Cincinnati sits in a unique culinary band. We run the gamut with simple meat and potatoes, spaghetti-esque chili and goetta for breakfast. Here are a few place to dine so your arteries can be just like ours.
Patronize the Grand Finale: 3 E. Sharon Road, Glendale. This 26-year-old Cincinnati establishment thrives desserts, Sunday brunch and loyal customers. Read more. (513) 771-5925.
Have brunch at Boca: 4034 Hamilton Ave., Northside. "They have the best brunch in Cincinnati. Their french toast is amazing," says one Simply Cincy reader. (513) 542-2022.
Eat at Price Hill Chili:4920 Glenway Ave., Price Hill. "They are known for their Cincinnati style goetta along with awesome coneys and double deckers," reads a Simply Cincy suggestion. (513) 471-9507.
Buy ice cream at a UDF: "We used to talk about UDF ice cream all of the time," says a Simply Cincy reader about her move to Kentucky. "And everyone who wasn't from Cincinnati would look at us like we were crazy, but they didn't know what they were missing."
Eat at Hathaway's: Carew Tower Arcade, downtown. It's a downtown lunchtime institution. Hathaway's has regulars and features a vintage 1930s soda fountain counter. (513) 321-2816.
Eat real Chinese at the Szechwan Wok: 7207 Montgomery Rd., Silverton. Nominated by a 'Simply Cincy' reader, the Szechwan Wok has some of the best Chinese food in the city. "I've been eating there for 15 years, and many devotees feel that the food is better than what New York's or San Francisco's Chinatowns have to offer," he says. (513) 891-0123.
Eat at Izzy's: three locations (two downtown and one at Glenway Crossing): You can't be a Cincinnatian without eating an Izzy's potato pancake. This Jewish deli opened its first location downtown in 1901. Today, Kroger carries Izzy's corned beef, and Catholics flock to Izzy's on Fridays for cod.
Eat at the York St. International Cafe: 738 York St., Newport. Poetry readings, eclectic food, fascinating decor and plenty to talk about at the York St. International Cafe. (859) 261-9675.
Check out the Loyal Cafe: 402 Foote Ave., Bellvue, KY. A Simply Cincy reader from Florida says whenever he "returns home, I stay at a B&B in Bellevue,Ky, so I can be close to the Loyal. It's good food, homey atmosphere and a great clientle." (859) 431-5223.
Eat at Rookwood Pottery: 1077 Celestial St., Mt. Adams. Known for burgers, but also for its historical building, it used to be the firing place for famous Rookwood Pottery. (513) 721-5456.
Buy from Shadeau Breads: 1336 Main St. One of the best bread stores in Cincinnati. (513) 665-9270.
Visit the Chili Company late at night: 3158 Madison Rd., Oakley. Nothing wrong with a 24-hour chili joint. (513) 871-4144.
Enjoy jazz at Dee Felice Cafe: This MainStrasse joint has good Cajun food (a little pricey), good jazz and Dixieland on the weekends. (859) 261-2365.
Stop in at Maury's Tiny Cove: "Every Greater Cincinnati resident ought to at least once push open Maury’s doors on Harrison Avenue," reads the Cincinnati Enquirer's review of this 50-year-old West Side steak joint. More about Maury's Tiny Cove
Sample some LaRosa's: LaRosa's: voted the best delivered pizza, the best pizza restaurant and best thin crust pizza in town, according to a recent "Cincinnati Enquirer" poll. And it's finally on "Simply Cincy," after many, many, many suggestions.
Eat ribs at the Montgomery Inn: 9440 Montgomery Rd., Montgomery or 925 Eastern Ave., downtown. Get a full-order of ribs and some Saratoga chips and you'll share an experience with 99% of Greater Cincinnatians.
Order take-out from BBQ Revue: 6300 Madison Rd. Great ribs, beef brisket and pretty cheap, too. It's been voted the winner in many take-out and rib contests. 561-7170.
Get ice cream at Aglamesis Bros. 3046 Madison Rd., Oakley or 9887 Montgomery Rd., Montgomery. These little parlors have received lots of "Simply Cincy" votes. One reader said to try the fruit salad ice cream.
Order a steak at The Precinct: Delta Ave. and Columbia Parkway, Columbia-Tusculum. Where to go for a steak? The Precinct is is usually the first suggestion from a Cincinnatian. Reservations are definitely required. 321-5454.
Brunch at First Watch: Four locations (Norwood, Madeira, Symmes Township, downtown). Specializing in breakfast and brunch, First Watch is an establishment always mentioned in morning dining conversations. Waits are sometimes long though, so you might want to make it an early meal.
Take a trip to Putz's Creamy Whip: 2673 Putz Place, Westwood. Sitting off the I-74 West Montana exit, this Westside ice cream stand is practically a landmark. Always crowded, Putz's serves frozen treats as well as food, like hot dogs and hamburgers. It's next to the Mt. Airy Forest entrance, too. 681-8668.
Eat Camp Washington Chili - Colerain and Hopple St., Camp Washington - The restaurant, deemed an "American Regional Classic" by the James Beard Foundation, holds a special place in Cincinnati's heart. The 24-hour joint is a tradition. 541-0061. More about Camp Washington Chili
Have Sunday brunch at the Riverview Revolving Restuarant - I-75 and 5th St. exit, Covington - The spinning restaurant is a must. Don't worry--it goes too slow for queasiness. 491-5300.
Dine at City View Tavern - 403 Oregon, Mt. Adams - This establishment has received too many "Simply Cincy" requests to be ignored. Cash only, and they make it clear that if you don't have time to wait for your food, they'll "gladly direct you to the nearest fast food restaurant." 241-8439.
Eat at Sturkey's in Wyoming: - 400 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming - "It's what I tell people to try," says a Cincinnati native. "Come as you are and enjoy the best!" he adds. 821-9200.
Taste goetta - Mmmmmm.....pin oats, pork, onions, herbs and spices: Something between spam and sausage for the Cincinnati transplants. The Anchor in Covington is a renowned spot for this stuff.
Visit Mr. Pig - 109 W. Elder, Over-the-Rhine - Located by Findlay Market, this barbecue/ribs joint is definitely on the Cincinnati eats list. Mr. Pig review
Eat "Burger Madness" at Arthur's - 3518 Edwards Rd., Hyde Park - "Burger Madness" at Arthur's runs all day long Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and is too good to be passed up. Fries and all the toppings you can handle for $4.99. Definitely a Zip's rival.
Eat Graeter's ice cream - various locations - A given. Ice cream with chocolate chips as big as your fist can never be turned down.
Skyline Chili - various locations. Some say the mix of spaghetti noodles, cheese, onions and sauce is injected into Cincinnati babies' veins upon birth---and they also say city-transplants never like it. See for yourself.
Zip's Café- 1036 Delta Ave., Mt. Lookout. This greasy spoon has some of the best burgers and food in the city; sits right on Mt. Lookout Square. Cheap, too. 871-9876
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