Gutbusters and Extra Superb Diner Fare at Jack & Benny’s

As a lot as I really like exploring and celebrating new eating places in Columbus, I discover it’s equally vital to recollect and revisit the classics. It’s straightforward to take them with no consideration, when these are the spots that make up the culinary cloth of our metropolis.

All that is to say: we had been very overdue for a go to to Jack & Benny’s for breakfast, however we made good on it on my birthday.

Jack & Benny’s is a campus establishment, open since 1994 on the nook of Hudson and Excessive Streets. You possibly can learn their full story on their website, however the title is a nod to a 24-hour eatery that after stood at Broad and Excessive streets downtown, owned by Jack Sher and Benny Klein. Their restaurant closed a few years in the past, however founder Geno Garcia, who had labored on the eatery, was capable of borrow the title to begin his diner close to campus. In the present day his son Geno Garcia, Jr. and his spouse Hilda run the diner.

Geno and Hilda even expanded to the Jack & Benny’s Barnstormer within the OSU Airport and to Jack & Benny’s downtown, proper the place the unique as soon as sat. Sadly, each of these areas closed over the previous couple years.

Jack & Benny’s has all of the markers of a traditional diner, from the open grill to the counter seats to the slender cubicles to the Ohio State paraphernalia filling each sq. inch of the partitions.

My favourite is the show case crammed with bobbleheads.

The place additionally earns its diner standing with easy however filling and easy-to-love meals.

Ever since I first visited Jack & Benny’s years in the past, I landed on the Gutbuster as my favourite, and I haven’t deviated since. (And, no, I’ve by no means tried the James Buster Douglas. That’s past my capabilities.)

You’ll additionally discover a superb eggs benedict on the menu.

Thick slices of French toast. (Jack & Benny’s can also be recognized for his or her pancakes, notably the buckeye pancakes.)

Good chunky gravy ladled over biscuits (which had been just a little crumbly).

Bonus factors for serving hash browns, and correctly browned ones, too! I’ll take these over dwelling fries any day.

However the Gutbuster is the place it’s at: hash browns, a potato pancake, bacon, ham, sausage patty, cheese, an egg cooked to order, all lined with a peppery gravy and served with toast.

Additionally they do a brisk enterprise in large omelets.

And whereas we didn’t order it this time round, don’t skip out on the huevos rancheros or the chorizo scramble.

So if you happen to’ve by no means been, get your self to Jack & Benny’s quickly. And when you’ve got… don’t neglect to return and assist your favourite locations frequently.

Jack & Benny’s
2563 N. Excessive St.
Columbus, OH 43202
(614) 263-0242
Net: jackandbennys.com
FB: Jack & Benny’s Old North Diner
IG: @jbdiner

You possibly can check out the bygone Jack & Benny’s Barnstormer and Jack & Benny’s downtown areas.