Grill & Skillet Diner | Facebook
2924 E. Main St. (map it!)
Columbus, OH 43209
(614) 231-1702
Open Mon-Sat, 7a-2:30p; Sun, 8a-2p
Vegetarian/vegan/gluten free? Y/N/N
Cash only
It’s funny – in all our years living in Columbus, I’ve never been to the Grill & Skillet Diner on East Main Street until now. I guess that’s part of the fun that keeps me going: there will always be undiscovered places, no matter how old or new they are.
But finally, I’ve made that right… Last month’s outing for the Columbus Dispatch sent me exploring the Grill & Skillet. You can read my report for the paper here.
Grill & Skillet checks off all the boxes for a classic diner:
- Long, low counter – CHECK
- Brown and white checkered floor – CHECK
- Rows of booths – CHECK
- Lovingly outdated decor – CHECK
- Friendly and knowledgeable service – CHECK
- Inexpensive and filling breakfasts – CHECK
I was the only guest in the diner that morning, so I had plenty of personal attention. Which meant the server could suggest their greatest hits. She also chatted about their regulars, and how many them had flown south for the winter.
Their menu covers all the classics: omelets, biscuits and gravy, French toast, pancakes, you name it. There’s a regular menu plus a page of specials.
I tried a mix of things, including the Plain Jane, the combo with eggs, bacon, hash browns (or grits), and a choice of toast or biscuit.
Overall, it was well executed. Nicely done eggs, good and crispy bacon, and I’m always a fan of hash browns (even if they need a little salt). The server recommended the biscuit, which was not as buttery and soft as I would have liked.
She also recommended the strawberry pancakes, a seasonal special. You can’t see them, but the pancake is lined with slices of strawberry throughout. It was nicely browned, although a little tough to cut.
Props to the country fried steak. I’d have a preferred the gravy was a little more peppery, but that’s easily remedied. And the steak was pretty tender.
What can I say? Grill & Skillet is the quintessential diner. It’s an unassuming spot (especially looking at the rustic exterior and rough parking lot), but inside you’ll find cheap breakfasts that will fill you up, with a warm welcome to boot.
One last note: Grill & Skillet is cash only!
