Want to support local restaurants? Curious about new openings or under-the-radar finds? Here are five restaurants I’m suggesting you try this month!
1. Hoagie City
For months now we’ve been hearing tell of a great new Philadelphia-inspired sandwich shop in Hilliard, and a random night there finally led us to Hoagie City. And I can tell you that after one visit, we’re pretty convinced. Owner Bob Farlow will regale you with stories about his old shop back in Pottsville, PA while he assembles absolutely massive cheesesteaks and Italian hoagies for you. Bonus: you can pick up scrapple, Taylor ham, and other east coast goodies.
Hoagie City
3870 Main St.
Hilliard, OH 43026
Learn more: Hoagie City in Hilliard, Ohio: A Taste of Philadelphia with Mouthwatering Cheesesteaks and Italian Hoagies
2. Kirin Noodle Bar
Kirin Noodle Bar is hidden in plain site in a Clintonville strip that includes Hot Chicken Takeover, Northstar Cafe, Gallo’s, Jeni’s. They serve a delightful mix of ramen, sushi, and other Japanese dishes. We can attest to the quality of the kimchi, the giant bowls of ramen like the karaage and miso, plus refreshing drinks like the Thai iced coffee.
Kirin Noodle Bar
4227 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43214
Learn more: kirinnoodle.com
3. Fork in Nigeria
Warmer weather is bringing us more food trucks, and we’ve been loving our visits to Fork in Nigeria, a family-owned truck featuring delicious Nigerian fare. They pop up at various parks and festivals throughout the season; we recently caught them at the Columbus Commons. We’ve loved the fried plantains, fufu, jollof rice, stewed chicken, and goat.
Fork in Nigeria
Multiple locations
Learn more: forkinnigeria.com
4. The Whitney House
The Whitney House just celebrated nine years in business, taking a brief pause earlier this year to revamp their space and menus. We’ve been pleased with all the updates, from new cocktails to apps like short rib pierogis and loaded potato chips, to rigatoni with bolognese, pan-seared walleye, tavern burgers, to chocolate chunk cookies and ice cream pretzel cake.
The Whitney House
666 High St.
Worthington, OH 43085
Learn more: The Whitney House Reopens After a Refresh
5. Three Bites Bakery
We’ve been reminded lately that Isabella Bonello’s Three Bites Bakery is perhaps one of the city’s best. She crafts such a delightful mix of sweet and savory pastries, from Italian custard-filled bombolini to Filipino pandesal made with ube and filled with cheese. Between signatures like those and flaky tarts, morning buns, cookies, chocolatey banana breads, coffee cakes, sandwiches, and pizzettes – Three Bites is a winner.
Three Bites Bakery
999 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Columbus, OH 43219
Learn more: Filipino and Italian Flavors at Three Bites Bakery
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