This ‘Best You’ve Never Heard Of’ café is tucked away inside of a bookstore
‘Best You’ve Never Heard Of’ is back, showcasing another best-kept secret in Columbus. This week, we’re flipping through the pages at Two Dollar Radio Headquarters, a bookstore and vegan café located at 1124 Parsons Ave., where every dish tells a story.
Eric Obenauf, the co-founder, shared that the café opened in 2017 to attract more visitors and create a communal, inclusive atmosphere. Integrating coffee, vegan cuisine, and conversation into the book browsing experience has made it both a social and literary hub.
Their kitchen prides itself on everything being scratch-made in small batches, from meat substitutes to nut-cheezes and sauces. Instead of using traditional mock meats or cheezes, they spotlight real plants. Ingredients like mushrooms, eggplants, walnuts, and cashews aren’t just common; they’re the stars, nourishing both mind and body. Plus, dining here supports local artisans like Mushroom Harvest Provisions and Happy Little Treats.
My Top Three Picks:
Buffalo Eggplant, Bakun, & Avocado Tortuga – Breaded eggplant coated in smoky dojo hot sauce, paired with coconut bacon, avocado, shredded cheeze, pickled onions, and jalapenos, all served with farmhouse ranch dressing.
Vegan Cobb Salad – A vibrant mix of greens dressed with ranch, coconut bakun, avocado, tomatoes, pickled onions, croutons, pepitas, and shredded cheeze.
Land ‘o’ Lox Sandwich – Carrot lox on a bed of capers and scallion cream cheeze, topped with more cheeze, pickled onion, and fresh dill, served on sliced brioche bread.
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You can get great books from independent publishers, delicious food, and community. They build community through food and the arts. I asked Eric for examples and he said, “We host a lot of events here and are generally open to people coming in with good ideas and just giving them essentially, like ownership over the space to do something cool.” They have monthly comedy shows, monthly magic variety shows, every Tuesday they have a queer crafting group meetup, and a lot of book clubs meet frequently.
The space itself is as cool as the concept. Bathed in beautiful natural light and lined with shelves loaded with books, the café has a warm, inviting ambiance that makes every visitor feel welcome. It’s a beautiful spot that not only serves up creative dishes but also fosters a safe, inclusive environment where ideas and flavors blend seamlessly.
Two Dollar Radio is open Tuesdays through Fridays, 11am-8pm for coffee, lunch, and dinner, and on Saturdays and Sundays, they serve an incredible brunch from 10am-3pm.
Let’s keep turning the pages to discover more under the radar gems of Columbus. What other spots should we explore next?
Want to read more? Check out our print publications, (614) Magazine and Stock & Barrel. Learn where you can find free copies of our newest issues here!
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