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barbecue, bread, butchers
Ribs from Ray Ray’s Hog Pit Tim Johnson | Columbus Monthly
Barbecue
Columbus doesn’t have a signature style of barbecue, but that just means we get a little bit of everything: St. Louis ribs, Texas brisket, Carolina shredded pork. Ray Ray’s Hog Pit started as a food truck and has grown to four locations, even earning owner James Anderson a semifinalist nod for Best Chef: Great Lakes by the James Beard Foundation. Elsewhere, don’t miss the tender brisket at Smoked on High, overflowing Polish Boy sandwiches at The Pit BBQ Grille, smoked turkey ribs from B&K Smokehouse, pulled pork from Legacy Smokehouse and delectable burnt ends from Red Door BBQ.
Daniel Riesenberger of Dan the Baker weighs each new sourdough loaf he makes. Fred Squillante | Columbus Dispatch
Bread
We all need our daily bread, and Columbus bakeries rise to the occasion. Daniel Riesenberger, aka Dan the Baker, crafts exquisite loaves at his bakery and for farmers markets. Don’t miss his country sour, sesame or olive polenta loaves. From its corner in North Market, Omega Artisan Baking plies hungry customers with shelves overflowing with ciabatta and rustic French bread. The family-run Matt’s Bakery in Whitehall produces kosher breads, rolls and buns, and is known for its golden and pillowy challah. Seek out Belle’s Bread in Kenny Centre for gorgeous cream breads, rolls and croissants, or follow the wonderful aroma to Salam Market & Bakery for fresh Middle Eastern pita breads and meat pies.
Cuts of meat on display at The Butcher & Grocer Tyler Stabile | Columbus Dispatch
Butchers
Forget the baker and the candlestick maker, and head out to see your local butcher. Grab a number at Weiland’s Market, Bluescreek Farm Meats or Penny’s Meats. Grandview’s The Butcher & Grocer features only Ohio meats in its cases; you can stock up on steaks, sausages and chicken thighs, or visit one of the many local restaurants it supplies. After more than a century spent smoking meats, you know Thurn’s Specialty Meats excels at all things bacon, bratwurst and ham-related. Or head out to Canal Winchester, where Blystone Farm stocks cases full of Angus burgers, rib-eye, wagyu beef and more.