Johnny Oak’s Po Boy & Shrimp Shack

I’m really sorry to hear this restaurant is closed. I’m going to belatedly review it just in case that ever changes!
The food here is fantastic.
I came here on a 85 degree day in the spring. «Hole in the wall» definitely describes it accurately, it is tiny and had no air conditioning. My friend and I both got the ‘creole shrimp’ po boy — neither of us had been there before, and we wanted to try the house speciality.
Both of us were blown away! The bread, the sauce, the vegetables, the shrimp — all were fresh and excellent. My only regret was that, though I had ordered mine ‘not so hot,’ it was so spicy I could only eat half enough. Yet for the next few months I still had dreams and cravings for the flavor and incredible sandwich. I felt really urgently the need to up my spicy tolerance so I could go back and actually eat it!
Unfortunately, it looks like I won’t have that opportunity. But I’ve heard Johnny Oak has some other stands around town, and I’m excited to try them. Still have my fingers crossed that one day this place will reopen!

*CLOSED*
The shack has been closed for the last couple of weeks and it doesn’t appear like it’s reopening. Too bad, Johnny always had great food. He’s still running a cart during lunch hours at High and Gay.

It really is too bad my roommates’ dog so rudely stole the other half of my shrimp po boy from Johnny Oaks. It was a spectacular sandwich, apparently the dog couldn’t help herself and just needed to taste it too.
Johnny Oaks is a simple hole in the wall establishment with killer food. The restaurant initially began as a food stand many years ago and has since received a number of good food reviews and set up shop in the Clintonville/​Campus area.
There is not much seating in the restaurant, but it does offer walk-​up window options and, on a day with good weather, it is easy to take your cajun/​creole deliciousness for a picnic on the curb, some nearby steps or home. The shop itself is teeny, but it has a quaint appeal — maybe it’s the old news clippings, photos, tropical decorations and lingering scent of spicy shrimp.
Prices are fair for the amount of food Johnny Oaks serves up. Be forewarned that this is not the kind of place one wears a white dress (or anything white for that matter). Everything is big, messy and full of spice. A shrimp or crabcake po boy is perfectly accompanied by an ice cold beer and a stack of napkins.

Finally got here, and it was worth it. Yes, the hours are sometimes odd, but they seem to be open more often now. And I docked a star because of no AC and only water to drink, but the food is absolutely 5 stars. Go down the street to the carryout for a drink, or bring your own, and maybe go on a day that’s only in the 80s, not 90s.
Had a sampling of po boys: crawfish, curry, crab cake. The crawfish was (were?) excellent. The curry was very good. The crabcakes: $ 6 for two on a sandwich, and they were as good as anything they’ll charge $ 12 for at a fancy restaurant.
The bread is fantastic. The fries were very good. The deep-​fried bacon, well, I expected more, but I had to try it… The service was laid-​back and friendly. It’s out of my way, but I’ll try to go back.

This place kicks ass. It’s cash only, and it’s probably best to call ahead to make sure they’re open. Also, I’d pick out two different sandwiches, in case they’re out of what you want. I used to always go to NOLA for Spring Break instead of Florida like everyone else. Warm weather, liberal alcohol laws, and amazing food, so I know Cajun and Creole food better than the average bear up here. They have the best po’ boys in Columbus. I got a shrimp creole one for $ 6 (on special), and I highly recommend you try one too ;)

I have pretty much tried everything on the menu and EVERYTHING has been spectacular thus far. My favorite is still the shrimp creole, but the off the menu, garlic shrimp is very good as well.

My disclaimer for this review is that my only knowledge of real Cajun food comes from watching New Orleans Cajun Justin Wilson getting shitfaced and making gumbo. Good Times. Truly though, if you want some serious Cajun flavor, you gotta check out Johnny Oaks.
I’ve had most of the shrimp po boys, but the fried okra and shrimp is by far my favorite. Its like a upgrade of french fries on a sandwich. The portions are large, and the prices are cheap, around $ 7 – 8. The sandwich bread is quite good too, and comes from a local bakery. For fans of spicy — ask to try the special sauce they keep behind the counter! As the cook told husband when he ate it — «I’ve seen bigger men than you cry after eating that.»
The restaurant itself is cute. Its about as close to a literal «hole in the wall» as I have ever been too. Its down below the Indian restaurant; almost like it was an old cellar. Sometimes they don’t put out a sign. The corrugated steel walls are covered in some excellent shrimp-​themed doodles. I haven’t had any problems with the service here. I’ve never seen more than one person running the whole place, and I’m always impressed how fast we get our food.
I’m also super excited to try the barbecue truck!

Whoa, that’s some spectacular flavor! Get the andouille po’ boy! Thank you Unilocal for letting me know about great little places like this that make life in Columbus seem exciting and worth while! You’ll walk into a small room with a few tables on one side, and a kitchen on the other. They have some specials on the board, but check the menu and ask what they’re out of before you order. When I was there, all they had to drink was half frozen bottled water and generic mountain dew, so don’t expect a huge drink selection. Do expect a memorable awakening for the taste buds. This stuff is awesome, and I can’t wait to try his BBQ trailer coming soon at Gay and High!

Andouille sausage po’boy: with house made andouille. Excellent They also have house made boudin sausage; next on my list.

Ive been driving past this hole in the wall for years and had meant to stop in and now that I have Im wishing I hadnt waited so long. They are probably a better to go place as there are only two tables inside but everything is made fresh and is superb. They are also the only place Ive found that makes and sells boudain sausage, give it a try and you’ll be a fan.

Johnny Oak’s is the type of place I feel cool for knowing about. You can walk by it and not even notice it. You can notice it and not believe it is real. I discovered this little hole in the stairs years ago while just a freshman at Ohio State and its charm, staff, and food have never disappointed me.
(Sample experience)
Cook: What would you like?
Me: Something delicious
Cook: What kinda stuff do you like?
Me: Everything. What should I get?
Cook: How ’bout a Po’boy
Me: Isn’t that pretty much all you have?
C: Yeah, so why don’t you get one of those
I ended up on a Shrimp po’boy that first day. Then an Oyster on another. Then another shrimp, etc, etc, etc.
My favorite part of the menu? He has ay-​too-​fay on the menu «Because I don’t know how to spell ‘Étouffée». It really says that. Hilarious.
I have tried lots of Po’boys at lots of places and I think this one is the best in the city. A nice, hearty baguette piled high with spice and stuff. It really is as good as it gets! Definitely my goto for Cajun!

Nice and spicy. We got two of the pork po boys tonight. One was the Boston But and the other was the Swamp Pig. I preferred the Boston But because it was simpler, but the Swamp Pig had lots of cool stuff like okra in it, so I can’t really complain. Both were spicy spicy hot and had lots of good lettuce and onions and peppers and tomatoes on them.
It took a little longer to get the food, but I think that was because they started from scratch when we ordered. I get the sense that maybe they can’t have meat ready to go because business is not as good as it should be. It really should be better. It’s in a perfect spot for the neighborhood. It’s right across from Alana’s and the Blue Nile. Now if only the horrible Indian place above it would go away. Yes, that’s right; campus-​area Indian food is a shame. But, back to the po boy…
So, the thing to do is: go tonight. Get a po boy. Try one. Any of them. And take it to go. It’s too hot inside to eat comfortably. It’s cheap and tasty and worth so much more than any Taco Bell or Rally’s meal. It’s made for you! Fresh!

I went down there today for an early dinner, only to find a sign on the door, «back in 15.» So I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and wait. After my 15 minutes was up (and no telling how much time had passed before I started to time him), I decided to leave and I’m never going back. That’s NEVER, NEVER. If he doesn’t think enough of his customers to be on time, then he can forget about me. And the three other guys who joined me for a while.

This place is nothing less than flat-​out awesome.
First, you must address the eccentricities inherent in Johnny Oak’s: it’s underneath the stairs of an Indian restaurant. It’s got virtually no sign. The menu changes based on Johnny’s whims, and is full of sarcastic misspellings and other in-​jokes (At one point, the menu offered an «ay-​too-​fay», with the sub-​description «Because I don’t know how to spell ‘Étouffée’»). You never know what kind of drinks are going to be offered, one time it was Dr. Pepper or water, and the last time I was there it was a selection of sodas from Aldi (the orange and grape are great).
I don’t know about you, dear Unilocaler, but all this enhances the charm of the already great food, which I suppose I should stop rambling and describe. The menu, though somewhat fluid, always focuses on Po Boys, which, if you have not been schooled, are spicy Cajun sandwiches, usually seafood-​based, served on a grilled baguette. Everything I’ve tried has been mouthwatering, filling, and plenty spicy. The standout stuff, in my opinion, is the Shrimp Creole Po Boy, the Fried Oyster Po Boy, and the Cajun Fries. You can get everything either Hot or «Not So Hot,» but I think you can guess what the right choice is in that dichotomy.
A few final points: prices vary, but have actually dropped recently: the last shrimp po boy I had was about 7 bucks, which is a good deal considering the substantial size and amount of shrimp. Johnny also has a «stimulus package» off and on. Ask about it.
Hey, to quote Johnny’s website: You need to eat, eat good!

This tiny hole in the wall lunch counter is run more like someones hobby than it is a restaurant, which is a shame because the food here is amazing. Located, I kid you not, UNDER THE STAIRS of the Indian Kitchen restaurant that’s located on the corner of Patterson and High, Johnny Oak’s is incredibly easy to miss if you aren’t keeping your eyes peeled. Businesses come and go from this tiny little closet of a place, but with some luck we might be able to see a more permanent residence from this Cajun-​esque takeout shop.
The most obvious item on the menu is the shrimp «Po’ Boy», which is nothing more than a hoagie bun loaded with spicy Cajun-​seasoned shrimp and a mess of fixins. It’s loaded with nooks and crannies of flavor that will have you licking your fingers when you finally conquer the whole thing. The menu has a small variety of other items like spicy beef and brisket, but it would be criminal to order anything that Johnny Oak’s namesake when you’re here. Cluck U and PJ’s can’t touch what Johnny cooks up here, and hopefully it will remain that way for a while.

Johnny Oak’s compares favorably to its neighbors on campus, if not to the cajun tradition it aspires to. The menu is mostly sandwiches, including several shrimp options, roast beef, and cheesesteak. Daily specials include brisket and alligator, although the line between special and regular menu items is blurred by the fact that they often run out of the regular items. UPDATE: BRISKET IS ON THE REGULAR MENU, AND IT IS DANK. The hours are also somewhat irregular, as they close when they’re low on food, or when the owner goes on vacation. You may want to call before you go to confirm that they’re open and have what you want.
All sandwiches are served on a high-​quality baguette sliced horizontally, slathered with mayo and mustard and heated on a grill top. Lettuce, tomato and onion are standard, and you can specify the amount of spicy cajun seasoning sprinkled on top. The sandwiches are messy, and half of one makes a satisfying meal at around $ 5. Don’t forget to ask for a little jus for dipping if you get the roast beef. Cajun fries are exactly what you would expect and completely skippable.
It may not be the most painstaking re-​creation of an authentic po boy, but this small business makes a sandwich that easily tops many of the franchises scattered around OSU. Johnny Oak’s is a unique option, a good value, and a great fit for the campus neighborhood.
CASH ONLY