Friday Food Bites: Ampersand Short North, Loco Social close; Spokes Cafe debuts

September 19, 2025

Happy Friday! Here’s the latest Columbus restaurant news:

  • The owners of Ampersand Asian Supper Club in the Short North announced that that location will be closing after Sunday, Sept. 21. It opened about six years ago at 940 N. High St. Ampersand has a second, newer location in Uptown Westerville that remains open.
  • The owners of Loco Social in Grandview have confirmed that the concept is permanently closed. They said they’re renovating the space into a new concept.
  • A new Guatemalan coffee pop-up called Spokes Café debuted last week inside The Ohio Taproom in Grandview. It’s open Wednesday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Dayton-based Old Scratch Pizza announced that it will be opening its first Columbus-area location in Hilliard’s forthcoming TruePointe development.
  • 7 Brew Coffee has opened a non-drive-through location at 2118 N. High St. near Ohio State’s campus.
  • A new spot called Hey Broth Asian Street Food has opened up at 1810 W. Henderson Rd. on the northwest side, next to Restaurant Silla. (Thanks to Columbus Food Adventures for the tip!)
  • Vara Juice is now open at 2019 Polaris Pkwy. It’s open from noon to 10 p.m. daily.
  • A new food truck from the owner of Shakers Public House called Holy Cow Smash Burgers and Fries opened in the past weeks.
  • The Mediterranean fast casual chain Hummus Republic has opened a central Ohio location at 1710 Columbus Pike in Delaware.

Some great events this weekend!

  • The Germania Singing & Sport Society hosts their Oktoberfest this weekend, Sept. 19-21, in the Brewery District, complete with German beer and food, dancing and music, stein-hoisting competitions, and more.
  • The Downtown Residents Association of Columbus is a Taste of Downtown this Saturday, Sept. 20. More than 30 downtown businesses will be offering tastes, tours, experiences, music, and more.
  • Wolf’s Ridge Brewing hosts its 12th anniversary party and fall festival on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., with vintage beers on tap and in the bottle, a DJ, food specials, kid’s activities, and more.
  • That same day Columbus Brewing Company hosts its Oktoberfest at the Beer Hall with kid’s activities, an Oktoberfest food menu, and beer.
  • And Combustion Brewery in Pickerington hosts its Oktoberfest Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19-20, with special beers, axe throwing and games, a pancake breakfast, food trucks, live music.
  • Royal Flamingo Coffee celebrates their first anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with special coffees, live music, tattoos, tarot card readings, and a one-day-only brunch from Natalie’s.
  • There are still some tickets left for the Worthington Farmers Market Market-to-Table fundraiser dinner on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

This week I’m also writing:

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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.

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