Newport, a food guide

Besides Anchor Grill in Covington, Pepper Pod is the only 24-hour diner in the area. Townies and hipsters alike flock to the 55-year-old greasy staple that presents daily specials, double-decker sandwiches, all-day breakfast, and liver and onions. Like their marquee states, they also offer oysters, 3-way chili and steaks.

It's hard to resist a place with thin-crust pizza by the slice, specialty pizza by the pie, a choice of 20 toppings, table-top Ms. Pac Man/Galaga and cheap craft beers. Opened in 2009, Newport Pizza offers appetizers, salads, sandwiches and, of course, pizza like their veggie pizzas, Meatball Lasagna Pizza and their famous Cincinnatus, made with cream cheese and piled with chili and cheese. Did we mention they also deliver?

Free wi-fi and Mammoth's own coffee blend bring laptop-toting customers and brunch lovers into the daytime café. For food options, try paninis, wraps, soups, scones or breakfast croissants, but for liquid refreshment, have them whip up a frozen hot chocolate frappe or a white mocha latte. Instead of rushing out, take a seat at one of the tables, sofas or rocking chairs and plug in for a while.

A casual dining establishment, the restaurant is divided from the Sunset Bar by two dining rooms (one smoking, one non-smoking). Mokka's huge menu presents 20 kinds of sandwiches, breakfast, burgers, entrees and daily happy hours featuring discounted appetizers, salads and drinks. On Wednesdays, try the breakfast-for-dinner special.

Recognizing the dearth of authentic Mexican restaurants in the Tri-state, this popular spot serves burritos, quesadillas, sopas and gorditas with a long list of fillings to choose from. Some of those protein decisions include safe bets like vegetarian and asada (skirt steak) and more adventurous flavors of birria (goat) and yes, sesos (beef brains). Pick up a piñata or a bag of Mexican chips at the adjacent La Chiquita grocery store.