Local

3 new restaurants are now open in Columbus. Here's what to know

Stories by Columbus Ledger-Enquirer journalists, with AI summarization

From a new food truck to a reopened BBQ joint, here are three new restaurants you could try in Columbus:

1. Evan and Leslie Griner started a donut food truck. They sold their home to fund it and decided to prioritize giving back a portion of their income to the community. Their strong ties helped them donate to organizations like MercyMed.

2. Zaira Orejel opened Molcajete Mexican Restaurant with her husband and two other families. They faced challenges like renovations and permit delays but persisted due to community support. The restaurant retained a cozy atmosphere, attracting locals who fondly remembered the previous tenant.

3. Neicy’s BBQ was reopened by popular demand. Community support poured in after its closure due to road construction impacts. Encouraged by heartwarming messages, owner Gernard Hatcher reopened, even offering special meals as gratitude.

Read more in the stories below:

Evan and Lesley Griner are the local franchisees of DonutNV. They offer hot, fresh, mini donuts and fresh-squeezed lemonade, limeade and orangeade in a mobile, interactive food truck that features a window where people can see the donuts being made. 10/01/2025 By Mike Haskey

NO. 1: NEW COLUMBUS FOOD TRUCK AIMS TO BRING GREAT DONUTS AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Starting a food truck was not the vision for Evan and Leslie Griner. | Published October 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brittany McGee

Zaira Orejel, pictured Oct. 15, 2025, is one of the owners of Molcajete Mexican Restaurant, 5237 Route 219 in Fortson. By Mike Haskey

NO. 2: NEW HARRIS COUNTY RESTAURANT OPENS IN THE SPACE OF A CLOSED LOCAL FAVORITE

When Zaira Orejel and her husband signed the lease for their first restaurant last December, they thought it would take only a few months to open. | Published October 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordyn Paul-Slater

Among the menu items we tried June 30, 2021, at Neicy’s BBQ of Columbus were the BBQ sandwich and the chicken. Neicy’s is at 359 23rd Ave. By Mike Haskey

NO. 3: HOW COMMUNITY SUPPORT REOPENED THIS POPULAR COLUMBUS RESTAURANT

Thanks to community support, Neicy’s BBQ of Columbus, 359 23rd Ave, has reopened. | Published November 4, 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.