If there’s one thing Chad Johnson said over the past year, it was “I’m lovin’ it.” The former Bengals wide receiver frequently gathered with football stars old and new during the team’s 2022-2023 season, posting his exploits on social media and eating his way through town. Sure, he continued his $1,000 tips for Cincinnati restaurant staff, and sure, he often ended up at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse just like many athletes and celebrities do. But Johnson also made no bones about his love for McDonald’s, particularly the location in Covington. In a genius move, he brought Mickey D’s to Jeff Ruby’s, proceeding to chow down on both $2 burgers and $250 Wagyu steak at a fancy-schmancy table. That combination just may be the city’s most expensive Happy Meal — no toy prize necessary. mcdonalds.com, jeffruby.com.

Here are the 2023 Best Of Cincinnati® Reader and Staff Pick winners for Eats.

1. Ichiban Japanese Restaurant


2. Cloud 9 Sushi


3. Kanji OTR


4. E+O Kitchen


5. Wabi Sabi


6. Izen’s Drunken Bento


7. Wild Ginger


8. Teak OTR


9. Green Papaya


10. Kyoto Japanese Cuisine

1. Mazunte


2. Agave & Rye


3. Condado Tacos


4. Tortilleria Garcia


5. Bakersfield


6. OLLA Taqueria Gutierrez


7. Texas Joe Tex-Mex


8. Gomez Salsa


9. La Mexicana Restaurant


10. Frida 602

1. Dewey's Pizza


2. Eli's BBQ


3. City Barbeque


4. Gomez Salsa


5. Mazunte


6. Pig Candy BBQ


7. Lucius Q


8. Currito


9. Good Plates Eatery


10. Revolution Rotisserie

1. Churchill's Fine Teas


2. Jungle Jim's International Market


3. Mom 'n 'em Coffee & Wine

1. Teak OTR


2. Thai Express


3. Green Papaya


4. Wild Ginger


5. Thai Taste


6. Bangkok Bistro


7. Lemon Grass Thai Cuisine


8. Thai Namtip


9. Mai Thai Restaurant TIE


10. Siam Orchid TIE


11. Asiana Thai & Sushi

1. Aladdin’s Eatery


2. Melt Revival


3. Loving Hut


4. Rooted Juicery + Kitchen


5. Harmony Plant Fare


6. W Bar + Bistro


7. Tuba Baking Co.


8. Condado Tacos


9. Café Alma


10. Good Plates Eatery

1. Tickle Pickle


2. Krueger's Tavern


3. Nine Giant


4. Nation Kitchen & Bar


5. Arthur's


6. Dead Low Brewing


7. Goose & Elder


8. Taste of Belgium


9. W Bar + Bistro


10. Maplewood Kitchen and Bar

1. Pho Lang Thang


2. Wild Ginger


3. DOPE! Asian Street Fare


4. Saigon Noodle Bar


5. Pho Kimmy


6. Saigon Subs and Rolls


7. Pho96


8. Pho Viet


9. iPho Vietnamese Cuisine


10. Pholicious

1. Incline Public House


2. Primavista


3. Montgomery Inn Boathouse


4. Moerlein Lager House


5. City View Tavern


6. The Chart House


7. The View at Shires' Garden


8. Eighteen at the Radisson


9. Le Bar a Boeuf


10. Via Vite