I’m new to Columbus. These are the 19 best dishes I ate since moving here in 2019.
It’s been about nine months since I’ve moved to Columbus to take this job, and I’ve spent my time here eating at local institutions, newly opened spots and some less well-known restaurants that deserve all the love.
To mark the end of the year, I’m listing out 19 of the best things I’ve eaten in 2019. Most of the items on this list were eaten for Foodie Friday articles I’ve done throughout the year. A few others are foods I ate on travels elsewhere, and some were homemade. They are grouped by entree, side items or various desserts and sweets. They are not ordered by preference.
Some of the dishes have special meaning. Some I associate with an important moment. Others just tasted really damn good.
Entrees
Scrambled dog at Dinglewood Pharmacy
The first one is always special. Folks who’ve lived here a long time have had the thin, cut-up hot dog smothered with slow-cooked chili and, if you like, topped with pickles, oyster crackers and coleslaw.
I had mine a few days after moving here, and I’m a convert.
Steelhead trout en papillote at Stock Market Dueling Kitchens
After interviewing Bryant Walker about his newest venture, I knew I needed to go. What better place is there to celebrate your birthday and a romantic anniversary in one night?
The dish above is enclosed in a folded pouch of parchment paper and baked. The pouch opens to the trout topped with dill compound butter, summer squash medley and chargrilled lemons. It is, in a word, fantastic.
It was a stressful year for my fiancee and me. That meal — and the moments of celebration and reflection that came with it — brought us a lot of joy.
Kangaroo at Epic Restaurant
It was a dining experience I’ll never forget. Chef Jamie Keating and the staff of his award-winning Epic Restaurant know how to please a guest. And I can finally say I tasted kangaroo. It’s very similar to venison. Give it a try.
Fried Chicken at Lily B. Rose (Phenix City)
It’s made hot and fresh. It’s peppery and garlicky. This Phenix City soul food restaurant might make you rethink who makes the best fried chicken in the Chattahoochee Valley.
Sirloin at Burt’s Butcher Shoppe & Eatery
It’s a great deal on a rather large piece of meat. Burt’s prepares their steaks with a pool of marinade in your plate. Leaner cuts like the sirloin benefit from this juicy serving method. You can get it to-go, too.
Fried flounder at Skipper’s Seafood
This crispy, fried fish and spicy tartar sauce will bring a smile to your face. Skipper’s is a unique institution and one that I will frequent a bit more in 2020.
Spicy Shrimp and Lobster Linguini at Trevioli Italian Kitchen
The shrimp were huge, and the lobster claws were sweet and tender. The tomato cream sauce was spicy enough to let you know it was there but not to affect the flavor balance.
I, and many of my co-workers, ate here one night after work. It was a great meal shared with new colleagues and friends made this year.
Bacon pimento cheeseburger at The Black Cow
Pimento cheese. Bacon. Jalapeno jelly. What more could you want? Black Cow was previously named to Garden and Gun’s best burger list. There’s a reason why.
Barbecued chicken at Smokey Pig Barbecue
The tender chicken was perfectly cooked and cut up in nice bite-sized pieces. Another plus: they used a mustard-based sauce. Chicken Comers and Macon Road Barbecue can serve up some good meals, but Smokey Pig remains my favorite for now.
Cold Club wrap at Fountain City Coffee
When a late afternoon writing slump hits, I’ll often make my way over to Fountain City for coffee or lunch. My go-to order has been the cold club wrap. It comes with ham, turkey, bacon, provolone, lettuce, tomato and mayo. It’s a large wrap, and who doesn’t love crispy bacon?
Sides/Apps
Pimento Cheese wontons at Smoke Bourbon and BBQ
The pimento and cream cheeses contained inside those crispy wontons is something special. The housemade jalapeno bacon dipping sauce gives a little sweet, smoky and spicy kick. You won’t want to share.
These were the first things I ate when I visited Columbus before I took the job at the Ledger-Enquirer.
Garlic whipped mashed potatoes at Stock Market Dueling Restaurants
I’m a sucker for some good mashed potatoes. I had this with the fish dish from Stock Market that I mentioned above, and they were perfect. The creamy and delicately flavored potatoes matched the trout perfectly.
Mac and Cheese at Lily B. Rose
It’s not the quiche style macaroni that some love. But it is loaded with cheese and pepper. You’ll wish this was the mac and cheese they’d serve at your house for the holidays.
Desserts/Pastries/other
Pecan Pie at Smokey Pig Barbecue
I’m not the world’s most avid fan of pecan pie but Smokey Pig’s is a must-order. It’s chilled, and the filling is thick and peanut buttery.
Banana pudding at Country’s Barbecue
I’m still planning out my last meal. I think of it as a sort of mental exercise. I don’t expect to ever be in the position to plan out the last bits of food I’ll ever consume right down to the last detail. But if I could, Country’s sweet banana pudding might fill my dessert slot.
Blueberry muffin at Midtown Coffee House
I was working on a story about fall coffee drinks when I stumbled upon these muffins. They are large muffins with large blueberries embedded inside. They are pillow soft and might be the best in the city.
Buttermilk pie at Country’s Barbecue
I never thought I’d like buttermilk pie, but it’s delicate and slightly sweet. It goes great with coffee. It’s bliss.
Brazilian lemonade popsicle at Pop Brothers (Bay St. Louis, Mississippi)
My work sometimes takes me to Macon, Georgia, and the Mississippi Coast. On a trip a few months back, I had some wonderful food. One of my favorite sweets was a Brazilian lemonade popsicle. Just to be clear, recipes for this drink call for the use of limes rather than lemons. The popsicle is no different. The fresh cream and condensed milk give a strong and sweet taste that balances out the usually overwhelming tartness of the lime. Talk about a good time.
Catherine Hall’s strawberry fig preserves
My soon-to-be mother in law sent my fiancee back to Columbus with some treats a few months ago. One of those items was strawberry fig preserves that go perfect on toast and biscuits. I’ll usually have a little bacon on the side for a salty-sweet combo for Saturday mornings when I’m taking it easy.
I’m not putting this on the list to earn any brownie points. But hopefully, she’ll see this and send another jar.
This story was originally published December 20, 2019 at 6:00 AM.