Eating Icons

Having grown up in Columbus, I can think of several eating establishments that  stood the test of time during my 68 years here. I remember my parents going to The Villanova on Victory drive. I’m told the Villanova introduced Columbus to Pizza back in the 50’s. I don’t recall eating there, I was very young then. The Villanova’s no longer around, but their legacy lives on at the Jones’ Children’s many restaurants around town.

I can mention several places from back in the day that are out of business now. Shakey’s Pizza, Shoney’s Big Boy, The Varsity, The Krystal on Wynnton Road… Ms. Shirley would let us go downstairs and use the bathroom when we’d show up at 2am, the Linwood Lunchroom… Mrs. Weaver made the best hamburger steak ever! I worked at The Red Roof on Hamilton Road as a teenager, flipping burgers and fries, they had an awesome steak sandwich.

There are some that are still going, even though they have moved around the city some. Country’s Barbecue, (now the home of Mrs. Weaver’s hamburger steak!) The Speakeasy, Minnie’s, The Goetchius house is back.

And then there’s Deorio’s Pizza, right across from Wickham’s Outdoor World. (Later becoming Outdoor World) I couldn’t count the number of times we’d run across the street and get a Willie’s special. Now Willie and JoAnn have passed, Deorio’s has been closed for the past 7 Years, and now has recently reopened, right around the corner from their former location. And Sue’s back! Running around the new Deorio’s keeping everybody straight and giving good reunion hugs!

Certainly, one of my favorites for many, many, many years; I have to mention Dinglewood Pharmacy. I know people from my parents’ generation, that grew up in Columbus and remember Lieutenant Stevens when THEY were teenagers.

I practically grew up there. I’d go in as a kid and order a cherry milkshake, and a hot dog with mayonnaise and ketchup, and catch hell from the staff, who would tell me those combinations didn’t exist! Lieutenant, Mary, John, then TP, and Ernestine would always fuss at us when we blew our straw wrappers all over the store. As I grew up and developed ‘better’ tastes, I settled into scramble dogs with “2 wee-nees, cheese, and everything but onions.”

 Dinglewood has had different owners, over the past 100 years, from the Wall family to Terry Hurley, who became a good friend. Terry and Lieutenant and I used to go downtown to The Loft, hoist a few cold ones,  and listen to David Ragsdale and Professor X. (David went on to tour with Kansas for several years, the last time I saw him was at Dinglewood.) I even did their radio commercials in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Terry recently passed, I miss him, and the other good folks I’ve known there.

Now my kids and grandkids carry on the traditions of their ‘Grandpa’. When Grandson Landon walks in, they know what he wants! (scrambled dog, no pickles, no cheese, no onions, CRACKERS ONLY, and a chocolate milkshake) The past few years Dinglewood has been under the expert watch of Kellie Oliver, Terry’s daughter, along with Wanda, Cheyenne, “T”, and Tony.  They don’t give me a hard time anymore. (I guess they respect their elders) …

This is just a brief summary of my memories and thoughts. In the interest of brevity, and a slipping memory … I know I left out several good places. I’m sure you have your own favorites and thoughts … Feel free to comment and share yours. Remember, it’s the differences and experiences between us that make us … who we are separately … and stronger together … Life Happens Y’all!