Jan 3, 2004
Found your page looking for info about Lums
Ollieburger.I think I can help fill in some blanks.BBF 1940 E. Livingston is
gone, a Rallys in its place at Livingston and Alum Creek.You missed a Burger
Chef in Whitehall on E. Main at Maplewood, gone with an Auto Zone in it's
place.And Shakey's Pizza was between Broad and Main on Hamilton. I don't
remember what kind of business is there, but it is [2] address north of Ricart
Chrysler.Hope this helps.
March 8, 2004
I think there
was a Sandy's at the north end of Northern Lights Shopping Center on Cleveland
Avenue, back in the early 60s. I'm pretty sure there was one in that area
somewhere, because we used to go there when I was little, and I grew up in
Linden and the Northern Lights area.
There was also a Tee Jaye's near the
Schottenstein's on Westerville Rd, c 1980. My roommate used to work
there.
I'd forgotten entirely about Ritzy's and Zantigo. Thanks for
the memories, as they say.
March 24, 2004
Jerry Lucas' Beef and Shakes on Huy Rd. in North
Columbus.
The Boardwalk E.Main St. not far from James Rd. and a
second location on State Street in Westerville. The specialty items were
knockout coneys, sizzling hot crinkle fries, and ice cold beer at the Main St.
location. And don't forget the Golden Point which is now Donato's on Oakland
Park.
March 28, 2004
I grew up and
still live in Whitehall and having read some comments I found some
errors. . There was a BBF near Hamilton and Langley where Buffalo
Rings & Wings just closed. Lums was next door where Wingler
Construction Company is now. There is a picture of McYao Buffet which is
the old Ponderson at Hamilton and Wright. We also had an Isley's Ice Cream Shop
in the Great Eastern Shopping Center. This is a great website-heard Curt
Boster talking about it on the radio and it brings back many memories. The
Desert Inn closed and the Playboy Club reopened there, also.
March 28, 2004
I used to manage a
Zantigo restaurant on 161 (I think it's 161, but I haven't lived in Columbus
since 1979). I agree they had pretty good food for that genre of restaurant. I
enjoyed working there, and a while back did a websearch and found there are
still some Zantigo devotees out there. Zantigo's green chili (diablo) had a
small group of dedicated fans, but it was a bit hot for most area taste buds. I
liked the green chilitos we used to make. Unfortunately, when we got our first
microwave ovens, we switched from aluminum to foam plates, and many key cooking
methods were changed then. For example, corn tortillas for enchiladas were no
longer dipped in oil and heated in the infrared oven. The new method was to dip
in hot water and then microwave - just not the same! Also, the green chili went
from containing fresh tomatillos and onions to those two ingredients coming
dehydrated, and then we added water to hydrated upon cooking. Again, just not
the same. They had some killer refried beans as well with the real honest to
goodness lard, and the 50/50 blend of mild cheddar and monterrey jack cheese. I
was sad to see them turned into Taco Bells.
March 28, 2004
I also worked at Albert P. GRubbs in the mid-seventies. My
first ever restaurant employee experience, and was there that I overturned a
tray holding glasses of red wine, and trashed some fellow's white polyester
suit.
Thanks for helping me revive some old memories.
March 28, 2004
So good to see Mills Restaurant listed. I remember
what a 'big deal' it was to eat at Mills after going to a movie at one of the
handful of movie theaters downtown. I especially remember the roast beef
dinner and mashed potatoes with gravy. Yum! This was probably in the
late 1950's.
March 30, 2004
I enjoy your site.
I believe there was a BBF on West Broad Street, near Great Western Shopping
Center in the mid-1960s. I believe it was near a Holiday Inn, near I-270. The
Holiday Inn is now another motel, maybe Days Inn, and the building that housed
the BBF is now an auto dealership. I was wondering if anyone has any photos of
the old Great Western shopping center. It had displays in the parking lot of the
Seven Wonders of the World. I
remember seeing these as a kid (unless it was my imagination).
Thanks!
*** follow the link above to
see what he is talking about) ***
April 14, 2004
I think I can help you a little...
BBF @ Riverside Dr. & Fishinger. Sadly, this is now a
McDonalds.
...don't forget the old
Saxon's
restaurant next door. It became a bank and is now a CORD Camera. They had the
best roast beef and tater tots ever.
GD Ritzy's. All three Evansville locations are open. We
live near the one on University Dr. and my son loves the burgers and ice
cream.
Great site! Lotsa good memories.
April 27, 2004
Any info you have on Kuenning's restaurants in Columbus
would be of special interest to me, as I am a Kuenning and have been with
Quivey's Grove Restaurant in Madison, WI since 1980, (chef, manager, and now
owner). http://www.quiveysgrove.com/ I would be very
interested in the famous Kuenning Salad, and I also saw reference to the Fish
Fry. We do large business in Wisconsin.
Thanks, Craig
Kuenning
May 2, 2004
Do you remember a
small chain of Sub shops named DEXTER"S ?
(editors note: Amway connection... 'nuff
said)
May 2, 2004
I recall JACK BOWMAN's// UPPER CRUST // SHAKEY'S PIZZZA //
LUM'S// all in the smae area on Haamilton just north of the Great
Eastern shopping center.
Rand
May 4, 2004
Hi. My name is Kirk. A friend sent me your link. I remember Farrell's
quite well for a few birthday parties and my brother getting a trophy for
finishing a Pig's Trough banana split on his birthday.
The restaurant I remember best,
and would like to have added to this list just closed about a year ago. One of
Columbus' better landmarks was the Kahiki. I was sad to hear they were tearing
it down. I loved the atmosphere there. The building was probably my favorite of
any restaurant I've seen anywhere. I have heard that there are plans to open
another one, but I don't know where or when. If you have any info. on that, I
would love to hear about it. Thanks for taking the time to do this site. You
could publish something like this. I hope to be in touch again
sometime.
1 June 2004
I happened upon this site while
trying to remember where Emil's was. Google took me to the 1964 listing,
then I "backed up" to the homepage. Wow, I hit the motherlode! Thank
you, thank you, thank you! What memories! BTW, I have lived near
Chicago for nearly 25 years, but still enjoy my frequent trips back to
Columbus.
9 June 2004
There was a Burger Chef on Lane Avenue
in Arlington. I believe it was directly east of Tommy's Pizza and is now a Taco
Bell.
The Olentangy Inn diner is now Cap City diner on Olentangy River
Rd.
There was a Big Bite on W. Henderson Road. I believe it was just east of
the old Pizza Hut.
There was a Mother's Pizza on W. Henderson Rd. that closed
to become a Presutti and Chin's. It was later a Schmidt's and then torn down to
become a CVS pharmacy.
1 July 2004
On your "what was that" page, the
fifth restaurant down, was (when I moved to town in 1986) a "Po Folks"
restaurant. I believe that was what it was originally built for. The next
picture down the page was without a doubt built as a "Stuart Anderson's Black
Angus Restaurant". I know because I ran the joint back then.
Same with the
Kinko's now at Kenny and Henderson and the Sports Med place on Refugee, across
from KMart. As well, you have the Ground Round restaurant on High St. listed on
your web site. According to my resume, that unit shut down in April of "96, then
became the Melting Pot. I ran the unit until it closed. Prior to that, I ran the
one on Phillipi Rd. next to Kohl's. I don't remember any dates of opening or
it's demise however. The building that now houses a "gentleman's club" behind
the Kinko's on Kenny and Henderson had many incarnations as an Italian
Restaurant, one of which was the "Casa Gallardo". It originally was the same
thing as the buildings that now house the Olive Garden on 161 and on Hamilton
Rd. Seems like the name was Casa Lupita, but not sure of that one.
I probably have some old pictures of some of these places. I'll have to do
some digging.
Kendall R.
Oh, a P.S.- I didn't notice if you had the Cantina del Rio listed on
your site. Built near the intersection of Brice Rd. and I-70. It was a Bob Evans
owned concept only open 2-3 years. I believe the building to still be vacant.
There were other locations in Columbus as well that were purchased by the Thomas
& King franchise which owns all of the Applebee's locations in Central Ohio
(based in Lexington, KY). They turned some of the units into Rio Bravo, but then
bailed out due to low revenues. (I used to work for them too). I'll visit again
soon
19 July 2004
There was a BBF on Morse rd. that is
now Rosie O'Grady's. Before that it was 106.3 Club and King Tut's.
23 July 2004
How about adding York Steak House. You got Ponderosa:( I worked
at
York when I was in high school. The first one was here in Columbus
at
the Patio (corner of Karl Rd and Morse Rd). The old Patio was
torn
down back in 1982, I believe. At one time, they had a York in
Northland, Eastland, and maybe Westland malls(maybe it was located on
West Broad near Westland mall). There was also a standalone unit
on
Hamilton Rd just next to Eastland. They too were sold to General
Mills
and that's about when the chain went into decline. I think the
West
Broad street store may still be open. Two former York managers
bought
the name and reopened it. I has some old photos of the
interior.
Great web site.
Another restaurant was Guy's. It was a sub store also located at
the
Patio. I think you have it listed as Guy's Hamburgers
24 July 2004
Hello. I was looking at your website and noticed you
have some information about the Sisters Chicken
& Biscuits food chain. I've heard that there was a
Sisters Chicken & Biscuits in
Columbus, but I did not know it was true. I use
to live in Findlay Ohio, and in the 1980s there was a
Sisters Chicken & Biscuits. Unfortunately the
restaurant closed in the early 1990s. The building has
been demolished and is now a Godfather's Pizza. I loved
Sisters Chicken & Biscuits, and I miss it very much.
Do you know if there are anymore of these restaurants
still in existence?
(unfortunately
no)
29 July 2004
The current "Bring back the
Chilito" craze (http://www.chilicheese.org/) and the credit given to
Zantigo led me to your site during a "surf down memory lane".
I'm pretty sure in the database that the TAT Ristorante on James Road
did not open until at least 1980. I know this because I worked in the Patriot
Steak House in high school that occupied that building. The 1955 date "might" be
for the TAT that was at Beechwood & Livingston on the east side (where I
also grew up). It had been there as long as I could remember. In the early 80's
the Corrova family consolidated the TAT's into the current location on James
Road.
Hope this helps.
Great work on the site!
9 Aug 2004
I wish i had pictures, but i live in
Alabama, but grew up in Columbus Ohio. I remember the
roll on big o commercial, and eating at the L/K restaurant on Westerville road beside shotenstiens.and
sneakin in the linden air drive in. Diddnt they have the
usa skate center by you,we had the linden roller rink,but went to usa for the
all night skates.was grate to read your page it has made me smile,thank
you....Danny B.
I believe on your list "Fire Station #5" should be corrected to "Engine
House #5"
6 Sept 2004
Howdy, I just wanted to drop you a
line about another Big Bite location. There was one in
Westerville on the main drag; it was
converted into a Pizza Hut. It was torn down and rebuilt 2 or 3 years ago
as a ‘modern’ Pizza Hut. The address was
651 S. State
St. I hope this helps fill a gap for
you.
02 Oct 2004
Anyone remeber "Fat Jimmy's Cajun
Chicken" located at E. Livingston and Parsons. Late 1970's
I grew up on E. Livingston and
went to Walnut Ridge HS. My Dad used to take us to Reeb's Restaurant, I think it
was on Livingston. On the drive there he'd always point out where Eddie
Rickenbacker was born. He would also take us, all 9 kids and Mom to Willards
Restaurant on Main St. in Bexley Just down the block was Norwoods Amusement
Park. Anyone else remember that?
I left Columbus in 1976 when I was 18
and I've lived in Northern California for 25 years. It sure is great to hear
about and remember, Emils, and Peter Pan and The Ollie Burger and BBF and
Shakeys on Hamilton RD. They had a player piano in there that would fascinate me
for hours. I almost forgot about Flippo! We used to go to Planks Bear Garden and
Schmidts Sausage house in German Village. Wow that was fun!
Thanks for the
Memories.
- Flippo had a restaurant near Hudson on High Street back in the 1980's.
- Froggy's was a campus watering hole, 14th and Pearl Alley, back in the mid
70's. Great hamburgers.
- Hot Sub was Hymie's Hot Sub. They also had a downtown
location. Great subs, lousy hygiene.
- Cappy's Pizza, Henderson Rd. 1970's.
- Greyhound Food Service (the bus company) bought Cassano's Pizza in Dayton
back in the 80's. Opened several stores in Columbus and closed them
shortly thereafter as Greyhound bailed on the restaurant business.
- Mario's Pizza. Olentangy Plaza behind the movie house.
- Elby's - 1900 block of Henderson Road 1970's and 1980's
- hunan House 161 west of Cleveland AV 1980's
- Knights Ice Cream - Westerville RD 1980's
- Fuyiyama's - Cleveland AV and 161 1980's Nasty Japanese
- The Patio - Restaurant strip center at Karl and Morse RD they had a
Schmidt's Sausage House and some others there.
- Western Pancake House - 1970's 161 I think.
- Helen Hutchley's Ice Cream - Golden Bear Shopping Ctr, also East Side
1970's
- Shakee's Pizza - Ohio Union 1960's 1970's
- Out'r Inn - Woodruff (I think) at High 1970's
- Donna's Good Time something behind Long's 15th &High
- Garcia's Pizza 15th and High (After Char-bar)1980's
- Jolly Roger Donuts - High Street at Woodruff(?)
Nov 20, 2004
The old Shakeys Pizza is now Capoziellos. There used to be a L and K
restaurant right in front of Schottensteins North before they expanded the
warehouse. I worked briefly at the main Dexter's Subs location on E.Broad St.
They used to make chili that was almost a dead knock off of Wendys. Dog and Suds
was the first paying job that I ever had. Old Fashioned Root beer, car hops, and
foot long coneys were a few of the menu items. <M.Craig>
Dec 8 2004
someone mentioned Hymies' Hot Subs in here somewhere. I delivered for
Hymies back in 1979/80, when it was on East Woodruff, and in 1981/82, when it
was on High Street, in the storefront on the north side of the Universiity
theater, which became a Mcdonald's which became something else...
Hymies opened up in the early 1960's I believe, in downtown
Columbus.
When I worked there a guy named Arnie Levine owned it, then sold it to a
couple other guys who turned it into Pinn Central Station, cashing in on subs,
pizza, and video games. (I had the highest scores on Centipede for
awhile.)
I went on to work at Papa Joe's on high Street, which has since burned
down...
Gregg P.
Dec 15, 2004
did anyone ever go to the Bombay Bicycle Club across from eastland mall on
hamilton road? there was also another great restaurant beside of it and i
cant remember the name? i have a picture of my son when he was 2 years old
eating at the zantigo on s. high st. across from mercy hospital. the
building still looks the same. lisa y
Dec 24, 2004
Neat idea. I've got some
history on a website I do for a diner downtown. It's called Jack's. Check
it out: http://www.jacksdowntowndiner.com/ There are
photograghs of the original Jack's from 1963, in it's original location on the
corner of N. High St & Hickory St. Check out the History section for
more info. The red neon restaurant sign from the old State & Fourth
Grill now hangs in Jack's too. I have a couple of great photos of that
place too, I can send them to you if you like.
Dec 25, 2005
There was a Fat Jimmy's Chicken on
High Street too. Don't forget Elby's. I worked in one on Henderson
that became a Pizza Hut and is now a nightclub. Leonardo's Pizza in
Arlington was delicious. Across from Lazarus downtown was the Small Fry on
E. State Street and who can forget Jack's at 222 N High Street? How about
the Pizzaburgers at the Golden Point on Oakland Park? The Fontanelle
Restaurant was in Graceland Shopping Center. Remember the Gloria Italian
Restaurant on Riverside Drive near Trabue? Now an El Vaquero, next to the
old Bill Knapp's, which is now the home of a Bob Evans. The Gaslight in
Arlington was pretty cool. It's on the other end of the shopping center
where the Windward Passage is today. (If you've never been to the Windward
Passage on Henderson Rd., go before this Columbus Landmark is gone
forever! They have telephone jacks at each of the booths that have the
old-style 4-prong plugs on them.) Cool Website. Keep up the good
work!
I didn't see it listed, back in the sixties there was what I call a REAL
Krispy Kreme donut place directly east of Graceleand shopping center. It wasn't
anything like the new Krispy Creme franchises, except the green and white sign.
They made the worlds best stick donuts ! Now the clerks in these new-fangled
places don't even know what a stick donuts is.
Also along N High at Morse rd was Jerry's drive-in and farther north on
High, close to Lincoln Ave was a small polace called Don's drive-in. Don's made
great grilled pecan rolls, and Jerry's was famous for their creme horns, and
other baked goods. In the 60s-70s, Jerry's was the northern end of what was
cruising on Friday nights. I mean the real thing, not nostalgia cruises.
btw, I think the old Saxons roast beef location near Lincoln ave and N
high may have been where Don's drive-in used to be. I beleive it was an Arthur
Treachers before it was Saxons.
Jan 23. 2005
Does anyone remember when Wendy's
menu included HOT-DOGS?
I'm starting to think I'm truly crazy, or it was a dream, but from sometime
around 83-85?.
Jan 27, 2005
I really enjoyed your web
site. I now live in Minneapolis but lived in Westerville for over 50 years.
The site does not mention the BBF that use to be in Westerville.
I think it was around where the McDonald's is. He also doesn't
have the BBF that was on Morse Road. Again, great site, I am going to put a link on my web pages.
I found your link on Buckeye Sports Bulletin's Web Site.
http://www.buckeyecountdown.com/
Jan 28, 2005
Do you remember The Circus Chef Diner
on S.High St.? How about Cardo's Pizza in Great Southern Mall? Doersam's
Restaurant downtown on W.Broad , Phillips Coneys , Ray Johnson's Fish Market
which has moved to a "new" location. To the person that mentioned The Top: It's
still open, under new ownership.
Jan 31, 2005
There was a BBF in Westerville in the
early 70's. It was on S. State St. next to McDonalds (Arbys
location?).
Also, include York Steak House in your old rest. section. Northland and
Eastland both closed, as did the entire chain other than one franchise owner on
W Broad St...only one still open anywhere.
February 16, 2005
I wanted some info on LUMS - I had been in touch with a LUMS in Woodbridge VA
- I spoke with them about 2 months ago and they were going to sell me the ollie
burger spices - when I went from GA to VA last week I found the place closed up
tight.
February 27, 2005
Researching diners. This page was a great help, because i have not
got out of northern Ohio yet, in my research...
Anyone have any pictures of any of the diners listed.
Is the page that I created a year or two ago.
March 3, 2005
wonderful site!!! Brings
back tons of memories!!!
March 13, 2005
Shakey's Pizza in Whitehall is NOT Capoziellos now (from M. Craig's note of
Nov 4, 2004). Shakey's is now a Ricart storage lot/offices now.
Capoziellos is next door and is still there.
Sadly, it looks like Del Mattos is closed (On Main in Whitehall). Not
sure if it will reopen at some point. That place was a total time
warp. I swear they hadn't changed a thing since the early 60's.
Yea, Zantigo's killed Taco Bell. Their Chilito rocked. And how
about the coney place on Main. I think it was called The Boardwalk.
Cool place, great ham & cheese sandwiches. Thanks for the list!
March 23, 2005
I love this site,my wife and I often talk about the resaurants we used to
go to ,and miss so much.Reading the comments on here brought back so many
memories,we are both born and raised here and are in our 40's,we watched Flippo,
and lucy's toy shop.....I don't know if anyone has mentioned it yet,but there
was a restaurant at Central Point shopping center called Green Gables, A popular
hangout for hot rodders.They had curb service and great milkshakes.On the other
side of the street was a woolworths with a snack counter where they served great
floats.There was a BBF on the northeast corner of mound and central ave.it later
became borden burger,then good buddy,and finaly it was a sisters chicken,sisters
was my wifes(girlfriend then) first job back then.We both grew up down the road
on Central ave.We would love to share more stories and old pictures.
April 3 2005
I grew up on
Green Gables hamburgers and strawberry pie. They had the best strawberry
pie around. It was the only strawberry pie with what we called
strawberry goop YUM YUM. My husband is a few years older than me and he
remembers driving to Green Gables with a friend to find someone to race with on
a 1/4 mile road in Hilliard Ohio. v
April 5 2005
In Westerville, State Street, in the
60s there was Williams Grill -- best lemon merage (sp?) pie -- and Shelton's --
best Shrimp in a Basket -- and D&D Pizza --mmm Pepperoni. For about
five minutes in the 70s came Denver Burger where, I think, the Chipotle is now
There was another chain called De-Lites. They specialized in light, healthy food...salads, fruit, etc. Two locations I know of were on Karl Road, just north of Morse on the east side of the street across from a car dealership, and another on Dublin-Granville Road, a block west of 161, across from the current Friendly's restaurant. Both were converted initially to Household Bank. I vaguely remember a location in Westerville, too, just north of 270 on Westerville
Road.
April 15 2005
The Gahanna BBF at
186 E. Granville
Street is now a Key Bank. There were two
different Arthur Treacher’s in Gahanna. One (261 Lincoln Cir) is now a
Massey’s Pizza, while the other (355 E. Granville St.) is now a Swan Cleaners.
April 23
2005
Hi,
Interesting site. One correction and one
piece of info. I grew up on the far westside. The Burger Chef on Sullivant Ave.
ss now Turner pest control not advance Auto. I think the Advance Auto was where
Super Duper grocery was.
And I believe there was a Borden Burger (BBF)
where the Now closed down Putt Putt was on Georgesville across fomr western
Lanes
Aug 7, 2005
Hi, I was
trying to remember what BBF stood for and found your website last night.
Really fun to read thru and remember all the old restaurants that have come and
gone.
I think you should also research York Steak
House. There was one by Eastland Mall that my family went to every
Sunday. There is still one open near Westland -- think it was "saved" by a
former manager.
Also, re: Rax -- I remember there being Jax
in downtown columbus when I was a kid (born in '62, so probably sometime between
'67 and '72) -- we met my dad for lunch and that's where we went. (I could
ask my Dad what street is was on if you want to know)
Aug 11. 2005
Two you may want to consider...I'm
sorry, but I do not have the addresses handy at this time. There was a
restaurant called Duff's Smorgasborg on North Murray Hill Road in Lincoln
Village on the West Side of Columbus. It is now Westside Family
Practice.
Another pertains to Bob Evans. There was a Bob Evans on Georgesville
Road right next to the old Putt-Putt Golf and Games. It is now out of
business (has been for years), but prior to that, it was a Jimmy Dean's
Restaurant. Not sure if any Jimmy Dean's still exist, but they were a
chain just like Bob Evans..... (Jimmy
Dean wanted to test restaurants so they came here to take on Bob Evans,
but gave up in a few years an sold the locations to Bob Evans
-editor)
Aug 18, 2005
i was searching for the receipt of
Phillips origional coney island sauce and came upon your web site, never did
find the receipt.
in the late 50's and early 60's the site you list as a BBF was actually the
Burger Boy drive in. this was a very popular place for young people to
hang out and cruise around with your loud muffer and pretent you were
tough. i went to high school with the daughter of the owner, think their
last name was Tuttle. I believe that he started the BBF's.
Phillips origionally had 3 locations in columbus; Buttles and High, Mound
and Harmond, and the west Broad St. location that you list. All are closed
and the great.... grand son of one of the owners runs the new, last 15 or 20
years, one on Broad street near Vet's Memorial. When i was about 9 or 10,
we used to go to the west broad st. unit and get carry-out coneys, i believe
that they cost 25 cent for two. the cook went by the name of shorty,
little guy. their onions were crushed very fine, like a snow cone, and the
buns were steamed, probably bought stale ones and steamed them to fool
you.
i enjoyed you web site.
thanks, Tom
September 23, 2005
Ponderosa resturants, there is
a closed one in Westerville on state street just north of 270, next to Arbys,
and there is a former ponderosa that is now a Mexican Resturant off Tussing Road
near the intersection of Brice and Tussing.
The old RAX on Refugee road is now a Minute Man pizza
Nov 6 2005
I am Doug now 46,I remeber Bill
Knapps in Worthington where I worked in my younger
days.The place closed in 2001 and is now a Sky
Bank, The one on the East side is standing
Vacant, The Upper Arlington store was demolished
and now a Bob Evans is there now.
Bill Knapp's went out of business in 2002.I loved
the Garden Burger with Fries smothered in Chicken
Gravy. The Village Inn Pizza Parlor on Olentangy
River Road was another favorite.
Lums I wish was still here.
Dec 1, 2005
I just stumbled across Curt Boster's
Columbus site and it would seem he and I had the same childhood. A
restaurant he mentions is Pete's Red Pig Diner. Some of my earliest
memories are of my father and I sharing a booth at Pete's while we scarfed those
great cheeseburgers. And my very first job was as a carhop at Stewart's
Drive-In on Yearling Road (I held that job for exactly one week). I also
remember my mother turning Friday dinners into BBF Night. Thanks, Curt,
for returning me to my fast food youth.
Thursday December 01, 2005
Don't forget the Arthur Treacher's on Hamilton Road in Whitehall. I
think it was just off of Etna Road (or maybe Langley?) and I believe it opened
in the 70s. Of course, neither me nor my friends would go because, well,
who knew what "chips" were? We'd eat Mexican or Chinese or Italian food in
a second. But English?! No way!
Dec 6, 2005
I didn't see this mentioned on your
site: the little restaurant inside of the Woolco (in Great Eastern?)
Was it called the Red Grill? And this isn't food related, but who recalls
Shopper's Fair on Broad just past Town & Country? Is it a Kmart
now? I love this website!
Dec 19, 2005
I've lived in Illinois for the past
25 years, but only recently made a discovery. In Grayslake, which is a far
northern suburb of Chicago, there is a Dog 'n" Suds. It has the same sign
as the one that was in Whitehall, and it still employs carhops! The PA is
tuned to an oldies station, so it really feels like a step back in time.
Does this mean D 'n' S is a franchise, or that some enterprising signmaker got
rich off a single design?
Sunday January 22, 2006
We grew up in Worthington in the 50's and 60's. One of my parents'
favorite spots to take us was Anton's Restaurant, on High St. south of
Worthington. We also went to the Carousel Dinner Theater north of
Worthington. I remember when the first local McDonald's opened, on High
St. at Cook Rd., sometime between 1964-1966 I believe. We used to cruise
Jerry's Drive-In at High St. and Morse Rd.; sometimes we'd pour out the Coke we
ordered and put beer in the cup, then drink it with the straw. In addition
to restaurants, Columbus had many teen dance clubs in the 60's; Valleydale and
The Button are two that I can remember.
Tuesday February 14, 2006
Anyone remember Bonanza Steak House? There use to be one on Olentangy
River Road just south of the hospital, out in front of where Gold Circle.....use
to be, another blast from the past. Your site is awesome...loved reading
about Chiller Theater with "Frita the Night Owl", Flippo's movies from 4 -6 were
awesome, Lucy's Toy Shop, Zantigo's...L & K. Does anyone remember: The
Peppermint Tiger, The Dixie Electric Company, Marco Polo's, The High Street
Brewing Co (the old Underground)....Great Site Keep up the great
job.
Feb 18, 2006
Loved the page-
Additional information:\
There was another Rax location across from the old K-Mart (present day
Lowe's) and next door to the old Kahiki (present day Walgreens). Its address was
3559 E. Broad St. It is now a Popeye's. I think this is the one you had listed
as '5559 E Broad', because 5559 E. Broad St would be right at about Noe-Bixby
Rd, near Temple Beth Israel.
Also, there was another Arthur Treacher's open downtown, in the 200 block
of East Broad St. It was located west of Wendy's Store #1, across from COSI. We
ate there all the time when I volunteered at COSI in high school. Present day,
it looks to be a Chinese fast food place...
Thanks, and great webpage!
Feb 23,
2006
Two of us are trying to recall a healthy fast food chain from the
early 1980s and we cannot remember the name. I stumbled across your site
during a deep Google search. Very cool.
One of the locations for the chain we are trying to remember was
on Route 3 just north of 270 on the west side of the road. We believe the
company was public and was perhaps focused on burgers. If you have any
info it would be much appreciated. *DeLites
Also, there was a Burger Chef on
North High St in Worthington just south of York Golf Club. I believe it is
now a church.
Also Sandy’s Drive Inn at 4299 N.
High St. became a Rally’s at some point and is now House of India.
(Assuming this is the place on the corner of High and Cooke Rd.)
Hope this
helps…
March 2, 2006
Hey Jim: everyting you talk about I remember. We moved to the East side in
1961(Melroy Ave.) Just off of Hamilton rd. close to Tommy's Pizza. I went
to Walnut Ridge H.S. grad of 1965. Small world isn't it. My Mother in law
worked at Emils and I remember that refrigerated case that held the pie.
Spent many a late night there with friends. Nice to stroll down memory
lane.
March 16, 2006
Neat website, old Columbus restaurants - thanks for putting it together. I
remember a BBF (Burger Boy Food-o-rama - Home of the Whirling Satellite!)
on Morse Road in the sixties. I also remember some local celebrities doing their
commercials, like Luci on Luci's Toyshop (a kid's show), and Flippo the Clown on
his Early Show in the afternoons on weekdays.
I remember, too, on Morse Road, in the 80's, a Middle Eastern or Greek
restaurant called Big Bite, which featured gyros, orange/creamsicle shakes, etc.
There were other locations, too.
There was another restaurant in the 70's-80's downtown Columbus called
Periwinkle's Salads, on Long Street, that had, among other things, homemade
salads like tuna, chicken or turkey, made with lots of sprouts, celery and other
yummy stuff. I'm trying to locate their recipes, have even written to the
Columbus Dispatch, but no luck yet.
If I can think of others, I'll let you know. And thanks for any info you
are able to provide, too!
Monday April 03, 2006
What a great site! So many memories; I'm hoping
you (or another reader) can help me with a long lost memory.
Anyway, I
enjoyed reading about the history of Rax, I remember them well, but didn't know
they started as Jax.
I once threw up after drinking
about 5 of these drinks that came in fake ceramic coconuts at the Kahiki when I
was about 6.
I would kill my own mother to eat at Zantigo again. And
Burger Chef....so good. Thanks again!!
A reader posted this question:
"Does anyone remember when Wendy's menu included HOT-DOGS?
I'm starting to think I'm truly crazy, or it was a dream, but from sometime
around 83-85?."
Not only do I remember, I worked at Wendy's during that time and may have
been partially responsible for their downfall. The date range is about right,
probably closer to '86.
Each location got a "bun toaster", a sort of clamshell device that
would toast the hot dog buns on both sides at once. During a slow time one day,
my manager Ann asked me to clean it. She said there was a green bottle of
"Janitor in a Drum" that I should use.
What she didn't explain was that she meant that she wanted me to clean
the outside of the toaster. I didn't realize that, and poured "Janitor in a
Drum" on the hot plates, where it formed some god-awful bond with the non-stick
coating. No matter how we scrubbed, it wouldn't come off. From then on, the buns
we'd cook smelled vaguely caustic. There were complaints, so our store stopped
selling them.
Now does anyone remember when Burger King was selling Dinner Baskets?
They tried to go a bit upscale. Fried shrimp was one of the selections.
How about Hot Sam's pretzels? There was one in Northland Mall across
from the arcade (Alladin's Castle) where I was a god at TEMPEST. All that
space-warping makes a guy hungry for pretzels!
Wow! I am stunned and amazed at the B&W photo of the
BBF!
Ya know... they built one just like that one down the hill from my
childhood home near Arlington Park, in Huntington, West Virginia. It would have
been at the corner of Washington Blvd and Route 60... zip code 25705.
The brick you see on the sides were *glossy* blue, and the bathrooms
were DOWNSTAIRS under the eating areas. That's why it can be so small on the
property. The building was demolished years ago, probably because of the
complicated roof style... and a lack of appreciation for the modern style in the
area.
I think it became a Borden Burger, then a Burger Chef, and then a
Burger King... which actually rebuilt across the street. Across the street from
the BBF before that was an A frame "house" that served as the local visitors
welcome center. Gone.
I bet those bathrooms are still underground
there... I can't imagine that anyone would have dug them up. They are not part
or connected to the new structure. Its a gas station and minimart of some kind
now. Again, the original building with the arches is long gone. Sad, really.
April 15, 2006
Hi. You mentioned that Lum's bought
Ollie's Trolley and then used the Ollieburger recipe in their restaurants. We
used to have a Lum's restuarant here in Maryland that I used to go to on a
Saturday afternoon while grocery shopping. On a hot summer day, I would have a
stein of beer and a wonderful Ollieburger. Then they closed and that was the end
of it. But, the Ollieburger lived on in my memory.
However, yesterday
(Good Friday, April 14, 2006), I was in downtown Washington, DC, and what do I
see in the Hotel Harrington at 12th and E Streets, NW: An Ollie's Trolley...and
they had Ollieburgers listed outside the building and I could actually see it
across the street. Because it was Good Friday, I could not order the
Ollieburger. Also, when I was talking to the cashier trying to tell her about
the Ollieburgers at Lums, I couldn't remember the name of the
restuarant.
She kept telling me that Ollie's Trolley has been in business
for many years (I think going back to the 40's) and she pooh-poohed my trying to
remember the Ollieburgers at another restaurant with a different name. However,
I did stay and has a crabmeat sandwich with fries. They covered the fries with
Old Bay seasoning (that's what it tasted like), and I resolved to go back to try
the Ollieburger.
Later when talking with my brother in law on the phone,
I remembered the name of the restaurant of my memories--Lums, and I decided to
look up Lums and Ollieburger in Google. That's how I came across your
website.
Well, Ollieburgers and Ollie's Trolley is still around. The
Ollie's Trolley that I visited yesterday was kinda run-down, but it was good to
find the Ollieburger again. Also, I have found several websites with a recipe
that claims to be for the Ollieburgers, that I am going to try. Just wanted to
update you on my find--the Ollie's Trolley. The cashier claimed the were a chain
with other locations.
To be honest, I really liked Lums better. It had a
family restaurant atmosphere. I'm not a big drinker but on a hot summer day the
stein of beer went so well with the Ollieberger, and I didn't feel like I was in
a bar. Ollie's Trolley does not serve beer, and I will probably grab the
Ollieberger to go and take it back to work to enjoy at lunchtime at work. I'm
going to have to take the Metro subway train there and back to and from work,
just to see if it is the same as I remembered.
It's supposed to have a
special sauce and the recipes on the internet don't seem to have the sauce, but
they do have a marinade.
I wish you well and will probably look to see if
I see any other Ollie's Trolleys listed, but there is one in downtown
DC.
April 21, 2006
Howdy
All!
I totally enjoyed reviewing your list of central Ohio
chain restaurants. Brought back many good memories! Just wanted to let you
know...
To the best of my knowledge, there are two places still
open and functioning, serving up great grub, back in my hometown of
Lancaster, Ohio.
One is a Rax (on Main St/U.S. 22 East)
and the other is an Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips (on
Memorial Drive/U.S. 33 West).
Just wanted to pass the info along. Keep up the great work
:o)
Monday April 24, 2006
I wrote a while back and mentioned that I'd found some Dog
'n' Suds still in operation in northern Illinois. Imagine my surprise (and
heartbreak) when I learned that right down the street from my new house, there
used to be a Dog 'n' Suds on the corner. If only I'd gotten here
sooner...
May 03, 2006
I was raised in Columbus. My Mom worked at Emil's
during the early 60's and her friend made the crème pies. I have been
searching for a banana crème pie that can compare for the past 45 years.
If any of the readers can forward a recipe, I would be eternally
grateful.
Love this website!
There was a BBF at the corner of Fishinger
Road and Riverside Drive beginning in the early 60's - there is now a
McDonalds there.
A Burger Chef was located next to Tommy's
Pizza on Lane Avenue near Upper Arlington. There is a shoe store for
runners there now.
Greg
May 22, 2006
Hello:
I would like to see a posting on Bill
Knapp's The last Columbus Bill Knapp's closed in 2001 at 6851 N.High
Street in Worthington and is now a Sky Bank.
Upper Arlington on Riverside Drive
torn down and a Bob Evans is on the site.
The East Side Bill Knapp's on Lonsdale
Rd and Livingston still standing vacant.
Also was there ever a Burger chef north
of Worthington on High Street but was torn down when I-270 was built.
I read that somewhere but do not
remember it.
What happened to Shoneys in Ohio?
Doug
May 29, 2006
I believe there is still a GD
Ritzys in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. on rt 17 (Kings Highway)
Friday June 09, 2006
I`ve been researching old abandoned amusement
parks and came across your site. I have lived in florida for the past 20 years,
but grew up on the west side of columbus. Does anyone remember Green Gables at
the Central Point shopping center? there was also a BBF there. there was a
Burger Chef on W Broad st at Hague ave.I was back in Ohio in 1998, and so much
had changed.It was realy nice seeing some of the old things and places of my
childhood
Hi Everybody,
Sharing some old places and haunts from the past... Columbus memories &
places we use to haunt? I would love to add some of my old favorites to
their list. I would add Beverly Restaurant, I was a carhop there is the
60's, Patton's Restaurant on Mound Street, Shell Restaurant on Sullivant,
The Plateau Bar, Satan's Place Bar on 161, The Miles Outdoor Drive-In
Theaters, Skateland on Sullivant, The Big Nickel on 161, King Tit's on
Morse, The Brown Derby Restaurant & Luv Pub Bar on Morse Rd, Faces nightclub
at the Continent, The Angora on campus, The Castle on campus, and so many
more. I use to go to Green Gables on Mound Street at Central Point and ride
around the drive-in restaurant with my boyfriends in their souped up cars!
We use to do the same at Frisch's Restaurant on West Broad. Remember
Lincoln Lanes and bowling leagues that we were on? How about Western
Lanes? I remember Dad bowling a lot there and most of us! Lou,
Columbus
June 30, 2006
I love this website and wondered if you have any
information on the restaurant Isaly's on Third in German Village. They had
the best chicken salad! I was wondering if you knew about the Swiss House
restaurant on Broad st. It was a gem of a place!
I love this website, it's like a walk down memory lane when times/ people
were good. Thanks for sharing this information with the rest of us!
Aug 11 2006
Hey, cool site. I was just talking with a friend about decorating my
kitchen with photographs of old restaurants that have closed, and stumbled
upon your site. Very unique. I'm glad you did this.
I remember way back in the day, when I was like five years old (in 1982)
that there used to be a Zantigos at the southwest corner of Wilson Rd. and
W. Broad St. I think it's a Budget Car Sales now. I also remember going to a
Burger Chef on Sullivant Ave. near Demorest Rd. I think it's a bar called
Boomer's now.
Again, thanks for doing this. I really enjoyed your site.
Wendy
August 30, 2006
I attended tech. school in Columbus between 1972-1973. I took a part time
job as a security guard at the Borden Burger on Cemetary Road in, or near,
Hilliard.
I was only 19 and the kind people there provided me many pleasant memories.
I may return someday to visit the area. I lost contact with my friends long
ago.
In the meantime, I looked at a few satellite maps of the area and studied
the marvelous growth over the last thirty years.
Can you provide the address of that old Borden Burger restaurant on Cemetary
Road? It hard to discern if the building still exists from a satelite
overview.
The comments and stories within your website refresh warm memories of people
and places.
Thank you for your time.
I love the site! Very entertaining.
I had no idea about the Seven
Wonders at Great Western. I e-mailed it
to some friends who are long-time Columbus residents and even they
didn't know about it.
I'm currently putting together a website about the old Indianola Park
in the University District and I was curious about a couple images in
the Defunct Amusement Park section. Specifically, the B&W photo of
the pavilion and the postcard of the rustic bridge. The photo is clearly from the 1930s since you can see the chimney of Indianola
Junior High (est. 1929) in the background. There isn't a lot out
there from Indianola in the 1930s. The rustic bridge postcard is
pretty uncommon too. I've been collecting Indianola postcards for the
past three years and never seen anything like it.
Thanks for a great site!
D.A.K.
Sept 7, 2006
Hi,, First of all let me say it was
so kool to find this site, as it brought back so many memories,, i now
live in North Carolina, near Fort Bragg, but i grew up in Columbus,
west side. After finding this site had to call my older brother (
lives in New Lexington, Ohio) to test his memory,
Green Gables, central point shopping
center, friday nights,cruiseing, lookin for guys to race,, listening
to WCOL (FM),, first kiss,, take me back,, the BBF (mainliner
). Jerrys drive in on High Street,
like a scene from the movie "American Grafiti", White Castle central
avenue, 7 wonders of the world ( Great Western Shopping Center) ok got
to stop, gettin all mushy here ,, once again thx , keep it going
October 13, 2006
I'm so glad to have found this site! I lived in Cols. area from 1961-1976,
when I married and moved elsewhere. From time to time I still visit, but
years go by between visits and I can't keep up at all!
I'm glad someone mentioned Sandy's! We LOVED Sandy's, went there way
before that first McDonald's opened up, as mentioned in an earlier post.
I miss ALL the Howard Johnson's restaurants--this chain should never have
been allowed to close.
I remember when the Taco Bell and Arthur Treacher's opened in the
Westerville area, and we got food from there all the time. I still love
Arthur Treacher's but haven't seen one in years and don't know if they
ever made it to the NW where I am now (Seattle). I adored the Kahiki, it
was our favorite special occasion restaurant. I want there after prom, and
we threw a party there the day after our wedding in 76.
I can't believe the Christopher Inn has been torn down--I remember when it
was brand new and I was allowed to go there once for cocktails as a girl,
all dressed up. I had my first "Shirley Temple" cocktail there! I
remember Perkins Pancake House with fondness. Can't remember the name of
our favorite Chinese place, but it was in the Clintonville area--might it
have been Kowloon? It's not there anymore. And then there was a
Hungarian restaurant on High St. just north of OSU campus. It was in a
white building, can't remember the name. Fabulous. What ever happened to
Montaldo's by the way, and didn't they used to have a brand of candy for
which they were famous? When we first moved to Columbus, Northland
shopping center was just being finished--there wasn't anything out there,
and you could zoom up 161 Eastbound going 75mph!
I remember seeing Krispy Kreme about a jillion times. We never went
there, but went instead to Jolly Roger for donuts. I was shocked when
Krispy Kreme became a big big deal nationally a few years back. I thought
it was just a single little dinky shop near Graceland. The only sub
sandwich I ever had which was to die for was back in 1970 in a dive on the
OSU campus. Can't think of a name for the place, as I believe you had to
enter from the back. It was on High St. A lot of my childhood memories
are back in Columbus--and I enjoy the memories all of you are sharing.
I loved Ritzy's--what on earth happened to this chain--they were great!
'I have a vague memory of Swiss Chalet having a
resturant in Columbus somewhere, or at least I remember the
commercials from the early 1980s. I also remember the Colorado Rose
resturant, not by eating there, but they had commecials on WTTE all
the time before they became a FOX station (and would show neat old
moives and the like). I bet I have one on tape somewhere....
Glad to see you had Big Bite, it was too ahead of its time.
Cool site, thanks for the memories!
April 3, 2007I don't see
the Sandy's that was close to the Northern Lights Shopping Center on
Cleveland Avenue. I remember this very well, because it was next to a
"giant slide" when those first became popular. It was such a treat to go
down the slide and then eat at Sandy's. I particularly remember one
summer they gave away kites to all the kids. I was thrilled with my new
paper kite with "Sandy" on it!
April 4, 2007
There was a Sandy's that was close to the Northern Lights Shopping
Center on Cleveland Avenue in Columbus, Ohio. I remember this very well
because it was next to a "giant slide" when those first became popular.
It was such a treat to go down the slide and then eat at Sandy's. I
particularly remember one summer they gave away kites to all the kids. I
was thrilled with my new paper kite with "Sandy" on it!
It was in Columbus Ohio- probably 1963-64 era. It
was located on Cleveland Avenue, aka Route 3, aka 3-C Highway. (The
3-C's stand for Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati). It was in the
parking lot of a strip mall called Northern Lights Shopping Center.
I'm beginning to doubt my memory now because no
one else in the family remembers it! But I remember it so clearly.
As a youngster it was one of my favorite places to go!
Hope to hear more soon.
'Do you remember the name of the restaurant that used
to be at the corner of I70 and Brice? I believe it was Mexican and was
located where Home Depot is now. Cantina del Rio has been suggested
,but that does not sound right. I believe it was there in the late 60's
and early 70's. THANKS'
** yes, it was Cantina
del Rio a Bob Evans company attempt.
June 2, 2007 from the editor; you can email me or post messages on the new
forum section!
Thanks so much for bringing back so many great memories of restaurants we grew
up with.
We were married in 1976 and had our rehearsal dinner at a place in Hilliard.
It was on Main Street almost next to the Old Big Bear (now an Odd Lots). They
specialized in gret Prime Rib and Steaks. They were often in the
Entertainment books.
Would you happen to know the name of the restaurant or have any suggestions on
how to find it?
'There is a Swensen's Ice Cream Restaurant in Miami, Fl...
Last time I talked to Pete (Smerles) (2 years ago) he was living in Naples
FL...
Can't find a good hot dog in this town anywhere.
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