Columbus, Ohio is home to several restaurants that are small chains and can be found scattered throughout the United States. One of these is J. Alexander’s, which looks and feels like it should be based in Columbus, Ohio, but which is instead in various target markets throughout the country. While I tend to frequent local restaurants whenever I can, J. Alexander’s in Columbus, Ohio (at 7550 Vantage Drive in the Crosswoods area on the northern end of I-270) had me fooled for some time into thinking it was local. Still, despite the fact that J. Alexander’s in Columbus, Ohio is a chain restaurant (albeit not a widespread one) I am very impressed with the quality of the food, the décor, and the service. In addition, J. Alexander’s has some of the best spinach artichoke dip in all of Columbus, Ohio-and this comes from someone who has tried it at almost any Columbus restaurant offering it. The problem is, this was a big seller and for some reason they stopped carrying it, replacing it with the cheaper to supply chips and salsa. Nonetheless, I went back a few times.
Thinking about it now, I can see how J. Alexander’s has some of the marks of a chain restaurant and is, in some ways, similar to a fancier Friday’s or Ruby Tuesday’s, right down to the requisite striped window coverings hanging over the orange-brown brick, looking very much like an Applebee’s. However, the food and overall menu selections available at J. Alexander’s in Columbus, Ohio is of a far better quality. Like other similar chain restaurants, J. Alexander’s has giant burgers, salty large-cut fries, and the standard American fare, all of which are quite good. J. Alexander’s is best, however, when it deviates from a typical chain sit-down menu and offers more unique items such as my favorite, the pecan-encrusted trout, which is beyond what I’ve found at nicer restaurants who actually specialize in seafood. While they have steaks as well, these are average, it is the seafood dishes that are the best and generally speaking, they are not as overpriced as you might think, with most of them being right around $20-a fair price for what tastes like fresh (not frozen, although I suppose I could be wrong) seafood. In addition to the pecan-encrusted trout, there is another dish that combines fresh cilantro and jumbo shrimp, which is a perfect light dinner and again, right around the perfect price. I suggest that any meal at J. Alexander’s be followed immediately with their carrot cake, which is so good, I’ve actually stopped by on my way home to get a piece to go. Once I even ate in the car because I couldn’t wait. This is really the only dessert at J. Alexander’s worthy of any special commentary but since they have a decent wine selection, anything you try for after dinner might taste better with a slight buzz. I get a little frustrated that they don’t offer any local wines, but I probably shouldn’t expect that from a chain.
In part because of their location and nice, airy and open décor with dark wood accents and perfect lighting (not too bright and not too dim) they are quite busy for lunch and dinner, no matter what day you go to J. Alexander’s in Columbus, Ohio. The restaurant is located right near the northern part of the outer belt near several offices and businesses and it is a favorite lunchtime spot, especially on Fridays. We have never had to make reservations but we have waited up to 20 minutes for a table on a busy Friday afternoon for lunch, despite the massive size of the place (it’s bigger than most Friday’s or Applebee’s chains). In short, it is a good restaurant for a few select dishes and the service is always quick and friendly-very businesslike, in fact. While J. Alexander’s is not my favorite Columbus, Ohio restaurant, or even in the top ten, for a chain, it’s excellent and is a good place for lunch or a casual dinner with excellent seafood dinners.
