Let’s be honest… there are only so many times you can pretend to be excited about the same old restaurant your friend keeps suggesting. You need something different. Something secret. Something… deliciously under the radar.
That’s where these five hidden gems come in. Whether they’re tucked behind an abandoned building or literally inside a veteran’s post, these spots are dishing out food that’s way too good to stay secret. But don’t worry — we’re spilling the tea (or should we say sauce?) so you can be the one who “knew about it before it blew up.”
1. Mean Mug Wings & Things
📍 3780 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43228 (Inside the AMVETS)
If you told me one of the best wing spots in Columbus was inside an AMVETS post, I would’ve said “Take me there right away.” Except someone DID say that to me, and they did take me there right away. And I’m so glad they did.
You have to buzz in and sign up just to get through the door, but trust me, these wings are worth all the paperwork and security (it’s seriously not an issue at all). The vibe is a dive bar meets military history museum, complete with slot machines, a pool table, and a whole lot of character on the walls.
Start with the fried pickle chips or the comically large onion rings, then get serious with their wings. These bad boys are crispy on the outside, fall-apart juicy on the inside, and come in wild flavors like orange habanero and ragin’ cajun. If you’re a wing fanatic (or even just a wing dabbler), you need to try this place ASAP.
*This is an active AMVETS post, a safe haven for military veterans. Please treat the staff, patrons, and building with the utmost respect.*
2. Moon Pizza
📍 3861 Park Mill Run Dr, Hilliard, OH 43026 (Behind the building… seriously)
Moon Pizza is the kind of spot that makes you feel like you’re in on a secret — and you are, because this food truck is hidden behind what looks like an abandoned building in Hilliard (it’s actually a pretty rad event venue).
But once you follow your nose and find the truck, you’ll discover pizzas topped with bold Indian flavors you’ve probably never had on a pie before. We’re talking spicy green chili sauce, lamb, jalapeños, cilantro, and ginger, all on a perfectly crisp-yet-fluffy crust. It sounds weird, but it’s weirdly incredible.
If you’re tired of boring pepperoni and cheese, take a culinary moonwalk to this place. You won’t regret it.
3. Columbus Hibachi House
📍 2225 Morse Rd, Columbus, OH 43224 (tucked behind a building out of view from Morse Road)
This blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spot on Morse Road is serving up hibachi so good and so cheap, it feels illegal.
For as low as 9 bucks, you’ll get a mountain of grilled-to-order hibachi goodness — like shrimp and chicken sautéed with mushrooms, zucchini, and rich, savory fried rice. It tastes like the hibachi joint you hit on your birthday as a kid, but with a price tag that makes your wallet do a little happy dance.
Big portions, big flavor, tiny price. If you’re hungry and don’t feel like dropping half your paycheck on lunch, this is your new go-to.
4. Deli-Licious
📍 141 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215 (very limited hours, but very delicious sandwiches)
Deli-Licious is open for just three and a half hours a day. That’s it. So how does it have such a loyal downtown fanbase? Simple: the food slaps, and the service is somehow even better.
Their sandwiches are stacked with flavor, like “The Heavy,” a beast of a sandwich loaded with roast beef, corned beef, genoa salami, provolone, sharp cheddar, banana peppers, and more. But what really seals the deal is the vibe. The staff remember your name, crank out orders with lightning speed, and somehow make a quick lunch feel personal.
If you’ve got a lunch break that lines up with their hours, consider it fate. (M-Th 11 AM – 2:30 PM, Fri 11 AM – 1:30 PM)
5. Soul 2 Go Cafe
📍 72 E Lynn St, Columbus, OH 43215 (in a back alley downtown)
Soul 2 Go isn’t just a hidden gem — it’s literally hidden. You’ll find it tucked away in a downtown alley, where it quietly serves up some of the most comforting, flavorful soul food in the city.
The jerk chicken is juicy and spicy in all the right ways, the candied yams are like edible hugs, and the collard greens bring that smoky, savory goodness that pulls it all together. And just when you think it can’t get any better… the pound cake shows up.
That pound cake? It deserves its own fan club. Moist, dense, sweet, with a crackly crust that’s basically baked magic. I’m not exaggerating when I say it might be the best dessert in Columbus.
Final Thoughts
These are the kinds of places you tell your friends about while whispering, “Don’t tell too many people though.” They’re off-the-beaten-path, locally loved, and wildly delicious. So the next time someone says, “Where should we eat?” hit them with one of these hidden gems and enjoy the glory of being that friend who always knows the good spots.
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