Cheap Eats: J & J Restaurant

Christina Harvey (left) of Cleves, Michelle and Donnie Wells of White Oak and Donna Wells of Cleves chow down on sandwiches at J & J Restaurant. (Credit: Joseph Fuqua | Metromix)

You might be tired of hearing about the economy, but your wallet might still be feeling it. Like many, I'm always on the look out for a cheap place to eat, and diners usually hit the spot. J & J Restaurant in Westwood fits what I look for in a diner: old-school, lots of comfort-food menu items and easy on the wallet.

The mood

J & J, located in a small strip with Sally Beauty Supply, is a pretty no-nonsense kind of place. Cincinnati skyline and baseball stadium photographs add a bit of color to the white walls; Elder and Oak Hills High School clocks add to the hometown feel. Seat yourself: Slide into a booth or sit around the front counter, where you can watch the hustle and bustle of the kitchen while waitresses punch the keys and count change at an old-fashioned cash register. Yup, no credit cards taken here.

The food

The menu looks easy enough, with breakfast served all day, Cincinnati-style chili, sandwich platters, and just the single word "pie" listed under "Desserts."

Then there are the specialty double-deckers. Just try to decide which of these massive sandwiches you want - it is not easy! There are countless options: ham and beef, bacon and cheese, ham and egg, turkey and turkey (no, really), etc.

My lunch date settled on the turkey with American cheese double-decker ($6.75), which came with pickles and potato chips, but he substituted the chips with onion rings ($2.25).

The double-decker was huge, with layer upon layer of thinly sliced turkey. After finishing, and letting out a huge satisfied sigh, he said, "That was a lot of sandwich."

Indeed. I've tried the mammoth sandwiches before, so I decided to switch it up and order an old standby: the grilled cheese sandwich ($3.05), with pickles and potato chips.

The chips, straight from the bag, were just "eh," so luckily I also ordered a side of the deliciously crunchy onion rings. I also got a side of very white coleslaw ($2.15), which was a bit disappointing.

We sipped on Diet Dr. Peppers ($1.70 each) and a water (free) during our meal.

The damage: $21.35

Not bad for a lunch for two. Next time, I want to dig into their chili.

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