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Lamenting central Ohio's lost restaurants (part 1)

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With Ritzy's opening Sept. 6, we wanted to take a walk down Memory Lane and remember some of the great restaurants that used to be in central Ohio that are no longer.

At one point in time, Ritzy's had 100 locations nationwide, but the last restaurant in central Ohio closed in 1991 -- until now.

What other restaurants do we wish would make a comeback like Ritzy's has? This is "The Great Food Debate," where we discuss the best food, drinks and specialties found in central Ohio. This week's topic is "lost" restaurants of central Ohio.

This is part 1 of a two-part episode.

This episode's panelists are:

•Dilara Casey, founder of the @FerociousAppetite Instagram account

•Jim Ellison, co-owner of Columbus Brew Adventures

•Neil Thompson, editor of content and special projects at ThisWeek Community News

What restaurants from central Ohio do you miss the most?

•Dilara's pick: Dragonfly Neo-V (Former address: 247 King Ave., Columbus), Whole World (Former address: 3269 N. High St., Clintonville), Betty's Fine Food and Spirits (Former address: 680 N. High St., Columbus), Surly Girl Saloon (Former address: 1126 N. High St., Short North), The Chintz Room (Former address: 121 S. High St., Columbus)

•Jim's pick: Galaxy Cafe (Former location: Powell), CBC Restaurant (Former address: 525 Short St., Columbus), L. Hoster Brewing Co. (Former taproom address: 550 S. High St., Columbus)

•Neil's pick: Dal Forno's Pizza (Former address: 4920 Scioto Darby Road, Hilliard) and Graffiti Burger (multiple former locations in central Ohio)

Other restaurants mentioned in this episode

* denotes restaurants that are still open.

•Damon's Grill (the last central Ohio location closed in Newark in 2013)

•Max & Erma's (locations still around in central Ohio, although the first restaurant in German Village closed last year.)

•Grass Skirt Tiki Room (105 N. Grant Ave., Columbus)*

•Lulu's Restaurant (Former address: 1788 W. Fifth Ave., Grandview Heights)

•Kahiki Supper Club (Former address: 3583 E. Broad St., Columbus)

•Dexter's (Former location: Hilliard)

•Sumeno's Italian Restaurant (Former address: 7400 Sawmill Road, Columbus)

•The Florentine Restaurant (Former address: 907 W. Broad St., Columbus)

•Fuddruckers (mentioned on the Burgers podcast)

•Moore's Ice Cream (Former location: Columbus)

•Jai Lai Prime Rib (Former address: 1421 Olentangy River Road, Columbus)

•The Brown Derby (Former address: 1321 Morse Road, Columbus)

•Patrick J's (Former address: 2711 N. High St., Columbus)

•Flakey Jake's (Former address: 1748 E. Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus)

•Schlotzsky's Deli (Former address: 1836 W Henderson Road, Columbus)

•Pei Wei Asian Diner (Former locations at Polaris and Easton)

•Zen Sushi + More (Former address: 505 N. High St., Short North)

•Bento Go Go (Former address: 1728 N. High St., Columbus)

•Da Vinci Ristorante (Former address: 4740 Reed Road, Columbus)

•Merlion Noodle and Rice (Former address: 5320 N. High St., Clintonville)

•Babushka's Kitchen (Former address: 4675 N. High St., Clintonville)

•Tom & Chee (multiple former locations in central Ohio)

•Boulevard Grill (Former location: inside the former City Center Mall)

•Mike's Ribs and BBQ (Former address: 2749 Bryton Drive, Powell)

•Rax* (the closest locations of Rax are in Circleville and Lancaster)

•The Wine Cellar (Former address: 1777 E. Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus)

•Street Scene subs (Former location: on the Ohio State University's campus)

•The Galaxy (Former location: Grandview)

•Lost Planet (Former location: Short North)

•Chi-Chi's Mexican Restaurant (former locations include the Westland Mall)

•Insomnia Coffee (1728 N. High St., Columbus)

•Tapatio (Former address: 491 Park St., downtown Columbus, near North Market)

Phatt Wraps (Former address: 10 E. 12th Ave., Columbus, but the owner is planning a new Phatt location in Westerville)

•Handke's Cuisine (Former address: 520 S. Front St., Columbus)

•Spinnaker's Restaurant (Former location: inside the former City Center Mall)

•The Cooker (former location: on Lane Avenue in Columbus)

•The Ohio Deli (Former address: 3444 S. High St., Columbus)

•Knight's Ice Cream (Former address: 596 S. Cleveland Ave., Westerville)

•A&W (multiple former locations in central Ohio)

•Frosty's Bar (Former address: 1351 Lockbourne Road, Columbus)

•Strada World Cuisine (Former address: 106 Vine St., Columbus)

•Estrada's Mexican Restaurant and Cantina (Former address: 240 King Ave., Columbus)

The Blue Danube (Former address: 2439 N. High St., Columbus but another restaurant wants to open it its place)

•Udipi Cafe (Former address: 2001 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus)

•Zantigo (Former location: near the Northland Mall)

•Salvi's Bistro (Multiple former locations in central Ohio)

•Alana's Food and Wine (Former address: 2333 N. High St., Columbus)

•Little Brothers (Former address: 2404 N. High St., then relocated to 1100 N. High St., both in Columbus)

•Pizza Pete's (Former address: 811 Highland St., Victorian Village)

Bono Pizza (Former address: 1420 Presidential Drive, Columbus)

•Sunrise Inn* (no longer in central Ohio but still in Warren)

•Hot Chicken Takeover* (locations in Clintonville, North Market and Easton)

•The Eagle* (790 N. High St., Short North)

•Sushi.com* (7178 Muirfield Drive, Dublin)

•Starliner Diner* (4121 Main St., Hilliard)

•Bibibop* (multiple locations in central Ohio)

•The Pearl* (641 N. High St., Short North)

•The Top Steak House* (2891 E. Main St., Columbus)

•Third and Hollywood* (1433 W. 3rd Ave., Grandview Heights)

•The Refectory* (1092 Bethel Road, Columbus)

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This podcast was produced by Scott Hummel, ThisWeek assistant managing editor, digital, and hosted by Abby Armbruster, ThisWeek social-media strategist.

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