I almost drove past it, and honestly, I am a little embarrassed about how many times I had done exactly that. This small Ohio Italian deli looks ordinary from the street, but one toasted sub changed my whole opinion of it.
Grandparents, college kids, and neighbors on their lunch breaks all crowd the same chrome-edged tables, which says plenty about how loved it is. Bring an appetite and some curiosity, because this little spot has been feeding families since 1960.
A Plain Storefront on North High
First impressions can fool you. From the sidewalk, the building looks a bit drab, not messy, just the kind of storefront your eyes slide right past on a busy commute.
Plenty of locals admit they drove by for years before finally pulling in. Once they did, many wondered why they waited so long, because the inside feels bigger, brighter in spirit, and more welcoming than the outside suggests.
The place is Smith’s Restaurant and Deli, a family-run Italian eatery in the Clintonville neighborhood of Columbus. Since 1960, it has served hearty sandwiches, pasta, and pizza to the people who live, work, and grow up nearby.
Walking in feels a little like opening an old family photo album. Murals stretch across the walls, an open kitchen lets you watch your food come together, and the menu runs long enough to keep you coming back for weeks.
Visitors often describe the room as a cozy neighborhood deli with a style that reminds some of a classic New York family spot. Nothing about it tries too hard, and that is exactly the charm.
You can find it at 3737 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214.
Six Decades of One Family Kitchen
Back in 1960, a family opened a small deli on North High Street, and they never handed the keys to anyone else. More than 65 years later, it is still family-owned and family-run.
That kind of staying power is rare. Restaurants in busy neighborhoods come and go, yet regulars say they trust this one to stay put, even as the area around it keeps changing.
Guests describe it as intergenerational, meaning more than one generation of the family has a hand in running things. One recent visitor noted the owner runs a tight ship, with a well-managed room and attentive staff.
The décor tells its own history lesson. Historic Columbus memorabilia covers the walls, and copies of a local Clintonville newspaper often sit near the door for anyone who wants to take one home.
Some folks call the interior dated. Most regulars call it something closer to a time capsule, with a look they hope never changes.
Stepping inside can feel like visiting a bygone era, the sort of place your grandparents might have taken your parents for lunch. For many families here, that is literally what happened, and the tradition simply kept rolling forward.
Toasted Subs Worth the Trip
Ask around and the word you hear most is subs. They are the heart of the menu and the reason many people first walk through the door.
The signature Smith’s sub is a popular pick, often ordered with two homemade sides and a cookie. Bigger appetites lean toward the Super Smith sub, which regulars rave about for dinner and lunch alike.
Toasting is where these sandwiches shine. Diners describe crisp, flavorful bread that holds everything together, with meat stacked generously and served hot from first bite to last.
A toasted club sandwich has its own fan club, too. One first-timer described perfectly salty, crispy bacon with ham and turkey piled high, the kind of sandwich that makes you slow down and pay attention.
Not every review is a love letter. A few guests have wished for a little more cheese, and one found the sandwiches lighter on flavor than expected, so tastes can vary.
Still, most people leave happy and already planning their next order. With so many subs on the board, from turkey to Italian classics, you could visit every week for a month and still have something new to try.
The Reuben and Its Loyal Fans
Some sandwiches earn a following, and the Reuben here has quietly built a big one. It ranks as one of the most talked-about items on the menu.
What makes it stand out? Fans point to the bread.
It comes out crispy and stays that way, without turning soggy halfway through your meal.
One recent guest called it the best Reuben ever and promptly added it to a regular sandwich rotation. Another noted that it is not messy, which anyone who has fought a dripping Reuben will appreciate.
It also travels well. A first-time customer once ordered one by phone for a partner who was feeling under the weather, and it was devoured within minutes of arriving home.
Price is part of the appeal. Regulars often mention that the Reuben delivers big flavor without a big bill, which keeps it in heavy rotation for workers grabbing lunch nearby.
Opinions do differ on size, and one diner found theirs smaller than hoped. For most, though, this is the sandwich they recommend first to friends visiting from out of town, usually with a side of macaroni salad and a pickle.
Meatballs, Marinara and Chicken Parm
Italian comfort food is where the family roots really show. The meatball sub and chicken parmesan sandwich are two of the most requested orders, and both lean on a sauce people keep talking about.
Guests say you can tell the marinara is homemade and not poured from a can. It tastes bright and rich, the kind of sauce that makes you reach for extra bread.
The chicken parmesan sub often arrives toasted, with tender chicken and that excellent sauce soaking just enough into the roll. One couple trying the place for the first time said it stayed hot from start to finish.
Meatball fans get a similar treat. Paired with a turkey sandwich or eaten alone, the meatball sub regularly earns praise for being toasted just right.
Pasta lovers are covered as well. Spaghetti and meatballs shows up on the menu, and the lasagna has inspired one diner to call it just short of life changing.
Family-size offerings are available too, which makes feeding a crowd at home much easier. If your household argues over dinner plans, a tray of something saucy from here can settle things quickly.
Pizza, Stromboli and Surprises
Here is a secret even some regulars miss: there is a pizza oven behind the counter. One first-time guest only noticed after spotting a pie on a neighboring table.
That diner ended up ordering a pizza to take home and called it incredibly delicious. Others describe a crispy crust with great cheese, though one fan wished for a touch more sauce.
Stromboli is another favorite that pops up often in conversation. Rolled, baked, and stuffed, it makes a filling meal for anyone who wants pizza flavors in a heartier form.
The menu also offers croissant sandwiches, a lighter twist that surprises people expecting only classic subs. They have earned a loyal following of their own.
Soup gets attention, too. Diners mention in-house made soups, which pair nicely with half a sandwich on a chilly Ohio afternoon.
Salads round things out for those wanting something greener. A seasonal special once featured mixed greens with blue cheese, chicken, cranberries, and walnuts, and it earned enthusiastic approval.
With this much variety, the best approach may be bringing friends and sharing. Order a stromboli, a pizza, and a couple of subs, then trade bites until everyone finds a new favorite.
Homemade Sides and Cookie Temptations
Don’t skip the cookies. That advice comes up again and again, sometimes with a suggestion to grab three instead of one.
Regulars treat a cookie as part of the meal, not an afterthought. It is a small, sweet finish that many people say they look forward to almost as much as the sandwich.
Sides deserve attention too. Potato salad and pasta salad are made in-house, and guests appreciate getting homemade options instead of something scooped from a factory tub.
Macaroni salad is a popular add-on, partly because it is so affordable. One customer found it could use a bit more mayo, while another considered it a bargain too good to pass up.
Drinks add a fun, nostalgic touch. The cooler includes some semi-specialty sodas, including Stewart’s root beer, which delighted at least one visitor who considers it a personal favorite.
And yes, there is a crisp pickle. At least one diner called it a highlight, a reminder that small details can make a deli lunch feel complete.
Put together, a sub, two sides, a cookie, and a cold soda add up to a satisfying old-school meal at a friendly price.
Chrome Tables and Easy Conversation
Close your eyes for a second and listen. Customers chatting, fountain soda pouring, soft music in the background, that is the soundtrack one visitor described, and it fits perfectly.
The mood is laid-back and comfortable. Guests often say they felt right at home, even on their very first visit.
Who eats here? Pretty much everyone.
Diners of all ages share the room, from young couples to retirees, and one guest noted how happily everyone seemed to get along.
When you see an older local crowd filling a place, it usually means the food is good and the prices are fair. Regulars at these chrome-edged diner tables have clearly earned that trust over time.
The space is quieter than a chain restaurant, making it a nice choice for a relaxed conversation. Families, coworkers, and solo diners all seem to fit in easily.
A few honest notes: the lighting can run a little dim, and the décor has not changed much in years. Some people find that dated, while others love it as part of the charm.
Either way, the friendly, genuine service helps everyone feel welcome, whether you are a first-timer or a decades-long regular.
Hours, Prices and Parking Tips
Timing matters, so plan ahead. Smith’s is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and it is closed on both Sunday and Monday.
Value is a big reason people return. Visitors frequently describe the prices as very reasonable, with generous portions, and one couple was amazed they ordered plenty of food and still kept the bill under $30.
Patience helps here. Everything is made to order, so service can take a while, even when the room is not busy, and peak hours may mean a longer wait.
Parking is limited. The lot is small, so carpooling is smart if you are coming with a group.
Takeout is a popular option. You can call ahead at 614-267-7541 to place an order for pickup, which many local workers do for quick lunches.
Saturday afternoons make a pleasant time for a relaxed lunch, according to several regulars. Weekday lunch can bring office crowds from the neighborhood.
The menu is also available on the restaurant website at smithsdeli.com. Taking a peek before you arrive can help, since the long list of subs, pasta, and pizza options might leave you staring at the board for a while.
A Neighborhood Treasure Still Going
Some restaurants feed you once. Others become part of your story, and that is what this little deli has done for countless Columbus families since 1960.
Regulars call it a treasure for Clintonville. One former resident returned after moving away and said it felt like coming home again.
Is it fancy? Not at all.
The outside is plain, the room is old-fashioned, and the wait can stretch at busy times, but the trade-off is honest food made by a family that clearly cares.
For day-trippers, it offers a real taste of local Columbus rather than another chain stop. For budget-minded diners, the portions and prices are hard to beat.
Start with a toasted sub or the Reuben, add a homemade side, and save room for a cookie. Next time, try the lasagna, stromboli, or a pizza fresh from the oven.
Memories here tend to stack up like the meat on the sandwiches. Grandparents bring grandkids, coworkers become regulars, and visitors leave planning a return trip.
After more than 65 years, this family is still at the counter, still making sauce, and still welcoming new faces. That alone makes it worth the drive.
