‘Never thought I’d go [to Cbus] for food, but it’s highly underrated’ – Global food blogger visits these 7 spots
As if the line to get into Tommy’s Diner on a Sunday morning wasn’t already long enough…Rob Martinez, a global food blogger who seeks out the best “hidden gem” restaurants in cities throughout the world, decided to land in Columbus, Ohio for the week, highlighting all that we have to offer here. “Never thought I’d go there for food but it’s highly underrated,” he commented.
While here, his first stop was at Columbus’ oldest Chinese restaurant. He posted a Tik Tok and Instagram video of Ding Ho, which gained so much popularity from the viral video that the restaurant had to adjust their hours.
Next up, Martinez visited the famous American-Greek diner, Tommy’s, showcasing the family ties, classic decor, and the owner’s backstory. Martinez orders owner Michael Pappa’s go-to order (3 eggs over easy, corned beef, hash browns, and French toast).
Then, off to Ezzo Sausage Co., the local factory responsible for your favorite pizza topping, famously known for their “char & cup” pepperoni. Martinez takes us through a tour of the historic factory that’s right here in Columbus.
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And of course, he went to the spot that’s been there for every Ohio State students’ late nights “studying” – the one & only Buckeye Donuts location on campus. The video gives viewers a first-hand look at exactly how the donuts are handmade, hand cut, and hand fried! While eating a blueberry cake donut, Martinez smiles and says, “You can’t eat that without smiling.”
He then moves on to the only Tanzanian restaurant in Columbus, called Riziki Swahili Grill. He said that this was definitely one of the best meals he ate in Columbus, which consisted of chapati, spinach stewed in coconut cream, a goat dish, and sambusas.
Martinez needed two separate videos for his trip to Wario’s Beef & Pork, the ever-popular East Coast-style sandwich shop. Owner Stephen Madias boasts that there’s a 100% retention rate with his employees – they haven’t had a single employee quit, ever, since they opened in 2020. “When I opened the shop, I put my people first, and myself and my partners second,” Madias told Martinez. He tries the Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich, which he says is “death row meal status.” He also tries the Wario’s Way Cheesesteak, which prompts him to ask, “Is the best Philly cheesesteak in Columbus, Ohio?”
Last but not least on his journey throughout Columbus, Martinez visits TAT, the Italian restaurant that’s known for inventing “Columbus-style” pizza back in 1934. TAT Ristorante Di Famiglia is the oldest Italian restaurant in Columbus, and the owners tell Martinez that their grandfather was the first person to bring pizza to Columbus.
Take a look at all the videos Martinez made here in Columbus on his Tik Tok or Instagram!
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