The Top Spots to Find Wagyu Beef in Columbus, Ohio

Columbus is a midwestern city with a blossoming food scene. More and more high-quality restaurants are popping up around town, serving everything from ramen to Texas-style barbecue. One dish that seems to be growing in popularity is wagyu beef This luxurious, marbled beef commands eye-watering prices at steakhouses across the country Luckily, for Columbus residents several local spots offer wagyu on their menus. Keep reading to learn all about wagyu beef and where to get it in Columbus.

What is Wagyu Beef?

Wagyu refers to four Japanese cattle breeds – Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, Japanese Shorthorn, and Japanese Polled. However, in the U.S. wagyu refers to any cattle crossbred with fullblood wagyu cattle. This crossbreeding amplifies the rich marbling that makes wagyu beef so decadent.

Wagyu cattle are fed special diets to ensure optimal marbling. Their feed usually includes beer, rice straw, potatoes, and maize. The cattle are also regularly massaged to evenly distribute the fat. This meticulous feeding and care results in beef containing intricate, lace-like fat marbling. Top wagyu steaks can have beef grades as high as A5, the highest possible grade.

When cooked, the fat in wagyu beef melts at a lower temperature than other beef. This gives wagyu a buttery ultra tender texture that simply melts in your mouth. The beef is also packed with healthy omega-3 and 6 fatty acids due to the cattle’s special diet.

Where to Find Wagyu Beef in Columbus

Wagyu beef used to be impossible to find in Columbus. It was reserved for elite restaurants in major coastal cities. Luckily, as Columbus’ food scene expands more restaurants are adding wagyu beef to their menus. Here are some of the best places to savor wagyu steaks, burgers, and more in Columbus:

The Top Steakhouse

For special occasions like anniversaries, The Top Steakhouse is the place to go for exceptional wagyu in Columbus. They offer wagyu strip steaks and ribeyes sourced from Snake River Farms in Idaho. The Top Steakhouse ages their steaks in-house for 45 days to intensify the flavor. Enjoy your wagyu with loaded baked potatoes and creamed spinach in their elegant, romantic dining room.

Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse

This upscale steakhouse located in Easton Town Center also serves premium wagyu beef. Their rotating offerings include ribeye cap, New York strip, and filet mignon cuts. The expert chefs at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse cook each wagyu steak perfectly to your preferred temperature. Enjoy your steak alongside lobster mac and cheese or truffle fries.

Smith & Wollensky

Smith & Wollensky recently opened their Columbus location in 2020. This national steakhouse chain is already earning rave reviews for their dry-aged steaks, including American wagyu strip loin and ribeye. Smith & Wollensky ages their beef in a Himalayan salt-tiled room for a minimum of 35 days. Enjoy bold red wine pairings with your expertly prepared wagyu.

The Guild House

For a more relaxed upscale dining experience, check out The Guild House. Their menu focuses on shareable small plates, but they also offer a rotating wagyu steak entree. Previous offerings include bone-in ribeye, New York strip, and filet mignon sourced from Ohio’s own Marmon Valley Farms. Sip a craft cocktail and share some appetizers before indulging in wagyu at The Guild House.

Brewnuts

This creative Columbus restaurant combines brews and donuts. Brewnuts also serves incredible wagyu beef burgers cooked to order at their small counter. Previously they’ve offered wagyu burgers topped with bacon garlic aioli, charred scallion cream cheese, and other fun toppings. Pair your wagyu burger with loaded tater tots and one of Brewnuts’ unique craft beers or cocktails.

The Pearl

For a high-end lunch, stop by The Pearl in downtown Columbus. Their globally-inspired menu includes a rotating wagyu dish. Past options have included wagyu brisket sandwiches, ragout, meatballs, and even wagyu tartare. Enjoy your wagyu with a glass of wine next to floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.

Anjon’s Seafood & Steaks

Anjon’s is an upscale surf and turf restaurant in the Dublin suburb. Their menu features lobster, crab, and other seafood along with fine steaks. Anjon’s serves Snake River Farms wagyu filet mignon and ribeye steaks. They also offer wagyu beef tartare as an appetizer. Enjoy patio dining next to their koi pond or cozy up by the fireplace inside Anjon’s.

Cameron Mitchell Restaurants

Prolific Columbus restaurateur Cameron Mitchell offers wagyu beef at several of his restaurants. Ocean Prime and the Barn at Rocky Fork Creek both boast wagyu filet mignon and New York strip options. For more casual fare, stop by Marcella’s for their “Mt. Vesuvius” burger topped with gouda, onion rings, and zip sauce on a wagyu beef patty. Or check out The Pearl or Harvey & Ed’s for happy hour wagyu sliders and meatballs.

Steak on High

This steakhouse located in Columbus’ Short North neighborhood serves several wagyu cuts grilled over a hickory wood fire. Options include Snake River Farms filet mignon, ribeye cap steak, New York strip, and ribeye. Savor their roster of seasonal specialty cocktails alongside shareable starters like burrata bruschetta and steak tartare. The warm ambiance at Steak on High makes it perfect for date nights.

Things to Know Before You Buy Wagyu Beef in Columbus

Now that you know the best spots to savor wagyu beef in Columbus, here are a few final tips to get the most out of your wagyu dining experience:

• Check prices first – Due to its rarity and meticulous production, wagyu beef commands premium prices. An average wagyu steak costs $50 to over $100 depending on the cut and grade. Check menus online so you know what to expect before visiting.

• Pick the right cut – The most popular wagyu cuts are ribeye, tenderloin/filet mignon, and strip steak/New York strip. Ribeyes offer the most marbling. Filet mignon is the tenderest. And strip steak combines marbling and tenderness. Choose based on your texture preference.

• Cook it properly – Resist the urge to cook wagyu above medium or medium rare. The fat needs lower heat to melt properly. Higher heat will make the beef tough.

• Keep sides simple – Let the wagyu beef shine by avoiding complex sauces or spice rubs. Opt for simple sides like roasted potatoes or creamed spinach.

• Savor every bite – Take your time and relish each melt-in-your-mouth morsel of wagyu. Chew slowly and appreciate the intense marbling in every bite.

Wagyu beef used to be virtually impossible to find in Columbus, but demand from local foodies is bringing this luxury ingredient to more restaurants. From old school steakhouses to modern eateries, you have ample options to experience wagyu’s decadent flavor and texture. Use this guide to pick the perfect spot for your next wagyu splurge.