I refuse to buy biscuits. From start to finish, I can have a batch on the table in about 30 minutes. Dough Mama is the only place that consistently convinces me to hand over money for one. 

Dough Mama has been a Clintonville favorite since 2015, and it’s easy to see why. The moment you walk through the door, you’re greeted by a display case packed with pies and pastries. Their staples include the Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie and Honey Apple Pie, but it’s their rotating seasonal menu that keeps us coming back. Alongside the pies, you’ll find seasonal coffees, quiches, and other treats that make every visit feel a little different. You order at the counter, grab a number, and settle into their bright, airy café or snag a spot on the patio.

This time around, we ordered the Maple Latte and the Cereal Milk Latte, made with Captain Crunch. The Cereal Milk Latte definitely knows how to make an entrance. It arrives topped with a mountain of whipped cream and sprinkled with Lucky Charms marshmallows. If your sweet tooth has ever made a major life decision on your behalf, this drink is for you.

For mains, one of my usual orders is the Avocado Biscuit. The brightness of the avocado and pickled onions cuts through the richness of the biscuit, leaving you feeling satisfied without needing a nap afterward. This visit, I added a side of potatoes. Their potatoes range from fantastic to perfectly fine depending on the day, making them the one menu item where the quality isn’t always consistent. Honestly, that feels pretty standard for diner potatoes in Columbus.

We also tried the seasonal quiche, which this month features cheddar, corn, tomato, and dill. In a word: summer. Dough Mama’s seasonal quiches are one of my favorite menu items. They feature a flaky, buttery crust and make great use of local, seasonal ingredients. They rarely miss. Their side salad also known as the breakfast salad in our house is my favorite side they offer, 

Two other favorites that didn’t make it onto our table this trip are the McMama and the vegetarian sausage gravy and biscuits. The McMama is a staple order whenever we visit, loaded with scrambled eggs, cheddar, bacon, and dijonnaise on their cheddar-scallion biscuit.  It is decadent, heavy and craveable . As for the vegetarian sausage gravy and biscuits, I’m not a vegetarian, and I still order it without hesitation. It’s just that good.

What to Know Before You Go

Dough Mama does not have a dedicated parking lot, but there’s usually plenty of street parking nearby. Be sure to check out the seasonal menu whenever you visit, it never disappoints. There are also several antique and vintage shops in the area, making it easy to turn brunch into a full Clintonville outing.

Final Thoughts

Dough Mama is one of those places that feels uniquely Columbus. They focus on local, seasonal ingredients, serve fantastic biscuits, and create the kind of menu that keeps you finding excuses to come back. Even for someone who stubbornly doesn’t believe in buying most biscuits,  Dough Mama is worth the trip.