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Smoked brisket platter

Barrel & Boar in Columbus, Ohio

The move here is the Signature Beef Brisket Meal at the Creekside Gahanna dining room. It’s offered sliced or as burnt ends, cooked for up to 18 hours with shagbark hickory or cherry wood, and it’s even better next to creamy mac and cheese and collard greens from the same menu.

If you’re in more of a ribs mood, the Gahanna menu also runs a St. Louis spare rib dinner and smoked wings, plus classics like a pulled pork sandwich. Sides read like a greatest-hits list for barbecue: Gouda grits, baked beans, slaw, fries, and cornbread among them. Portions are generous enough to make a late lunch carry you through the evening.

Downtown, Barrel & Boar’s North Market location keeps things straightforward inside the food hall. It operates every day from 11 AM–7 PM, which makes it an easy stop when you’re already at the market and want brisket or a sandwich without committing to a full sit-down meal. Pickup and delivery ordering are available from both locations.

Weekend timing matters if you like a late morning plate. At Creekside, Sunday hours run until 9 PM with brunch until 3 PM, and there’s a patio and a private room on site for celebrations or group meals. The posted weekly schedule at Gahanna is Tuesday through Thursday 11 AM–9 PM, Friday and Saturday 11 AM–10 PM, and Sunday 11 AM–9 PM. The North Market presence dates to 2010 and the Gahanna spot has anchored Creekside since 2012, which is a long way of saying this is a reliable place to find barbecue in central Ohio.

  • Where: Inside the North Market in Downtown Columbus; at Creekside in Gahanna.
  • Hours: North Market daily 11 AM–7 PM. Gahanna Tue–Thu 11 AM–9 PM, Fri–Sat 11 AM–10 PM, Sun 11 AM–9 PM with brunch until 3 PM. Hours can change, check ahead.
  • Ordering: Pickup and delivery available from each location.
  • Format: Food-hall setting downtown; sit-down dining with patio and private room at Creekside.
  • Known for: North Market spot since 2010 and Creekside tenant since 2012; Gahanna menu featuring brisket, ribs, pulled pork, smoked wings, and classic sides.
  • Price signal: Casual, mid-range barbecue plates and sandwiches.

If you want downtown convenience during market hours or a Creekside sit-down with a Sunday brunch option, Barrel & Boar fits that plan.

Published: September 10, 2026 · Reviewed by the Whats Up Columbus editorial team