It might sound like a bit of a geographical oddity, but the Columbus Sandwich Company opened a month and a half ago in the city of Pickerington. It probably sounds even stranger to hear that you may have already tried some of their sandwiches without even knowing it.
Before you start worrying that you’re trapped in some sort of Sandwich Twilight Zone, allow me to explain…
Lad Dilgard just opened his first restaurant business a month and a half ago, but The Columbus Sandwich Company has been years in the making. Dilgard spent many of his formative years in many different positions, doing everything from washing dishes to waiting tables to serving as the Assistant Manager of the highly lauded yet recently closed Carousel Dinner Theater in Akron.
“I worked my way through High School, College and Graduate School in Restaurants,” Dilgard said.
After receiving his MBA in Logistics & Finance from The Ohio State University, he went on to spend the past 15 years working in various director and consultant positions in the field of logistics before deciding to make a return to the restaurant business.
Dilgard chose Pickerington as the place to establish The Columbus Sandwich Company, which specializes in wraps, sandwiches, paninis, soups and salads. Outside of the store, they also provide catering services and re-sell some of their menu items in other locations. Currently, their sandwiches can be found in Haggerty Hall at Ohio State, as well as in the coffee shop at the Columbus Public Library. Soon they will be extending their reach to several select catering clients located in the Rhodes Tower downtown.
“We’re going to start delivering sandwiches and salads to them virtually every day of the work week, ” said Dilgard.
Customers can create their own sandwich combinations or choose from a variety of specialty options that include their Turkey Applejack Wrap (Turkey Breast, Monterrey Jack, Apple Butter and Bacon), their Nut & Honey Wrap (Cream Cheese, Raisins, Sunflower Seeds, Veggies and Honey Mustard), and their Key West Cuban (Bacon, Ham, Turkey, Dill Pickles and more).
“Our biggest seller is our Basil Cashew Chicken Wrap,” said Dilgard. “It’s homemade Chicken Salad with Avocado, Tomato and Lettuce. It probably sells twice as much as the next highest selling wrap on the menu.”
Other top sellers so far include the Little Sicily Panini (Ham, Salami, Provolone, Peppers, Onions and Italian Dressing) and the Vegetarian Black Bean Soup.
While it may still be too early for laying out expansion plans for the immediate future, Dilgard wants to continue to focus on growing their catering business and branching out their coffee shop sales to new locations. Currently, The Columbus Sandwich Company will deliver anywhere within Franklin County or Pickerington.
Dilgard recognizes the need to keep food authentic and fresh. “The party platters I delivered today were freshly made this morning by an Italian Grandma working right in here in the kitchen with me”, he said.
Dilgard also mentioned that they are hosting an official “Grand Opening” this Saturday, January 17th from 11am to 4pm where all menu items will be 20% off during that time.
The Columbus Sandwich Company is located at 201 Clint Road #200 in Pickerington. Their phone number is 614-755-WRAP, and more details can be found on their website at ColumbusSandwich.com.