Margarita Madness At The Purple People Bridge : May 17th

A Nearly-70-Year-Old Downtown Diner Has Closed For Good

Hathaway's Diner's final food service was Wednesday.

Nov 9, 2023 at 10:00 am

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Photo: facebook.com/hathawaysdiner

Hathaway's Diner

A downtown Cincinnati restaurant that has been serving diners for nearly 70 years is now permanently closed.

Hathaway’s Diner shared the news on social media Wednesday night. The luncheonette’s owners say between the city allowing food trucks to park near the restaurant at Fountain Square and not as many people working downtown, they’re no longer able to stay open.

“It just killed our business. Wish I could do something to change it but just not possible. We loved serving the people of Cincinnati for 68 years. Ten years ourselves. Thanks and love to all of you,” the owners wrote.

Hathaway’s first opened in the Carew Tower in 1956 but moved from its original spot to the ground floor of the building in 2021. The menu featured breakfast and lunch classics like eggs, waffles, homemade chilis and soups, burgers and sandwiches, with some more modern offerings like breakfast burritos and a Thai salad mixed in. They were also known for their desserts, like the shakes and malts that came in whimsically named flavors like Pink Cloud, Creamsicle and Banana Whisk.

Slideshow

32 Restaurants in Greater Cincinnati That Have Been Open for More Than 50 Years

Sugar N’ Spice4381 Reading Road, Paddock Hills (temporarily closed); 1203 Sycamore St., Pendleton; 10275 Summit Parkway, Blue AshHuge, fluffy omelets and “wispy-thin” pancakes have made Sugar n’ Spice a bona fide breakfast institution since 1941. One of the city’s most popular places for people of all ages and backgrounds to dine and socialize, the original Paddock Hills location got a sister spot in Over-the-Rhine when the owners renovated an old diner with their signature colorful and vintage flair. The breakfast diner also opened its first suburban location in Blue Ash this past January at the Approach at Summit Park. They are famous for giving patrons little rubber ducks as a souvenir – a charming tradition that keeps people coming back.

Golden Lamb27 S. Broadway St., LebanonJonas Seaman came to Ohio from New Jersey in 1803. In a time when many couldn’t read, the business was marked by a symbol: a golden lamb. Present-day, the historic hotel and restaurant in the heart of Lebanon’s DORA district has served 12 presidents and an array of other famous figures. The menu offers items like braised lamb shank, hickory-roasted prime rib and seared salmon. The attached Black Horse Tavern is a more casual dining spot on the backside of the hotel that serves specialty cocktails and the same delicious menu as the main dining area.

Arnold’s Bar and Grill210 E. Eighth St., DowntownOpen since 1861, Arnold’s is the oldest continuously running tavern in town, complete with dark wood walls, vintage memorabilia and a big ol’ bathtub in the dining room, rumored to have been used to make gin during Prohibition. A Cincinnati classic, it serves up a nice range of lunch and dinner options — pasta, sandwiches and burgers, plus vegan and gluten-free options — at bargain prices. Enjoy a local draft in the outdoor beer garden and almost daily live music. It was also named as one of the best bars in America by Esquire magazine.

Scotti’s Italian Restaurant919 Vine St., DowntownFamily-owned since 1912, Scotti’s has solidified itself as a Queen City staple. Their large menu features just about every pasta imaginable and nearly 20 different varieties of veal dishes for dinner. Multi-colored tiles plaster the walls, and candles drip layer upon layer of wax on Chianti bottles at every table, making you feel like you’re in an old-world Italian bistro. Scotti’s is named after early 20th-century opera star Antonio Scotti, so the sound pumping through the speakers isn’t Muzak, it’s Rossini, Puccini and Pavarotti — just another aspect that sets this landmark apart from the pack.

Zip’s Cafe1036 Delta Ave., Mt. LookoutZip’s Cafe was founded in 1926, meaning it’s nearing its 100th birthday. With meat delivered daily from Avril-Bleh and “simple but fresh” toppings, Zip’s classic burgers are grilled on a flat top, which cooks them in their own delicious fat. If you’re looking to expand your palate beyond the classic Zip Burger — once named the best burger in Ohio by Food & Wine magazine — the cafe offers specialties such as the Flying Pig, topped with shaved ham and bacon, or the popular Girthburger (named by former Cincinnati Bengals punter Pat McInally), topped with a butterflied grilled mettwurst.

Frisch’s Mainliner5760 Wooster Pike, FairfaxBig Boy sandwiches. All-day breakfast. Warm bowls of chili and soup. Frisch's Big Boy Mainliner opened in 1939, when founder David Frisch opened Cincinnati’s first year-round drive-in, which could hold up to 60 cars. Now, the regional diner chain is an iconic stop for Queen City residents. The famous menu still carries on today — with additions — and offers up both nostalgic memories and classic grub.

Camp Washington Chili3005 Colerain Ave., Camp WashingtonNamed one of the “10 Best Restaurants in Cincinnati” by USA Today, there’s no question as to why Camp Washington Chili has been operating since 1940. The diner is the quintessential chili parlor of days gone by with its classic mid-century sign out front, dining counter inside and photos and newspaper clippings along the wall. In addition to the amazing chili – which won an “American Regional Classic” James Beard Foundation Award in 2000 – the menu also includes burgers, grilled chicken, hot dogs, fries, coleslaw and salad – something for everyone.

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About The Author

Katherine Barrier

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she oversees the digital and social media strategies, edits web and print content and writes for the dining and arts...