Friday Food Bites: Tommy’s Diner founder passes, Rose Dough Donuts opens shop

There’s always a lot going on in the Columbus restaurant world! Here’s the latest:

• Tommy Pappas, the owner and founder of Tommy’s Diner in Franklinton, died this week at the age of 71. Tommy and his wife Kathy first opened the diner on West Broad Street in 1989. and warmly welcomed guests for almost 35 years. He was truly an integral part of the community, always there in the diner with a loud welcome. He is survived by Kathy, their sons Louis and Michael and their grandchildren.
• Rose Dough Donuts has announced that they will be opening their own shop. Until now, the donut shop operated as a pre-order and pickup location from 1400 Food Lab. To help build the new bakery, the location of which has not yet been officially announced, Rose Dough has launched a GoFundMe campaign.
• New Jersey-based Pakistani street food concept Food Street officially opens today at 3373 N. High St. in Clintonville. Food Street serves fusion cuisine such as halal burgers and paratha rolls.
• Paris Baguette, the South Korea-based bakery chain, opened its second central Ohio location this week at 8839 Lyra Dr., next to Kura Revolving Sushi Bar. The bakery’s first Columbus location opened this summer in Easton.
• A new coffee shop called Savana Cafe & Grill is celebrating its grand opening today – Friday, December. 6 – 4-8pm at 3191 Morse Rd. The cafe’s description says it combines Mediterranean and Somali cuisine.
• Also opening today is Momocha Hibachi, a new vendor at East Market.
• Late Night Bites opened in the Old North Arcade yesterday. The eatery — which caters to arcade-goers as well as takeout/delivery businesses — offers a mix of soul food and fair-trade fare, such as chicken and waffles, cones, corn dogs and smoked turkey legs.
• Korean street food stand Seoul Food on the Go recently closed its location at Bubbly Hall in New Albany. He continues to operate his stand at the Little Grand Market in Grandview.
• Meanwhile, Bubbly Hall has announced that Zero’s Pizza will soon be joining it as a caterer.
• Esco Restaurant & Tapas downtown has announced that it has transitioned to take-out only for the time being and will close completely by the end of the year. Located on st. E. Gay 31, the restaurant opened in early 2023; it is partially supported by rapper 2 Chainz.
• The pop-up formerly known as Mashita Noodles teases that it will return as a regular pop-up series called Jinjja Comforting Food starting in January.
• Peri Peri Chicken recently launched as a delivery/takeout business out of the haunted kitchens at 1282 Essex Ave.
• Double Eagle Spirits & Sports, a combination sports bar and spirits haven, recently opened at 2245 W. Dublin Granville Rd. in Linworth.
• Oh Churros Restaurant at 2110 W. Henderson Rd. announced this week that they will be launching a food truck soon.
• Columbus Food Adventures is hosting its next Taste Of dinner with Casa Karmelitas next Wednesday, December. 11 in gallery 934 in Milo-Grogran.
• Columbus Underground Beer Tasting is ready! is this Sunday, December 8 at Seventh Son Brewing. There are still tickets available.
• ‘Tis the season for holiday-themed pop-up bars! Citizens Trust is hosting Miracle until December. 28, The Bottle Shop transforms into Ebenezer’s at Bottle Shop, Huli Huli Tiki Lounge launches Huli Holiday.
• Columbus Food Adventures is partnering with Barley’s Brewing Company for a Robert Burns Dinner on Saturday, Jan. 25. The evening includes a five-course meal with a combination of beer and scotch, bagpipers and more.

This week I also write:

Want to keep up with more? Follow me on Instagram at @breakfastwithnick, browse the news archives, read my guide to Columbus, find travel inspiration or…