There are times when it’s fun to plan ahead and make a reservation for a special night out, but typically you want to find a place that has good food, friendly people, and no wait. Just because a restaurant doesn’t have a continuous line out the door doesn’t mean it’s not an excellent choice for a meal! In fact, some would argue that these 11 mouthwatering restaurants throughout Cincinnati have even more appeal for their fast service and impeccable menus.
- Red Fox Grill - 232 E 6th St. Cincinnati, OH 45202
Yelp/Bryan S.
Yelp/Ken L. If you work downtown, then you’ve likely spent a lunch hour or two at the Red Fox Grill. This unassuming diner is known for its quick service, great prices (cash only), and delicious burgers and sandwiches.
- The Squirrel - 344 Walnut St. Cincinnati, OH 45202
Yelp/Joel L.
Yelp/Ben B. Another downtown favorite, The Squirrel is a great spot for a quick breakfast or lunch. They are only open during the week from 8am - 2:30pm, but you won’t need much time to get in and out and enjoy a delicious, freshly made breakfast, sandwich, or cheese coney.
- Skyline Chili - Various Locations
Facebook/Skyline Chili - The Zang Family Group
Facebook/Skyline Chili - The Zang Family Group When “It’s Skyline Time,” thankfully you don’t have to wait very long to satisfy your craving. There is very rarely a wait and within minutes you’ll have a plate of cheese coneys and 3-ways sitting in front of you.
- Frisch’s Big Boy - Various Locations
Facebook/Frisch’s Big Boy
Facebook/Frisch’s Big Boy Frisch’s may be a regional chain, but this classic diner is still a Cincinnati favorite. The best part is that you never have to wait very long to sit down and enjoy your Big Boy with extra tartar sauce. Better yet, order the famous breakfast buffet and you won’t have to wait for your food at all!
- Chandler’s Burger Bistro - 6135 Cleves Warsaw Pike Cincinnati, OH 45233
Yelp/Dawn B.
Facebook/Chandler’s Burger Bistro This local burger diner is a westside favorite, but you’d never know it because there’s rarely a wait! And who would want to wait long for an epic Chandler burger, complete with goetta and a fried egg? There’s also a location in Harrison, so be sure to check out both for an easy family meal.
- Mr. Gene’s Dog House - 3703 Beekman St. Cincinnati, OH 45223
Yelp/Freda S.
Yelp/Roth M. There’s usually very little waiting involved at this iconic Cincinnati walk-up window restaurant. Within minutes, you’ll have one of the best cheese coneys in the city sitting in front of you. Order it with some fries and a shake and you’ll be counting down the days until you can come back.
- Sebastian’s Greek Restaurant - 5209 Glenway Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45238
Yelp/Sean B.
Facebook/Sebastian’s Greek Restaurant Walk right into this authentic Greek restaurant for a mouthwatering - and fast - meal. The gyros are perfection and the friendly atmosphere will make you wonder why you didn’t have to wait for a table.
- El Pueblo - 4270 Hunt Rd. Blue Ash, OH 45242
Yelp/Globeater M.
Facebook/El Pueblo Since no one can seem to get enough tacos these days, it’s surprising to find a delicious Mexican restaurant that rarely has a wait. But don’t let the walk-right-in atmosphere of El Pueblo fool you; the food is authentic and fresh and the atmosphere is lively and fun.
- Blue Jay Restaurant - 4154 Hamilton Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45223
Yelp/Matthew L.
Facebook/Blue Jay Restaurant The Blue Jay is an institution in Northside that has been open since 1967 and miraculously owned by the same family all this time. Not much else has changed, and that’s part of its appeal. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is friendly, and there’s always a table waiting for you.
- Green Papaya - 2942 Wasson Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45209
Facebook/Green Papaya
Facebook/Green Papaya The Green Papaya is one of the most magical places where - despite the tiny parking lot - you can always find a space, and you’ll never have to wait for a table. But the food is outstanding, the service is great, and you’ll leave planning your next visit.
- Big Art’s BBQ - 2796 Struble Rd. Cincinnati 45251
Yelp/Nichole P.
Yelp/Amber C. This westside hidden gem serves delicious BBQ in a classic diner atmosphere. The ribs are a must and your mouth will start watering the minute you walk in the door. Good thing you won’t have to wait for a table!
Do you have a favorite Cincinnati restaurant where there’s always a table waiting for you? Care to share your secret with us? Let us know in the comments!
Yelp/Bryan S.
Yelp/Ken L.
If you work downtown, then you’ve likely spent a lunch hour or two at the Red Fox Grill. This unassuming diner is known for its quick service, great prices (cash only), and delicious burgers and sandwiches.
Yelp/Joel L.
Yelp/Ben B.
Another downtown favorite, The Squirrel is a great spot for a quick breakfast or lunch. They are only open during the week from 8am - 2:30pm, but you won’t need much time to get in and out and enjoy a delicious, freshly made breakfast, sandwich, or cheese coney.
Facebook/Skyline Chili - The Zang Family Group
When “It’s Skyline Time,” thankfully you don’t have to wait very long to satisfy your craving. There is very rarely a wait and within minutes you’ll have a plate of cheese coneys and 3-ways sitting in front of you.
Facebook/Frisch’s Big Boy
Frisch’s may be a regional chain, but this classic diner is still a Cincinnati favorite. The best part is that you never have to wait very long to sit down and enjoy your Big Boy with extra tartar sauce. Better yet, order the famous breakfast buffet and you won’t have to wait for your food at all!
Yelp/Dawn B.
Facebook/Chandler’s Burger Bistro
This local burger diner is a westside favorite, but you’d never know it because there’s rarely a wait! And who would want to wait long for an epic Chandler burger, complete with goetta and a fried egg? There’s also a location in Harrison, so be sure to check out both for an easy family meal.
Yelp/Freda S.
Yelp/Roth M.
There’s usually very little waiting involved at this iconic Cincinnati walk-up window restaurant. Within minutes, you’ll have one of the best cheese coneys in the city sitting in front of you. Order it with some fries and a shake and you’ll be counting down the days until you can come back.
Yelp/Sean B.
Facebook/Sebastian’s Greek Restaurant
Walk right into this authentic Greek restaurant for a mouthwatering - and fast - meal. The gyros are perfection and the friendly atmosphere will make you wonder why you didn’t have to wait for a table.
Yelp/Globeater M.
Facebook/El Pueblo
Since no one can seem to get enough tacos these days, it’s surprising to find a delicious Mexican restaurant that rarely has a wait. But don’t let the walk-right-in atmosphere of El Pueblo fool you; the food is authentic and fresh and the atmosphere is lively and fun.
Yelp/Matthew L.
Facebook/Blue Jay Restaurant
The Blue Jay is an institution in Northside that has been open since 1967 and miraculously owned by the same family all this time. Not much else has changed, and that’s part of its appeal. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is friendly, and there’s always a table waiting for you.
Facebook/Green Papaya
The Green Papaya is one of the most magical places where - despite the tiny parking lot - you can always find a space, and you’ll never have to wait for a table. But the food is outstanding, the service is great, and you’ll leave planning your next visit.
Yelp/Nichole P.
Yelp/Amber C.
This westside hidden gem serves delicious BBQ in a classic diner atmosphere. The ribs are a must and your mouth will start watering the minute you walk in the door. Good thing you won’t have to wait for a table!
For more unique restaurants to try throughout Cincinnati, check out our recent article here.
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Address: 2942 Wasson Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45209Address: 2796 Struble Rd. Cincinnati 45251Address: 3703 Beekman St. Cincinnati, OH 45223Address: 6135 Cleves Warsaw Pike Cincinnati, OH 45233Address: 344 Walnut St. Cincinnati, OH 45202Address: 232 E 6th St. Cincinnati, OH 45202Address: 5209 Glenway Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45238Address: 4270 Hunt Rd. Blue Ash, OH 45242Address: 4154 Hamilton Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45223
