What to Eat in Downtown Pickerington

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After a long stretch that saw no new dining options opening in Olde Pickerington Village, the area is suddenly getting an edible infusion.

One new restaurant is open, another big addition is coming in the fall and food options are expanding at the Olde Pickerington Farmers’ Market.

Chef T’s Pub

Todd Gross opened Chef T’s Pub at 19 N. Center St. on April 13, and business has been brisk since day one.

Gross describes Chef T’s as a neighborhood gathering place where friends and family can enjoy great comfort food with a twist. Burgers, macaroni and cheese, meaty sandwiches, and hearty salads are given Chef T’s special touch with unexpected, yet delicious, flavors.

The full bar offers beer, wine and cocktails, including Chef T’s specialty drinks. A spacious banquet room is upstairs, and Banquet Director Patricia Watters assists with floral arrangements, decorations, hotel reservations and limousine service for receptions and other large functions. Weekends are already booked in the banquet room through December, but there are still dates available for weekdays.

“It’s a melting pot of flavors,” says Gross.

Gross is a graduate of the Academy of Culinary Arts and a certified executive chef with 25 years of restaurant experience.

“I grew up just outside of New York City,” he says. “I enjoyed the gastropub experience there, with delicious, satisfying food, a friendly atmosphere and reasonable prices. At Chef T’s, we have a lunch price point around $6 to $10 and a dinner price point of $10 to $13. The check average is $16, and that’s everything included. I want this to be a place where people will come often.”

The chef considered the North Center Street location, former home of Village Crepe,  previously, but the timing wasn’t right. When it became available again, everything came together and he knew it was the right place at the right time.

“We have a great recipe for success,” says Gross. “We have great food, a terrific community, an affordable price point and excellent craft beers and artisanal cocktails. We’re excited about being a part of the Pickerington community, hiring local people and providing a fun place for Pickerington people to meet, mingle and enjoy good food and beverages.”

The custom grind steak burger – made in-house from a combination of sirloin, brisket and bacon – is one unique menu item, Gross says. Another example: the ghost pepper mac and cheese, a delicious variation on a favorite comfort food.

“It’s not too spicy – just spicy enough,” he says. “The Jack Attack Pulled Bacon Sandwich, named for my daughter and designed for people who love bacon, is a really good choice, too. Everything on the menu is delicious food that is well-prepared. It all tastes good.”

Many of the cocktails are also twists on the classics – unique versions of a cosmopolitan, Manhattan, margarita and mint julep, among others – and the dessert menu includes deep-fried bananas Foster bites and Oreo-stuffed doughnuts.

Olde Pickerington Farmers’ Market

The nearby Olde Pickerington Farmers’ Market opens for its fourth season at 89 N. Center St. on June 2, bringing with it on-site dining options along with its usual array of vendors.

Pompeii’s Inferno wood-fired pizzas and Mauger’s Mini Donuts will return with food to eat on site, and D’s Ultimate Dogs – D’s Macho Tacos will be a new dine-on-site vendor this year.

The market is open 4-7 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 29. Farmers, artists and artisans sell fresh produce and other food products along with natural soaps and facial products, jewelry, and original artwork. More than 13,000 people attended the market during the 2015 season, and organizers are planning for another busy season.

Returning vendors include Berry Family Farm, Rhoads Farm, Great Harvest Bread Company, Principessa Tea Co., Hinton Apiaries, Down the Road Farm, Urban Spreads and Shriners Farm, as well as Pickerington-based Tasha’s Caramel Corn and Meri’s Bakery.

Among new vendors this season are Harley’s Soaps, Peaceful by Nature Farm, Fisher Farm, DeMassimo’s, B. Sage Studios and Smidgen Small Bites and Cakes.

Organizers also plan special Appreciation Days with promotions and drawings. Senior Citizen Day will be June 30, Public Safety Appreciation Day will be July 28 and School Employees Day will be Aug. 25. The Pickerington Farmers’ Market Sponsorship Program, begun in 2015, will fund additional programming and entertainment.

Combustion Brewery & Taproom

Autumn will see the farmers’ market close until the following summer, but Keith Jackson plans to open Combustion Brewery & Taproom, located in the old Pickerington Creamery building at 80 W. Church St., this fall.

Current plans are for an October opening.

Jackson got his start in the brewing industry at Columbus Brewing Company, where he worked for three years before becoming head brewer at Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant in the Arena District. He spent four years there before deciding to open his own brewery and taproom.

Jackson’s vision for Combustion is “a nice place for the community to come and enjoy locally made craft beer, socialize and meet friends. It will have the kind of electric energy that comes when you can hear and smell the brewery,” he says. “We are going to give people a high-quality product in a high-quality atmosphere. We’re going to give them a reason to keep coming back.”

Jacksons lauds the creamery building as the perfect space for a brewery. He plans an open, inviting interior with a large taproom area. Customers will enjoy an expansive view of the heart of Olde Pickerington Village, including the historic railroad depot and, on summer Thursdays, the farmers’ market.

“The city of Pickerington has been very supportive. There’s a great demographic for craft beers here,” says Jackson. “I’m excited about being right next door to the farmers’ market. Next summer, people can shop there for locally grown and produced products, then stop in here for some great, locally brewed beer to go with it. And maybe have a pint while they’re here.”

Combustion will not include a commercial kitchen, but food that complements the beers will be available. Possible beers include an American IPA, coffee stout, blonde ale, coffee blonde ale, red ale, Belgian-style tripel, Belgian-style dubbel, hefeweizen, pilsner, Oktoberfest lager and pumpkin ale.

“We will be looking for opportunities to feature local products,” says Jackson.

Along with beers crafted on-site, customers will be able to enjoy wines, cider and non-alcoholic beverages. They will also be able to purchase the craft beer in growlers to take home.

“I think this is going to be an amazing spot for me,” says Jackson. “I’m looking forward to building a relationship with the community and making Combustion Brewery & Taproom a great place for people to gather.”

Pickerington resident Brenda Layman is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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