You know that feeling when you drive past a place you’ve visited for a dozen birthdays and suddenly the lights are out? That’s basically the vibe for a lot of people in North Columbus lately. If you were looking for the massive meatballs and the kitschy "Pope Room" at the Buca di Beppo Worthington location, you might have noticed things look a little different at 60 East Wilson Bridge Road.
Honestly, it’s the end of an era. For over 23 years, that specific spot was the go-to for graduation parties, awkward first dates, and family reunions where nobody could agree on anything except the fact that they wanted garlic bread.
The Chick-fil-A Takeover: Why Buca di Beppo Worthington Moved On
So, what’s the deal? It turns out the land beneath the restaurant was sold. In a move that surprised a lot of locals, plans were submitted to the City of Worthington to demolish the building to make room for a new Chick-fil-A. Yeah, you read 그 right. The lasagna and vintage photos are being swapped for chicken sandwiches and double drive-thru lanes.
It’s kinda wild when you think about it. Buca had been a staple since around 2001. The PR team for the brand confirmed that the real estate was sold, which effectively punched the clock on their time in that specific building.
Does this mean Buca is gone forever? Not exactly. But that specific, quirky building that felt like a basement in 1950s New Jersey is a goner.
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What Made the Worthington Location So Weirdly Great
If you never ate there, you missed out on some of the most "intentionally bad taste" decor in Ohio. Buca di Beppo was never trying to be a five-star Michelin experience. It was a "red sauce joint."
The walls were plastered with thousands of vintage Italian photographs—many of them bought at flea markets by the founder's son. You’d be eating your weight in fettuccine while a photo of someone’s Great Aunt Maria stared you down from three inches away.
- The Kitchen Table: This was the holy grail of seating. You literally sat inside the kitchen. The chefs would yell, the pans would clang, and they’d occasionally hand you a sample of something bubbling on the stove.
- The Pope Room: Most people remember the bust of the Pope on a Lazy Susan. It was weird. It was hilarious. It was the peak of Buca's "kitschy" energy.
- The Cardinal Room: Vestments, religious iconography, and a lot of red. It felt like dining in a very flamboyant cathedral basement.
Survival Guide: Where to Get Your Fix Now
Since the Worthington spot is transitioning out of its long-term home, you’ve basically got two choices if you’re craving that specific brand of chaos and calories.
The closest survivor is the Arena District location at 343 North Front Street. It’s only about 15-20 minutes south, depending on how bad the traffic is on 315. They still do the full family-style menu, and yeah, the meatballs are still the size of small planets.
If you’re planning a big group event—which was always the main reason people went to the Wilson Bridge Road spot—you should know that their catering wing is still super active. They do these massive "Party Pans" that feed about 10 to 20 people. You can get them delivered to Worthington, so you don't actually have to drive into downtown Columbus if you're just trying to feed a hungry basement full of teenagers.
The Menu Staples You Can't Ignore
Let’s be real for a second: nobody goes to Buca for a light salad. You go there to lose a fight with a plate of pasta.
The Spicy Chicken Rigatoni is probably the most famous thing on the menu. It’s got that rosa sauce with just enough kick to make you regret it slightly the next morning, but not enough to stop you from eating the leftovers at midnight.
Then there’s the Half-Pound Meatballs. They use 100% ground beef, and they’re basically the mascot of the restaurant. If you order the "Large" portion of spaghetti, it usually comes with three of these monsters. It’s enough food to feed a small village, or maybe just two very determined college students.
Is the Brand Struggling?
You might have seen headlines about Buca di Beppo filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy recently. It sounds scary, but it’s actually a restructuring move. They’ve closed several underperforming locations across the country (including some in other states), but the core of the brand is trying to lean out and focus on their most popular spots.
The Worthington closure was more about the real estate deal with Chick-fil-A than the company’s overall health, though it certainly didn't help the "vibe" that another long-standing location was biting the dust.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Italian Night
If you’re bummed about the Worthington change, here is how to handle your next craving:
- Check the Arena District Hours: They typically open at 11:00 AM. If you're going on a Friday or Saturday night, you must make a reservation. That place gets packed with Blue Jackets fans and concert-goers.
- Use the Buca App: If you're doing takeout, use their specific app. They run "Buca Bundles" (usually $40 for a meal that feeds 4) which is way cheaper than ordering everything à la carte.
- The "Coach Eats Free" Rule: If you’re a coach for a youth sports team and you bring the whole crew in, Buca traditionally lets the head coach eat for free. It’s worth calling ahead to the Front Street location to confirm they’re still honoring that specific promo.
- Join the eClub: Seriously. They send out $15 or $20 vouchers for your birthday and anniversary. Since the prices have crept up over the years, those coupons actually make a dent.
The loss of the Buca di Beppo Worthington building is a bummer for the local landscape, but the "famiglia" vibe hasn't totally left Columbus. It’s just moved a few exits south.
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Pack your antacids. It's still a lot of pasta.