Identifies as veteran-owned
Yes
Nutcracker Family Restaurant in Pataskala
Categories
Location on the map
Pataskala, Licking County, Ohio, US
From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Yes
Service options
Kerbside pickup
Yes
Takeaway
Yes
Dine-in
Yes
Delivery
No
Health and safety
Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits
Yes
Highlights
Fast service
Yes
Great coffee
Yes
Great dessert
Yes
Popular for
Breakfast
Yes
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Solo dining
Yes
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Yes
Offerings
Coffee
Yes
Comfort food
Yes
Healthy options
Yes
Kids' menu
Yes
Quick bite
Yes
Small plates
Yes
Dining options
Breakfast
Yes
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Dessert
Yes
Seating
Yes
Amenities
Good for kids
Yes
High chairs
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Atmosphere
Casual
Yes
Cosy
Yes
Historic
Yes
Crowd
Family friendly
Yes
Groups
Yes
Tourists
Yes
Payments
NFC mobile payments
Yes
Phone: +1 740-964-0056
Site: http://www.nutcrackerfamilyresta...
Site: http://www.nutcrackerfamilyresta...
Opening hours
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:Closed
- Wednesday:7AM–8PM
- Thursday:7AM–8PM
- Friday:7AM–8PM
- Saturday:7AM–8PM
- Sunday:7AM–2PM
Comments (199)
My wife and I had a nice lunch at the Nutcracker. The atmosphere is family oriented with a friendly staff. It was a busy time.The restaurant is done in 1950s kitchy diner decor. It is a nice atmosphere.Our food was very good and hot. However my steak for the country fried steak was previously frozen and not fresh.Overall a good meal in a friendly restaurant.
My friend and I wanted a unique non-chain place to eat. We drove an hour to get there. We were not disappointed! The menu had so many things to choose from. We decided on breakfast which is served all day. It was very good. Pancakes were delicious! The service was excellent, waitress was very attentive and friendly. We are already planning our next visit! I would definitely recommend this place!!
Like stepping into a classic diner time machine - you can’t not adore this deeply nostalgic joint!!!
Had gone there with my sister for my birthday. I have been there several times before, however, I have not been there since the pandemic. I almost always order the all you can eat fish, but they did away with it because of the rising cost due to the pandemic. My sister and I decided to order the prime rib. Some time passed before the waitress came and said they were out of the prime rib. My sister then ordered the chicken parmesan. It was a good portion and she seemed to like it. I ordered the fish and chip. They werent what I had expected, and not like any fish I had previously had when ordering fish and chips. They were should been called fish fingers because that was about the size they were. Additionally, I wanted to order their frosted root beer, but they were out of that as well. Speaking for myself, I thought the service was okay but was disappointed in the food, and overall experience. Am hoping things will improve and return back to normal once the pandemic is over.
What a great restaurant. If you get a chance to eat here I would definitely take the opportunity. The staff is absolutely amazingly helpful and grateful to have a job. The food is even better than the staff. And dont forget those pies...just wow! My experience here was nothing less than great. The restaurant is clean, the staff is helpful, and the food is amazing. Personally I cant wait to go back and try some new sandwiches and pies.
Well worth the drive! Best breakfast Ive had in quite some time. Great chicken fried steak, eggs cooked as requested, even the toast was buttered well and delicious. Cant wait to come back with the entire family.
Loved the Nutcracker. We all enjoyed our server and atmosphere. Great Diner appeal. Food was delicious. I had the special a Grouper sandwich. Wife and Father in law had the meatloaf. Cant wait to go back and enjoy breakfast. Thanks.
Decor is cool, but the food is just okay... the food is severely overpriced for the quality.I ordered the chicken parmigiana and fried mozzerella.... they charged 6.99 for 5 tiny frozen mozz. sticks...... Literally, they were cold in the middle. And they used the exact same sauce for the mozz sticks on top of the chicken parm. Just boggles my mind because how do you mess up mozzerella sticks?! The chicken itself was good, but definitely needed some seasoning.However, the pie is pretty good. I had the lemon meringue and the lemon part of it was thick, perfectly sweet.The old signs showing the old prices for diner food make you feel like youre in a capitalist dystopia for sure here.3 stars because it wasnt all bad, but not great ...not worth a revisit for me.
Great little old fashioned/hometown diner feel. The inside is really neat with thousands of nutcracker dolls everywhere. Service was excellent and everyone was very friendly and hospitable. I got the Steak and Eggs with home fries and toast, which was excellent. Everyone else got the 1/3 lb burger with fries and added their own twist to it (which everyone said their food was great too). Prices are very reasonable and I wish I had saved room for desert. Next time, as I will definitely return.
Beautiful little throwback mom/pop diner, with a very friendly staff.Very nostalgic, yet very festive (Christmasy) with a substantial number of Nutcrackers on display.The food and deserts were absolutely amazing and served hot and fresh.The server was exceptionally knowledgeable about the menu and was beyond friendly, yet did not overstay or hover and was exceptionally attentive.From the experience we had; we are truly excited for a return visit.
Ate there for our first time on Sunday 3/27 at 12:15pm, first off let me say the food was very good, great portions and good prices. I got the meatloaf stack and my wife got the chicken & noodles. I wanted mac & cheese but they were out. I also wanted to try their award winning snicker cookie pie but was told we dont have that todayMy only reason for 4-stars was our waitress, she was not friendly and acted like she didnt want to be there. She never returned to ask if we needed a refill or how everything was .. she only returned with her handheld check out machine and said you paying by card? Thats when i said we were thinking about dessert and the snicker cookie pie and she said we dont have that today I made sure my tip reflected her service and unfriendliness
This place is absolutely worth going out of the way for. The food, the aesthetic, and the waiters were great. I got the open beef something or other and I havent had something that good in a long time. Definitely coming back if Im in the area
Skylar was very friendly, prompt, courtesy, & his service was spot on. Food excellent. Portions very generous for price. Special & food were well worth it . Quinoa & cauliflower burger was excellent. Nice variety of various foods for everyone. Thank you for an excellent dining experience!!!
The was my first time here and I loved it. It wont be my last. The food was greatEsp the cream puffs. Staff was friendly and good waitresses. Very pleased with this restaurant. Thank you nutcracker family restaurant
Friendly service, great price and friendly staff. Loved it!
Old school diner with good food. If I could give an additional 1/2 ⭐ I would! My kiddos love it here. Like any restaurant, they often train new servers so sometimes you may need to be patient. The only thing I dont like is the pay at the table system/card reader. The last few times the server had problems with it. I prefer to have a minute to think about my tip on my own. But they dont always use it. Overall a cute small town restaurant.
For those who have a fondness for diner atmospheres and food, the Nutcracker Family Restaurant will serve you up both! On first entering, you are greeted by that specific aroma that can only come from diner food. Anyone who has the same love for this cuisine will know exactly what I am talking about – and you are probably thinking about it right now. Next you will next notice a remarkable collection of memorabilia and signage from movies, TV, radio, and pop culture. When you enter the dining room, you will be transported to another era. The tribute that the owners have paid to times gone by is truly amazing.Now let’s talk about the meal offerings. You are going to have your choice from some diner classics such as burgers, fries, onion rings, malts, and more. But if that is not everyone’s thing, you also have the option to order other foods. This will encompass everything from a spaghetti dinner to a vegetarian burger. But consider your order sparingly – you are going to want room for that dessert. They have in-house made pies that will make you want to run home to grandma. My personal recommendations are the Nutcracker Burger with a side of onion rings or the Open Face Beef sandwich with mash and gravy.The staff and kitchen have always been friendly and accommodating. If you are in the Pataskala area, you do not want to pass by this one. Enjoy!
The first thing notable about this place is the decor. From the outside you dont really see much but when you first walk in its like going into the past. You are instantly hit with old timey nostalgia from the moment you walk in. Then you notice something....Nutcrackers. Nutcrackers everywhere! The service is excellent and milkshakes are a must here. The food is as ordinary as it is great and this place packs a one of a kind experience.
It was very busy, but still had good service. Nice menu and reasonable prices. Food was hot and done well. Great atmosphere
Update: Sunday, September 5th, 2021Its become even more popular! Sunday is awesome! A happy crowd being delighted by our servers! For instance, the picture I have of Doronda, our server. She is posing next to the classic gas pump with the 57 Chevy in the background. Doronda has been at The Nutcracker for years! Leave her no less than $5.00. And her pic is unique. This pic is 1 of 1. Period.So come on out! The Nutcracker is closed on Monday. And Tuesday thru Saturday, you can dine from 7am to 8pm.=======The ambiance of a 50s diner! And, will ALL those scary nutcrackers! But, a very enjoyable restaurant after a man calms down!Keith CareyPsalm 34
Excellent family comfort food served fresh, hot and tasty. Home fries are real potatoes and sausage gravy was to die for ‼️. GREAT people working there and friendly ☺️ worth a trip from anywhere in Ohio. ‼️👍🍴
Be prepared for a busy place but anytime you attend a restaurant that has such great food and must see decor, you can expect it to be busy. Wonderful food and fantastic employees.
The Nutcracker offers it all, good food, friendly staff, and atmosphere. Every visit has been a 5 star visit. Whether you go for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you wont be disappointed.
To loud, very crowded. Could not hear to have a conversation at our table. Food was ok but nothing to write home about. Service was wonderful and 1950s atmosphere was cute.
A cool nostalgic place to grab a bite to eat. We enjoyed the breakfast but Im sure everything is good. Definitely will eat here again when in area.
A nice small town diner! Id rather eat here than a big name restaurant anyday. Service is good, food is good. What more can you ask for!?
I had the meatloaf on mashed potatoes and sour dough bread. The food was stellar, we will return.
What a great place....1st time customer could not be more pleased.Super friendly staff quick service and excellent food.Every single person both staff and customers seemed so happy to be there....what a great atmosphere. I will be back for sure.
Its like walking into a blast from the past, old school diner! The breakfast dishes were great! The coffee is good and staff are fun to talk to! Ill definitely be coming back!
The atmosphere there is fantastic 50s style with lots of memorabilia to spark conversations and for some bring back fond memories of days gone by.I went to The Nutcracker today for the first time after speaking with a fellow veteran who had recently returned from an honor flight 2 Washington DC. The owners were so gracious to provide free meals which included anything on the menu, a drink, free refill, and a slice of pie or dessert of choice in Honor of Memorial day.Their Dark Root Beer is very flavorful so I definitely had to have a second frosty mug.Ill definitely return with my young children and family so they can experience the old style jukebox and atmosphere.I highly recommend this location. It has a beautiful Hometown feel to it and such great service across the board makes you feel like family.
I had a BTL with no tomatoes with American cheese and a fried egg on top and French fries and a root beer float and my food tastes really good 👍🏽
Amazing food and service! You can take whole homemade pies home at an excellent price. Definitely one of our favorites.
Love the quaint nostalgic 50s atmosphere & nutcracker theme! Nice menu with a lot of breakfast options. Customer service was very good! Lots of parking up front & in back!
Absolutely hands down my favorite Diner Ive been to in Decades.Everyones is so so friendly and amazing.The food is so yummy.You have to go to the Nutcracker you will fall in love
The Nutcracker is a beautiful place, as soon as you step in you are take to the 60s. The decoration is inspiring and the amount of nutcrackers is unbelievable. The food is delicious and the size is enough to get you full. Do try the pulled pork, my wife said it was the best she ever had. I recommend the hot dog with chili. The staff is lovely and prepared to give you suggestions in case it is your first time.
I like The Nutcracker. Good diner food and the pies are to die for. The decor is spot on!
A very fun spot and a true Central Ohio destination. The food is old school and very good, the service is throwback small town friendly and caring. And the candy counter is pretty cool as well!
Very nostalgic place and great food which causes it to be a very busy place. Wait times usually not to long, on Sunday make sure you get there before church lets out.
Had the country fried steak breakfast and it is super delicious. I love how crispy the steak was too, want to definitely recommend it
Cool decor to make you feel like your back in time. I got breakfast an it was ok but my toast was burnt. Service was pretty good. I’d go back when in area.
Everything was great. Fun atmosphere. Delicious breakfast. Friendly and attentive service. If you are in the area this is a must. We were here for breakfast. Will be back.
Food was fresh and warm. I had the fried chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans. I loved the chicken and mashed potatoes were NOT instant. Thats always a good sign. I had the poultry gravy on the mashed potatoes....again good! Im not much of a cut green bean fan. It came from a can. Thats the only thing I didnt like. From one cook to another, use whole green beans, fry or bake the bacon until done and put the bacon grease in the green beans. Then, crumble the already cooked bacon pieces in the green beans. Heat until boiling, turn the fire down low and let the flavors cook into the green beans for 20 minutes or so. They taste like you picked them from the garden and cooked them. You can never tell the difference.Everything else, chocolate cream pie and shake was good. Alisah got the shake and we brought a pie home.Our waitress was Johnny on the spot and friendly. Checkout was nice. We LOVED LOVED LOVED the 50s diner! We will definitely go back.
Wonderful place! Awesome wait staff! Cream puffs to die for! We had a great time and will definitely be back! We saw the restaurant in the Ohio Traveler and we werent disappointed coming from Cincinnati.
My husband and I love the Nutcrackers food but I gave it 3 stars this time because of their curbside service ( 4 for the food and 2 for the service). Normally we go in and eat but tonight I was feeling really lousy after getting my vaccine booster and flu shot and my husband was out of town for the day so I ordered curbside. After taking my order the girl asked me for a description of my car, told me it would be 10 or 15 minutes and then she hung up. I drive up and park right in front of the door and I waited. And waited. And waited. After waiting in my car for 20 minutes I went inside and I was told by the cashier that they didnt bring it out because I wasnt parked in the Curbside Service spot. First of all, they didnt tell me that, second I didnt even see it because a truck was in the way and third I was only 2 spaces down from the spot. How hard would it have been to take a peek outside and see that I was out there? When I got home I had to reheat my food because it was cold. This is unacceptable.
Food was good as always. We love the great nutcrackers displayed everywhere and kept clean amazingly. I would pull my hair out trying to keep them dusted. It is an old fashioned diner type restaurant with reasonable prices. Stop in and give them a try. You wont be sorry !
Classic diner style breakfast. The food was very good and reasonably priced.The staff is very friendly.As long as you are not creeped out eating with hundreds of nutcrackers watching you, this is a great place.
I have been here many times in the few months since Ive discovered this place. Is it kitschy? Yes, absolutely, but that is part of its charm. The food is good - especially for the price. The servers are friendly. I am slowly working through the booths to get a view of each and every one of the nutcrackers that are on display. Dont forget to save some room for a slice of pie!
Wonderful mom n pop restaurant. The food was amazing!
Atmosphere was very 50s . Coke theme of old days. We had a waitress that was wonderful and patient with the older crowd. Everyone enjoyed their meal
I absolutely love this place. Their breakfast is really good and their sandwiches are awesome theyre fish sandwich is wonderful and very very large. And also they have a very good chicken parmesan.
I love this small, family owned diner. Hometown restaurant is well known for their many nutcrackers, buttttt the inside is like a 60s diner! I looooove the vibe and the home cooked meals!
Love it. Great food and service. Quite little place. Will be back for sure.
The best nostalgia 50s style diner in the midwest. Great food, great service and better atmosphere then some of the Disney 50s type restaurants. Just get here!
Great food and service! Worth the drive! I was very impressed with how clean everything was. We will be back.
This was my second time giving this place a chance. Ordered the spaghetti the first time and it was a bunch of watered down noodles. Gave it a second chance yesterday ordered the chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese. Found a chicken bone in the soup. Place is disgusting and wont be back.
Great atmosphere, great burgers and onion rings! Cant wait to return!
Very good everytime we go.good food, good service. Tried the meatloaf stack. It was delicious. And for my side I got a deep fried cobbet. First time. It was delicious.
Food was decent. Decor was amazing. Unique little diner
Busy black friday breakfast time. Friendly staff. Food arrived quickly and correct. Standard breakfast food. Home fries are deep fried potato chunks, not done on flat top. Sausage gravy average.2 breakfasts, 1 coffee and a water was 23.88.Lunch and dinner menu has quite the variety of options.Well definitely stop again but may not go out of the way to make a trip. Very friendly staff.*Update...2nd visit - anyone else think $8.57 is a tad much for 2 cups of coffee and 3 strips of bacon? I wish homefries were an option. Steak & eggs were solid.
Great food at a fair price. Bakery items are delicious. Fun old fashion candy for the gradchildren.
Great food and atmosphere. A must visit for someone just visiting town. Just wish they had longer hours and open more often.
This restaurant has a very unique atmosphere! The food was excellent and the service was perfect. Also they are huge supporters of the military and have excellent Veterans day events! I will be coming again soonEdit: I ate at Millstone BBQ (a well known Ohio BBQ place) this week and then ate at the Nutcracker. The ribs at the Nutcracker were insanely better than an actual BBQ joint
Good food, prices and service. Also, they sell candy, nuts, chocolates and homemade pies, very delicious!
Service was fast, server was attentive, food was good and I think this is the only place that hasnt raised their prices.
This place is great! Been here twice and have not been disappointed!
Great food at a really great price go to this place every morning for breakfast :)
Excellent food and super nice server. We will be going back soon.
Nice place for diner food in a Nutcracker environment. The club sandwich was huge and tasted amazing. I really loved the fries too. My son had the Country Fried Steak and enjoyed it. Service was fast from start to finish. Ill be back. Sorry I forgot to take pictures, i was hungry.
Marsha was awesome!!! She took great care of us and even refilled our beverages before they were empty the entire time we dined! Even when we cashed out, she asked if we wanted more. 😊 She was amazing and took great care of us.
I love their pie. I also like their homemade corn beef hash with scrambled eggs.
Great place to enjoy any meal Breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Ive loved this place since I was younger. Always a great atmosphere, and wonderful staff. Oh yeah cant forget the great food. 5 stars isnt enough
Steak & eggs were awesome! And who doesnt love cheesy hash brown casserole!? Seriously... Do yourself a favor & order a cinnamon roll as your breakfast appetizer!
Went in and immediately was seated. Waitress got our drink order and gave us ample time to peruse the menu. My wife ordered pork tenderloin and I ordered fish and chips. The tenderloin was big as a pancake. Food hot and atmosphere very pleasant. Beautiful Nutcrackers everywhere and a 50s theme. Love this place. Very well done.
Didnt quite know what to expect before walking in but holy moly what a neat little joint. Theyve got all kinds of goodies for sale like pies and candies and different kinds of fresh baked treats! As far as the menu I dont know if you could get a better spread. If youre feeling it odds are they got it.The meatloaf was absolutely delicious. Nice and juicy but holds together well. Potatoes were creamy and full of flavor. The brown gravy, oh my lord the brown gravy! Give the cook in the back a high five for me cause mama Mia!10/10 going back.Might try to haggle the sale of the slash nutcracker!.
Great burgers, excellent comfort food options. Great service.
Good food, nice atmosphere and awesome service!
Love this place! Awesome food and friendly staff. Grab a cream puff on your way out!
It was great! I had the hot dog with onion rings and local made amish apple sauce. Best ever!! My wife had the burger and fries. That wasnt a frozen patty either, fresh and delicious!! My wife had the coconut cream pie for dessert. It was a fresh home made crust and was phenomenal!! I had a vanilla malt and that was exceptional! My daughter is a real hot dog fan so were coming back here on her birthday. Looked like they had some dinner specials throughout the week, not sure if they change or not, but Ill check out the steak on Saturday night and fried chicken on Thursdays. The people at the next table had the chicken and it looked and smelled awesome! Good stuff!
Great local diner featuring the typical fare. Pies and desserts are fantastic and frequently win competitions.
Our ABSOLUTE favorite family restaurant for a weekly meal!!! We have lived in Pataskala for 11 years and we eat in The Nutcracker at least one night a week. My favorite meal is the BELT sandwich . . . with onion and American cheese added. The kiddos love the mini-corndogs and chocolate pudding. ALWAYS feels like home!!!
Really great food with a great price. Highly recommend
Great food and great service. Our group of 11 was seated quickly.
A nice environment, 50s decor, nutcrackers of every description lining the walls and dividers. My wife loves her grilled cheese with pulled pork. My fish sandwich: yes it was huge and well over the bun, but to be honest the fish inside was quite thin and it would have been much better if it was thicker between the layers of batter with less length. The last few inches on one end had almost no fish inside and I have been really conscientious of my fried foods.
Very happy with my visit here . Feels like home with great food . 10/10 would recommend.
Had breakfast, the food was exactly what I ordered and hot. My server was excellent.
Food was great as always. Server was forgetful multiple times. Had better servers there in the past. Gqve our appetizer to the wrong table. Had to wait for refills and remind her repeatedly for things we asked for. They werent that busy or I wouldnt have been so concerned. Still tipped 20% giving her the benefit of the doubt she was just having an off day. Never had that problem before there. Hopefully was just a fluke. Food was great though as always as I already said.
What a wonderful place to eat. Took me back to the 50s. Food was excellent. Coleslaw had a great taste, just the way I like it made. The fantail shrimp and fried red potatoes was perfect. Well worth the drive. Will definitely be back
Nice old school dinner feel. Lots of fresh baked goods. Burger was excellent
Love the old school vibe of this great restaurant Great food and good prices highly recommend
Great food. Clean. Super friendly.
Good food, great menu and delicious desserts
Friendly staff, nice owners, excellent home made Amish type pies. Owner won a Pillsbury Bake off for her Snicker Doodle dessert. Diner style food. Update really nice new tables and counter tops, staff said they were under new ownership
Worst Mangers attitudes towards customer and employees. They answered called so rudely most tasteless food ever.
Friendly staff, quick service and great food! The atmosphere is fun and family friendly. The frost top root beers are really good!
Well worth leaving the interstate. Amazing interior, great food, great service!
First time. Food was fabulous, especially the pies! Employees were great and the restaurant decor well worth the visit. Definitely will visit again.
Good food and service. Been here many times.
Great food, superb service, and reasonable prices. Large servings--enough to share. Bought candy for family treats.
Food is great and staff is kind. Not long wait time.
As luck would have it, I’ve been working nearby. This place has consistently produced great food at a great price. There’s nothing better than being greeted with good food after a day working in the rain. The Nutcracker’s nostalgic ambiance coupled with the warm hospitality of the staff makes this one worth the trip.
My favorite diner!! I love going here in the fall after a trip to Lynds. The atmosphere is cozy but eclectic. The food is delicious, and it gives me all the good warm and fuzzy feelings.
Great food. Only reason they get 4 stars instead of 5 is they dont sell liquor or beer. Well priced and great food you cant go wrong. There custard pie is amazing.
The food was excellent I had the tenderloin sandwich, my daughter had the Philly cheese steak it was loaded. We really enjoyed it, the atmosphere is so welcoming and the service is excellent. I highly recommend it.
The food is great. Got the Big Breakfast and WOW, alot of good food. Served by a waitress who was very attentive. The atmosphere was local regulars having great conversations. Well worth the visit. You will feel welcome and enjoy everything they have.
Freah chips and a delicious burger! All with great service in a nice calm atmosphere. Came to etna for an interview wish i could stay for the food. This is a great place to stop.
Trish was so sweet! Checked on my fiance and I many times. She was super happy and down to earth. Sometimes it just takes that one person to make or break your experience somewhere. She made us feel welcome! The food was great also! Thank you!
Very expensive food was not very good they even messed the salad up I dont recommend it at all
Awesome atmosphere. Friendly staff. Good good too! We will definitely be going back.
Expected atmosphere and food for a diner. Wait staff very friendly and prompt service.
This was our first visit.. The restaurant is cute. However, the service was less than desirable. We waited a long time for our waitress to take our orders. Each time we asked for something it took her too long to get a packet of salt or ketchup, a drink refill and etc. We waited a very long time for a to-go order for their grilled cinnamon roll. When it was brought to us by another person she looked less than happy. Maybe because we got up to check on it?I recommend going just to see the 50s style. Hope the service is better than ours.
50s style dinner with but crackers lining the walls and such. Fish sandwich was huge but very things, too thin. The grilled cheese with pulled pork was to my wifes liking and expect the burgers are great.
Delicious food, excellent service, highly recommended.
This is just the cutest 50s style diner. The food is really good, the people working there, are very friendly.
I got simple hot dog and cup of chili. The hot dog was a big fat juicy dog not a little tiny skinny dog. Nice surprise. Havent had a bad meal there yet. Ill be back.
Nice family setting. Good food. Friendly staff. Eat in dining. My wife and I go for lunch or dinner.
Great liver and onions. Very few restaurants have it but they do a great job!!
A little hidden gem of Pataskala, Ohio it features a menu and decor straight outta the 1940s. The food is pretty good and the staff always friendly. For all you fish lovers Try the Perch.
Great service and awesome good. Love the family dinner style atmosphere. Never knew they made that make different nutcrackers. Great place to go for a great meal. Will be back again.
Neat looking retro diner with hundreds of different style nutcracker and other 50s and 60s items on display.
What a great place! Love the decor and 50s atmosphere, very good food at fair prices, friendly staff. Definitely recommend! Thanks to Buddy for the kindness he showed us.
The staff was very kind and the food was wonderful.
I had ordered Liver & Onions, liver was so tender and they are not afraid to put on the onions, had enough for every bite. Delicious meal. And the homemade pie, OMG !!
Been a while since weve come here. Food was great came out quick and the staff was very friendly as always. This restaurant does a lot for the community and happy to support them during these crazy times!
I love this place but I had an issue this week. I ordered an entrée that came with one side. I saw sliced tomatoes and thought, yum, were in season. Wrong. What I got were pale, tasteless hothouse maters folks. If youre gonna have tomatoes as a side please, please, please only serve the good ones when theyre in season. See you soon!!!
Always good food and friendly staff.
Went to nutcracker restaurant in Pataskala and order a sandwich and ask for extra onions and was charge a extra.60 cents for the onions sandwich came with lettuce and tomato and pickle with mayoOrder sandwich without tomato and pickle but really couldn’t believe they charged extra for onionsWow what a rip offWaitress gave us bill before anything was served and then kept asking if we wanted to pay cash or credit before we had finished our mealHow rudeNever would come back here or recommend this Nutcracker restaurant to anyoneWaitress was so rude
Went to The Nutcracker couple weeks ago skillet breakfast is outstanding. And everyone that works there is so friendly. A good family restaurant and a must-try
First time here. Great food, great price, and nice employees. Vanilla milkshake was 10/10
Very nice, the food was great and the staff was very nice.
Very nice. Fast service with a greeting and a smile.
A nice out of the way restaurant with nutcrackers everywhere you look. There has to several hundred of them. We stopped in for lunch and found the servers were all wearing face masks and they had a number of tables blocked off with signs and 4 military nutcrackers on them for social distancing. They had large plexiglass panels dividing the booths that customers were seated at. The food was good size and tasted very good. The server refilled our beverages without us asking. I had a pork tenderloin sandwich, onion rings and coleslaw. The tenderloin was the size of a small dinner plate, I had to fold it over to try to fit it on a small sub bun. It was delicious. My wife had a pot roast open face sandwich with potatoes and coleslaw. She said it was good.Server staff were friendly and checked on us often. Glad that we found the restaurant.
I always loved this diner. Friendly staff, no long wait time for food.
Good service good food fun place for the kids
I love this local restaurant! It is truly a 50’s style diner with incredible food! Also the root beer is the best! They have a big menu selection of sandwiches, dinners as well as deserts. The milk shakes are incredible! Love the lobby area with the old fashion candy and chocolate.
While not a bad experience the food was fairly good. i ordered the quarter pound burger witch came with fries the fries were delicious and some of the best i have had. the burger was OK not amazing but certainly not the worst i have had. the atmosphere was really cool and the service was very nice but we did not get our sides at the same time as our meal one never came at all and my burger did not have any of the toppings i asked for overall not a bad experience.Thank you for addressing my concerns i have updated my review to 4 stars for the close attention to customers criticism even if they are not world class critics.
FANTASTIC food and prices were very reasonable. The Retro 40s and 50s decor is spot on with Nutcrackers all about...So much fun!! Well be back...highly recommend!
This place has always been five stars. Ive never had a bad meal. We took two newbies to the restaurant in their meals were good as well even though one salad came without spinach when spinach was ordered. I also love the cool little candies they have at this restaurant and all of the 50s type memorabilia around. I always get cashews from the front counter cuz theyre warm and delicious as well. Dont be afraid to go here or take friends here that havent been to this location before.
ABSOLUTELY delightful experience! I had gone previously with three friends and knew I needed to take my family there as well❗. Quick, friendly service, and food was delicious‼️👍🏼. Atmosphere was authentic and I wouldnt hesitate to recommend this for a delightful mealtime pleasure.🥰
Ive only been here once so far, stopped in for lunch after apple picking nearby, but I enjoyed the place enough to come back the next time Im in the area. The food was pretty good, and at a good value. The staff were all quite friendly, and I dig the 50s diner decor that they have. I really want to try a few more of their really good looking deserts, but by the time I was done with lunch I was too stuffed. Only a pity I dont live closer, or Id be here more often!
We do more carry out meals than eat in. Thet are good meals and l ask them to watch the salt and they do. Pies are homemade.
The staff was very sociable and friendly. Many, many nutcrackers abound. Extensive menu and food was good. It was a diner type atmosphere, very clean, masks were worn.
Cool decor. Very clean and attentive. Great menu selection. Tasty comfort food. Plus extra goodies...candy, nuts and delicious pies. This is our new go to diner.
This place will take you back in time!! They have great food!!! Atmosphere is great and the people are great that run it. Nice whole in the wall place to take your family and friends to eat and chill. Everyone should experience this place at least once on their life time.
Cool spot. Glad I discovered it. Good atmosphere. Employees were smiling!
Good food, great service and great enviroment
Quite the surprise. Stopped in for a quick bite and walked into a candy bonanza. Literally all the hard to find greats in one place. Candy buttons, Charleston Chew in every flavor, Slow Poke, Clark Bars and Cups(!), Mallow, dude they even got Lik-A-Nip, and Teaberry Gum.... what!?!?! Only thing missing is a container full of those whistles that spin up and go WHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! (and I probably just missed those anyways)Ordered the Pork Tenderloin Sandwich with chips, $7.99. Open my takeout and the tenderloin covers the whole box. Folded it in half to fit the toasted bun. It was really good, not dry or chewy. Basically a thin country fried pork steak patty, would be killer with some country gravy and mashed potatoes (who knows could be on the menu, I spent more time looking at candy... of course).
Love this place. If the food wasnt any good, Id still love it, but the food is good. They have an old fashioned candy counter (& soda fountain? Theres a counter with stools where you can order ice cream anyway). The decor is very unique, furnished with really cool antiques and of course, NUTCRACKERS! Tons and tons of nutcrackers of all sizes. They have a working bandbox with a mechanical band that begins to play some ragtime jazz when the curtain opens. Its eye-candy as far as the eye can see. The food is good and reasonably priced. Great desserts & friendly staff. Great for all ages.
Very cute diner vibes, nutcrackers everywhere and typical booths with plexiglass between for covid. Food was honestly just ok, but it was super cheap so I cant complain.
Weve been by this place a million times. Finally decided to eat lunch there the other day. Absolutely worth it!! Loved everything about this place the moment we walked in. Full of families enjoying their weekend. Smiling staff. Decor was great. Really colorful old 50s diner vibe. We had fried bologna sandwich, huge cinnamon roll, chicken fingers and cold draft rootbeer. Had s wonderful time and will definitely be back!
Always great food and fun! We have been going for years and it’s truly a gift to the Columbus area!
We enjoyed our lunch at The Nutcracker Family Restaurant today. This was our first time going to this restaurant. In our party we ordered The Nutcracker Burger, fried shrimp and the chicken noodles dinner. We all enjoyed our meals. We didnt wait long to be seated and they were pretty busy as it was lunchtime. We also got the old fashioned root beer. It was very good! And our server was very nice and attentive. The applesauce was also very good!
A very nice, local, family-friendly spot. Generous to veterans as well. Diner food is always welcome and all-day breakfasts cannot be beat! Fair portions and prices. Try the homemade pies as well because they are great. You can even get whole pies to go. Decor is fun as well. Recommended.
This was our first time here and it did not disappoint. When we first walked in it had a really cool old school diner feel to it. We both ordered the breakfast skillet and it was really good. It was like grandma was in the back fixing it up. 😊 We will definitely be back to try the dinner menu and try some of their yummy award winning pies.
I had the Patti melt on rye & homemade blueberry pie - seriously the best tasting! Burger was quite big in the melt & the pie was spilling over on the plate & ever so good. I will defiantly return! They also did the covid protocols for those who worry - it was safe.
Proud to have this diner in my neighborhood! Friendly service and tasty food (dont forget about the selection of chocolate at checkout!)
Awesome 50s style place. Well maintained and clean. I had read previous reviews but wanted to try on my own. Kelly was our server. She was attentive and sweet. Food was great! Fried corn on the cob melted in my mouth. Serving sizes were perfectly portioned, so things didnt get wasted. Sweet potatoes fries werent considered an upcharge, which is not common, so, of course, I ordered those! Hubbys food was also great and my granddaughters portions were just right. While we paid Sarah, at the cashiers counter, offered up change for my granddaughter to ride the horse in the corner. Sadly, I didnt have room for pie, which was plentiful and looked amazing. I guess Ill save that for next time, which will be soon!
The service was great. The food was delicious. And it wasnt a long wait. I would definitely go back and I would recommend it to a friend .
Great for kids and kids-at-heart!! Tasty, affordable and fun decor. Old-fashioned candies for purchase at the front counter!p
Delicious food & friendly service!!! Great decor, nutcrackers everywhere! Very clean. Homemade pies & desserts looked absolutely mouth-watering! Chocolates and retro candy. Youve got to eat here!
The waitress was great, but the food leaves a lot to be desired. Average flavor at best. The portions are way over priced for their size, $2.00 for 2 tiny meatballs smaller than a golf ball? If you order a hot fudge Sunday, they make it half portioned to the other flavors but still charge full price. Very disenchanted.
A neat little diner with friendly staff and service. Nothing super special about the diner menu. Eggs, toast, pancakes, etc. They do have a pie case for desserts and other old time candies at the register. Coffee was a little watery for my taste, but this is a great local spiot and perfect for a regular breakfast or lunch rotation.
Took the family there for dinner once. Food was decent, staff was friendly and the decor was a nice. Went to pay the bill and inquired as to whether or not they offered a military discount. The response that I got was I feed you people for free twice a year, youre not getting anything else. I paid for our meals and informed the pleasant lady that shed never have to be concerned with feeding my family or i ever again, for free or otherwise!
Cute 50*s style dinner. Good basic home cooking. Excellent pies for dessert.
Great food and dining experience!!! We were greeted by the hostess and was asked “booth or table?” I requested a booth and even though there were a couple open tables, she happily cleaned a booth for my wife and I. The service by Chad was excellent and the food was as well! After our meal I ordered a chocolate shake but was told the machine was broken. Chad offered a free slice of pie for the inconvenience. Believe me, I love a good milk shake, but the chocolate peanut butter pie was really, really good!
This was the 1 St. time in here and it wont be the last. The food was good and the service was better. I had the prime rib and mash potatoes special that was very good. Also tried three onion rings and the home made cream of mushroom soup that were both good. The cases were full of great looking desserts but I was too full to try them. Charming 50s style atmosphere kept my eyes busy in a pleasant way and lots of colorful nutcrackers, hence the name. This family owned gem is a must stop if in the area and worth to drive if your not.
Great service. This place is neat and cool stop on a road trip. It gets a bit crowded on Sunday mornings but you get a table and served quick enough. Food is good, old school, nothing pretentious, just what it is and done right. Deserts are crazy big, so make sure to leave some space for it.
My wife and I have made the Nutcracker our regular local breakfast establishment. We generally try and visit once a week and the staff knows us by name on the Thursday morning crew to the point we dont even usually need menus when we show up. Great people, good food and consistently friendly service where locals feel welcome and strangers are treated like locals.
I really enjoyed the cool atmosphere and all of the unique nutcrackers everywhere. Ive gone here for lunch a few times and there is always a line out the door but for good reason. The food is great and the waiting staff is really friendly. Plus whats better than breakfast food all day?!? I will continue to eat here and highly recommend it.
We stopped in for All You Can Eat Fish Friday. I had the pollock, dad had the perch. Also at our table was a kids hotdog with apple sauce, chicken noodles and gravy, a regular perch dinner and a liver and onions. All dishes were well portioned, and the service fantastic. Great looking desserts and what a selection, one party took home a sampling of quite a bit of these pies. Great prices as well.
If you are looking for a place where you can enjoy the diner comfort food of the 50s, this is the place. Everything is home made, the service is friendly, and the decor is right out of American Graffiti. The menu is extensive, breakfast is available all day, and they offer daily specials, like all you can eat fried chicken. Forget the chain restaurant and give this place a try.
This was my second time here. First time was for my 65th birthday this time for my 70th. Love the food the staff is so nice.
Fast friendly service, great food reasonably priced. We has the fish and chips, and the pork tenderloin
The service was good, friendly and prompt. The place was well attended with a homey atmosphere. The food was well prepared, seasoned and presented.
Very good service. The food is excellent everytime we go. Great for one or a couple and even family. Great American feel restaurant and i love the 50s classic look
After hearing that the Nutcracker Family Sweets won one of the 10 regional awards for the 2019 General Mills Neighborhood to Nation contest for their Double Decker Banana Cream Cake, figured we would try it out.Well their breakfast meals are just as award winning as the Banana Cream Cake. Country Fried Steak with gravy was absolutely delicious. Pancakes nice and fluffy. Come with an empty stomach, because you are going to love their food. Not only is the food is delicious but the staff is super friendly.Highly recommend this place and it’s worth the drive from Columbus Ohio.
Went back this morning for breakfast (first time since they reopened). Great place. EXTREMELY clean. Plexiglass hanging between booths made us feel safe without feeling confined. Food as good as always. GLAD to see theyre back +++
A family oriented atmosphere. 50s style diner with a wide assortment of memorabilia to look at, the number one being nutcrackers. The food is awesome and you get large portions for VERY REASONABLE PRICES. This month kids get a real old time lunch box with kids meals. My kids loved it! I highly recommend a visit
For a classic cooked dinner meal the Nutcracker is the place. But on a special or weekend morning be early or be in line oh and great pie.
I have been there a couple of times. Even though they appeared busy we were seated in a timely fashion and service was fantastic. The food was very tasty and reasonably priced. Love the nostalgia and the atmosphere. Highly recommend
We had dinner at the Nutcracker. Generous portion of spaghetti with 2 meatballs,bread stick & salad for under $10.00. They have a good variety of pies and other desserts to choose. In addition their collection of nutcrackers they have various advertising items on the walls. The have a counter with stools as well as booths to accommodate diners.
I love going here and taking out-of-town friends here. The 50s Decor is delightful and the food has always been good. I am stuck on breakfast so I always get that. Love their sausage gravy
Great food and attentitive waitstaff! Really a great place. Would have given 5 stars but it was very loud. Not a place Id recommend for anyone with sensory issues. Otherwise tho, absolutely amazing.
The food wasnt very good. Everything taste like it came out of a can. The service wasnt great. It was my first time there and it seemed they expected me to know the in and outs of their menu.The decor was kinda cool with all the 50s stuff, but there is way too many items on every self. It felt dirty. I wont be going back. I expect more from a family small town restaurant. Bob Evans is much better.
Great family restaurant!They are thinking great care for their customers during the current pandemic. The food is also very delicious!
Wife had house breakfast and a cinnamon roll. I had prime rib, eggs , potatoes, toast.We have eaten there over the years and the quality continues to be a hallmark.
We get here around once a month and always enjoy our visit. The food never disappoints and you can tell its a favorite with the locals. A varied menu... Daily specials and on the way out a candy selection that includes a lot of your childhood favorites. If youve never been to the Nutcracker... You gotta try it!
This place was clean and friendly. We came after seeing them featured on tv news about honoring veterans. Such a wonderful thing to do to give back. However, we had a party of 5, we all ordered different dinners and sorry to say none of us were happy with our food. It did meet our expectations.
Excellent and quick service, food is top notch down home style cooking but a little better. Very clean and well organized restaurant with a small old time candy store up front. Bathrooms are clean and well kept up. A very unique place - one of those places you should experience at least once.
Total reviews rating 4.5
199 Reviews for Nutcracker Family Restaurant 2023:
Review №1
2022-06-04What a cute suprise of a find!This is not only a down home restaurant, they also have a small candy shop and bakery right there.The candies were all kinds of old fashioned ones and some homemade ones also.The restaurant is decorated with all types and sizes of nutcrackers.It is quite charming and a good place for food.Home cooking served fast and hot. And plenty of it for a good $.Make it a point to stop when you see it and you wont be sorry.
Review №2
2022-01-30Popular local restaurant with a 1950s style theme, complete with Nutcrackers. We got in quickly, the food was good, our server Katie was a friendly lil cutie that kept the coffee flowing. We had breakfast, but the dinner plates I saw at other tables looked quite good. They also make their own pies, candies and other assorted treats. Would recommend, will visit again.
Review №3
2022-06-12Some place new! I think I love this place! Worth the drive. Beautiful country side! Pretty amazing memorabilia! Amazing servers! All super kind! Food was excellent! Fast service! I seen all the plates being served and I have to come back to try something new. Pork tenderloin was great! Thank you for making our little get lost somewhere and try some place new perfect!
Review №4
2022-01-21Absolutely loved the decor of the place. Lots of vintage items on display. The prices were decent but I was disappointed in my food. It was lacking flavor and the eggs tasted weird to me.The waitress was friendly as well.
Review №5
2022-03-11Amazing place. Kids will love here. Gem of the town I say. I loved this place for its interior and ambiance l. Food is good of course. So many nutcrackers standing in different sizes and colors. This place is a must to visit when in town. All the pictures from the retro time. The glittery booths and coat hanger rods beside the booth is the concept I liked. Their Pies are the most famous one have to try it. We tried chocolate cream pie and it was yummy. Their onion rings were awesome. I have tried onion rings before at many different places but this place has the best onion rings. Ample of parking spaces. I found good crowd comes in to eat because the food is very good. Our server Laurie she is cute. Support Family Owned Restaurants. Thank you.
Review №6
2022-04-30We absolutely love the restaurant. It was my first time going there and I definitely will be back.
Review №7
2021-08-06What an amazing meal. I had the country fried steak with eggs potatoes and toast. Everything was perfect. My gluten-free daughter had a fabulous salad chicken on it followed by a strawberry milkshake. I could not resist the banana cream pie and it was amazing.If you do nothing else, stop and get some pie. I also have to say that I felt like we got special help from our waitress Marsha well dealing with my celiac daughter. If their staff is half as good as she is, your service will be phenomenal.Even if youre not local that makes a drive come here its worth the trip.
Review №8
2021-10-31Sooooooo cute! Super fun 50s vibe. Felt like I was at a theme restaurant in Hollywood Studios Disney, but it was right here in Ohio. They also have a huge collection of nutcrackers on display and it was fun to chitty chat about the different styles.Food and service was good. Traditional diner food with yummy milkshakes.Check it out! Fun to feel like you went back in time.
Review №9
2022-05-28Nice little restaurant with a bunch of nutcrackers dressed in a variety of outfits. Made to look like an old school restaurant. Food was ok and staff was great. There was a 15min wait to get a table and parking is limited.
Review №10
2022-02-06From the time you walk in and the time you leave, it feels like your a long time friend and neighbor. The food was amazing and the customer service was on point ..