Comments on: Columbus, Ohio, Food

By: Chef John

Chef John — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:08:02 +0000

As a Youngstown born Chef, working in Pittsburgh, I don’t get all the fuss. Cleveland is good, Columbus is good, The Browns are coming back, OSU beat up on Michigan, and all is right in the world. When you want to come talk about one or the other, feel bad for us Youngstowner’s who have been trying to get the scene together for years, while the city rots around us. Columbus, Cleveland, Youngstown, Cincinnati, etc, we’re all the same state. Let’s prove the point we don’t need NY or LA to prove to us what good cooking is all about. We’re awesome, and keep getting better. Don’t hate on Ruhlman for getting excited about a new place. When you get to eat and work at the places he does, and can write as well and amazingly engrossing as he does, then throw you’re stones. Otherwise spend more time cooking and prove him wrong that you’re little city is better. I know I will.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 02:42:20 +0000

Reading this late, which is too bad because we were in Columbus last weekend. Shoot. Will save this for next year’s trip.

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 12:54:06 +0000

I live with Tom and he just came out laughing about how City BBQ was given a nice write up. I suspect after reading this it’s a little of smoothing over the ire of the Columbus natives. Since one of the owners of City BBQ will probably read this, I have to say eating there is like eating dog chow. Food is a labor of love. When you start to open five or ten locations, you are hiring the out of work Subway manager to run these places. BBQ is not only a labor of love but it is an art form. Did they replicate the Sistine Chapel ten times? If you go to Memphis or Texas, do you find great BBQ chains? City BBQ’s food is horrendous. It has no competitition except for a guy with a food truck. I have been to Texas many times and eaten some fantastic brisket. Ain’t no comparision. I wish the owners no ill will just like I wish Applebee’s and other chains no ill will. But they’ll never get into my wallet either.

By: Dean

Dean — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 12:36:36 +0000

I have lived in Columbus off and on for twenty years. I’ve also lived in LA and Miami and traveled to Asia and Europe and many destinations in between. That you ate at five restaurants that weren’t Applebee’s does not qualify Columbus as a foodie city. It is the chain eatery capital of the world. It ranks no where near Cleveland as a food city. Now, I will say that Columbus is changing and there are now some good and even a few very good eateries in Columbus but still…. It is the Applebee’s capital of the world. And for the record, City BBQ brisket…….. OMG BLAH!

By: Denise

Denise — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 16:39:25 +0000

As a Cbus native now living in Cleveland, I think both cities have a lot of great food options. Columbus has come a LONG way in developing itself (I grew up when Northland Mall and City Center were the big attractions) into what it is today, and I still love my hometown. But, I do think that Cleveland’s cuisine takes more risks and is more interesting overall. Both are still great.

BTW: Ruhlman, if you ever make it down to Cbus again, go to El Arepazo for some excellent Venezulean food.

By: Nic

Nic — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 15:34:54 +0000

I live in Columbus and we still have a ways to go when it comes to great food:
Let us count the chain restaurants…..SCARY!!
http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/food/stories/2010/08/18/readers-poll-results.html
When Cheesecake Factory beats out Pistacia Vera… WTF!

By: Beth

Beth — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 13:01:34 +0000

Thanks for the list of Columbus restaurants! As an active food policy dork, I have to travel to Columbus frequently, but haven’t had the time to spend looking for the quality places I want to support, so have leaned heavily on the North Market. I’m looking forward to branching out.

When I do spend time in Columbus, I often hear people tell me how much they envy the Cleveland food & farm scene. I think it’s really a matter of the “grass is always greener.” Clearly, both cities are providing excellent choices these days. We both have a lot to be proud of, as well as learn from one another.

Cheers!
Beth

By: greengeekgirl

greengeekgirl — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 02:28:08 +0000

No problems there, Chrissy–there’s tons of non-chain restaurants here, at any price range. You’ll have your pick of food!

By: Angie

Angie — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 02:01:17 +0000

We’ve long been Ruhlman fans here in Columbus! Glad you’ve been a C-bus fan!

By: Burnt Onion

Burnt Onion — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 21:06:43 +0000

Have some balls, Ruhlman. You don’t see Bourdain backing away from every cynical comment that he makes. Part of being a cynic is even standing up for the comments that rub people the wrong way. If it’s Applebees country, so what? The truth is the truth.

By: Tom W from Columbus

Tom W from Columbus — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 19:11:56 +0000

Michael – your trip did three things I thought near impossible with one trip to the state capital. #1 – gave all of Ohio a well deserved (food) shot in the arm #2 – stopped the CMH foodies from being bummed any longer about the No Rez slight #3 – gave public praise to the taco trucks and Alana’s that I hold dear.

Sometimes you just can’t win … this isn’t one of those times.

By: Ed

Ed — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 19:03:40 +0000

True, but worth mentioning that Columbus city limits are enormous (annexing all the suburbs – which was smart so its a bit apples to oranges). Cleveland metro and Cincy metro are both bigger then Columbus, I think Cincy is the biggest right now. Of course Columbus is growing and the other two probably are not so who knows.

By: Columbus, Represent! Beard Award Nominations Now Open « Slow Food Columbus Blog

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 18:53:02 +0000

[...] recent visit to Columbus, and with Chef Michael (“LeBron II”) Ruhlman having just concluded that “Columbus exceeds Cleveland as a worthy food destination,” we have no excuses not [...]

By: Represent Columbus in the James Beard Nominations | Hounds In The Kitchen

Represent Columbus in the James Beard Nominations | Hounds In The Kitchen — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 16:07:47 +0000

[...] of a No Reservations episode about the heartland for Cleveland based food writer Michael Ruhlman to visit our fair city. When he did, he declared that “Columbus exceeds Cleveland as a worthy food destination. [...]

By: FSonicSmith

FSonicSmith — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 13:52:56 +0000

Is it true you and Neil Sedaka were dining together at Rigsbys? I saw you both there at the same time. Seriously, the taco truck phenomenon is the best thing to hit CBus ever. Come back this Spring or Summer to do the taco truck crawl and be sure to include the tacos de chivo or lengua at Tacqueria Davanne on 5th between downtown and Grandview.

By: Diana Shannon

Diana Shannon — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 17:29:20 +0000

Next time, try G Michael’s Bistro in German Village. David Tetzloff does amazing food!

By: Kristine

Kristine — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:54:29 +0000

Someone had to pick on Toledo. Glad you were kidding. But don’t most towns look depressing if you’re just driving through. Toledo does have a lot of chains, but there are some great locally owned restaurants.

By: Sandy Davis

Sandy Davis — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:26:54 +0000

Michael–The next time you are in Columbus and really want to feel like a part of our city, come visit us. Our B&B is just behind Jeni’s Ice Cream in the Short North. You won’t need to move your car. Just walk up and down the street to sample some of the best restaurants in the city–most owned by the person in the kitchen. Just give me a call to be our guest. The Short North is the center of our universe , so come visit and “Live like the Locals” . Sandy Davis, 50 Lincoln-Short North Bed and Breakfast. http://www.columbus-bed-breakfast.com.

By: George Z

George Z — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:06:13 +0000

Can not believe some of the comments on here. I live in Columbus and love it. I love Cleveland and its ethnic variety. I love Cinci’s dining options too, have found more than one gem hiding in a strip mall. Haven’t been to Dayton or Toledo for awhile but have no negative feelings for either. WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL? Fortunately most commenters here appear to have some overall perspective, but still…

As much as I appreciate MR’s vote of confidence – thank you, by the way – it in NO WAY affects how I view my own city or anyone else’s. The same held true going back to the comment on No Reservations, and would continue to hold true even if Columbus had been panned in this entry. Are we really so insecure that someone else’s subjective view – yes, their OPINION – affects how we view our own offerings? Please! No matter where you live, enjoy what your community has to offer whether or not someone else seems to validate or refute it. If the gripe is that Mr. Ruhlman seems to have heaped slightly more love on one over another, well, geez – is that worthy of insults or throwing away books? Good grief.

In the immortal words of Sgt. Hulka, “Lighten up, Francis!”

By: EDCinci

EDCinci — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:02:47 +0000

Ruhlman: Any chance you’ll visit Cincinnati in the near future? Much of interest to see/eat/drink here as well.