Location: Columbia City
Top Restaurants in Columbia City
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Where to Eat in Columbia City: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Columbia City is a city in Columbia Township, Whitley County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 8,750 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Whitley County.
Things to do in Columbia City
1. Downtown on the Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By Richard B - VAIL
I struggled on this one but ultimately I came to the feeling that this restaurant is above average in its market, small town America, but might not qualify as such in a more competitive market. That's how I rate it average. Now some small town markets excel such as the Amish. It's because they serve more than just their locals. They need to excel in order to compete. But realize that, of course, if you don't have competition and you're not going to get rich serving a small local market what incentive is there? And if you didn't have Downtown on the Square in Columbia City you'd know exactly what I mean. I've been there. Downtown excels in a limited market without much competition.
That of itself would not do service to this establishment. They do put out an above average effort providing an ambiance that is charming in its seating and window onto the main street in a space that keeps the lighting subdued. There's a reason it's popular with the local population. The face of the restaurant is unremarkable. But what is a restaurant if it's not defined by its food? The charm of the place did not overwhelm my disappointment with spaghetti with meatballs they serve. I've never heard of or seen linguine with meatballs described as spaghetti with meatballs and it's an odd disappointment. It's just not the same. I'm looking for fat juicy round spaghetti and I get this strange flat linguine. As is the case with this rating and my conflict over it the meatballs were quite tasty but the linguine left me "flat". Further I was quite surprised when they served up the salsa and chips. Those chips sure looked and tasted suspiciously like Dorito's, could be wrong but that was the appearance, even had that orange/red color of Dorito's. The salsa could have come from the local Kroger's supermarket. Unremarkable in any case. It reminded me strongly of the Pace brand of salsa. And then the salad bar. It was presented as something along the lines of "mega" salad bar as a separate choice. To be fair I may be inaccurate on that exact term but something like that. I inspected it in order to make a decision one way or the other with the choice of meal I would make. It's not that it was anything bad but it appeared limited to me and I've seen much more attractive salad bars in both appearance and offerings. Now as I've said I've been there. I did not leave there feeling I wasted my time and money. It just wasn't anything much beyond average! The restaurant is clean as are the bathrooms which, of itself, speaks to the effort here to provide a good product.
2. Dairy Queen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By ShowMeTheMountains - Columbia City, Indiana
This location is a popular spot and is almost always busy, but they do a good job keeping up and getting orders fill fasted. Clean and well kept. My kids love the new soda machine!
3. Brew Ha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By 837kelleyd
There are not many choices for lunch downtown; this establishment cannot be considered a restaurant, really. I'm not sure there was a kitchen.
While overstaffed, none of them seemed able to explain their incredibly confusing blackboard menu, nor did they seem to want to. I got a slice of quiche, a cup of soup and a cup of coffee. My husband got a sandwich. So, we tried everything on their very limited menu; that is all they offered, and it's too expensive.
The sandwich was supposed to come with a bag of chips, but they were out, so they gave us a handful of crackers instead. I believe I would have sent one of the 4 counter workers standing around, down the street to a convenience store to buy some chips before I'd tell one of the few paying customers there wasn't any!
4. Dunkin' Donuts
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Jeremy S - Dallas, Georgia
Fast, friendly service. Good donuts and great coffee. The employees greeted us with a smile and made the experience pleasant.
5. Nook
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Roger B
Famous for its Coney dogs and been in existence since 1971 with the same owner.
Small and cozy just like a little speciality restaurant should be.
Food is typically fast food, their claim to fame are there Coney Dogs.
Friendly counter staff and good food. Stop by and enjoy one of their Coneys or hamburger.
Nice little place and fast service too.
6. Senor Fajitas
Overall Ratings
4 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By IndianaCruisergal - Indiana
I have been to this place a dozen times, and for the most part the food is authentic Texmex. However, it's not consistent. I mostly order the same things, and for some reason they come our tasting different from time to time.
I'm somewhat concerned about the cleanliness.
Great local family.
7. Pizza King
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Island_Lemmons - Columbia City, Indiana
This place has amazing pizza that just tastes different from all the other local pizza joints. I think it is the ingredients and sauce that makes it better. They have great breadsticks too. However, it is more expensive than Pizza Hut.
8. Big G's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Sherrie B - Crown Point Indiana
My husband and I have visited twice while in the area for basketball tournaments. We always like to support local establishments if possible, and we were not disappointed. We were there for breakfast both times. Service was great and food good and plentiful. They only do breakfast and lunch and close at two. There are multiple tv's and a general sports theme. Nothing fancy but a great bang for your buck!
9. New China Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 27 reviews
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Reviewed By BusterB8 - Indiana
I was pretty disappointed in my dining experience at New China. I see reviews reporting poor service, but I didn't experience it. Our server was friendly and attentive. No, unfortunately, it was the food that left me wanting. The egg drop soup was lukewarm. The fried rice was rather lacking in any flavor. The Mongolian Beef was just okay, and was loaded with onions, with actually very little beef. I will not return to New China. The fact that is rated #6 in Columbia City speaks poorly of the towns dining choices.
10. 11th Frame Bar and Grille
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Kirk H - Rio Rancho, New Mexico
The "11th Frame!!" is attached to the bowling alley in Columbia City. I had heard that their fried fish is really good. We arrived ~ 7p on a Saturday night and only a handful of other people were dining. And the place is big! We were finally advised to seat ourselves and picked a table. This is a bar too so they serve beer wine & spirits. Our waitress/bartender arrived soon and did tell us that their fish is a favorite. So we ordered that plus fries and onion rings. I saw on the menu for a bit more you can get "all you can eat".
It didn't take long for our order to arrive and it was a good sized plate of fish/fries and fish/onion rings. The fish was tasty! Lightly breaded and cooked just right. The fries/onion rings were normal bar food.
Took a while to be checked on how we were doing but we were OK, then it took a while to get our bill. Luckily they didn't have many customers as there were only two workers - the cook and the bartender/waitress.
The ambiance is definitely dive bar but we were made welcome.
