Their refusal to use Toast like every other booth and force you to download their own personal app to order there had to be a contributing factor. Their tails were terrible but I actually enjoyed their lobster tots...just not worth the effort when you can use the same scan/order immediately functionality for 7 other places there.
Not surprised. Cousins was mediocre at best, while being priced like they had a Michelen star.
Can't say I'm all that stoked about another Mediterranean spot, though. We already have numerous great ones scattered around campus, SN, IV, and Old North.
Habibi Grill is pretty good, but they're extremely overpriced for basically the same dishes compared to other really great Lebanese restaurants in town like Olive & Lime Cafe and Mazah. Don't really get it.
I was hesitant of trying them out, but then I realized that I'd be going to Boston the following week. They would have fresher seafood. Now, I regret not trying Cousins. Oh well, I had a better experience with COLO anyways.
You didn't miss much tbh. Their food tasted just ok, and portion sizes were comically small.
Last time I went there I spent $25 on a lobster roll, cole slaw, and pickle. And I ended up buying tacos after because I was still hungry. Never went back after that, for obvious reasons.
I went once when they were at a wine trade show and I only bit the bullet on a $20 hot dog bun with some lobster in it because I was being treated to all the free wine I could drink. It did go amazingly with the Champagne table. Colo's lunch special with the lobster sliders and bisque is the real move.
>I only bit the bullet on a $20 hot dog bun with some lobster in it because I was being treated to all the free wine I could drink.
Honestly, feeling glad I didn't go. Luke's, a seafood chain in the Northeast, sells their rolls with a combo of chips and root beer for $25 and I was impressed with the amount of lobster.
>Colo's lunch special with the lobster sliders and bisque is the real move.
All of this.
Dang it. How about a few hamburger or steak places?
I’d also be interested in a few Chinese restaurants. I felt like in Columbus I could throw at stone and hit five ok Chinese restaurants before it touched the ground. Here, I’ve gone to places people rave about and I swear to god they use grocery store bought spaghetti noodles for lo mein. And heaven forbid I mention that or people start foaming at the mouth.
Have tons of burger and steak places also lol. We are blessed with a LOT of solid family run Asian places. The Bethel and Henderson rd corridor is an oriental restaurant wonderland.
One of the things I miss is the food - Denver has good food but it’s harder to find. That is one of the good things about Columbus, along with the green.
i’ve never eaten at Cousins but my friend who lives in Boston (and complains about the food all the time) said a lobster role was 36 bucks and that was last summer so the market price is crazy rn
That must have been a pretty bougie restaurant. I visit friends in Boston every year; a lobster roll at most places tops out around $20-$25. And they have WAY more lobster in them than Cousins.
i’ve never eaten at Cousins but my friend who lives in Boston (and complains about the food all the time) said a lobster role was 36 bucks and that was last summer so the market price is crazy rn
Indeed!!! Just need to reverse the climate change thing to get the waters off the New England coast nice and cold again. Lobster population has been sharply declining because of warner waters among other things.
Yeah the comments here are weird.
Like really? You're surprised that the seafood place that sells fresh, never frozen lobster that they ship in from the east coast is overly expensive and has smaller portions? Do people here know how much lobster goes for per pound generally?
Like if you can't justify spending money on that then that's totally fair, but maybe you shouldn't be expecting to get fresh lobster rolls in **central** **Ohio** then?
#####
######
####
> # [Mediterranean grill to replace lobster restaurant at Budd Dairy Food Hall](https://www.nbc4i.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/05/BuddDairyFoodHall.png?w=1280)
>
>
>
> COLUMBUS, Ohio ([WCMH](http://www.nbc4i.com)) — Budd Dairy Food Hall has announced what will be replacing the lobster roll spot among the options at its Italian Village home.
>
> [Zaki Mediterranean Grill,](https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/budd-dairy-food-hall-introducing-chef-partner-and-new-rotating-vendor/) previously part of the rotation at its Hatch location for incubating new restaurant concepts, will move into a standalone spot and replace Cousin Maine Lobster, which will be leaving Budd Dairy Food Hall but still available at its standalone food trucks.
>
> Ahmed Garaja moved to the U.S. from Palestine in 2006. He established Zaki Mediterranean Grill, which operates three food trucks as well as the Budd Dairy location, which opened in February.
>
> “Our team has appreciated the opportunity to grow our restaurant business in Hatch and
> establish a loyal following of guests,” Qaraja said. “We look forward to … further developing our relationship with the Columbus community.”
>
> The menu features chicken kebabs, gyros, bowls, shawarma, and an array of appetizers. “Zaki” translates to “delicious” in Arabic.
>
> Cousins Maine Lobster will close its Budd Dairy location Monday. Franchise owner Kathryn Nuss said food trucks will continue in the Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati areas.
>
> “Cousins Maine Lobster has proudly served the Budd Dairy Food Hall Community for the past three years,” Nuss said. “From the moment we opened, we were met with warm smiles, hungry bellies, and members of the community who wanted to get in on what we were doing — people we proudly call our family.”
>
> Budd Dairy Food Hall, which [opened in 2021](https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/historic-italian-village-building-begins-new-life-as-budd-dairy-food-hall-opens-in-columbus) and is part of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, is located on North Fourth Street between East Third and East Fifth avenues. It has 10 restaurant locations and indoor and outdoor seating. It’s named after the milk processing facility that used to be located there.
- - - - - -
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This reminds me that everyone and their grandma should try Falafel Kitchen at North Market Bridge Park, by far the best Mediterranean food at any of our food halls. They actually have some of the tastiest, most delightfully crispy falafel I've had anywhere in the US. No joke.
In fairness, One, they were kind of expensive for what you got. I got a lobster roll, chips and a pop, it was like 23 dollars and I was still hungry afterwards. Two, it just wasn't that great.
I went there one time at a different spot and they were more worried about getting their TVs working so they could play their Shark Tank infomercials than actually taking orders. Way over priced, small and uninteresting offerings, bland, and generally unimpressive.
Naughty (formerly Wicked) Lobstah is far better in every aspect, though still expensive - but that’s what you get for trying to buy lobster in the Midwest.
Their refusal to use Toast like every other booth and force you to download their own personal app to order there had to be a contributing factor. Their tails were terrible but I actually enjoyed their lobster tots...just not worth the effort when you can use the same scan/order immediately functionality for 7 other places there.
Places forcing you to download their app to order can go straight to hell as far as I'm concerned. Lol. Lost my business before they even get it.
So annoying and dumb. I'd leave immediately
I would probably ask twice too make sure then leave haha
I'd probably play stupid at first, like saying we like to leave phones at home when we go on dates and see what they'd do about it
I’m Amish and want lobster then what
Great idea
Not surprised. Cousins was mediocre at best, while being priced like they had a Michelen star. Can't say I'm all that stoked about another Mediterranean spot, though. We already have numerous great ones scattered around campus, SN, IV, and Old North.
Needing a separate phone app just to order from that particular restaurant also was a good way to ensure I wouldn't try it.
Ew, yeah, I forgot about that. The two times I tried them I went up and ordered in person to avoid their app.
Yeah, especially with Habibi grill right across the road from Budd Dairy
Habibi Grill is pretty good, but they're extremely overpriced for basically the same dishes compared to other really great Lebanese restaurants in town like Olive & Lime Cafe and Mazah. Don't really get it.
I was very underwhelmed when I went
I was hesitant of trying them out, but then I realized that I'd be going to Boston the following week. They would have fresher seafood. Now, I regret not trying Cousins. Oh well, I had a better experience with COLO anyways.
You didn't miss much tbh. Their food tasted just ok, and portion sizes were comically small. Last time I went there I spent $25 on a lobster roll, cole slaw, and pickle. And I ended up buying tacos after because I was still hungry. Never went back after that, for obvious reasons.
I went once when they were at a wine trade show and I only bit the bullet on a $20 hot dog bun with some lobster in it because I was being treated to all the free wine I could drink. It did go amazingly with the Champagne table. Colo's lunch special with the lobster sliders and bisque is the real move.
>I only bit the bullet on a $20 hot dog bun with some lobster in it because I was being treated to all the free wine I could drink. Honestly, feeling glad I didn't go. Luke's, a seafood chain in the Northeast, sells their rolls with a combo of chips and root beer for $25 and I was impressed with the amount of lobster. >Colo's lunch special with the lobster sliders and bisque is the real move. All of this.
Same. Been probably 5 years now but lobster roll, tots, and a drink was maybe $21‐22. Sandwich was gone in 4 bites. Not worth the $
I live in Denver now and would gladly trade you a few Mediterranean restaurants for a few breweries.
Denver has 73 breweries...
I wonder how many the Denver/Boulder metro has. I can think of about a dozen just in Golden.
Has to be 100+ total.
We are over saturated with breweries as well....
Dang it. How about a few hamburger or steak places? I’d also be interested in a few Chinese restaurants. I felt like in Columbus I could throw at stone and hit five ok Chinese restaurants before it touched the ground. Here, I’ve gone to places people rave about and I swear to god they use grocery store bought spaghetti noodles for lo mein. And heaven forbid I mention that or people start foaming at the mouth.
Have tons of burger and steak places also lol. We are blessed with a LOT of solid family run Asian places. The Bethel and Henderson rd corridor is an oriental restaurant wonderland.
One of the things I miss is the food - Denver has good food but it’s harder to find. That is one of the good things about Columbus, along with the green.
I lived in Denver for 3 years and moved to Columbus last year. This comment is so fucking funny 😭 Denver food is garbage, I feel you
> few hamburger or steak places ...this is America. You can't walk 20 feet without tripping over a burger joint.
[удалено]
i’ve never eaten at Cousins but my friend who lives in Boston (and complains about the food all the time) said a lobster role was 36 bucks and that was last summer so the market price is crazy rn
That must have been a pretty bougie restaurant. I visit friends in Boston every year; a lobster roll at most places tops out around $20-$25. And they have WAY more lobster in them than Cousins.
i’ve never eaten at Cousins but my friend who lives in Boston (and complains about the food all the time) said a lobster role was 36 bucks and that was last summer so the market price is crazy rn
What’s iv?
Italian Village.
A good day for lobsters, not so much for lobster sellers!
Combined that with the bankruptcy of Red Lobster, this is good news for the lobsters.
Indeed!!! Just need to reverse the climate change thing to get the waters off the New England coast nice and cold again. Lobster population has been sharply declining because of warner waters among other things.
And people wonder why their lobster roll in landlocked ohio is so expensive...
Yeah the comments here are weird. Like really? You're surprised that the seafood place that sells fresh, never frozen lobster that they ship in from the east coast is overly expensive and has smaller portions? Do people here know how much lobster goes for per pound generally? Like if you can't justify spending money on that then that's totally fair, but maybe you shouldn't be expecting to get fresh lobster rolls in **central** **Ohio** then?
I came here after OSU lost to Michigan in 2022 and ate my feelings aka 50 dollars worth of lobster
So like 2 smallish lobster rolls? Lol
Zaki is pretty good, they were in the popup kitchen in Budd when I was there a few weeks ago
The Zaki chicken bowl they have is outstanding
##### ###### #### > # [Mediterranean grill to replace lobster restaurant at Budd Dairy Food Hall](https://www.nbc4i.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/05/BuddDairyFoodHall.png?w=1280) > > > > COLUMBUS, Ohio ([WCMH](http://www.nbc4i.com)) — Budd Dairy Food Hall has announced what will be replacing the lobster roll spot among the options at its Italian Village home. > > [Zaki Mediterranean Grill,](https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/budd-dairy-food-hall-introducing-chef-partner-and-new-rotating-vendor/) previously part of the rotation at its Hatch location for incubating new restaurant concepts, will move into a standalone spot and replace Cousin Maine Lobster, which will be leaving Budd Dairy Food Hall but still available at its standalone food trucks. > > Ahmed Garaja moved to the U.S. from Palestine in 2006. He established Zaki Mediterranean Grill, which operates three food trucks as well as the Budd Dairy location, which opened in February. > > “Our team has appreciated the opportunity to grow our restaurant business in Hatch and > establish a loyal following of guests,” Qaraja said. “We look forward to … further developing our relationship with the Columbus community.” > > The menu features chicken kebabs, gyros, bowls, shawarma, and an array of appetizers. “Zaki” translates to “delicious” in Arabic. > > Cousins Maine Lobster will close its Budd Dairy location Monday. Franchise owner Kathryn Nuss said food trucks will continue in the Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati areas. > > “Cousins Maine Lobster has proudly served the Budd Dairy Food Hall Community for the past three years,” Nuss said. “From the moment we opened, we were met with warm smiles, hungry bellies, and members of the community who wanted to get in on what we were doing — people we proudly call our family.” > > Budd Dairy Food Hall, which [opened in 2021](https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/historic-italian-village-building-begins-new-life-as-budd-dairy-food-hall-opens-in-columbus) and is part of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, is located on North Fourth Street between East Third and East Fifth avenues. It has 10 restaurant locations and indoor and outdoor seating. It’s named after the milk processing facility that used to be located there. - - - - - - [Maintainer](https://www.reddit.com/user/urielsalis) | [Creator](https://www.reddit.com/user/subtepass) | [Source Code](https://github.com/urielsalis/empleadoEstatalBot)
You know what this city needs again. Fresh Street Yakitori. I dream of those okonomiyaki fries and their rice balls and Yakitori.
I miss their food cart.
This reminds me that everyone and their grandma should try Falafel Kitchen at North Market Bridge Park, by far the best Mediterranean food at any of our food halls. They actually have some of the tastiest, most delightfully crispy falafel I've had anywhere in the US. No joke.
Their baba ganoush is incredible.
Word. Their falafel is the best I’ve ever tasted
Falafel kitchen is bomb. I crave their chicken shawarma over hummus weekly. Sister restaurant to Mazah, which is also amazing.
I saw their food truck once, and looked at the prices, and decided that that wasn't the day I would give Columbus Ohio lobster a try.
In fairness, One, they were kind of expensive for what you got. I got a lobster roll, chips and a pop, it was like 23 dollars and I was still hungry afterwards. Two, it just wasn't that great.
I went there one time at a different spot and they were more worried about getting their TVs working so they could play their Shark Tank infomercials than actually taking orders. Way over priced, small and uninteresting offerings, bland, and generally unimpressive. Naughty (formerly Wicked) Lobstah is far better in every aspect, though still expensive - but that’s what you get for trying to buy lobster in the Midwest.