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5 new restaurants are open or coming soon around Columbus. What to know

Stories by Columbus Ledger-Enquirer journalists, with AI summarization

Five new restaurants are now serving customers in and around Columbus or will be soon. Here's what to know about the latest spots:

1. Golden Chopstix is relocating from a prior location, where it was previously called Golden Chopsticks. The emergence of the new location confused some diners, but the restaurant provided clarity by confirming it was moving to the new spot on Veterans Parkway.

2. Moonswiners BBQ on Columbus opened in a well-known location, facing the challenge of maintaining legacy while introducing new flavors. Owner Scott Marshall transitioned from trucking to fulfilling his culinary dreams.

3. Saborcito Mexican Cocina in Phenix City is scheduled to open in November.

4. Also in Phenix City, Slim Chickens is now open. The Griggs family, which includes Austin Thomas, Johnny Griggs, Derek Griggs, Daryl Griggs and Jamie Griggs, has built a legacy of franchise restaurants.

5. Deep Roots Kava Bar in Columbus offers kava as an alternative to alcohol. Kava is a drink made from the roots of a kava bush.

Read more in the stories below:

The Slim Chickens at 2041 US-280 in Phenix City is scheduled to open Aug. 4. By Jordyn Paul-Slater

NO. 1: PHENIX CITY FAMILY TO OPEN COLUMBUS AREA’S FIRST SLIM CHICKENS. MEET THE OWNERS

The Slim Chickens, opening next week in Phenix City is not the Griggs family’s first franchise. | Published August 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordyn Paul-Slater

Saborcito Mexican Cocina is scheduled to open in Phenix City in November. The address is 3462 Crosswinds Drive, Suite C, off Highway 431, next to Renfroe’s Market, directly across from CVCC and Café 431. By Jordyn Paul-Slater

NO. 2: NEW MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN PHENIX CITY TO OFFER MEALS ‘WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK’

Interior construction is underway for a new Mexican restaurant in the Columbus area. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordyn Paul-Slater

Deep Roots Kava Bar, 2505 Airport Thruway in Columbus, serves a variety of drinks with kava, including these three mocktails, pictured Aug. 8, 2025. By Mike Haskey

NO. 3: FIRST KAVA BAR OPENS IN COLUMBUS, OFFERING ALTERNATIVE TO ALCOHOL AND COFFEE

A new type of bar in Columbus is offering an alternative to alcohol in a relaxed atmosphere aimed to provide a communal space for customers. | Published August 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brittany McGee

Scott Marshall owns Moonswiners BBQ, 547 Veterans Parkway in Columbus. He is pictured here with his son, Todd Marshall. By Jordyn Paul-Slater

NO. 4: ‘INTIMIDATING BUT WORTH IT.’ NEW COLUMBUS BARBECUE SPOT OPENS IN LEGACY BUILDING

A new barbecue restaurant in Columbus has opened at an old spot for local flavor. | Published August 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordyn Paul-Slater

A new restaurant, Golden Chopstix, appears to be moving into the former location of Zombie Pig BBQ at 6201 Veterans Parkway in Columbus, pictured Aug. 2, 2025. By Mike Haskey

NO. 5: ‘TIME HAS COME’ FOR 54-YEAR-OLD COLUMBUS RESTAURANT TO MOVE. HERE’S THE NEW SPOT

In Agu, rumors circulated online about the relocation of a popular restaurant in Columbus. | Published September 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordyn Paul-Slater

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.