Restaurant Widow’s Top Five Columbus Restaurants
On Friday, Lisa the Waitress decided to post up a few quick “best of” lists to highlight some of her favorite places to eat and shop in Columbus. Her lists include “Best Restaurants”, “Best Casual Restaurants”, “Best Bars”, “Best Ethnic Restaurants”, “Best Places to Shop for Food” and “Other Favorite Places to Shop”. All of the results can be viewed here. What do you think of her lists? Agree or Disagree with her picks?
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Related Tags: Best Of • blogging • Dining • foodie • lisa the waitress • restaurant widow • restaurants • reviews • Shopping
July 26th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Love to see La Michoacana getting represented!
July 26th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Id have to disagree with pita hut, its a lame fast food chain. How about the gyro shop on Henderson for falafel and kofte? There is much better quality out there.
I disagree with just about every bar on the Best Bar list. The list reads like someone who hasnt been out to anywhere unique. Bobs bar is the one exception and maybe the Rossi. The bars at Mezzo, Barrio, and others are far more interesting with more unique cocktails and friendlier bartenders.
Id be curious as to a list of Best Farmers Markets, the pool is small-ish but I think the Worthington Farmers Market would be on my short list of places to shop!
July 26th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
And while Lisa comments on Bay Leaf’s lunch buffet, I’d like to sing the praises of their dinner menu. Not an item on it can go wrong. I love Indian food more than most of my extended family and try it everywhere. Bay Leaf is by for the best I’ve ever had.
July 26th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
DCist: Are you sure Pita Hut is a chain? There are a couple of other restaurants with the same name around the country, but they all seem to be independent of each other.
July 26th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Don’t they have one in Hilliard or plans for one…I believe that’s what the guy told me who worked there (6 months back). I still think its a mom & pop
July 26th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
I think there are some great things on the list, I also think that the great thing about Columbus is that for the size of city it is, there are so many great dining and shopping options. I lived in Chicago and Atlanta so I was used to a lot of choices and have to say that Columbus has been surprisingly varied. I would add that Huffman’s market on Tremont in Arlington is also a great place to shop. And, Cafe Ephesus in Dublin is great Turkish food. I was also a little disappointed that between Surly Girl, Betty’s and Tip Top that none of them made the list - some of my favorite standby restaurants in the city. But Lisa always gets me thinking about what else I want to try!
July 26th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Kbear919 Says: Don’t they have one in Hilliard or plans for one…
It was only open for a short while, then closed and re-opened as The Olive Tree, I believe by a different owner.
July 26th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
I’m surprised for casual restaurants that On the Fly didn’t make it. Excellent falafel and the chocolate and vanilla mousse sweet empanada is the most satisfyingly decadent dessert I’ve had in a while.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:18 am
Great thoughts everyone! I know there are tons of places missing from the list; every day I think of someone I missed, or another category I should have had, etc. Alas, this hasn’t been the best year for those of us in the restaurant biz, and I’ve had to work more hours than I used to, so I haven’t been able to get out and eat nearly as much as I would like.
I do have a few responses below:
as to the bar thing, I am probably not the best person to ask about exciting bars. Years in the restaurant biz mean that when I get off work, I am far more interested in the speed with which my shot and beer can be delivered to me. Mr. Waitress and I have both bartended for years and years, and considering his prowess at mixology, I doubt I could find a bar with more interesting drinks than the ones he comes up with. So yes, exciting bars with beautiful people are not really my thing!
Pita Hut is awesome. I stand by my love of it. It’s never had anything that wasn’t incredibly delcious.
I haven’t been to On the Fly.
Worthington definitely has an outstanding farmer’s market. One of my favorites. This post might help you compare some markets: http://www.restaurantwidow.com/2009/03/more-eating-locally-planningfarmers-markets.html
And I know, I know, I don’t get out to the suburbs enough!!
July 27th, 2009 at 8:43 am
DCist…you must be thinking of Pita Pit??? It’s a chain and a not very good one at that.
There is only one Pita Hut…er…well there was the one in Hilliard, but it was run by the same folks.
Pita Hut is AWESOME and their shawarma would devastate the gyros at the Gyro Shoppe any day.
If you haven’t tried Pita HUT yet, go do it right now…like today.
July 27th, 2009 at 8:45 am
Oh and big +1 on the La Michocana…still the tastiest lengua I’ve found in Columbus.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:24 am
This is a good list of original places to eat in Columbus. With regards to the Best Casual Restaurants, Cafe Corner is great choice and worthy of the list. Pita Hut was the biggest disappointment. Sorry fans! :(
July 27th, 2009 at 10:02 am
I’ll throw my vote in for On the Fly as best falafel sandwich in Columbus…although there’s nothing wrong with Pita Hut. Lavash Cafe is a Mediterranean winner too.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Pita Hut is amazing. They have that extremely fluffy, airy hummus that is topped with a nice drizzle of olive oil and some sort of delicious green relish. Their sandwiches are loaded up with a schmear of great tahini, wonderful meat and nice veggies and pickles. Even their french fries are good enough to recommend. The Falafel is a bit dry though.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
A lot of what makes a best bar for you is, obviously, perspective. I don’t consider Mezzo unique in the least, nor does Barrio blow my wig back. Personally, I prefer bars like the St. James when I want beer and small wine shops (Twisted Vine) when I want wine. That doesn’t make me someone who “doesn’t go anywhere unique”, it just means that I like different things in a bar.
+1 for On the Fly.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
As with the consensus, I’ve got to agree that On the Fly’s falafel is fantastic.
July 27th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
What about Easy Street? or My Big Fat Greek? Both great greek cuisines. And another cas spot.. BROWN BAG! : )
July 28th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
My apologies, I must be thinking of Pita Pit (who can keep them all straight!). But I do think the Gyro Shop is amazing!
Thanks for the website about farmers markets!
July 28th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
DEEPWOOD.
July 29th, 2009 at 11:23 am
“DEEPWOOD”
I know! That’s why these lists are dangerous! I totally forgot about them, and then I saw the owner the other night and thought “oh NO!! I forgot Deepwood!”
It is an awesome restaurant, and they don’t get enough press. sorry Ms. Herron and Skittles :(
July 29th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Athough I’m disappointed that you originally did not include Deepwood, I am VERY happy you did not include Rosendales. I finally had the opportunity to have a 4 course, upstairs dining experience there last week and although it was good, I’ve honestly had much better tasting (and less pricey) meals at a number of other local establishments. The aesthetics and creativity of the food was definitely there, but the food eating experience itself (which is what I most care about) wasn’t that exciting or delicious. Additionally, the service was absolutely horrible due to the fact that they were, for whatever reason, severely understaffed.