There is a Northstar on High Street in the Short North and there is one at Easton, those are the only two I know about in the Cbus area. I live in Licking County, so it's about 25 mins to get to Columbus for me....There is a new restaurant in New Albany that I want to try, they use all local produce and serve a lot of vegetarian and vegan dishes (I'm neither...), I can't remember the name of it right now.

Good luck with your trip to Logan's.....I tend to like Texas Road House a little better, but that is simply due to the service we had at a Logan's in Columbus.....It's been a long time since I've been to one.

how is Toledo? I don't know much about it....Love Cracker Barrell

what are some your favorite healthy places to eat and why?

my top ones:

1. Tommy's - Cleveland Heights, OH: i am obsessed with Tommy's! they are a vegetarian/vegan restaurant (with meat options available) that just make quality food - a lot of it is comfort food too, but healthier. lots of whole grains, brown rice, beans, etc. their fries are killer (but you have to split them with at least another person because you won't be able to finish them) and they make milkshakes to die for (again, split them with another person, they're huge!). you can certainly get unhealthy options here too (like the ones i just mentioned) but they make great salads, soups, and sandwiches.

2. Aladdin's - Cleveland Heights, Lakewood, and i think there's one in Columbus: amazing Middle Eastern food! their portions are huge so i always have another meal. great ingredients, huge variety, lots of flavor.

LOVE Aladdin's! Yum. I work in Cleveland Hts and have never heard of Tommy's, but it sounds amazing! Maybe that will be my lunch one day this week. Thanks for the suggestion!

No mention of Jeni's Ice Cream in Columbus? I think they're worse than Graeter's in the "sinful" factor, but if you're the adventurous sort, Jeni's is a must-try (they had one flavor there that the best way to describe it is that it "tastes like Christmas").

Not the healthiest thing, but Gahanna Pizza Plus (or it's sister, Bexley Pizza Plus) has really good subs and pizza. Not the healthiest thing ever, but great for a splurge.

In Columbus, anything in the North Market, downtown. It's all local owners, and there's a huge variety of stuff to pick from.

They're not technically a "local" place, but they are only in a few states - Potbelly Sandwich Works. I've found one in Polaris and downtown, in the Campus District (both in Columbus; their site says they have some in Toledo, Dayton, and Cincy, too). Great sub style sandwiches and can be easy on the waist line (as long as you don't get the milkshakes and cookies, both of which also make a great treat).

Another "not technically local" place that's great is Noodles & Company. Great soup place that is also easy on the waist line. I absolutely adore their Tomato Basil Bisque.

Jake's Restaurant is a local chain (their byline is "a place for steak", but they have far more than just steak) with great food. They can be found in Ashland (just north of Mansfield, off of I-71), Wooster, and Mount Vernon.

If you're out in the eastern area, around Canton, there's a bunch of stuff in the Holmes/Tuscawaras area. Miller's Dutch Kitch'n or The Scoop in Baltic (off of State Route 93) are good little places to eat. The Amish Door is pretty good, too (and less of a tourist trap than Der Dutchman). There's also Parlor Pizza, Hershberger Farm and Bakery, Mrs Yoder's Kitchen, The Manor (if you like ham, their chicken is "meh," and it's very much a "Sunday after church" restaurant, in my opinion), and Park Street Pizza in the Millersburg and Sugar Creek areas. Some are better than others in the "healthy" factor, but there's a lot of good food.

Ok far from healthy, but have any of you C-Bus people heard of Pig Iron I think on High St. I have been there a few times and is awesome, real BBQ. In Toledo you need to try Tony Packo's, and for sushi.. nagoya.

Thanks for stocking me up on date night ideas for the fiance! I am scared of sushi, but intrigued by Edamame as well as Northstar.

I live in New Albany, I'd love to know about the organic type restaurant that was mentioned.

A favorite of mine is Mongolian BBQ. Love being able to customize!

I love First Watch in downtown Columbus. They have an amazing egg white omelet, with spinach, tomato, turkey and feta (it comes with onions but i don't like them). SO good!

I love First Watch in downtown Columbus. They have an amazing egg white omelet, with spinach, tomato, turkey and feta (it comes with onions but i don't like them). SO good!

There is a First Watch in Mayfield Heights also. I agree.....good, healthy food....try the tri-athlete omelet!

I have been to The First Watch in Westlake and agree, awesome place!

For healthy I'm liking Unos Chicago Grill (Columbus) and Subway (Columbus).

Fave food but not so healthy is Hooters. LoL I know I'm a chick but their grilled chicken pasta salad is awesome!

Place Ohio needs: McAlester's deli. Went there in South Carolina and it was awesome!

I'm in cleveland. there's a place in Parma called Hot Dog Diner. Its amazing!! I'm a sucker for chili cheese fries!!!

We used to live in Dayton and our favorites when we are there to visit family is Golden Nugget and Marion's Pizza. Golden Nugget's potato soup is amazing and their fish sandwich. We used to eat there all the time when we lived there and when we visit they still know who we are and what we order. Sad, so sad. LOL. Let's just say Marion's is the best pizza around if you like thin crust! YUMMY.

We live in the Canton area now which is restaurant haven or should I say heaven (can you tell I don't like to cook) LOL. Not sure I really have a favorite that isn't a chain. Wait....Two Fat Guys (ribs, chicken, etc) and the mexican restaurants!

Welp now I'm hungry!

I use to live in Dayton also and Marion's is great

Nicholson's downtown Cincy, or the Lube in Milford.

LOVE Nicholson's!! QSLube is good too -- they have a really good salad in the summer (that I can't remember what it's called offhand).



I've not really found any healthy place to eat though (I'm in the Cincinnati area). I can find the stuff that's low in calories/fat, but the Sodium! It just goes through the roof when eating out

*edit to say - I agree with some others about First Watch! I go to the one in either Downtown Cincy on 7th St. or the one that's up in Kenwood. So Good!!!

Al's Pizza in Sidney, Ohio. Also in Troy. Best pizza I have ever had.

I am taking this statement back. I found a barbeque pizza from Al's yesterday. One bite and I threw the rest away.:laugh:

Has anyone been to the Black Creek Bistro in Columbus by chance? We have reservations there tonight as we're coming up from Cincy for a concert and the menu looks delicious.. (not particularly healthy.. but delicious none the less)

I loved that the menu was so fresh; I wish there were more places like that around. Ended up getting the Slow Roasted Duck w/ Gnocchi. It was rich, but delicious!