Drexel Radio Café

HEY! They’ve been closed for two years now, awaiting a new vendor amid the rehab of the theatre complex

While I am a fan of the Drexel Radio Café. As a friend, I would tell them their café really needs some TLC!
Radio Café used to be my go-​to place for breakfast on weekend mornings. They make these amazing build you own breakfast paninis to die for. Well, since having moved, I haven’t been by for about 2 years.
Last night, my boyfriend and I stopped in to get an espresso before a movie and the place was a wreck.
Dear Radio Café: Here are some tips coming from the heart because I want you to be great.
First off, VENTILATION! You depserately need ventilation! The whole place smelled like bacon on a panini press. While it did smell good. My fur coat did not smell good later and I felt like I had gotten a greasy smelling coating on my face from sitting in there an hour.
Second, get a WORKING espresso machine! If you boast lattes, you best be able to make one. If your menu board is a chalk board, you can erase what you cannot make. Duh! Also, take better inventory and appropriately stock your venue. You really need to be able to make your menu!
Third, PERK UP! Be happy to be working! You have a job, congrats!
Fourth, your work place is not a babysitting station. Don’t bring your young kids to work to dine by themselves next to paying patrons. And leave them with «Be quiet, it’s Valentine’s day and people are on dates.» What does that even mean to a kid?
Fifth, get a coat of paint on the walls and spruce things up a bit. It wouldn’t take much to get the place looking less shabby.
Overall, Radio Café is still a good place to grad food or drink before a movie, but at this point, I would not recommend a special trip. Especially until they get a new espresso machine.

Had a beer (big can ‘o PBR), a club sandwich on Focaccia with Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce, a cup of Gazpacho soup, and a slice of Crème Brulee Cheesecake here Tuesday night. I met Rasul, the guy behind the counter who leads a hip hop band, writes songs and lyrics, and raps. He also works with the League of Young Voters and does poetry nights and jazz and hip hop on Monday nights at Radio Café. The wind picked up the outdoor umbrellas, so I helped Rasul keep them from flying into the cars. The sandwich and cheesecake were brilliant. The Gazpacho wasn’t amazing but it was satisfactory. The prices seemed about average, but the amazing thing about the place is that the menu is customizable and you can take your food and drink into the Drexel Theatre next door. I like that. I’d recommend hitting this place up if you want some light food or a drink while walking through the Main and Drexel part of Bexley. The salads looked delicious, and you can taste a sampler platter of salad for around $ 7, dinner size. There appears to be plenty of seating, but I would imagine Monday nights are the exception.

I can’t speak to the food, but for a pre-​movie cup of coffee — BRILLIANT.
When the boy and stopped in, it was pretty quiet (I only saw 1 other person) which meant it was a great opportunity to strike up a conversation with the barista and make sure that my drink was perfectly made (so dry that its really just espresso and foam). Turns out she likes her drinks done the same way and she even threw in an 2 extra shots to feed my espresso addition (which we shared).
The only thing I wonder is if they have wifi… I didn’t notice it and that would be the only thing missing that would make this place perfect for me. Without it, it would only be someplace that I would stop in, grab a nibble and go (or wait for a movie next door.).

I used to love to hang out here when I was in school across the street at Capital. It’s small and cozy and has some amazing paninis and some pretty swell coffee to boot. It’s attached to the Drexel theatre, so it makes for a perfect indie dinner-​and-​a-​movie combo! Definitely one of the must-​check out spots in Bexley.

Wow, I have never had a chicken Caesar wrap with the lettuce hot. It was absolutly disgusting. The people making the menu choices and how the items are served obviously have very little to no culinary knowledge. Save your money and go somewhere else.

Customize your panini by filling out one of their sandwich forms.
My favorites include the tuna melt (made with Leroy’s Tuna Salad (named after a previous manager’s tuna-​loving cat)) and the roaster red pepper hummus plate.
Their coffee is roasted locally by Crimson Cup.
LITTLE KNOWN FACT:
Because they’re both owned by the Drexel, you can actually take your beer /​panini /​etc. into the theater.

How can you not like a great, affordable eatery right next to a top notch art house theatre? I am always getting a custom sandwich made prior to seeing that next great film.

Granted it’s a good sandwich. The panini that is. I had one of those (salami, baked ham, cheese, roasted peppers, and onions — you pick the ingredients) and a cup of chicken cheddar soup. Oh, and a piece of cheesecake, of which they have a nice assortment, to go.
The only bitch I have is that the girl who fixed my sandwich didn’t have a clue. The ingredients were cold. After having her put the second half back on the grill it was even better than the cold first half.

A very good café, elevated by its connection to a great movie theatre (The Drexel East). Paninis, wraps, salads, desserts, coffe drinks, even milkshakes. Good for meeting up before a show or grabbing a last minute meal before showtime.

I love this place! Drexel Radio Café is attached to the Drexel East Theater and has some delicious wraps and panini sandwiches. Try the Veggie Panini with grilled portobella mushroom, alfalfa sprouts, panini spread and more. It’s really really good.