Mecha Noodle Bar has closed its Short North restaurant, ending the Connecticut-based chain’s presence in Ohio after operating for more than a year.
The restaurant, located at 965 N. High St. in a building that previously housed a White Castle, closed in December, according to a sign posted on the front entrance. The Short North location was Mecha’s only restaurant in the state.
“As of Dec. 18, Mecha Columbus is permanently closed,” the sign stated. “Times are tough right now for restaurants everywhere, and despite our best efforts we’ve had to make the difficult decision to close our doors here in Columbus.”
The message thanked customers for their support and expressed appreciation for the restaurant’s employees, saying Mecha “really loved our time in this city” and was grateful to those who made the location part of their routine.
Mecha opened the Columbus restaurant in April 2023, marking its expansion into Ohio. The location took over the former White Castle, which opened in 2018 and closed in 2022.
The family-founded chain serves Asian comfort food, including ramen, pho and bao buns, along with a cocktail menu. Mecha has described its concept as inspired by street food found across Southeast Asia.
Mecha operates several locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and Colorado. The chain has not announced plans to reopen elsewhere in Ohio.