South of Lane — Restaurant in Upper Arlington

This restaurant makes no sense. They make you order first, but the line for the register literally splits the seating area into two halves which makes getting around the restaurant a troubling event for both patrons and staff. Food runners cannot get around to tables easily, and, more importantly, patrons can’t easily make it to the beverage station without having to say “excuse me” to all the people in line or the folks sitting at the tables that are packed tightly into the small seating area. If you make it to the beverage station for your coffee, water, (what looked like) tea, and/sodas, then you are squeezed into a tiny corner of the room which is wedged between the cashier’s station, the bathroom, and the first cluster of tables. There’s only room for one or two people at the station but everyone has to come there for their drinks because there’s no waiters to do this for you. Because there’s no waiters, the food you’ve paid for in the beginning is all-of-a-sudden over-priced because you’ve just spent $20 on 2 eggs, bacon, a waffle, and a coffee and there’s no one asking if your food is good or if your order came out correct or if you need anything extra (like perhaps more coffee or syrup or napkins). Not to mention the food runners/bussing staff are quite aggressive - often taking your plates, cups, and eating utensils the moment you set them down after finishing your food and therefore giving you the impression that you must now leave. Keep in mind that they don’t ask you if they can do this. In fact, they don’t speak to you at all. Nor do they make eye contact. They avoid you until they notice you’re done eating. I suspect they do this to keep the tables open for all of the people in line who have ordered food but now do not have a place to sit (meanwhile the number of un-seated, but already-paid customers has grown).

My experience today was terrible. I luckily made it to the restaurant just before a big rush. But, with it being my first time there, I didn’t know how things operated. And it was especially difficult because all the tables were marked with “reserved” and “you can’t sit here” signs. When I asked how things worked and where I was supposed to sit, I was met with complete disdain by the cashier and a general air of “omgah why don’t you just know?” attitude. I ordered my food, paid, and started making my coffee (yes, I had to pay AND pour my own cup of coffee) and then I took a seat at a two-top table. About 5 minutes later, two very kind young gentlemen sat at the table next to me. They made a comment on the “reserved” signage on all the tables and about how confusing it was. I chimed in to say I agreed. Anyways about 15 minutes later they received their food, even though I had made my order several minutes before them and had not received anything. Another 5 minutes goes by (25 minutes total for 2 eggs over easy, 1 waffle, and bacon) and a woman arrives at my table and puts my food down without a word. At this point there had been a long line extending out the door. Another party of six people who’d been sitting at a 4-top table plus a 2-top table ended up yielding the 2-top to another woman and (presumably) her husband. The group of 6 somehow managed to huddle around the table for 4, which was rather nice of them but still should not have happened. Meanwhile the cashier kept taking orders and people had no where to sit. And when I did get up to get my second cup of coffee (after I had finished my food and had my plate taken away), the bus boy cleaned my table and allowed another two customers to have my seat even though I was still in the restaurant. So I made my coffee to go. 🤷🏼‍♂️

The food was ok but not world-shattering. My bacon was almost burnt. The waffle came with enough butter to clog the arteries of a horse and with enough syrup to cover about half of the waffle. The eggs were fine. The best attribute I could give the food is that it was hot. I really can’t believe people go to this place often. The food is ok but the service and atmosphere are some of the worst...

As a visitor to the Columbus area, my sister took me here for brunch. It was definitely a cute little place and ambience was great. However, there are multiple reasons I unfortunately have to rate this place with 2 stars. When we walked in, my sister and I were the only party about to stand in line to order and there were two tables available. I sat down at a table so we can place our heavy coats down and I have been having issues with my knee. The person behind the cash register made his way from behind the counter to tell me that I couldn't sit and I have to order before sitting (even though my sister was going to order for me and he assumed that I was fully physically capable of standing). I understand this policy if there was an enormous line and that people in front of us have priority of sitting. However, it made no logical sense for him to inform me to order first because we were the only ones actively ordering at that time. After we ordered and sat literally at the same table I was sitting at, we noticed other people being informed of the same policy even though they were the only ones ordering. I have never heard of such a policy before and as stated before, I completely agree that this should be set in place if there is a long line. My sister and I only wanted to eat there if we were able to dine in--what if we ordered and found out that there are no available tables? This was my first negative experience at this place. While we were waiting for our food, there was a pungent, smokey smell coming from the exposed kitchen. To me, I love the concept of an exposed kitchen. However, there should be better ventilation or fans set in place, because a few parties started coughing from a that smell.

Once we got our food, it smelled REALLY good! The portions were great and I was very eager to dig in. Unfortunately, the hash browns were cold--they were not even warm or lukewarm. From this, I was disappointed at not only the service but the food. I will not be visiting this place...

I had a horrible experience here. The owners were very unkind and aggressive when I, who had stayed in the coffee shop at a group table(chosen so I would not be taking a table for two alone) longer than just a quick meal - two hours. I was in town for a family emergency, had no car, and was not able to get a ride until later in the day. I was just waiting for my ride and that is where my family knew to get me. The owner and her business partner, instead of just being nice and approaching me if they had a problem, he came over and was rude, aggressive, and suggested I was in the way of their business. I had spent 20.00 on coffee and food so I was not close to being rude. He in the end snapped at me, told me to move, I was in the way, and she gave me looks. All they had to do was ask if my 20.00 was not enough to warrant not being rushed out fast food style. This was a not insanely busy weekday either. I had gone there because my family said they were so nice. I did not find that to be the case at all. The next day my mom wanted to eat there for the last time since she was moving away and again the moment we walked in the female owner was very rude to my mother that has spent a lot of money at this cafe. She would not let my mother, who has very bad legs, sit down while I ordered. She demanded my mom stand in line with me which she can not physically do. I just flat out refused. I am not doing that to my mother for this woman no matter how popular the place is. That was the last time my mom was ever going to be there. She was very up set especially since she had lived a block away from this place for 55 years and just wanted to sit and way good by to the neighborhood forever. That was her last interaction. The food may be good but no food is ever more important...