From barbecue to smoothies, here are the latest new restaurants open in Columbus
Restaurants and coffee shops are one of Columbus’ defining features, and a number of these businesses opened in the city over the last month.
From chocolate-covered coffee beans to old-fashioned Southern cooking, these new Columbus businesses hope to find success in a city of foodies.
Here’s a look at some of the new restaurants recently opened in Columbus.
‘It’s a Southern Thang!’
A new Southern-style restaurant, Lily’s, opened next to the Falcon Gas Station at 6597 Whittlesey Blvd.
The Chicken Lady’s Coop was formerly located in this space, but the restaurant is temporarily closed as they build a new restaurant complex on Forson Road.
Lily’s was founded in Lumpkin before opening the Columbus location. The restaurant’s tagline, “It’s a Southern Thang,” is well-reflected in the menu of Southern food.
The menu offers a variety of dishes that change depending on the day you visit. Items include turkey wings, baked or fried chicken, oxtails, whole catfish and sides.
They’re open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Friday.
Another barbecue contender
One thing to know about people in the South is that barbecue is more than a meal, it’s a way of life.
And the barbecue restaurants across Columbus follow this tradition with each one offering something unique to the scene.
Now, the new Dexter’s Southern BBQ at 547 Veterans Pkwy. adds their take on the cuisine to the ring.
In the old Chester’s BBQ location, Dexter’s offers ribs, chicken, pork and sausage. Sides include potato salad, baked beans and homemade slaw.
A nostalgic restaurant returns
The iconic pizza restaurant, Deorio’s, closed in 2017 after a 55-year-run in Columbus.
Earlier this year, it was announced the restaurant would return in the former CiCi’s building on Auburn Avenue. Deorio’s reopened earlier this month to much anticipation from residents, both old and new.
Customers have a variety of menu options ranging from lasagna and pizza to salad.
‘Guilty-free’ dining
The co-branded restaurant Saladworks and Frutta Bowls opened in Midland Commons in early August.
Between the two brands, the restaurant offers salads, warm grain bowls, smoothies and protein bites.
Customers can expect to find “guilty-free food” at the restaurant, owner Tik Doughtery told the Ledger-Enquirer.
‘Establishing a human connection’
The Human Bean coffee shop opened in mid-August at 7805 Veterans Parkway.
There’s no indoor seating at the shop, allowing customers to place orders at the walk-up window or in the drive-thru. Every drink comes with a chocolate-covered coffee bean on the cup.
The shop offers various drinks other than coffee along with food items like bagels, biscuits and sandwiches.
“The Human Bean philosophy is establishing a human connection with a tasty beverage with a bean on top,” President and co-owner Thomas Trubenbach told the Ledger-Enquirer.
