Let’s be honest: ranch dressing isn’t just a condiment — it’s a lifestyle. And if you’re in Columbus, Ohio, you already know there’s an unspoken competition among local joints for who makes the real best ranch in the game.
We’re talking homemade, herby, creamy perfection… none of that bottled nonsense. Whether you’re team “dip my pizza” or a full-blown “drench everything on the plate” kind of ranch lover, this list is for you.
So grab a slice (or a chicken tender), and let’s dive into the best homemade ranch dressings in Columbus and Central Ohio.
JT’s Pizza & Pub
- 📍 845 Goodale Blvd, Grandview Heights, OH 43212 | 2390 W Granville Rd, Columbus, OH 43235
- 🏆 Best Overall Ranch in Columbus
JT’s isn’t just known for having the best pizza in Columbus two years running — they’re also dishing out homemade ranch that might just change your life. This stuff is made fresh in-house and has the perfect balance of creaminess and that tangy herb kick we all crave.
Whether you’re dunking a slice of their award-winning pie, pouring it over their severely underrated wings, or going all-in on a Chicken Bacon Ranch specialty pizza, this ranch is the glue holding your cravings together. Bonus points for the always-friendly service and laid-back atmosphere. A true Columbus staple.
Looking for the best pizza and ranch combo in Columbus? Start at JT’s.
Hot Chicken Takeover
- 📍 Multiple Locations | Find one near you
- 🔥 Best Ranch to Cool the Heat
Few things pair better than Nashville-style hot chicken and a side of homemade ranch, and HCT understands that on a spiritual level. Their ranch is cool, creamy, and loaded with herby goodness—basically a fire extinguisher for your mouth (but like, a delicious one).
And if you know, you know: when the white bread at the bottom of your box soaks up that spicy oil and the ranch? That’s what dreams are made of.
Craving hot chicken with homemade ranch in Columbus? Hot Chicken Takeover is your go-to.
Antonio’s Pizzeria & Restaurant
- 📍 7001 Sunbury Rd #C, Westerville, OH 43082
- 🍕 Best No-Frills Ranch for Pizza Dipping
Antonio’s might be a hidden gem in Westerville, but their ranch is anything but low-key. This dressing is simple, thick, and wildly addictive. It’s the kind of ranch that makes you abandon all pretense of being a “no sauce on my pizza” kind of person.
And the pizza? Fresh, flavorful, and built to be smothered in ranch.
If you’re searching for Westerville’s best homemade ranch, Antonio’s is your sleeper hit.
Hounddog’s Pizza
- 📍 2657 N High St, Columbus, OH 43202
- 🤲 Best Ranch to Convert a Non-Believer
It took me seven years of living in Columbus before I finally tried Hounddog’s, and I’m still mad at myself about it. Their pizza is ridiculously good (please get the breakfast pizza), but the ranch? Absolute game-changer.
It’s rich, loaded with fresh herbs, and somehow makes everything on your plate taste better. I even brought up my feelings about it to the waitress, and she just hit me with, “trust me… I know.” Respectfully, I agree.
For OSU-area pizza and homemade ranch that’ll blow your mind, Hounddog’s delivers — literally and figuratively.
Sexton’s Pizza
- 📍 943 E Johnstown Rd, Gahanna, OH 43230
- 📍 360 West 3rd Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
- 📍 5460 Franklin St, Hilliard, OH 43206
- 🗽 Best East Coast-Style Pizza Ranch Combo
I usually don’t mess with ranch on my East Coast-style pizza out of principle… but this is Ohio, and rules were made to be broken. Sexton’s ranch is fresh, herby, and so good it makes you reconsider everything you thought you knew about dipping etiquette.
Their pizzas are elite — crispy, foldable, and sometimes (incorrectly) called “burnt” by people who don’t understand crust — and the ranch is the perfect co-star to the main dish. You might even catch yourself licking the cup clean. No judgment here.
East Coast-style pizza with homemade ranch? Sexton’s hits the sweet spot.
Final Thoughts
In a city where ranch dressing is basically its own food group, these are the spots that are doing it right. Homemade, no shortcuts, and packed with flavor.
Did your favorite ranch spot make the list? If not, send us a strongly worded message (dipped in ranch, obviously).