In a small stretch of Johnstown, Ohio, Ghostwriter Public House has been rightfully earning fans for its lunch, brunch, and dinner service. The depth of that fandom was made clear a month ago, when the Ghostwriter owners announced a temporary closure to recover and refresh, and the public, mistaking the announcement for a full closure, was thrown into a mild panic.
But fans of Ghostwriter, be assured: the Johnstown pub is alive and kicking. And MOST IMPORTANTLY: weekend brunch has returned.
Ghostwriter sits on Main Street in Johnstown, with a muted and modern exterior and interior. That stretch is home to the pub and patio, as well as a companion public house where you can book an overnight stay.
The restaurant itself is split down the middle. One side features a row of booths and the bar…
…while the other features more seating, the kitchen, and a secondary bar.
The decor marries the homey-ness of a pub with clean, modern touches. Over the bar sits a giant screen that doubles as a piece of art.
The brunch menu is small but focused, stacked with winners.
The breakfast chimichanga features pulled chicken, Copia Farms scrambled eggs (Copia sits just a few miles away in Johnstown!), cheese, chiles, and crispy potato hash – all wrapped in a tortilla and fried, then topped with queso, chimichurri, and a side of sour cream.
The chorizo hash uses those same Copia eggs and blends them with a house-made chorizo, kennebec and sweet potatoes, caramelized onions, cheese curds, and a ghost chili hot sauce.
The triple thick French toast features a giant slab of brioche, smoked creme anglaise, Black Radish Creamery jam, coffee-rubbed bacon, and Milligan’s maple syrup.
Our youngest never turns down a fried chicken sandwich (just like his old man), so he tried a non-spicy version of the spicy chicken sandwich. It’s typically made with a Nashville-style chile oil, special sauce, shaved lettuce, pickles, and served with fries.
We’ve only made one visit to Ghostwriter so far, but it was enough to convince us to return. Like much of the public, I was saddened when I first thought – wrongfully – that their closure was permanent. I’m happy to see they’re still kicking, and I hope many folks will discover them for brunch… okay, yes, and for other meals.
Ghostwriter Public House
49-1/2 S. Main St.
Johnstown, OH 43031
(740) 809-1104
Web: ghostwriterph.com
FB: @ghostwriterpublichouse
IG: @ghostwriterpublichouse
