From Hawaiian grills to late-night fare, these Columbia restaurants opened in 2023

Each year, the broader menu of Columbia dining options expands and contracts with exciting new restaurants cropping up even as others close.

This year, Columbia welcomed new-to-us franchises, night-and-day restaurant concepts and fresh iterations of former staples. Here is just a sampler platter of what the venues and ventures we gained in 2023.

Bite and After Bite

Twin restaurants emerged this year with Bite and After Bite. By day, Bite serves up terrific sandwiches like the Crispy Hen or Tenderloin, with the chance to make it your own meal via a wide selection of sauces. The restaurant closes in the afternoon, and comes back at night as After Bite with such elevated late-night fare as the Beef and Mac Sandwich and Cinnamon Roll Burrito. Located at 2900 Trimble Road, Suite 105.

Delia's Mexican Grill

Delia's expanded this year, adding a second location to its initial downtown spot. The restaurant menu features everything from a variety of tacos, fajitas and starters — among them, asada fries and Mexican corn — to traditional fare such as pozole and molcajete. Located at 201 N. Tenth St. and 1400 Cinnamon Hill Lane.

La Calle 8

Operated by Rafael Bobea and his family, this downtown spot — with a name that translates to Eighth Street Cafe — serves up a simple but strong coffee menu, paninis and croissants with alluring flavor combinations such as avocado chicken chipotle or ham and gouda, and refreshing tropical drinks. Located at 214 S. Eighth St.

Son of a Gun

Bringing a neighborhood bar vibe to North Ninth Street, Son of a Gun mingles a series of rotating drinks with barroom standards, an engaging beer list and a few simple wines; the bar's tagline makes a simple but satisfying promise: "cold beer + fast cocktails." Located at 16 N. Ninth St.

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill

This popular chain known for its Hawaiian-inspired plate lunch menu opened in August in Columbia. Various styles of teriyaki chicken or slow-cooked pork are paired with rice and macaroni salad. A vegetarian option is available. The small menu allows for fairly quick service for the fast-casual chain. Find it at 1401 Grindstone Parkway.

44 Tavern at Top Tracer

When 44 Stone Public House was forced to close earlier this year, it didn't slow the momentum of owner Mark Sulltrop who already had 44 Tavern under development to pair with Midway Golf and Games' new TopTracer facility. The menu features familiar items from both 44 Stone and 44 Canteen, but has items all its own, such as the Midway Smashburger Sliders. Located at 5500 W. Van Horn Tavern Road.

Walk-Ons Sports Bistreaux

The former home of Houlihan's Restaurant that closed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic was redeveloped into a franchise of Walk-Ons Sports Bistreaux in May. Menu features include Louisiana staples like blackened chicken, gumbo or crawfish étoufée, among many other cajun/creole flavors. Find it at 2541 Broadway Bluff Drive.

Tacos 4 Life

Chick-fil-A isn't the only Christian-based, mission-focused chain. Tacos 4 Life started in Columbia just one year ago and for every meal sold, a portion of the sales supports nonprofit Feed my Starving Children. More than 238,000 meal packs were purchased for the nonprofit since the restaurant's opening. A variety of tacos and other Tex-Mex items make up the menu. Much like Chick-fil-A, Tacos 4 Life is closed Sundays. Available at 511 E. Green Meadows Road.

Pasta La Fata

While Pasta La Fata has been in business for more than one year (roughly 18 months at this point), it has made a lot of progress. Owner Shelly La Fata now offers a variety of Italian cooking lessons, special-event Italian region specific five-course dinners and most recently made her menu available for delivery through CoMo Delivered and GrubHub. There are daily and weekly hot menu specials, or your can pick up a variety of items from the refrigerators or freezers to take home to cook and enjoy. The Italian market space also was rearranged recently to offer more customer seating. Located at 1207 Rogers St., Suite 106.

Still on the way

October brought news of a new development along Bull Run Drive at St. Charles Road known as Port 131. Leading as the flagship of the new retail space will be Big Whiskey's American Restaurant and Bar. Already curious about what they have on the menu? There's a location in Jefferson City to try. The Columbia location is part of an eight location expansion of the Missouri-founded restaurant chain.

While a fall opening date was projected earlier this year for The Kitchen Grill and Games at Discovery Park, construction delays have meant a number of opening date changes. The opening likely will take a phased approach, with courts and a partial menu available at first before a full grand opening. The first-of-its-kind sports entertainment venue will feature a mix of pickleball courts, other outdoor games, American bar-and-grill style eats, and possibly an ice rink over winter months.

Other foodie opportunities

While these opportunities have passed for the year, be sure to add them to your calendar for next year.

During the summer months, Columbia Farmers Market holds additional Wednesday evening markets from 3-7 p.m. A partnership with Columbia Parks and Recreation means guests can sample cuisine from area food trucks on second and fourth Wednesdays. The Farmers Market regularly has food stalls to go along with the variety of produce for sale.

Keep early September open in 2024 for the third Taste of Columbia Food Festival sponsored by Kraft-Heinz and City of Refuge. The event aims to showcase the various international foods available in the community either via brick-and-mortar shops or restaurants and caterers.

There aren't just food-centered events happening to keep on a calendar. The Loop Community Improvement District CoMo Cooks shared kitchen space is providing a space for food entrepreneurs to grow their business. A list of all the clients are on The Loop's website and pop-up events regularly happen. CoMo Cooks featured businesses by the Tribune have included The Biscuit Center and Highbread Bakery and Treats.

And a variety of other food trucks, pop-up and home-based ventures continue to spring up around mid-Missouri. Among those that emerged this year: the Turkish street food truck Dada Döner; the always-innovative Family Tree Cookie Company; and fusion ramen project Kiki's Noodle Bowl.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: New Columbia restaurants in 2023 brought variety to city's food scene