Local Roots
What's your Cheers? You know, the place you go to grab a drink, or a good meal, but the bonus is it feels like home - where everybody knows your name!
My husband and I frequent and absolutely love Local Roots. It's our Cheers! Local Roots is celebrating it's 9th Birthday and we are so thankful that our community has embraced this gem, we would be lost without them.
Local Roots is a place where you can go to get fantastic food, that is not only Ohio based, but also produce and herbs that are from their local farm. The owner Jessi Iams, whom we adore, has made a pledge to serve local, but also quality, delicious food. Their menu will often change and provide seasonal specialties that are exactly what you are craving. Some of my staple favorites are the lobster mac and cheese, spinach and artichoke calzone, the carnivore bliss pizza, and the local house salad (candied walnuts - yum).
We also love Local Roots because they have so many gluten free options. Our second son, Weston, has Celiac Disease, which means he needs to be on a strict gluten free diet. Most restaurants will boast about their gluten free menu, but if you look closely it's all things that are naturally gluten free - salads, meat, vegetables. Very few restaurants serve gluten free bread items like pizza and pasta - but Local Roots does and that means Weston has options, it's wonderful.
Not only is the food fantastic, but the atmosphere is what really sells you. They will have bands play in the "Beer Garden", both indoor and outdoor spaces, and the owner and staff are kind and generous. My husband is on the "Wall of Foam" - in which he is incredibly proud - and since life has gotten busy with five kids, he will often go after work, have a drink and bring home take-out. One evening, Mo must not have seemed his chipper, chatty self and Jessi (the owner of Local Roots) stopped to talk to him. He proceeded to tell her that we just found out we were pregnant with twins, and his demeanor was because he was still processing this shocking, but wonderful news. She left and came back with fresh eggs from her farm and said "feed your family." That's the type of people you want to surround yourself with and the type of people you want to support.
My husband and the owner of Local Roots, Jessi Iams - with his infamous mug!
Local Roots has boomed since its opening, 9 years ago. It's amazing to see what Jessi has been able to do right in the heart of downtown Powell. She has built up the patio space, as well as a banquet hall that we've been to for showers and birthday gatherings. She's always working on something new, but with every choice she makes it only enhances her product. Partnering with other local businesses for events like "Barre3 and Bourbon," Jessi adds layers that ultimately bring our community together. The roots are still very much there and it's a warm, welcoming environment. It's nice to walk into a place and people know you, they know your story, and they support you.
If you are local, check out Local Roots (15 E. Olentangy Street). See if you can find my husband's name on the "Wall of Foam" and it's very likely you will bump into us and also likely that you will end up going back. See more about their current menu on their website and visit their Facebook page as well as follow them on Instagram.
Don't you agree, it's nice to have that place, that local spot, where everybody knows your name... What's yours?
