Friday Food Bites: Macelleria North Market Butchery opens, Hoyo’s debuting smashburger concept

Image courtesy North Market Downtown / Macelleria East Side Butchery

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

• This week North Market Downtown gained a new butcher shop! Macelleria East Side Butchery out of Bexley opened a stall at the market. They’ve partnered with Ian Holmes, owner of COLO Seafood & Oyster Bar and COLO Burger Bar at the market. The butcher shop’s initial hours will be Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• The owners of Hoyo’s Kitchen announced a new smashburger concept opening next week at Bubbly Food Hall in New Albany. Rhino Smashburger Co. will feature smashburgers, loaded fries, and shakes. They’re set to open next week Friday, Oct. 18.
• Johnson’s Real Ice Cream is expanding again! They announced a new Powell store coming to 4290 Home Rd. early in 2025, and teased even more locations coming in the future. Johnson’s added three new shops last year, in Grandview, Italian Village, and Canal Winchester.
• The South End Cafe on Parsons Avenue reopened after a brief hiatus this week. They’re running a number of specials through Oct. 13.
• Tune in to the Food Network tonight, as the next Columbus eatery, High Bank Distillery, will be featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives!
• There are still a few tickets available for the inaugural Market-to-Table Harvest Dinner in Worthington next Wednesday, Oct. 16. The dinner is a fundraiser for the Worthington Farmers Market, and features a number of market vendors, plus dishes from Columbus chefs Laura Lee and Jack Moore.
• Next week The Coffee Mess in Hilliard celebrates 10 years in the roasting business. They’re hosting festivities at their roastery in Hilliard next Thursday, Oct. 17 starting at 6 p.m.
• A new mobile coffee trailer called Kile Road Coffee is set to debut soon!
• The owner of 1126 Restaurant in the Short North and Song Lan Restaurant announced a new sushi concept called 698 Restaurant, coming soon to the old El Segundo space at – wait for it – 698 N. High St. in the Short North.
• From Oct. 13-20, Hank’s Low Country Seafood is featuring a specialty cocktail called The Little Black Dress. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will support the Columbus Fashion Council.
• 614’s Burger & Beer Week returns Oct. 14-19, with $6 and $8 burger specials at a variety of participating restaurants.
• The Columbus Italian Festival is this weekend, Oct. 11-13, in Italian Village.

This week I’m also writing:

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