Zip's Cafe 1036 Delta Ave., Mt. Lookout Zip’s Cafe has been open since 1926 and is known for its Zip Burger, named the best in Ohio by Food & Wine. They also have other menu items, including “famous chili” and a classic grilled cheese. 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 with a model train circling above. 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

One beloved Cincinnati eatery is celebrating 100 years of business in a big way.

Zip’s Cafe in Mount Lookout will soon debut new beers and liquors developed in collaboration with local favorites, along with a series of fundraisers to give back to the local community.

The restaurant began in 1926 in the Prohibition era as a family-friendly restaurant that was also secretly a place for locals to gather, drink, and bet on horse races. In the last 100 years, Zip’s has been a Cincinnati staple, famous for their burgers and chili as much as it is for serving the cold pints of beer that never really went away during Prohibition.

As part of the celebration, Cincinnati breweries MadTree, Rhinegeist, and Great Lakes Brewing Company have all brewed special Zip’s 100th Anniversary flavored beers, and the Newport, KY-based distillery New Riff has created a special proprietary bourbon just for the restaurant.

In addition, Zip’s is holding special fundraisers for other local businesses. Restaurant guests can make a $5 donation to the Zip Burgers for Life raffle, which is exactly what it sounds like. 100% of the proceeds from the raffle will be donated to local non-profits, which owner Mike Burke said was the only appropriate way to mark the milestone.

“If it weren’t for the support of our community, we would have never made it to a century,” Burke said. “I’ve always treated our local schools, parks, and nonprofits as the driveway to my business. Supporting them has always been important to me.”

Proceeds will go to groups like the Cincinnati Zoo, Recycle Reuse Hub, Cincinnati Museum
Center, Freestore Food Bank, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, La Soupe, Cincinnati
Parks, Talbert House and more.

“We thought this would be a fun way to say thank you to the community that has supported us for a century,” Burke said.

The celebration of 100 years of business will conclude in July when the raffle ends in July and a winner is announced, giving one lucky winner free burgers for the rest of their lifetime.

Zip’s Cafe, 1036 Delta Ave, Mount Lookout

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