The Gom Sandwich at Zaharakos (#Super46)

This time of year calls for stick-to-your-ribs, soul-warming food. You’ll find a great option in The Gom, the signature dish at Zaharakos, a historic ice cream parlor and soda fountain in the heart of downtown Columbus. To get a sense of The Gom, imagine your mom’s sloppy joes, only a little sweeter and with a bit more kick than anything that ever came out of her crockpot. It’s served on toasted white bread just thick enough to hold up to its saucy meatiness. Priced at $5.99, it may bust your diet but certainly not your budget. I recommend ordering it up with cheese ($6.49) and some of Zaharakos’ fresh-cut french fries or kettle chips. But as good as The Gom is, it shockingly gets a bit overshadowed by two of my favorite aspects of a meal at Zaharakos: its fun and historic atmosphere and the sweet treats they serve up. You’ll enter Zaharakos to find beautiful oak woodwork, a marble counter where the art of the ice cream sundae and soda fountain beverages are perfected, gorgeous stained glass, and even a museum. Lively music pumps out of the Welte Orchestrion every few minutes, ensuring that you feel you stepped back in time when you walked in the front door. The casual environment is extremely family-friendly (and makes a great stop for a meal after letting the kids play at The Commons indoor playground across the street or Kidscommons, Columbus’ great children’s museum next door.) We’ve certainly made many family memories here, and always bring our out of town guests in for a treat. And after indulging in a spicy Gom, you can’t leave Zaharakos without ordering their famous ice cream or a soda from the historic soda fountain. While the Green River soda is a popular choice and house specialty, I rarely pass up their ice cream, including their homemade sauces and other fun toppings.

Have you tried out the Gom at Zaharakos? Is it one of your favorites? If so, vote for it in our Super 46 Sandwiches Playoffs. You can find out more about the Gom or the other 45 sandwiches at Super46.com.

Find out more information about Super 46 Sandwiches, including pictures of each sandwich and details about each of the restaurants at Super46.com. Super 46 Sandwiches is brought to you by the Indiana Office of Tourism Development and the Publishers of Indianapolis Monthly Magazine.