The Tradition
In 1978 two wacky bartenders decided to go into the restaurant business. Why not? How hard could it be? Restaurants were crowded; people would wait in line for hours to get good food. Well, hard it was! After a few years of falling all over themselves, they discovered the magic, QUALITY. All great products are built on it, and quality it would be.
Right then and there they vowed that everything they sold would be made from the absolute best products available. That one decision has been the true success of this restaurant. Quality caused employees to stay and become good at their jobs. Quality caused customers to come back again and again. Quality is why the Hickory House has been in business since 1979. That high level of quality and family tradition, are what keep us going.
Our customers enter our doors as our guests and leave as our family. We are truly a family owned and operated business. The founder’s son-in-law and nephew are now carrying on that family tradition: a Central Ohio Tradition for nearly half a century. Thank you J.D., dreams do come true.
What Makes Us Different
Our ribs are the finest two-pound baby backs money can buy. Our seven-spice rib rub and original Bar-B-Que sauce are made from scratch. All our steaks are hand cut from the best available aged, choice cut beef. They are never frozen and are always U.S.D.A. inspected. Our filets are only center cuts, as are our New Yorks, Ribeyes and Tops; and our Porterhouse is one of the best steaks in the business. Our Chops are signature cuts. Our Chicken Breasts are always fresh. Our Hamburger is made from fresh U.S.D.A. Ground Chuck. Our Soups are made from scratch.
The Founder
Tony Torchia
The restaurant business is like air and water to Tony Torchia. He has a remarkable passion for the business. His love of the industry began at age 15 when he forged his birth certificate to begin work as a bus boy at a fancy restaurant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, his home town. After graduating high school, at his father’s insistence, he moved to Newark, Ohio to attend technical school. But after seeing dozens of middle-aged, hard working men and women get laid off, he quickly vowed he would only work for himself.
It was then that he and his best friend, Jim Alexander, opened their first bar (Jim is the second "wacky bartender" on the front page of our menu). They opened TJ's (for Tony and Jim) and later opened TJ's II. Then, they made the decision to try the restaurant business - little did they know just how hard it would be (his daughter Dawn remembers taste-testing ribs and BBQ sauce as a little girl, and his wife recalls the small loan they had to take from her father to keep the business afloat). But it didn't take long to hit the mark, and discover the perfect ingredients. The rest is a true success story, a story built upon pages of hard work, loyal customers, and outstanding staff.
Tony quickly realized that customer service was the differentiator. That's why today, we continue to focus on our customers, who truly are our family. It is remarkable how many people have come through our doors as regular customers for 36 years. We thank you for your business!
Tony loves spending time with family and friends and is especially happy when he is with his four grandchildren - three boys and one sassy little girl! His beautiful wife of more than 40 years is behind this success story, for without her... well... you just never know what would have happened.
Pride is the word that best describes Tony's feelings about his son and nephew taking over the family business. "I never in a million years imagined that The Hickory House would continue past me. I can't even describe the pride I feel in knowing our story lives on."
Tony's favorite quote from Calvin Coolidge:
Persistence....
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."
Chad Hunter
Reynoldsburg
Owner Chad Hunter is proud to be part of the family business, The Hickory House Restaurant in Reynoldsburg. Chad officially took over the original Hickory House location in June 2011, when his family relocated to Ohio. “Columbus may not be my home, but family and our customers have made the transition easier and have made me feel at home. I have come to love this business and enjoy meeting new people along the way, especially the customers and staff. It’s an honor and privilege to meet so many unique people, learn the history of the restaurant, and acquire different skills.”
Chad and Dawn (Torchia) met, married and started their family in Illinois before coming to Columbus Ohio in 2011. They moved back to be apart of something special since 1979, when founder Anthony Torchia started his DREAM. “We wanted to help carry his name and accomplishments for many more generations.”
Chad has extensive management experience, fulfilling executive leadership roles in one of the largest healthcare systems in Illinois, managing multiple facilities for developmentally disabled clients. Chad holds a special place in his heart for his time in the healthcare field, and acknowledges his success in life to his days working with developmentally disabled.
Dawn works behind the scenes assisting with communication efforts and marketing materials. Dawn has a solid communications background, working as a television News Anchor and Reporter, a Communications Director for an inner-city public school district in Illinois, and now as Chief of Staff for Nationwide Financial’s Internal Sales and Service organization.
Chad and Dawn value time with family and friends – their two boys are their reasons for being. Chad enjoys working out, watching the Denver Broncos, and seeing his boys grow up and participate in baseball, basketball, band, and robotics. The family loves dogs (they have 4!), hiking, and being outdoors.