CLOSED: Jack & Benny’s Barnstormer Diner | Dublin, OH

July 27, 2015

IMG_1770

UPDATE December 2022: Jack & Benny’s Barnstormer has CLOSED. The original Hudson & High location remains open.

Jack & Benny’s Barnstormer Diner (Facebook / @jackbennysdiner)
2160 W. Case Rd. (map it!)
Dublin, OH 43017
(614) 292-5699
Open Mon-Fr, 7a-3p; Sat & Sun, 8a-3p
Accepts cash & debit/credit
Vegetarian/vegan/gluten free? Y/N/N
Kid-friendly? Y

Visited: Friday, July 10, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. (and many other times)

I’ve long been a fan of Jack & Benny’s. The original campus-area diner is close to my home, and as a dutiful OSU grad I’ve consumed my share of Gutbusters and hot diner coffee over the years. For many people, the challenge of Jack & Benny’s is getting a seat on weekends, especially during football game days, when loyal Ohio State fans pre-game their day with a Buckeye-themed breakfast.

IMG_1771

Operating on the kind-of down low over the past 1.5 years is a second location for Jack & Benny’s. I regularly take guests on my Columbus Food Adventures breakfast tour here, and it’s always a blast introducing them to the new location. If you love Jack & Benny’s but don’t get to campus often, you’re in luck. The second Jack & Benny’s – titled the Jack & Benny’s Barnstormer Diner – has the exact same hours and exact same menu.

IMG_1820

The big difference: it’s in an airport. Yes, Jack & Benny’s Barnstormer Diner took the place of previous restaurants like The Barnstormer or the Barnstormer Grill. Owners Geno and Hilda Garcia were invited by the folks at the OSU Don Scott Airport to take over the eatery. It’s perfectly fitting because Geno studied aviation at Ohio State. While the campus diner is covered with OSU sports memorabilia, the Barnstormer is hung with photos of aviation and space travel.

IMG_1825

The restaurant space itself is at the back of one of the hangars. Some days the door is open and you can see the planes sitting there. You usually can’t sit there, unless you’re on a certain breakfast tour with a certain someone…

IMG_1772

Anyone who’s been to Jack & Benny’s before will find all the familiar menu items there. For those who are new to it, be prepared to see a big menu than leans towards lots of breakfast. The pancakes are favorites, there’s a whole page dedicated the omelets, there are some spicier specialties, and for the hungriest, there are the busters.

IMG_1780

Jack & Benny’s does a diner breakfast and does it really well. Nothing fancy, but all executed properly. This goes for the basics like eggs, hash browns, toast, and sausage.

IMG_1777

Or to fancier stuff like the Eggs Benny with a somewhat light hollandaise.

IMG_1782

My personal favorite is the Gutbuster. It’s the all-inclusive meal that layers hash browns, bacon, ham, an egg, a potato pancake, sausage, and cheese. Then covers it all with a great peppery gravy.

IMG_1787

It’s a big meal, but I will say that – in a good way – the Gutbuster has not lived up to its name for me. Delicious and filling? Yes. Gutbusting? No. (If that’s not enough for you, there’s also the James “Buster” Douglas which doubles the meat.)

IMG_1775

Geno and Hilda know how to cater to kids as well. The pancakes are even pressed with an airplane pattern!

IMG_1778

One of the other house specialties is the huevos rancheros. It’s a giant bed of onions, peppers, tomatoes, and beans with a surprisingly spicy kick, plus a couple eggs and toast.

IMG_1773

For families or aviation aficionados or just fans of diners, the Barnstormer Diner is an absolute must. You’ll get to enjoy good food on the airport property, and as a special bonus, you can climb the old control tower (part of the terminal building) and watch planes coming and going!

Spread the Word!

Related Posts

the-goat-gahanna-1

Coffee, Cocktails, Breakfast, and Brunch at The Goat in Gahanna

IMG_7728

The Best Brunches in Columbus

clutch-handhelds-5

Clutch Handheld Serves Breakfast Sandos To-Go in SoHud

Sunny-Side Up Egg Illustration

FOOD + TRAVEL WRITER

I go by Dr. Breakfast, but in addition to restaurants and recipes, I write about family travel, breweries and distilleries, the arts, outdoor fun, and so much more.

Follow Along

Sign up for my Weekly Email:

8 THINGS TO EAT, SEE, DRINK, & EXPLORE!

Please enter a valid email address.
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.
Sign up for my weekly newsletter 8 Things To Eat, Drink, See, & Explore This Week!