Oversized Burgers at Ohio Cafe Defy Physics

The Thurman Cafe in Columbus serves up legendary burgers so massive they've been known to make grown adults reconsider their life choices.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

The Thurman Cafe in Columbus, Ohio is famous for serving up ridiculously oversized burgers that challenge even the heartiest of appetites. The star of the show is the Thurmanator, a burger that includes two beef patties, bacon, ham, sausage, multiple cheeses, and a variety of other toppings. While the size of these burgers is impressive, the Thurman Cafe also prides itself on using high-quality ingredients and delivering a delicious dining experience in a casual, neighborhood atmosphere.

Why it matters

The Thurman Cafe has become a rite of passage for Columbus residents and Ohio State University students, showcasing the city's thriving food scene. The restaurant's commitment to serving up honest, massive, and delicious burgers in a no-frills environment has earned it a loyal following and a reputation as a must-visit destination for burger enthusiasts.

The details

The Thurman Cafe's signature burger, the Thurmanator, features two hand-packed beef patties, bacon, ham, sausage, cheddar and mozzarella cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and mayo. The restaurant's regular Thurman burger is also impressively large, with a massive beef patty topped with lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, mayo, and cheese. In addition to burgers, the Thurman Cafe serves up chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, wings, and appetizers, though the focus is clearly on the oversized burgers that have made the restaurant famous.

  • The Thurman Cafe has been serving up its legendary burgers since it opened in the German Village neighborhood of Columbus.
  • The restaurant is a popular destination for Ohio State University students and Columbus residents, especially on weekends when it can get quite busy.

The players

The Thurman Cafe

A local burger joint in the German Village neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, known for serving up ridiculously oversized burgers that have become a rite of passage for the city's residents and Ohio State University students.

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The takeaway

The Thurman Cafe's commitment to serving up honest, massive, and delicious burgers in a no-frills environment has earned it a loyal following and a reputation as a must-visit destination for burger enthusiasts. The restaurant's oversized burgers, like the Thurmanator, have become a rite of passage for Columbus residents and Ohio State University students, showcasing the city's thriving food scene.