The Old Bag of Nails is bringing its English pub flavors to Pickerington.

The restaurant, which opened its doors on Hill Road just south of Diley Road in June, has expanded to the eastern portion of central Ohio for the first time.

The local chain has 12 restaurants throughout central Ohio, as well as the Pig Iron BBQ on North High Street, the Pour House Tavern in Gahanna and Chubby’s Sports Bar on Hard Road.

Tim Miller, general manager of the new Pickerington location, is excited to open the doors to the community, he says.

So excited, he says, that he’s planning a special menu for this football season because he’s been too busy this summer to implement a summer menu.

“The theme is going to be, ‘every game is a home game,’” Miller says. “We have the NFL and college packages. … It gives them a chance to find someplace to come and watch all the games.”

In addition to showing some of the best games on the pub’s numerous flat-screen TVs, the restaurant also will offer a basket of mini Italian sausages, brats and hot dogs for $5.99 all day on Saturdays and Sundays during the college and professional football seasons.

The basket includes either one of each of those items or three of one item, as well as French fries.

The restaurant also is offering a basket of three pulled pork sliders and fries for $6.99 on Saturdays and Sundays.

“Football is big in this town,” Miller says. “Where I used to work, in Hilliard and Upper Arlington, we had different things at different times of the year. We thought it was a good idea to try it with football.”

In addition to the food, Old Bag of Nails also offers 22 beers on tap, including the Columbus Brewing Company’s Summer Teeth, Tröegs’ DreamWeaver and Founders Brewing Company’s Dirty Bastard and Red’s Rye.

Each weekday, Old Bag of Nails offers half-price appetizers, including its famous beer-battered pickles, and $2 off house wines, domestic bottles and domestic and import draft beers.

“We’re carrying probably the best microbrew and craft selection on the east side of Columbus,” Miller says.

Old Bag of Nails, Miller says, is a great place to enjoy the game – or all games.

“Our atmosphere is comfortable and fun, and we have different types of food if you’re tailgating,” he says.

Gail Martineau is editor of Pickerington Magazine.

RECIPE:

Dry pickles with towel. Whisk together the egg, beer, baking powder and salt. Then add the flower and whisk until smooth.

Pour the vegetable oil into a heavy skillet until about 1 1/2 inches deep and put over medium-high heat. Dip pickles in the batter, allowing the extra to drip off. Fry the pickles in batches for three to four minutes or until golden. Let dry on a paper towel. Serve immediately.