Ohio trip

I'd recommend Barley's for lunch or dinner. It's an older brewpub in the Short North/Arena District area. It's down near North Market and there are some other great spots around there as well.

Also, do a forum search on this topic. This has been done 1000 times.

 

I would highly suggest making the side trip, on the way to Columbus, to visit JAFB in Wooster. They are one of the top breweries in Ohio, easily.

Edit: I know I didn't answer your question, but wanted to give you a heads up.

 

So where are u staying in Columbus? U weren't clear about this. I'm not sure if it's east side, west side, near the zoo (Northwest)?? Depending on your response it's easier to direct u to the best location

 

101 beer kitchen isn't too far from the zoo and my kids love going there

 

If you're going to be downtown, and if you like German foods and beer, try Schmidt's. I've never taken kids there so I never gave it it a thought about how friendly the place is for kids, but they do have a kids menu. http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/4327/?view=ratings Plan on spending some time walking around in German Village, shopping, etc.

 

Hungry in Columbus? The Thurman Cafe has the biggest burgers I have ever had. Great quality as well. In the German village area. Was on Man vs. Food for the Thurnanator burger. Small place, so expect a wait unless visiting off-hours.

http://thethurmancafe.com/

 

So based on that is recommend east side locations ( unfortunately I'm west side so know less than others) but I'd go with 101 beer kitchen in gahanna and pies and pints at Easton. Other BAs may have better suggestions than me though

 

Kraft house number 5 in powell is great. Great beer too. The chef has been on cutthroat kitchen. Wolf's ridge brewing in downtown is great. The beers are pretty good, but the food is awesome, a short walk from there seventh son brewing and elevator brewing. Columbus brewing company restaurant is very good although not associated with the brewery. A short walk from there is world of beer.

 

There are 3 pies and pints locations in the columbus area. There are also 3 melt locations in Columbus. Another idea in columbus is check out one of the 2 daily growler locations in the columbus area. You can bring in takeout food in there from anywhere and have afew beers there. They are pretty kid friendly for a growler store...you can have tasters or 16 oz drafts there.

 

In delaware,oh (north of 279) there is 1808 bistro... excellent food and beer. The crest in Clintonville has great food and beer (check on beermenus.com )

 

I hear Willoughby in cleveland area and platform brewing are worth a try.

 

I've been to the Pies and Pints in Easton while traveling to/from home (Cleveland) a few timtes and have absolutely loved it every time. Great beer selection and their style of pizza is my favorite.

 

Try lunch at the crest...dinner is a little hard to find a seat and most people stay long since many are college students. Crest was on a list of top 30 beer bars in the us. If youre up for some good beers at a small brewery, try zaftig, its right across the street from anheuser busch. All of their beers are 8% or higher. They are open on ednesday night 5-8 and Saturdays from 12-5, but anyways, they make an awesome breakfast stout called bam la bam, their black perle stout, and big barleywine are very good. They literally operate out of a garage.

 

They do 5 oz tasters, 16 oz pints, 32 oz howlers, and 64 oz growlers. In a month, they are supposed to bottle their black perle. I was there last saturday. Cool place... keep in mind, they have day jobs too which explains why they are 2times a week.