BBQ in cincinnati?

i just moved to cincinnati and wondered where i can get some decent bbq?

i just moved here from tuscaloosa, ala., home of archibald's (ok, it's in northport, but still...) mmmm. i was telling someone about my favorite place for bbq, and, well, i got really hungry telling them how to get to archibald's... so what you got? thanks so much.

Welcome to Cincinnati :-)

I don't know exactly what the BBQ is like in Alabama, having never been there, but of course Willie Anderson (RT for the Bengals) speaks highly of it. In any case, all I can talk about is the bbq around here that I do like, and hope it is to your liking too.

Montgomery Inn is the most famous restaurant in town, and their specialty is bbq pork ribs. Some locals on this board have commented that they do not like the ribs or sauce there, to be fair, but I find them to be wonderful. I also commend the saratoga chips and the salad with the house vinegrette dressing. This place fairly pricey.

I have eaten at and can also recommend three other places that are less well known, and in each case unique and very small operations

1) Pit to Plate on Compton Road, College Hill. Very good pulled pork, they smoke their own. Also offers 1.00 a pound smoking for turkeys at thanksgiving - you give her the turkey, the owner smokes it for you. The meat comes unsauced mostly, with a choice of sauces at the table. Easily my favorite of the three

2) The meat is much smokier but also seemingly pricier at BBQ Revue in Madonsonville. I tried and liked beef and pork bbq they offer there, which again is offerred with or without sauce. I am told the ribs are excellent, but haven't tried them.

3) A place that I just found a couple of weeks ago in Sharonville shows promise, called One of a Kind Ribs, on Sharon Road, just short of where it meets up with Reading Road. Very small operation, but the bbq'd quarter chicken I had there was tender, delicious, and well sauced. I hope to go back soon. Their hours are a bit odd, so look them up in the phone book or call ahead.

Hey, TJ......

What about Gary Burbank's joints? Are they still around? They used to be great about 20 years ago....mid 80's.....when they first opened. He took a year off and traveled the south in search of the perfect BBQ. I used to buy the mustard sauce and bring it home in big quart styrofoam containers.

Any comments?

Stogie

quote:

Originally posted by Stogie

Hey, TJ......

What about Gary Burbank's joints? Are they still around? They used to be great about 20 years ago....mid 80's.....when they first opened. He took a year off and traveled the south in search of the perfect BBQ. I used to buy the mustard sauce and bring it home in big quart styrofoam containers.

Any comments?

Stogie

Last time I checked, only the Sharonville and Beavercreek locations were still around. I know the Ft. Mitchell and Florence locations have folded. I think he oversaturated the local market. There wasn't that much of a call for BBQ back when they first opened and started expanding. Now his place is just one of many. To tell the truth, I wasn't terribly impressed with Burbanks on the one occasion I ate there. The sauces were good, but the meat left quite a bit to be desired. I like Gary though, so I guess I owe him another shot. He's been nothing but good for Cincinnati.

I also ate at Burbanks once only, and was pretty disappointed with pretty much every aspect of the visit.

You dont see many cars in the Sharonville location (visible from i-75) at any hour....

I like Gary's radio show but for BBQ I'm a Montgomery Inn man.

quote:

Originally posted by Stogie

Hey, TJ......

What about Gary Burbank's joints? Are they still around? They used to be great about 20 years ago....mid 80's.....when they first opened. He took a year off and traveled the south in search of the perfect BBQ. I used to buy the mustard sauce and bring it home in big quart styrofoam containers.

Any comments?

Stogie

Back in the '80s Burbank opened a place in Columbus, and I liked it. It didn't last very long. Probably because I liked it.

quote:

Originally posted by Stogie

Hey, TJ......

What about Gary Burbank's joints? Are they still around? They used to be great about 20 years ago....mid 80's.....when they first opened. He took a year off and traveled the south in search of the perfect BBQ. I used to buy the mustard sauce and bring it home in big quart styrofoam containers.

Any comments?

Stogie

My understanding from an acquaintance that knows Gary is that he just got tired of running the things. The quality is so uneven, because some of the joints were franchised (the one in Eastgate and the little one in Mt. Lookout for instance). The only one he really took an interest in was the original near Tri-County. And that's a franchise joint too, now....

I've had Pit to Plate and BBQ Revue. My employer brought in Pit to Plate for our Christmas/State of the Company meeting this year and I was sold. Great stuff.

BBQ Revue is a family favorite for us. Although the sauce is oddly seasoned -- TJ? I haven't been able to identify that distinctive taste. Is it celery seed, you think? That's the only thing I've come up with. The ribs are great, by the way -- meaty, smoky, fall-off-the-bone tender.

As TJ alluded, I'm a longtime hater of the so-called "Ribs King" at the Montgomery Inn, where you are not only served livestock, you are treated like livestock. I'll only add this: If it hasn't seen wood smoke, it isn't BBQ, the The Inn boils its ribs.

Thanks for the tip on the Sharon Road place. I've got to try it.

Finally, a nebulous and somewhat hazy recommendation. Somewhere in Lincoln Heights, there's a place called The Country Preacher. It's in a ramshackle house in a so-called "bad" part of town. It's only open Thursday through Saturday (or at least it was when I was going there). And for five bucks you can get the soul food meal of your dreams. Brisket, Boston butt, ribs, roasts grilled over wood fires and boldly sauced and spiced. Four side dishes, including gooey rich Mac/Cheese, porky greens, frenetically seasoned black-eyed peas, baked tomatoes, green beans, squash, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes etc., etc., etc. You enter the front door and stand in the dreary battered living room area, which looks into a kitchen where all is being cooked on the two largest stoves you've ever seen, including an immense cauldron of a skillet with gorgeous sizzling fried chicken. Order, carry out, and eat. It's glorious. For four years when I worked in Blue Ash, the Preacher was a Friday tradition for us all.....I'm going to have to try to find it again.....

yeah, when i came for my interview, i was taken to the montgomery inn, and was less than impressed with the ribs. the sauce was waaaay too thick. it's like the sauce was the main course, not the ribs. bad, bad form if you ask me. the saratoga chips were really good, though.

i live in hyde park, so the bbq revue isn't that far and i may try that soon. thanks. (i read a review of it in the inky and it had good things to say about the brisket -- i love a good beef brisket -- lived in texas, too. texas q... mmm. sausage)

thanks for the help and let's continue this thread. also, i don't know if there's a message dealie on this bad boy, but i'd love to hear some other cincy favorites

Hyde Park?

You're just across the Beechmont Levy from me, more or less :-) welcome not only to Cincinnati, but the East Side! Woo! I'm in Mt Washington.

When you get a chance, try Montgomery Inn again, but get something other than the ribs, and I think you'll be impressed. IMHO, the do everything on their menu quite well. Make sure, as I said before, to get the salad with the house vinegrette dressing.

Here's a link to a review on BBQ Review http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/dining/reviews/012601_alacarte.html

Here's a link to a review of a small bbq place (named Boston Butts) I haven't tried yet on the nw side of Cincinnati: http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/dining/reviews/042304_bostonbutz_25.html

Here's some reviews from the local alternative/weekly paper for one BBQ joint I mentioned and two others I didn't: http://www.citybeat.com/2003-10-08/diner.shtml

Also, I can't believe I forgot to mention I place I personally don't like, but many people swear by, and they definitely cook over wood: Walt's Hitching Post in Northern KY, maybe 5 minutes from downtown Cincy. Here's a couple of links to reviews of Walt's:
http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/dining/reviews/031904_walts.html
http://www.citybeat.com/2000-03-16/diner.shtml

Jim McKee: good to see you're still on here, hadn't seen your posts in quite some time. My experience with BBQ Revue, despite thefact that it is the closest to my house, has been limited, so I can't answer your question. The folks there seem pretty friendly, might be worth it to just ask them at the counter :-) . Also: have you tried the BBQ at Ollie's Trolley (I always get a burger there, just too good) or at Walt's Hitching Post?

Also, can you point me towards a commercially available bbq sauce you like? Name me one that I can get from most local grocery stores (Biggs, Meijer's, Krogers) and another (if you like) that I need to go to a specialty store for, incl Jungle Jims.

quote:

Originally posted by Wallyum
Last time I checked, only the Sharonville and Beavercreek locations were still around.

The Beavercreek location, unfortunately, is closed.

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

Also, I can't believe I forgot to mention I place I personally don't like, but many people swear by, and they definitely cook over wood: Walt's Hitching Post in Northern KY, maybe 5 minutes from downtown Cincy. Here's a couple of links to reviews of Walt's:
http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/dining/reviews/031904_walts.html
http://www.citybeat.com/2000-03-16/diner.shtml

The Hitching Post is the only BBQ place in the Greater Cincy area that I'd rate lower than Montgomery Inn's famous Pork Chops in Catsup. Absolutely garbage. Terrible service and a sheep-like crowd of regulars who keep going back despite the frightfully indifferent BBQ. Too bad. It's convenient to home, but so are several White Castles. Try it as a baseline knowing that the only way to go is up.

Just in case we are crossing wires here, Wally, I am not referring to the Hitching Post that serves mostly fried chicken, but Walt's Hitching Post in Ft. Wright/Covington. Check the link to be sure. If you're talking about the same place I am, then, uh....nevermind? :-)

I do know they have an outdoor smoker building 50 feet or so away from the restaurant proper, and that most bbq lovers on here seem to prefer their ribs smoked, so I thought it worth a mention. I haven't been there in many, many years.

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson



Also, can you point me towards a commercially available bbq sauce you like? Name me one that I can get from most local grocery stores (Biggs, Meijer's, Krogers) and another (if you like) that I need to go to a specialty store for, incl Jungle Jims.

Lately, I've been using Stubbs...It's not as sweet as some, but I really like it.....

Where are you buying the Stubb's sauce at?

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

Where are you buying the Stubb's sauce at?

Try Meijer. That's where I found it, although they are anything but consistent about their stocking policies. Oklahoma Joe's was my favorite until they quit carrying it. For a short time they had both the regular and spicy varieties. Even my wife liked it.
If all else fails, try Jungle Jims.

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

Where are you buying the Stubb's sauce at?

Saw it tonight at the Bigg's in Newtown? Mt. Washington? On the levee near Lunken Airport, whatever the case.
BTW, we tried Betta's last weekend and loved it. According to our waitress, they've recently opened a Norwood location with a brick oven. We plan to try that with the kids while we're on vacation. Thanks for the tip.

We probably were in the store at the same time, Wally ...I had to stop in to pick up some milk and other things last night on the way home.

I also found the Stubbs sauce there -- last night, in fact -- but when I noted that the second ingredient was/is vinegar, I didn't buy it. Jim McKee, if you're listening, I am looking for an alternate sauce that is of what is to me the 'traditional' style thick sauce, slightly less thick than ketchup. Not a thin, vinegar based sauce. I'm sorry that I wasn't more specific in my original request....

Glad you liked Betta's. The Norwood location is more of a pizza place than an Italian Restaurant, btw.

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

We probably were in the store at the same time, Wally ...I had to stop in to pick up some milk and other things last night on the way home.

I also found the Stubbs sauce there -- last night, in fact -- but when I noted that the second ingredient was/is vinegar, I didn't buy it. Jim McKee, if you're listening, I am looking for an alternate sauce that is of what is to me the 'traditional' style think sauce, ie slightly less thick than ketchup. Not a thin, vinegar based sauce.

Glad you liked Betta's. The Norwood location is more of a pizza place than an Italian Restaurant, btw.

I doubt we were there at the same time. I went at lunch, which for me is 2:30am. ;-)
As for Betta's, the pizza angle should work well with the kids along. The Mt. Lookout location was perfect for my wife and I on a rare occasion without the kids.

Do you work near that Bigg's, then? I'm at the top of the hill

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

Do you work near that Bigg's, then? I'm at the top of the hill

I'm at the bottom. USBank Center on Wooster Rd. I go to Bigg's about once a week. I couldn't tell you what Bigg's looks like in the light of day.

quote:

Originally posted by jmckee



Finally, a nebulous and somewhat hazy recommendation. Somewhere in Lincoln Heights, there's a place called The Country Preacher. It's in a ramshackle house in a so-called "bad" part of town. It's only open Thursday through Saturday (or at least it was when I was going there). And for five bucks you can get the soul food meal of your dreams. Brisket, Boston butt, ribs, roasts grilled over wood fires and boldly sauced and spiced. Four side dishes, including gooey rich Mac/Cheese, porky greens, frenetically seasoned black-eyed peas, baked tomatoes, green beans, squash, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes etc., etc., etc. You enter the front door and stand in the dreary battered living room area, which looks into a kitchen where all is being cooked on the two largest stoves you've ever seen, including an immense cauldron of a skillet with gorgeous sizzling fried chicken. Order, carry out, and eat. It's glorious. For four years when I worked in Blue Ash, the Preacher was a Friday tradition for us all.....I'm going to have to try to find it again.....

According to the yellow pages on the internet, the Country Preacher Restaurant is at 1067 Steffen Ave. in Cincinnati and their phone number is (513) 563-1606. Hope this helps you.

I drive south on I-75 past Lincoln Heights every day, and so I'll take a look to see if the Country Preacher still exists and all. It's just a short jump off the highway.

There is a sign clearly visible from the freeway there for a place called "Sweeney's Weenies" which I never heard of, and also appears to no longer exist. Wild. I didn't think any hot dog places (other than the Goldstars and Skylines and their like) existed in Cincinnati in my lifetime.

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

There is a sign clearly visible from the freeway there for a place called "Sweeney's Weenies" which I never heard of, and also appears to no longer exist. Wild. I didn't think any hot dog places (other than the Goldstars and Skylines and their like) existed in Cincinnati in my lifetime.

Are you sure that isn't "Queenie's Weenies"? Just across from the old GE complex? When my son was just a toddler I would occasionally take him out for lunch and we tries Queenie's once just for something different. Nothing to write home about (even if you are just up the hill.) There was a place in Florence just off the US 42 exit around the same time named Flo's Hot Dogs. We ate there a few more times than Queenie's, but it wasn't a taste sensation either.
Now that I think of it, the Buffalo Wings & Rings on Dixie Highway in Erlanger/Edgewood was once a hot dog place that was owned by one of the old Cincinnati Royals. We ate there once during a Christmas shopping trip to China Town. (The Cincinnati Royals and China Town. I'm REALLY showing my age now.)

It is just across from the GE complex, but the sign (raised to a fairly great height) says "Sweeney's Weenies".

In any case, long gone, by the looks of things. I wasn't even sure which building had housed the establishment, as there were several empty ones right there.

I got off the freeway and cruised down Steffen Ave after work, and found the Country Preacher. There was a large CLOSED sign in the window of what looked to be a person's home, surrounded on most sides with a unpainted wooden privacy fence, rather than a restaurant.

I'll check back in after a few weeks, just in case they are on vacation or whatever, but it didn't look like they were simply closed for the day or whatever....

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

It is just across from the GE complex, but the sign (raised to a fairly great height) says "Sweeney's Weenies".

In any case, long gone, by the looks of things. I wasn't even sure which building had housed the establishment, as there were several empty ones right there.

Good chance they went by both names at one time or another. Also a good chance that I just thought Weenie Queenie sounded funnier and substituted it in my own head. I wish I could say that kind of stuff never happens, but I'd be lying. The building HAS been closed for years and it didn't look like much when it was open. You sure wouldn't have mistaken it for a restaurant.

quote:

Originally posted by Wallyum

Are you sure that isn't "Queenie's Weenies"?

err, I stand corrected. I re-checked the sign on the way home the other night and it is (err was) Queenies, not Sweenies. Sorry bout that.

I passed a bbq place in Wilmington, Ohio called Beaugard's. I think a preacher owns and cooks the ribs there. Just wandered if anyone has been there and how is it??

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

err, I stand corrected. I re-checked the sign on the way home the other night and it is (err was) Queenies, not Sweenies. Sorry bout that.

We went there once, many years ago. I think my wife was pregnant at the time so that would make it 1992. Wasn't it Chicago-style hot-dogs? I think thats what I got. But it was really a bad location for a restaurant.