You’re hungry and you need it now. Some of these spots will serve you in minutes, some might make you wait. They will all satisfy you. And if that doesn’t narrow it down, perhaps you’re craving something specific. Maybe you want crispy fries. Or a juicy burger. Maybe you need a breakfast sandwich at noon or a milkshake that’s practically a meal. We’ve found your fixes. You just have to choose which one to devour first.
Loops
$ | (614) 670-8808 | WEBSITE
Sometimes you need a bit of get up and go on a lazy afternoon. Or rather, someone else does for you. Because we would happily drive across town to get a sandwich from Loops. The Chicago-inspired joint in Columbus is home to certified Proper Sandwiches. There’s none of that soggy bread or skimpy filling drama here, only seriously generous creations packed full of Italian beef, gyro meat, and, most importantly, fireslaw. Double carb is a big yes.
Wendy’s
$ | (614) 478-2686 | WEBSITE
A rain-or-shine Columbus drive-through that is more revered than the airport it sits in the shadow of, Wendy’s is a fast food restaurant with a difference. Quality is never replaced by speed here, and that signature fresh flavor is never replaced by a sad microwave reheat. No disrespect to the competition, but this is truly fast food done right.
Whether it’s loaded into a budget-friendly bun, topped with crisp lettuce and tomato, or paired with perfectly salted fries, this is a quick meal fix for the ages.
McDonald’s
$ | (614) 863-6631 | WEBSITE
A $5 Happy Meal probably sounds like music to your ears, right? Or maybe the grumbling in your stomach has just changed its tune. Either way, a trip to this kid-friendly spot in Columbus will set you right. Look out for the excellent breakfast, a morning meal that can be topped with hot coffee and enormous, crispy hash browns, as well as classic versions of burgers, nuggets, and apple pies.
Arby’s
$ | (614) 870-3998 | WEBSITE
If you’re rolling through the drive-thru after a long day, then you want it to be with a restaurant that’s going to lift your spirits either literally or figuratively. Arby’s is one of those places. The fast-food spot in Columbus has a constant buzz of quick and friendly service to it that’s reassuring rather than rushed, and its classic American fare works in the same way.
Grab a satisfying buffalo chicken sandwich, tear into some curly fries, and enjoy the straightforward satisfaction of a meal that hits the spot.
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
$ | (614) 847-0900 | WEBSITE
Typically, my go-to comfort food involves something complicated with too many ingredients and a side of regret. But here, we’re talking about the Columbus spot that serves up simple, crispy chicken fingers and that famously addictive sweet tea. It’s a no-fuss, family-friendly kind of place, which is exactly what you want.
Savvy Sliders
$ | (614) 820-1111 | WEBSITE
Ordering a slider-heavy meal might seem indulgent but, honestly, the only person you’re trying to impress is your own appetite—and that deserves some pampering. Savvy Sliders makes the best crispy chicken sliders and loaded fries in Columbus. They’re simultaneously crunchy and tender, savory and satisfying, and there’s a perfect balance of fresh toppings that will brighten the dullest day.
Skyline Chili
$ | (614) 914-8434 | WEBSITE
If you’re craving something that feels like a warm, comforting hug after a long day, then let us suggest you lean into that craving in a big, chili-cheese-heavy way by heading to Skyline Chili. The classic Columbus spot offers a straightforward menu of delicious Cincinnati-style dishes, from the signature chili served over spaghetti, to the classic Coney dogs.
But the Chili 4-way—steaming spaghetti topped with chili, a mound of shredded cheddar, and a sprinkle of onions—will make that comfort a deeply satisfying one.
Culver’s
$ | (614) 870-8022 | WEBSITE
Culver’s is part of that reliable fast-food family, but this Midwest-inspired spot in Columbus focuses pretty much squarely on butter burgers and frozen custard. And does so very well. The Mushroom Swiss butter burger arrives with a soft, toasted bun, a juicy patty, and a generous layer of melted Swiss cheese. While the cheese curds deliver that satisfying squeak and crunch that’ll have you reaching for another handful, but not before dipping them in ranch.
The $12 combo of a butter burger, crispy onion rings, and a scoop of the flavor of the day custard is a straightforward answer in a busy world of lunchtime decisions.
Las Tapias Birria
$ | (614) 996-8596 | WEBSITE
Wash away all your cravings at Las Tapias Birria for little cash and massive flavor. This Columbus spot has made birria tacos—a tortilla filled with savory stew—famous. But the lines are also the stuff of local lore. Skip becoming a hungry afterthought in someone’s foodie Instagram story, and grab yours to go. Just know, that like your appetite on a Saturday afternoon, things could get delightfully saucy and wonderfully messy.
QDOBA Mexican Eats
$ | (614) 842-4700 | WEBSITE
There is no safer space in Columbus than QDOBA. Unlike its also safe but sometimes hectic sibling, the drive-thru, QDOBA is simple, good natured, and familiar. This location is maybe our favourite of the lot. This Mexican Eats institution has been serving up delicious options long before you could say ‘Surf & Turf Bowl please’. A build-your-own tortilla soup will sort you right out. If it doesn’t, the incredibly nice staff of QDOBA will.
Piada Italian Street Food
$ | (614) 754-1702 | WEBSITE
Some days call for something simple and satisfying, something that doesn’t require much thought or effort. Not complete isolation, mind you. But a quiet moment with a freshly made Piada wrapped tight with grilled chicken and veggies, a side of crispy rosemary potatoes, and one of their fun, fizzy Italian sodas. That’s our kind of simple. Piada Italian Street Food is usually where we find this easy comfort, and they handle it all with care.
The Italian street food spot in Columbus is a bright, welcoming affair that’s full of helpfulness and (most importantly) no pressure, even refusing tips to keep things straightforward.
J Lemon Pepper fish & Chicken
$ | (614) 762-3759 | WEBSITE
At one time in our lives, we treated J Lemon Pepper Fish & Chicken like a church. Every Saturday or Sunday we would pull up to the Columbus institution, politely ask for a fish sandwich and chicken wings through the window, and pray that its lemon pepper dishes would once again restore our soul. More often than not those prayers were answered. So, the powers of a brilliant fast food meal cannot be understated. Nor can a quiet seat in the car.
Preston’s: A Burger Joint
$$ | (614) 400-1675 | WEBSITE
Preston’s: A Burger Joint is a popular, delicious, and kind of classic fast food spot in Columbus. It’s also somewhere you can sit in comfortable silence opposite a friend, or on your own, and demolish a Spicy Boi burger and a side of hot, crispy fries. Everything is wonderfully flavoured with fresh ingredients and that special secret sauce, and the mushroom burger—big, juicy, and flavorful—is the pick of the bunch.
Just know that on weekends there are quite a few other hungry souls with the same great idea. So order greedily and don’t forget that rich, creamy banana pudding extra.
Star Kitchen Cafe
$ | (614) 525-0573 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a quick lunch that feels like a home-cooked meal, then Star Kitchen Cafe should be at the top of your list. You’ll find some of Columbus’s best fast food options here, and you’ll also find their famous BLT. A serving of that BLT here—generous bacon on fresh bread with delicious fries—is precisely what no nutritionist would tell you to order. But given the mesmerising qualities of the glistening chicken tenders behind the counter, just try and resist.