Whether you’re looking for an early-morning bite or to soak up that hangover with some delightfully greasy hashbrowns, there are plenty of options in the Queen City when it comes to hole-in-the-wall breakfast spots. These no-frills diners offer up all-day breakfast, a piping hot cup o’ joe and a casual, laid-back feel. What more could you want?
Anchor Grill 438 W. Pike St., Covington, 859-431-9498. Breakfast/Brunch: 24/7 While we typically seem to eat brunch after 11 a.m., the Anchor Grill is open 24/7, so you can chow down literally any time at this Covington greasy spoon, which has been serving up diner fare for decades. It’s a throwback dive with wood paneling, retro fixtures and black leather booths. As an added bonus, a tiny animatronic Big Band orchestra — led by a swingin’ Barbie doll — plays and moves along to jukebox selections in a vintage Chicago Coin’s Band-Box by the ceiling. The Anchor doesn’t serve booze, so opt for diner-style coffee and a slice of their famous chocolate-covered peanut butter pie. It’s cash only, so come prepared. Must Try: Located only about a block away from the headquarters of Glier’s Goetta, you’d be stupid not to order a slab of this sausage-and-oat breakfast meat. Go for the goetta omelet with a side of onion rings, because brunch is really just chaos thinly disguised as late breakfast. Photo: Emerson Swoger
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, double decker sandwiches and homemade pie. Photo: Paige Deglow
Pepper Pod 703 Monmouth St., Newport Greasy spoon dining at its best, the Pepper Pod is a Newport legend. Open 24 hours a day so you can get your breakfast fix whenever the craving hits. Photo: Emerson Swoger
Price Hill Chili 4290 Glenway Ave., Price Hill Generations of West Side patrons have grown up on this iconic, family-owned restaurant’s diverse, fairly priced menu. Having expanded several times over the years, there are now multiple dining areas and a full-service attached cocktail lounge called Golden Fleece. What sets them apart from other chili joints is their liquor license and full menu, which features an excellent Greek salad (with secret-recipe dressing), specialty sandwiches, steaks, all-day breakfast and amazing homemade macaroni and cheese on Fridays (available after 4 p.m.). Photo: Marci Rhodes
The Echo 3510 Edwards Road, Hyde Park Opened as a sandwich shop in 1945 by Louise Schwartz, customer favorites include the Echo Grill (baked ham, Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato served with tartar sauce), an open-faced turkey sandwich and the “hangover helper” Hot Mess, with layers of home fries, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, gravy and cheese. 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 brunch 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
Sugar n’ Spice 4381 Reading Road, Paddock Hills As the name implies, this restaurant has everything nice. The campy, colorful decor is a good indicator that Sugar n’ Spice likes to turn on its nostalgic charm both in and out of the kitchen. While it’s likely you can find about anything you like to typically order at American diners, you should give their Wispy Thin pancakes a try, bonus points if you go for blueberry. Pair that with a ham steak, two eggs over easy and a big glass of chocolate milk and you’re sure to feel like a kid again, so go ahead and blow some bubbles in your milk. Open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Anchor Grill 438 W. Pike St., Covington, 859-431-9498 While we typically seem to eat brunch after 11 a.m., the Anchor Grill is open 24/7, so you can chow down literally any time at this Covington greasy spoon, which has been serving up diner fare for decades. It’s a throwback dive with wood paneling, retro fixtures and black leather booths. As an added bonus, a tiny animatronic Big Band orchestra — led by a swingin’ Barbie doll — plays and moves along to jukebox selections in a vintage Chicago Coin’s Band-Box by the ceiling. The Anchor doesn’t serve booze, so opt for diner-style coffee and a slice of their famous chocolate-covered peanut butter pie. It’s cash only, so come prepared. Photo: Emerson Swoger
Pleasant Ridge Chili and Restaurant 6032 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge A local multi-generational chili joint that is more than 50 years old. Offers late-night eats (until 4:30 a.m.) and a traditional breakfast menu with items like French toast, omelets and breakfast sandwiches — in addition to plenty of chili offerings. Photo via Facebook.com/PleasantRidgeChili
J&J Restaurant 6159 Glenway Ave., Westwood This old-school diner serves huge double decker sandwiches, Cincinnati-style chili, cheese coneys and all-day breakfast at a great price. Tucked into a strip mall, this is a no-frills neighborhood staple with lots of regulars and quick service. Photo: Paige Deglow
P&S Family Diner 512 Springdale Road, Northgate P&S Family Diner was established in 1979 and created a loyal following of regulars. It has been a staple part of Colerain ever since. Open seven days a week, they serve a popular homemade chili and affordable breakfast options like the “Lil Bit of Everything” meal, which includes eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy and toast — all for $9. Photo via Facebook.com/PandSRestaurant
Proud Rooster Restaurant 345 Ludlow Ave., Clifton Proud Rooster is a breakfast and lunch spot revered by Clifton residents for its dedication to classic diner fare. The fried chicken lunch is especially popular (they’re proud of that fried rooster), but a stack of pancakes with a side of goetta and eggs would go down just as well. Cash only! Photo via Facebook/ProudRoosterRestaurant
Parkside Cafe 1024 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills Parkside Café is like the BMV of brunch spots, and we mean that in the best way possible. The assortment of folks seated in the low booths of this repurposed Frisch’s ranges widely, from a group of large-hatted church ladies to a cop eating a steak on his lunch break to an older couple patiently trekking toward the outrageously inexpensive weekend breakfast buffet ($8.99) to the Cheers-reminiscent gang of best married friends. The menu ranges widely, too. You want pancakes? Walnut Hills Pancake Stack, coming right up. Steak and eggs? Check. Delightfully varied omelets? Southern-style biscuits and gravy? Parkside has you covered for lunch, too. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Chili Time 4727 Vine St., St. Bernard Along Saint Bernard’s main drag, one sign stands out — a cartoon clock suspended in half a cup of chili. The message is clear: it’s chili time. The orange awning is vibrant among unassuming small-town storefronts and the interior is just what you’d expect from a no-frills establishment. There are weekly specials, like meatloaf, coneys, 3-ways, double deckers and breakfast served all day. Try the goetta and cheese omelet. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Demetrios V 2132 Losantiville Ave., Golf Manor Demetrios V offers a Greek and American favorites. Their Greek food is most popular, but their “anytime breakfast” menu serves affordable breakfast favorites like omelets, eggs, meats and more. Photo via Facebook.com/DemetriosV
Hathaway’s Diner 441 Vine St., Cincinnati The old-fashioned flavors of the soda fountain are found at Hathaway’s, including the best darn chocolate shake in town. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped through a time portal to the 1950s (the diner opened in 1956). Don’t miss the French toast and goetta. Hathaway’s does them both exactly right. Photo via Facebook/HathawaysDiner
Camp Washington Chili 3005 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington A great place for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Camp Washington Chili features greasy-spoon breakfast offerings, double-decker sandwiches, Cincinnati-style chili, coneys and even a few salads. A James Beard Award winner, Camp Washington Chili opened its doors in 1940. They now serve beer. Open 24/6 (every day except Sunday). Photo: Catie Viox
Mason Grill 124 E. Main St., Mason Mason Grill is located in the heart of Mason and offers a small-town feel. Their homemade, classic American breakfast is perfect for a relaxing Sunday morning. Servers are sure to keep your coffee mug full and your belly’s happy. Photo via Google Maps
Bluebird Restaurant 4629 Montgomery Road, Norwood Bluebird is a classic Cincinnati diner that serves breakfast all day. Comparable to a meal at grandma’s house, they serve traditional breakfast foods for cheap prices. Including all your breakfast favorites, including hash browns, homefries, eggs and biscuits and gravy. Photo via Facebook.com/Bluebird Restaurant