COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- An Old North music venue and bar is adding two Columbus-based food options that its owner said will pair well with an existing food truck.
Ace of Cups recently announced the addition of Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace and Blackened Coffee Co. They will join Ray Ray's Hog Pit to give the bar at 2619 N. High St. three food choices.
“We want to bring people to Old North, the neighborhood we love, whether that’s for great music, food, drinks or events," Ace of Cups owner Conor Stratton said.
The ownership behind Ace of Cups has made a variety of changes since its purchase in 2021, including interior and exterior spaces, an expanded events schedule and improved amenities.
Dirty Frank's, which will be located in-house, will make it possible to order food inside for the first time. Its partnership with Ace of Cups will be its first time operating out of a music venue. Recently, it opened spaces in local stadiums, at Hollywood Casino and a carryout and delivery location in Worthington.
Stratton said he had mutual friends who knew the owners of Dirty Frank's and that the kitchen was being used for storage, making it a perfect spot to set up shop.
"They were just so enthusiastic about it," Stratton said. "We kind of both instantly felt like it was a good fit, especially considering that they don't really have a north Columbus presence."
Blackened Coffee Co. has operated in central Ohio as a pop-up since early 2023, offering vegan breakfast food, coffee and "heavy metal sensibilities." The sides partnered recently at Ace of Cups' monthly Punk Rock Pawn Shop, but now the coffee brand is moving in with an expanded coffee, breakfast and lunch menu. It will operate out of the drive-thru window on the venue's patio.
Stratton said Blackened works with the music venue for multiple reasons. The vegan selection sets itself apart from the other vendors, and it provides a variety of beverage options for touring bands and their fans.
"Touring bands coming through, you'd be surprised a lot of them do not drink at all," Stratton said. "We're going to have Blackened Coffee behind our bar as well, for when people, maybe they just want a cup of coffee."
The additions are coming soon, with Dirty Frank's expected to open this summer and Blackened Coffee by June.
