A couple weekends ago when I was picking up my bib for Emerald City, I decided to walk around the Bridge District in Dublin to try and find something for dinner. Originally I thought something quick and light to go from North Market, but nothing there piqued my interest. And I was really craving a soft pretzel like it was going out of style.

Eventually I wanted to sit down to eat something, and I heard the music pumping from inside Urban’s Pint House.

Urban’s is the baby of former Ohio State head football coach Urban Meyer, his nod to Ohio State and celebration of Ohio State football fans. I’ve ran past the pint house a few times in the past, making a mental note to “eventually” make my way up there (Dublin is on the other side of the city from where I live) and try it out. It only took me a year, but the opportunity presented itself and I couldn’t pass it up.

It also helped that they didn’t have a wait, so I took a seat at the bar and a great night started.

I was able to get my pretzel as a part of the skillet mac and cheese appetizer. The pasta was delicious, and also heavy to the point where I had to take a break. Which pretty much never happens to me with macaroni and cheese. However, I’m not one to turn down a shot at pasta covered in beer and cheddar jack cheeses.

I decided to get the Caesar salad, since I didn’t want to eat anything too heavy and leave room from dessert. I love those salads, but for some reason I don’t think to get them very often, so I decided to go with it this time.

I was stuffed after dinner, but I also discovered a new mission and I wasn’t leaving the pint house without accomplishing it: getting the buckeye cheesecake for dessert.

It sounded divine when I saw it on the menu. It looked divine when the waitress came over with it and sat it down in front of me …

… and holy crap, it was divine.

And heavy!

I wasn’t willing to give up and leave the buckeye on top, but my stomach and waistband told me I needed to leave it alone and call it a night.

Overall, my dinner at Urban’s Pint House was incredible and worth the stop in. But mainly, what drew me in and is going to motivate me to come back is the atmosphere at the pint house.

The bar and restaurant is high-energy and highly social, with strangers happily saying hello and making conversation with each other. I felt surrounded by happiness and relaxation after a long work week, and it was more than I could have expected from only looking at the outside.

After I got home I immediately called my mom and told her we’re going up there next time she comes over to visit. She’s looking forward to it, and I’m looking forward to being reunited with that buckeye cheesecake.

So to sum it up: Urban Meyer’s Pint House was a 10/10 from the atmosphere to the food to the service. For all of you central Ohio folks thinking of trying some place new over the holiday weekend, I cannot recommend Urban’s Pint House enough.

Yours in writing and running,

Allison