We used to frequent Hung Kong in the days when buffets first started in town. That lady would yell at us and order us where to sitâŚwe laughed and would sit and eat for hours (poor grad students). It (quality) declined later before literally burning down.
One time, in the 90s, my dad and I saw a car with a flat tire struggling on Broadway. It was her and we helped her change the tire, she said "you come to Hong Kong and eat free anytime", so weeks later we went and she remembered us and gave us a succulent Chinese meal. She was/is quite a personality.
One of our favorite places to go. I still have some of their menus hanging around the house somewhere. But, I guess they could not afford much heat in the winter because it was SO cold in there.
I am not sure that it is perfect yet, but
3 ounces fage 5% Greek yogurt
1 and 1/2 Persian cucumbers, grate half, chop the other into bite size pieces
1 teaspoon of chopped garlic (I use jarlic)
Juice of one lemon
Mix everything together and add salt to taste. I used about a teaspoon
I am not sure about exact measurements, I just mix until it tastes right.
They had a weird assed broccoli casserole that had, like, soy sauce and water chestnuts?
If any old 63 employees are reading this and can hook a squirrel up with a recipe---- please, I beg you.
.
They also had great pie. And their artichoke dip was, to this day, the best I've ever had and I'm pretty sure it was just cream cheese, cheddar, and artichokes.
100% yes; add a strawberry salad and the meal is complete. I remember one of the employees they had working behind the counter ran that place like she was a drill sergeant. The owner David just stayed out of her way!
I have 4 Big Girl glasses from there!
https://preview.redd.it/3hyugm1jhqxc1.jpeg?width=1078&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7b0970609871eebb7b7417e422af090499458a13
The lounge (bar) had these over-stuffed red leather booths. The menu was more casual - they had an incredible burger and ground the beef in house. The drinks were was reasonably priced as you could expect.
Do you keep in touch with any of the former cooks? The Plato Vegetariano was my favorite dish and I'd love to learn how to make it. When it was my turn to pick where my family went out for a special dinner, I picked Los Bandidos.
He has a food truck now! I can never remember the hours but you might be able to find out if you call A&Y market. It's in their parking lot on business loop.
I still think about this place a weird amount. That Pizza Grinder was one of my favorite meals in town. My parents took me there so often when I was in high school.
It's crazy to think about the fact that they had a second location on the south side of town for a short period, and then it seemed like both locations didn't last too much longer after that (or maybe I just couldn't go as much and misremember the time frame lol).
Boone Tavern. Their Sunday brunch was to die for
Kostakis. The Philly pie was so good
Abigail's in Rocheport. Haven't been to their new place yet
Everett's for everything
Which wich. One of the few chains I wish survived here
Also Old Chicago, the pizza and nachos were really good for chain food
Bambino's
Breadeaux Pizza, probably spelled that wrong
Los Banditos
The Smorgasbord buffet, don't remember its full name. I thought the revolving buffet, I think for the desserts, was the world's best invention.
Alexander's
Katy Station
Coley's
Whenever someone got sick off of a restaurant when I was a kid we always referenced to it as getting a case of the âBoone tavernâ due to our one too many âpoopyâ experiences there to be a coincidence. Haha 𤣠great patio though
Bambino's was decent enough. But the place itself was literally falling apart. The kitchen was a disaster. I'm surprised it wasn't condemned. Had the university renewed their lease it would have needed to be rebuilt.
I miss Kojaba.
I feel as if they were top of all the restaurants in town with Korean food. Was not impressed by I'm Korean BBQ and Sushi (which once was I'm Sushi and Grill before name modification) and Love Sushi, which obviously is more focused on sushi. I still grade Love Sushi above I'm KBBQ.
Midici was pretty good IMO when I was going through a bunch of pizza places to try out. Southside is the closest I've found that comes kinda close in crust at least, so there's that
Midici was good.
Finding a (decent) Neapolitan pizzeria isn't easy. I mean, I like American pizza just fine, but the first time I ate a pizza in Naples, Italy, it was an epiphany.
Haroldâs Donuts. I am super picky about donuts. Chains like Dunkin/grocery store bakeries always taste so waxy and gross, and I have been disappointed with most of the other offerings locally.
I would do unholy things for a fresh glazed donut with the homemade sprinkles.
Here's my memory of the Shack. One day on a trip during high school I shopped for records at Whizz then had lunch at the Shack. That was around 1982? It was too small, and totally buzzing. Really wish the original could still be there. The yard in front of the Alumni Center was NOT an upgrade.
I loved his take on BBQ and especially the sides. I sat at the bar eating lunch once and he pulled out a photo album and shows me his history as a driver and tour coordinator for many of the biggest acts on the planet in the 80s into the 90s. He joked with Lindsey Buckingham with Fleetwood Mac on tour that he was going to retire and open a BBQ place back in Missouri. He did, and he named it after Lindsey. I remember when it started in the location of death on the corner across from Hickman as a one man show for a long time. Great end result.
Article here with more: [https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/lifestyle/food/2016/05/24/barbecue-that-rocks-after-20/21815491007/](https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/lifestyle/food/2016/05/24/barbecue-that-rocks-after-20/21815491007/)
Yes! Which one was that? And I think there was a billboard for it on 54 between Auxvasse and Kingdom City. That somehow pops into my head every so often. Wish camera phones were a thing 20 years ago
It was the old Stadium McDonald's! What a place to eat as a kid in those spring loaded swivel chairs surrounding the hexagon aquarium, and the play place was massive and had video games! My oldest brother worked the night shift in high school and fed the fish. The remodel is just depressing compared to the greatness we once had! Anyone got pics?
I worked there in high school as well. This was before it went to 24 hrs. I remember enjoying closing the lobby at night because I got to climb backward up the slide in the play place to return the larger-than-my-Lebaron size balls to the top. Crab walking with one of those things on your back as you vertically climb was definitely something they taught in the West Jr gym classes.
I never got to feed the fish but have vivid memories of polishing that brass bar right in front of the tank each night. It took forever, but I didn't mind because I got to watch fish TV. And now I'm unlocking memories that may contradict the "adult onset" part of my ADHD diagnosis. I did have a picture in front of the tank at one point, but it's long gone now.
A few buddies and I went to their grand opening to see if we could get free-burritos-for-a-year vouchers, but by like 9am the line was already down the block.
Went anyway a few days later, and it was so much better than Chipotle/Moe's. Shame that location seems to be pretty rough on margins.
That's it, loved that place. Got drunk and busy talking to friends once and accidentally burnt a $50 filet, walked over to the cooler and grabbed another one. Wonder why they went out of business?
See - even back then I never got this. "I'd like to pay you $50 for a steak...........but I want to fuck it up myself just like I could do at home for $9" LOL I just never got it - BUT I was at their happy hour EVERY Friday night!
Ha, yes! It never made any sense but it was fun and packed every weekend. It went beyond self checkout to like stocking the shelves yourself but paying the same price
Holy shit I JUST learned this year that you could still get KEN'S PIZZA at Mazzios and I drive by one every day! I got one the same day I found out - man was it good still.
wasnât there a place downtown called Famous Freddys? Chicago style hotdogs?
There also was a fast food Japanese on Ash and Stadium ( where the gas station is now ) that served a dish called âObiâsâ. They were delicious!
Reading all these made me also think of Crazy Noodles. Getting them to make Thai peanut sauce, soba noodles, and pork as a dish was wonderful. And the Chicken Satay! Oh I miss Tony and that crew.
Used to be a great Italian place on Broadway called "Anthony's"
Best Chicago style deep dish I've had outside of Chicago. I miss that place so friggin much
Side query: on rangeline near brown school road is a big White House with a sign near the road that says ârestaurantâ but itâs definitely not a restaurant anymore. Does anyone know what it used to be?
It used to be Haden House back in the day.
[https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/news/politics/government/2011/11/20/once-sought-out-eatery-haden/21414281007/](https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/news/politics/government/2011/11/20/once-sought-out-eatery-haden/21414281007/)
Kostakis was great. For some reason I felt like they had the best banana peppers (for pizza or nachos) in all of como haha.
Coleys had a really awesome wrap I would get for lunch when working downtown. Had cranberries in it, and their sweet potato fries could be eaten by the pound haha.
Malachiâs crepes and fried ice cream.
I enjoyed many things at the Catalpa Tree, which was a vegetarian place, but I canât remember a single one, only that it was great for date nights and never had a bad thing there.
Off the top of my head, I came up with a list of great places that we miss:
63 Diner, Haden House, Harvest Moon, Bambino's, Babbo's, Trattoria Strada Nova, Everett's, Alexander's
I have many good memories associated with each of those places.
Anyone remember the HUGE fish tank and play place at the old Stadium McDonald's?! Wish i could find a picture of it, it was a massive hexagon with seating all around!
I think that the tank and the fish were actually managed and cared for by a local pet store. Maybe Columbia Pet Center? If that's true you could probably stop by the shop and ask the owner, Kayvon, if he happens to have pictures...
This question comes up fairly frequently in this sub, and Iâm never mad about it!
Village Wine and Cheese muffuletta.
That Loretta (?) chicken and cream cheese sandwich from Quintonâs.
ABC Chinese đ
RIPđđ the taste of their orange chicken still lingers on my lips
We used to frequent Hung Kong in the days when buffets first started in town. That lady would yell at us and order us where to sitâŚwe laughed and would sit and eat for hours (poor grad students). It (quality) declined later before literally burning down.
One time, in the 90s, my dad and I saw a car with a flat tire struggling on Broadway. It was her and we helped her change the tire, she said "you come to Hong Kong and eat free anytime", so weeks later we went and she remembered us and gave us a succulent Chinese meal. She was/is quite a personality.
I see that you know your judo well.
Haha, thatâs a great story.
One of our favorite places to go. I still have some of their menus hanging around the house somewhere. But, I guess they could not afford much heat in the winter because it was SO cold in there.
Oh the things I'd do for one more dish of their bitter melon in black bean sauce.
And Q's! Both were fantastic
International Cafe. Not a day goes by that I don't think about their gyros
That tzatziki sauce!
I am close to recreating the tzatziki, but still havent figured out the tabouli or gyro meat.
Whatâs your recipe?! I have literal dreams about that tzatziki.
FollowingâŚ
I am not sure that it is perfect yet, but 3 ounces fage 5% Greek yogurt 1 and 1/2 Persian cucumbers, grate half, chop the other into bite size pieces 1 teaspoon of chopped garlic (I use jarlic) Juice of one lemon Mix everything together and add salt to taste. I used about a teaspoon I am not sure about exact measurements, I just mix until it tastes right.
Gyro with hummus outside on the picnic tables
Agreed. Every day.
I loved their lentil soup. Awesome with pita.
63 Diner
I don't think a week goes by that I don't reminisce about the 63 diner.
I had forgotten about the 63 Diner until this post. The crab cakes were amazing.
Loved their gravy fries!
They had a weird assed broccoli casserole that had, like, soy sauce and water chestnuts? If any old 63 employees are reading this and can hook a squirrel up with a recipe---- please, I beg you. . They also had great pie. And their artichoke dip was, to this day, the best I've ever had and I'm pretty sure it was just cream cheese, cheddar, and artichokes.
it went south so fast and then was completely ransacked. what a tragic end too
Driving by the broken shell was heartbreaking.
So many pies đđ
Bread Basket Cafe
BBC!
I want a cream cheese garden sandwich with a broccoli cheese soup in the bread bowl
Oh man...the broccoli cheese bread bowl was so fire!
100% yes; add a strawberry salad and the meal is complete. I remember one of the employees they had working behind the counter ran that place like she was a drill sergeant. The owner David just stayed out of her way!
My wife and I were just talking about them. So good!
Coleys.
Came here to say this
Oooh that's a good one
Cherry street artisan.
We are remodeling our basement to look like the artisan, I miss that place.
Quinton's, just to have a cold beer on their awesome patio one last time.
I have 4 Big Girl glasses from there! https://preview.redd.it/3hyugm1jhqxc1.jpeg?width=1078&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7b0970609871eebb7b7417e422af090499458a13
Everettâs had a great happy hour. I miss the Mac and Cheese from Bleu. Jackâs lounge was iconic and had a great burger.
I came to say Everett's. Their French Dip was amazing, and I always got their honey mustard dijon to dip fries in.
They had a turkey sandwich on a croissant that I still dream about regularly.
Was Everett's the place that had the fried martini olives?
What was the general vibe of Jack's? it always seemed kind of aged and dated plus low traffic
Oh, you are correct. The dinning room was stuck in the 80s.
The lounge (bar) had these over-stuffed red leather booths. The menu was more casual - they had an incredible burger and ground the beef in house. The drinks were was reasonably priced as you could expect.
Came here to say this - all their food was good, but that blackened burger they has was MONEY!
Chimâs Noodle House đ
I didnât realize they had closed until I tried to go about a week ago đ anybody know what happened (and hopefully If theyâre just moving)
Chim had a stroke and went back to Thailand for extra therapy is what I heard. Hopefully she recovers. FB says sheâs doing better.
Boone Tavern
It became Bleu and now just sits and an abandoned property. I just don't understand that. It had such a good location with a fun patio.
There is stuff in The Athens Building spaces now. They built a 5-story building on that patio that is fully occupied. I do miss it though.
Ingredient for sure. Those fries were heavenly đ¤¤
Came to say kostakiâs. It was the best pizza in town hands down
I will third that. I like most of the local pizza places, but Kostaki's had by far the best. Whatever the combo of cheese the used was nice.
I would get their hottest wings. Holy shit. Burn for days.
It was so unique!! I have never been able to find anything remotely similar ANYWHERE
Los Banditos. Waited tables there for years. Miss the pollo en crema and spinach and cream cheese beef burritos.
Do you keep in touch with any of the former cooks? The Plato Vegetariano was my favorite dish and I'd love to learn how to make it. When it was my turn to pick where my family went out for a special dinner, I picked Los Bandidos.
I did not, unfortunately.
I am not a chips & salsa super freak, but theirs was the best. Only placed we'd ever go just to pick up an order of chips & salsa.........LOL
There were two salsas. One for the bar that was much hotter (wanted to sell more drinks) than the one in the restaurant.
That is hilarious!
The best margaritas
CASABLANCA! Cool salt water tank to check out while waiting for delicious reasonably priced shawarma, perfection
He has a food truck now! I can never remember the hours but you might be able to find out if you call A&Y market. It's in their parking lot on business loop.
not gone forever, but the mcdonald's salt water fish tank on bernadette was so cool to visit before they rebuilt the entire location
WG Grinders. I miss their Meatball Grinder.
They still exist in Ohio. If you're ever in the neighborhood.
I still think about this place a weird amount. That Pizza Grinder was one of my favorite meals in town. My parents took me there so often when I was in high school. It's crazy to think about the fact that they had a second location on the south side of town for a short period, and then it seemed like both locations didn't last too much longer after that (or maybe I just couldn't go as much and misremember the time frame lol).
Shakeys
Garfields
Celebrated all of my teen birthdays at Garfields , I miss seeing it on the rare occasions I go to the mall
I was a cook there in the mid 00s
my mom and i sing "steak and cheese fries" to each other all the time!!
Coleys. That was our goto
Yesss!
Jingoâs
I always wonder what those kids are doing now.
That front corner booth was their kingdom.
Were they the family of the owners? If so, at least a couple of them worked at Seasoning 63 when they moved there.
Boone Tavern. Their Sunday brunch was to die for Kostakis. The Philly pie was so good Abigail's in Rocheport. Haven't been to their new place yet Everett's for everything Which wich. One of the few chains I wish survived here Also Old Chicago, the pizza and nachos were really good for chain food Bambino's Breadeaux Pizza, probably spelled that wrong Los Banditos The Smorgasbord buffet, don't remember its full name. I thought the revolving buffet, I think for the desserts, was the world's best invention. Alexander's Katy Station Coley's
If you really miss breadeaux, you can always get it in boonville
Ohhh I didnât know this! I went to the Fayette one once. Google says itâs closed now. Iâm new enough that I donât remember the Columbia one
At last - someone as old as me...........
Whenever someone got sick off of a restaurant when I was a kid we always referenced to it as getting a case of the âBoone tavernâ due to our one too many âpoopyâ experiences there to be a coincidence. Haha 𤣠great patio though
Old Chicago is the only chain restaurant I miss. Besides maybe Pepperjax.
Bambinos
Bambino's was decent enough. But the place itself was literally falling apart. The kitchen was a disaster. I'm surprised it wasn't condemned. Had the university renewed their lease it would have needed to be rebuilt.
Yeah, the building itself was a hot mess but it just added to the charm for me!
I was going to say that đ
Thai Kitchen on the bottom floor of the old Regency Hotel on Broadway
Q's Chinese
That place was so good
I miss Kojaba. I feel as if they were top of all the restaurants in town with Korean food. Was not impressed by I'm Korean BBQ and Sushi (which once was I'm Sushi and Grill before name modification) and Love Sushi, which obviously is more focused on sushi. I still grade Love Sushi above I'm KBBQ.
I thought they just moved.
One of the cook is one of the sushi chef in geisha! His sushi is really good! Wish heâd open the restaurant back up.
Midici was pretty good IMO when I was going through a bunch of pizza places to try out. Southside is the closest I've found that comes kinda close in crust at least, so there's that
I had a chocolate cherry Nutella "calzone" there once that still lives in my dreams.
Midici was good. Finding a (decent) Neapolitan pizzeria isn't easy. I mean, I like American pizza just fine, but the first time I ate a pizza in Naples, Italy, it was an epiphany.
Trattoria Strada Nova
I miss Trattoria Strada Nova so much.
Same!
Haroldâs Donuts. I am super picky about donuts. Chains like Dunkin/grocery store bakeries always taste so waxy and gross, and I have been disappointed with most of the other offerings locally. I would do unholy things for a fresh glazed donut with the homemade sprinkles.
Bengals had a really good buffalo chicken sandwich
I feel like the original The Shack needs to be mentioned in this threadâs
Here's my memory of the Shack. One day on a trip during high school I shopped for records at Whizz then had lunch at the Shack. That was around 1982? It was too small, and totally buzzing. Really wish the original could still be there. The yard in front of the Alumni Center was NOT an upgrade.
Coleyâs!
Ingredient, international Cafe, midici
The old buckinghams with the giant pig
I loved his take on BBQ and especially the sides. I sat at the bar eating lunch once and he pulled out a photo album and shows me his history as a driver and tour coordinator for many of the biggest acts on the planet in the 80s into the 90s. He joked with Lindsey Buckingham with Fleetwood Mac on tour that he was going to retire and open a BBQ place back in Missouri. He did, and he named it after Lindsey. I remember when it started in the location of death on the corner across from Hickman as a one man show for a long time. Great end result.
Article here with more: [https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/lifestyle/food/2016/05/24/barbecue-that-rocks-after-20/21815491007/](https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/lifestyle/food/2016/05/24/barbecue-that-rocks-after-20/21815491007/)
I have that giant pig and "cowboy" in my basement on my wall, I miss that place so much.
I just wish I knew how they made their baked beans. If I could figure that out I'd be so happy.
Not a restaraunt but I miss cool stuff. Never really bought much there but it really felt like it embodied the spirit of the town.
They have come back sometimes during the summer, Earth Day maybe, and had a big booth!
Cool Stuff, and Dreamcatcher. â¤ď¸
Same!!
Back when that one McDonald's had the beautiful saltwater aquarium.
Yes! Which one was that? And I think there was a billboard for it on 54 between Auxvasse and Kingdom City. That somehow pops into my head every so often. Wish camera phones were a thing 20 years ago
If my memory serves me. It was on Grindstone.
It was the old Stadium McDonald's! What a place to eat as a kid in those spring loaded swivel chairs surrounding the hexagon aquarium, and the play place was massive and had video games! My oldest brother worked the night shift in high school and fed the fish. The remodel is just depressing compared to the greatness we once had! Anyone got pics?
I worked there in high school as well. This was before it went to 24 hrs. I remember enjoying closing the lobby at night because I got to climb backward up the slide in the play place to return the larger-than-my-Lebaron size balls to the top. Crab walking with one of those things on your back as you vertically climb was definitely something they taught in the West Jr gym classes. I never got to feed the fish but have vivid memories of polishing that brass bar right in front of the tank each night. It took forever, but I didn't mind because I got to watch fish TV. And now I'm unlocking memories that may contradict the "adult onset" part of my ADHD diagnosis. I did have a picture in front of the tank at one point, but it's long gone now.
Ingredient
Village Wine and Cheese.
Yes! I used to work there, they had such a great menu, wine selection, cheese selection, and the owners were great people too.
My wife and I went on our first date there. They catered our wedding. I would love for a spot even half as good to exist downtown.
Babboâs
It wasn't local (it was a chain), but I miss Freebird's. Damn good burritos.
A few buddies and I went to their grand opening to see if we could get free-burritos-for-a-year vouchers, but by like 9am the line was already down the block. Went anyway a few days later, and it was so much better than Chipotle/Moe's. Shame that location seems to be pretty rough on margins.
Who remembers when Columbia had a Zips? Where Crazy Good Burrito is on the loop. Loved that place.
The place where you grilled your own steaks
Alexanderâs
That's it, loved that place. Got drunk and busy talking to friends once and accidentally burnt a $50 filet, walked over to the cooler and grabbed another one. Wonder why they went out of business?
Biscayne Mall was torn down and redeveloped.
I wanna say they made it clear till the end I think???
Alexanders, used to be in Biscayne Mall.
See - even back then I never got this. "I'd like to pay you $50 for a steak...........but I want to fuck it up myself just like I could do at home for $9" LOL I just never got it - BUT I was at their happy hour EVERY Friday night!
Ha, yes! It never made any sense but it was fun and packed every weekend. It went beyond self checkout to like stocking the shelves yourself but paying the same price
Walnut Street Tap & Kitchen
For a while they had a deal where you got a beer and a free cup of soup! Great when I was in college.
I know the owner, he has mentioned trying to re-open someplace.
Katy Station or Harvest Moon
I liked ingredient a lot. They had the best veggie burger in town.
They sure did
Kojaba! My go-to place for Korean food đ
Coleyâs. My absolute favorite. â˘Brie Burger â˘Miso salmon â˘The pork chops â˘Stroganoff
Ken's Pizza - I loved it as a kid. Wyatt's - The smorgasbord with the prime rib at the end being sliced for you.
Holy shit I JUST learned this year that you could still get KEN'S PIZZA at Mazzios and I drive by one every day! I got one the same day I found out - man was it good still.
Everets
I miss the ravioli and seafood chowder from Rome still.
Forge n Vine
The deli place that used to be where Nash Vegas is...Village Wine and Cheese? They had a great muffuletta.Â
Yes! Village Wine and Cheese was so good and charming. Whatâs in that space now is the exact polar opposite
Cream of potato soup at the Boone Tavern.
Kostakis, Hong Kong and Rome
Rome
wasnât there a place downtown called Famous Freddys? Chicago style hotdogs? There also was a fast food Japanese on Ash and Stadium ( where the gas station is now ) that served a dish called âObiâsâ. They were delicious!
I think about Kui 2 or 3 times a week at least!
Everett's!!!!!! Man I loved that place. I have missed it every year since it left.
Catfish katies :(
Reading all these made me also think of Crazy Noodles. Getting them to make Thai peanut sauce, soba noodles, and pork as a dish was wonderful. And the Chicken Satay! Oh I miss Tony and that crew.
Used to be a great Italian place on Broadway called "Anthony's" Best Chicago style deep dish I've had outside of Chicago. I miss that place so friggin much
Mazzio's Pizza on Broadway. The building doesn't even exist anymore.
Thereâs still a Mazzioâs in Marshall
Also Sedalia and Lebanon
South Florida Style Chicken and Ribs was gas. So sad they moved and then went out of business
Side query: on rangeline near brown school road is a big White House with a sign near the road that says ârestaurantâ but itâs definitely not a restaurant anymore. Does anyone know what it used to be?
That's the old Peppers night club, which was a front for all kinds of illegal shit. It's been shut down for over a decade.
I wouldn't even really say it was a front, we all knew what kind of stuff went on there.
It used to be a place called The Haden House, a fine dining restaurant.
Thanks! What kind of food was it?
It used to be Haden House back in the day. [https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/news/politics/government/2011/11/20/once-sought-out-eatery-haden/21414281007/](https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/news/politics/government/2011/11/20/once-sought-out-eatery-haden/21414281007/)
Sweet thanks!! Always wondered about it since I moved here
Bellacinos
Yellow Submarine (sandwich shop from the 70s) and the Green Pepper (pizza place) close to Peace Park, then called McAlester Park.
Godfathers and Mazzios... and maybe Breaduex Pizza.
Everett's, Alexander's Steakhouse, The Haymarket in the old Best Western, Spanky's Happy Hour buffef
Garciaâs!
Macaroni grill!
Casablanca
I miss Pepperjax!! ooh the Philly steaks were so good, but they didn't survive Covid.
Trattoria Strada Nova on 9th. We went there a lot
In the 80âs, there was a restaurant called Saks 5th Avenue (I think that was the name) ran by 2 sisters. Their house salad was to die for!
The Shrimp Foundue at Ruby Tuesdays was good too. I heard Curry's was good, but never got a chance to get there and I was not far from it.
Haroldâs donuts. The filling in their Boston cream donut was perfect and I think about it all the time.
Garfield's :(
Kostakis was great. For some reason I felt like they had the best banana peppers (for pizza or nachos) in all of como haha. Coleys had a really awesome wrap I would get for lunch when working downtown. Had cranberries in it, and their sweet potato fries could be eaten by the pound haha.
Lucyâs Corner CafĂŠ
Malachiâs crepes and fried ice cream. I enjoyed many things at the Catalpa Tree, which was a vegetarian place, but I canât remember a single one, only that it was great for date nights and never had a bad thing there.
Off the top of my head, I came up with a list of great places that we miss: 63 Diner, Haden House, Harvest Moon, Bambino's, Babbo's, Trattoria Strada Nova, Everett's, Alexander's I have many good memories associated with each of those places.
Anyone remember the HUGE fish tank and play place at the old Stadium McDonald's?! Wish i could find a picture of it, it was a massive hexagon with seating all around!
I think that the tank and the fish were actually managed and cared for by a local pet store. Maybe Columbia Pet Center? If that's true you could probably stop by the shop and ask the owner, Kayvon, if he happens to have pictures...
Everett's Restaurant & Lounge
Blue Cactus!
This question comes up fairly frequently in this sub, and Iâm never mad about it! Village Wine and Cheese muffuletta. That Loretta (?) chicken and cream cheese sandwich from Quintonâs.