In this very special LIVE episode of The Perfect Bite podcast, host Sarah Perkins sits down with Kathleen “Katalina” Day, founder of Katalina’s Café, Columbus’s iconic brunch spot known for its Latin-leaning, Southern-slanted comfort food and 3 million-plus famous Pancake Balls™.
Recorded in front of a live audience tasting Katalina’s delicious menu, Sarah and Kathleen talk about how a tiny corner café turned into a three-location local empire, the story behind her signature dishes, and what it really takes to run a restaurant for 15 years through recessions, pandemics, and changing dining trends.
From Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives to community-driven growth, Kathleen shares her journey of creativity, grit, and heart — all while serving a multi-course tasting menu inspired by her roots in the South, travels in France, and love of Latin flavors.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The real story behind the famous Pancake Balls™
- How Katalina’s built a cult following in Columbus
- What it’s like to be featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives
- How Kathleen blends Latin and Southern influences into one brand
- The hardest lessons from 15 years in hospitality — and how she keeps going
You can visit Katalina’s locations throughout Columbus in the Harrison West, Clintonville, and Bexley neighborhoods. You can learn more at www.katalinas.com.
You can follow Katalina’s on Instagram at @katalinascafe and Kathleen at @katalinaday.
Thank you to the event’s beneficiary Freedom a la Cart for teaming up with us and to our sponsors for the evening, including Middle West Spirits, Rose Bredel, Milligan’s maple syrup and Premiere ProduceOne.
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