Bento Go — Restaurant in Columbus

Tucked surreptitiously along Henderson Road in a repurposed Wendy's is a nice little example of Asian fusion cuisine. The structure, layout, furnishings, and decor remains unmistakably the derelict shell of Wendy's. The crew (some, at least, who appear to be family) working day in and out are largely the same despite my having gone at differing times in the day and weeks apart. Both times I visited, I had the chicken lo mein. The lo mein was fresh, hot, and came in generous portions. The crab rangoon appears to have actual crab (or imitation crab?) inside, not just cream cheese as many of these places offer. The spring rolls were likewise fresh, not burnt at all, but nothing too exciting or distinctive otherwise. There is sushi on the menu, but this is Ohio, and I wasn't adventurous enough to try it. Others who routinely have sushi will have to comment. The pad thai available is spicy for those who like spicy. I prefer it not to be (a blasphemy, I realize) and stuck with the lo mein.

The dining room has on light, easy listening American radio staples of the 70s and 80s. The Carpenters were playing the first time I was there. The second, Dr. Panda was playing briefly for youngsters before it went back to light rock. This is a family business run by a family. I don't mind hearing Dr. Panda. Ordering is pretty much as it is at Wendy's, but with the addition of vibrating, light-up pagers to tell you when your made-to-order food is ready. I dislike the vibrating pagers, but at least they aren't shouting your name over an intercom. The cashier apologetically explained that they only have one size of drink but offer free soft drink refills. The refills require one to go back to the counter. Bento would benefit from a self-serve drink machine in the dining area. Drink choices are largely the usual fountain Coca-Cola options. I didn't see any more unusual regional options of bottled beverages that one can sometimes find at Asian restaurants.

Unfortunately, just as the Wendy's that came before must have suffered from lying in a relatively obscure corner, Bento Go likewise is easy to overlook. Though they have a dozen vibrating pagers, I was the only customer in the dining room on both occasions. I think someone else wandered in the first time I was there as I was leaving. The drive-through is another option but doesn't appear to be busy either. The business model of M-T-O isn't fast food though and I'm unsure how quickly one would expect to get through the drive through. Think Steak and Shake timing over fast food.

Bento Go is a neighborhood gem that offers great food and a family-friendly atmosphere. This is a restaurant worthy of more customers and, possibly, investment for expansion to another more profitable location(s) as their top-notch signage and model suggests a chain, but this, so far, appears to be the...

I'm sorry, we ate our takeout immediately, so no pictures. Our first call to Bento Go was awesome. The young lady who answered the phone was very clear and well-spoken. She totally understood that I am eating healthy for life, (otherwise known as perma-diet), and what I needed) and made recommendations. I ordered hibachi-style chicken in a bento box with double vegetables, no rice. They didn't charge extra for that. The chicken was cooked the same as at a Japanese hibachi grill and cubed; very low in calories, and there was tons of chicken, so a huge protein boon for me! Loved the vegetables which had a little bit of oil and seasoning, but my body needs that too. I opted for the ginger-soy sauce that was different. I could see the grated ginger in the sauce which is good quality. The sauce was not thick and gloopy, and on the side, so I poured it on the chicken only. It was more of an au jus consistency and didn't cling. Win-win again because what I didn't need for flavor, I didn't eat and therefore didn't eat the calories! It is salty, I will say, but for me, I actually need more salt in my diet. Again, win-win-win. My husband has no problem eating anything. He ordered the spicy teriyaki beef bento box with fried rice and loved it. Said it was the best Asian beef he's ever had. He's usually very cranky about Asian/Chinese beef items. We also ordered the crab rangoon, which wasn't the biggest crab rangoon I've ever seen, but totally shareable and made with care. You could tell all the food was made with care. The boxes also seal completely, so if you have leftovers, they're going to be fine in the fridge. Happy to have discovered the place last week, and he's picking up our order after work tonight! YAY! A win for Columbus. (This is not the easiest place to find good food, at any price range.) We just picked up takeout again tonight, 3/25/19.... Fantastic! Not a sliver of fat on the beef. I got hibachi chicken, double vegetables, ginger soy sauce, and he had spicy teriyaki beef with fried rice and single vegetable side. Also, CLEANEST bathroom...

My favorite item is the Spicy Teriyaki chicken wing bento with noodles. The six wings are huge and the sauce is slightly sweet and very slightly spicy. Messy but delicious and filling. The noodles are like a firm linguini in a light brown sauce....perfectly cooked.

The egg rolls are better than the average chinese egg roll...mainly because the wrapper is thinner and tightly wrapped so it has a nice crunch without being overly crisp in spots.

The first time I went soon after they opened, the sauces were all served on the side so I didn't know what was what and they were all too sweet for me except one. The wings came sauces so I'm guessing they do sauce on the side only by request now.

I'm not much of a sushi person...I get the take out boxes from Giant Eagle and the Japanese Grocer on Kenny/Old Henderson occasionally. On a whim I got a Philly roll. I actually thought it had different ingredients...the menu isn't as descriptive as it could/should be. I actually didn't think I was going to like it after I figured out what was in it.

I was shocked...it was by far the best sushi I've ever had. The avocado was perfect (which I'm picky about) and the salmon tasted like the best smoked fish I've ever had...very mild but distinctive. There was a small cube of cream cheese which I was concerned about but it tasted fine with everything else.

The times I've gone are soon after they open at 11am and it takes about 10 minutes for them to fry up the wings...they give you a pager to make things easier.

Update: 9/19 - Got the Philadelphia roll and a Boston Roll. Both were just as fresh and delicious as last time.

Noticed the take-out menus on the counter have more complete descriptions than...