I won’t claim to be an expert on Cuban food, but having lived in Tampa for several years, I’ve have had my share of Cuban sandwiches at Hugos and La Terasita’s served with a side of black beans and rice. So when a friend suggested I try Starliner Diner in Hilliard, Ohio, I was curious to see if they could compare to the authentic dishes I truly missed.
When I arrived at the café on Cemetery Road, I quickly learned (from my friends at Destination Hilliard and the Hilliard Chamber of Commerce) that the restaurant had outgrown its space and had relocated to nearby Main Street in Old Hilliard.
As soon as I entered the restaurant, I briefly felt as though I was back in Florida with the colorful rooms and mounted fish on the walls. Transported to the tropics without the beach, I was escorted to the main dining room sitting next to a huge mural of the sun. The extensive menu was full of amazing Caribbean dishes to include appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pastas, pizzas and supper dishes.
In addition, I was provided a handwritten page of specials for the day, but I already knew what I would be ordering….the Media Noche (Cuban Sandwich) with the fried plantains.
When my meal arrived, my mouth was watering from the sweet aroma of the plantains and the delicious smell of ham and Swiss. My sandwich was perfectly pressed and I was ready to take my first bite. Ahhh…I had been waiting for this moment and I was not disappointed. This Cuban was a perfect blend of marinated pork and ham, Swiss cheese, a hint of mustard and pickles. It tasted as authentic as if I had just ordered it from a roadside food stall in Cuba. The plantains were fried to perfection with a mild taste of sweetness and I love the caramelized texture of this delectable side dish.
The Starliner Diner rates high on my list of restaurants to visit in Hilliard and I wish them nothing but success with its new location. I am already checking my calendar to make plans to visit for the Chiles Rellenos,
Have you had the opportunity to visit Starliner Diner? I would love to hear what you like to order if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below, that would be great! Many thanks for reading my post and I hope you continue to follow my journey as I explore my home state of Ohio and beyond.
Where to Eat:
Starliner Diner
4121 Main Street
Hilliard, Ohio 43026
Telephone: 614 529 1198
Where to Stay:
Hilton Garden Inn Columbus/Dublin
500 Metro Place North
Dublin, OH 43017
Telephone: 614 766 9900
Here are more of my favorite Columbus Classics:
- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream: Known for her unique flavor combinations, Jeni Britton Bauer has made ice cream famous in C-Bus!
- North Market: A one-stop shop for universal cuisine, Columbus’ North Market is worth a stop in the Short North District of the city.
- The Thurman Cafe: The Thurmanator is the burger of all burgers at this longtime local cafe in German Village. There may be a wait all burgers are made to order.
- Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant: While the sausage at Schmidt’s is the official food of Columbus, it’s the amazing Cream Puffs that have the locals lining up at the door.
What to Read:
- Columbus: The Story of a City, by Ed Lentz
- Columbus, Ohio: A Photographic Portrait, by Randall L Schieber and Robin Smith
- Ohio in Photographs: A Portrait of the Buckeye State, by Ian Adams
- Secret Columbus, by Anietra Hamper
Photo Guide for Columbus:
- Coffman Park: small ponds, bridges, white barn, pavilion, landscaping, public art
- Columbus Museum of Art: the grounds, inside artwork and special exhibits
- Everal Barn and Homestead: landscaping, white barn, beautiful lake
- Frank Fetch Park: gardens, brick paths, beautiful trees and landscaping
- Franklin Park Conservatory: beautiful gardens, artwork, flowers and special exhibits
- Gantz Park: barn, beautiful trees,
- German Village: brick streets, landscaping, parks, charming architecture, Old World charm, historical buildings
- Grove City: brick roads, small town, shopping area
- Hayden Falls – wooden walking path, waterfall
- Historical Village of Hilliard: a small village to include a schoolhouse, train car, chapel, log cabin, covered bridge, gazebo and granary
- Homestead Park in Hilliard: walking path, covered bridge, barns, trains, tractor, pond and pet park
- Inniswood Metro Gardens: gardens, lily pond, herb garden, play area for children, secret garden
- Ohio State House: rotunda and landscaping (photo permit required)
- Ohio State University: campus, landscaping, Mirror Lake, Ohio Stadium (you can pay a small fee to take photos inside)
- Park of Roses in Clintonville: various types of rose gardens
- Riverfront Park: city view, Scioto River, landscapes, fountains, walking paths
- Schiller Park: gardens, walking paths, stone columns, wooden bridge, small lake
- Scioto Mile: city views, Scioto River, landscapes, fountains, walking paths
- Scioto Park in Dublin: statue of Chief Leatherlips, river views, landscaping, and paths
- Short North: restaurants, italian village, shops, city views, murals
- Topiary Park: depiction of George Seurat’s 1884 painting, landscape, fountains, small pond, gazebo
Don Arturo Restaurant is minutes from the airport, so when I met her at the gate, we immediately set out for lunch. There was not much of a crowd so we ordered our drinks and food straightaway. Within minutes our meals were brought out to our table. My Cuban sandwich was perfectly prepared with nearly two inches of shredded pork on a perfectly pressed bun.