Local Flavors

Posted by Rebecca, Senior Home Editor

Columbus, Ohio: a food destination? After the recent visit Kendra and I made while shooting a decorating story, I'm going to have to voice an emphatic yes! One discovery was a diner where walking inside was like stepping back about a half century. Kendra declared the pancakes the best she'd ever had -- a tall order, considering that New York is no slouch when it comes to comfort foods.

In Granville, we sampled another tasty regional treat called the buckeye, a curious confection made of peanut-butter fudge and chocolate and modeled after the buckeye nut, which grows on the state tree.

And then came the locally made toffee, which gets its decadent flavors from the freshest ingredients and is only available at certain times of the year. I brought a box home, but it didn't last a day in my house. The fact that I haven't got a single photo shows just how quickly this stuff disappears! Maybe I shouldn't tell you this, but you can get it via mail-order ...

Comments

[Mortinus]

My grandmother has a recipe for Buckeye's that she handed down to my mom. She FINALLY let me steal the recipe! (I'm 23) I have been asking for years!
Needless to say, I have taken a once-every-few-years tradition and turned it into a once-a-week for all my friends ^^

[Carrie]

I've never been to Columbus, but a friend from there once made Buckeyes when we were watching football together. They are possibly one of the finest confections ever invented! Peanut butter and chocolate were meant for each other.

[susan]

Places like that diner are often the best places anywhere. I love to find out of the way places. I had not heard of those buckeyes, even in New York, they haven't been (attempted to be) duplicated. Short of Columbus's great pancakes, I will give you a tip: Fairway Cafe's pancakes on the upper west side...truly amazing in a simplistic, buttermilky, soulful sort of way. Go there!

[Laura]

Thanks for this post--Columbus is a great town. I look forward to seeing the story in Blueprint!

[andrea]

I'm so glad you came to Columbus! Can't wait to read about the decorating story. I didn't realize that buckeyes were unheard of outside of Ohio. Peanut butter and chocolate is classic! I also have to say that you must visit Thurman's AND the North Market next time (just not on the same day - whoo!).

[Jen]

Yea! You came to Columbus! As mentioned, Thurman Cafe is wonderful and you would love the North Market--a collection of local food vendors including Jeni's Ice Cream (I recommend her "Salty Caramel" flavor).

[sjv]

next time you're in Columbus, also try the Thurman Cafe in German Village. It's a hole in the wall place with the absolute best burgers on the planet. good luck trying to finish one!

[karen c]

oh how I miss those tasty little peanut butter filled sugar balls...thank you for sharing a little nugget from my alma maters city!!