerings are mostly a la cart, but fairly priced in my judgement. I chose a chesseburger and it was excellent. Its a 1/3 lb patty cooked medium well by default and comes with all the trimmings for only $3.50. Adding fries will cost an additional $2.00 only. The restaurant however has their "claim to fame" item, which is the "Hangover Sandwich". Perfect for those late Saturday and Sunday mornings, the Hangover comes with a hamburger patty shacked with shaved ham as well. In all, Chef-O-Nette is perfect for a breakfast or lunch, with a nostalgic diner feeling paired with excellent customer service. It is no wonder Google Reviews gave it a 27/30.
Chef's House (5454 Roberts Road, Hillard)
The second "Chef" restaurant is another diner style restaurant just west of Columbus in Hillard. Like our first choice, the menu is full of traditional diner items, with a classical, yet simplistic decor inside. Rumor from the streets was Chef's House has a major specialty on the menu that sets a favored breakfast item apart from anyone else. Established in 1989, Chef House's hash-n-eggs is a cardiac pumping treat.
While most restaurants that offer hash and eggs usually serve some version out of a can, traditionally with tiny diced potatoes and grounded up corned beef (or even ground beef), Chef House's hash is from scratch. The actual corned beef part of this meal is ripped pieces of corned beef, pan cooked to perfection with sliced onions and peppers. The potatoes are sliced pieces that are added as an optional side. Eggs come with the meal and the portion is generous for about $8.99. While I wouldn't recommend eating this daily per the FDA, this is most definitely a treat and worth the drive down interstate 70. The menu offers traditional mom and pop diner food such as sandwiches, soups and burgers. It would be serving the eggs and hash a great disservice to fail to even consider this meal when ordering. Urban Spoon rated Chef's House 8/10, but the hash is a perfect 10 in my book.
In all, the quest to find "Chef's" in the Columbus area proved to be fruitful for those times I choose to not be one myself.
JB