Cincinnati Recs?

I'm going to visit a friend in Cincinnati this weekend via the Megabus for only $1.50 roundtrip! That's cheaper than one way on the CTA!

She's lived in the Mt. Lookout Square area for a few months now. I already plan on putting in an order to Graeter's to bring home some ice cream. Burgers at Zips and chili and coney dogs from Skyline are also on my list. Am I missing anything else? Thanks.

Pucca wrote:I'm going to visit a friend in Cincinnati this weekend via the Megabus for only $1.50 roundtrip! That's cheaper than one way on the CTA!

She's lived in the Mt. Lookout Square area for a few months now. I already plan on putting in an order to Graeter's to bring home some ice cream. Burgers at Zips and chili and coney dogs from Skyline are also on my list. Am I missing anything else? Thanks.

When I used to swing through Cincy picking up friends en route to visit other friends in Athens, OH, we liked to get sandwiches at Penn Station It looks like that place has become a pretty giant regional chain since then, and it's probably been 15 years, so take it with a grain of salt -- but you could ask your friend if people still like them, but back then, they always seemed pretty rewarding, especially after the long drive from Chicago.

Also, after a conversation with Cathy2 last night, it sounds like you'd better schedule a healthy amount of time to visit Jungle Jim's market!

Buy some Goetta (my favorite brand is Gliers) at the grocery store and fry it up crisp. If you like it, buy a bunch and stick it in with the Graeters so you can impress your friends when you get back. A lot of people like LaRoses pizzeria. I am not a fan of their pizza, but their sandwiches are quite good. Jungle Jims is great, but I hope that the megabus doesnt charge too much for extra packages. Also, if you get to Oakley, which isnt too far from Mt Lookout, Aglamesis has great, relatively inexpensive chocolates, though the ice cream is better at Graeters. Enjoy your visit.

-Will

I'm a former Cincinnatian, and I'll second the recommendation for Jungle Jim's--I try to make a pitstop whenever I get back to Cincinnati.

Not far off from where your friend lives is the Green Papaya restaurant; it's a Thai/sushi restaurant (a common combo in Cincinnati). At Christmastime, I had a rather nontraditional bento box (combining, as it did, sashimi and pad thai) that was one of the most memorable things I ate last year. Nothing at all fancy, just 5 utterly silken pieces of sashimi, really lovely pad thai (spicy, not greasy, wonderful contract of textures from the crushed peanuts and the fresh veggies), plus miso, an eggroll, and tangerine slices (I think)--all this, and real wasabi, for less than $10. Their dinner menu looked really inviting; I was kicking myself for trying this place on my last day there. I have a friend who is a chef, and she tipped me off to this place; she was right....

Green Papaya
2942 Wasson Road
513-731-0107

I'm a big fan of Cafe Istanbul in Newport on the levy - excellent lamb kabobs. I get back to Cincy about 8 times per year, and I eat there pretty regularly.


good call on Zips. If you're feeling up for another burger, Quatman's in Norwood is a great option (especially now that the smoking ban is in effect).

Also, I've had good bistro food at Jean Ro downtown on two occasions recently.

LOL.... when I saw the heading, I immediately thought of Graeters and Zips.

I used to live in Hyde Park and spent many a Saturday afternoon enjoying a Zip's burger and could walk from my place on Mooney to Graeters.

Enjoy...except for the Skyline...yuuuck!

DMChicago wrote:Enjoy...except for the Skyline...yuuuck!

Should I even bother w/chili? If so, where? Empress? Gold Star?

I love Camp Washington for Chili
3005 Colerain Ave


Boca is a nice upscale spot I've eaten at a few times if you're so inclined:
3200 Madison Rd


Yeah, don't miss Jungle Jim's. One of a kind grocery (if you can call it that).

Personally, I am more into Aglamesis Brothers in Oakley Square for gourmet, homemade handmade ice cream and the United Dairy Farmers' premium brand.

jlawrence01 wrote:Personally, I am more into Aglamesis Brothers in Oakley Square for gourmet, homemade handmade ice cream and the United Dairy Farmers' premium brand.

TJ Jackson, a prolific and well respected poster over at Roadfood.com, and Cincinnati native says the same thing about Aglamesis Brothers versus Graeter's.

Having only experienced Graeter's, all I can say is, if Aglamesis Brothers is better than that, be prepared to disappear in a flash of light and a wisp of smoke upon your first mouthful as you are called up to be with the gods.

Buddy

I think that you need to at least try the chili. It is probably only the truly unique Cincinnati food other than goetta. I like both skyline and gold star. Even if you only stop by for a snack, you should give it a try. The graeters/aglamesis debate is another big east side cincinnati issue. I was raised on graeters, and prefer their no air, huge chocolate chip style versus the aglamesis rich but airy, lots of smaller chocolate specks style, though I must admit that I havent had a lot af aglamesis. The only logical solution would to be to try them both and report back.

-Will

I'll second the suggestion to try the chili. It's absolutely great -- it's just not chili. Think of it as Greek spaghetti sauce, and you'll have an easier time enjoying it. Because it is Greek -- originated by a Greek immigrant who had heard of chili but never tried it, so he came up with his own Greek version, cinnamon and all. It is served over spaghetti or little hotdogs. I always go for spaghetti. It is then topped with onions, cheddar cheese, and/or beans (your choice). I usually just get cheese and onions. I also usually bring back about a dozen packages of mix, so I can make my own at home. So completely erase from your mind any thought that it's chili, and enjoy it for what it is, a unique Cincinnati experience.

For a nice dinner out, Mike Fink's is fun. It's a 1920s river boat that is permanently moored near the bridge that was the "test run" for the Brooklyn Bridge. The food is pretty good, but the ambience is the real winner.

Have a great trip.

Cynthia wrote:Think of it as Greek spaghetti sauce, and you'll have an easier time enjoying it. Because it is Greek -- originated by a Greek immigrant who had heard of chili but never tried it, so he came up with his own Greek version, cinnamon and all.

Macedonian not Greek!

Regards,

Upon my arrival, we went to dinner at Indigo Cafe. They had a large menu and quite a variety of things to choose from. Despite being quite hungry, nothing on the menu really appealed to me. I opted for their Comfort Chicken Calzone (enveloped pot pie). Their calzones were voted one of Cincinnati's best. I don't know why, b/c this was the most flavorless thing I've ever eaten. I almost never salt or pepper my food when I am eating out. This calzone could not be saved w/salt, pepper or gravy. What a disappointing start.

The next day, we hit up Gold Star Chili. I ordered it 5-way b/c I always like adding a little fiber to my diet whenever I can. I was starving after hitting the gym w/my friend so I appreciated it that much more. I thought of it as being meat sauce over spaghetti but with beans and cheddar cheese. (I did notice that all the workers here were Caucasian, which was so shocking to me. Maybe I'm just being naive as to the racial segregation and homogeneity of the population.)

We visited Jungle Jim's in the afternoon. It was quite crowded with it being a Saturday. We were inside for 1.5 hours, but it really flew by, and I already felt rushed. If I had a car and a cooler, I would've bought more things. I was definitely impressed by the variety of the International and Natural product selections. Some prices were reasonable and some seemed overpriced.

For dinner, we went to Green Papaya. Per the server's suggestion, we ordered the Green Papaya Sushi Roll (IIRC: tuna, crab, cream cheese, tempura shrimp and rice wrapped in lettuce topped with a chili aioli and panko bread crumbs) and the Classic Hot Fish (veggies, grouper, basil). I wish I asked for the cream cheese to be omitted from the sushi - it dominated the roll. Unforunately, my friend has a really low tolerance to spice, so we had to order the fish mild. I think it would've definitely benefitted from some added heat.

For dessert, we went to Aglamesis Brothers. I had the raspberry chip. I really enjoyed the quality of the chips - it was rich and dark and hard. Sometimes, it was as if I was eating ice cream, and then there'd be a chocolate bar in there! Not in a bad way for a chocolate lover. However, the ice cream itself didn't do much for me. Tonight (48 hours later), I tasted Graeter's black raspberry chip. I really liked the ice cream, but found the chocolate to be softer than I expected. I wish I could take the chocolate from Aglamesis Brothers and mix it w/Graeter's ice cream.

I brought a cheese crown home w/me. It was pretty good - very rich and sweet.

Thanks for all those that wrote.

Interesting reaction to Graeter's chocolate chips. I liked them better than the typical chocolate chip ice cream that usually contains chips so hard it is like getting a mouthful of gravel. But, I guess if that's what you like then so be it.

For those who don't know, Graeter's creates their chocolate chips by dropping warm chocolate into their vanilla ice cream while it is in the stirring/cooling process. The result is somewhere between a chocolate ribbon and actual chips which are frequently the size of half dollars. Their texture is soft but firm, yielding a very rich, deep chocolate flavor. That brings me to the other problem with most commercial chocolate chip ice creams; the chocolate is so hard and frozen that they taste like nothing. Maybe you'll get a little choco-flavor from the stuff that's stuck melting in your molars, but nothing like the distinct chocolate taste from Graeter's homemade chips.

While I will try them on my next trip to Cincinatti this summer, I haven't had Aglamesis Brothers ice cream so I can't comment further, comparing them to Graeter's.

Buddy

BuddyRoadhouse wrote:While I will try them on my next trip to Cincinatti this summer, I haven't had Aglamesis Brothers ice cream so I can't comment further, comparing them to Graeter's.

My purpose for bringing up Aglamesis Brothers ice cream (as well as UDF) is that as a Cincinnati native, I would like to get beyond the "obvious" easy choices - Graeter's, Skyline, Gold Star, Montgomery Ribs, Jungle Jim's, etc. There are a LOT of other options out there.

BuddyRoadhouse wrote:Interesting reaction to Graeter's chocolate chips. I liked them better than the typical chocolate chip ice cream that usually contains chips so hard it is like getting a mouthful of gravel. But, I guess if that's what you like then so be it.

For those who don't know, Graeter's creates their chocolate chips by dropping warm chocolate into their vanilla ice cream while it is in the stirring/cooling process. The result is somewhere between a chocolate ribbon and actual chips which are frequently the size of half dollars. Their texture is soft but firm, yielding a very rich, deep chocolate flavor. That brings me to the other problem with most commercial chocolate chip ice creams; the chocolate is so hard and frozen that they taste like nothing. Maybe you'll get a little choco-flavor from the stuff that's stuck melting in your molars, but nothing like the distinct chocolate taste from Graeter's homemade chips.

While I will try them on my next trip to Cincinatti this summer, I haven't had Aglamesis Brothers ice cream so I can't comment further, comparing them to Graeter's.

Buddy

I agree, I don't like "getting a mouthful of gravel" either. Aglamesis Brothers' is so much better than that. I preferred the rich, dark flavor of their chocolate - it was candy quality. It wasn't frozen hard.

How was the megabus?

I see those ads all the time and the wife has some friends in cincy. We were thinking of using it instead of driving.

Used Megabus last year during the 1st month of operation. Friendly drivers, low-overhead operation and generally a good experience. One stop each way for gas/food. The only problem that we had was the driver was unfamiliar with Cincinnati and got lost for a short time. We DID arrive on time.

Do realize that the $1 fares are generally booked WEEKS in advance.

BTW, the bus stop in Chicago is located in front of Union Station. In Cincinnati, the bus stops at 4th and Race St.

Beats the heck out of Greyhound (Laidlaw).

trs23 wrote:How was the megabus?

I see those ads all the time and the wife has some friends in cincy. We were thinking of using it instead of driving.

I'm probably not the best person to ask since I really hate road trips and get really impatient. Most of the riders are college kids with a few adults here and there. The buses are clean. There's plenty of overhead space that most people don't use. My friend's mom said they played a movie for them on one of her trips. I saw the tv's, but they weren't turned on for us.

On the way to Cincy, we actually arrived 45 min early. The trip there was fine. I enjoyed two seats to myself the whole trip. The seats are actually quite small. The heat circulation was not the greatest. I was pretty cold for the first half of the trip.

On the way back to Chicago, a ton of ppl got on in Indy - the bus was almost full. We arrived in Chicago on time even though it was snowing that day. In general, the scheduling is not really well planned since we made it to Indy 30 min ahead of schedule even with a 30 min stop at McDonald's just one hour out of Cincy. It would be better if they just pushed the Cincy pick up times back 30-45 min. For restroom opportunities, it just makes more sense to stop between Indy and Chicago rather than one hour out of Cincy.

That's my two cents. My friend will be moving to Cleveland this summer for her 3-year residency. Since there aren't any official stops, I might consider it again. It's hard to beat the pricing, so I probably shouldn't complain too much.

I did book my trip 4-6 weeks in advance. That's how I got my return trip for free. Even the week of, I saw tickets for $8-15 - still cheaper than gas for driving your own car.

Pit to Plate BBQ
1527 Compton Road
Mt. Healthy, Ohio
Mon-Thurs 11-9
Fri-Sat 11-10
Sun 1-7
513.931.9100

BBQ Revue (brisket)
4725 Madison Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45227
Closed Sundays
513-871-3500

Myra’s Kabob Café
12082 Montgomery Road
Symmes Twp
513-683-4499
Lamb kabob is my fave here

Indian (south)
Udipi Café
7633 Reading Road
Roselawn
513-821-2021

Cumin (“upscale” Indian)
3514 Erie Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio
513.871.8714

I realize you're probably back already, but for future reference, Pacific Moon Cafe in Montegomery has really decent dim sum and is nestled back near a comedy club so you could make a night of it if you wanted to.

Pacific Moon Cafe
8300 Marketplace Lane, Montgomery
513-891-0091.

Also, Ambar India will always have a special place in my heart as it is where I lost my Indian food virginity.

Ambar India
350 Ludlow Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45220
(513) 281-7000

And, while I'm not a big BBQ connoisseur, if you're a resident Cincinnatian (which I am not) I think you have to sign a paper promising that you'll rave beyond belief about the amazingness that is Montgomery Inn BBQ. While I won't confirm their claim to having the best ribs in the world, I can say they make a good chicken. While they have several locations, I have heard more than once that the best one is the Boathouse (which is where I've been).

MONTGOMERY INN RESTAURANT - THE BOATHOUSE
925 Eastern Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
513.721.7427

The Montgomery Inn's popularity is the product of a city that until recently did not know jack about 'Que. The Montgomery Inn would have found its niche quite nicely here in Chicago right in between the Gale Street Inn and Twin Anchors if ya get my drift. We'd been traveling on business to Cincy for nearly ten years before we finally succumbed to public pressure and confirmed our suspicions about the meat jello ribs at M.I.

We have since eaten very happily at Barbecue Revue and heard great things about June Bug's and Pit to Plate. If you are hellbent on eating chain Barbecue in The Queen City, try Burbank's. Certainly not the best 'Que in town, but definitely better than Montgomery's.

Gary Burbank is a very popular local DJ who is syndicated in many markets out east and in the south. He is a Memphis transplant who got so fed up hearing how wonderful Montgomery Inn was (and knowing different), he finally opened his own place just to show folks how 'Que should be done. At the height of his enterprise I believe he had three locations. I think they are down to one store in Sharonville on the north side of town.

Buddy

The Chef from Stop 50, the Michiana Neapolitan Pizza Place got to talking about his favorite spots last night after the LTH dinner there. In Cincinnati, he loves Alabama Fish Bar, a tiny place with a line-up of fryers that gets cod and one other fish by the truckload. He says it's the best fried fish he has ever had. Based on the pizza he makes, I would be inclined to trust his opinion.

Alabama Fish Bar
1601 Race St.
Cincinnati, OH
(513)241-2255

Josephine,

Excellent timing! I will be in Cincinnati in two weeks on Barbecue businsess and will definitely make Alabama Fish Bar part of my to do list.

Thanks,

Buddy

My favorite bbq ribs near Cincinnati was at Walts Hitching Post, near the airport in KY. The address is 3300 Madison pike, Ft Wright, assuming that it is still in business. They have a big pit in the parking lot, though it is more of a grill than a smoker. They are known for their ribs, and while not in the great category, they blow away Montgomery Inn.
BBQ Revue is better for other types of BBQ, and is more smoky. Excellent slaw.

-Will

I'm so glad to see the Alabama Fish Bar get a mention before I did it. I grew up in Cincinnati and visit family there about 5 or 6 times a year. My parents' best friend, Anna Fillis, owns the Fish Bar and has an extremely loyal following because the food is GREAT and priced reasonably. You can choose to have grilled onions and peppers with your fish. Seems a bit weird, but do it - they will be grilling them fresh all day long (no yucky soggy veggies!). I don't order fried fish anywhere else because Anna has ruined me for all the others by setting the bar so high.

When I'm visiting, I must go to Frisch's Big Boy for a Big Boy, Onion Rings and a large Chocolate Coke. While Big Boy is a chain restaurant, Frisch's uses a special tartar sauce on their burgers, not thousand island like other Big Boy restaurants do. My order is a flashback to my school days, and my family knows that I will order these things even for breakfast! No menu is ever necessary for me!

I was just IMing my sister this morning about craving a United Dairy Farmers' chocolate chip (or just chocolate) malt. I perfer their malts to anyone else's in Cincy. If I was going for a scoop I'd definately hit Graeters. Graeters also has the best butter cookies around.

I prefer Gold Star Chili to Skyline, but will happily accompany a loved one to either place.

When the weather is nice we always try to go to a place on the river - both sides of the river have some decent offerings. While the food is not stellar at most of them, the views are especially nice. I'm not a fan of the ribs at Mongomery Inn (don't tell anyone I said that!), they serve a variety of items. We often choose the riverfront M.I. for the view and a nice dinner at at reasonable price. We always arrive before our reservation so that we'll be 'forced' to take a seat on the outdoor deck overlooking the river.

I will be driving down to Cinci in a couple of weeks... I will probably be eating gramma's home cookin' while in town but would love recommendations for the way down!

If you want to test your system, you can stop at White Castle in Lebanon, about 30 minutes north of Indy, and then stop at the Skyline right off of 74 about 30 minutes out from Cincy, in batesville, I think. I have done this (5 double hamburgers followed by 3 cheese coneys) twice. Both times I was driving alone.

-Will

Dewey's pizza is a MUST...easily some of the best pizza I have had in my entire life. Graters ice cream is also a must when in Cincinnati. Schoolhouse restaurant is truly an experience...great comfort food housed in an old 19th century day school. Pacific Moon Cafe has wonderful dim sum. I'd also suggest taking a trip to Jungle Jims if you have some extra time. Think of the biggest food store you've ever been to and multiply it by 10.

Pacific Moon Cafe
8300 Market Place LN
Cincinnati, OH 45242

Schoolhouse Restaurant
8031 Glendale Milford Rd
Camp Dennison, OH 45111
(513) 831-5753

Jungle Jims
5486 Dixie Hwy, Fairfield, OH
(513) 939-3524

Dewey's
http://www.deweyspizza.com/where

Graters
http://www.graeters.com/cincinnati/cin_locations.cfm