Bite Club explores Ohio’s food scene one stop at a time, highlighting local restaurants, hidden gems, and the people who make them special. Read more food reviews here.
When the Source expanded into Delaware County, I gave myself one open day and a simple goal: eat local and explore freely. No plan, just a sense of adventure and an empty stomach.
What I ended up with was a breakfast sandwich I can’t stop thinking about, banana pudding that had no business being that good, warm conversations at each stop, and a day that left me wanting more of Delaware County.
Morning Stop: Coastline Coffee Co.
The day started just outside downtown Delaware, with a walk through Concord Township Park area, the trail leading straight to what every perfect morning needs: caffeine.
Coastline Coffee was bright and airy, with high ceilings, warm coastal tones, and natural light spilling across the space. It had a soft beach-inspired calm, almost making me forget it was chilly and drizzling in Ohio.
The Green Room breakfast sandwich stood out immediately. Served on a fresh everything biscuit, it layered egg, cheddar, sausage, avocado, and hot honey. Each bite brought a mix of savory richness and a touch of sweet heat. It is the kind of breakfast sandwich that makes you feel like you can handle whatever the day brings.
The Salty Surfer iced latte paired perfectly with it. Caramel and coconut gave it a smooth sweetness, while sea salt kept it balanced, neither too bitter or sweet.
Downtown Delaware
After breakfast, I made my way into historic downtown Delaware, wandering the streets and stepping into a few local shops like Beanbag Books and Goat Local before meandering through Ohio Wesleyan’s campus.
The whole area felt quaint, and I found myself wanting to keep exploring because there was clearly more to see than I had time for.
Lunch Stop: Bun’s Restaurant and Bar
After a couple of hours walking, I headed to Bun’s, one of the oldest restaurants in the area, with roots dating back to 1864.
Bun’s is impossible to miss. A neon sign stretches over the road like a beacon, pulling you straight toward classic, comforting food.
We ate in a bright patio space connected to the main brick building, with high ceilings and glass garage doors that opened everything up to light and air. It felt relaxed without feeling empty.
We ordered a Reuben. The corned beef was tender, layered thick but not heavy, and carried just enough salt without being briny. The sauerkraut added sharpness and crunch that cut through the richness, while the Thousand Island dressing brought a creamy sweetness that softened each bite.
The toasted rye held everything together well. The top stayed lightly crisp while the bottom soaked up some of the juices, so every bite still had structure and was packed with flavor.
The BBQ bacon burger came with two smashed patties, edges seared with caramelized crust. Bacon added salt, onion rings added crunch, and barbecue sauce brought smoke and sweetness that tied everything together. Stacked tall, it was the kind of sandwich you had to fully commit to each bite.
What stood out most was the staff. They shared history, talked through the menu, and made the place feel connected to the community in a way that felt genuine.
Afternoon Snack: Ciao Café
Ciao Café is bright and inviting, with a pastry case and gelato display that pulls you in immediately.
We ordered Biscoff gelato, a spinach and feta quiche, and coffee.
The gelato was smooth and rich, almost custard-like, with cookie pieces running through it that gave each spoonful a bit of crunch and spice.
The quiche was soft, flaky, and light, with a creamy spinach and feta filling that was savory without feeling heavy.
The coffee, Killer Bean, was a darker roast that worked well with a splash of oat milk and tied everything together, especially when paired alongside the sweetness of the gelato.
Boardman Arts Park
By then, the weather had cleared, and a walk through Boardman Arts Park felt like exactly what the day needed.
Open, colorful, and full of interactive art, it is designed to be moved through, not just observed.
I kept catching small surprises. A panda made of buttons. A giant unicorn built from recycled tires. Mosaics tucked into corners you almost miss.
We walked, lingered, and moved through it slowly, letting the space do most of the directing.
Dinner: CJ’s Soul Food
CJ’s Soul Food in Powell is a place you experience as much as you eat.
Music filled the room, and large black and white mural-style portraits covered the walls, making the space feel full of life the moment you walked in.
We ordered barbecue rib tips with dirty rice and mac and cheese.
The dirty rice had a steady heat and peppery depth that paired well with the creamy mac and cheese, which softened each bite.
The rib tips came coated in a smoky, sweet barbecue sauce with a slow-building heat. Some pieces were tender and pulled apart easily, while others were firmer, giving the dish a varied texture throughout.
Then came banana pudding. Creamy and rich with a custard-like base and fresh banana folded through it, it had a balanced sweetness that felt complete without being heavy.
Easily one of the best bites of the day.
Dessert: Belgian Wafflewich
We ended at Belgian Wafflewich, a newer spot in Powell inside of Massey’s Pizza Shop, serving stuffed Belgian waffles that were hard to ignore, even with a full stomach.
The New York Style Strawberry Cheesecake waffle was rich but balanced, with creamy filling and bright strawberry that kept it from feeling too dense.
The Ultimate Chocolate Godzilla was exactly what the name suggests: layered milk and dark chocolate inside a warm waffle, topped with Oreo pieces, brownie bites, and a thick chocolate drizzle and delicate gold sprinkles.
Decadent, rich, and oh so chocolatey.
Drinks: Ohana Island Grill and Bar
We ended the night at Ohana Island Grill and Bar with cocktails and the Delaware Source newsroom team.
Unsure what to order, I asked the bartender, who pointed me to the Painkiller served in a skull. Say less. Notes of rum, pineapple, coconut, and nutmeg gave it a tropical edge; it was pineapple-forward with a creamy coconut finish.
Others ordered a Hawaiian Sunrise and a Lychee Rum Punch, which I sampled. The lychee drink was my favorite — light, bright, and refreshing, it felt like a small escape that fit the setting perfectly.
We sat back, relaxed over drinks, and recounted stories from the day.
A perfect day
I drove to Alum Creek and watched the sun drop over the water, the light moving across the surface with the slow rhythm of the waves until my adventurous day settled into quiet peace.
And as I drove home, I was already thinking about my next day in Delaware County.
What would your perfect day in Delaware County look like? Have a favorite spot I missed? Let me know! Shelbi@DelawareSource.com
Meet Shelbi!
Shelbi Evans is a food columnist for Source Media Properties and a client growth strategist for Delaware Source. Her column, Bite Club, explores Central Ohio’s food scene one stop at a time, highlighting local restaurants, hidden gems, and the people who make them special, with the belief that great food brings people together and sparks connection. Features are free and often inspired by community recommendations.
