It’s always delightful when a place lives up to the hype, especially when it’s something like a family-run pop-up in the back of a beloved dive bar. Such is the case for Fat Arnie’s Sandwich Shop, a small operation that’s drawn a lot of attention for their menu of well-executed bar favorites!
Fat Arnie’s operates out of a small window at the back of Rafter’s Beer Pub, on Indianola Avenue in Clintonville. When you enter the front door, just look towards the back, past the bar. There are a couple small menus – one old school lettered and one digital – that list the day’s menu.
The menu usually consists of about six items; they’re great at updating it every day on social media.
The food comes out pretty quickly, but it certainly does hurt to find a spot at the bar and enjoy a pint of Hoster Gold Top while you wait.
For our first visit we ordered, well, two thirds of the menu. I knew we had the try the empanadas. They’re offered one for $5, three for $13, or 10 for $39. The flavors rotate, but we tried all three:
- Mojo pork, pickled jalapeno, and cheese
- Ground beef and cheese
- Chorizo, potato, and cheese
All three: winners! I could make a meal of just those, especially if you’re choosing to hang at the bar.
It’s hard to argue with a great burger, and Fat Arnie’s delivers on theirs. It layers two patties with provolone and American cheese, pickles, Arnie sauce, and thin shaved white onion (in my opinion the best way to do onions on a burger), all on a brioche bun.
I’ve seen them rotate through a number of specials, and La Barbosa has made repeated appearances. It’s filled with roasted pork, Black Strap ham from the Hungarian Butcher, chihuahua cheese, pickles, pickled red onions, and dijonaise on a hoagie bun.
The Apollonia spicy Scilian is another regular item. It’s a great balance of savory slices of capicola, salami, pepperoni, and provolone with a good, acidic crisp from onion, giardiniera, tomato, red wine vinegar, plus lettuce and mayo.
There’s not much more to say! Get thee to Fat Arnie’s soon for a great meal. AND… they’re getting ready to open a companion restaurant, Fat Arnie’s Provecho, in Uptown Westerville!
Fat Arnie’s is open Wednesday-Thursday, 5-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. They often sell out, so check their social media first!
Fat Arnie’s Sandwich Shop
4404 Indianola Ave. (inside Rafter’s Beer Pub)
Columbus, OH 43214
Web: fatarnies.com
FB: Fat Arnie’s Sandwich Shop
IG: @fat_arnies_sandwichshop
