28 of Cincinnati's Most Delicious Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurants

Quatman Cafe

2434 Quatman Ave., Norwood; 224 West Main St., Mason
Since 1966, Quatman has provided Cincinnatians with cheap burgers, soup and "the coldest beer in town." There are canned beers as well as a draft selection and rotating seasonal brews. They've also got daily specials where you can get a main dish plus fries and a drink for $10.

Brew House

1047 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills
A Walnut Hills institution since 1978, located at "the corner of Good Food and Drunks," as scrawled on the side of its building. In addition to offering those cheap drinks and good food (try a burger with onion rings — you'll thank us), the eclectic Brew House also offers funky décor and friendly people.

Thai Express

213 W. McMillan St., CUF
This little gem brings authentic Thai cooking and culture to Cincinnati. Located near the University of Cincinnati, Thai Express has been fueling both students and professionals for over 20 years. Their signature Pad Thai dish is a favorite among many, but do not be fooled; the number of delicious traditional dishes spans way beyond that, from Thai-style fried rice (Kao Pad) and Thai red curry (Gaeng Daeng).

Bard's Burgers & Chili

3620 Decoursey Ave., Latonia
Located in a former chili parlor in downtown Latonia, Bard's specializes in both burgers and Cincinnati-style chili (if the name didn't give it away). Burgers are made with fresh, never-frozen ground chuck, infused with spices, seared on a flattop and served on a toasted bun. Its Chili Craig is a chili burger topped whatever you want; the Purist strips it down to just beef and the bun; and the Moonrise Donut Burger is Bard's classic burger served on a Moonrise Donut bun.

Pleasant Ridge Chili

6032 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge
This local multi-generational diner has been serving Cincinnati-style chili and American classics since 1964. They also offer chili to-go and late-night eats, like french fries topped with everything from chili to cheese to gravy.

Wunderbar

1132 Lee St., Covington
This tiny German restaurant features a great beer selection, giant burgers made with pretzel buns, pierogies smothered in gouda sauce and bacon, an enormous pretzel with beer cheese and a humble brunch menu. The space is tight, but if you can snag a spot, you will most likely enjoy some live music or karaoke along with your food or drink.

Herb & Thelma's

718 W. Pike St., Covington
Opened in 1939 as Heine's Cafe, the small drop-ceilinged dining room is what some may call a "hole in the wall," but the simple and delectable burgers are made to order and served by an incredibly friendly staff.

Boswell's

1686 Blue Rock St., Northside
A casual Northside townie bar and grill in a historic building that dates back to 1886. The menu features inexpensive items: soups, salads, sandwiches and burgers with plenty of vegetarian-friendly dishes. A renovated back patio houses an al fresco bar and yard games.

City View Tavern

403 Oregon St., Mt. Adams
City View, one of our fair city's more historic drinking establishments, doesn't have an extensive menu. The interior looks similar to many other dive bars: wood paneling and photos lining the walls. And while their menu and interior may seem no-frills, they make one hell of a burger (and bloody Mary) and have one of the best views in the city.

Mi Casita

5714 Glenway Ave., Western Hills
This taquería, frutería and mini grocery store offers delicious and authentic Mexican eats from a no-frills building along Glenway Avenue. The menu is brief in the way of the best taquerías, offering platillos like fajitas, caldos (broth), tortas like its delicious Cubana, tacos, empanadas and cups of sliced fruit. While you wait for your food, you can browse the aisles of snacks, toys and more. The place was a former hibachi restaurant, which you can tell by the small dining area, with a couple of tables and chairs situated around a flattop grill.

Uncle Yip's

10736 Reading Road, Evendale
Uncle Yip's serves authentic southern Chinese cuisine along with dim sum specialties. Dim sum consists of small portions of food delivered in steamer baskets; dishes like the shrimp dumplings, barbecue pork buns and chicken sui mai are popular (and only $5.95 each).

Sebastian's

5209 Glenway Ave., Cheviot
The longtime West Side joint is just as delicious as you remember it. A meat-lover's heaven, the menu offers numerous Greek items and what many consider to be the best gyro in Cincinnati.

Pepper Pod

703 Monmouth St., Newport
Greasy spoon dining at its best, the Pepper Pod is a Newport legend, serving up all-day breakfast and double-deckers since 1956. This old-school diner hasn’t changed much since it opened, giving guests a side of nostalgia with their meal, and each table comes with a vintage jukebox. It’s also one of the few places left where you can smoke indoors.

Big Jays Place

930 Hempstead Drive, Finneytown
Big Jays Place in Finneytown offers a menu bursting with flavor from its Caribbean comfort food dishes, like the Soul Food Plate, featuring jerk chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens and cilantro rice, or the half-pound Jerk Burrito, which comes with a choice of shrimp, jerk chicken or salmon. But what Big Jays is best known for is its oxtail, which Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives host Guy Fieri got to try on his recent visit there, saying, “If you don’t like oxtail, then come on down here to the oxtail conversion program.”

Kitchen Factory

1609 Chase Ave., Northside
This petite Northside pizza shop actually has a hole in the wall in the form of a late-night walkup window for people dining on the go. Kitchen Factory dishes up pizza by the pie or slice, with options for vegans, vegetarians and those who are gluten-free, as well as pastas, salads, sandwiches and flatbreads. It even has a happy hour from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays: $1 pizza slices.

Alabama Fish Bar

1601 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
Get in line at the Alabama Fish Bar and you'll be rewarded with some of the best fried fish in the city: a choice of whiting, perch or cod served atop a pile of fries resting on a bed of white bread. A side of sautéed peppers, onions and hot sauce make it a spicy, lip-smacking experience. Located on the corner of Liberty and Race streets, you can often find this corner store packed to the door on a weekend afternoon.

Gas Light Cafe

6104 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge
This Pleasant Ridge eatery and drinkery has been a neighborhood staple for generations. Behind the bar, there's a large list of local, domestic and craft drafts on tap, along with a full liquor shelf if you need some spirit. Stop by for a casual lunch or dinner, or watch sports on one of their TVs. What goes well with a cold draft of your favorite beer? The Gas Light Burger, daily homemade chili, onion rings, tuna melt, chef salad and potato skins with cheese and bacon.

Krishna Indian Carryout

313 Calhoun St., Clifton
Krishna Indian Restaurant is the University of Cincinnati's best-kept secret. The tiny restaurant offers both carryout and dine-in, with about a handful of booths to choose from. Dishing out plates such as saag paneer, a vegetarian, spinach-filled dish with onions, spices and a hint of cream, and chicken tikka masala: tandoori chicken in a creamy tomato sauce. Be careful: The food can get spicy, ranging on a 1-7 spice scale.

Maki Express Ramen House

209 W McMillan St., Clifton
Maki Express serves up Ramen and other Japanese dishes. The restaurant is small and intimate, and the atmosphere is a great mixture of modern and traditional. Sit down and enjoy a steaming bowl of tonkotsu ramen, or dive into an order of takoyaki.

The Swampwater Grill

3742 Kellogg Ave., East End
Feel like you're really down south at the Swampwater Grill. Try an oyster your way or really get in the southern mood with dishes like gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya and shrimp and grits. Grab a beer or a specialty cocktail like their Cajun-style Bloody Mary. If you're not a seafood lover, try their barbecue ribs, pulled pork and chicken or pork chop.