We Tried The Animal Farm – And We Liked It #TastyAF

Your experience at The Animal Farm begins the moment you walk in. Quaint home decor and casual vibes makes it feel like a place where everybody knows somebody. Complete with a fully stocked shelf of spirits to imbibe on the right and a huge, beautiful art piece by local artist, Katie Jacobson on the left of the entry room, the restaurant glows with a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere.

Walking in, it feels like a neat neighborhood gathering place, cozy and relaxed, with a warm welcoming staff. Continue on to your table to find that their chef-driven menu fuses this down-home feel with true fine dining. A local favorite, The Animal Farm offers a place for all occasions, from a quick brunch to a date night celebration worthy of that $200.00 bottle of wine.

At The Animal Farm, comfort foods with creative twists like the House Pimento Cheese adorn the menu, with eclectic offerings that are new, yet nostalgic. The Animal Farm’s menu includes intricate, farm fresh dishes, such as the Smoked Double Bone Pork Chop with mashed sweet potatoes, a mouth-watering dish reminiscent of a fancy Sunday dinner. It truly warms the soul on a cold winter day.

A full bar with an extensive selection of beers, wines, whiskeys, and seasonal cocktails offers endless drink possibilities and seasonal specials like the hot Irish coffee with a rich layer of whipped cream on top. The Animal Farm also has a patio behind the restaurant allowing guests to enjoy open-air dining, a great place to gather with friends and family on the warmer days for those special events or to find some privacy for an intimate dinner.

Any cheeseburger connoisseur will want to try the Harlot Burger. This juicy full-flavor double patty cheeseburger is unforgettable. It’s melty, it’s gooey, it’s the perfect balance of structure, ingredients and composition. A true piece of art that (as the saying goes) the AF team has certainly “put their foot in” in the best way possible.

And who knew kale could be so life-changing? The Animal Farm’s kale caesar salad features smoky bacon, creamy, tangy caesar dressing, shredded parmesan, and perfectly crunchy panko. The result is a bold flavored salad that is light and delicate yet hearty and savory. Served on a massive plate, the salad is big enough to share (but you won’t want to).

Hudson Terrell, Animal Farm’s owner, has always wanted to be a restaurateur. He started as a dishwasher at the Five and Ten restaurant in Athens and within two years had worked his way up to manager. He managed the critically acclaimed Acre Restaurant in Auburn before returning to his hometown of Columbus. With years of experience in all aspects of running a restaurant, it was time for Hudson to open one of his own, and Animal Farm was born.

For the team at The Animal Farm, it’s simply all about their customers, and the food is what sets them apart. Their attention to detail and commitment to creating delicious meals makes Animal Farm a restaurant worth visiting again and again.

We asked bartender Devon what he is most passionate about working at The Animal Farm.

“The response from the community really, everyone new in town wants to come see us and bring a friend. It’s a very social place and especially during these last two years, it brings us so much joy to see the love this community has for us,” he said. His favorite dish? Devon immediately responded, “The Grit Bowl, hands down. You get stone ground grits – sourced from Athens, sausage, bacon, two eggs and our delicious tater tots on top. Pair that with an Irish Coffee or Espresso Martini and it’s a perfect afternoon.”

Simply put, the crew at the Animal Farm take nostalgic comfort food to a whole new level.
Their hearty Braised Beef Pasta, featuring braised prime chuck and a red wine reduction, is a savory, mature take on a childhood favorite, reminiscent of beef stroganoff that comes topped with a lob of mozzarella cheese instead of sour cream.

Working with local farms, the restaurant uses seasonal produce when possible, and the team hopes to use more local produce and support more local farms as the restaurant continues to grow and deepen its connections within the community.

We certainly hope they do. We loved our time visiting the restaurant, and they offer the community a unique, down home, yet top-notch approach to dining in Uptown. “It’s a restaurant for anybody,” owner Hudson says.

To take a bite for yourself, The Animal Farm is located at 105 12th Street in Columbus. Current hours of operation are Tuesday – Friday: 11:00 – 3:00 & 5:00 – 9:00. Saturday: 10:00 – 3:00 & 5:00 – 10:00. Sunday brunch: 10:00 – 2:00.

To make a reservation, or find more information about upcoming tasting events visit their Instagram and Facebook pages #tastyAF @theanimalfarmcolumbus, as well as their website at www.theanimalfarmcolumbus.com.

By Natalie Downey