Lisska Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Columbus

The early 20th century sign is what caught my eye (it's the main attraction apparently) and I stopped in with a friend. If you're looking for a small local diner/bar/greasy spoon Americana experience this place is it. Be advised it's cash only so be sure to have some dollars in your pocket.

Walking inside is like a time machine, with tables and booths dating back to mid/late century. Walls have photos and news clippings about both the restaurant and patrons, and even a memorial for those who died in Vietnam. There's a bar and an open flattop grill. Had a cheeseburger and home fries that were excellent, and will come back for breakfast sometime, which I hear is great.

This is the kind of place that corporations try to emulate, but they make everything too shiny and artificial.

And of course, I had to take a picture of the sign. This is a trichrome done with a camera from 1975; seemed...

What can you say about The Lisska? I haven't eaten there in ages but I'll pop in for a quick shot now and again. Basically food or beverages it's cheap and it's exactly what it looks like. It's a dive bar in the best sense. Nothing phoney nothing pretentious. Staff has always been nice to me. I get a family owned and operated vibe in there. I'm not sure if that's the case or not. Anyway, of you like a legit dive...

My wife had been wanting to visit Lisska's for years after seeing it profiled on a local WOSU program about Columbus neighborhoods. It is a throwback to the old-school corner bar & grill where locals spend time with each other eating delicious homemade comfort food and enjoying the company. Don't go in expecting fancy decor. But do look around. Enjoy all of the pictures and treasures on display from the past while you...