Are you visiting Cincinnati for the first time? Here are the foods that Cincinnati is known for. Some are old favorites, and others are the new kids on the block. You’ll recognize the old timers by how many locations you can find them in!
1 – Cincinnati Chili – What is chili about in Cincinnati? It’s not chili con carne. It’s not Tex-Mex. It’s a thinner, soupy concoction with small particles of beef in a spicy sauce. It is ladled over hot dogs and spaghetti and mounded with cheese or onions & beans if you prefer. Two brands vie for attention. In first place is Skyline with runner up, Gold Star. The taste is similar, but not the same. Both have multiple locations across downtown Cincinnati and nearby neighborhoods.
2 – Graeter’s Ice-cream – Graeter’s wins the prize for longevity! It’s been around since 1870. Graeter’s ice cream is made using the French Pot method. This is a slow, small-batch process, making only two gallons at a time. It creates ice cream that is rich, creamy, and dense. Graeter’s also uses this method to make chocolate chips that are completely different from other brands. How different? It’s easy to find chips as big as a quarter in every scoop. There are almost 2 dozen Graeter’s stores in the tri-state area. Since they are carried in every major supermarket, you can get your Graeter’s fix 24 hours a day!
3 – LaRosa’s Pizza – In 1954, Buddy LaRosa opened his first family pizzeria on Cincinnati’s West Side. His Sicilian-born father told him he was crazy. “You gonna sell pizza? You must be crazy!” Who could argue with him? After all, back then many Americans hadn’t even heard of pizza. Dad was wrong! Today LaRosa’s is the number one pizza in Cincinnati! That’s pretty amazing when you think of the stiff competition pizza makers endure. 60 years later, you can’t find a person who hasn’t heard of pizza!
4 – Montgomery Inn Barbecue Ribs – November 1, 1951, the Gregorys and their four children took over a restaurant and began serving ribs full-time. A local journalist dubbed Ted Gregory “The Ribs King,” a nickname that stayed with Gregory for the rest of his life. The restaurant attracted some famous customers, including Bob Hope, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. Other famous diners include several Cincinnati Reds baseball legends, as well as actors and entertainers from around the world. The secret to their success is in the sauce – Wife Matula’s still-secret family recipe from 1959. Are you hungry yet? The Boathouse, located on the Ohio River, is just east of downtown Cincinnati. The original store is north of the city on Montgomery Road, and a third location is in Ft. Thomas, KY. Or go to cincyfavorites.com and have a slab delivered to your doorstep!
5 – Izzy’s World Famous Reuben can trace its roots to Russia. Settling in Cincinnati, Izzy Kadetz and his wife, Rose, opened the first kosher-style delicatessen West of the Alleghenies in 1901. Consistently ranked as the “best deli in Cincinnati, “visitors to this tri-state area can indulge in Izzy’s Famous Reuben and their famous potato pancake. The savory sandwich is piled high with Izzy’s famous corned beef, sauerkraut, Izzy’s special dressing, and melted imported Swiss cheese, served with a bowl of all-you-can-eat locally made dill pickle slices.
6 – Eckerlin's Goetta – “So what the heck is goetta?” If you have to ask, you’re not from around these parts. Goetta is an old German recipe brought here in the 1800s by the German immigrants who dominated Cincinnati 200 years ago. It was a way for poor folks to stretch a few scraps of meat. It’s a mixture of pork, beef, steel-cut oats, and seasonings shaped into a roll or a brick and fried up in a pan like its fancy cousin, all-meat sausage. Fortunately, we can buy this old-fashioned favorite at Findlay Market and celebrate its German heritage at festivals throughout the summer!
For a serious culinary adventure, join us on a Riverside Food Tour. Led by a professional guide, you'll visit locally-owned restaurants, hear their stories, and learn the fascinating history of the Queen City of the West. After a Riverside Food Tour, you are well acquainted with the city and ready to embark on your own adventure. Choose from 8 distinct tours, 7 days a week. For tickets and more information, go to https://www.riversidefoodtours.com/calendar/