Q: Why does Columbus not have any Diners? « Columbus Underground Messageboard

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Q: Why does Columbus not have any Diners?

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Started 4 years ago by golden
Latest reply from swillard

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golden

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As far as I can tell Columbus does not have one proper diner in the city. I'm talking about the type of restaurant that is either open 24/7 or opens real early and closes real late. One where you can get breakfast any time of day, a mixed drink, a burger, a pastrami or roast beef sandwich, a monte cristo, a pork chop and a piece of cake that doesn't cost $7.
I'm confused as to how Manhattan can support one or two of these on every block and the entire city of Columbus can't support one. Is this a logistical issue or one of dining trends? Places like Tee-Jaye's don't count and neither do the various other "diner-themed" normal restaurants.
Would a traditional, non-hipster diner work in the Columbus market today?

Posted 4 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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There used to be one in the Brewery District and they actually picked it up and moved it to Delaware county.

Posted 4 years ago #
shroud
Polaris
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I think Columbus is so saturated with dining options already that someone would be hesitant to open this kind of thing new... I'm guessing (total guess) that places like this you've seen elsewhere have either been around for years or are new & trying to piggyback off a popular existing location that has been around for years.
I honestly don't think I've ever seen a place like what you describe - the mixed drink being the one that really rules it out, as most places that come to mind definitely don't have a full bar.... *shrug*
Scarily, the closest place I can think of that might fit the bill is the Dube (Blue Danube)... but something tells me that's not what you've got in mind (and I don't think they serve breakfast all day).

Posted 4 years ago #
davescarpetti
C'ville
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I'd kill for a simple 24hr iHOP.

Posted 4 years ago #
caitlin
brewery district
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sounds like you should probably move to new jersey. most diners in the world per capita.
jersey pride..how sad.

Posted 4 years ago #
gikim1118

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Yeah, tell me about it. I'm from Jersey. But I do wish there is a true diner in Columbus. Oh well, I guess late night Taco Bell will have to do.

Posted 4 years ago #
golden

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The Dube is sort of close but it really is as much a bar as anything else. In terms of hours and menu items the closest places I can think of are, sadly, The Cheesecake Factory at Easton and Mimi's Cafe at Polaris but neither really fit my definition of a true diner. I wouldn't see a liquor license as being mandatory but more of a courtesy feature for alcoholic patrons. At all the real diners I've been to I can't ever recall seeing anybody going there for the sole purpose of drinking.
I know Columbus must have used to have a dozen or more of these types of restaurants because just about every city in the country did. I think Cleveland still has some. They obviously work really well in Manhattan because of the high density residential blocks but they seem to work in Los Angeles as well which is essentially the polar opposite in terms of sprawl.
Living in downtown would be a hell of a lot more palatable with an affordable, clean, 24 hour diner or two down there.

Posted 4 years ago #
caitlin
brewery district
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there is some diner-esque place on south high street (a mile or so south of german village). i've driven by a few times but never stopped so i'm not quite sure of what lies within. but it looks like a true diner.

Posted 4 years ago #
honavery
Arizona
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Yeah, this would be nice. There was a great place on Broadway in Chicago I used to go called Melrose. Good assed omelets any time of day.

Posted 4 years ago #
mdmosu09
Short North
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I was thinking about this same question when I heard that Stake n Shake closed. NOT that I would consider SnS to be a "diner," but it did satisfy the "greasy food, open really late, not fast food" requirement.
I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, and while virtually everything near my house was a chain, at least we had a Denny's, and IHOP, and a Steak n Shake for the teenagers and young adults to hang out late. I can't say if they ever made any money, but they must have stayed open for a reason.
The plethora of independent restaurants is one of my favorite things about Columbus ... and I would imagine that plopping a diner down somewhere in the Short North for the Arena District, Park Street and Short North post-bar crowds shouldn't be too tough to keep operating. And OSU students should provide no shortage of servers willing to work overnight for a few extra dollars...
Slightly off topic: Does anyone know why Phillip's Coney Island has such limited hours? It fits the "diner" bill in every way ... except that they're hardly ever open!

Posted 4 years ago #
ejolsz
Victorian Village
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I'd think a diner would do real well now that there are some dense night life options South Campus Gateway / Campus Area and Park Street, they sure get a pretty good business at the gyro carts when the crowd heads out, I would have to think it is only a matter of time before something like that would open, but I've been wrong before.
In the past steak and shake had served the role somewhat (although having two floors was the dumbest idea ever, never once had I seen that floor used, even if the place was packed, and sometimes they did have quite a wait late night and had a bit of that hang out at the diner vibe - although my jersey friends would kill me for saying that, especially since there were no disco or v fries on the menu)
Up in Cleveland's eastside, Cleveland Heights, if anyone knows the area, the owner of Big Fun , the weird toy store in Coventry bought two diners, shipped them in and refurbished and connected them, but failed to do much business (on Lee rd) and sold them, someone else tried and they also failed and closed, think they are vacant now. The problem I always thought was that they were a bit gimmicky, aiming at families who wanted to live in the '50s for the day, down the street there is a 24h institution Chuck's diner, which has absolutely horrible food, but still looks good when the bars closed and you get the great diner mix of patrons in there, just be careful as there is often puke in the bathroom on a Saturday night, kinda miss it sometimes though.

Posted 4 years ago #
3horseshoes

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shroud wrote Scarily, the closest place I can think of that might fit the bill is the Dube (Blue Danube)... but something tells me that's not what you've got in mind (and I don't think they serve breakfast all day).
they do actually serve it all day...but their breakfast menu is pretty scarce...omelettes is mainly it...but they are scrumptious

Posted 4 years ago #
mdmosu09
Short North
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honavery wrote Yeah, this would be nice. There was a great place on Broadway in Chicago I used to go called Melrose. Good assed omelets any time of day.
Ooh, yeah, the Melrose (Belmont and Broadway, right?). Actually, that area of Chicago has a lot of diner-type places -- Clarke's, Nookies, and a few others if memory serves. I know it's a lot denser there, but if Wrigleyville can support a large handful of diners, the Short North / Downtown / Campus area must be able to provide some after-hours pancake action. :roll:

Posted 4 years ago #
jpizzow
580 N. Park St.
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what about that goody boy place in the short north. not sure how late they are open. it's the closest thing to a diner that i have seen as far as the food and the overall look of the place goes.

Posted 4 years ago #
jpizzow
580 N. Park St.
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or just go to waffle house and risk getting shot

Posted 4 years ago #
golden

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This menu is what I would consider a real diner menu and real diner prices. (click the onscreen menu link) Realistically you could discard 50% of the items here and still have a great diner.

Posted 4 years ago #
TimFitz
Clintonville
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jpizzow wrote what about that goody boy place in the short north. not sure how late they are open. it's the closest thing to a diner that i have seen as far as the food and the overall look of the place goes.
Goody Boy used to be 24 hours, but I think they stopped that at least a year or two (or three) ago. They were definately closed tonight at 11 PM when I drove by, and the food isn't spectacular. I think the White Castle is busier than the Goody Boy.

Posted 4 years ago #
Mercurius
First Avenue
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barnyard buster- that is why.
Down-home cookin' at its best
That's how Tee JayeÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Country Place began and that's how our restaurants are operated today. Ever since 1970 when the first Tee JayeÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s restaurant was opened, our aim has been to provide the very best in down-home cookin' at reasonable prices and served by warm and friendly people.
Tee Jaye's is a family-owned, family-operated, home-style cooking restaurant with ten locations to serve you in Columbus, Ohio and the surrounding area. All of our locations are open 24 hours a day.
We only buy the freshest ingredients and the best products in order to provide our customers with the kind of meal that Grandma used to make when family came to visit. We have so many stick-to-your-ribs items on our menu, one bite and you'll keep on coming back for more!
When you walk into a Tee Jaye's and hear that friendly greeting, "Howdy Folks", please know that it comes from the heart.

Posted 4 years ago #
Slawterr
Gahanna
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Not downtown, but there is Fritzy's(Fitzy's? *shrug*) on Schrock road, thats the closest thing I can think of thats not Waffle House that serves up all sorts of diner style food 24 hours. Its decent, but lump it in with Waffle House if you want to risk getting shot. :)

Posted 4 years ago #
elgatoperdido
Columbus.
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Walker wrote There used to be one in the Brewery District and they actually picked it up and moved it to Delaware county.
Yeah, how good is this one on Delaware?

Posted 4 years ago #