Richard Hyatt: Ranking restaurants a touchy subject

Nothing cooks up a hotter argument more than somebody ranking restaurants.

College football stirs up emotions, but when talk turns to the best place to eat, everybody has an opinion.

Around here, that was not always the case.

We had a shortage of homegrown places to eat, and even the chains were not always around.

Columbus grew up on places like the Coco Supper Club, Spano's, Pritchett's, the Villa Nova, Madam Butterfly's, Rose Hill Seafood and the Black Angus.

Few of the old favorites survived.

Overnight, restaurants that have thrown out the deep fryers are introducing customers to menus that aren't so greasy.

And this is where the arguments began.

Social media is fond of publishing lists that stir up digital emotions, and food does that so well.

Rank the best barbecue places in town and you might as well bring up Harvey Updyke's name at an Auburn alumni party.

Rate the best steak houses and you get the same reception Hillary Rodham Clinton would receive if she showed up for dinner at Rush Limbaugh's house.

Online people constantly rank the best barbecue in town, the best Mexican restaurants and the best pizza joints.

The most recent online poll ranks the 15 best restaurants in Columbus.

We don't know who compiled the list, but it has touched a nerve.

In no particular order, it includes the most expensive tablecloth restaurant in town, a place that cuts meat in the lobby and a catfish house that features spicy hushpuppies.

Like everyone else, I have my favorite local dining experiences and not many of my choices made the list.

More than that, there were spots I will never try again, a few I avoid because of their cuisine and some I haven't visited yet.

Certain items bring me back.

I hunger for summer veggies, fried chicken and iced tea at Country's.

I enjoy meatloaf at the Black Cow and southern cooking at Sugga's.

When I want barbecue pork, I head for Clearview or 13th Street.

When I want bulgogi, I think of Golden Chopsticks.

I enjoy gumbo at Thibodeaux's, those special hushpuppies at Ezell's and a rotisserie chicken salad at B Merrell's.

Lasagna at Caffe Amici excites my taste buds and so does curry chicken at the Thai House.

I dream about ribeyes at Hunter's Pub and chili rellenos at La Nacional.

I'll get up early for breakfast at Ruth Ann's.

Where do you go when you eat out?

Post your 10 best locally owned restaurants online or email me at hyatt31906@knology.net.

We'll come up with our own list.

Right now, I have to go. It's time to eat.

-- Richard Hyatt is an independent correspondent who obviously enjoys a good meal.

This story was originally published August 4, 2015 at 10:45 PM with the headline "Richard Hyatt: Ranking restaurants a touchy subject ."