Cincinnati pizza shop owner Sam Dobrozsi is branching out into the world of Cajun food after acquiring Allyn’s Cafe in Columbia Tusculum.
Dobrozsi, who currently owns Fireside Pizza in Walnut Hills, announced on Monday that he will be taking over ownership of Allyn’s after its original owner, Allyn Raifstanger, decided to retire after 33 years in business.
“I’m truly honored to take the helm of such a landmark institution,” Dobrozsi said in a press release. “Allyn’s Café is more than just a restaurant; it’s a part of Cincinnati’s history, and we plan to preserve its heart while continuing to kick ass.”
Allyn’s Cafe originally opened as a corner bar on Columbia Parkway in 1991, but has grown and evolved with the neighborhood, said Dobrozsi. The restaurant now offers eclectic Cajun fare, along with vegan dishes and beer, wine and cocktails, as well as a vibrant, community-centric atmosphere that has made it a neighborhood staple for over 30 years. Under Raifstanger’s leadership, Allyn’s has earned numerous regional accolades, including consistently placing in the top three in the Cajun/Creole restaurants category of CityBeat’s Best of Cincinnati Readers Poll.
Dobrozsi, who is also a fourth-generation small business owner from Middletown, took over ownership of Fireside Pizza, a pizza joint located in a former firehouse on E. McMillan Street, in 2019. Allyn’s Cafe will be his second restaurant.
“We are going to keep the soul of Allyn’s alive,” said Dobrozsi. “Allyn and I shook hands, and he said, ‘Kick ass,’ and that’s exactly what we intend to do.”
Allyn’s Cafe, 3538 Columbia Parkway, Columbia Tusculum. More info: allynscafecincy.com.
