WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat)

Valle Verde Taqueria has opened on 6700 block of Vine in Elmwood Place next to the Mexican grocery that has been there for some time.  Hole in the wall in a fairly depressed neighborhood, but if you are always on the lookout for authentic Mexican food like me, give it a try.  If you are a non-Hispanic, you will be in the minority there.  Had 3 tacos for lunch and I was not disappointed.  Homemade corn tortillas, your choice of meats, lots of cilantro and onions.  Real deal green and red hot sauce upon request.  The al Pastor was beautiful.  The Asada steak taco had small tender bits of beef that were crunchy on a few edges -nice.  The Barbacoa was plentiful, tender and flavorful.  My lunch partner gave good marks to his enchiladas, beans, rice. 

Has anyone been to The Green Plantain lately? There is a Yelp review as recent as November 22, but I tried placing a takeout order today, and the phone/fax number listed on their Web site just rings and rings. I found two other phone numbers through a Google search, but both have been disconnected.

Some misc updates, all downtown-ish

First, that 'healthy italian' restaurant is already open.  Looks interesting - salads and paninis and (probabbly the same) slices of pizza.  Most interesting to me is that an available ingredient is proscuitto di parma - on sandwiches and on pizza.  Will check it out soon

Second, Polly has two reports of interest

--Mullane's is reopening at a new location (1222 Race  St): http://cincinnati.com/blo.../mullanes-coming-back/

--Busken's Bakery downtown is reopening at the former Mythos Location on 7th between Walnut and Main: http://cincinnati.com/blo...12/07/busken-downtown/

and sorry DLawson, I have not made it up to Green Plantain yet.  Lots of competition in that area for latin-ish fare....hope they are just closed on a fluke

Walked by Burrito Joe's on Main St. ~ It has a "For Lease" sign in the window.
 
TJ~What & where is the "healthy Italian" restaurant?

Greetings everyone--this is my first post, so I hope I'm doing it OK.

I would welcome suggestions for good inexpensive restaurants on or near the west side of Cincinnati. I know about Price Hill Chili, Sebastian's, J&J's, and Les Flick's. Good food at a restaurant with character. Thanks in advance! John

JC - welcome to the thread

I realize that the west side of Cincinnati is indeed closer than the east side to your stated location (San Fran) but I'd think after traveling that far, what would a few more miles (to the east side) matter? :-)

Seriously, tho - let me add Trotta's Pizza Drive-In to your list, as well as Noce's Pizza on North Bend Road. 

You've already named my absolute west side favorite - Sebastian's

Soozy - nice to meet you finally, and the pizza was delicious as always but next time I want to get the garlic on top of the cheese so it toasts up a bit - and definitely well done to firm up that center crust a bit

Hi TJ, thanks for your response to my question. Not far in miles, but for some, like my parents on the west side, other parts of Cincinnati are worlds away. They don't like leaving 45238 except in an emergency. A great, inexpensive, senior-friendly restaurant might qualify!

I actually grew up in Cinci but haven't been back much in years. Didn't Trotta's used to be a car wash, and then a drive-in pony-keg (is that the right term)? I'm looking forward to checking it out, and exploring some of the other great roadfood in Cincinnati--often about half the price of the SF Bay Area for the same quality.

Best wishes,
John

TJ Jackson


JC - welcome to the thread

I realize that the west side of Cincinnati is indeed closer than the east side to your stated location (San Fran) but I'd think after traveling that far, what would a few more miles (to the east side) matter? :-)

Seriously, tho - let me add Trotta's Pizza Drive-In to your list, as well as Noce's Pizza on North Bend Road. 

You've already named my absolute west side favorite - Sebastian's

Soozy - nice to meet you finally, and the pizza was delicious as always but next time I want to get the garlic on top of the cheese so it toasts up a bit - and definitely well done to firm up that center crust a bit

jcroedel
Not far in miles, but for some, like my parents on the west side, other parts of Cincinnati are worlds away. They don't like leaving 45238 except in an emergency. A great, inexpensive, senior-friendly restaurant might qualify!

Sadly, this is a tall order for the West Side. My parents live in 45238 as well, but we rarely eat in that part of town. Most of the restaurants meet two of your three criteria, inexpensive and senior-friendly. The only one I might add would be Ron's Roost, which isn't great, just...inoffensive?

I agree with Noce's and Sebastian's. I have never been to Les Flick's, but am surprised to find it is still open, as I didn't expect it to last much longer after the tragedy involving him and his daughter so many years ago.

You personally may want to check out what Northside has to offer these days, jcroedel. I have run into a number of San Francisco people (in person and online) who rave about restaurants like Melt (inexpensive), The Comet (inexpensive, and more of a bar that serves food), and Honey (moderate). The easiest way to get there from the West Side is to take Montana ALL the way down (past the I-74 ramp), at which point it will turn into West Fork. Go through the light at Colerain, at which point it will turn into Virginia. Take the first right on Chase and follow it to Hamilton. A left turn will take you up the hill towards The Comet, and a right will take you to Melt and Honey, along with all of the other shopping.

Has anyone tried "Woe is me" bbq in eastgate? I believe they just opened a few months ago. Was planing on taking the family there today to try it out. Read an eastside vibe and fox 19 review of the place. seems like it might be a good carolina bbq joint. I tend to believe reviews from here alot more then others tho lol.

I have mentioned it on this thread:

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/tm.aspx?m=523987&high=

They had operated out of a van - I did not care for their food but I am not a fan of this style of bbq and sides - they are also at Findlay Market (it is a franchise operation).

I just learned they opened up in a brick and mortar facility that previously housed Here Piggy Piggy:

http://woeismefood.com/home

Let us know how you like it.

thank you for the quick reply. we will prob skip it then.

Looks like we will be heading to Cambells Barn. Since it pleases all the family. TO bad the still smoking bbq guy is closed for the season. I am craving some good bbq.

He will do ribs to order from his house in Owensville if you are interested.

baughman


thank you for the quick reply. we will prob skip it then.

Looks like we will be heading to Cambells Barn. Since it pleases all the family. TO bad the still smoking bbq guy is closed for the season. I am craving some good bbq.

Is this the place you are talking about?:

 
http://www.campbellsbarn.com/

What are your favorites there?

ya thats the place. I blame the new laptop for not spelling it right.

Its my go to spot for fried chicken now. Been there a cpl of times and as was posted by TJ? Have never had a bad meal. The breakfast buffet is pretty good also. Not a huge buffett by any means but qood.

 I use to love the IGA Fried chicken here in Blanchester but they closed over a year ago and now has  a Save Alot. There fried chicken just isnt the same.

I have yet to make the Hitching Post or any of the other top Fried chicken places in town tho.

Cockrells here in Blanchester has a reputation for good fried chicken, and I must say it is bland as can be. All tho I must say its one of only 2 places I will get liver and onions. There and the Houstons in Mason. With the Houston coming way out on top.

I ate at Capri Tavola downtown before Christmas.  It is a new pizza place next to Subway on Walnut between 4th and 5th (took the spot of the old Balboa's).  I ordered a slice of cheese, a slice of pepperoni and wedding soup.  Two other companions ordered the meatball sub and spaghetti and meatballs.   The results were underwhelming at best.  This was shopping mall pizza and pasta, nothing more.  Maybe a step up from Balboa's, but not very far.  The Lucy Blue buffet on 7th is still the best deal downtown.

So I have been meaning to mention what I would consider this little gem for a while but finally remembered to bring my camera and have gotten off my lazy bum to get it posted.  I will start off by saying that I am by no means a sushi expert, but I enjoy it when I get it so I can't comment on bad versus good sushi only what my taste buds like.

Kyojin Seafood Buffet
12140 Royal Point Dr
Cincinnati, OH‎ - (513) 683-2628‎


The front of the restaurant.

This little baby is nestled in just back from Fields Ertel Rd right next to what used to be a Circuit City and it can be somewhat hard to see from the road. Their pricing for lunch is 9.95 Mon-Sat and 13.95 on Sun and dinner is 16.95 Mon-Thur and 19.95 Fri-Sun. I have never actually been for the dinner but always for lunch as it is a much better deal.  They have carryout orders as well but I have never actually seen someone do carry out.



They have 2 sections of seafood. One containing mostly sushi and sashimi with a few rolls at the end, and another with just rolls and many different varieties at that. The sushi and sashimi consists of items such as salmon, squid, tuna, shrimp among a few others. The rolls range from your typical California and Avocado to ones that I have not seen elsewhere such as the Boston and Cincinnati rolls. Each one is labeled and has a description of the ingredients so you always know what you are getting.  They have a few things that I particularly like such as an Egg roll which I have never seen before, which is slightly sweet and a Sweet Potato roll that is ever so slightly crunchy.


View of all the different rolls that they have on 1 section.


Plate 1 of 3: Favorites being the Eel Roll, Salmon, Egg Roll, Sweet Potato Roll, Coconut Chicken, Coconut Dumpling, Red Bean Buns.


Close up of an Egg Roll.

They have a hibachi grill where you can get orders done at no extra charge, but I have never actually tried it myself so I can't comment as to the quality behind it. They also have 1 table of hot buffet items that has your typical General Tso's, crab rangoon, pot stickers, rice, lo mein and a few other staples. Most of the items are not good and are far inferior to what you will get elsewhere but there are a few standouts in the Coconut Chicken, Coconut Dumplings, and Red Bean Buns which I think are all fantastic. They have an additional table with a few cold items such as crab salad, smoked fish, mussels, shrimp, and a few others items that have always been fairly fresh when I have gotten them.


Hibachi Grill on the right side of picture and station for rolling sushi to the left behind some salad items.


View from the table that they always sit me at. The hot buffet and cold buffet table.

They have a small salad bar table that I have always looked at but never gotten as I am mainly there for sushi. Most of the items look fresh enough with standard salad bar items with what seems like a lot of fruit mixed in. They have 2 little portions of dessert with a refrigerated case full of the standard Chinese desserts which are usually terrible and a case of ice cream. This is a nice change from typical Chinese buffets that only have soft serve and the mint choc. chip is quite good.


Ice Cream station on it's side!

If you are in the Cinci area and want what I would consider to be good quality sushi it is certainly worth a try and even if you are a serious sushi person it might be worth a try as I don't know how well it compares to other places but I know it serves me well. 

I haven't been on Roadfood a while, but I've got a few pictures from places we've been in the past several months.  First up is Richie's Fast Food Restaurant, which has a few locations in the Cincinnati area.  Despite the name, it's not really a burgers-n-fries type of place.  It's mostly soul food carry out, lots of fried chicken (mild or spicy!), fried fish and accompanying side dishes.  (Cole slaw, potato salad, collard greens, red beans and rice and I forget what else...)

This is the snack platter, two pieces of chicken with broasted potato wedges and a roll.

Most of the time when I get fried chicken in and around the Dayton area, it's a bit underseasoned for my taste.  (I like a lot of pepper and a touch of cayenne.  A lot of places just seem to use oodles of salt.)  I got the spicy version, which was nicely seasoned and not too hot.  I have a pretty good heat tolerance, though.  When we went (early lunch, weekday) the chicken was already cooked and sitting under a hot lamp, which isn't ideal.  But despite that, it was still nice and crisp.  The potato wedges were very tasty, too-- very fluffy on the inside, like eating deep-fried mashed potatoes.  :)

The red beans and rice side order:
 
As you can see, it's quite a small serving but very good.  I could see eating a bowl of this for lunch all by itself, and it'd be especially good in cold weather.

Richie's Fast Food Restaurant
4871 Reading Rd.
Cincinnati

soccer,  I agree on the thumbs up for Kyojin.  It is a buffet with a wide variety of california rolls and sushi.  If you like sushi, it's a really good bargain.

We had lunch at Kyojin yesterday...amazing selections of sushi and other goodies.  If you're a sushi lover, this is a must.  We noticed many people using chopsticks (not us), and I took this as a sign that they know Japanese food.  This is definitely a cut above most buffets.  Interestingly, they had a sign posted that they "have the power" to impose a 30-50% surcharge on diners who waste 5 or more pieces of sushi.  I've seen the horrendous waste at other buffets, and I find it interesting that they forewarn you.  We are not buffet people, but I am looking forward to a return visit here.  I was told by a friend that the set up is the same for dinner, only 2x the price, so the 9.95 lunch is definitely a bargain. 

Guy Fieri's bringing "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" to Cincy in March! Here's the Enquirer piece: http://cincinnati.com/blogs/tv/2010/01/18/where-should-diners-drive-ins-and-dives-visit-here/

Where should he go, folks? Terry's Turf Club is apparently in the running.

I'm thinking Jim Dandy's, New Orleans To Go, and Camp Washington Chili for starters. Shame the Root Beer Stand's not open in March.....

I could well be wrong, but I think Margarita's has gone out of business

The ones downtown?

The Margarita's in Erlanger has been closed for several weeks. What's odd is that all their patio furniture is still out and the temporary banners (happy hour 4-7 and that type of thing) are still up. There appears to be a notice on the front door, but I haven't stopped to see what it says.

As a follow-up to my question above, The Green Plantain is indeed still open. I drove by it last night on the way to/from Jungle Jim's.

My wife and I went to Kinneret Cafe earlier this week, on Plainfield Road near the Galbraith intersection. I have been meaning to try it for months; the CityBeat review was positive, and the prices and corresponding portions sounded more than fair...unlike, say, Andy's Mediterranean Grill. They do not have anywhere near the menu options that Andy's does, however, since they are kosher and primarily vegetarian, with a few fish dishes. We both went with the Mediterranean Plate, which consisted of hummus (excellent), falafel (okay), babaganoush (okay), grape leaves (excellent), Israeli salad (very good), and pita bread (excellent, and the freshest I've ever had).  You can view an image of it at their Web site ( www.kinneretcafe.com ) under the "Israeli Entrees" section.

It was a healthy amount of food for the price. We each had leftovers of hummus, babaganoush, and salad, all of which we took home. Although there was no wait, seating is at a premium (I think they have 8 tables for 4 people each), and parking even more so...there are maybe 6 spots out front. I suppose you could park at the Dillonvale Shopping Center across the street and walk over if necessary. Recommended if you have a taste for Mediterranean food.

TJ Jackson


I could well be wrong, but I think Margarita's has gone out of business

They are toast.  Not surprising since I thought their food was bad and the cleanliness of their restaurants was worse. 
 
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100122/BIZ01/1230330/2-more-stores-close-at-Tower-Place

TJ Jackson


I could well be wrong, but I think Margarita's has gone out of business

I walked past the one on Sixth Street downtown today and it was open for business. "Walked past" are the operative words; you'd have to drag me in to get me to eat there.

soozycue520

Walked by Burrito Joe's on Main St. ~ It has a "For Lease" sign in the window.

According to Polly's blog, this location is already reopening - that was quick! - as a breakfast and lunch spot connected to Bouchard's in the Findlay Market....sounds like this might be quite good.

Link: http://cincinnati.com/blo...010/02/03/coming-soon/

Well, sad to say, but I am done with Capri Tavola

I gave them a lot of chances since they are just a half block away from work, but nothing has worked out. 

I've tried 4-5 different slices, including the white slice, and none have been better than meh.  I've tried two different sandwiches, and the prosciutto/arugula/mozz was at least good but at almost 8 bucks and sized like a half sandwich elsewhere, not worthy of a repeat.   A cup of lobster bisque was near as thin as water and tasted like paste, with nary a bit of lobster in sight.  A chocolate chip cookie I was given as a freebie when my wait was excessive - a nice touch, mind you - tasted no better than store bought and featured an uncooked center.

a few side notes

- I did stop into the new Mr Sushi on 6th between as I heard they also offered yakitori and dumplings and such, but near as i can tell those are only available for dinner, and pricey - 10 bucks for a yakitori stick and 5 bucks for 4 dumplings.  Place was PACKED.

- it looks like the space that used to be NY NY Deli on Sycamore is being remodeled, tho I could not yet tell if they were
putting in an eatery.

- Packzis are available at Servatii's right now, I would imagine at all their locations, but for not much longer

- local blogger GetInMahBelly had a fairly glowing review of Raya's on Court Street.  I was not all that impressed with the gyro I ate there this past summer but after this review I'll have to get back there for a falafel with tahini.  The woman running the place used to work with Ned over at Jordan Valley, very friendly, she's the one who hooked me on tahini in place of tzatziki in the first place

- the chicken wild rice soup at the Elm Street Deli is every bit as good (identical, near as i can tell) as the excellent chicken wild rice soup I enjoyed frequently from the now defunct Tobey's in the Cincinnati Enquirer building back in the late 90's.  The price is about a dollar higher than I'd expect, but the flavor and quality are top notch.

EMAIL
--------------------------------
To: Citybeat
From: TJ Jackson
Date: 2010-02-04
Subject: Review of Campbell's Barn 2010-02-03
--------------------------------

Link: http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-19914-campbells-barn-%28review%29.html

You will note within the body of the review that the writer refers to (and then derides) a post on the website roadfood.com declaring the cobbler at this restaurant to be the best the writer of said post had ever had
 
I was the writer of said post, and I stand by my declaration.
 
Firmly.
 
It has been months since I was last at Campbell’s Barn -- business took me close by several times in the latter half of 2009, but not since -- but I can tell you that every dish we had while there – the fried chicken especially, which the writer turned her nose up to – ranged from good to excellent.
 
Now, she says they do not make their cobbler in house.  If so, thats some sad news for me.  The cobbler I had, the one about which I made my declaration on Roadfood, was undoubtedly homemade.  And excellent. 
 
The specialties of the house are the chicken and the prime rib, both of which she ignored despite the fact that both are highlighted quite clearly as the house specialties (on an admittedly too-big menu), and both are quite good. 
 
I also wonder a bit about the writer’s judgment.  She asked if the cobbler was made in house, was told no, was therefore disappointed as duly noted in the review, but then ordered it anyway?  Why?  She avoided the chicken when it was not prepared in a manner to her exact liking, yet went ahead with a cobbler despite it too not being prepared to her liking?  I don’t buy the 15 minute wait, as it is a 30+ minute drive to even get there, traffic permitting, from Cincinnati
 
Quite frankly, several roadfooders have been to and commented on Campbell’s Barn, as have other members of my family, and I have heard nothing but praise from all these folks for this place. 
 
I don’t doubt that her review was truthful based on her experience on her visit, perhaps colored a bit by unreasonable expectations (any restaurant in a barn setting is REQUIRED to pan fry their fried chicken? why?) but I am also being truthful when I say that her experience was nothing like what I (and others I have spoken with) have experienced.

Sincerely,

TJ Jackson

Talk about timing!  We were at Campbell's Barn today.  Photos and report follow on:


Southwest Ohio and Environs (Open Chat)

[size=2 font=""]The whole scene was a little amusing because I recently read a review of Campbell’s Barn on roadfood.com where the writer “unequivocally” recommended the restaurant and proclaimed its blackberry cobbler “the best I have ever had.”
[font=""]Campbell’s Barn is not the best I have ever had. In fact, I’d like to recommend the Bob Evans across the street.

Hey Diana Day, Your review(personal opinion) was good until you made the above Fly by Night statement. 
 
Challenging another persons review?  What are you, 12 years old?
 

I read the review and she is a tool. First off why didn't she get the chicken? Instead she orders a Prime Salad in a Barn and something called a Rib Steak. She also did not say how she ordered it etc. But she states it came overdone. How thick was it? Deep Fried Chicken in a Deep Fryer in my opinion is usually better than pan or dutch oven fried. As this is not always true I think the deep fryer is far more consistent. The batter, chicken, marinade, and spices used are far more important. While I have not always agreed with TJ his reviews are always fair, well researched, honest etc... His personal taste and likes are different than mine sometime. But I always trust his review....Russ 

I notice that no comments have been posted to that Citybeat article. If someone feels that they have been publicly slighted, post over there or write to the Citybeat editor.

It might mean that outside of us nobody reads it. I also think no matter what she ate she would not have been happy. You can tell by the way she writes. I would like to read some of her other reviews. If not she would have never ordered those items. Ordering a Steak or Prime Rib at a country barn is looking to get disappointed don't you think. Chicken fingers are kids food.

The Barn’s Golden Fried Chicken ~
Hand breaded and cooked to order ~ worth the wait!
4 Piece Dinner ~
breast, wing, leg and a thigh
2 Piece Dinners ~
breast and wing - breast and leg - or breast and thigh
all dark with a thigh and leg
Chicken Liver Dinner ~
An 8oz. serving of seasoned chicken livers with grilled onions
Homestyle Dinners ~
Ham Steak Dinner
J uicy ham steak with pineapple glaze
Countr y Fr ied Por k Chops
Two center cut por k chops fr ied country style, ser ved with gr avy
Open Face Roast Beef
Our tender beef piled high on Texas toast cover ed in br own gr avy
Pan Roasted Ribeye Steak
A 10 oz. cut pan-sear ed and finished in a hunter mushr oom sauce
Countr y Fr ied Steak
Chopped steak br eaded and fr ied, ser ved with white gr avy
Beef Liver
Two slices ser ved with gr illed onions
Meatloaf ~ J ust like Granny Campbell made
Two slices of meatloaf ser ved with our homemade gr avy
Chicken Tender s ~ Top Seller
Four hand br eaded tender s
Not that hungr y? How about two tender s
Chicken Br east
Baked, Cajun or countr y style
Walleye Pike
Car efully hand br eaded and fr ied in a blend of seasonings
Alaskan White Fish
Sautéed with lemon & pepper also available cajun style
 
Here is a copy and paste of the menu...Russ

Another thing is to consider the source.

Citybeat has been the free hippie culture/local entertainment newspaper placed at stands in the entry halls of many local Cincinnati area businesses. And that's about the right price.

Usually I would grab one when I had lunch by myself someplace and peruse it, and in virtually every case I would chuck it in the trash when I was done with it (it always took about 10 minutes, tops.)

A column in this magazine is, IMO, rookie experience for a writer to put on their resume. About at the level of a blog.

My take on the review is that the writer had an agenda and it's an obvious hatchet job in a freebie newspaper. With luck, she will graduate up to ghost writing obituaries. (Note to self: meooow!!! )

Drive on through, nothing to see.

Time for me to eat some crow here.

I've been in communication with the owner of Campbell's Barn since the review came out, and it turns out that the blackberry cobbler is not made in house nor has it ever been.  They buy a frozen product and bake it in-house.

That said, it's still really good, the best frozen cobbler I have ever had :-)

so, onto the crow - I take mine plucked, roasted to medium well, stuffed with sage and mushroom dressing, in a nice chicken stock and white wine sauce reduction.

Sorry TJ, we only boil it in chicken stock (the crow that is).  Hope all is now well up there in the Buckeye State!

TJ Jackson


Time for me to eat some crow here.

I've been in communication with the owner of Campbell's Barn since the review came out, and it turns out that the blackberry cobbler is not made in house nor has it ever been.  They buy a frozen product and bake it in-house.

That said, it's still really good, the best frozen cobbler I have ever had :-)

so, onto the crow - I take mine plucked, roasted to medium well, stuffed with sage and mushroom dressing, in a nice chicken stock and white wine sauce reduction.

Don't feel bad. I am pretty sure that my favorite Coconut Cream Pie @ Roush's is most likely bought out of house, but still is pretty fantastic in my opinion.

http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2009/06/larosas-pizza-cincinnati-ohio-oh-review.html

porkbeaks


http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2009/06/larosas-pizza-cincinnati-ohio-oh-review.html

Like I have always said Cincy is the most Pizza Challenged City I have ever been to. That town is completely blind to Pizza Quality. Its been so long that they don't even know what good Pizza is. The state as a whole is pretty deprived as well. Maybe 5 or 10 good pizzas in the entire state...Russ

Russ Jackson

porkbeaks

http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2009/06/larosas-pizza-cincinnati-ohio-oh-review.html

Like I have always said Cincy is the most Pizza Challenged City I have ever been to. That town is completely blind to Pizza Quality. Its been so long that they don't even know what good Pizza is.

I am unsure how the quality of LaRosa's pizza (from a 8 month old article already discussed here when it was a CURRENT article) relates to the quality of all pizza in Cincinnati.  

Mind you, I'm not a fan of LaRosa's myself......I just fail to see the connection here.

One can find bad pizza in any city or region.  Any.  That does not in turn mean that all pizzas in said city or region are bad.

Russ Jackson
That town is completely blind to Pizza Quality. Its been so long that they don't even know what good Pizza is.

Pretty broad generalization there, to put it mildly.  I dont think this is a fair or accurate statement, as stated.

As always this is just my opinion. Not being a Cincy Native from birth maybe it is my taste spectrum that is out of line. I know many people that find LaRosa's, Cassanos, and Papa John's excellent Pizza. Personally I just cant find the attraction. I can't think of one Chicago Style I like in the entire state nor can I think of more than a couple traditional style ones I like. Even the one location places serve poor renditions. Our office in Hebron Ky gets all excited when we order LaRosa's and I just do not get it. Other areas of cuisine the Cincy area is tops in its class but when it comes to Pizza I am lost...Russ
 
Pizza isn't that tough. Quality Mozzarella, Fresh Made Dough, Quality Fresh Toppings, Good Canned Tomatoes, Real Parmesan Reggiano Cheese, Thick Pepperoni, Premium Olive Oil, and a Really Hot Oven. And most of all someone that cares about what he is doing. Have you ever looked at the Face of someone eating a great piece of Pizza? Its Awesome! Any fool can throw some canned sauce on some biscuit dough and sell three large for 8 dollars. You do it right and you can change someones life.
 
I remember the first time I had great pizza and where it was bought. Midtown Pizza in Plymouth Michigan 1972. It was wrapped in brown paper and the two Pizzas were handled with one diagonal to the other so it wouldn't crush the one below. When the paper was torn a plume of steam permeated the room. The smell was amazing. You could smell the garlic. My Father Smiled. The small perfectly round pepperonis each had a small pool of grease in them. My Father warned us that the Cheese was very hot. I took a bite and the Hot Lava cheese removed a layer of skin from the roof of my mouth. I Did not care. The salt from the parmesan cheese dusting was euphoric. I continued eating the folded triangle until i reached the air pocket shiny outer crust. I stacked the crusts on the plate to eat after the pizza was gone. I had four pieces and could have eaten more. But it was gone all too soon. I can still see the oil stains on the brown paper wrapping  in my mind today like it was yesterday. From that point on I understood quality food and I was a different person.  I was 11 years old and it was winter time. I cant remember just about anything from 1986 but I remember a Pizza I had in an alley in Harvard Square Ma. Hell I can still smell it. Few things in this world are better than Great Pizza. So sad most of Ohio will never really experience it?

Hey folks,  New guy here.  I've been reading the forums here for a while and finally took the plunge and signed up for an account so I could grace you all with my unerring opinions.  Ha ha.  I know Russ J and NYPizza Nut will claim that there's no such thing as good pizza in OH (outside of Troni's of course, an opinon I've yet to verify).  But I'll agree with TJJ, who, from what I've read can be a little cantankerous, that wholesale write offs don't serve anyone.   I lived in Cincinnati for about 8 years and was not a big fan of LaRosa's.  I literally lived on Adriatico's (when it was on Jefferson) for a number of those years.  I wonder if it's still good and garlicky??  Then after 10 years in Chicago I returned to Ohio and I'll be damned if I didn't grow a soft spot for that sweet LaRosa's sauce on my return.  But I still don't go out of my way to go there.  But I think Dewey's Green Lantern is pizza nirvana.  Far from traditional but still damn tasty.  I'm also incredible fond of Ha Ha Pizza here in Yellow Springs.  I'm sure donw6789 is rolling his eyes and preparing to slam the crazy left wing liberal tree hugging hippie pizza!!  As you can see I've read quite a bit and even know a bit about the personalities out here.  Please be advised I'm just teasing y'all a bit.  Please take no offense as I've learned a lot from reading all of your comments.   I look forward to joining the lively conversations on this thread, Russ's thread (if it;s still active) and NYP's thread.  Without you guys I'd never have known about Tacqueria Mixteca and I love that place!  OK, that's enough for now.  Hope to be posting more soon.  Cheers!

RantoulDavis


Hey folks,  New guy here.  I've been reading the forums here for a while and finally took the plunge and signed up for an account so I could grace you all with my unerring opinions.  Ha ha.  I know Russ J and NYPizza Nut will claim that there's no such thing as good pizza in OH (outside of Troni's of course, an opinon I've yet to verify).  But I'll agree with TJJ, who, from what I've read can be a little cantankerous, that wholesale write offs don't serve anyone.   I lived in Cincinnati for about 8 years and was not a big fan of LaRosa's.  I literally lived on Adriatico's (when it was on Jefferson) for a number of those years.  I wonder if it's still good and garlicky??  Then after 10 years in Chicago I returned to Ohio and I'll be damned if I didn't grow a soft spot for that sweet LaRosa's sauce on my return.  But I still don't go out of my way to go there.  But I think Dewey's Green Lantern is pizza nirvana.  Far from traditional but still damn tasty.  I'm also incredible fond of Ha Ha Pizza here in Yellow Springs.  I'm sure donw6789 is rolling his eyes and preparing to slam the crazy left wing liberal tree hugging hippie pizza!!  As you can see I've read quite a bit and even know a bit about the personalities out here.  Please be advised I'm just teasing y'all a bit.  Please take no offense as I've learned a lot from reading all of your comments.   I look forward to joining the lively conversations on this thread, Russ's thread (if it;s still active) and NYP's thread.  Without you guys I'd never have known about Tacqueria Mixteca and I love that place!  OK, that's enough for now.  Hope to be posting more soon.  Cheers!

Welcome to the forums! Don't feel bad I lurked around for quite some time as well before getting more involved and took a hiatus for a few months.

More power to you if you like Ha Ha Pizza, but man the 2 times I have ever gotten pizza there I couldn't even finish an entire slice, maybe to my tastebuds trying to make "healthier" pizza just isn't appealing at all regardless of how healthy I normally eat. 

RantoulDavis
I'm also incredible fond of Ha Ha Pizza here in Yellow Springs.  I'm sure donw6789 is rolling his eyes and preparing to slam the crazy left wing liberal tree hugging hippie pizza!!  As you can see I've read quite a bit and even know a bit about the personalities out here.  Please be advised I'm just teasing y'all a bit.

Lol, yeah, that was me.

Nah, I really like Yellow Springs, I just rag on the predictable political and cultural bent there. YS is very mellow compared to the rest of the tri-state.

I got the whole wheat crust at Ha Hah. It was just ok, not even as "delectable" as (even) LaRosa's and the crust was not very good. I got there just after they closed the buffet so I had to order a la carte, and I didn't think the wait person I had treated me very well at all. I got the buffet years ago there and I liked it OK. I think the clue to a good experience in a kid oriented joint like that is to not depend the staff for anything.

donw9876

RantoulDavis
I'm also incredible fond of Ha Ha Pizza here in Yellow Springs.  I'm sure donw6789 is rolling his eyes and preparing to slam the crazy left wing liberal tree hugging hippie pizza!!  As you can see I've read quite a bit and even know a bit about the personalities out here.  Please be advised I'm just teasing y'all a bit.

Lol, yeah, that was me.

Nah, I really like Yellow Springs, I just rag on the predictable political and cultural bent there. YS is very mellow compared to the rest of the tri-state.

I got the whole wheat crust at Ha Hah. It was just ok, not even as "delectable" as (even) LaRosa's and the crust was not very good. I got there just after they closed the buffet so I had to order a la carte, and I didn't think the wait person I had treated me very well at all. I got the buffet years ago there and I liked it OK. I think the clue to a good experience in a kid oriented joint like that is to not depend the staff for anything.

A few tips from a "homer" should you decide to give Ha Ha another shot.
1. Avoid the wheat crust.  It just doesn't belong in a pizza.  Too sweet.  And their white crust is one of their strengths IMO.  It has some herbs mixed into it.  I've heard purists complain about that as well.  I love it.
2. Never order sausage.  One of my pizza faves is sausage and banana peppers.  Got it there once.  It was turkey sausage.  Never again.
3. Service can be spotty and turn around time can be slow.  It's hard to keep all those orders straight when the staff is so high..  Don't go if you are in a hurry.  While the salad bar is pretty rockin' I usually get it to go.  I live about a two minute, if that, walk from the restaurant.

The only problems I've had with them lately (new owners in the last few years, the original owner sold out to a long term employee) is that I had a pie or two where the sauce was a little light.  That's a drag since I love their proprietary, made-fresh daily, sauce.   Lately it's been spot on.  They were also skimping on ingredients for a while and the "handle" crust was getting bigger.  They seem to have worked that issue out.

We do order things other than pepperoni.  My son likes cheese & garlic and my daughter likes black olives, and occasionally spinach and tomatoes, and my wife likes Hawaiian pie with onion.  All are quite good.  But they have a few ingredients, "healthy ones" that I regularly avoid.

I should probably be having this conversation over in the SW Ohio thread.  Yellow Springs is a bit outside of the Cincinnati/NKY area.    Speaking of that area, how do y'all like Walt's Hitching Post down on Kyle's Lane for ribs? 

Please move this conversation about pizza in Dayton to another thread, as this thread is about eats in Greater Cincinnati

Russ Jackson


As always this is just my opinion. Not being a Cincy Native from birth maybe it is my taste spectrum that is out of line. I know many people that find LaRosa's, Cassanos, and Papa John's excellent Pizza. Personally I just cant find the attraction. I can't think of one Chicago Style I like in the entire state nor can I think of more than a couple traditional style ones I like. Even the one location places serve poor renditions. Our office in Hebron Ky gets all excited when we order LaRosa's and I just do not get it. Other areas of cuisine the Cincy area is tops in its class but when it comes to Pizza I am lost...Russ
 
Pizza isn't that tough. Quality Mozzarella, Fresh Made Dough, Quality Fresh Toppings, Good Canned Tomatoes, Real Parmesan Reggiano Cheese, Thick Pepperoni, Premium Olive Oil, and a Really Hot Oven. And most of all someone that cares about what he is doing. Have you ever looked at the Face of someone eating a great piece of Pizza? Its Awesome! Any fool can throw some canned sauce on some biscuit dough and sell three large for 8 dollars. You do it right and you can change someones life.
 
I remember the first time I had great pizza and where it was bought. Midtown Pizza in Plymouth Michigan 1972. It was wrapped in brown paper and the two Pizzas were handled with one diagonal to the other so it wouldn't crush the one below. When the paper was torn a plume of steam permeated the room. The smell was amazing. You could smell the garlic. My Father Smiled. The small perfectly round pepperonis each had a small pool of grease in them. My Father warned us that the Cheese was very hot. I took a bite and the Hot Lava cheese removed a layer of skin from the roof of my mouth. I Did not care. The salt from the parmesan cheese dusting was euphoric. I continued eating the folded triangle until i reached the air pocket shiny outer crust. I stacked the crusts on the plate to eat after the pizza was gone. I had four pieces and could have eaten more. But it was gone all too soon. I can still see the oil stains on the brown paper wrapping  in my mind today like it was yesterday. From that point on I understood quality food and I was a different person.  I was 11 years old and it was winter time. I cant remember just about anything from 1986 but I remember a Pizza I had in an alley in Harvard Square Ma. Hell I can still smell it. Few things in this world are better than Great Pizza. So sad most of Ohio will never really experience it?

Ah the memories you evoke.  I am with you all the way about great pizza and the way it should be made and taste like.  I do not remember my first slice of pizza - I guess I always assumed pizza was food from heaven and would always be that way.

Bangkok Express on Court Street (formally Tan Thai) is offering their pad thai (reg 6.95 for chicken, more for other proteins) at a dollar off every Tuesday.  Had it yesterday, and it was very good.

and.....Lots of updates from Polly today

First, Javier's on Walnut closed.  This does not surprise me, as I gave it chance after chance and never got a good burrito there.    Always a place I really, really wanted to like - but never did.
http://cincinnati.com/blo...0/02/24/adios-javiers/

Second, the new Rising Roll in Blue Ash that was talked about in this thread a few times, has closed.  There are also some other misc updates in this piece
http://cincinnati.com/blo...g/2010/02/24/round-up/

TJ Jackson
Second, the new Rising Roll in Blue Ash was talked about in this thread a few times, has closed.

Holy crap, that was quick. See this article: http://www.risingroll.com...nn_enquirer_011909.pdf

It only opened last spring. Less than a year. And with glowing reviews. I was gonna try it the next time I was down there.

Sheez.

IF you had to pick between Goodies bbq and Pit to Plate.  which would you pick? Have not been to either. The family wants to hit a place we havent been yet. Those or I guess even Boston Butts if anyone has tried that places yet?

I have been to all 3 and I like Goodies the best - especially their rib tips.  And their sides are fantastic, especially their red beans and rice.  I crave those two dishes of theirs as much as the po' boys at NOTG, and their wonderful soups and sides.

baughman


IF you had to pick between Goodies bbq and Pit to Plate.  which would you pick? Have not been to either. The family wants to hit a place we havent been yet. Those or I guess even Boston Butts if anyone has tried that places yet?

I have only been to Goodies and Pit to Plate one time each, and I wasn't too impressed with either one overall. I would give the edge to Pit to Plate for meat quality, and to Goodies for side dishes. I found the rib tips at Goodies to be very fatty and chewy, whereas the ones at Jim Dandy's, which I often get for lunch, are nothing of the sort. Pit to Plate, meanwhile, had very good brisket, but very lackluster sides.

The Pit to Plate building decor also has a bit more character, if that makes a difference to you. Goodies strikes me as a bit too "sterile" for a BBQ place...but, of course, it is about the food first and foremost. 

we ended up going to Pit to PLate, since my wife was scared to go to goodies. Find out something new about my wife everyday. lol. guess more sad then lol.
  I still have yet to find good brisket in cinci. The brisket was way to dry and chewy. Pork was ok. Pork tends to be easier to get right tho it seems. Havent had bad pork yet. Ribs were good but way over smoked. everyones mac and cheese was cold.
  Family has said we wont go back. Nobody liked anything beyond me with the ribs and collard greens.
  Looks like I will have to take the trip by myself down to goodies. Everyone said I have to scout out bbq by myself from now on anyways. Since we keep running into bad or mediocre bbq when ever we go as a family.
 
 
guess If I would give ratings
 
pork 6/10
brisket 3/10
ribs 7/10
 
 
 

Haven't been around for a bit, but glad to see you all are still up to no good ;)

Just wanted to add to the Northside spots for the folks looking for something on the West Side:
Take the Cake Cafe


It's over there in that Honey, Melt area and serves similar grub, but done very well. It was once just a bakery (and their baked stuff is fab), but the things they are serving for lunch and Sunday Brunch are truly divine. I highly recommend the sausage gravy over biscuits on Sundays (homemade biscuits and the gravy uses Kroeger & Sons from Findlay), but get there early. When they are out, they are out. 

With temperatures up locally to a sweltering 30F, and with clear skies and sun, I decided it was time to actually get out for lunch today.  I headed north, figuring I'd find one of the two new food trucks (Cafe de Wheels or Senor Roy's taco truck) somewhere up around 10th street or Central parkway, with the gyro joint on Court as my backup if I couldn't find them.  I found Cafe de Wheels at Court and Walnut, and so my lunch destination was set

Website: http://cafedewheels.com/Page1.html

There were about 5 people in line, which indicated they've started building up a following, a good sign despite the fact that it'd mean a wait.  I ordered a "Cincinnati" Cuban (6.50) and a order of sweet potato fries (3.00).  I don't normally spend 9.50 on lunch, but I wanted to try a couple things, so I made the exception

While me and a small crowd waited, I saw a small delivery sent out via segway messenger.  Interesting.  Per the website, they only do segway deliveries on Thursday.

Bottom line on the food, three words.  Small, expensive, (damn) good.

Ok, so that was 4 words.

The sweet potato fries were among the best I have had yet - thin cut, crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and well seasoned.  Better even that the very good ones at New Orleans to Go.  Savory, not sweet.  I ate these straight out of the bag as i walked back to the office, only intending to sample them while hot but as good as they were I finished them before I got halfway back.  On the other hand, you'd figure for 3 bucks you'd get a fairly large order, but I got about as much fries as a Dollar menu order of fries at McDonalds.  Definitely wanted more of these.

The Cuban was also fairly small, but was very, very good.   Can't vouch for authenticity, as I have never had what I'd consider a real cuban sandwich, but this was pressed, on good slightly chewy bread, and the fillings were excellent tho sparse.  I'm fairly certain an authentic cuban never includes grilled onions, but it worked well on this sandwich.  It retained good heat in it's wrapping on my 7 block walk back to work.

I hope on my next visit, hopefully soon, they will still have the grilled cheese and chili special (6.00) available. 

Here's some links to other folks thoughts on Cafe De Wheels:
http://cincinnati.com/blo.../14/burgers-on-wheels/
http://www.cincinnatiread...02/cafe-de-wheels.html
http://cincinnatinomerati...12/cafe-de-wheels.html
http://whatiatethisweek.com/blog/?p=958

(I can confirm my cuban was smaller - with the pork sliced much more thinly - than the ones pictured on the cincinnatinomerati and whatiatethisweek entries.  More specifically - same bread, but less of the fillings)

UPDATE 20100311: I stopped back in today and found out a few things.  First, I asked if they cut their own fries, and they answered no, but assured me they were awesome nonetheless.  Having had the sweet potato fries before, I didnt need to be convinced.  Second,  I ordered the chili, and they told me they hadn't made any and were taking it off the menu because it wasn't selling.  However, they will add a soup of the day and their chili might occasionally make it's return in that fashion.  They also are pushing couple of new items - a philly cheesesteak sandwich but replacing the steak with sliced portabella mushrooms, and an Avril grilled brat.  I ended up ordering a Wheel's grilled cheese (grilled cheese plus pulled pork and grilled onions) and it was solidly good.  I keep hearing how good the burger is, and as soon as the weather brightens up enough to sit down and eat nearby (I am a big believer that burgers dont travel well, and I have a 7 block walk back) I will be getting that.

UPDATE 20100406: Got the portabella philly sans mayo, lettuce, and tomato, and it was excellent; and of course the sweet potato fries which I now believe I am addicted to.  Outstanding lunch.

UPDATE 20100510: Sometime last week when the weather was nice, I stopped by for their burger, finally.  Very good, not a contender for the best in town, but one of the best downtown.   Accompanied by those awesome but expensive sweet potato fries, as always.

New sandwich joint scheduled to open downtown on April 1.  Looks like it will be in the old Lazy Gourmet/NY NY Deli location between 4th and 5th.  Sounds interesting, but to quote one of the bloggers below, if it is pricey it won't last.

http://cincinnati.com/blo...010/03/08/wicked-wich/

I got held up by mid afternoon meetings, and when I got out to lunch at just before 2, and hoofed it up to where the Cafe de Wheels was parked, they had already shut down for the day

Moral of the story - get to Cafe de Wheels early or not at all

So I ended up at Raya's on Court Steet, where I had had a average-tasting gyro a year or so back, thinking I would sample the falafel that had gotten such a glowing review on local blog GetInMahBelly (http://getinmahbelly.blog...anese-restaurant.html)

Oh my lord - it is absolutely wonderful

I am still very much a falafel newbie, but I know what I like, and this was extremely tasty and held up well on the 8 block trudge back to my workspace

If you like falafel, -or- if you are thinking about trying one out for the first time, I highly recommend you get the falafel at Rayas

UPDATE 20100311: For sake of comparison, I picked up a falafel at the Elm Street Diner (despite the name, this is a gyro/falafel/kabab joint, with a few american staples thrown in) and then walked to Raya's for another of hers.  A two falafel lunch.  Now Raya had warned me the bread was not as fresh today, and despite that, I ate every bit of hers and only two bites of the one from Elm Street.  Elm Street's falafel balls are dense, heavy, and virtually flavorless.  Rayas are light, crunchy, and full of flavor.  Also, Elm Street does not have tahini.   No comparison, Raya's is the best, at least for downtown.  (Aside: I need to check to see if Mythos does a falafel) 

UPDATE 20100405: I worked my way through the crowds downtown for the Cincinnati Red's opening day to get to Raya's for the falafel again, and I was once again well rewarded for my efforts.  If there is a better falafel in Cincinnati, I would love to try it.  If you can make it there for lunch, please come support this underdog of a local eatery.

So after much talk about Country Inn chicken down in Mt Orab. The family and I made the 40 minutes drive out there today. I realised it just opened in the new location , but it was a good sign that at 2pm the parking lot was pretty full. A good 10-12 tables were full when we went in. The place is pretty big now. Just by looking around it looked like 14 or so booths, and 10 tables or so.
   I saw chicken livers on the menu and had to cover it up since I am an innards fan. I came to try the chicken since Campbells barn has failed me the last cpl times I have been.
   Now I must say I was won over as soon as I got to the salad bar and saw Bread and Butter pickles on it. I could have paid the money and just gorged on those. Standard canned Pickles but dang I love them.
   AS for the chicken the meat was juicy as all get out. Plus the skin, well lets just put it this way. My wife hates fried chicken and she ate half the skin off my 3 pieces of chicken.
  Skin was def the highlight of the meal.  Standard home cooked food is all over the menu.
 I would put this chicken in my top 3 in cinci now. Reminded me a bit of the old IGAs chicken in Blanchester which is a good thing.
   Wife and kids got breakfast which was big and cheap. The menu wont break your bank at all. We spent 29.08 for four of us.
   Bonus was the sweet tea was top top also.
 
 I would drive out there agian for the chicken.

I was at Cafe' de Wheels today at 1:30pm. I got cut from work early and got a burger, cuban & sweet potato fries to take home. I must say, the burger was EXCELLENT!! I ate the burger & fries when I got home, and I just ate half of the cuban. The pork was thick sliced today, and the ham is really good, but I think it's kinda dry.

I tried Raya's last Saturday. I got the combination plate with baba ghannoush, tabouleh, hummus & falafel with pita. For @ $7, it was a great deal, and a lot of food. I thought the falafel was great, as well.

This past Saturday, I tried the Senate, and I don't know if it was late or what, but we ordered the trailer park dog, and the toppings (american cheese, bacon & cole slaw) were so scant, you couldn't tell any of it was on the dog. The hot dog was a good quality beef dog, and was huge, but at $9, I expected more topping, or at least be able to taste them. Got duck fat fries and they were delish. It was my first time trying them. We also shared the grilled cheese with pork belly. The pork belly was shredded and just not good. I was expecting more like bacon, not bland pulled pork. It was also supposed to have avocado on it, but didn't.

This restaurant totes itself as "gourmet street food". It was very expensive and didn't live up to my expectations.

The next night we went to Nada for the first time. LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this place. The chips & salsa are awesome. I had chicken taquitos and mac & cheese. It was all excellent.

And, yes, I've eaten out a lot recently. With the warmer weather, I have no desire to cook.