If you’ve spent any time at Ohio State, you know Buckeye Donuts. It’s been slinging donuts, gyros, and late-night comfort since 1969, making it a campus staple and a rite of passage for students, alumni, and insomniacs alike. But if you think Buckeye Donuts is just a place to grab a quick breakfast or post-bar snack, you’re missing the bigger picture.
Because Buckeye Donuts isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a lifeline.
And I should know — I’ve needed it.
I was 20. It was midnight. I had no phone, no way inside, and now had to find an ATM and then sit alone on High Street with a wallet full of cash. To say I was on the verge of a meltdown would be an understatement.
Stranded on High Street… at Midnight
It was the summer of my first real internship. A weird, lonely summer where all my friends had gone home, leaving me in a sublet apartment with strangers I didn’t know and no real sense of belonging. One night, desperate for some social interaction, I met up with some peers from a student org at Cazuela’s. We had margaritas. We laughed. For the first time in weeks, I felt a little less alone.
Then I went home… and realized I had left my apartment keys inside my locked apartment.
Not a great plan!
No roommates to call. Phone at 3%. No idea what to do. I managed to get in touch with the emergency maintenance guy before my phone officially died (RIP), but he told me he wouldn’t be there for two hours and I needed to hand over $120 in cash when he arrived (I totally got fleeced, but I was young, dumb, and drunk).
I was 20. It was midnight. I had no phone, no way inside, and now had to find an ATM and then sit alone on High Street for two hours with a wallet full of cash. To say I was on the verge of a meltdown would be an understatement.
And then I saw it. That glowing red and white sign, shining like a lighthouse guiding my dumb, locked-out self to shore.
Buckeye Donuts.
I walked in, ordered a donut (because I may be in crisis, but I’m not about to be rude), and explained my situation. I asked if they had a phone charger. They didn’t. But what the guy working did have was the single greatest sentence I could’ve heard in that moment:
“Dude, stay as long as you need to. Don’t worry about it.”
I could’ve cried. I probably did cry, honestly.
I spent the next two hours eating my donut, sipping on a coffee (and a much-needed water), and existing in a space where I felt safe. They didn’t rush me out. They didn’t make me feel like a burden. They just let me be, even checking up on me every half-hour or so to make sure I’m still okay.
More Than Just Donuts — It’s a Community
People often talk about Buckeye Donuts because of the food — and fair enough, the food rules. The gyros are legendary. The breakfast sandwiches are criminally underrated. And the donuts? Perfection.
But what makes Buckeye Donuts truly special isn’t just the menu — it’s the heart of the place. It’s real.
I’ve felt it.
It’s the fact that it’s open 24/7, offering shelter to students pulling all-nighters, travelers passing through, and yes, even panicked 20-year-olds who made a series of unfortunate life choices. It’s the fact that owner Jimmy Barouxis and his family don’t just run a business; they’ve built a community. A place where you’re always welcome, whether you need a meal, a late-night coffee, or just somewhere to sit and breathe.
There’s a reason Buckeye Donuts has lasted since 1969. And it’s not just the food…
It’s the fact that, for so many of us, it feels like home.
Life Comes Full Circle
What inspired me to write this article now is because earlier in March, I stopped by Buckeye Donuts to highlight their Pączki, the famed Polish doughnut eaten on Fat Tuesday.
As usual, I showed up unannounced, trying not to make a big scene, but determined to spotlight this business that I’ve come to love. As I’m paying, owner Jimmy recognizes me and gives me extra pączki on the house, simply because he enjoys the videos…
He didn’t have to do that, and he had no idea how much his business has meant to me for so long. But to be greeted so warmly by him, and have him say nice things about me… MAN. There’s no doubt in my mind where Buckeye Donuts’ heart comes from.
Thank you Jimmy. You’re forever a friend.
1998 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201
