🌞 Columbus｜Food Diary After a Citywalk

Compared to other bustling U.S. cities, Columbus, Ohio, really feels safe and pleasant for a good stroll. Most people here are friendly — though I did run into some tipsy teenagers trying to chat, overall the vibe feels pretty wholesome and laid-back. 👏👏👏 Here are a few food spots worth visiting: 🌭 Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace 🌟🌟🌟 This spot offers tons of hot dog varieties! I tried the Loaded Potato Dog and the Picnic Table — not mind-blowing, but definitely tasty. Super affordable too, around $4–6 each. It’s branded as an Irish pub, so pairing a dog with a drink feels pretty street-style 😄. 🍗 Hot Chicken Takeover 🌟🌟🌟 Ate at the North Market Downtown location (upstairs). There’s seating outside the shop where you can overlook the market while you eat. The fried chicken is good — reminds me of original recipe chicken, but less greasy. Sauces are nice — I like it with warm gravy ☺️. The meal in the photo is a combo; that big block on the right is cornbread — crispy outside, moist inside, served with honey butter 🧈… sinfully delicious 🥹. But honestly — it’s REALLY greasy!!! The oil in just this one side dish could probably fry a whole Chinese meal back home 😅. ☕ Cafe De Nook 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 SUPER, SUPER, SUPER RECOMMEND THIS PLACE!!!! The owner is SO kind 😭😭😭. They have tons of coffee options, so I was a bit lost — the owner came over and patiently explained each type based on preference. We ordered two drinks: one was great and gone quickly; the other was a seasonal latte she recommended, but I found it too sweet and didn’t finish it. She noticed and offered to replace it for free — saying, “I’m so happy you found my cafe, and since it’s my shop, this one’s on the house.” The replacement was her “special blend” latte — so good 🥹🥹🥹! Before we left, she chatted with us a bit — said Columbus had been cold lately and rain was coming, but our visit brought a few sunny days (so sweet 🥹). Meeting someone so warm in a foreign place really made the whole day brighter! #USA #Columbus #HotDog #FriedChicken #Coffee #FoodHunt #FoodDiary