Metro Diner to offer sneak peek and taste, while helping charities
Metro Diner, the restaurant that received a healthy shot of fame from the hit show, “Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives,” is making preparations for its Columbus opening.
That includes hiring staff of more than 100 for the 5,000-square-foot eatery, which has set Jan. 16, a Tuesday, as its first day serving guests at 5524 Whitesville Road. The location is in the former Fuddrucker’s hamburger space at The Landings shopping center.
But for those who want to get a sneak peek and first taste of the homestyle menu at Metro Diner, plus give back to the community, there are a couple of opportunities. On Jan. 13, a Saturday, donations made by guests will go to House of Heroes, the Columbus-based organization that enlists volunteers to repair and tackle improvements to the homes of military veterans and their spouses, as well as those who have served in public safety, to include police officers and firefighters.
The following day, Jan. 14, Metro Diner will be accepting donations that benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of West Georgia, the organization that provides a place to stay for the families of very ill children undergoing treatment at local hospitals.
Reservations for the charity events, which are from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. both days, can be made by calling 706-489-6409.
Metro Diner also has set the hours for its new Columbus restaurant, which will have 100 seats, as well as a covered patio outside that accomodates 20 people. The operating hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The restaurant serves made-from-scratch dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with breakfast being served all day. Its menu includes fried chicken and waffles, Charleston shrimp and grits and a meatloaf plate. Most dishes are under $15. Alcohol will be available, to include beer, wine, and Mimosa and Bloody Mary drinks. Gluten-friendly items also are available, it said.
“Guests feel at home when they come to Metro Diner because we welcome them as if they are coming to our own house,” Columbus Metro Diner managing partner Ken Tighe said in a statement. “Metro Diner is known as the place where ‘the locals eat’ and we hope to be the new go-to-diner destination where our Columbus diners turn into regulars.”
Metro Diner, which serves what it calls “classic comfort food with flair,” is now accepting applications for a variety of positions, which include cooks, kitchen staff, servers and hosts. Those interested should fill out an application at metrodiner.com/employment.
Founded 25 years ago in Jacksonville, Fla., but now based in Tampa, Metro Diner is a celebrity of sorts, having been featured in 2010 on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” a popular Food Network road show hosted by bleach-blonde and gregarious chef and entrepreneur Guy Fieri. The restaurant already had a following among locals, but suddenly drew attention from tourists who had seen the segment.
Metro Diner has been growing steadily and adding new locations through the years. It opened a location in Macon, Ga., in July and another in Birmingham, Ala., in August. The company now has more than 40 active and future restaurant locations.
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This story was originally published December 19, 2017 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Metro Diner to offer sneak peek and taste, while helping charities."