Short North Market

North Market From Above

Columbus’ Short North used to be a fairly ho-hum area. It was more or less on the northern edge of the Convention Center and provided conventioneers a place to get away from the hubbub for a lunch or a smoke break.

JENI’S ICE CREAM, a Columbus artisanal institution, is housed here and has been stationed on the Northwest corner of the building a good long while. I’ll do a completely separate review of Jeni’s soon, so look for that. The ice cream here is off the chain, with flavors like ICELANDIC WEDDING CAKE, Magnolia Mochi, and Gooey ButterCake. The photos can’t do the flavors justice. This woman is an artist.

Jeni’s established a name for itself and created a stronghold many years ago, driving culinary competition into this covered market, market that rivals and then surpasses Philly’s PHILADELPHIA’S READING TERMINAL, and most other covered markets in America. Welcome to NORTH MARKET:

North Market

59 Spruce Street

Columbus, OH 43215

Monday: 9am – 5pm

Tuesday–Friday: 9am – 7pm

Saturday: 8am – 5pm

Sunday: Noon – 5pm

Salsa Dipping Extravaganza

I’m a little wowwed by the quality of the products here. HUBERT’S POLISH KITCHEN is a real stand-out, if for no other reason they can make three different types of coleslaw taste remarkably different and bring nuance to a “dish” that is basically a calorified version of a healthy vegetable. They also hand-make all their entrees including a chicken meatball thing that is so big and filling that you really only need one of those and the two of you, or possibly three, will be sated.

I was less impressed by the food at Brēzel, which is a monster pretzel factory. It looked just gluttonous. And CaJohn’s Flavor and Fire FAMED CHILI STAND there didn’t impress me either, in spite of the fact that it really does allow you to taste all 4 billion flavors of hot sauce they have and/or make. The open jars and tasting spoons looks like an asian flu outbreak waiting to happen. Yeesh.

The upstairs dining area, is great with history of the building and great overhead views of the market that shouldn’t be missed. Go to the middle eastern food stall, Hubert’s incredible polish food stall, or what I’m assured is the best Pho in town at Lan Viet Market, and then go eat upstairs. The energy of the place will complement your meal perfectly.

Hubert’s Polish Kitchen

Then toddle over to Jeni’s for a 3-scoop bonanza for $5.50. Those three scoops are worth much, much more than that.


Tips on making the most of your trip to North Market:

• Eat lunch at Hubert’s Polish Kitchen
• Eat upstairs in the gallery above the market so you can look down onto the market
• If you can still fit anything in, grab a seat at the Lan Viet Market for a bowl of phở
• At the end of your day, head over to Jeni’s. Ask for tastes of the exotic ice cream flavors at Jeni’s before committing to an order. Do NOT order what you normally would order at an ice cream shop. Branch out and try something wild.
• Drop in on the North Market Spices store; the way they stage their spices is just beautiful
• Check out the great game meats at NORTH MARKET POULTRY & GAME.
• Buy a loaf of bread at OMEGA ARTISAN BAKING, the best bread in Columbus, possibly the state.
• There are surprises here where you least expect them, and it’s not a particularly huge market. But make an afternoon of it, don’t rush.

OMG Yum

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