Ohio’s Historic Pearl Street Spot Where Boxing Legends And Flavor Meet
Walking down North Pearl Street in downtown Columbus feels like stepping through a time portal, and at number 19, you’ll find a place that has been serving hungry patrons since 1897.
Ringside Café sits tucked into this historic spot at 19 N Pearl St, Columbus, Ohio, where boxing memorabilia covers every inch of wall space, and the smell of charbroiled burgers fills the air.
This isn’t just another restaurant trying to recreate vintage vibes with fake decorations and manufactured nostalgia.
What makes Ringside special is its genuine connection to over a century of Columbus history, combined with burgers that customers genuinely call some of the best they’ve ever tasted.
Many of the burgers on the menu carry the name of a boxing legend, from Muhammad Ali to James Buster Douglas, Columbus’s own heavyweight champion.
The stained glass windows catch the light just right, the wooden booths have stories carved into their grain, and the staff treats you like a regular even on your first visit.
I walked through the door ready to experience what 678 reviewers had raved about, and I wasn’t disappointed by what I found inside this small but mighty establishment.
A Restaurant That Has Stood Since 1897
Most restaurants consider themselves lucky to make it past their fifth anniversary, but Ringside Café has been operating continuously since the late 1800s.
According to multiple sources and proud staff members, this makes it the longest-running restaurant in Columbus, a title that carries serious weight in a city that has seen countless dining trends come and go.
When you sit in one of those wooden booths, you’re occupying the same space where people sat during the Spanish-American War, both World Wars, and every cultural shift in between.
The building itself tells stories through its architecture.
Original stained glass windows filter colored light across the dining room, and brass fixtures that have been polished by generations of hands still gleam.
Walking inside feels less like entering a restaurant and more like visiting a living museum where you can actually touch everything and eat incredible food.
Current ownership has maintained the authentic character while keeping standards high, ensuring that this piece of Columbus history continues serving the community with the same dedication it showed back when horses still filled Pearl Street.
Burgers Named After Boxing Champions
Many of the burgers on the Ringside menu honor boxing legends, turning your meal selection into a trip through pugilistic history.
You can order the Ali, the Smokin’ Joe, the Haymaker Jalapeño Burger, or go big with the James Buster Douglas, which packs one and a half pounds of beef onto a single bun.
This naming convention isn’t just clever marketing.
It reflects the deep connection between this establishment and the sport of boxing, with photographs, posters, and memorabilia covering virtually every wall surface.
When I asked about the menu, the server explained the story behind several fighters with genuine enthusiasm.
The Douglas burger honors Columbus’s own heavyweight champion who shocked the world by defeating Mike Tyson in 1990.
Each burger comes with its own personality, from spicy and aggressive to smooth and classic.
Choosing your burger becomes more than just picking toppings.
You’re selecting which champion’s spirit you want to channel during your meal, and honestly, that makes the whole experience more fun than your typical burger joint visit.
The Haymaker Jalapeño Burger Packs Real Heat
If you can handle spice, the Haymaker Jalapeño Burger delivers exactly what its fighting name promises.
Multiple reviewers specifically called out this burger as juicy, spicy in the best way, and absolutely packed with flavor that doesn’t quit.
The jalapeños bring genuine heat without overwhelming the beef, and everything stays balanced even when your taste buds start tingling.
I watched the kitchen prepare one, and they don’t skimp on the peppers.
Fresh jalapeño slices get layered generously across the half-pound patty, which gets charbroiled to your exact specification.
The char adds another dimension of flavor that plays beautifully with the pepper heat.
What impressed me most was how the spice level enhanced rather than masked the burger’s natural beef flavor.
Too many places use heat as a gimmick to hide mediocre ingredients, but Ringside uses quality meat that can stand up to bold toppings.
The Haymaker lives up to its knockout name, and if you order it medium as I did, you’ll get a perfectly pink center with a crusty exterior that holds all those spicy, juicy elements together.
The Old School Burger Brings Championship Flavor
According to one passionate reviewer, the Old School is seriously one of the best burgers they’ve ever had, and they specifically recommended it for anyone with even moderate spice tolerance.
This burger represents what Ringside does best, combining quality beef with bold flavors that don’t apologize for making a statement.
The name suggests classic preparation, but the taste profile pushes boundaries in the best possible way.
What makes the Old School special is its balance.
You get heat, but you also get complexity.
The charbroiled preparation creates a crust that locks in juices while adding that essential grilled flavor that you simply cannot replicate on a flat-top griddle.
When I tried it, the first bite told me everything I needed to know about why people drive across Columbus specifically for this burger.
The meat quality shines through immediately, and whatever seasoning blend they use hits all the right notes.
Paired with their excellent fries, the Old School becomes a complete meal that satisfies on every level.
If you visit Ringside only once, this burger deserves serious consideration as your choice.
The Award-Winning Ali Burger
Named after Muhammad Ali himself, this burger has won actual awards and represents Ringside’s signature creation.
The Ali comes topped with coleslaw, which might sound unusual if you’ve never experienced a slaw burger, but the combination of cool, crunchy cabbage against hot, juicy beef creates textural and temperature contrasts that elevate the entire experience.
Reviews mention this burger specifically as a menu highlight, though opinions vary on execution consistency.
One customer noted that while the Ali won awards, their particular visit resulted in bland coleslaw that didn’t add much to the burger.
This kind of honest feedback actually helps, because it reminds us that even great restaurants can have off days, and kitchen consistency matters enormously when you’re dealing with fresh ingredients prepared to order.
When the Ali hits right, it showcases why simple combinations work so well.
The slaw adds moisture without making the bun soggy, and the slight acidity cuts through the richness of the beef.
I recommend asking for extra slaw if you’re a fan of that topping, and don’t be shy about requesting adjustments to make your burger exactly how you want it.
Fresh-Cut Fries That Achieve Scientific Perfection
One reviewer declared that the fries at Ringside were scientifically perfect, and after trying them myself, I understand the enthusiasm.
These aren’t frozen fries dumped from a bag.
Ringside cuts their fries fresh daily, and you can taste the difference immediately.
The potato flavor comes through clearly, and the texture hits that ideal spot between crispy exterior and fluffy interior that so many places struggle to achieve.
Multiple reviews specifically praised these fries, with customers noting they were crispy, fresh, never soggy or wiggly, and cooked to absolute perfection.
The kitchen clearly understands proper frying temperature and timing, because getting fresh-cut fries right requires more skill than most people realize.
I watched them prepare a batch, and the attention to detail impressed me.
They blanch the potatoes first, then finish them to order so you get maximum crispness.
The portions are generous enough that sharing becomes an option, though you might not want to.
These fries pair beautifully with any burger on the menu, and they hold up well even if you take your time eating, maintaining their texture better than thin-cut alternatives.
House-Made Chips Worth Ordering
Beyond the famous fries, Ringside makes their own chips in-house, offering another side option that customers consistently rave about.
These aren’t thin, delicate kettle chips.
They’re substantial slices of potato fried until crispy with just enough thickness to provide serious crunch and potato flavor.
Several reviewers mentioned the chips specifically, noting they were house-made, filling, and excellent quality.
The chips come out hot and fresh, lightly salted so the natural potato taste stays front and center.
One review mentioned their batch was slightly over-fried but still good, which again speaks to the reality of fresh preparation.
When you’re making everything to order from scratch, tiny variations happen, but the overall quality remains consistently high.
I tried both the fries and chips during my visit, and honestly, choosing between them feels impossible.
The chips offer more surface area for that satisfying crunch, and they’re sturdy enough to handle dipping if you’re into that.
They also photograph beautifully, if you’re the type who likes documenting your meals.
Either way, you’re getting a side that’s made with care rather than dumped from a freezer bag.
Onion Rings That Complement Every Burger
The onion rings at Ringside earned specific mentions in at least 21 customer reviews, which tells you something important about their quality.
These rings achieve what many restaurants struggle with: a crispy coating that doesn’t separate from the onion when you bite down.
The batter stays put, the onion inside stays sweet and tender, and the whole thing holds together structurally from first bite to last.
One reviewer noted the onion rings were awesome, while another mentioned getting them as their side choice and being thoroughly satisfied.
The portions are generous, making them suitable for sharing if you’re dining with others, though you might want to keep them all for yourself.
What I appreciated most was the freshness.
You can tell these aren’t pre-breaded frozen rings reheated to order.
The onions taste sweet and fresh, the batter has personality with good seasoning, and the frying technique ensures even browning without greasiness.
They pair especially well with the spicier burgers, offering a mild, sweet contrast that helps balance heat.
If you’re torn between fries and rings, consider ordering both and splitting them with your dining companion, or just commit to the rings and don’t look back.
Service That Handles Rush Times With Grace
Multiple reviews praised the service at Ringside, with one customer specifically calling out a server named Kelsey, who ran the entire packed restaurant solo and absolutely rocked it.
Another reviewer mentioned Jason making their trip memorable, while others noted the staff was friendly, knowledgeable, fast, and attentive even during busy periods.
This kind of consistent service praise across many reviews indicates a culture of genuine hospitality.
What impressed me most was how the staff handles pre-theater crowds.
When customers mentioned they had show times at nearby venues like the Palace Theatre or other downtown theaters, servers immediately asked about their schedule and made sure food came out with plenty of time to spare.
That kind of awareness and accommodation shows real professionalism.
The fact that servers can manage a full dining room efficiently, sometimes even solo, speaks to both their skill and the kitchen’s ability to execute quickly.
I witnessed this firsthand during a busy lunch service when one person handled everything from taking orders to delivering food to clearing tables, all while maintaining a friendly demeanor and making sure everyone felt taken care of.
That’s the kind of service that turns first-time visitors into regulars.
The Perfect Pre-Show Dining Spot
Located in the heart of downtown Columbus at 19 N Pearl St, Ringside sits within easy walking distance of major entertainment venues including the Palace Theatre and other nearby downtown theaters.
This makes it an ideal stop before catching a show, and the staff clearly understands this timing dynamic.
They’ve perfected the art of getting theater-goers fed and out the door with time to spare, without making anyone feel rushed during their meal.
On weekdays, the lunch hours run from 11 AM to 2 PM, with dinner service currently offered from 5 PM to 8 PM on Wednesday through Friday.
Saturday hours run from 5 PM to 8 PM, and the restaurant is closed on Sundays.
These hours align well with typical show schedules, and the location means you can walk to most downtown venues in under ten minutes after finishing your meal.
Parking can present challenges, as several reviews mentioned, but paid parking on Gay Street and nearby lots offer solutions.
Some customers recommended the parking lot about a block away, while others suggested the various downtown parking garages.
The slight parking hassle is absolutely worth it for the quality of food and the convenience of the location, especially when you’re planning an evening that includes dinner and entertainment.