Bodega (Facebook / @columbusbodega / Instagram: @columbusbodega)
1044 N. High St. (map it!)
Columbus, OH 43201
(614) 299-9399
Open Mon-Thurs, 3p-2a; Fri & Sat, 11a-2a; Sun, 11a-1a (brunch Sat & Sun, 11a-3p)
Accepts cash & debit/credit
Vegetarian/vegan/gluten free?
Kid-friendly? Y
Back in July we visited Bodega for brunch on assignment for the Dispatch. I wrote up my thoughts on it here. While we brunched we snapped our photos, of course, so we had to share. Enjoy!
It’s funny that Bodega feels like one of the “older” spots in Short North. There are plenty of older businesses around, to be sure, but Bodega has been around longer enough it’s become a mainstay, especially when it comes to craft beer in the city. In the early days of my interest in craft beer (8-9 years ago), Bodega was one of the first places we gravitated toward to enjoy beer. I mean, over 40 taps of beer!
Since it opened, Bodega has changed ownership and the culinary team, and been remodeled. The newer arrangement, as well as the small patio out front, make for more seating overall. There are several cool design features, my favorite of which is the wall of cassette tapes.
No doubt about it, though: Bodega is a still solid bet for beer. I think their tap list is up to 47 taps, and they rotate through a great selection of local, regional, national, and international beers. If you’re a beer geek, you should be familiar with this place. (I remember once finding our all-time favorite beer, Founders’ Kentucky Breakfast Stout, on tap here during happy hour.)
All of their beers are available at brunch, as well as the classic brunch cocktails plus juice and coffee. (I had wanted an espresso, but their machine was down.)
Here’s a well-garnished Bloody Mary with rock salt on the rim.
Bodega’s brunch menu is pretty light-hearted: they’re meant to be fun, colorful, a little over-the-top. Most of the dish portions were a tad smaller than we expected, honestly, but they’re certainly filling.
I always zero in on chicken and waffles, so this was an automatic choice. As far as chicken and waffles go, these are very nicely plated; I just like a little more zing to them, whether it’s some hot sauce or saltier breading on the chicken. You need that salty and spicy, otherwise the sweet dominates the whole dish.
Nice Breakfast Eggwich with egg, bacon, cheese, and aioli on brioche. Side of house hash, which again needed to be much saltier.
Cute breakfast burrito quartered and skewered. Bright and colorful. Could have benefited from some salty bacon or sausage.
The Cocoa Pebble Waffle. Another fun one. Definitely sweet, but a good to eat alongside a dryer or hoppier beer.
There’s some fun stuff at Bodega’s brunch – it’s colorful and nicely plated – even if what we tried needed a little more oomph of seasoning. There’s still no denying their substantial beer selection, and food with a little more spice would pair with the drinks even better.
