HICKORY HOUSE - Key Persons
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."
Owner Jimmy Torchia's involvement with The Hickory House began at a young age. He vividly recalls his family packing up the car each summer to travel from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Columbus, Ohio to visit Uncle Tony and Aunt Dee. His favorite part of the trip was eating at Uncle Tony's restaurant. Jimmy and his brother thought Uncle Tony was about the coolest guy alive - he owned his own restaurant, the food was incredible, and the place was always busy.
's involvement with The Hickory House began at a young age. He vividly recalls his family packing up the car each summer to travel from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Columbus, Ohio to visit Uncle Tony and Aunt Dee. His favorite part of the trip was eating at Uncle Tony's restaurant. Jimmy and his brother thought Uncle Tony was about the coolest guy alive - he owned his own restaurant, the food was incredible, and the place was always busy.
Fast forward twelve years; Jimmy graduates college with a marketing degree, is working a low paying job at a marketing firm and part time at a pizza place, and trying to find his career. He remembers overhearing a conversation between Tony and his Aunt Cathy - Tony says, "I can't believe none of my nieces or nephews have asked for an opportunity to become a part of the family business." Well, that's all Jimmy needed to hear. He soon moved to Columbus to learn the business inside and out. Jimmy trained in each area, from the kitchen to the bar, but he also learned about the history of the restaurant, "Tony made me understand that The Hickory House is more than a business. Tony's dream was made possible by a few very special people who were willing to help him in any way they could. It's hard to explain really." Jimmy remembers meeting Larry Pryor, a man Tony affectionately referred to as "Pop". Pop was the man who trained Tony to tend bar. He also heard numerous stories about Tony's first partner and best friend, Jim Alexander. "It's in these stories and through these people that you truly understand the family business."
In early 2003, Tony and longtime friend Don Pinnell decided to open another Hickory House, this time in Gahanna. Jimmy would be the general manager. "This was my opportunity. We opened the restaurant in June of 2003 and never looked back. Under Tony and Don's guidance we made The Hickory House in Gahanna a success." One of Jimmy's best friends, Frank "Buddy" Naccarato moved from Pittsburgh to become the chef. Later, Tony's daughter and son-in-law moved home from Decatur, Illinois. "Around the same time I purchased the Hickory House in Gahanna, they took over operations at the Hickory House in Reynoldsburg. We work very well together and have a common goal in mind. We plan to grow and perpetuate The Hickory House name as a family. I couldn't be happier."
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."