Columbus is the birthplace of the beloved Ohio State Buckeyes, the Wendy’s hamburger and everyone’s favorite spiky-haired and spunky foodie, Guy Fieri. A Columbus native, Guy has dedicated a lot of airtime to sample all the incredible eateries that the capital city has to offer.
The reality TV show has featured 13 different local restaurants and breweries in and around Columbus, making it one of the most highlighted cities on the official Diners, Drive-ins and Dives map.
If your palate resembles Guy Fieri’s, let this be your official teaser to Columbus dining.
Owner, Ena with Guy Fieri. Source: Ena's Caribbean Kitchen Facebook
Ena’s Caribbean Kitchen (Season 28, Episode 1)
For your Caribbean fix in the heart of the Midwest, Ena’s Caribbean Kitchen will lead you straight to Davy Jones heart. Known for their true Jamaican style cooking, Ena’s served up some of their classic dishes to wow the flames off Guy Fieri, and they did not disappoint.
What Guy tried: Jerk chicken and escovitch snapper
And because Guy couldn’t get enough of the spot the first time, he decided to feature them again on Triple D Nation, a show on Food Network that revisits past Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives locations.
Courtesy of High Bank Distillery
High Bank Distillery (Season 50, Episode 2)
High Bank Distillery has often been described affectionately as “elevated bar food.” With an on-site distillery, you might come for the brunch, but you’re staying for the Bloody Mary’s featuring High Bank’s own distilled vodka.
What Guy tried: Barbacoa nachos, Hot honey Chicken and biscuits and gravy
As someone who has eaten a mortgage’s worth of food here, let me tell you, there isn’t a bad choice.They keep it guessing with seasonal donut flavors and rotating menu items so you always have the opportunity to try something new, with the cult classics holding a legacy spot on the menu.
Joya’s (Season 50, Episode 3)
Comfort takes another meaning when you mix it with Bangladesh food. With farm fresh ingredients, this first-generation immigrant-founded eatery hosts enough flavor to silence even Guy Fieri. During the episode featuring Joya’s, Guy found himself speechless, “I am running out of vocabulary.”
What Guy tried: Joya’s fried rice and Chap Cheese (A South-Asian take on the smash burger).
Katalina's. Photo by Wendy Pramik.
Katalina’s (Season 49, Episode 2)
With an indisputable slogan of “Peace. Love. Pancake Balls,” Katalina’s successfully made their case to Guy Fieri. Describing the spot as “dynamite”, Guy visited the local spot known for their Southern slanted 5-Star food, set in a Diner atmosphere.
What Guy tried: Dulce de leche pancake balls, “Everything but the Chicken Sink” Sandwich
After one bite of the “Chicken Sink” sandwich, Guy declared: “That’s fried chicken to write home about.”
King Gyros Greek (Season 49, Episode 3)
If you ever pass a Taco-Bell-turned-Greek-cathedral in Whitehall, you’ll know you’re in the right place. The owner of King Gyros grew up in Greece and really wanted to bring a taste of home with him, now this family-owned and operated restaurant brings that family taste right to the 614.
What Guy tried: Char grilled lamb chops and grape leaves
Though gyros are in the name, the lamb chops are what they’re known for, and they now even feature them as “Guy Fieri’s favorite” on their menu.
Loops (Season 27, Episode 8)
Chicago-style eatery, Loops can be found right in Grandview and is a true homage to the best of Chicago cuisine. Founded by two Greek friends who grew up in Chicago, they wanted to bring their favorite tastes of Chicago to their new home of Columbus. Loops can satisfy your craving for a Chicago classic Italian beef sandwich. Guy puts it simply “That’s so good.”
What Guy tried: Italian beef sandwich with giardinera pepper topping
This spot was so nice Guy featured it twice, giving it a re-visited spot on Triple D Nation where he tried the meatball sub.
Courtesy of Momo Ghar
Momo Ghar (Season 28, Episode 2)
Momo Ghar’s feature on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives introduced many viewers to a true Himalayan palate. Before the show aired, this restaurant was a small market stall, and quickly grew to a space that attracted visitors from all over Ohio.
What Guy tried: Jhol Momo and Chicken Choila Set
Their claim to fame happened when Guy described the Chicken Choila Set as "one of the most unique dishes” he'd ever tried on the show.
Pierogi Mountain (Season 27, Episode 9)
In this 2-for-1 restaurant feature, Guy visited Pierogi Mountain that got it’s start serving up potato-filled goodness to patrons of Cafe Bourbon Street. Pierogi Mountain now has a standalone location in downtown Columbus. They have a real knack for seamlessly incorporating delicious vegan items that will have you questioning if you should go vegan.
What Guy tried: Handmade potato, meat and vegan pierogies, and Chicken Paprikash
Pierogi Mountain’s staple is taking non-traditional culinary pairings and making them something people keep coming back for. I recently tried their Cool Ranch inspired blue-colored pierogi, and it was giving me everything I wanted in the classic Dorito-style chip but with a pillowy potato center, an instant favorite. As a favorite of Guy’s also, he came back and visited them on Triple D Nation.
Courtesy of Ray Ray's Hog Pit
Ray Ray’s Hog Pit (Season 27, Episode 9)
In classic Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives fashion, Guy visited Ray Ray's Hog Pit which hails from a food truck located outside of Ace of Cups. Serving up Texas-style brisket cooked low and slow, this spot quickly became a Columbus staple and one of Guy’s textbook examples of barbecue done really well.
What Guy tried: St. Louis style spare ribs, Mangalitsa Brat Burger
Guy was ultimately impressed with Ray Ray’s style of barbecue focusing on the meat and the smokiness coming out in the brisket to create that iconic flavor, with the sauce on the side as a bonus, he believes that’s the mark of great barbecue.
Tommy’s Diner (Season 49, Episode 5)
Tommy's Diner has a Classic retro diner feel with an inviting atmosphere and known for being a spot where everyone is welcome. For the folks who want a small-town diner feel in a big city, this is your new go-to spot.
What Guy tried: Pastitsio or Greek lasagna, and Baklava Cheesecake
Baklava and cheesecake are both delectable desserts in their own way, the folks at Tommy’s Diner somehow figured out how to make them both better. Guy Fieri threw up the bat signal on the Baklava cheesecake, saying “I don’t know where you could be in Ohio that it wouldn’t be worth driving to get that.”
Source: Wario's Beef & Pork website
Wario’s Beef and Pork (Season 50, Episode 5)
You may have had a Philly cheesesteak before, but you haven’t truly until you’ve tried Wario’s Beef and Pork cheesesteaks. In Guy’s own words, “it is another dimension.” They layer flavors, textures and sauce in a way that just elevates any other philly cheesesteak by miles.
What Guy tried: The Wario’s Way Cheesesteak and the Roasted Pork Sandwich with Broccoli rabe
Guy boasted on the caliber of their cuisine, “They’re getting a 5 star meal on wax paper out a window.”
As someone who has gone on a spiritual journey to find the best Philly cheesesteak this side of the Mississippi, Wario’s has tipped the scales for me.
Sweet Carrot (Season 27, Episode 14)
Sweet Carrot was the spot to visit for a modern take on comfort food. Unfortunately, visitors can no longer visit Sweet Carrot in Columbus as they closed their doors in 2021. Nonetheless, the decadent and delicious Midwest-style southern staple deserves an official spot on the Columbus DDD list.
What Guy tried: Smothered Biscuit Corn Cake and Ohio Chicken Meatball Sandwich
Guy’s official review on the meatball sandwich will have you brimming with jealousy for anyone who got to try it before they closed, “I’d order that again for the next 5 years.”
This is just the tip of the iceberg if you’re trying to eat your way through the diverse and delicious flavors that make up the tastes, textures and types of food that Central Ohio has to offer.
Columbus- where you come for community and stay for the cuisine.
