WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat)

We just had dinner at Pera's Mediteranian in Mt. lookout Sq. Very, very good Mediterrainian food. We got the sampler appetizer platter...great hummus and tabbouleh, and a few other things, like stuffed grape leaves, all served with warm pita. We also had the platter for two, with basmati rice, lamb chops, shish kebab, garnished with tzastiki sauce. Very good and reasonably priced. We were one of 4 tables on a Saturday night. This place is great and serves food we're supposed to be eating. Anyone else had experiences here? I'd go again in a heartbeat.

Hello forum, long time lurker here... back in Cincy after a 9 year absence.
 
This weekend I ate twice at the same restaurant - it's called Copper Blue in Milford, located on Route 28 as head into the center of town.  This location was a Friendly's many years ago.
 
Their turkey BLT was awesome with thick slices of bacon on Texas Toast (warm, not cold).  The crown jewel though was a pulled pork sandwich topped with slaw, fried egg, and hand cut fries.  The salads and scratch made dressings are great too.  The owners are Cincinnati locals, and opening this restaurant was their dream. You can tell that a lot of love goes into this food.  They are quickly developing a loyal following there in Milford.  Stop in you won't be disappointed.
 
 
 

Thanks TJ for teh NOTG update.  I sw that in Polly Campbell's blog and forgot to mentally note it.
 
 

Bonk


The owner ran pizza places in the Pittsburgh area years ago and clearly knows what he's doing. Highly recommended for late-night chow.

And thus why it is the bar/pizza joint  of choice for local "Steeler backers" on Sundays during NFL season. And trust me, it's a zoo on those days.
 
In the sad new catagory,   Empress Chili on the westdside on Rapid Run pk. has closed. It was one of the parlors done on the roadfood  Cliff and Donald orchestrated chili crawl years ago.
There are still several locations of Empress Chili around (I prefer the Vine St. Hatrtwell location) and you can still find it in the frozen section of your grocer's market in tubs if in Cincy.
 
 
 

I have been to the new pizza joint on Mainstrasse in Covington - Goodfellas - three times over the past week
 
This is not to be confused with the Good Fellows that Bonk and JJR are talking, nor with the old Godfathers chain, nor Roc-a-fellas in Sharonville (and i believe also in Mason)
 
They make a truly excellent and authentic ny style pizza and sell it by the slice for 3 bucks apiece.  This would seem a bit high until you learn the slices are cut from a 22 inch pie.  Yes, you read that right - 22 inches.  They have a display counter for their slices that holds 6 of these pies, so whereas some places will sell a slice, here, this is their focus.
 
The choice of toppings is not the largest I have seen, but is far better than average = all the usual suspects plus things like artichoke, steak, sun dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, ricotta, cheddar, and more.  They charge the same price per topping, so if you are a fan of 'gourmet' toppings but don't like paying the gourmet prices, this is the place for you.  I will say the sausage they use - sliced, not chunked - looks great on the slice but has a very mild flavor, so skip this if you (like me) prefer a more flavorful protein.  On the other hand the pepperoni was good, and the sun dried tomatoes were piled on generously.
 
The crust is just about perfect - super thin on the inner crust with plenty of chew, and a nicey airy outer crust with a little char and great hole structure.  Although they use a very new gas fired deck over, it is brick lined and the crust is baked directly on the deck, so the bottom crust usually gets some better than average browing, sometimes even a little charring.   The cheese is good quality and a bit salty, which I like.  If I had to pick a weak spot, it'd be the sauce, which is good, not sweet at all, but could use a little more italian herbs and garlic to give it a bit more punch. 
 
I almost didn't give it a try because it is actually part of a Lexington based chain, but there are only three locations so we're not talking Dominos here, nor even Angilos. 
 
This place is worth a special trip, imho, just to try it; and I will be updating this entry in the near future once I try a few of their sandwiches and the calzone.
 
I am very, very surprised by the 78% on Urbanspoon right now - possibly the other pizza joints on that same block are piling on in the comments?  http://www.urbanspoon.com...las-Pizzeria-Covington

Sounds great!

After about nine months of posting "coming soon" signs, Chicago Gyros in Clifton has closed to move across the street. I walked into the new place and they said they'd be re-opening there in about two weeks.
 
Looks like they're adding hot dogs and Italian beef to their menu.
 
Too bad I had my heart set on a gyro there today and wasn't able to get my fix.

I've been away for a while (like 9 years)  Where are the best pizza pies in Cincy these days? 

DwayneB

I've been away for a while (like 9 years)  Where are the best pizza pies in Cincy these days? 

 
Oh, no. Not again....
 
Think Kettering, not Cincinnati. Think Albanian, not Italian.
 
I'll get out of the way now.

*laffing at Donw*
 
I current favor 4 Cincinnati pizza joints for thin crust pizza
 
In no particular order: Brooklyn Pizza and Pasta on Montgomery Road, Deweys (any location), Cosmic Pizza in Hartwell, and Goodfellas in Covington's Mainstrasse
 
In the stuffed/deep dish category, I like Mios (any location) and Bourbon House in Florence

Welcome, DwayneB. :)
 
Is Bourbon House still there? If so I totally agree.
 
There are a couple of parking lot food set-ups out east recently that I've tried.
 
Pa's BBQ is on Beechmont Ave. in Anderson Twp. in the parking lot of Ameristop. It's not Eli's but it's not bad either. It's a one-man operation (he's a retiree and a really nice guy), and his ribs are pretty darn good.
 
On weekends there a Vienna hot dog stand that's set up in the parking lot in front of O'Neal's, right next to the former Red Chopsticks, also on Beechmont in Anderson. $3 a dog, and any time it's a Vienna dog it's going to be good.

Poppy seeded buns, Bonk?
 
Fluorescent green relish?

Haha, no poppy seed buns.
 
Everyone scratches their heads when I tell them this, but I get Vienna hot dogs plain or with just mustard. I want to taste the hot dog. I can get all that other stuff anywhere.
 
 

I have not been here, so I cannot vouch for the quality, but it sounds promising. The neighborhood is changing, so he may well have a good chance. When I go for take out, I will let you all know!!
 
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120721/ENT01/307210081/Clifton-BBQ-restaurant-offers-healthy-choices

Last night I tried Brooklyn's Pizza and Pasta on Montgomery Road and it was a good New York style pizza that seemed pretty authentic.  Only reason to ding them was that my crust was a little scorched in the center, but ingredient quality was outstanding, and sauce and cheese were fantastic. 

soozycue520

 I have not been here, so I cannot vouch for the quality, but it sounds promising.

 
We went to the original location about a year ago thanks to a Groupon, but never went back due to the location itself (which, while not too inconvenient for us, was in a terrible part of town and not particularly inviting inside or out). We quite enjoyed the turkey tips and mac and cheese, but the baked beans were too sweet and too runny for my taste. He does a good sauce as well. I'm glad to see that he has moved up to nicer digs, and we will be back as a result.
 
I promised some thoughts on Django Western Taco in Northside, but I think I need to make a return trip first, as the menu has been downsized and altered a bit from our initial visit. (The menu images on Yelp reflect the updated menu.) I will say that I was a bit annoyed that everything was a la carte (including the toppings for the tacos), and I was not blown away or even particularly impressed by anything but the queso chorizo dip, which is the best queso dip I have had anywhere.

Bonk

Everyone scratches their heads when I tell them this, but I get Vienna hot dogs plain or with just mustard. I want to taste the hot dog. I can get all that other stuff anywhere.

Same for me - just mustard, and an extra pickle spear, please!  Although I eat the pickles separately and not as part of the dog.
 
Brad

The earlier mentioned Say Cheese at the Riverside Antique Mall on Kellogg looks closed. Looks like (yet) another restaurant is going in. Talked to somebody there, and she was vague; "we're just turnin' it into a bar and grill."

Tried Strong's Brick Oven Pizza last night. Closed on Mondays. Husband was not amused.

jmckee


The earlier mentioned Say Cheese at the Riverside Antique Mall on Kellogg looks closed. Looks like (yet) another restaurant is going in. Talked to somebody there, and she was vague; "we're just turnin' it into a bar and grill."

 
I swear either one of my posts about this was deleted or I'm losing my mind and just thought I posted about it. Maybe both.
 
I went there a couple of weeks ago and it looked closed. Sign was gone as well. I was sad. 

We ended up at the Green Derby as we wanted to walk to the Reds game. What a blast from the past. The best was the French fried eggplant which was almost like what we'd remembered from the storied F&N. Derby salad was good too ; sweet and sour dressing with bacon atop shredded iceberg lettuce, although cabbage would have been better, IMHO. Inexpensive dinner, and we walked to the game. We'll try Strong's another night.

I'll be spending my weekend down in Cincinnati working in a brewery north of downtown. I'm staying up in Blue Ash.
Looking for dinner recomendations. And, yes, I've gone back a ways on this thread but have found several dead links.
So; northern area, don't care for chains, tried the chili a couple of times already and just looking for nice casual places for dinner. (prefer somewhere with a bar as i"m traveling solo & hate to sit at a table alone)

I'm not much on bars so I will be no help there, but
 
For a nice ny-style pastrami sandwich, matzo ball soup, blitnzes, knish, etc etc - Rascal's Deli
 
I really like the pizza at Brooklyn Pizza and Pasta on Montgomery Road
 
You should stop just once at the Root Beer Stand in Sharonville for some root beer
 
Tho I've not been there, lot of folks really love Smoque in Springdale, which is about 3-4 miles west of your location off I-275.  Pretty sure they have a bar.
 
If Smoque is not too far out of your way, on that same road but a little south is my favorite Thai restaurant in town - Tan Thai.  Make sure you get Tan Thai and not the copycat that has sprung up next door

You will be hard-pressed to find a non-chain casual place with a bar in the Blue Ash area. Off the top of my head, the only one I can think of is The Firehouse Grill (formerly Apsara) at Reed Hartman and Lake Forest Drive, but I've never been.
 
SmoQ is a good recommendation, about a 10 minute drive west from where you will be. Also, if you head east on Kemper Road into northern Montgomery, there are a number of choices as well. Silver Spring House (primarily known for their chicken) is at the corner of Kemper and Snider, and deSha's (which has a large casual bar area and a fairly extensive alcohol selection) is on Montgomery just south of Kemper, next to Dewey's Pizza. We also enjoy The Korea House across the street from there (in the small strip "behind" Buffalo Wild Wings).

SMOQ has a bar and the best ribs tips in town and a lot more:
 
http://smoqbbq.com/index.html
 
Motorcyle cop training groups dine there regularly.

Wound up over at the Firehouse Grill this evening. Excellent recomendation. It was just what I was looking for. Thanks. 
Anything else in the area similar? I don't mind driving for a bit... half an hour or so as long as I don't wind up downtown where I never can figure out where to park....

Based on Firehouse's menu and drink selection, I think deSha's might be a good fit. It shouldn't take you more than 15 minutes to get there, and you wouldn't even need to get on the interstate if you took Kemper Road east the entire way. It has multiple drinking and dining areas, and the more casual bar/dining section is to the right.

InCahoots. I have eaten there and it was great, but I know they have changed chefs since I was there. It is in a strip mall by K-Mart and Kroger, but don't hold that against the place.
http://www.incahootsohio.com/

Also, here are a couple of places I cannot vouch for, since I have never been, but I know they have a bar.
 
Sammy's Gourmet Burgers and Beer gets pretty good reviews on Urbanspoon (which you should also check out http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/32/Cincinnati-restaurants.html).
http://www.sammysnow.com/
 
Slatt's Pub
http://www.slattspub.com/
 
Parker's Blue Ash Tavern
http://www.selectrestaurants.com/parkersblue/dev/placeholder.php
 
I know you have tried the chili, but Blue Ash Chili is the only chili parlor I know of that serves alcohol.
http://www.blueashchili.com/

soozycue520



I know you have tried the chili, but Blue Ash Chili is the only chili parlor I know of that serves alcohol.
http://www.blueashchili.com/

Price Hill Chili on Glenway serves alcohol too Soozeycue.
 
And just to bring it up, Chicago Gyro in Clifton is now open for business.  I stopped in on Friday while I was waiting for food at Deep India as I had a Indian hankerin' I got my gryo fix to boot.  LOL

zippypinhead


Wound up over at the Firehouse Grill this evening. Excellent recomendation. It was just what I was looking for. Thanks. 
Anything else in the area similar? I don't mind driving for a bit... half an hour or so as long as I don't wind up downtown where I never can figure out where to park....

 
I haven't been there, but I've heard really good things about the food at Logo's Sports Bar on Blue Ash Rd. A little more blue collar than most places in that area, but not at all a rough crowd.
 
I'd recommend Chester's Pizza on Rt. 4 about 20 minutes away, but they're carry-out only.

jjjrfoodie

soozycue520



I know you have tried the chili, but Blue Ash Chili is the only chili parlor I know of that serves alcohol.
http://www.blueashchili.com/

Price Hill Chili on Glenway serves alcohol too Soozeycue.

And just to bring it up, Chicago Gyro in Clifton is now open for business.  I stopped in on Friday while I was waiting for food at Deep India as I had a Indian hankerin' I got my gryo fix to boot.  LOL

 
That is good news. Did you notice if they added Italian beef to their menu? I know they said they were getting Vienna hot dogs but I can't remember if they were going to start doing beef sandwiches.

Maybe I went to SmoQ on an off night.... it seemed like "Generica BBQ" kinda like a "McRibs" joint.
It was okay but nothing I would go out of my way for.
And, although I was the only person at the bar for most of my stay, the bartender seemed to be too busy to pay any attention to me or anyone else that sat down. (One guy walked out after about ten minutes of being ignored)
Like I said, maybe an off night for the place. The leftovers did make for a good breakfast at 5:30am though...

Sorry to hear of it.  I have not been there myself yet but many others who opinions I respect rave about the place

Sounds like he did not get either the rib tips or the fried okra, both of which are like manna from heaven.

Just Q'in is on the move again. They're moving back to Valley Street in Newtown. As I found when I went on the website to look up the menu for this evening's dinner at my house. No word on what caused the move back from Burger Farm &Garden
Center on Route 32. Target date for reopening is August 29.

Bonk


That is good news. Did you notice if they added Italian beef to their menu? I know they said they were getting Vienna hot dogs but I can't remember if they were going to start doing beef sandwiches.

I didn't notice if they did or did not have teh Italian beef Bonk.
 
I was just so excited they were back open and i could get a good gyro (I was subbing in Sebastion's gyro's during the down time) that I never paid attention .
 
Knew what I want, ordered, paid, read City beat and picked up my Indian food  on the way to the car after Chicago's.
Some days I'm a combo of aloof and myopic.  It works for me though. LOL.
 
I'll check next time I stop in. Promise.
 

Went to Findlay Market today since Friday is the only weekday day the two BBQ stands (Velvet Smoke and Eli's) operate there.  Neither were present, and I left with a banh mi from Pho Lang Thang instead
 
There's nothing on either vendor's facebook or web pages about their Findlay stands, so does anyone know whats up in regard to this?
 
Two other misc items
 
-The soul food place that opened in a storefront just southwest of Findlay has closed apparently for good
 
-the owner of Pho Lang Thang said their new restaurant-to-be on Vine Street should be up and running about mid-November
 

jjjrfoodie

Bonk


That is good news. Did you notice if they added Italian beef to their menu? I know they said they were getting Vienna hot dogs but I can't remember if they were going to start doing beef sandwiches.

I didn't notice if they did or did not have teh Italian beef Bonk.

I was just so excited they were back open and i could get a good gyro (I was subbing in Sebastion's gyro's during the down time) that I never paid attention .

Knew what I want, ordered, paid, read City beat and picked up my Indian food  on the way to the car after Chicago's.
Some days I'm a combo of aloof and myopic.  It works for me though. LOL.

I'll check next time I stop in. Promise.

No biggie, I plan on heading down there soon to check it out myself. Glad the gyros are still as good as ever though -- I was mildly concerned they might not taste the same after they moved.

zippypinhead


Maybe I went to SmoQ on an off night.... it seemed like "Generica BBQ" kinda like a "McRibs" joint.
It was okay but nothing I would go out of my way for.
And, although I was the only person at the bar for most of my stay, the bartender seemed to be too busy to pay any attention to me or anyone else that sat down. (One guy walked out after about ten minutes of being ignored)
Like I said, maybe an off night for the place. The leftovers did make for a good breakfast at 5:30am though...

 
That sucks, I wish you had a better experience. Their fried ribs appetizer are one of my top 10 food items in the tri-state. I got take out from there on Sunday because we were talking about it (and I was trying to earn brownie points from the Mrs.) and the quality was as good as I remember it.

Two other notes:
 
-- A Smashburger opened at the end of the Kroger's strip mall in Union Twp. on Beechmont Ave.
 
I'd kind of taken a fondness to the one in Highland Heights, so we went there last night. More expensive than my current area favorite, Great Scott Diner, but they make a good burger. The rosemary on the fries is a nice touch, too. 
 
-- I've heard from someone who leaves very near the place that The Meat Pit on Ohio 125 just west of Amelia has closed already. I went there once and slammed the place on here after a very forgettable lunch.
 
We'll see what pops up there in six months.

Bonk

zippypinhead


Maybe I went to SmoQ on an off night.... it seemed like "Generica BBQ" kinda like a "McRibs" joint.
It was okay but nothing I would go out of my way for.
And, although I was the only person at the bar for most of my stay, the bartender seemed to be too busy to pay any attention to me or anyone else that sat down. (One guy walked out after about ten minutes of being ignored)
Like I said, maybe an off night for the place. The leftovers did make for a good breakfast at 5:30am though...

That sucks, I wish you had a better experience. Their fried ribs appetizer are one of my top 10 food items in the tri-state. I got take out from there on Sunday because we were talking about it (and I was trying to earn brownie points from the Mrs.) and the quality was as good as I remember it.

Are you talking about their rib tips?

No, the fried ribs appetizer. An order comes with five ribs lightly breaded with a syrup-pepper glaze sauce on the side for $7.99. Delicious.

You tried the rip tips?

A short trip report -
 
My wife and I visited Jim Dandy's about a month ago. We had never been, and I needed to run down to Micro Center to pick up some computer schlock, so it was easy, being nearby.
 
To summarize:
 
Wet, sloppy, so-so pulled pork, swimming in juice or broth or water in a steam table tray, which caused the bun it was served on to disintegrate.  My wife had a huge amount of gristle and fatty material. The basic texture and taste was greasy and oily.
 
Mac and cheese was "Kroft Dinner" as the Canadians would say. Tasted like stuff straight out of a box.
 
The greens were decent. Oddly, they were very spicy in spots. I suppose that crushed red peppers are used in the greens, but they overdid it here.
 
The table sauces were not bad.
 
The counter help was two unenthusiastic, bored teenagers or young people.
 
Overall the food was cafeteria grade, indifferently prepared, passionless, mostly inoffensive so called BBQ.
 
I found a few older reviews here that indicate that Jim Dandy's was once a go-to place after Burbank's closed. I suspect it's gone way downhill. I would not go back to Jim Dandy's. The meat, frankly, sucked. It was like boiled pork.

NYPIzzaNut


You tried the rip tips?

 
Actually, no. I had brisket the first two times I went and the apple bourbon pork chops the last time I went.
 
I'll have to give those a shot.

donw9876


A short trip report -

My wife and I visited Jim Dandy's about a month ago. We had never been, and I needed to run down to Micro Center to pick up some computer schlock, so it was easy, being nearby.

To summarize:

Wet, sloppy, so-so pulled pork, swimming in juice or broth or water in a steam table tray, which caused the bun it was served on to disintegrate.  My wife had a huge amount of gristle and fatty material. The basic texture and taste was greasy and oily.

Mac and cheese was "Kroft Dinner" as the Canadians would say. Tasted like stuff straight out of a box.

The greens were decent. Oddly, they were very spicy in spots. I suppose that crushed red peppers are used in the greens, but they overdid it here.

The table sauces were not bad.

The counter help was two unenthusiastic, bored teenagers or young people.

Overall the food was cafeteria grade, indifferently prepared, passionless, mostly inoffensive so called BBQ.

I found a few older reviews here that indicate that Jim Dandy's was once a go-to place after Burbank's closed. I suspect it's gone way downhill. I would not go back to Jim Dandy's. The meat, frankly, sucked. It was like boiled pork.

 I have noticed a decrease in the quality at Jim Dandy's over the last year. They catered an event at my office, and not only was the quality diminished, everything arrived ice-cold. Support staff had to move it from the foil containers to other containers and microwave it.

^ A shame because they had marvelous reviews a few years ago, and I had always made a mental bookmark to try it if I was in the area. I wouldn't go back.

donw9876

To summarize:
The counter help was two unenthusiastic, bored teenagers or young people.

I found a few older reviews here that indicate that Jim Dandy's was once a go-to place after Burbank's closed. I suspect it's gone way downhill. I would not go back to Jim Dandy's. The meat, frankly, sucked. It was like boiled pork.

Yup.  Went to Jim Dandy's about a month ago, had exactly the same experience.  It's BBQ I suppose, but quality is pretty poor.  I had a rack of ribs, they were edible, that's about it.  Serving tables were just a mess, and I noticed the pulled pork "soup" too.  Servers were just going through the motions.  Going to have to try the SmoQ place.
I know this is the Cincinnati thread but last spring I had some of the best ribs ever just North of Zanesville, at a place called Bill's Real Pit Bar-B-Q (5945 Frazeysburg Road, Nashport, OH).  Give it a try if you are road tripping out that way.  BBQ chicken is amazing and it's cheeeep.

jmckee


The earlier mentioned Say Cheese at the Riverside Antique Mall on Kellogg looks closed. Looks like (yet) another restaurant is going in. Talked to somebody there, and she was vague; "we're just turnin' it into a bar and grill."

 
Drove past the former Say Cheese today and there was a huge "Wyatt's Bar and Grill" sign on the building.
 
I pulled into the parking lot and saw a neon "open" sign. Didn't stop in but I'll try to in the next couple of weeks.

I'm in an extended stay in between houses and I have been trying out a lot of local places.  If you haven't tried  the Friendly Stop Cafe in Glendale give it a whirl.  Meatloaf is fantastic, good grill food, sandwiches, especially the fish.  And it IS friendly, place is a little small though.

Bonk

jmckee


The earlier mentioned Say Cheese at the Riverside Antique Mall on Kellogg looks closed. Looks like (yet) another restaurant is going in. Talked to somebody there, and she was vague; "we're just turnin' it into a bar and grill."

Drove past the former Say Cheese today and there was a huge "Wyatt's Bar and Grill" sign on the building.

I pulled into the parking lot and saw a neon "open" sign. Didn't stop in but I'll try to in the next couple of weeks.

A bit of research turns up that it's a branch of a joint in Burlington, KY.
Reviews on Urban Spoon are largely positive. Yelp has three goods and one not.
Menu looks rather pedestrian -- sandwiches, the usual appetizers, etc.

DwayneB


I'm in an extended stay in between houses and I have been trying out a lot of local places.  If you haven't tried  the Friendly Stop Cafe in Glendale give it a whirl.  Meatloaf is fantastic, good grill food, sandwiches, especially the fish.  And it IS friendly, place is a little small though.

Friendly Stop is an awesome place.
The had a fire a few years ago that they had to rebuild from but still the same clientele'.
 
I almost always get the garlic bugrer which has cheese of choice and about 10 cloves of roasted garlic on it.
It is to die for. :)
 
As for Jim Dandy's, the pulled pork held au jus in the steamer pan was never a turn on for me.Since I now have a smoker at home, I seldom go out for local "Q".
The last six years or more Jim Dandy's has always had the sticky tables, aloof teenage counter staff and soggy sandwiches if you didn't know what to order.
 
i still love their BBQ sauce and buy it out at Jungle Jim's or at the restaurant when I'm by, but the "cook and hold" process they use can certainly take away a lot of the taste and quality if you've had meat fresh off the smoker.
 
Still better than no "Q" at all, LOL, but for the price there are quite a few alternative places locally doing it right.

News on Just Q'in: http://cincinnati.com/blogs/dining/2012/09/07/just-qin-back-in-business/
So the move to Burger Farms was instigated by the Village of Newtown. And now the Q place is back, and has interior seating (some) and will add new menu items.

Local blog EggplantToGo released word of Cincy RF favorite New Orleans to Go re-opening as a brick and mortar business in Blue Ash
 
http://eggplanttogo.blogs...o-blue-ash-bistro.html
 
Blue Ash folks - we'll expect a full report soon

jmckee


News on Just Q'in: http://cincinnati.com/blogs/dining/2012/09/07/just-qin-back-in-business/
So the move to Burger Farms was instigated by the Village of Newtown. And now the Q place is back, and has interior seating (some) and will add new menu items.

 
That is good news. I'll have to get back there soon.
 
I did get to Chicago Gyros for the first time since they moved across the street, and the gyros are as good as ever ($.30 more expensive at $5.25, but with all the meat they give you that's still a good deal).
 
I also got a hot dog. They use high quality poppy seed buns, which impressed me, and the dog is a Vienna, so of course it was delicious.
 
They have Italian beef on the menu, so I'll have to give that a shot.

I went to Just Q'in on Saturday evening to get carryout for my family, and I am pleased to report that in their new / old location on Valley in Newtown they are still dishing out first-class food.
 
Pulled pork was still beautifully smoky and tender. Ribs flavorful and gently tuggable-off-the-bone. Beans good with a spicy punch. Slaw distinctive and tangy without being too vinegary. Delicious, creamy mac and cheese.
 
One change: Brisket and the BBQ green beans, formerly available only in the evening, are now available all day. Also, there are three little tables inside and two outside if you wish to eat there. (Bring a drink for the time being; they haven't got their beverage delivery yet.)
 
They will be adding some menu items, starting with corn bread soon.

Although a chain, may roadfooders have waxed poetic about the food at Popeyes - so I wanted to notify everyone a new Popeye's is opening at the corner of 5th and Main in Covington just north of the Mainstrasse in the building that was most recently - as best I recall - a KFC
 
Another fairly recent addition to Mainstrasse is DJs Sandwich Shop, which is not (as I found out today in true TTM style) open on Monday, but apparently serves an italian beef.  I missed out today but will get one soon and intend to report back.  The picture on their website looks a bit suspect, but we'll see.  Hope springs eternal.

Thanks, TJ. It's good to have someone looking out for me on the Italian beef front.
 
 

I was told (and confirmed on their site) that Mac's Pizza in Clifton is opening another location on Wooster Pike in Fairfax in the next couple of months.
 
I've never had it, but I thought I remembered someone on here talking about it a couple of years ago.

The Mac's on Wooster is open
 
I should have written this up earlier - but, sorry dude, the italian beef at DJ's is, uhm, not an italian beef.  Dry dry dry lunchmeat style roas beef he dips in some juice.  He doesn't press his cuban, he doesn't smoke his bbq, etc etc etc.  Ah well.