I've lived in Cincinnati for over 15 years now with my family. We eat out. A lot. I'm always surprised when I talk to the long-timers around here about restaurants we like, and half the time they have never heard of these places.
This is my list of top 10 affordable eateries. Yeah, there are a lot of good fancy expensive restaurants that everybody knows about. This is not that list. Yelp! link for info and ratings included.
Brij Mojan. Top
of my list, I’d be pissed it this one ever closes. I’m a
carnivore. This place is vegetarian. There’s
some tough competition amongst Indian restaurants here, but this place has the
best stuff around – veg or not. I’m usually
the only non-Indian there… good sign. An
amazing selection of Indian sweets too. The place is a strange paradox where ‘wannabe-upscale’
ambiance meets foam cups.
Must try: Saag Mushroom, and Gobi
Manchurrian.
Yelp! 4.5/5
Yelp! 4.5/5
Kyoto Japanese
Cuisine. I’m sure there are better
Sushi places in Cincinnati, but this one has the best balance of price/quality/selection
one could wish for. Usually packed, but never
a long wait. Must try: Caterpillar Roll,
and Seaweed salad.
Yelp! 4/5
Yelp! 4/5
Sichuan Bistro. Authentic Sichuan dishes, most of them *very*
hot/spicy as you’d expect. Lots of
Chinese customers here. Best with a
party of 4 or more to share a few large dishes. Must try: Fried Pepper Fish, and Sizzling
Lamb.
Yelp! 4/5
Yelp! 4/5
iPho. Great variety of authentic Vietnamese dishes
here. A couple of dishes were not ‘my
thing’, but most of what I’ve tried I’ve liked A LOT. Not a lot of customers here, and I’m always
seated immediately. Frankly, this place could
look a little nicer, but we’re here for the food. Must try: Beef lemongrass over vermicelli
noodles.
Yelp! 4/5
Yelp! 4/5
The Korea House. Delicious food with great service. One of only 2 ‘fancier’ places on my list. Pricier than average, but good deals at lunch
time and portions are very big. Decent
place for a date. Must try: Stone Bowl Beef Bulgogi.
Yelp! 4/5
Yelp! 4/5
Tano Bistro. OK, this one is a hidden gem. A fancy restaurant sitting in the middle of
downtown Loveland, priced as an average restaurant. I swear this place employs a famous New York
chef hiding from the masses. Prices
during lunchtime are an absolute steal considering the quality of food,
presentation, and service. Great place for
a date, not so great for kids. Must try:
Anti-Pasto appetizer.
Yelp! 4/5
Yelp! 4/5
Spice of Life Cafe. You've never heard of this place. No one has. It is associated with the
Art’s Institute Culinary School. On
Thursdays and Fridays, students under the guidance of a chef, will cook ‘fine dining
dishes’ and charge about as much as you’d pay for a sandwich and a coke at
Jimmy John’s. The place is clean, well
serviced, and food is presented as if a fine dining establishment. Call ahead of time to make sure they’re
open. Yelp says 3.5, I disagree. Must try: you don’t get a choice. Usually 2 options on any given day.
Yelp! 3.5/5
Durum Grill. Mediterranean places keep coming and going in
this area. Taz was my favorite for
years, and all that’s left is a sign at Field’s Ertel. Durum serves traditional gyros, any of 3
meats. Their gyro meat is the best I’ve
tried. The steak is unbelievable as well. Portions are impossibly large,
and the side vegetable/salad servings are very generous too. Canned drinks are free, a first for me. Yelp says 5, I agree. Must try: Sandwich (gyro meat or steak).
Yelp! 5/5
Yelp! 5/5
