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December 13, 2021

25 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Restaurants Within Driving Distance of Cincinnati

By CityBeat Staff

Welcome to Flavortown. Guy Fieri is well known for his hit show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, on which he travels all over the country to sample out-of-this-word food options from America's titular diners, drive-ins and dives. Over the course of the show, he's visited a variety of restaurants in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, which are all within driving distance of Cincinnati. If you've been looking to try more dining options in or out of the Queen City, you may want to check out this list — approved by the blonde-spikey-haired guy himself.
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Island Frydays 2826 Short Vine St., Corryville Season 21, Episode 4 Island Frydays is the definitive restaurant to break out of culinary monotony, featuring authentic Caribbean cuisine made by former University of Cincinnati football captain and Jamaica native Leo Morgan. Though the restaurant has a petite and unassuming interior, they pack a whole lot of flavor. Their Carribean jerk chicken and spicy snapper were approved by Fieri on the show.
Facebook.com/IslandFridays

Island Frydays

2826 Short Vine St., Corryville
Season 21, Episode 4
Island Frydays is the definitive restaurant to break out of culinary monotony, featuring authentic Caribbean cuisine made by former University of Cincinnati football captain and Jamaica native Leo Morgan. Though the restaurant has a petite and unassuming interior, they pack a whole lot of flavor. Their Carribean jerk chicken and spicy snapper were approved by Fieri on the show.
Parkette Drive-In 1230 E. New Circle Road, Lexington Season 10, Episode 4 This classic Lexington eatery opened in 1951 and serves American diner favorites like their chicken, shrimp and fish boxes, hot dogs, burgers and shakes. Fieri visited the restaurant during his "You Found It" episode, where he visited dining destinations suggested by viewers.
Photo: Facebook.com/Parkette.DriveIn

Parkette Drive-In

1230 E. New Circle Road, Lexington
Season 10, Episode 4
This classic Lexington eatery opened in 1951 and serves American diner favorites like their chicken, shrimp and fish boxes, hot dogs, burgers and shakes. Fieri visited the restaurant during his "You Found It" episode, where he visited dining destinations suggested by viewers.
Geraci’s Restaurant 2266 Warrensville Center Road, Cleveland Season 7, Episode 13 Geraci’s, which now has locations in Pepper Pike and Mayfield Heights, is a Italian-themed restaurant that's been serving pizzas, meatballs and chicken parmesan for more than 60 years. This is known to be one of Fieri’s longtime favorite spots.
Photo: Facebook.com/Geracis1956

Geraci’s Restaurant

2266 Warrensville Center Road, Cleveland
Season 7, Episode 13
Geraci’s, which now has locations in Pepper Pike and Mayfield Heights, is a Italian-themed restaurant that's been serving pizzas, meatballs and chicken parmesan for more than 60 years. This is known to be one of Fieri’s longtime favorite spots.
Melt Revival 4100 Hamilton Ave., Northside Season 21, Episode 2 Formerly known as "Melt Eclectic Cafe," this funky little eatery moved down the street on Hamilton Avenue. Since Fieri’s visit, it has changed ownership and is now owned by former employees of the original. The eclectic cafe serves healthier food options, such as salads and sandwiches with plenty of vegan options. Fieri particularly enjoyed their creative spin on vegan chili and barbecue chicken.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Melt Revival

4100 Hamilton Ave., Northside
Season 21, Episode 2
Formerly known as "Melt Eclectic Cafe," this funky little eatery moved down the street on Hamilton Avenue. Since Fieri’s visit, it has changed ownership and is now owned by former employees of the original. The eclectic cafe serves healthier food options, such as salads and sandwiches with plenty of vegan options. Fieri particularly enjoyed their creative spin on vegan chili and barbecue chicken.
Ena's Caribbean Kitchen 2444 Cleveland Ave., Columbus Season 28, Episode 1 Ena's serves traditional Jamaican dishes that range from jerk chicken to fried fish options. The restaurant is known for its originality that makes you feel like you're on the island of Jamaica.
Photo: Facebook.com/Enas-Caribbean-Kitchen-Inc

Ena's Caribbean Kitchen

2444 Cleveland Ave., Columbus
Season 28, Episode 1
Ena's serves traditional Jamaican dishes that range from jerk chicken to fried fish options. The restaurant is known for its originality that makes you feel like you're on the island of Jamaica.
Pho Lang Thang 1828 Race St., Over-the-Rhine Season 21, Episode 9 Pho Lang Thang is a Vietnamese spot that has moved from its original, cramped Findlay Market location to a larger spot just down the street. The eatery serves up delicious bowls of pho and banh mi sandwiches. The restaurant also features an upbeat vibe where customers, such as Fieri, can easily warm up and feel free to slurp loudly.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Pho Lang Thang

1828 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
Season 21, Episode 9
Pho Lang Thang is a Vietnamese spot that has moved from its original, cramped Findlay Market location to a larger spot just down the street. The eatery serves up delicious bowls of pho and banh mi sandwiches. The restaurant also features an upbeat vibe where customers, such as Fieri, can easily warm up and feel free to slurp loudly.
Taste of Belgium 1135 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Season 21, Episode 6 Taste of Belgium’s Vine Street location was visited by Fieri and a few of his family members, though the restaurant has several locations across Cincinnati. The eatery offers authentic Belgian-style dishes with an American twist. The restaurant is best known for its signature Belgian waffle, which Fieri truly loved.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Taste of Belgium

1135 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Season 21, Episode 6
Taste of Belgium’s Vine Street location was visited by Fieri and a few of his family members, though the restaurant has several locations across Cincinnati. The eatery offers authentic Belgian-style dishes with an American twist. The restaurant is best known for its signature Belgian waffle, which Fieri truly loved.
The Turf Club 4618 Eastern Ave., East End Season 9, Episode 6 This East End burger joint is known for their stacked burgers and dinner vibe. When Fieri visited, the exterior of the eatery was bathed in vintage neon signs — one of the restaurant’s signature features, along with their famous over-the-top burgers loaded with adventurous toppings. Fieri seemed to especially enjoy the burger with burgundy mushrooms and mango curry sauces.
Photo: Emerson Swoger

The Turf Club

4618 Eastern Ave., East End
Season 9, Episode 6
This East End burger joint is known for their stacked burgers and dinner vibe. When Fieri visited, the exterior of the eatery was bathed in vintage neon signs — one of the restaurant’s signature features, along with their famous over-the-top burgers loaded with adventurous toppings. Fieri seemed to especially enjoy the burger with burgundy mushrooms and mango curry sauces.
Blue Ash Chili 9525 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash Season 9, Episode 7 Blue Ash Chili offers a variety of Cincinnati-style chilli combinations and double-decker sandwiches at its various locations. On the show, Fieri described the Blue Ash location as a chili parlor taking customer favorites to the next level.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Blue Ash Chili

9525 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash
Season 9, Episode 7
Blue Ash Chili offers a variety of Cincinnati-style chilli combinations and double-decker sandwiches at its various locations. On the show, Fieri described the Blue Ash location as a chili parlor taking customer favorites to the next level.
The Tamale Place 5226 Rockville Road, Indianapolis Season 12, Episode 3 The Tamale Place offers two locations in Indianapolis and has been slinging excellent tamales since 2003. The eatery creates its popular tamales daily by hand and with freshly ground corn, which Fieri learned about during his visit. In addition to tamales, they also offer tacos, nachos and sides.
Photo: Facebook.com/The.Tamale.Place

The Tamale Place

5226 Rockville Road, Indianapolis
Season 12, Episode 3
The Tamale Place offers two locations in Indianapolis and has been slinging excellent tamales since 2003. The eatery creates its popular tamales daily by hand and with freshly ground corn, which Fieri learned about during his visit. In addition to tamales, they also offer tacos, nachos and sides.

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