The Top Steak House
2891 East Main Street
Columbus, OH 43209
Phone: 614.231.8238
Fax: 614.231.5742
I have to start this post by saying I am originally from Kansas so my standards of what is an excellent steak are very very high. Having lived and traveled in numerous states I have to say there is nothing that can compare to a Kansas City steakhouse. Or at least not that I have found yet.
I notice on their home page it states that Rachael Ray Magazine rated it one of the top 32 Steak houses in the United States. Hmmm I have to think that Rachael Ray has not visited the famous Kansas City Steak houses if this establishment can rate that high. I have to wonder if Rachael Ray actually ate their or maybe one of her staff did?
Originally I started looking for the top steak house in Central Ohio as I had family coming to visit from Kansas. Honestly I should have known better then to take anyone from Kansas to a non Kansas steak house. Looking online I found reviews for the Top Steak House in Columbus Ohio. The reviews were glowing so I made the reservations and waited for family to arrive. I was very intrigued by the supposed atmosphere described by various interviewers as being a step back in time to the hip 60's.
Since we had a very large group we were sat in a almost private little room. I did not find the atmosphere nearly as hip as reviews as indicated. Honestly I found it just old and musty. While maintaining a retro look is great you still have to maintain it and freshen it.
Glancing at the menu I was not surprised by the high prices as I had been pre-warned by checking it out online. I am never one to haggle over price as long as the food warrants the high price. Unfortunately I did not find that the price was warranted in this establishment.
We started with drinks and appetizers and I have to say it took a very long time to get either. Especially cocktails. Having spent years as a bartender and waitress one thing I will say is never take long to refill cocktails. We finally gave up after the second round as it was just impossible to get refills so we all switched to water.
We started out by ordering the shrimp appetizer that serves 4 for 36.95. I am not a shrimp eater but this did get a forks up from my family that did eat it. Im not so sure though that "serves four" is accurate though.
In between a couple of us had to use the ladies room (must have been all the two cocktails) and this was like running an obstacle course to get to. We seriously had major problems trying to get through to the ladies room.
I ordered the bone in Kansas City Strip Steak for $44.95. I should have known I was setting myself up for failure but yes that is what I ordered. Mine was ordered rare and arrived medium rare. That is a huge deal for a steak eater. We kinda like them cooked the way we requested. And since rare is in my humble opinion one of the easiest steaks to cook, I was very disappointed that it was a little over cooked. The cut was good and tender but I found the steak lacking flavor or seasoning. Im a big believer that a great steak does not need a lot of seasoning but some coarse salt and pepper before it was cooked would have been nice.
I also ordered the sauteed mushrooms because whats a great steak without sauteed mushrooms?? Again I was very disappointed as they just were not anything special. Quite frankly I have had way better mushrooms for chain restaurants that were actually marinated and then sauteed.
All and all I give this a major forks down review. My family were good sports and even picked up the very large bill, but frankly I was embarrassed that I took them to this restaurant. Upon arriving home we all agreed that the service was poor to average and the food was okay/average but certainly not good enough to warrant the prices charged.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Food Review for Clays Cafe Hebron Ohio
Clays Cafe
808 West Main Street
Hebron, OH 43025
Phone: 740.929.2529
When I first moved to this area I drove by this cafe many times before I finally took a chance and ordered food. Boy was I glad I did! Drive by any hot summer night and you will be greeted by tons of people sitting at the outside tables eating ice cream. This place definitely has a homey feel and while the decor could use some upgrades the food is so good it doesn't really matter.
Their most famous menu item is the homemade Stromboli. Im not even a big pizza eater but this Stromboli is to die for. The crust is so good and so perfect that I would never even attempt to make it a home as long as Im close enough to Clays Cafe to go get some. Be sure and order it with the garlic dipping butter for the final touch.
I have also tried the pork tenderloin sandwhich which is good but not the best I have had. For sure if you are going to Clays go for the Stromboli and the homemade french fries. I will say though their hamburgers are really tasty and just like home made hamburgers.
My only overall complaint would be that it does take a very long time to get your order. But the wait is worth it! Just know going in that it will be 20 to 30 minutes before you get your food.
They are having a big push right now to get Guy Feitti from Food Network to visit for his show "Diners, Drive Ins & Dives. I dont think Guy would be disappointed and I hope he puts it on his schedule.
808 West Main Street
Hebron, OH 43025
Phone: 740.929.2529
When I first moved to this area I drove by this cafe many times before I finally took a chance and ordered food. Boy was I glad I did! Drive by any hot summer night and you will be greeted by tons of people sitting at the outside tables eating ice cream. This place definitely has a homey feel and while the decor could use some upgrades the food is so good it doesn't really matter.
Their most famous menu item is the homemade Stromboli. Im not even a big pizza eater but this Stromboli is to die for. The crust is so good and so perfect that I would never even attempt to make it a home as long as Im close enough to Clays Cafe to go get some. Be sure and order it with the garlic dipping butter for the final touch.
I have also tried the pork tenderloin sandwhich which is good but not the best I have had. For sure if you are going to Clays go for the Stromboli and the homemade french fries. I will say though their hamburgers are really tasty and just like home made hamburgers.
My only overall complaint would be that it does take a very long time to get your order. But the wait is worth it! Just know going in that it will be 20 to 30 minutes before you get your food.
They are having a big push right now to get Guy Feitti from Food Network to visit for his show "Diners, Drive Ins & Dives. I dont think Guy would be disappointed and I hope he puts it on his schedule.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Yummy Yummy's Hebron Ohio Chinese Food
620 E Main St
Hebron, OH 43025-8015
(740) 928-2850
First I have to say the name cracks me up. I have to wonder how they came up with that name for a Chinese Restaurant? Anyway here we go. Although this restaurant is in a fairly new strip mall, it seems old and dark when you go in. It could sure use some better light and ambiance. They do feature a sushi bar in the front but curiously I have never seen anyone sitting there eating.
We ordered the Cashew Chicken, General Tso's Chicken, Fried Rice, Lo Mein and of course Crab Ragoon. I did really enjoy the gravy in the Cashew Chicken, and they do give you a generous amount of cashews. The fried rice is really lacking, dry and just not that tasty. General Tso's chicken is just average and pretty much what you will get anywhere. The Lo Mein seems way too greasy to me but hubby did enjoy it. Crab Ragoon is really quite skimpy with very little filling.
If you have a Chinese craving this will do but definitely wont come close to being the best you have had. Id give it 2.5 forks out of 5.
I have to wonder where all the real Chinese Restaurants have gone?? Growing up our entire family used to go to a REAL Chinese restaurant and wow this food was just so outstanding and authentic. They had eggrolls that were so light and crispy and just melted in your mouth. I have never found eggrolls like that since that restaurant closed. This was back before buffets and take out. We knew the owner well and always got to go back in the kitchen. Even the dishes were brought over when this family moved to the United States. Then it seems like "american fast food chinese" took over, and all the real Chinese restaurants disappeared.
If anyone knows of a real Chinese restaurant please post it!! I so long for the good old days!
Hebron, OH 43025-8015
(740) 928-2850
First I have to say the name cracks me up. I have to wonder how they came up with that name for a Chinese Restaurant? Anyway here we go. Although this restaurant is in a fairly new strip mall, it seems old and dark when you go in. It could sure use some better light and ambiance. They do feature a sushi bar in the front but curiously I have never seen anyone sitting there eating.
We ordered the Cashew Chicken, General Tso's Chicken, Fried Rice, Lo Mein and of course Crab Ragoon. I did really enjoy the gravy in the Cashew Chicken, and they do give you a generous amount of cashews. The fried rice is really lacking, dry and just not that tasty. General Tso's chicken is just average and pretty much what you will get anywhere. The Lo Mein seems way too greasy to me but hubby did enjoy it. Crab Ragoon is really quite skimpy with very little filling.
If you have a Chinese craving this will do but definitely wont come close to being the best you have had. Id give it 2.5 forks out of 5.
I have to wonder where all the real Chinese Restaurants have gone?? Growing up our entire family used to go to a REAL Chinese restaurant and wow this food was just so outstanding and authentic. They had eggrolls that were so light and crispy and just melted in your mouth. I have never found eggrolls like that since that restaurant closed. This was back before buffets and take out. We knew the owner well and always got to go back in the kitchen. Even the dishes were brought over when this family moved to the United States. Then it seems like "american fast food chinese" took over, and all the real Chinese restaurants disappeared.
If anyone knows of a real Chinese restaurant please post it!! I so long for the good old days!
Passionate About Great Food
Welcome to the Central Ohio Food Critic Blog! I have been wanting to do this for a couple years now and thought I would start here with a blog. Having moved here 4 years ago it has been frustrating to find those gem restaurants that locals always know about. It has also been frustrating to look up online reviews that sound great, only to go to the restaurant and be very disappointed. I have to wonder if those reviews are done by the owners friends and family :) So this food critic blog will be totally impartial as I barely know anyone here.
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