22 New Cincinnati Restaurants That Have Opened So Far This Year

By CityBeat Staff on Fri, Jun 19, 2020 at 5:13 pm

Nothing can stop the Queen City's food and beverage industry from shining — not even a global pandemic. These Greater Cincinnati restaurants, bars and breweries have opened their doors over the past six months, offering the hospitality that our souls and bellies truly need right now. From coffeeshops and chicken tender joints to taquerias and a burger bar, 2020 has been nothing if not unpredictable. But you can bet on some good eats this summer.

Scroll down to view images

OTR Chili Co.

1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Housed in the old Sartre space in the Rhinegeist Brewery building, OTR Chili Company is a retro diner-style spot offering self-proclaimed "authentic Cincinnati chili" in addition to burgers, salads and shakes. The chili menu features all the classics: a 3-, 4- or 5-Way made with 100-percent beef and secret spice blend, plus a vegetarian way. For booze fans, you can add a shot of bourbon to your malted chocolate or vanilla shake for just $4.
Photo via Facebook.com/Rhinegeist

Fifty West Burger Bar

7605 Wooster Pike, Newtown
Fifty West Brewing Company continues to build upon their Columbia Township empire with the addition of the new Fifty West Burger Bar, an homage to the 1950s roadside root beer stand. Offering a variety of proteins (including the vegetarian-friendly ‘Beyond patty’), each is offered in 12 different ways, named for the 12 different states U.S. Route 50 travels through.
Photo: Savana Willhoite

Subito

311 Pike St., Downtown
Situated inside the Lytle Park Hotel, Subito is an upscale Italian eatery with an open kitchen concept. The menu boasts brick oven pizzas, a raw bar and traditional antipasti along with “the freshest seafood, flown in daily from the ports.” Pair the meal with a wine from the carefully curated cellar or a cocktail whipped up by a resident mixologist.
Photo: Emily Palm

Pata Roja Taqueria

1324 Main St., Over-the-Rhine
Gaining a reputation for some of the best Mexican street food in the city, Pata Roja started at Rosedale and continued to gain traction through pop-ups at Forty Thieves and now The Takeaway. Serving up al pastor, bistec and veggie tacos, Pata Roja also offers four different types of salsa — something for everyone’s taste.
Photo via Facebook.com/PataRojaTacos

Bridgeview Box Park

1 Levee Way, Newport
Bridgeview Box Park, a cluster of small food, drink and shopping vendors — conglomerated where Mitchell’s Fish Market used to sit at Newport on the Levee — is now open to the public. The establishments are housed next to each other in shipping-like containers — hence “box park” — and are interspersed among a common outdoor area. Expect empanadas from Che on Wheels, Asian street food from Bon Mi Street, tiki drinks from Kon-Tiki and other food and beverage options.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

The Governor

231 Main St., Milford
Brothers Paul and Neil Barraco had been working in fine dining for years when they returned to their East Coast roots to open a classic diner with a modern twist. The mission of the Governor is to offer the perks of fine dining — locally procured meat and produce, a menu made from scratch, a carefully designed cocktail list — at a medium price point in a laid-back environment. The menu at the Governor features cuisine ranging from Asian to Italian to classic Americana.
Photo: Savana Willhoite

Third Eye Brewing

11276 Chester Road, Sharonville
After brewing for family and friends for two decades, Third Eye Brewing finally has a taproom to serve in. Currently serving 10 original brews including Jelly Brain milkshake IPA, Enlightenment Raspberry American Wheat and Good Livin’ Czech Lager, the brewery also offers other hand-crafted beverages to enjoy. The food menu features elevated street food such as beef short rib poutine, Cajun garlic herb wings and low country shrimp boil.
Photo: Savana Willhoite

CityBird

7893 Beechmont Ave., Anderson
Thunderdome Restaurant Group has expanded with a fourth location of its CityBird chicken tender chain and the first with a drive-thru. The deep-fried offspring of Thunderdome's The Eagle in Over-the-Rhine dishes out cage-free, all-natural chicken tenders paired with housemade craft sauces, plus chicken tender sandwiches, salads and sides. This Anderson CityBird joins additional locations in Symmes Township, Crestview Hills and their flagship in Over-the-Rhine.
Photo via Facebook.com/CityBirdBeechmont

Papi Jochos

633 Madison Ave., Covington
From the owners of Agave & Rye comes this new fast-casual concept. Serving up “authentic Mexican street dogs,” along with sangria and margaritas of all styles, Jochos promises to deliver a creative and playful food experience. Try the ‘Original Papi Jochos’ with grilled onions, housemade chili sauce, queso Oaxaca, ketchup, mustard, tomato, house pickles, cojita and grilled jalapeño, or one of their seven different hot dog versions (bacon-wrapped, anyone?).
Photo via Facebook.com/PapiJochosStreetDogsandCantina

Boom Box Buns

1400 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine
Boombox Buns, an Over-the-Rhine carry-out eatery offering homemade Chinese-style steamed buns, also known as baozi or bao, opened its much-anticipated brick-and-mortar location this spring. Serving up the fluffiest steamed buns you have ever seen, Boom Box offers a variety of fillings including their cumin lamb bun, sweet potato bun and beef bun. Finish the meal off with a fried sweet bun for dessert and a Thai iced tea on the side.
Photo: Provided by Boom Box Buns