City Barbeque — Restaurant in Upper Arlington

Update 05.24.2025

Do come visit the MUCH IMPROVED CB2 interior. That's my wife's nickname for City Barbeque CB2

CB1 = Cracker Barrel - Hilliard

Since CB2 was open during COVID there was a processing in which you stood many times until your order arrived at the upscale folding tables.

Now, the restaurant (original location) has a beautifully lighted island that seats 8.

There are new signs up to attract your eye and keep you thinking City Barbeque,

The wait time is really fast, actually. You could have your food TO GO with order in hand within 7 minutes approx - IF you know what you want to order.

If I had the time, I would sit and dine with a friend of the opposite sex; to talk with and build those happy little ENDORPHINS.

Every time I come in to order, I have always experienced a Staff ready to assist with your selections, and patient with us older folk.

I used to be here when The Professors Light (without the drummer; and the only edumacated Professor. That was on Tuesday evening back in the " L ".

Shucks, The Professors were at the Columbus Clippers doing a Gig in support of the City Barbeque Tent...betcha Mrs. Tansky hung out there to hear the Oldies!

See my 06.30.2020 after the first paragraph.

UPDATE: 07.24.21 We are back again! Come in and dine, again. And, with NEW SPACIOUS TABLES!!! Come greet a happy crew! A few new photos just to quench your appetite for their sweet sauce amid sweet smiles! See my new photos.

Curbside and pickup orders may be here to stay. Even though some space is taken for this, it is better to have this area open. Because there was too much traffic by the beverage station and trash drop.

This is the original City Barbeque where the story began. We like the sweet potato casserole, potato salid. I especially prefer the Beef Brisquit on a plate. Free piece of cake for your birthday.

EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING!

If I compare Social Distancing, here, vs the Westerville location? Henderson is UNIQUE and WELL-DISCIPLINED - hands down!

The restaurant chain apparently leaves each location to create and manage their own guidelines! Really? There is NO CORPORATE WHITE PAPER on generating the SD rules? Franchise and corporate stores should all behave alike. And, there should be a responsible individual to "take names and ask...

I had a really poor experience at this location (Henderson Rd, Columbus). I frequent City BBQ in Centerville, OH and will only return there. In comparison, the staff was overwhelmed and did not manage a busy weekend evening well. I put in a carry out order via the app and my pick up time was delayed at the counter (20-25min), the staff did not greet others in the pick up line before me and we all stood confused and waiting. While waiting, I observed the staff bagging orders and filling food trays. This was my biggest concern. I watched a staff member without gloves drop food on the floor then pick it up to toss, wipe the sweat from her forehead and then continue to grab food orders. I watched her carefully and was relieved she did not fill our order because it was highly unsanitary and unprofessional to act in a careless manner, and her facial expression to customers was not welcoming. The condiment bar was not stocked, I actually refilled the plastic containers and lids for them so that others could fill pickles, onions and sauces for themselves. It was not orderly. I’m glad I only had a carry out order because none of the tables were wiped down. After I was handed my order I knew to check it after noticing others eating in where given incorrect orders. I had already paid but was not told that they were out of Texas Toast until I addressed them and said there’s no toast in my to go bag, the employee was annoyed I had “inconvenienced” her and followed to inform me after the fact. I was very disappointed in this location because in Centerville I am greeted, welcomed, short wait times, clean drink station/condiment bar/seating area and no concern for contaminated food. Please put some attention into these details because it could become a much better restaurant with the right management to put policies into place and new hires. I’ve worked at a restaurant which targets similar costumers for 6 years and understand things happen, people call off, but working under pressure and managing priorities is such an...

The absolute worst excuse for a competent restaurant and staff. Just such an awful experience with them. Ordered takeout for 25 for my son’s 2nd bday party. Delivery of course was late. Only reason we did delivery was bc last time I sat outside and waited 25 minutes for the order when it wa supposed to be ready. Delivery was supposed to arrive by 4. Didn’t get a text till 4:25 from the delivery driver who didn’t even have our correct address or directions to our house. And of course we supplied the address when ordering. . To make it worse, the poor guy didn’t even speak English so that made it that much more difficult. After giving him step by step directions to our house, he only delivered half the order. I tried to tell him that we were missing half but the poor guy couldn’t understand. So I called City BBQ and the the guy who answered said the delivery driver only picked up half the order. He said someone else would be there shortly. 15 minutes. 30 minutes. 45 minutes. Nothing. So I call again. This time a woman answers who simply tells me to hold on then hangs up on me. So by this tine we’re an hour past what was supposed to be dinner time and we have enough food for 12 of the 25 people. If you’re a parent you already know what a joy hungry kids are. Needless to say we had to order pizzas last minute to feed everyone. The other half of our order never even showed up. I called again and was given a simple ‘well what would u like us to do about it?’ response. Such an awful excuse for customer service. How this place stays in business is beyond me. Please save yourself the headache and avoid this catastrophe at all costs. They should be ashamed at their pitiful excuse for customer service.

Ohhh and we emailed corporate and still haven’t heard a thing back. Class...