Just like neighborhood bakeries, small diners are those little hubs of community, places where regulars line up at the counter, where everyone seems to know each other. When one opens or closes, it’s a big deal. Sadly, Jack’s Sandwich Shop downtown has gone dormant. Daybreak Diner has been reborn (I think?) as Louie’s Daybreak Diner. And a new Jack & Benny’s is on its way downtown. Let’s discover three more diners!
1. Dan’s Drive-In – Dan’s is the diner serving the south side. It’s glossy and shiny, but it serves all the diner classics and it has a dedicated clientele. Here’s a hint: any successful diner has at least one group of old-timers who gather every morning to chat, eat, and sip coffee. You’ll find them at Dan’s.
2. Beechwold Diner – I remember when the Beechwold Diner was born 5-6 years ago. It was a big deal, to see a new diner come to life, especially in the spot where Rube’s, an old Clintonville greasy spoon, once stood. It now goes under the name George’s Beechwold Diner, and it’s once again serving the Clintonville community.
3. German Village Coffee Shop – The GV Coffee Shop wins the award for most vocal followers. They love it and they defend it as the best in town. It had been a while since I visited, until the boys and I stopped in while touring German Village last fall. And there’s reason for the strict adherence: crispy bacon, hash browns, and seasonal pancakes like the s’mores pancakes in October.
Last week’s Three To Try: Hidden Gems
Read more about local diners in the Columbus Diner Guide. Need more breakfast ideas? Re-visit the List of Reviews. Happy Breakfasting!
