A whole sweet potato pie, carried out the door like a trophy, might be the most Ohio souvenir you never knew you needed. Folks buy them by the slice.
Plenty of folks buy them whole.
The kitchen behind those pies also fries catfish that has earned a loyal following. Then there are the fries, crispy and seasoned in a way that sends people straight back to fast-food memories from the 1980s.
Nobody expects fries to steal attention at a pie shop, yet here we are.
You order at the counter, and someone greets you like you’ve been coming for years. Plates arrive with mac and cheese, green beans, baked beans, and a soft roll instead of plain bread.
It feels like Sunday dinner at a relative’s house, only you didn’t have to wash a single dish.
One person from Virginia made sure to grab a pie before leaving Ohio. So what exactly makes a pie worth planning a trip around?
Say Hello To The Pie Shop On Watkins Road
J.T.’s Sweet Potato Pies & Heavenly Kitchen wears its main attraction right there in the name. That’s confidence, and honestly, the pies back it up.
You’ll find this small restaurant on the south side of Columbus, Ohio. It’s a neighborhood kitchen, the kind of place you might drive past a dozen times before curiosity wins.
That exact thing happened to more than one hungry traveler. Someone passed it again and again, finally pulled in, and left talking about a catfish sandwich.
Funny how a single stop can rearrange your driving habits.
The menu leans on soul food classics. Think catfish dinners, sandwiches, mac and cheese, green beans, baked beans, and crispy fries.
Then comes the dessert that gives the whole operation its identity.
Sweet potato pie is the headliner here. You can grab a slice to finish your meal or carry home a whole pie for later.
Plenty of people choose the second option, and nobody blames them.
The vibe is homey and unfussy. Nobody here is trying to impress you with fancy plating or trendy decor.
Instead, the focus stays on warm food, kind faces, and a dessert with serious bragging rights. For a quick stop in Columbus, that’s a pretty strong pitch.
Heaven Made It Into The Name For A Reason
Calling your kitchen heavenly is a bold move. Luckily, this crew leans into faith and warmth in a way that feels genuine rather than gimmicky.
The spirit of the place comes through in small moments. Owner replies to customers often close with a simple blessing, and first-time visitors get a genuinely happy welcome.
That warmth seems to be the whole point. The team has said it loves talking with customers and meeting people who walk in for the very first time.
It’s a mom-and-pop setup at heart. One happy customer even called it the best mom and pops around, served with grace on the side.
Then there’s Mama Watkins. Her name pops up with real affection, and it’s clear she’s part of what keeps folks coming back.
You get the sense this kitchen runs on relationships as much as recipes. Regulars talk about the people almost as often as the food.
Does that make a pie taste better? Maybe not scientifically.
Still, a slice served with kindness tends to hit differently.
That friendly energy sets the tone before your food even lands. By the time it does, you already feel like part of the family.
You Will Want A Whole Sweet Potato Pie To Go
Ordering one slice is polite. Ordering the whole pie is smart, and plenty of people have figured that out.
Sweet potato pie is the star at J.T.’s Sweet Potato Pies & Heavenly Kitchen. It’s the dish people mention first and most, and it earns the spotlight.
The big compliment here is comparison to mom. Several fans say it’s the closest thing to their mother’s pie, which is high praise in any family.
One customer ranked it second only to mom’s. The kitchen’s reply was pure gold: second to mom is good, and they’ll take it.
Balance seems to be the secret. The sweetness lands just right, so the pie tastes rich without turning into a sugar overload.
Another fan joked it was the best sweet potato pie this side of heaven. With a name like Heavenly Kitchen, that line practically writes itself.
You’ll also hear that the flavor is hard to find anywhere else. That’s exactly why people buy whole pies, since nobody wants to run out at home.
A pie in the passenger seat makes any drive better. Just try not to sneak a fork at red lights.
Catfish That Earns Its Own Fan Club
Pie gets the headline, but the catfish quietly runs its own campaign. And it’s winning votes.
You can get it as a full dinner or tucked into a sandwich. Both options show up again and again in praise from happy diners.
One first-timer called the catfish sandwich among the best they’d ever eaten. That’s a serious claim from someone who just wandered in on a whim.
The catfish dinner comes with your choice of sides. One popular combo pairs it with baked beans and mac and cheese, which sounds like a very good afternoon.
Fish fans keep describing it as excellent. For a place with pies in its name, that’s an impressive second act.
Seasoning is bold here. One diner found it a touch salty, and the kitchen thanked them for the honest feedback.
If you’re sensitive to salt, just keep that in mind. Most people seem perfectly happy with the flavor as it comes.
So which way should you go, sandwich or dinner? Hungry travelers might choose the dinner.
Folks on a quick lunch break could grab the sandwich and still leave smiling.
Fries With A Flashback To The Eighties
Nobody drives to a pie shop for fries. Then somebody tries them, and suddenly the plan changes.
These fries have a surprise following. One newcomer said the fries alone would bring them back, which is a lot of power for a side dish.
The comparison that stands out is nostalgic. That same diner said they tasted like Rally’s fries from the 1980s, crispy and nicely seasoned.
If you grew up with those, you know exactly what that means. If you didn’t, just picture crunchy, well-seasoned, and hard to stop eating.
They pair naturally with the fish sandwich. That combo got a big thumbs up as tasty and worth the money.
It’s a fun reminder that a small kitchen can shine in unexpected places. The pie is famous, sure, but the fryer clearly knows its business too.
Here’s a tip for your visit. Order fries even if you think you don’t need them.
You probably don’t need them, but you’ll want them anyway.
Worst case, you have a crunchy snack for the ride home. Best case, you discover a new favorite you never saw coming.
Sides Worth Arguing Over At The Counter
Choosing sides can be the hardest decision of your day. At this counter, the options make it tougher in the best way.
Mac and cheese is a clear favorite. Diners call it delicious, and it keeps landing on plates next to that famous catfish.
Green beans earn praise too. They add a savory, homestyle touch that rounds out a soul food plate nicely.
Baked beans are another solid pick. Pair them with mac and cheese and you’ve got a classic comfort combo.
Then there’s the roll. Instead of a plain slice of bread, meals come with a soft roll, and at least one diner loved that little upgrade.
It sounds like a small thing. Yet those details are what make a meal feel cooked by a real family instead of a chain.
More than one fan has said the sides are just as tasty as the mains. That’s good news for anyone who secretly orders dinner for the sides.
Can’t choose? Nobody said you had to stop at two.
A little extra mac and cheese never ruined anyone’s afternoon.
Cooking That Tastes Like Grandma Had A Hand In It
Grandma comparisons don’t get handed out lightly. People earn them the hard way, one plate at a time.
That’s exactly the compliment this kitchen keeps collecting. Diners say the food tastes like their granny’s cooking or reminds them of their mother’s kitchen.
One neighbor had searched for good soul food for about three years after moving nearby. Then they found this spot right around the corner and felt right at home.
That kind of story says plenty. Soul food is personal, and people are picky about the flavors they grew up with.
Here, the cooking seems to hit those memories squarely. It’s comfort food in the truest sense, familiar and satisfying.
One longtime fan claims to have tried almost everything on the menu. Their verdict was that it ranks among the best food in Columbus.
Big words, right? Still, when someone works through a whole menu and keeps coming back, you pay attention.
So go ahead and bring your own family memories along. Just don’t be surprised if you catch yourself thinking about your grandmother’s kitchen halfway through lunch.
Friendly Faces Behind The Counter
Great service is rare enough to feel like a bonus. At this kitchen, it seems to be standard issue.
Friendly staff comes up more than almost anything else, even more than the food itself. That tells you plenty about the people running the show.
Customers describe the ladies and men here as super nice and accommodating. Others call the atmosphere and staff very, very nice, doubling down for emphasis.
The owners clearly enjoy the conversation part of the job. They respond warmly, thank people for feedback, and seem truly glad when newcomers stop by.
Even constructive comments get a gracious reply. When a guest mentioned salty fish, the answer was a simple, sincere thank you.
That attitude makes a small restaurant feel welcoming. You’re not just a ticket number, you’re a guest.
One visitor summed it up with a phrase about grace and blessings coming along with the pie. It’s a sweet way to describe a friendly counter.
So if you’re road-tripping and need a break from impersonal drive-thrus, this is a refreshing change. A kind hello can reset a long travel day.
Good Food That Is Kind To Your Wallet
A full plate that doesn’t flatten your budget? That’s the kind of math people love.
Meals here sit in a friendly price range. You won’t need to save up for a special occasion to enjoy lunch.
Value is a recurring theme. One fan praised the lots of food at a reasonable price, which is basically the soul food dream.
Another diner called their fish sandwich worth the money. When a sandwich and fries earn that label, you know the portions and flavor line up.
That makes this kitchen great for families and road-trippers alike. Feeding a car full of hungry people shouldn’t require a second mortgage.
Pies add to the appeal too. Picking up a whole one for home gives you dessert for days, or at least until someone discovers it.
A quick heads up: food is made to order, so it can take a minute. One patient customer said the pie was well worth that short wait.
Use the time to chat with the staff. Good food at a fair price, plus a friendly conversation, is a pretty great deal.
Pie Fans Cross State Lines For A Slice
Some souvenirs sit on a shelf. Others come in a pie box and disappear within a day.
This kitchen draws fans from beyond Columbus. One happy customer sent love all the way from Virginia, saying you can’t be in Ohio without grabbing J.T.’s pie.
The kitchen answered with warmth, sending love right back. It’s a cute exchange that shows how far a good pie can travel.
That out-of-state loyalty is a big deal for a small neighborhood restaurant. It proves a single dessert can put a place on the map.
Road-trippers heading through central Ohio have an easy excuse to stop. A pie break beats another gas station snack, no contest.
Seasonal travel makes it even more tempting. A warm slice fits autumn drives, and a whole pie makes a thoughtful gift for holiday gatherings.
Even locals get excited. One fan admitted to waiting for the doors to open, hours before they actually did.
Now that’s dedication. You probably don’t need to show up at dawn, but it’s fun to know some people would.
Timing Your Trip To The South Side
Mark your calendar carefully, because this kitchen keeps a short week. Showing up on a Monday leads only to disappointment.
You’ll find J.T.’s Sweet Potato Pies & Heavenly Kitchen at 1130 Watkins Rd, Columbus, OH 43207. It sits on the city’s south side, an easy detour for travelers passing through.
Doors open Wednesday through Saturday. Hours run from 12:30 PM to 7:30 PM on each of those four days.
Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday are closed. Plan around that, especially if you’re counting on a pie for a weekend gathering.
The midday opening makes it great for a late lunch or an early dinner. Arriving on the earlier side gives you a better shot at picking up a whole pie.
Remember that food is cooked to order. Give yourself a little breathing room instead of squeezing a stop into a rushed schedule.
Road-trippers can easily fit it into a Columbus weekend. Grab a catfish plate on Saturday afternoon, then head out with dessert in hand.
Hours can change, so double-check before a long drive. That tiny step saves you from staring sadly at a locked door.
Why This Little Kitchen Deserves A Spot On Your Route
Great meals don’t always need big dining rooms. Sometimes they come from a modest kitchen with a pie in its name.
J.T.’s Sweet Potato Pies & Heavenly Kitchen delivers exactly that. It’s small, sincere, and focused on doing a few things really well.
The sweet potato pie is the main event. Balanced sweetness and homemade flavor have earned comparisons to mom’s baking, the highest honor available.
Catfish holds its own right beside it. Add mac and cheese, green beans, and those surprisingly addictive fries, and you’ve got a seriously satisfying plate.
Then there are the people. Friendly service, warm replies, and a touch of faith make the place feel like family.
Is it fancy? Not even a little.
But that’s part of its charm.
For Ohio day-trippers, it’s an easy win. You get comfort food, fair prices, and a dessert worth driving across town for.
So plan a Wednesday through Saturday visit soon. Maybe this weekend, while the craving is fresh.
Leave room for pie, or better yet, take one home. Future you will be very grateful for that decision.