The Buckeye Hall of Fame Café in Columbus is a must-see for fans of The Ohio State University sports teams. The expansive building includes trophies and exhibits honoring the exploits of the Columbus, Ohio school, with its great players and memorable coaches.
Included in the building is the Café, a large restaurant featuring casual food in a sports bar atmosphere. The walls of the eating area are adorned with more pictures and autographed memorabilia.
The location is 1421 Olentangy River Road, just north of downtown Columbus off route 315. Parking is available at the building and in an offsite lot, with shuttle service during busy times.
Dining
Entering the building, a hostess in sports garb directs patrons to a table in the restaurant, or to a comfy seat in the large bar section. Sandwiches and salads are on the big menu, with upscale full meals at comparable prices to other fine establishments.
Televisions with current sports news and events are throughout the eating areas, some are placed on tables and even in the restrooms, so a fan won’t miss a minute of the action. Try not to disturb the other diners as you stroll through the room, checking out footballs signed by such favorites as Rex Kern and Cornelius Greene, great OSU quarterbacks.
Downstairs is a ballroom, and on the right as you enter is the Walk of Fame, with party rooms dedicated to Jack Nicklaus, famed golfer from Ohio State, basketball coach Fred Taylor, and football coach and icon, Woody Hayes.
Exhibits
The Walk of Fame includes trophy cases featuring the OSU Heisman Trophy winners, including Eddie George, and the only two-time winner, Archie Griffin. Fans will harken back to autumn Saturdays of the past, gazing at pictures of former gridiron greats. Headphones play radio highlights of great Buckeye sports events.
Other cases highlight the many sports teams with artifacts from basketball, lacrosse, gymnastics and a case dedicated to Jesse Owens, a great Olympic track star. The area is so full of memorabilia, it is easy to miss the floor tiles with names of sports stars, or the wall of more than 50 pictures of OSU greats.
The back room contains an area dedicated to the pinnacle of OSU sports achievement, the National Championship Display, celebrating the Fiesta Bowl victory over Miami University and the 2002-2003 National Championship in football.
Entertainment
Toward the back of the restaurant is a large room with video arcade games, skeeball and other favorites. Tickets from the machines can be used to obtain merchandise, which is certainly not worth the investment.
A billiard room is available, and events are scheduled throughout the year, including lunch with the OSU mascot, Brutus Buckeye. A gift shop offers OSU clothing and souvenirs.
For diehard Buckeye fans yearning to relive great players and moments of the Scarlet and Gray, or visitors looking for good food and fun, the Buckeye Hall of Fame is a great place to enjoy in Columbus, the capital of Ohio, and home of The Ohio State University.
