misty_in_stl

I'll be in Cincinnati for a Reds game in May and I would like to hear where the locals love to eat. I've picked up the Skyline chili recommendation and ice cream at Graeter's from the forums so far. Any great places for breakfast? Any other foods I have to try with a Cincinnati spin?

bachslunch

A local breakfast favorite is goetta. It's like scrapple, but with a fair bit of added oatmeal as a binding agent. Breakfast places that have it usually offer it up as a fried slice in the dish "goetta and eggs."

Skyline is arguably the best Cincinnati chili chain, but if for some reason you can't find an outpost, note that Gold Star is another decent chain offering this up. Also, if you have a car and don't mind hunting out in the suburbs for them, there are a couple of independent chili parlors such as Camp Washington Chili and Blue Ash Chili that are supposed to be excellent.

CincyReds

I'm assuming you're a Cardinals fan, but I won't hold that against you! j/k! Will you be staying downtown or in the suburbs? Regarding Skyline, I think you should try it but many people who aren't from Cincinnati either love it or hate it the first time they try it. The chili is a thinner consistency (not chunky chili) and it's served over spaghetti. I grew up with it, so I love it! I don't have any advice for breakfast, but I do for dinner, depending on your budget. There are some really great places to go, but they're a little pricey (the Precinct has the best steaks around). If you like ribs , one place you have to try is the Montgomery Inn, which is moderately priced at about $20. They are so good that Bob Hope used to fly them to him in California! If you're staying downtown, there's a location on the river called the Boathouse. There are also some really good chain restaurants on The Levee which is a fun area(Hofbrauhaus, Dewey's Pizza, etc.)

SAnParis2

A couple of the places Cincy mentioned are Jeff Ruby restaurants, all are good & top shelf - http://www.jeffruby.com/index.php
You can easily walk to the game from the Levee area which may be more 'baseball style' - http://newportonthelevee.com/
I also like http://arnoldsbarandgrill.com/ for pub food & http://www.izzys.com/ for huge deli sandwiches.

misty_in_stl

Thank you for all of the suggestions!

CincyReds, yes, I am a diehard Cardinals fan and it will be my first time at your ballpark, which I hear is very nice with a great view of the city and the river. Any suggestions on the best section/area to sit in to enjoy the game?

I'll be traveling with my husband, another couple, and their two small kiddos, so I think we'll be on a more family-friendly budget regarding food and lodging. I think they want to stay downtown, but would welcome any suggestions on good areas to stay that are in the suburbs also.

You'll have to forgive me, but I don't know what scrapple is, much less goetta. LOL

Gretchen

Down south it would probably be called livermush. You might want to give it a pass!!

SAnParis2

I like sitting down the 3rd base line. Higher up there is also a restaurant (in the Stadium) which affords a pretty good view...inside or out. THose seats also give you a view that faces the river so you can watch the fireworks everytime the Reds hit a HR...lol - http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/ballpark/index.jsp