If you’ve lived in Columbus for a while, there’s probably a restaurant you still randomly crave late at night… only to remember it doesn’t exist anymore. (Cue the heartbreak.)
From tiki palaces to pizza joints by campus, these forgotten Central Ohio restaurants might be long gone, but locals still dream about them like it was yesterday.
Let’s take a walk down memory lane… and maybe get a little hungry while we’re at it.
B.G. Salvi’s
This Italian spot was basically our version of Olive Garden before Olive Garden even mattered. Known for their Sunday buffet and the legendary Pasta Salvi (yes, the deep-fried brick of pasta that deserves its own fan club), B.G. Salvi’s was a staple back in the 80s. Affordable Italian, cozy vibes, and a place you always left stuffed.
👉 Read our full Pasta Salvi article here.
Marzetti’s
Marzetti’s goes all the way back to 1896, opened by Teresa and Joseph Marzetti. Teresa was from Florence, Italy, and slowly grew her small restaurant into a four-star spot. Their salad dressings became so popular that they eventually outlived the restaurant itself. By 1972, all the Marzetti’s restaurants were closed… but you can still find their dressings in grocery stores today. (Their poppyseed? Elite.)
Jack & Benny’s Barnstormer
This one hurts. Jack & Benny’s Barnstormer was located in an actual airplane hangar, complete with OSU memorabilia and old-school aviation photos. You’d order the same Jack & Benny’s menu we know and love, but the coolest part was when they’d open the hangar door and you could see planes parked inside. Breakfast and planes? Come on. That’s unbeatable.
Jai Lai
Originally opened in the Short North before it was the Short North, Jai Lai was already making history. Three things made it legendary over its tenure:
- It was Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes’ favorite restaurant.
- Their bread and butter was literally their bread and butter… it was on another level.
- Their move to a 9,000-square-foot location on Olentangy River Road, where up to 1,000 people could eat at once.
Imagine a Columbus restaurant today serving 1,000 people at a time. Unreal.
Kahiki Supper Club
Kahiki wasn’t just a restaurant. It was an experience. A 20,000-square-foot tiki paradise with waterfalls, fake thatched roofs, and enough tropical decor to make you forget Ohio winters existed. It could seat 500 people and was one of the largest tiki-themed restaurants in the country. It was even added to the National Register of Historic Places.
So why isn’t it here today? It was demolished in 2000… for a Walgreens (pain.) At least Kahiki Foods lives on in Gahanna, and fun fact: Jeff Tsao, the owner of Fukuryu Ramen, is the son of Kahiki’s owner, Michael Tsao.
Hot Chicken Takeover
Okay, this one’s fresh. Before the private equity buyout, getting four drumsticks with Holy Spice, four pickles, and a slice of white bread soaking up all the heat was a Columbus rite of passage. It was messy, it was fiery, it was perfect. I think people will look back fondly on Hot Chicken Takeover’s glory days once all the dust has settled.
Catfish Biff’s
The late-night pizza legend. Catfish Biff’s was the place for a post-party slice on W 11th Ave near Ohio State. Then the University swooped in, bought the building, shut it down, and let it sit empty for seven years. (Seven!) Still one of the most frustrating Columbus food tragedies ever.
Max & Erma’s
Yes, a handful of locations still exist outside Columbus… but none here. For decades, Max & Erma’s was a hometown favorite, famous for their burgers, tortilla soup, and of course the sundae bar. I still remember going for my birthday one year and asking my mom, “Why don’t we come here more?” Young me knew what was up.
Which Ones Did We Miss?
Columbus has a long list of gone-but-not-forgotten restaurants, and we know this only scratches the surface. Did you have a favorite spot that isn’t around anymore? Let us know by sending us a note!
History in Central Ohio
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