Cincinnati-Based Restaurant Chains That Are Actually Good

CityBird

1344 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine; 11309 Montgomery Road, Symmes Township; 7893 Beechmont Ave., Anderson; 2887 Dixie Highway, Crestview Hills
The deep-fried offspring of The Eagle in OTR, CityBird dishes out cage-free, all-natural chicken paired with housemade craft sauces. CityBird’s “house-brined, fresh fried” chicken leans more toward tenderness than crispiness, but still packs a considerable punch. The Beechmont Avenue location even includes a drive-thru.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Skyline Chili 3-Way

Multiple Locations
The history of Cincinnati-style chili goes back to the 1920s, when it was invented by Greek immigrants who used Mediterranean-inspired spices to create a meat sauce used initially to top hot dogs sold out of a cart. The beef-based sauce — it’s kind of like a runny pasta sauce with hints of cinnamon, chocolate and other spices — eventually became the key ingredient in the 3-way, a plate of pasta topped with chili, an unnecessary amount of shredded cheddar cheese and a side of oyster crackers. Adding onions to the 3-way makes it a 4-way; onions and beans make a 5-way. Local chain Skyline Chili was founded by Greek immigrant Nicholas Lambrinides in 1949, inspired by his mother's family recipes from their hometown of Kastoria, Greece. In an eternal regional chili war, locals are divided over whether Skyline has the best chili and the other popular local chain, Gold Star, is for losers, or if it’s the other way around. You’ll find die-hard supporters of both. But if you want to go non-chain, there are more than 250 chili parlors in Cincinnati — restaurants big and small offering their own take on this regional favorite. Most people, however, start with Skyline.
Photo via Facebook.com/SkylineChili

Tom & Chee

Multiple locations including 125 E. Court St., Downtown; 9328 Union Centre Blvd., West Chester; 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason
The gourmet grilled cheese and tomato soup shop is famous for their signature grilled-cheese donut. The eatery started as a food tent on Fountain Square and was then featured on TV show Shark Tank. Tom & Chee now has locations in Ohio, Colorado, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Oklahoma.
Photo: Facebook.com/4TomAndChee

Frisch’s Big Boy

Multiple locations including 25 W. Fifth St., Downtown; 5760 Wooster Pike, Fairfax; 8383 Vine St., Hartwell
Samuel Frisch opened the Frisch Café in 1905. His son, Dave left school to help the family business. Dave opened the Mainliner restaurant in 1939 as the city’s first year-round drive-in and named it after the first tri-motor passenger airplane; a replica of the plane is still on the location’s sign. In 1946 Dave met Bob Wian, who introduced him to a burger named the “Big Boy.” The rest is history.
Photo: Catie Viox

Montgomery Inn

9440 Montgomery Road, Montgomery; 925 Riverside Drive, Downtown
World-famous for its ribs, Montgomery Inn has been a staple in Cincinnati for more than 60 years. Along with ribs, the Inn offers barbecued spring chicken, silver salmon, pulled-pork sandwiches, burgers, salads and more, including everyone’s favorite: Saratoga chips served with their famous barbecue sauce.
Photo: Paige Deglow

Graeter’s Ice Cream

Multiple locations including 332 Ludlow Ave., Clifton; 511 Walnut St., Downtown; 1401 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Since its founding in 1870, Graeter’s French Pot Ice Cream, handmade chocolate confections and fresh-baked goods have become traditions in the Queen City. Today, the Graeter family still faithfully uses century-old recipes and methods of production. If you’re not in Cincinnati, don’t fret. They ship and you can most likely find pints in the grocery store.
Photo: Facebook.com/Graeters

Holtman’s Donuts

1332 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine; 1399 State Route 28, Loveland; 3356 Madison Road, Oakley; 9558 Civic Centre Blvd., West Chester; 214 W. Main St., Williamsburg
In September 2013, the Loveland-based Holtman’s Donuts opened an OTR location, complete with a window you can peer through and watch them make donuts, like the sensational maple bacon. Since their initial opening, they’ve opened up multiple additional locations. Homer Simpson would be so proud... and hungry.
Photo: Provided by Holtman’s Donuts

Taste of Belgium

Multiple locations including 16 West Freedom Way, The Banks; 1135 Vine St., Over The Rhine; 2845 Short Vine St., Corryville
In 2007, Jean-François Flechet began baking Belgian waffles in the back end of a store at Findlay Market. Soon, he was told to find somewhere else to go because the store was too crowded. Now, it has expanded into multiple locations. Hot, fresh Belgian waffles are made from a thick dough and coarse Belgian beet sugar, which caramelizes on the cast iron press. Find the heavenly breakfast food topped with strawberries and cream or ricotta, or as the bread in a McWaffle sandwich (egg, gruyère and maple syrup). The crepe station prepares sweet and savory crepes. At dinner, the sophistication goes up a notch with mussels, steak frites and Belgian specialties. The shop also offers an exclusive selection of Belgian beers.
Photo: Brittany Thornton

Larosa’s

Multiple locations including 1250 W. Eighth St., Queensgate; 417 Madison Ave., Covington; 2717 Vine St., Clifton
Are Cincinnati birthday parties without LaRosa’s even considered birthday parties? This chain of local pizzerias has been dishing up pies for more than 60 years, as well as pasta, salads, sandwiches and more. The sauce and crust are both a tiny bit sweet.
Photo: Facebook.com/LaRosasPizzeria

Currito

Multiple locations including 111 E. Fifth St., Downtown; 222 Calhoun St., Clifton; 3654 Edwards Road, Hyde Park
In 2005, Joe and John Lanni founded Currito. Now, with locations in over seven states, Currito is the most expansive of the Lanni brothers’ Thunderdome concepts. Currito is a build-your-own burrito, bowl, salad and smoothie eatery that sources ingredients locally. Thunderdome Restaurant Group also includes Bakersfield, The Eagle, Krueger’s Tavern, CityBird, SoHi and Maplewood.
Photo: Facebook.com/CurritoEats

Rooted Juicery + Kitchen

3010 Madison Road, Oakley; 6844 Wooster Pike, Mariemont; 17 E. Sixth St., Downtown; 113 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine
From coolers housing a rainbow display of juices to vegan meal bowls to a mini bakery, Rooted is out to prove that plant-based eating offers a vast variety of flavors and quality options. The Mexican grain bowl (quinoa, black beans, guacamole, walnut crumble, cashew cheese) is a favorite in the bowl category. Everything is as locally sourced as possible and the Findlay Market location serves alcohol.
Photo: Jesse Fox

Izzy’s

Multiple locations including 800 Elm St., Downtown; 610 Main St., Downtown; 7625 Beechmont Ave., Anderson
A Cincinnati tradition, Izzy’s serves a Reuben we can all be proud of. Sandwiches such as the Reuben-ator and the Izzy’s Mex showcase their delicious corned beef. Izzy’s has been around since 1901 thanks to Mr. Kadetz.
Photo: Paige Deglow

Macaron Bar

Multiple locations including 1206 Main St., Over-the-Rhine; 3431 Edwards Road; Hyde Park
In the past, the closest thing Cincinnati had to Paris was the Eiffel Tower replica at Kings Island. Now we have Macaron Bar, a bakery and coffee shop specializing in the brightly colored French pastry, which offers traditional and seasonal macarons, with flavors like salted caramel, Earl Grey tea and pistachio. Founded in 2014, Macaron Bar has expanded into Indianapolis, Louisville and Pittsburgh.
Photo: Provided by Macaron Bar

Quatman Cafe

224 W. Main St., Mason; 2434 Quatman Ave., Norwood
Founded in 1966 by Albert Imm and Ken Talmage, this icon is known for cheeseburgers, chili, soup and cold beer. Quatman’s is a no-frills burger joint with two locations — an original in Norwood and a second in Mason — that has rotating daily specials between cheeseburgers and fries and other sandwiches. Another famous dish? Their mock turtle soup.
Photo: Paige Deglow

Keystone Bar & Grill

313 Greenup St., Covington; 249 Calhoun St., Corryville
Established in 2007 by Four Entertainment Group (4EG), this neighborhood joint offers a variety of tasty comfort food, like huge plates of pasta, a rockin’ quesadilla menu, build-your-own-burgers (including turkey or veggie options) and weekend brunch. But where it really shines is its macaroni and cheese menu: nine specialty selections of ooey, gooey carbs smothered in tasty dairy and named after famous bands, like the Fleetwood Mac with mozzarella, pesto and tomato.
Photo: Kellie Coleman

Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse

700 Walnut St., Downtown; 325 W. Main St., Louisville; 89 E. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus; 300 Fouth Ave. N, Nashville; 101 W. Vine St., Lexington
This local steakhouse by owner Jeff Ruby has been in the business of serving up top-notch eats for the past two decades. If you love steak you have about a zero-percent chance of being let down with one of Ruby’s — they dry-age their own. There are several non-steak options on the menu, including good seafood dishes, but the cow is king at Ruby’s.
Photo: Facebook.com/JeffRubysSteakhouse

Richie’s Restaurant

1301 Linn St., Downtown; 110 Woolper Ave., Avondale; 4871 Reading Road, Bond Hill; 8265 Colerain Ave., Colerain
Founded in 1986, Richie’s gives the people what they want: authentic soul food on-the-go. We’re talking fried chicken, cornbread, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and the like. The prices are hard to beat, too. Richie’s also has a location in Lexington.
Photo: Richie's Chicken Facebook

Coffee Emporium

110 E. Central Parkway, Downtown; 3316 Erie Ave., Hyde Park
A Queen City staple with multiple locations, Coffee Emporium has been serving artisanal roasted beans for decades (they’re the city’s oldest coffee house) and offers up some of the best breakfast pastries in Cincinnati. Lunch options are simple and hearty, with daily homemade soups. A hip, laid-back atmosphere makes it feel like you’re at a book club meeting with 20 of your friends.
Photo: Emerson Swoger

Busken Bakery

Multiple locations including 2675 Madison Road, Hyde Park; 5345 Glenway Ave., West Price Hill; 7565 Kenwood Road, Kenwood
Busken Bakery opened in 1928 and quickly became a Cincinnati staple with bakery counters in grocery stores, 24-hour drive-in bakeries and delicious donuts, bread and apple pies. Their award-winning baked goods can be found in Kroger, UDF and assorted bakeries around the city.
Photo: Facebook.com/BuskenBakery

Maplewood Kitchen

525 Race St., Downtown; 5065 Deerfield Blvd., Mason
Part of Thunderdome Restaurant Group, Maplewood serves up dishes and ingredients that would be right at home on the West Coast: cold-pressed juices, superfood salads, egg-white omelets and somewhat nutritious cocktails, like the roasted tomatillo bloody mary. If bloody marys aren’t your thing, ask for a cup of Brainstorm Coffee, the café’s take on Bulletproof Coffee (coffee blended with grass-fed butter).
Photo: Hailey Bollinger