Want to try this new Columbus restaurant but are on a budget? Here's what $25 gets you

For this installment of Columbus on a Budget, I wanted to mix it up a little bit. Instead of hunting for happy hour deals or mystery candy bags, I wanted more for my $25 and breakfast seemed like a good way to stretch my budget.

I wanted to see just how far my money could take us, so Ledger videographer Mike Haskey and I popped into Darby’s Patrol Base on Victory Drive to see if $25 could feed us both breakfast and more importantly, fill our bellies.

Darby’s Patrol Base, New Breakfast on the Block

Darby’s Patrol Base is owned by Darby Sherman, who is rumored to be named after the Darby Phase of Ranger School here at Fort Benning. They’ve been serving up breakfast and lunch for a few months now, but they’ve made a big impression so far.

In fact, they came in a very close second in our Best Burger Poll, and they are the constant subject of praise on the local foodie group on social media.

Darby’s has a welcoming vibe and is packed with Fort Benning nostalgia that makes it feel authentically Columbus, without being gimmicky. The boots by the door, a flag on the wall and an open dining room all signal that this place is meant for fellowshipping over coffee.

Breakfast for 2 for $25? Yes, please

The menu isn’t pretentious or eclectic and you’re not going to find an exotic avocado toast for $18. What you will find are hearty choices with fun names for affordable prices.

This round presented a unique budgetary challenge because there were two of us, so that is why Mike only got to order one sad little biscuit.

What we ate

Sundi

Coffee and water: $3.29 Basic Training Eggs to Order: $8.29

• 3 eggs (I had mine fried)
• Your choice of grits, skillet potatoes, sliced tomatoes or fresh fruit (I chose cheese grits)
• And biscuit or toast (biscuit for me, duh)
• Bacon (add $3.59)

Mike

• Water (free)
• Create a Biscuit: $1.99
• Bacon (add $2.50)

Although we had to be a little more economical in our choices, you can go as fancy and involved as you like. There is a very respectable choose-your-own-ingriedents omelette selection, brought to you by Chef Lonnie Wilson, that looks like it could feed a whole family.

If I was breakfasting for one, that would have been my go-to, for sure.

Breakfast (and burgers) all day

Darby’s Chef Red (Amanda) Morgan will also cook up one of the cleverly named burgers any time of the day, as well as breakfast, if you like.

Whether it’s the Sniper Burger with (among other things) bell peppers and a slice of ham or the Airborne Burger with two patties and a whole egg, you can get it anytime you want.

These burgers come with fries or tots, but make an informed choice. A crisp and hot as the tater tots were, the fries have a super secret, proprietary jalapeno component that even I liked.

Tips and tricks for making the most of your money

Here’s some advice for your visit:

• Get your server involved. Tell her what you want to spend (including the tip) and see if she can get you there. 
• Plan to share. The portions are so big, there’s just no need for two people to order the same thing. Think about supplemental ordering not parallel orders.
• Ask if you can downsize a little. They offer single-patty options for most of the burgers.

Always, and I do mean always, ask for the homemade apple butter and cinnamon butter spread. It was the highlight of my visit.

See? Columbus on a budget can be done! I am always looking for fun things to do, on a budget of course, so send me your recommendations. Remember: I only have $25 to spend, so keep it reasonable.

Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.

This story was originally published August 20, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Want to try this new Columbus restaurant but are on a budget? Here's what $25 gets you."