Cincinnati isn’t shy of a few great burger joints, but which ones really are the best? Whether you’re after grass-fed beef and homemade pickles in a homemade brioche bun or a dirty burger sauce with a slice of American cheese, and crispy fried onions, we’ve got you covered. This list really does have something for all tastes.
Plus, as more of us have turned away from eating at the fast food giants and have instead decided to spend our money on the smaller chains and locally owned restaurants, we’ve kept that in mind too. We’ve kept the chains to a minimum (only the ones who really deserved a spot got one!) and given preference to the establishments with a local vibe and a small business mind.
Hard Rock Casino – The Chain We Couldn’t Omit
We know what we said about chains, but this one earns its spot! The Hard Rock Casino has been serving burgers since 1971 and the Cincinnati iteration of the brand knows a thing or two about it.
If you want to save room for later, then opt for their starter-sized portion of three mini sliders. These are the classic All-American burger, with melted American cheese, homemade slaw, and a devilishly crisp onion ring, all sandwiched in a lightly toasted brioche bun.
After that, treat yourself to a few rounds on the slot machines, or at the roulette table, if you win anything, we’d suggest spending it on one of the big boys on the menu! Alternatively, play popular online slots with real money at the table and wait for your entree to be served.
With a vast selection of themes, pay lines, and bonus features, online slots cater to players of all skill levels and preferences. You can choose from classic three-reel slots, immersive video slots with cinematic graphics, or progressive jackpot slots that offer life-changing payouts.
The main-sized burgers here are big enough for even the heartiest of appetites. There’s a good choice here – and you’ve got to go for the one that tickles your fancy – but for us, the Country Burger is hard to beat. Two smashed patties served with lettuce, American cheese, red onion, and sweet green relish like your grandma used to make.
Ollie’s Trolley – A $6 Burger That’s Big on Flavor But Little On Price
When it comes to burgers for $6, you would probably imagine you won’t be getting anything particularly special. However, in the case of Cincinnati favorite Ollie’s Trolley, you’d be wrong. Parked at the corner of Central Avenue and West Liberty Street, you’ll find the heartwarming sight of that little red and yellow restaurant. It’s shaped kind of like a trolley, but besides the cute exterior, there’s plenty more to love about this neighbourhood favourite.
They’ve been in the same spot for more than three decades, serving up takeaway favorites, including the famous Ollie Burger. The burger looks for all the world like a traditional hamburger, but the seasoning sets it apart. They’ve never told anybody their secret blend of spices, but it makes for a mouth-watering experience. Grab yourself a burger (and have a browse of the Southern soul food menu too) and get ready for a taste sensation.
Americano – Pushing The Boundaries Of Burgers
Americano describes its offering in three words, Burgers, Bourbon, Beers, and you’ll notice that the burgers come first. The menu isn’t too lengthy here, instead, they focus on burger recipes that have earned them the title of Cincinnati’s favorite burger bar.
The Americano Burger Wrap is maybe not the best option for the burger purists out there, but if you enjoy a crispy Tex-Mex fusion burger, we’d suggest giving it a try. Inside a flour tortilla, you’ll find the homemade burger patty, alongside pepper jack cheese, hot habanero peppers drenched in house hot sauce.
They top this with crunchy tortilla chips, a dollop of guacamole, and as if there wasn’t enough chili already, a serrano-spiked aioli. It’s crunchy, spicy, a little unusual, but most of all, absolutely delicious.
Those after something a little more traditional won’t be disappointed either. The Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich is the perfect choice for buttermilk fried chicken lovers, while the Americano burger is the stereotypical American burger that we all know and love. The choice is yours on this one, but don’t say we didn’t tell you about the Americano Wrap Burger – it really is something special.
Tickle Pickle – A Veggie Burger?
On a list that’s bursting with beefy goodness, you might not have assumed you’d find a black bean burger, but that just goes to show how good this one is! Tickle Pickle is famous amongst Cincinnati’s vegetarian and vegan community, but this burger is beloved by veggies and carnivores alike.
As well as a full menu of meaty burgers, Tickle Pickle has a small but truly excellent selection of vegan sandwiches to enjoy. The Buns N Roses burger is the one we’re recommending today. It comprises of a dense and heavily spiced black bean burger, topped with spicy ketchup and the usual suspects (lettuce, pickle, tomato, and onion). They sandwich this in a stellar pretzel bun and serve it with love.