Creole Kitchen at its new location In Columbus for a court hearing in pending litigation in May 2026, I had had the opportunity to have dinner at the new location of Creole Kitchen. For years, Chef Henry Butcher operated the restaurant at a location on Mt. Vernon Avenue, not far from Columbus State Community College and the Columbus Urban League. I first met Chef probably about 20 years ago, when I was in search of authentic Cajun and Creole cooking (my wife's parents were from Louisiana, and she's a true Cajun). In that somewhat economically distressed neighborhood, Chef and his crew were the most caring and diligent team in the Mt. Vernon Avenue area, feeding the flock with French toast, breakfast sandwiches, gator and shrimp po'boys, gumbo, jambalaya, étouffée, and all manner of carry-out southern breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Shuttered for longer than anyone expected about two years ago, the Mt. Vernon Avenue restaurant returned to a new and improved life at a location adjacent to the Lincoln Theater, a landmark preserved by the visionary Mayor Michael Coleman. The theater's owners sought out Chef, urging him to make the upgrade over to East Long Street (the theater is at 769 E Long St, Columbus 43203, and the new Creole Kitchen is at 795 E. Long Street, less than a block away). The new location was custom-built for the restaurant. It is sparkling clean, spacious, has great wall art, and a helpful and well-trained staff. I was staying at the Westin Great Southern (about a $10 Lyft/Uber from the restaurant) and I dropped in before dinner got underway. Chef was there - working with the kitchen crew along with family members who make up the front line. After I ordered double gin and tonic, Chef sat down with me, and we talked about the change in locations. And then we talked about the food: this is comfort food, Southern comfort food at its best, and at its most authentic. Start with a roux - you can't go wrong if you start with a roux. I ordered my favorite entrée - crawfish étouffée ($18), with a serving ample enough that I had the second half of it for lunch the following day. Chef's new location has ample well-spaced and comfortable seating (I'm guessing there were 15 to 25 tables and a bar), excellent air conditioning, jazz at a volume that allows for easy conversation, and a server staff who know the menu well. The staff includes Chef's daughters Antoinette and Tonya, and honors the memory of Chef's son, Henry Junior, who was a beloved member of the hardest working crew in Columbus when the Mt. Vernon Ave. venue was operating. Chef's breakfast menu is like nothing available anywhere else in Columbus: real beignets (light, fluffy pillows of fried dough dusted with powder sugar, $5), an unforgettable Creole omelet (andouille sausage, Tasso ham, tomatoes, onions bell peppers folded into three eggs with melted cheese, served with grits, home fries, and toast, $15). There's a vegetarian version as well - with spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, broccoli, and cheese ($15). Breakfast is served until 3:00 pm, and when you order many of the items you will be encouraged to customize the flavor with your choice of spice level (1 to 5), from a gentle warmth to a fiery kick. In the past, I've had Creole Kitchen prepare catered dishes of fried catfish, chicken and sausage gumbo (a rich, soulful blend of two stocks, thickened with a dark red-brown roux and loaded with authentic Creole flavor, $8 cup, $17 bowl), shrimp or oyster po'boys (served on French bread with house-made Creole chips, $18 to $21), and seafood fettuccine Alfredo (creamy Alfredo sauce tossed with fettuccine noodles with shrimp, scallops, and crab, at your choice of spice level from 1 to 5, $18) that we served at a crawfish boil my wife and I host in Worthington each year. Happily, these and more entrées remain part of Chef's menu, complimenting an ever-changing daily menu of dishes that make returning to the venue a special treat. A note about GPS and the internet: it might take some time for the internet to catch up with real life. Google Maps will get you to the right location but be aware that if you look up Creole Kitchen Columbus Ohio on its search engine you might be shown posts from the 1052 Mt. Vernon Avenue location, all of which are now out of date. Note also that the restaurant closes from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. to allow the crew to prepare for dinner (just like the good ones do in New Orleans!). For me, the next time I'm in Columbus, I will make it a point to sit down for breakfast at this truly authentic Cajun establishment. Thank you, Chef Butcher (and Antoinette and Tonya)! read more

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So their food is still the same as when they were off mt Vernon in the hood! I got a waffle and bacon! My bacon was hard and over cooked and my waffle was warm and stiff! The reason why I stopped coming was because the food was never really hot and everything was always pre cooked and warmed back up just enough to serve especially the breakfast! I used to get the French toast but it was always soggy and over soaked in oil and not cooked long enough! And it don't rly taste like anything. To pre cooked you food sit it in trays and then warm it up on the grill to serve is diabolical! But this new location I said I would give it a shot and huni I was let down again! Same old routine just a different location! Very beautiful location at that! Staff needs some work on customer service and communication. Time management and effective management skills. I seen so much and was so annoyed I just left. I didn't even wanna pay for my food or tip but I did. Will I be back NO! but I'm proud to see how they have grown so they doing something right dispute my opinion lol. COME CHECK THEM OUT ON the corner of Garfield and long st! Can't miss em next to the Lincoln theater! Tell me what u think I'll see yall on the next review! read more

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Disappointed. This isn't creole food. My catfish and grits were dry as heck. No sauce (though they did give me hot sauce and tartar sauce), no flavor either. Dry dry dry. I was expecting a bowl of grits smothered with sauce and topped with chunks of catfish. Service was nice. Downtown spot has a lot of potential. read more

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Food was go. Service OK. The Gator bite appetizer not served with dipped sauce. The Jambalaya was very good. Not served with bread, separate menu item. How's a man supposed to sop up the last bite. I'll try it again thiough. read more

I went here for lunch a few days ago, and overall there were definitely some highlights. Our drinks were amazing, and the bartender was great, professional, welcoming, and provided excellent customer service from the moment we arrived. We sat on the patio and really enjoyed the food. I ordered the French toast breakfast, and my friend had the Creole omelette. Both were a 10/10! The food, drinks, and atmosphere definitely have the potential to make this a great place. Unfortunately, my biggest complaint was our server, who I believe was named Jazmyn. The experience became very unprofessional. Her child was bringing condiments to our table, she was yelling at her child in front of customers, and we could hear personal conversations and arguments while she was on the phone. She also shared quite a bit of her personal life with us. While I understand everyone has things going on outside of work, as customers we came to enjoy our lunch, drinks, and the patio atmosphere. It was difficult to fully enjoy ourselves when our server was distracted and handling personal matters so openly during our visit. Customer service is a huge part of the dining experience, and unfortunately this took away from what otherwise would have been an excellent lunch. Creole Kitchen has great food, great drinks, and a lot of potential, but I do think management should pay closer attention to the level of professionalism and work ethic expected from the staff. I would love to return because we truly enjoyed everything else, but the service experience would make us hesitant to come back. read more

We were in Columbus for a softball tournament and ended up at the Creole Kitchen kind of accidentally. Boy were we happy we did! First, our server was so kind and considerate. She made us feel overly welcome and her level of attention was wonderful. Next, the food exceeded our expectations with every bite! The Eggs Basin Street were SO GOOD! It was one of the best meals I've had in a long time! The beignets were light, fluffy and delicious as well. This place is really a wonderful restaurant that is worth a visit! read more

It was just a random Saturday morning and I had the hankering for some shrimp and grits. I remember this place from back in the day had some really good shrimp and grits so I decided to look them up and to my delight they were still open. They moved from their previous location in the strip mall, and this new location is much more easily accessible, and I see they've updated a lot of the decor. As usual, the shrimp and grits did not disappoint, and my husband enjoyed his catfish and grits. The coffee was not the greatest in my opinion, but they did try to get us a fresh pot made, and it just still didn't hit. The server was pleasant and professional, and the prices weren't too bad either. If you are in the neighborhood, I suggest you stop by AB's always remember to support local businesses read more

Creole Kitchen - Catfish and grits - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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I wanted to love it. It's not New Orleans. I tried the shrimp and grits. The menu said what was in the dish, but I wasn't expecting a tomato-y sauce and no cheese in the grits. It was sweet, which I also wasn't expecting. It wasn't "bad." It just wasn't traditional. There was no andouille sausage in it either. And no beignets! They were out. I would stop by and give it another try. The menu offers lots of New Orleans favorites. read more

I went to Creole Kitchen recently for breakfast and I must say for the quality of food, price point, friendly staff, and portion size this place might be one of my new go to breakfast spots. The restaurant was clean, food came out quick and hot. Everything was seasoned well. The french toast and sausage were hands down the stars of the show. The sausage was a little spicy but I liked it. And I don't know what kind of bread they used for the French Toast but It was nice and soft and just overall delicious. There was also free on street parking and plenty of indoor seating. read more

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Wife had a great soups of the day...chicken noodle and potato salad. The potato salad was a bit under seasoned. I had seafood jambalaya and a muffaletta. The muffaletta was a bit under dressed with olive salad, and some meat still had a tough nearly inedible Rhine on it. But we did enjoy the meal overall. read more

Oh my goodness. This place is absolutely incredible. The muffins and jam were so flavorful and a great touch of NOLA vibes, it's true Creole. You can pick your spice level on the jambalaya. We went with 3 and it was enough to make your lips tingle as you savored the flavors. Fresh chips and red beans and rice, drool-worthy. The staff, especially Sam, were so kind and amazing. They were great at keeping up with my drinks (I'm a guzzler) and dish suggestions. Try this place, it's so good we're going back for breakfast tomorrow. read more

Went here for my Mom's birthday. Immediate red flag: The guests who were there when we arrived left because they didn't get their food and there were NO OTHER GUESTS in the dining area. It was downhill from there. Long story short we ordered appetizers and decided to go somewhere else for dinner. Timing, nice but slow service, flavor, servings, cost per serving- all disappointing. read more

The service is as horrible. It took over an hour to get our food, our server didn't even check in on us to get us more water, and the food was not that good. I would not recommend this place at all!! read more

Open at new location 795 E Long Street from 8 am to 9 or 10 pm, closed Mondays. Our server was so polite, professional, and made us feel well cared for. We came for breakfast and everything we had was wonderful! Lots of people coming in to pick up take out. Right next to the iconic Lincoln Theatre, so you can combine dinner with a show without moving your car. read more

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I've been eating that delicious creole food for years, and this upgrade to the new location is fantastic. Taken friends there who loved the food, and the service and I hope they continue to be a main stay in our community for sometime to come. Definitely miss my old friend The Chef. read more

Been meaning to stop in here forever, and I realized that it is on my daily commute. If I just tweak it a little bit. Stopped in when I wasn't really hungry, and was overwhelmed by the menu, so I ended up with several small items. I got red beans and rice, because I knew Sweetie would want them. Also got a couple of the specials: sweet potato pie, because I love it so I get that whenever it is on the menu, and crab corn chowder, which I also get whenever it's on the menu. The chowder was excellent. Eyes rolling back in my head excellent. Thick, subtle, full of corn and crab. A good portion. I had a taste of the red beans and rice, and I liked them. The sweet potato pie. I also had a bite of, and it was very very good. I will be back for beignets, muffuletta, fried cabbage, and more. It is a tiny place, 3 two tops, although it sounds like they open up a dining room next door on the weekends. They also plan on moving to a bigger location in a year or so. Service was great, prices are reasonable for the quality and quality. I'm sorry I stayed away for so long. We honeymooned in New Orleans and miss the food, and this is a good taste of it. read more

The seafood alfredo was awful, it had no seasoning. I thought creole food was supposed to have like a spicy seasoning Cajun taste to it.

Pork Chops Fried Cabbage Dirty Rice Great food in the neighborhood Ample parking limited seating only for carryout Grubhub is available Cash or Credit/Debit cards accepted Conveniently located in the Mount Vernon Plaza read more

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I stopped here tonight to get something to go and there were no lights on inside. I also called and the number has either been changed or disconnected without a new number given. I'm not certain, and I hope I am not, but I think this establishment has been closed. If I find out that it hasn't closed then I will delete this post, but I'd say that a phone call would at least be in order before going. Three stars, right down the middle since I have no opinion to go off of. Sorry. read more

i spent my money hard earned on this bs it was grease everywhere from the fettuccine Alfredo the service was trash from Omni her attitude was terrible the only person that had a good vibe was the light skin gentleman in the back that handed me my food they also need new uniforms my first experience was traumatizing read more

Service was great. Very attentive and helpful. Food was amazing! Great patio for summertime. Will definitely come back. Get the gator bites to start. Bar available as well read more

The best catfish ever! This was my second time at Chef Butcher's Creole Kitchen. We went for dinner for the first time and got catfish and chicken jambalaya, both were spicy/hot but the catfish taste soo good. I'm not a big fan of spicy food but I have to say that I couldn't stop eating (and drinking water of course!) ; ) This time we went there for breakfast because I wanted to try french toast. (If you follow my profile, you'll see that I try to go for french toast all the time). It was great! I have to say that the batter was awesome, the bread was cut very thick but still soaked all the batter in, super moist! Crispy bacon also my favorite :D My husband got catfish again, I didn't want to try it at first because I don't like to switch from sweet to savory and back to sweet again, but he kept pushing me to try and I wanted to say that this is the best! I can have it everyday! The breading was super crispy, the fish didn't smell or taste any fishy at all, felt like I was eating chicken but lighter & healthier. And another best part about the restaurant is the meal is very affordable, we spent around $25 (excluding tips) ! We love the food and and Antoinette, she's the best! Her dad too! Will definitely go back there again and again! read more

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I am only giving it 1 star due to no option to select 0. This place a 4.2 and yall & we were bamboozled! This place has such great reviews, which is why we chose to go, but the food was a huge disappointment. I've never seen soupy jambalaya before. Not seasoned. Tastes like it's sitting in tomato sauce. The Mac n cheese was dry and lacked love, flavor, and cheese. read more

Creole Kitchen - soup like seafood jambalaya - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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I left sweating, with a smile on my face, even sweating beneath my hair... :-) Had lunch on a Friday. Ordered $10 half-orders each of the Crawfish Etouffee and Seafood Jambalaya. Got a spice level of "3" (on a 1-5 scale) for both, which was perfect. It's more flavor than heat, but the heat was so good I had a nice mouth-burn going on for an hour after I left. So good... The Etouffee is correct. Spot on. Excellent. Outstanding. Delicious. Probably the best I've had, and I've spent a lot of time in Louisiana and eaten a lot of really good Etouffee. It's awesome - made with a chocolate-colored dark brown roux. It's damn it's good, and I will crave it... The Jambalaya was good, solid, fine. Worth ordering if you're craving jambalaya. Next time (and there WILL be a next time) I'll explore items the regulars kept asking for - Fettuccine, Cabbage, Beignets - and more Etouffee. Always more of their Etouffee... This is a small, mostly carryout window service place. There are 3 small tables inside, which I ate at. Very friendly people. Very good prices. On Saturdays they open a dining room next door - but only on Saturdays. The breakfast menu looks nice, and there are lots of Yelp reviews about breakfast. The shopping center they're in and the neighborhood (Mount Vernon Avenue near Champion Avenue) - well - it's an adventure all by itself. There were addicts in the parking lot actively begging to support their next fix, and men running around doing commerce through car windows. I minded my own business and no-one minded me being there, but I'm a big guy and walk like I know where I'm going. I've been in plenty of sketchy places around the world (ask my wife). I don't scare easily. I wouldn't hesitate to return for breakfast or lunch - I sincerely look forward to it because this place is a gem if you like authentic Cajun + Creole food at inexpensive prices cooked by friendly people. But I will not be stopping by after dark. Great place. Loved it. read more

I had the pleasure of visiting this incredible Black-owned family business this month and I was so pleased that I got to do so with a couple of friends. We tried a number of things including etouffee, jambalaya, a po boy, mac n cheese, green beans, beignets, soup, plus a whole lot of hospitality. The dining room at their current location is teeny tiny with only a couple of 2-seater tables, but we were able to push two together to accommodate 3 of us. They're located in a strip mall and the spot doesn't look like too much from the outside, with just a walk-up window on the interior. One of the owners, Tonya, took our orders and served us and let us know that her dad, a chef of 60 years was still rockin and rollin' in the kitchen. They have been at this location for 18 years. The etouffee was a little thin, but served with 2 tasty sides and had some good flavor. The chicken and andouille jambalaya was served in a heaping portion. Each were offered with a spice level between 1-5-- we ordered both with a level 4. They had some kick to them but weren't insanely spicy. The Toni po boy was so big that we received it in two different takeout containers. 1 serving of jambalaya and 1 sandwich could easily feed 4 people a hefty meal. Instead, I'll have leftovers for days and I'm not mad about it. The po boy was filled with a salad of sorts that included black olives, lettuce, and onions-- the main element was a mixture of fried proteins including mini shrimp and chicken. It came with 2 sides of their po boy sauce. I would recommend ordering extra sauce on the side if you can. We also tried one of their soups which was actually rice topped with the soup. It was all really tasty with a red sauce base containing a mix of veggies. The beignets were airy, light, fluffy, and came in an ample serving with a TON of powdered sugar and steaming hot, as they should. The amount of food we received for the price was definitely fair, especially considering that we were eating authentic family recipes. I dined with friends who have spent a lot of time in New Orleans, (I've never been), but was told that the jambalaya and po boy were both comparable to what they'd expect to find there. We were told that they'll be moving soon and opening a new location on Long St and I can't wait to check them out when they open up the new spot in June. They'll be closing this location at the end of March or early April so check them out beforehand if you can, or bookmark them for their reopening this summer-- I highly recommend it! read more

2022 Review, and Creole Kitchen still has the best french toast in town! If you can get past the walking dead (aka the crackheads) outside of the establishment, you are in for some bomb food! The scrambled eggs are my only complaint, they taste like powdered eggs and I hate powdered eggs. The bacon aint fakin, nice crisp and crunch! Funny story: I am a huge Browns fan so I have a pair of orange Crocs that I wear with my Browns gear. While I was in line getting my order another patron asked me if I had kept my Crocs from the joint? I begged his pardon and he elaborated by stating that when you are in the slammer they assign you a pair of orange Crocs. I laughed and told him that I haven't done any time, I just like orange. He apologized and laughed as well. Just some of the colorful characters that make Mt. Vernon the historical place that it has become. By the way if you ever get a chance check out the Youtube Video by WOSU on Mount Vernon, it's very informative and kinda depressing at the same time. French Toast 1-5=5. Eggs 1-5=0. Bacon 1-5=5. Experiences here=Priceless. read more

I went in June on a Friday at lunch. I'd had their chicken and catfish before and it was good. By noon, they were already out of wings, so instead of catfish I had the shrimp. It was awful. The breading was soft and very greasy. It didn't even look like shrimp-just blobs of something. It tasted as bad as it looked, like they cooked it in oil that was old. The cabbage was as good as before, but I didn't go there planning to spend a fair amount of money to only have a side that was edible for lunch. If I go again, I won't have the shrimp. read more

The beignets are out of this world. So light and fluffy. Very delicious. I could eat a ton of them. I would lay a plate full on my stomach and go for it, Homer Simpson style. We were there at breakfast so they didn't have crawfish étouffée but after we plead our case they so graciously heated some for us. It was very good with a nice kick at a level 2. I do not recommend going above that in the spice factor. The grits here are amazing. I am so grit picky but let me tell you something this grits are delicious without any toppings. They was butter and creamy the perfect consistency. I wish I had some now!!!!! read more

Creole Kitchen - Light and Fluffy Beignets - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

This place is the closest food flavors that I ever had outside of LA! You gotta try the gumbo, shrimp and grits and chicken fettuccine! When I say that they are true to there roots, I mean it. read more

Great for breakfast. The portions are nice size and the food is delicious. The staff was friendly and we were able to enjoy a working breakfast. Don't forget to the add the spice level to your meal. read more

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I will always respect Chef and his family. But the area is going to hell in a hand basket. Chef had given back to the community and it is time for the community to give back to him. I love love love his cat fish. The grits are good but tell them light salt on your food, someone is a bit heavy handed. read more

I wanted to try this place in my neighborhood to taste different cuisine on the east side. I ordered the Crawfish Étouffée on DoorDash. I'll start with the Crawfish Etouffee. It possessed good flavor and the roux reminded me of creole cooking. The crawfish was cooked well and not overpowered by the roux. The disappointment was the creole rice and red beans and rice. The rice was very bland for both dishes and the celery and onions were raw. I like to give second chances to places as I was expecting a little more. I may have to try other items. read more

Creole Kitchen - Crawfish Etouffee - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

A single order of beignet! They keep getting smaller and smaller!!! Not worth the money! At least their food (entrees) taste great!!! read more

Creole Kitchen - This is a single order of beignet! - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Simply magnificent restaurant. I have known about this restaurant for so long and been here before but this is my first time revisiting it. The customer service is great, the time to wait is fair enough for what you're eating and it's in a pretty good location. It's been there for years at least as long as I've known and it's always been good. Very good restaurant and if you like Southern food probably one of the best places in the city to go read more

Creole Kitchen - Whiting w\bags and rice & roasted potatoes - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Excellent! The customer service is impeccable and very family oriented. We had the opportunity to meet "Chef Butcher". The best creole food outside of Louisiana. Please support this wonderful establishment. Just a little advise: Don't go higher than a number 2 on the spice level. For those that are fearless you can try the hottest level number 5. Antoinette is awesome! I going to visit again all the way from Detroit! read more

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They are always on point I have nothing bad to say about them accept I can never get enough shrimp and chicken etouffee with their special rice and I love the perch po' boy read more

Over priced food was not good at all couldn't even get the dog to eat it. Highly would not recommend it.

Been to this place numerous times. Last time I went the food was yummy, but my grits were COLD not cool:(. Every-time we go one meal will be on point and the other would be mediocre. When its good its good, but when its bad its ok. This place is good, but at times it's inconsistent and that isn't a good thing. read more

Authentic New Orleans/South Louisiana cuisine! The beignets are to die for, as is the rest of their breakfast menu! I was the most excited when I saw they were having a crawfish boil! If you're looking to support a great local and/or black-owned business, you cannot go wrong with Creole Kitchen! Laissez les bon temps rouler! read more

What can I say one of the black businesses that has been here for years a place I always will support baby the food is always good hot and fresh from their fish Poboy to the breakfast of either shrimp and grits to the salmon over rice I don't know what I wanna eat when I go I just be a phat girl but they always win my heart over with the Beignets oh I can eat them daily read more

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