The Queen City is full of tasty burger spots, and what these unassuming eateries lack in appearance, they more than make up for in flavor. From classic joints that have been around for decades, to more recent casual restaurants, this round-up proves that delicious things come in humble packages.
Zip’s Cafe 1036 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout Zip’s has been doing burgers right since 1926, and generations of East Side Cincinnatians call Zipburgers their favorite. If you’re feeling like a light meal, order a classic Zip burger, with fresh, flame-broiled meat from local butcher Avril-Bleh & Sons, nestled in a toasted honey-egg bun from Klosterman Baking Company, and a side of super crispy onion rings. Or go big with the Girth Burger, a Zip burger topped with a split Avril-Bleh mettwurst. With worn wood flooring and dark wood paneling, the small space is separated into a dining area and a bar by a saloon-style door. Head to the back bar for a local beer on draft while you wait for space at a booth or a seat at one of the shared family-style tables. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Dunlap Cafe 1926 Dunlap St., Over-the-Rhine Dunlap Cafe has been operational since 1936 with an emphasis on home-cooked meals, all-day breakfast and, recently, draft beer. Breakfast sandwiches, omelets and other early morning classics are available all day long with a selection of traditional and specialty burger and sandwich options for seriously reasonable prices. Photo: Paige Deglow
City View Tavern 403 Oregon St., Mt. Adams A hillside dive and home of one of the best spicy bloody marys and best views in town. The burgers are damn tasty, too. Meet the Big Ted Deluxe: six ounces of griddle-cooked, handmade beef patty with American cheese, mustard, lettuce, pickles, mayo, onion, ketchup, tomatoes, served in a plastic basket with a bag of chips. Photo: Holden Mathis
Salem Gardens 6396 Salem Road, Anderson Township Each burger from Salem Gardens is served in a basket with coleslaw and fries. Despite a full menu, Salem’s burgers get people talking, from their Cowboy Burger, topped with colby cheese, bacon and barbecue sauce, to their Bert Burger that comes with Swiss cheese, grilled onions and sauteed mushrooms. With 10 basket options to choose from, the combination of flavors is up to you. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Tucker’s Restaurant (CLOSED) 1637 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine This small family-owned eatery has been serving up classic diner dishes since 1957. Through the decades, Vine Street has seen many changes, but Tucker’s hasn’t budged. With Findlay Market around the corner, Joe and Carla Tucker have been able to put a fresh twist on many classics, as well as have a steady source of produce for their housemade condiments and goetta. From vegetarian chili to double decker burgers, there’s a little something for everyone, at a price point all diners can appreciate. Just about every item on the menu — with the exception of the $13 steak and eggs — are $10 and under, with many sticking around $5.50 and under. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Blue Jay Restaurant 4154 Hamilton Ave., Northside Since its opening in 1967, the Blue Jay Restaurant has, for the most part, remained the same, boasting a nostalgic image and homestyle eats. As with any good local diner, there’s Cincinnati-style chili in bowls, on coneys and 3-ways, plus classics like all-day breakfast, burgers, double decker sandwiches and homemade pie. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Quatman Cafe 2434 Quatman Ave., Norwood; 224 W. Main St., Mason This no-frills grill has been serving Norwood patrons since 1966, when it was founded by high school buddies Albert “Albo” Imm and Ken Talmage. Their half-pound burgers are the epitome of simple: no special spice mix, standard 80:20 meat to fat ratio, served with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle on a plain old paper plate. Current owner Matt Imm says what makes them stand out is the fresh, local ingredients (everything but the tomatoes and lettuce are purchased from Cincinnati companies). Quatman’s also sells some grub you don’t find very often — fancy a bowl of mock turtle soup? Quatman’s also has a second location in Mason. Photo: Paige Deglow
Mad Mike’s Burgers and Fries Multiple locations including 194 N. Brookwood Ave., Hamilton Mad Mike’s certainly isn’t fancy but the burgers — made with black angus beef — are really good. These two-patty sandwiches are juicy with crispy edges and the topping options might be one reason for the “mad” adjective. Signature offerings include the Rockefeller, a blissful combination of blue cheese, tangy-sweet cranberry chutney, crispy fried onions and cilantro mayo. Or the bigger-than-your-head Hawaii-Five-O, with caramelized crushed pineapple, beer-battered onion strings, barbecue sauce, American cheese and bacon. Photo via madmikesburger.com
Bard’s Burgers & Chili 3620 Decoursey Ave., Latonia This eatery is tucked in downtown Latonia, but is certainly worth the drive. Located in a former chili parlor, Bard’s specializes in both burgers and Cincinnati-style chili (hence the name). Burgers are made with fresh, never-frozen ground chuck, infused with spices, seared on a flattop and served on a toasted bun. Their Chili Cheese Burger is made with their own Cincinnati-style chili, and topped with American cheese, lettuce, pickle and mayo; the Purist strips it down to just beef and the bun; and the Donut Burger comes topped with American cheese, lettuce, pickle and mayo on a donut bun from neighboring Moonrise Doughnuts (add bacon and make it a 5.0 Burger). Photo via Facebook.com/Bardsburgers1 Photo: Facebook.com/Bardsburgers1
Wunderbar 1132 Lee St., Covington Rhineland ambiance with wooden picnic tables and German signage and a beer garden out back. Food options include giant pretzels, massive burgers, sauerkraut, sausage and doner kabobs, one of Germany’s favorite street-food dishes. Beer staples such as Franziskaner and Warsteiner. Photo via Facebook.com/WunderbarCovington
The Turf Club 4618 Eastern Ave., East End Formerly known as Terry’s Turf Club, The Turf Club reopened in 2020 under two new owners, Tom and Marc Kunkemoeller, but still serves the same delicious burgers that have become popular around the area. Traditional burger options feature either 8.5 ounces of ground angus chuck of a half pound of ground filet mignon topped with two slices of cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, banana pepper and mayo. Photo via Facebook.com/TurfClubCincy
Roney’s 314 Chamber Drive, Milford Giant glowing chuck wagon sign? Check. The same classic Roy Rogers menu? Check. Nothing much has changed except the location for this nostalgia-inducing Cincinnati favorite. Opened in 1969 in Union Township as part of the Roy Rogers chain of fast food eateries, Roney’s (as the restaurant came to be called after Roy’s dissolved) shuttered its original location in 2012 only to reopen in Milford in 2015 with the same food and same neon marquee. Well known for its fried chicken and roast beef, Roney’s also serves cult favorite burgers including the Lucky R Burger (formerly known as the Double R Burger): a quarter pound of beef topped with American cheese and a slice of ham on a sesame seed bun. Head to the “fixins bar” to add your own lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and condiments. Fun fact: Roy Rogers, king of the cowboy actors, was born Leonard Franklin Slye in Cincinnati in 1911, which makes this local connection all the more sentimental. Photo via Facebook.com/RoneysRestaurant
The Root Beer Stand (Temporarily Closed) 11566 Reading Road, Sharonville Opened as an A&W Root Beer Stand in 1957, the now family-owned seasonal restaurant makes secret-recipe root beer (available by the jug) using water from the property’s 280-foot-deep well and secret-recipe chili for their famous foot-long coney dogs. But the best thing about this little shop is its prices, which aren’t too far off from what a customer would find in the time the stand opened in ‘57. Photo: Sami Stewart
Brew House 1047 E. McMillan, Walnut Hills The Brew House has been a Walnut Hills institution since 1978 with funky décor, friendly people, good burgers and cheap drinks. Try the Reenan burger, a patty topped with bacon, sweet potato fries and apple butter. Photo: Liz Davis
Ollie’s Trolley 1607 Central Ave., Over-the-Rhine Located in a bright yellow and red trolley car, Ollie’s Trolley is a soul food staple in the Cincinnati area. Ollie’s serves a variety of smoked pork, including ribs, rib tips and pulled pork, plus plenty of sides, like collard greens, buttered corn and potato salad. Photo: Sami Stewart