THE WAY WE WOOFED

Redford and Streisand had their unforgettable romance with each other in the classic film, The Way We Were. Well, we Columbus residents past and present have had an unforgettable romance too, with our local eateries. I started the Do You Remember page trying to remember all aspects of Columbus, but It has ended up being made up largely of food and restaurants. I was rather ashamed of this at first, until I started getting messages from folks all over who were remembering our food too. Of course we love our old buildings, sure we love our beautiful homes, you bet we are proud of our well known or famous citizens, but what we seem to hold nearest and dearest to our hearts is our food. And judging from all our favorite memories, we should all be in intensive care. Since I was the one to get the gastronomical ball rolling, I think it is only fair to devote a whole page to our favorite subject....

the way we woofed

1. TOP HAT CAFE

We have all heard of three alarm chili, but this is the one and only place in town to get three alarm fried chicken. This place has been around forever, I think since the thirties. Located downtown near the Police Dept.

2. LANES DRUG STORE

Was located on Broadway, downtown. Mom wants to know if anyone remembers the juke boxes on the counters. Mr. Jeffries, who was from here said they had the best club sandwiches and milk shakes.

3. THE LONGHORN

Not the one we have now. This one was at the split at Hamilton and River Roads and backed up to Rose Hill Park.

4. S AND S CAFETERIA

13th Street I think. Very much like Morrisons.

5. GENERAL JACKSON'S FRIED CHICKEN

Buena Vista Rd. Near the By pass. If I am remembering correctly his gimmick was maple syrup in the batter.

6. ROY'S BROASTED CHICKEN

Cross Country Plaza. Restaurant was around in the late sixties and early seventies.

7. WEINER KING

North Expressway, where B.Merrills is now. Great hot dog place in the seventies.

8. LUMS

Victory Drive. I remember they had Beer steamed hot dogs.

9. CHOPPY'S

This is the original Choppy's building. It is across the street from the ballpark. It is now Lil Kim's cove. I remember also when it was the Buccaneer. Remember the large pirate sign that was outside?

10. In honor of this week being Fair week, I think some of the great food of the fair should be mentioned. Exchange club footlongs were probably the most popular local food there. The fudge bought in the auditorium was also a yearly tradition for us. I also remember those french fries and Fiddlesticks.Later funnel cakes would be popular. I hate they tore down those old buildings that housed the exhibits and the old food areas. I wish one of those booths could have been saved. I am including this picture, but don't expect it to bring back any memories, because it's just not the same.

11. THE CAPE CODDER

Wynnton Rd. Does anyone remember this place? I ran across it in an old City directory. Mom vaguely remembers it. I would love info on this one.

12. BUSSEY'S

Edgewood shopping Center. We would go here for sandwiches and snacks after school.

13. CLARENCE'S BACK FORTY

Near Waverly Hall. I remember going there as a little girl, I thought I was out of town.

14. PRITCHETT'S FISH CAMP

This was mentioned on Do You Remember. Great local Sea food place. Individual dining rooms and all you can eat. I just found out the first Pritchett's was located off Whitesville Rd where the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge is now. This picture is of the one that was on Hamilton Rd.

15. RED ROOF

If I remember correctly there were several around town and they served hot dogs and hamburgers. This one became a Zeb's, a local seafood and chicken restaurant. It is located on Hamilton Rd.

16. RED LOBSTER

This is a chain that moved into Columbus in the early or mid Seventies. Located on 13th St. This restaurant has special memories for me. My date and I ate there the night of the Prom. My Family took me there the night I graduated from High School. Leebo and I ate lunch there the day we got married, just hours before our wedding.

17. THE FARM HOUSE

Located outside Waverly Hall. This was a popular place to got for Country cooking. I never had the chance to go but I heard about it from so many others.

18. COUNTRY'S BAR B QUE

Country's bbq started out on Mercury Drive off Macon Rd. in the 1970's. It is now a local favorite with three locations. There is one located at Main Street Village off Veterans Parkway. This is a picture of the one on Broadway. It was once the old Bus Station.

19. BUCKS BAR B QUE

Bucks Bar B Que was located on Buena Vista Rd at the spider web. I remember this place from when I was a little girl which would put it around in the late sixties, early seventies at least. These are what it looks like today. The second picture is of the old Drive in area.

20. MADAME BUTTERFLY'S

I never got the chance to go to Madame Butterfly's but many folks around here did. It was one of the most popular oriental restaurants in town.It was probably around in the Seventies mostly. It was located on St Mary's Rd.

21. RUTH ANN'S

This building was originally Choppy's. Not the original Chopppy's though. The first Choppy's was across from the ball park. The building goes back to the 1950's. It has also been Sandy's restaurant. It is located on Veterans Parkway. Fourth Avenue to us old die hards.

22. HELP ME ON THIS ONE

This is a familiar building, some kind of burger place. If you know please tell me. It is located in the Cusseta Rd Lumpkin Rd area. UPDATE...RICK HARRIS ,FORMER RESIDENT HAS INFORMED ME THIS WAS ONCE A HARDEES. THANKS .

23. EVELYN'S CAFE.

This place has been around for years. It is a popular breakfast and lunch place. It is located on Hamilton Road.

24. MAGIC OVEN BAKERY

Magic Oven Bakery was around for years also. There were several located around town. I remember the ones at Talbotton Road, St Mary's Shopping Center, Rosemont Shopping center and the last remaining one at Hamilton Road. Several years ago I had the honor of having a Birthday cake made from the last batch of birthday cakes made by Magic Oven. They also had some of the best cheese straws in the world. Does anyone else remember the cookies that were made out of joined together stars? The pictures below show the Hamilton Road location.

25. ROSEHILL SEAFOOD

The picture say it all! Packed parking lot. Great local seafood restaurant on Hamilton Road. I remember when I was in high school my science teacher had a kind of after school hours field trip here. She thought we could learn something about sea creatures by visiting here. We did. We learned how to eat them!

26. THE VICTORIAN GRILL

Some restaurants have great atmosphere, some have great food and others have great service. The Victorian Grill in Hamilton, GA has all three! The restaurant is in a beautiful Victorian home built around 1872. Mom and I used to say this was a great place to go for special occasions, but, just going there is a special occasion itself. Heidi, Eileen and the rest of the Victorian Grill's staff make every visit a pleasure. The owners are very attentive and do their best to see that your visit is a wonderful experience, even if you are repeat offenders like Mom and I! You know you are at a special place when you are greeted before you step up on the porch. No visit is complete without a hello and goodbye from Whiner, the four legged greeter of the Victorian Grill.

SPRAYBERRY'S BAR B QUE

IN MEMORY OF MR GOOBER 1984-2004 YOU WILL BE MISSED

Sprayberry's is located in Newnan, Georgia. But many of us from Columbus are familiar with it.There are now 2 locations, a newer one right of the interstate and the original location closer to downtown Newnan. Sprayberry's was mentioned at least once that I know of by Lewis Grizzard. The original location was started in 1926. The building has been added onto through the years.

THE GOO GOO

The Goo Goo Restaurant was owned by Albert Snipes. It was a very well know and well loved place. The Goo Goo was located across from the main entrance of Linwood Cemetery. I do know the Goo Goo burned down, probably in the 1960's.

SYFRETT'S

Syfreett's was a fish camp located out River Road. It was also a popular place. I heard it dated back to the 1930's. It had a main dining area and a dance floor that went out over the water. It burned down in the late 1970's or early 1980's. The Backwater Condos now sit where Syfrett's once was.

THE BREEZE INN

Many years ago there was a well known restaurant near the intersection of River Road and Hamilton Road called the Longhorn. Not the chain Longhor, but a local place. Before that it was called the Breeze Inn.

SPANO'S

For many years this local restaurant was well known and loved. Spano's was open from 1893 until the 1980's. They were located on 10th Street. We, along with many others ate there after Church on Sundays.

THE GOO GOO

The Goo Goo was another popular local restaurant in Columbus. It was located across the street from Linwood Cemetery. You could eat inside or in your car.

THE VILLULA TEA GARDEN

The Villula Tea Garden was located near Seale, Alabama. For many years it was a popular restaurant with Columbus residents. Diginitaries visiting Fort Benning ate there. Helen Joerge ran thye Villula Tea Garden.

WELLS DAIRIES

Many Columbus people remember getting ice cream from Wells Dairies. It was always a special treat. Wells Dairies was located at ther corner of Brown Avenue and Wynnton Road.