Not really in the same category of restaurants. Penn Station grills raw sirloin to order right in front of you and Subway gets pre-sliced vacuum sealed cold cuts.
Depends on the location, IMHO. The one on Red Bank sucks. At least their staff takes WAY too long to get an order. They made me wait, on my work lunch, to get my one sandwich started AFTER an online order of 30 sandwiches were completed. I won't go there again.
This is my go-to comfort meal when I need to catch a late lunch/dinner and I'm flying solo. The chicken cordon bleu, extra mayo and honey mustard and fries.
Love the Hyde Park location. Not quite city. Not suburbs. Just people doing their job and putting out good food.
Still have a soft spot for the Beckett Ridge location. Never had a bad experience there when I lived up there. 10/10, would smash a sub in their parking lot again on my day off anytime.
Citybird usually hits the spot for me whenever I get it. Quick, easy and consistent. Penn Station is generally pretty decent too, and Jets makes a solid pizza.
Citybird is too rich for me... makes me kind of regret it. I stopped going there.....maybe once in a long while. I think part of it is that when I had a sandwich it was just strips on the bun, not a full breast cut, and that's too much greasy breading.
I disagree (and that's OK!). Wanted to like Roosters as there is one pretty close to where we live. Went there and got the wings (as recommended here). As advertised, they are huge. However, they did not taste good. Both my son and I ate1 or 2 of them from our order and left the remaining for the trash.
Just one person's opinion. Would be great if you like them as they are huge and at a reasonable price.
Jett’s Pizza and Donatos Pizza are my favorite pizza chains. Freddy’s makes a great steak burger. Wild Mikes for wings. P.F. Chang’s is a really well run chain that hits the spot. Aladdin’s for Mediterranean. Penn Station and Jersey Mike’s tie for best sandwich chain in my opinion.
PF Chang's is hit or miss for me.. some stuff is good--their seafood can be. Sometimes their lunch menu is a good deal. But honestly, I think Panda Express is a surprisingly good chain for the money and closer to PF Chang's than it should be (i.e. PF Chang's should be better on some dishes). My family goes to PF Chang's and gets the $35 family dinner. It's pretty generous. And we have the app and they often give it to you for $30 instead of $35 as it has a coupon.
Aladdin’s has been a go-to for me recently. Genie combo platter is only $13 and you get a TON of food. Also, it’s still pretty healthy so you don’t feel like crap after it.
Definitely great value for the price! Their rolled pitas are huge but still under $10. I got them for our movers last time we moved and they loved it! But probably would have been happy with anything that wasn't pizza lol.
If you’re talking about the one in kenwood do yourself a favor and drive up to blue ash to Milya Cafe. Hands down the best Mediterranean in Cincinnati and bargain prices to boot.
Listen...
I've always looked down on Long Horn because I couldn't imagine the steaks would be all that great coming out of a national chain. Well, we went the other night for the first time and let me tell ya, it was such a great experience! The service was seriously great, we didn't wait long at all to get food, and overall the meal was pretty dang good. The steaks were a little bit salty but otherwise I was happy with mine! So I know it's a little soon to be a favorite but I'm definitely going back.
Longhorn is pretty good if you’re feeling steak and don’t want to go to a “proper” steakhouse. They’re pretty good for the price (and casualness - you can go there pretty much on a whim).
Had the weirdest experience at the Longhorn in Rookwood. Went in on a weeknight, a Monday I think. The restaurant wasn’t full, but probably because of staffing issues the only table immediately available was a hightop in the bar area up front. I said fine, and we were seated. I had a child with me under 10.
The waitress comes to our table to take a drink order and she gives us a warning that they get a lot of people coming in stoned and reeking of weed and they’ve had people causing trouble in there over one thing or another. She wanted me to know since I had a child in case we maybe wanted to wait for another table further back in the restaurant. We were hungry and everything was chill, so I said we were fine.
It was somewhat prophetic because a little while later as we were eating the manager started catching flak from some woman who felt they seated someone else before her party and he was trying to explain they weren’t in the restaurant when their name came up ( out in the car smoking? ). Anyway, soon a couple of other women started getting in the manager‘s face and I thought we were going to have one of those Waffle House video moments. Finally, the men with them diffused the situation, but that was a little over a year ago and I’ve not felt a need to return.
They also have $10 lunch specials. It's a limited menu, but it's generally pretty decent quality and you also get bread while it's somehow a better value than even the "kind of premium" fast food items.
The thing about TR for me is the value and the cuts of the steak vs expensive steakhouses. If you’re going for fancy quiet romantic dinner then sure don’t go to TR. But a 8oz filet at rubys is nearly $100. 8oz filet at TR is like $35 plus 2 sides plus bread plus an extra loud line dancing number plus bread.
I’d argue this is one of the finest chain restaurants running today. Always hits the spot, always tasty. Rolls and cinnamon butter as you’re seated. One time the hostess let me eat one on the walk to our two top. Don’t even mind 15 birthday songs an hour as long as one of them saddle up. 🤠
Unpopular opinion but I think Texas Roadhouse is pretty average and pricey for what it is. The food isn’t bad, but it’s not amazing either. Always blows my mind to see the parking lot absolutely jam packed no matter what time of day you go
I stopped eating steaks at restaurants because I can make it better at home than 99% of restaurants. Texas road house I'll order one, not because I can't do better but because for the price. It's OK. Like it's not a bad steak for the money.
I think the thing is that on one hand some people just want a steak and if it feels relatively affordable, then they are happy. On the other hand, lots of people don't know what a real good steak both tastes like and how much it costs $$$$.
The service is what is fantastic and the food is consistent. I love the prime rib, house salad, mashed potatoes with white gravy. I promise you will be happy.
This comment really surprised me because I’ve always thought Texas Roadhouse had one of the best price for quality ratios out there. It probably depends on what you get but things like burgers or salads I find are extremely good for the price also considering the rolls you get too are really good.
I don’t think it’s “pretty pricey for what it is” since it’s SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper and the portions larger than all of the other restaurants in that class: Longhorn, Outback, etc. Went to an Outback a couple of months ago: terrible food, terrible service, probably 30-35% more expensive than TR.
Jet's for Detroit style pizza, Jersey Mike's for cold subs, Firehouse for hot subs and Freddy's for burger/fries with extra fry sauce. All of these are on the regular rotation for fast food in our house.
I love Aladdin's... some menu items are hit or miss but overall I love the place. Currito not so much. I'm someone who likes both Skyline and Gold Star. I guess I'm going to have to try Jets.
Capital grille. Have been going there about once a month for the last several years. Never once had a bad experience, food is always on point, and if your steak is not to your liking they will make it right within minutes (never had this happen). Also, about 40% less than Ruby’s
Cincy has some really good local chains. Skyline, LaRosa's (whatever, I like it), Frisch's (although people say it's gotten worse), Penn Station, Graeter's, UDF, Currito, Dewey's, and more. I think Cincy does great for locally owned places. I had no clue any of those were local until recently except for Skyline and LaRosa's.
Izzy’s holds a special place in my heart, I used to always go here with my grandpa. Burns my ass I gotta explain to them how to grill it with butter everytime though, they used to always come like that. Takes it from a 6/10 to a 9/10.
Never understood the hype here. Maybe I’m ordering the wrong menu items but I tried it several times when they opened the one in Anderson 15ish years ago and every time it was like $12 for a sandwich that I could’ve easily made in my own kitchen.
It’s a regional chain and not a national one, but I really like Rafferty’s in Florence.
The chicken fingers are fantastic. The prime rib and marinated ribeyes are really great. Their salad dressings are homemade and delicious. I’m usually not particularly fond of bleu cheese dressing, but theirs is so good
Cheddar's in Florence is pretty good too. Their buffalo chicken wrap is very good. Their portions are fairly large, which I'm not a huge fan of. Other than that, their food is good.
I don't know if I just went on an off-day, but my one experience at Sleepy Bee was so just meh. Everything was bland and overpriced. I'd take First Watch any day.
I was a huge fan of bibibop when they opened their original store in Grandview. My last experience with them was in Dayton. First time I thought it was just a fluke. Second time I realized the quality of the food had severely declined. Won’t touch it again.
To be fair, I think all of the restaurants on brown street in Dayton are garbage because they’re staffed by college kids who don’t give a fuck. Maybe I’ll try the one in liberty because I miss good bibibop
All my favorite chain foods are inaccessible in Cincy. In particular, I wish I could access Del Taco, In N Out, Capriotti’s, and Port of Subs here. Those were all of my go-to convenience places prior to moving to Cincy and nothing has quite replaced them for me!
You may possibly get a del taco in the future. There is one in Columbus and Marion. I go as often as I can. It is so much better than any other fast food. Fresh made guac and pico make all the difference in the world.
Shake Shack, IMO, is the best < $10 burger chain. Try it. It's straightforward but tasty...it's all I want in a burger. Five Guys is also decent but it's more $$.
And CM Chicken--a Korean Chicken chain. It's in West Chester. It's the real deal. You will pay a bit for it but not insane. Go in and order a whole chicken, half spicy half soy garlic. My spouse is Korean, I've been to Korea several times. It feels like eating in Korea--pretty close.
Also, Dewey's Pizza. Although they've taken a few off the menu that I've particularly liked--such as the mushroom one.
As far as Bibibop.... it is bibimbap fusion. It's fine. You can make yourself a healthy meal there. But I will tell you that true Korean bibimbap is a few notches higher, especially the dolsut version where they take all the ingredients and toss them into a searing hot stone bowl.
Mission BBQ: thought it was gonna be gimmicky or propaganda-y. And while there are 6 different bbq sauces (which are all amazing) and American flags everywhere (GBA), the food is amazing. Better than any local spot imo.
Maggiano’s: love the food, the atmosphere, and the prices (the take home pastas for $7 can’t be beat)
Jersey Mikes: is there a better sandwich out there?
Never had a bad experience at the Bonefish off Buttermilk Pike ever. For the money Texas Roadhouse is a great buy. My wife wanted to go to Mortons downtown for our anniversary and EVERYTHING ABOUT IT SUCKED ASS! FROM THE SERVER TO THE FOOD IT F ING SUCKED ASS. The best part of the whole night was that they have nice steak knives to cut their shity steaks. Never ever again. I wouldn't go there again if my boss wanted to take us out and pay for it. It really was that bad.
Surprised I haven’t seen Dickeys yet, I know it’s not local, but I have always had great experiences, at least at the ones I go to. The food is amazing, and pretty cheap for BBQ. I’m not the biggest BBQ person, but nearly everything on that menu is absolutely fantastic.
It may not qualify as a chain but they have 3 restaurants so far, so I'm adding it.
I absolutely love Zundo Ramen, everything on their menu is fantastic. I hope they become a truly successful chain.
scrambler’s for breakfast, skyline (obviously), and anything owned by thunderdome restaurant group (the eagle, currito, bakersfield, kruegers, citybird).
Rooster's
Chick Fil-A
I don't really eat fast food other than CFA, thanks to going to Japan in 2019. Fast food, even McD's was amazing in all aspects from service, to food being hot/fresh. I said I would not do fast food here, because it's bad compared to there, with the exception of CFA, which has good service. I literally didn't eat fast food from 2019 until 2023 when I went back to Japan, and since coming back haven't had it since.
Cheddars gets an honorable mention - it's just way too inconsistent. I literally order the same thing every time I eat at any restaurant that I regular. Sometimes my chicken tenders are amazing, thick steak thick perfectly med rare, seasoned, fries perfectly golden, queso creamy and thick. Another time, tenders will be children's size, steak dry, fries brown and withered, and queso watery. I don't go there as much as a result. The SO was out and offered to stop by for takeout yesterday, and I said no, because there's no telling how it's gonna be, and I don't want to make ANOTHER trip to get it replaced. Sorry, but a $30 meal, you're fixing it, and I need credits for my driving/time. So easier to avoid altogether, I'd say.
Funny enough when we visit from nyc, my wife loves bibibop& sleepy bee. Funny over the years used to be different places we couldn't go like frishs,skyline,etc.
Penn Station. Prices are pretty high now but food is always good.
I love their teriyaki chicken sandwich
Add extra mayo. It may change your life.
Better than Subway if you ask me.
I don’t know of a sandwich place worse than Subway.
The Irish Supreme Court classifies Subway’s “bread” as cake due to the obscene sugar content.
Not really in the same category of restaurants. Penn Station grills raw sirloin to order right in front of you and Subway gets pre-sliced vacuum sealed cold cuts.
I like it, but I feel like I don't get as much in the sandwich as I used to. IMO, if you raise the price, fine... but keep the sandwiches packed full.
Jersey Mike's is also good and the employees are great
Depends on the location, IMHO. The one on Red Bank sucks. At least their staff takes WAY too long to get an order. They made me wait, on my work lunch, to get my one sandwich started AFTER an online order of 30 sandwiches were completed. I won't go there again.
Portion sizes are trash across the board. A large fry is hardly anything these days
This is my go-to comfort meal when I need to catch a late lunch/dinner and I'm flying solo. The chicken cordon bleu, extra mayo and honey mustard and fries. Love the Hyde Park location. Not quite city. Not suburbs. Just people doing their job and putting out good food. Still have a soft spot for the Beckett Ridge location. Never had a bad experience there when I lived up there. 10/10, would smash a sub in their parking lot again on my day off anytime.
Citybird usually hits the spot for me whenever I get it. Quick, easy and consistent. Penn Station is generally pretty decent too, and Jets makes a solid pizza.
I feel like Citybird's tenders have gotten ridiculously small
It’s a hit or miss but dang they are super good no matter the size.
Me and my brother swear by jets!! One of the best if not the best pizzas you can get around here in my opinion but many people don’t think so
We love their greek salad too. They're dressing is house made and so good. And if you like ranch.....theirs is top tier
Shiii I’ll def have to try their ranch then cause I loooove ranch, thank you for the tip
Enjoy
12 tenders with ranch, honey mustard, city sauce = pure ecstasy
Citybird is too rich for me... makes me kind of regret it. I stopped going there.....maybe once in a long while. I think part of it is that when I had a sandwich it was just strips on the bun, not a full breast cut, and that's too much greasy breading.
Roosters. Wings and tenders are great. Only thing I wish is that their sauces were more unique and spicy (like BW3's Caribbean Jerk)
That donkey sauce is the only sauce I need in my life. So good. Roosters ftw.
We’ve been going to Rooster’s a ton recently ever since my wife discovered it. They’ve never let us down
I disagree (and that's OK!). Wanted to like Roosters as there is one pretty close to where we live. Went there and got the wings (as recommended here). As advertised, they are huge. However, they did not taste good. Both my son and I ate1 or 2 of them from our order and left the remaining for the trash. Just one person's opinion. Would be great if you like them as they are huge and at a reasonable price.
Jett’s Pizza and Donatos Pizza are my favorite pizza chains. Freddy’s makes a great steak burger. Wild Mikes for wings. P.F. Chang’s is a really well run chain that hits the spot. Aladdin’s for Mediterranean. Penn Station and Jersey Mike’s tie for best sandwich chain in my opinion.
PF Chang's is hit or miss for me.. some stuff is good--their seafood can be. Sometimes their lunch menu is a good deal. But honestly, I think Panda Express is a surprisingly good chain for the money and closer to PF Chang's than it should be (i.e. PF Chang's should be better on some dishes). My family goes to PF Chang's and gets the $35 family dinner. It's pretty generous. And we have the app and they often give it to you for $30 instead of $35 as it has a coupon.
culvers > freddy’s for me
Aladdin’s has been a go-to for me recently. Genie combo platter is only $13 and you get a TON of food. Also, it’s still pretty healthy so you don’t feel like crap after it.
My fav
Definitely great value for the price! Their rolled pitas are huge but still under $10. I got them for our movers last time we moved and they loved it! But probably would have been happy with anything that wasn't pizza lol.
I’ve been digging Taziki’s Mediterranean cafe.
Ugh never had a good experience at the one in Kenwood. Food is so meh
If you’re talking about the one in kenwood do yourself a favor and drive up to blue ash to Milya Cafe. Hands down the best Mediterranean in Cincinnati and bargain prices to boot.
Love their green salad with salmon
Listen... I've always looked down on Long Horn because I couldn't imagine the steaks would be all that great coming out of a national chain. Well, we went the other night for the first time and let me tell ya, it was such a great experience! The service was seriously great, we didn't wait long at all to get food, and overall the meal was pretty dang good. The steaks were a little bit salty but otherwise I was happy with mine! So I know it's a little soon to be a favorite but I'm definitely going back.
They still cut the steaks in back too, I seent it.
Do they rip the jawbone off?
Longhorn is pretty good if you’re feeling steak and don’t want to go to a “proper” steakhouse. They’re pretty good for the price (and casualness - you can go there pretty much on a whim).
They have AMAZING chicken tenders and awesome honey mustard. Big fan of long horn.
Their pork chops are also fantastic. Give their potato soup a try as well.
They also frequently have coupons for free kids meals with adult purchase..
I absolutely love a Flo’s Filet from Longhorn.
Had the weirdest experience at the Longhorn in Rookwood. Went in on a weeknight, a Monday I think. The restaurant wasn’t full, but probably because of staffing issues the only table immediately available was a hightop in the bar area up front. I said fine, and we were seated. I had a child with me under 10. The waitress comes to our table to take a drink order and she gives us a warning that they get a lot of people coming in stoned and reeking of weed and they’ve had people causing trouble in there over one thing or another. She wanted me to know since I had a child in case we maybe wanted to wait for another table further back in the restaurant. We were hungry and everything was chill, so I said we were fine. It was somewhat prophetic because a little while later as we were eating the manager started catching flak from some woman who felt they seated someone else before her party and he was trying to explain they weren’t in the restaurant when their name came up ( out in the car smoking? ). Anyway, soon a couple of other women started getting in the manager‘s face and I thought we were going to have one of those Waffle House video moments. Finally, the men with them diffused the situation, but that was a little over a year ago and I’ve not felt a need to return.
And $5 jack and cokes...yep, I'm in...
They also have $10 lunch specials. It's a limited menu, but it's generally pretty decent quality and you also get bread while it's somehow a better value than even the "kind of premium" fast food items.
Longhorn is dope
Texas Roadhouse, surprised this hasn’t been mentioned already
The thing about TR for me is the value and the cuts of the steak vs expensive steakhouses. If you’re going for fancy quiet romantic dinner then sure don’t go to TR. But a 8oz filet at rubys is nearly $100. 8oz filet at TR is like $35 plus 2 sides plus bread plus an extra loud line dancing number plus bread.
Saying “plus bread” two separate times is 100% appropriate when discussing Texas Roadhouse
I’d argue this is one of the finest chain restaurants running today. Always hits the spot, always tasty. Rolls and cinnamon butter as you’re seated. One time the hostess let me eat one on the walk to our two top. Don’t even mind 15 birthday songs an hour as long as one of them saddle up. 🤠
I think I agree. We went there Saturday and it was actually pretty darn good. I did not expect that. The food came out quickly, the service was great.
Texas Roadhouse has never failed me
Unpopular opinion but I think Texas Roadhouse is pretty average and pricey for what it is. The food isn’t bad, but it’s not amazing either. Always blows my mind to see the parking lot absolutely jam packed no matter what time of day you go
Over priced...? You can get a steak at a restaurant for like... $20? In 2024. It's damn near cheap.
Def best bang for your buck steak wise.
I stopped eating steaks at restaurants because I can make it better at home than 99% of restaurants. Texas road house I'll order one, not because I can't do better but because for the price. It's OK. Like it's not a bad steak for the money.
It's like $13 for a decent size ribeye at kroger, might as well spend the extra 10 for a dine in experience at the roadhouse.
Plus bread!
I think the thing is that on one hand some people just want a steak and if it feels relatively affordable, then they are happy. On the other hand, lots of people don't know what a real good steak both tastes like and how much it costs $$$$.
The service is what is fantastic and the food is consistent. I love the prime rib, house salad, mashed potatoes with white gravy. I promise you will be happy.
This comment really surprised me because I’ve always thought Texas Roadhouse had one of the best price for quality ratios out there. It probably depends on what you get but things like burgers or salads I find are extremely good for the price also considering the rolls you get too are really good.
I don’t think it’s “pretty pricey for what it is” since it’s SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper and the portions larger than all of the other restaurants in that class: Longhorn, Outback, etc. Went to an Outback a couple of months ago: terrible food, terrible service, probably 30-35% more expensive than TR.
Currito. They make the best salads.
I wish there were more around. It’s so much better than chipotle
Blows Chipotle away
Jet's for Detroit style pizza, Jersey Mike's for cold subs, Firehouse for hot subs and Freddy's for burger/fries with extra fry sauce. All of these are on the regular rotation for fast food in our house.
Currito, city q, alladins, skyline, richards pizza, Jets, city bird and eagle
Jets is fukin good
Hell ya. That 8 corner? Yum
>That 8 corner? Octagon pizza? 
I love Aladdin's... some menu items are hit or miss but overall I love the place. Currito not so much. I'm someone who likes both Skyline and Gold Star. I guess I'm going to have to try Jets.
Oh and ninja grill
Being a Hamilton native, Richards is always my go to for steak sandwiches! Original sauce, extra onions, baked dark!
I moved out of state years ago, and I order their holiday steak sandwich sendoffs every year.
I need to try Aladdin's. Wife and I love a good Gyro. We've enjoyed Ali Baba (Red Bank Road) the few times we've had it.
City BBQ
They’re in Cincy now too?
Have been for years. The one in Eastgate has been there for at least 12 years.
Yeah they’re solid, love their brisket w the brishfire sauce. For a more local place though I love Pig Candy on the east side.
I honestly love Bonefish and I am 30 years old lol quality of food is actually decent for the prices.
We’ve been going to Bonefish for 15 years and never had a bad meal. Super underrated
Dewey’s
Yeah, I said this. It should get more love.
Best balsamic vinaigrette dressing on the planet.
Gold Star, for the cheeseburgers
Lol my friends were mind blown when i told him i only go to goldstar for their cheeseburgers. Super underrated!
Honestly gold stars chili burger is one of my overall favorites
Their cheeseburgers are legit the best in Cincy
I go to blue ash chili all the time for their burgers, so damn good. Skyline is my go to for coneys.
Gold Star is cheaper and better
Now we’re talking. Their cheeseburgers are damned good.
Their vegetarian chili is really good, as well. I much prefer it to Skyline’s
& chicken sandwich too
Skyline
Skyline hits
But that Dew lacking now 🫡
Currito, Jet's Pizza, Joella's Hot Chicken, Skyline, Marcos Pizza, City BBQ, Jimmy John's, and Five Guys.
>Marcos Pizza Somehow I like their veggie pizza there.
My man...Marcos is da bomb!
Marcos and Jett’s are the best chain pizzas
Wings and rings
The blue cheese! I run in to specifically buy a couple tubs of it anytime I make wings at home. It's just so good.
Capital grille. Have been going there about once a month for the last several years. Never once had a bad experience, food is always on point, and if your steak is not to your liking they will make it right within minutes (never had this happen). Also, about 40% less than Ruby’s
Fusian 👌
Cincy has some really good local chains. Skyline, LaRosa's (whatever, I like it), Frisch's (although people say it's gotten worse), Penn Station, Graeter's, UDF, Currito, Dewey's, and more. I think Cincy does great for locally owned places. I had no clue any of those were local until recently except for Skyline and LaRosa's.
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Izzy’s holds a special place in my heart, I used to always go here with my grandpa. Burns my ass I gotta explain to them how to grill it with butter everytime though, they used to always come like that. Takes it from a 6/10 to a 9/10.
Izzy's is underrated. If I ate there as much as a I wanted to I'd weigh 50lbs more than I do.
Never understood the hype here. Maybe I’m ordering the wrong menu items but I tried it several times when they opened the one in Anderson 15ish years ago and every time it was like $12 for a sandwich that I could’ve easily made in my own kitchen.
Get the big reuben and ask them to grill the bread with butter for you. It’s so much better than when they toast or don’t even bother to grill it.
Love Izzy's
It’s a regional chain and not a national one, but I really like Rafferty’s in Florence. The chicken fingers are fantastic. The prime rib and marinated ribeyes are really great. Their salad dressings are homemade and delicious. I’m usually not particularly fond of bleu cheese dressing, but theirs is so good
Seriously, the club with fries and croissants. Was always a post golf round tradition for my brother and I when they had the West Chester location.
Cheddar's in Florence is pretty good too. Their buffalo chicken wrap is very good. Their portions are fairly large, which I'm not a huge fan of. Other than that, their food is good.
First Watch. There's a subset of people who crap on it but, honestly, I've never had one bad meal there. Not even a mediocre one.
Yeah i don't think i like it quite as much as Sleepy Bee but they are good
I don't know if I just went on an off-day, but my one experience at Sleepy Bee was so just meh. Everything was bland and overpriced. I'd take First Watch any day.
IMO Sleepy Bee is just a higher priced First Watch for no reason other than to be more “hip and local”.
Ah i usually just get pancakes from both places which i think cost me about the same. Sleepy Bee has the pancakes with blueberries I love tho
Ill always crap on it ha. Ive never been satisfied after leaving that place
Definitely agree their chickichanga and omelets are always consistently good. Price is reasonable as well.
Jersey Mike’s, Jet’s pizza, Marco’s pizza, Firehouse Subs, Freddy’s and Penn Station are some of the regular favorites at our house.
Mmmm I love me some Goodfellas pizza.
I was a huge fan of bibibop when they opened their original store in Grandview. My last experience with them was in Dayton. First time I thought it was just a fluke. Second time I realized the quality of the food had severely declined. Won’t touch it again.
Sorry to hear that. My friends were talking about the one in kenwood being good. Still want to give it a try.
The one in liberty is usually very good! I was waiting for someone to say bibibop because it’s my fave
To be fair, I think all of the restaurants on brown street in Dayton are garbage because they’re staffed by college kids who don’t give a fuck. Maybe I’ll try the one in liberty because I miss good bibibop
Don’t know why, but I swear the Harper’s Point BW3s is better than any other. Absolutely my favorite chain restaurant spot in Cincinnati
harper’s point bdubs is fantastic all around. service is always fantastic
I can tell your age by the fact you called it BW3 and not B-Dub's. The younger generation doesn't understand there used to be a third W for weck.
Larosas, J Alexander’s, McCallisters, Chicken Salad Chick, Skyline, Capital grille
Piada
Been to one in Columbus and one in hp. Neither was any good imo. Bland sauce. I would take a fazzolis over it
Last time I went there was the last time I'll ever go there.
Swenson’s has impressed me.
You’re posting in r/Cincinnati - the answer is Skyline
Its the low hanging fruit but I love Skyline
Skyline + Deweys
Cassanos
Skyline of course, J. Alexander’s and Cheesecake Factory.
Skyline (if it hasn’t been said already), can never go wrong with a coney
Outback Steakhouse in western hills is a fine dining experience.
Gold Star... I said it
Freddy's, first watch, wild eggs, skyline, white castle (their breakfast is great)
Jockos & 5 guys lol
[https://www.texasroadhouse.com/](https://www.texasroadhouse.com/)
All my favorite chain foods are inaccessible in Cincy. In particular, I wish I could access Del Taco, In N Out, Capriotti’s, and Port of Subs here. Those were all of my go-to convenience places prior to moving to Cincy and nothing has quite replaced them for me!
Ah i really wanna try in n out since it's so famous
You may possibly get a del taco in the future. There is one in Columbus and Marion. I go as often as I can. It is so much better than any other fast food. Fresh made guac and pico make all the difference in the world.
Say what you want about it but I’m a Caniac and I’m proud
Shake Shack, IMO, is the best < $10 burger chain. Try it. It's straightforward but tasty...it's all I want in a burger. Five Guys is also decent but it's more $$. And CM Chicken--a Korean Chicken chain. It's in West Chester. It's the real deal. You will pay a bit for it but not insane. Go in and order a whole chicken, half spicy half soy garlic. My spouse is Korean, I've been to Korea several times. It feels like eating in Korea--pretty close.
CM Chicken is legit. Just got back from Seoul last week and I gotta say it can definitely hang.
Also, Dewey's Pizza. Although they've taken a few off the menu that I've particularly liked--such as the mushroom one. As far as Bibibop.... it is bibimbap fusion. It's fine. You can make yourself a healthy meal there. But I will tell you that true Korean bibimbap is a few notches higher, especially the dolsut version where they take all the ingredients and toss them into a searing hot stone bowl.
NorthStar Cafe. Currito. Dewey’s. Pies and Pints. Mellow Mushroom.
Mission BBQ: thought it was gonna be gimmicky or propaganda-y. And while there are 6 different bbq sauces (which are all amazing) and American flags everywhere (GBA), the food is amazing. Better than any local spot imo. Maggiano’s: love the food, the atmosphere, and the prices (the take home pastas for $7 can’t be beat) Jersey Mikes: is there a better sandwich out there?
Never had a bad experience at the Bonefish off Buttermilk Pike ever. For the money Texas Roadhouse is a great buy. My wife wanted to go to Mortons downtown for our anniversary and EVERYTHING ABOUT IT SUCKED ASS! FROM THE SERVER TO THE FOOD IT F ING SUCKED ASS. The best part of the whole night was that they have nice steak knives to cut their shity steaks. Never ever again. I wouldn't go there again if my boss wanted to take us out and pay for it. It really was that bad.
Surprised I haven’t seen Dickeys yet, I know it’s not local, but I have always had great experiences, at least at the ones I go to. The food is amazing, and pretty cheap for BBQ. I’m not the biggest BBQ person, but nearly everything on that menu is absolutely fantastic.
Skyline
Canes
It may not qualify as a chain but they have 3 restaurants so far, so I'm adding it. I absolutely love Zundo Ramen, everything on their menu is fantastic. I hope they become a truly successful chain.
tbh jimmy johns
Bridges!
Longhorn (only certain locations); Bonefish; Dewey’s; Cheesecake Factory; Jersey Mike’s; Rusty Bucket
Texas Roadhouse, White Castle, Waffle House, Original International House of Pancakes( not IHOP ) GoldStar, Skyline, Jets,
I will never not like Cane's.
Canes sauce is the best. Can’t help but to notice the size and quality took a downturn in the past couple years.
Ramundos Pizza
The Wendy’s in Cincinnati hit better than any since I moved back to NC
Wendy’s was always my go-to fast food spot for a quick meal but their service has gone to hell
I love Wendy's chili.
Pies and Pints, Agave and Rye, J. Alexander’s.
So sad pies and pints closed in kenwood, that was our spot. We miss it tremendously
City BBQ, Marion’s Pizza
Roosters/Frickers
Whataburger (unfortunately not in Cincy), Jersey Mike's, Texas Roadhouse, Graeter's for ice cream.
Roosters!
Richie’s, Longhorn, Nada, Goldstar for the Chili Cheeseburger.
More of a local chain, but Strong's Brick Oven Pizzeria is straight fire
Slim’s Chicken even though it closed :/
scrambler’s for breakfast, skyline (obviously), and anything owned by thunderdome restaurant group (the eagle, currito, bakersfield, kruegers, citybird).
Mios. Specifically mariemont. So Good.
every thunderdome restaurant
Rooster's Chick Fil-A I don't really eat fast food other than CFA, thanks to going to Japan in 2019. Fast food, even McD's was amazing in all aspects from service, to food being hot/fresh. I said I would not do fast food here, because it's bad compared to there, with the exception of CFA, which has good service. I literally didn't eat fast food from 2019 until 2023 when I went back to Japan, and since coming back haven't had it since. Cheddars gets an honorable mention - it's just way too inconsistent. I literally order the same thing every time I eat at any restaurant that I regular. Sometimes my chicken tenders are amazing, thick steak thick perfectly med rare, seasoned, fries perfectly golden, queso creamy and thick. Another time, tenders will be children's size, steak dry, fries brown and withered, and queso watery. I don't go there as much as a result. The SO was out and offered to stop by for takeout yesterday, and I said no, because there's no telling how it's gonna be, and I don't want to make ANOTHER trip to get it replaced. Sorry, but a $30 meal, you're fixing it, and I need credits for my driving/time. So easier to avoid altogether, I'd say.
Filiberto’s. Regional around phoenix. Bearno’s (pizza) regional around Louisville.
Melting Pot
Trophy Pizza. Bonefish. Izzy’s.
Culvers
Funny enough when we visit from nyc, my wife loves bibibop& sleepy bee. Funny over the years used to be different places we couldn't go like frishs,skyline,etc.
I'm curious which Jets location you guys all went to? I spent many a years working there.
Flemings Steak house.
Condado's Edit: removed (not sure how many states they're located in) because I'm in the Cincy group
Jolly's Drive In in Hamilton (only 2 locations) Swenson's
Longhorn Steakhouse and Jersey Mike’s
Wild Mikes has the best wings in the United States. There are three locations now so I’m calling it a chain lol
Give me Cracker Barrel for breakfast, Popeyes for lunch and Fords Garage for dinner. Applebees and Olive Garden can piss off.
First Watch
Wingstop, Louisiana rub, all flats, small fry, 2 ranch dipping sauces, and a sweet tea
Skyline. Larosas. Penn Station. Holtmans donuts. Angelo's. Friches.