Every year, CityBeat hosts its Best of Cincinnati® competition, wherein our readers vote for their favorite things across the city — from hiking trails and free attractions to bars and, of course, restaurants, including the best neighborhood restaurants. Cincinnati proper gets a lot of love for its delicious restaurants, but the suburbs have plenty of eateries worth bragging about too. From gastropubs and outdoor burger and beer bars that are like grown-up summer camps to pizzerias and chicken joints, here are the best neighborhood restaurants in Greater Cincinnati’s ‘burbs, according to our readers.
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in the ‘Burbs No. 10: Gilligan’s Brewery
Must-Try Dish: Get the Spice Bag — Gilligan’s version of a popular Irish takeaway dish featuring chopped fried chicken, pub fries, peppers, onions and broccoli, tossed in a house spice blend and topped with curry. 400 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming.
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in the ‘Burbs No. 9: El Coyote
Must-Try Dish: Diners love the pork chop, juicy, center-cut, bone-in pork loin chops that have been lightly blackened and garnished with onion straws and Texas toast. 7404 State Road, Anderson Township.
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in the ‘Burbs No. 8: Sammy’s Craft Burgers & Beers
Must-Try Dish: The Bourbon Burger, featuring bourbon sauce, fried onion straws, Swiss cheese, mayo, field greens and fresh tomato. 4767 Creek Road, Blue Ash.
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in the ‘Burbs No. 7: Mellow Mushroom
Must-Try Dish: Get the Holy Shiitake. Besides just having a fun name, this delicious pie is made with an olive oil and garlic base; a mix of roasted shiitake, button and portobello mushrooms; caramelized onions; mozzarella; aged white cheddar; and chives and topped with a garlic aioli swirl and black truffle oil. 9238 Floer Drive, West Chester; 1014 Town Drive, Wilder.
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in the ‘Burbs No. 6: Catch-a-Fire Pizza
Must-Try Dish: Meat lovers should opt for the Three Little Pigs pizza — with fire-roasted red sauce, pepperoni, prosciutto and Italian sausage, plus four cheeses. Westwood (West Side Brewing).
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in the ‘Burbs No. 5: Tēla Bar + Kitchen
Must-Try Dish: Try the popular Short Rib Mac + Cheese, with macaroni mixed in a smoked gouda and cheddar sauce and crispy pulled beef short rib braised with Mr. Pibb. 1212 Springfield Pike, Wyoming.
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in the ‘Burbs No. 4: Fifty West Brewing Company
Must-Try Dish: Get a burger Ohio Style: Cincinnati chili, mustard, onion and shredded cheese. 7605 Wooster Pike, Columbia Township; 5224 District Park Drive, Deerfield Township.
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in the ‘Burbs No. 3: Pig Candy BBQ
Must-Try Dish: The signature Pig Candy Waffle: It’s a gluten-free waffle served with pulled pork, maple-peach glaze and white sauce on the side. 5901 Kellogg Ave., California; 370 Bridge St., Loveland.
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in the ‘Burbs No. 2: Silver Spring House
Must-Try Dish: You have to try the signature Spring House Chicken — Tender, free-range chicken that’s marinated in citrus juice and spices then grilled. You can get a quarter chicken with dark or white meat or half a chicken. 8322 E. Kemper Road, Symmes Township.
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in the ‘Burbs No. 1: Blue Ash Chili
Must-Try Dish: The 6-Way, which was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, includes beans, onions, shredded cheddar and your choice of fresh sliced jalapeno or fried bottle caps. Or, if you’re in the mood for something spicy, their new menu addition, the Nashville Hot Way. It’s a traditional way, but includes a custom blend of spices to bring the heat and is topped with habanero cheese. 9525 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash; 11711 Princeton Pike, Springdale.