Boardwalk Grill (Celina, OH) - POSITIVELY DELICIOUS

725 W Bank Rd., Celina, OH 45822

Almost a year ago, on July 15^th, I left a restaurant inspired. I stumbled upon one of the brightest lights of the Positively Delicious food blog journey— I could feel it.

But, right before the food blog post was set to go live, I heard someone complain about the wait at the restaurant (Note: This person arrived at ‘prime time’ without a reservation). Having arrived the minute they opened on a Thursday, I experienced no wait. Learning of someone’s dismay in their wait time made me pause from sharing my incredible find. But throughout the year I kept thinking about Boardwalk Grill and literally smiling as I remembered my experience. To be honest, I missed it many times this year… I even miss it as I write these words.

I asked myself, “Would I return to Boardwalk Grill if I had to wait?” My response was and continues to be an earth shattering, “YES!!!” Like Sam-I-Am in Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham, I would wait for Boardwalk Grill in a tree, in a box, with a fox, in a house, with a mouse, here or there, and anywhere!

First Impressions

I found my portkey.

Like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter when an enchanted object transports someone to a different location, I stepped over the Boardwalk Grill threshold and left Ohio immediately. The Caribbean oasis that surrounded me insisted that worries take a number and people take a seat. Make no doubt about it: Boardwalk Grill is a vibe.

Bright beachy colors.
Rustic and trendy décor.
Outside seating for days.
A tugboat on land in the back.
Caribbean-inspired palm frond views from your table.
Lights strung from the ceiling.
Pirate maps on the bar top.
Ocean animals painted below your plates.

As if the vibe alone wasn’t enough to put me and my guest in an incredible mood, everyone— hostess, busser, server (Hi, Jessica A!), kitchen deliverer— made it their job to make sure we were happy. We never felt rushed. We never felt like we inconvenienced anyone. We felt that their staff was as incredible as the restaurant itself.

A Step Inside

We sat at our table and watched the waves of Grand Lake crash against the shore. The rhythm of the water coupled with the breeze that rustled the palm fronds along the roof line hypnotized us and silenced the stressors that had only moments ago held our hands.

At the time of our visit, our server shared with us that all desserts are made from scratch. The daquiris and strawberry margaritas contain real strawberries, and employees come in early to squeeze fresh lemons and limes for the Boardwalk Grill’s menu items that require lemon and lime juice. She talked to us about the multiple bands every weekend, the ice cream cart with the spiked root beer, the tugboat outback that served pizza, and the Sunday brunch that made a Julia Childs breakfast truly look like child’s play.

We could tell from our server’s words and the drinks and food on the tables around us that we were in for a culinary ride… and we couldn’t wait to strap in and take off.

The Menu

From MULES, MIAMI VICES, and MARTINIS to LEMON DROPS, SELTZERS, and DRAFTS, Boardwalk Grill offers more than enough options to please a palate. The FROZEN STRAWBERRY MARGARITA with a sugar rim is a personal favorite, and I have my eye on the REGGAE MOSCATO.

If you’re there for brunch, try their CINNAMON SWIRL FRENCH TOAST with REAL MAPLE SYRUP, HOUSEMADE BUTTERY GRITS, SAUSAGE GRAVY BISCUITS or one of their other inspired dishes.

If you’re there for an appetizer, try the CHARLESTON CAJUN CRAB DIP, GARLIC THAI SHRIMP, FUNDIDO DIP or the appetizer that I still dream about, the CRISPY GARLIC SHRIMP.

One of the beautiful things about Boardwalk Grill’s menu is that they have an affordable kid’s menu and respectably priced sandwiches but if you want to go all out and have a LOBSTER SHRIMP ROLL with freshly made lobster and shrimp salad, you can. Not many places have both a FRIED BOLOGNA SANDWICH and a STEAK OF THE WEEK and CATCH OF THE WEEK. I greatly appreciate a restaurant that can transition from a person on a budget to a couple experiencing a special date night, all in one menu.

Final Thoughts

This is a crazy time in our world.

Dollars feel like pennies, and positivity feels like work.

There has never been a better time than now to experience a place that allows patrons to take a break and a breath. For an inside table during the weekend, make a reservation a week or two in advance. Or, like me, go on an unsuspecting weekday, Tuesday through Thursday, when the ‘closed’ sign is flipped over.

*Note: They are open in the winter but with different hours than those of the summer. So, check their Facebook page for times before heading their way. (https://www.facebook.com/boardwalkcelinaohio)

Summer Hours, as of June 2022:

Mondays: CLOSED

Tuesdays- Thursday: 4:00PM-9:00PM

Fridays-Saturdays: 11:00AM-11:00PM

Sundays: 11:00AM-8:00PM