C O L U M B U S
Randall L. Schieber
Rich St. Bridge, Scioto River, Columbus Skyline
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Levi Ely
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus und Restaurant
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Ashley Mercer
1. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus
When you take a bite of Schmidt’s nationally renowned sausages, you’re tasting Columbus’ history — a city where German immigrants and descendants once comprised a third of the population. Among them was J. Fred Schmidt, who opened a meat-packing plant in 1886. His family carried on his name by opening Schmidt’s Sausage Haus in Columbus’ German Village in 1967. Today, a fifth generation of Schmidts runs the restaurant and still use recipes from the meat-packing days.
“It’s not just the food that
tells the Schmidt’s story, it’s the history and consistency,” says Chief Operating Officer Carla Epler.
Try Schimdt’s award-winning Bahama Mama sausage made of pork and beef stuffed in an Old World natural casing and seasoned with red pepper flakes and mustard seed for a spicy zip. It’s hickory smoked for 2 1/2 hours to bring out a sweet, bacon-like flavor.
Order it as a platter ($13), with the sausage on a split-top bun, accompanied by hot kraut, applesauce and warm German potato salad. “The nice bite of vinegar in potato salad gives a great pop to the sausage,” says Epler.
The building tells a story from the past too — it was home to a livery stable, and the booths resemble wooden stalls. The walls are lined with artifacts, like George Schmidt’s fair ribbons and gloves from former pro boxer Buster Douglas.
“Schmidt’s is a living, breathing thing,” Epler says. “It’s not just a restaurant, it’s home.”
240 E. Kossuth St., Columbus, 614-444-6808, schmidthaus.com
2. Wunderbar: While the bar opened in March 2019, the historic building it’s in has been a gathering spot for 150 years and still has nostalgic charm. Order its signature Frankfort Old-Fashioned ($10), made with Overproof bourbon, sweet maple syrup, walnut and spicy bitters. Head to the Pierogi Mountain food counter inside to get your fix of the Polish comfort food, too. 739 S. Third St., Columbus
3. Pistacia Vera: This cafe’s classic French pastries will make you feel like an aristocrat. The Chocolate Pistachio Feuilletine ($7) layers pistachio and chocolate mousse on a caramelized white chocolate crust with a green pistachio glaze for a taste that’s as complex as its preparation. “Pistachio brings a buttery and rich flavor, and chocolate tops it off with another layer of richness,” says Cafe Manager AJ Schultz. 541 S. Third St., Columbus
While You’re There: Visit a bookworm’s dream, the Book Loft. Pre-Civil War-era buildings are now home to a 32-room bargain shop — you can spend hours digging for buried literary gems. 631 S. Third St., Columbus
