Remember these favorite Columbus restaurants? They may be gone, but they’re not forgotten
The controversial re-opening of Deorio’s Pizza in Midtown, has us at the Ledger-Enquirer feeling very nostalgic. Not one to be left alone out here on Memory Lane (another Columbus establishment that is no longer with us), we asked readers to send in some restaurant-related memories.
When we asked you guys to weigh-in on some of the long-gone restaurants from Columbus, y’all didn’t disappoint.
Although we got hundreds of suggestions and memories, here are a few of the most beloved (and most frequently mentioned) eateries of Columbus’ past, both recent and distant.
Top Hat Cafe
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Considered by a lot of Columbus voters as the “holy grail of chicken” this was the most mentioned restaurant in the poll. Folks seriously miss Top Hat and that bone-in fried breast.
Twelfth Street Deli
Previously located on, you guessed it, 12th Street, it had some of the best breakfast sandwiches in town. Their soup selection is worth remembering, as well. I’m looking at you, Italian Wedding Soup!
Shoney’s
Although there are still some locations around Georgia in the present day, Columbus lost its location a few years ago. With it, we lost a culinary legend - the hot fudge cake - and the only cure I’ve found to a hangover: the Shoney’s breakfast buffet.
Butler’s Pantry
Right in the heart of Midtown on Auburn Avenue, the Butler’s Pantry’s catered so many of Columbus’ special occasions that it wasn’t really a party if you didn’t see that signature green apron show up somewhere. Consequently, that chicken salad will always be a party to me.
Circle E Barbecue
We may be spoiled with lots of delicious barbecue these days, but Circle E set the bar pretty high for Columbus pitmasters back then.
El Matador
This Columbus staple was a bit before this author’s time, but legend has it that it was the place to be for Mexican Cuisine.
The Goo Goo Restaurant
Long before Goo Goo was synonymous with car washes, it was a popular restaurant and drive-in on Linwood Blvd. The place looked like it was plucked from the movie, “Grease,” and it will live on as an artifact from a different time.
The Pickle Barrel
People would come for the reasonable prices, but come again and again for that fried grouper sandwich. It had a friendly atmosphere that felt okay to folks of all ages, and the prices were pretty reasonable to boot.
Royal Cafe
Setting the bar high for the standard meat-and-three, the Royal Cafe was like having lunch at your grandmother’s house. Everything was so good because it was made with love.
Madame Butterfly
It was one of Columbus’ first, and most authentic, Japanese restaurants and left a significant impression on the culinary scene. We take for granted that we can get Asian-inspired food so readily, but it was Madame Butterfly that opened that particular door for Columbus.
Gus’s Drive-In and Restaurant
Gus’s became a family tradition when it opened in 1965 and stayed a part of Columbus culture for over 50 years. My parents have a lot of stories about this place, which I will not repeat here.
Spano’s Restaurant
When Spano’s closed its doors in the 1980s, it was the oldest family-owned restaurant in Columbus, having opened in 1893. Almost every church-going family in the 80s had lunch at least one Sunday at Spano’s.
Restaurants of note, but not pictured
These places got a lot of votes, but sadly, not a lot of photographic love.
Pritchett’s Fish Camp
W.D. Crowley’s
McKinely’s
Scooters
Buckhead Bar & Grill
Yogurt Shoppe
Cottage Kitchen
Po’ Boys
Bonanza
Mediterranean Cafe
Morrison’s Cafeteria
Malone’s Steak and Seafood
Even though we keep pretty good archives here at the Ledger-Enquirer, I still couldn’t find a lot of good images for some of our favorite hometown eateries, but I know they’re out there.
Let me know if you have any pictures or snaps of these or other faves by emailing me or finding me on Instagram.
This story was originally published August 20, 2024 at 3:13 PM.
