Stay up late enough, and you’re bound to run into another appetite. Local bars and nightspots generally kick patrons to the curb around 2 a.m., but these establishments welcome with open arms. (“Give me your tired, your hungry, your drunk.”) Night owls who find themselves in the vast expanse between dinner and breakfast flock to these charmingly offbeat eateries, where greasy-spoon classics, specialty dishes and local fare can satisfy all comers.
Where to eat late (or early)
Find good food at any hour of the night or morning at these places
By Josh Shreve
Special to MetromixApril 8, 2009
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Camp Washington Chili
3005 Colerain Ave. - Cincinnati513-541-0061
Camp Washington’s slick, newish facility is a Church of Chili that pays homage to the 1950s diner. The walls are adorned with a menagerie of press clippings – reminders of a storied past for a restaurant that CBS News once proclaimed served the “nation’s best chili.” Late-night patrons can gorge themselves here while taking advantage of free Wi-Fi. It’s hard not to get caught up in the nostalgia. Service is lightning-quick, and the product speaks for itself. Late-night wanderers should be sure to take in the mural of George Washington in period drag that looms over the parking lot.
Shanghai Mama's
216 E. Sixth St. -
Cincinnati
513-241-7777
Though pulsing breakbeat churns late into the night at Shanghai Mama’s, this is the spot to hit when you’re finished dancing it out. Venture down to Sixth Street, and you’ll find an island of bustle in sleepy after-hours downtown. The menu offers noodles with attitude and a plethora of Chinese options. The dumplings and flatbread are not to be missed, but anything with “Shanghai” in the name is a good bet. The waitstaff caters to the late-night crowd, keeping everything humming along nicely. Weekend peak time is generally from 1:30 in the morning until close at 3. You can quaff under the terra cotta roof at Shanghai’s bar, which stocks sparkling sake and hoppy Tsing Tao. If you’re looking to keep up the tempo on your evening and get into something other than traditional diner fare, Shanghai’s is the gold standard.
Anchor Grill
438 W. Pike St. - Covington859-431-9498
The Anchor Grill draws an eclectic crowd of locals, scenesters, pub crawlers and the occasional ex-member of 98 Degrees. Nick Lachey’s return visits attest to the august reputation of the Anchor, which marked its 60th birthday in 2006. Close proximity to Glier’s Meats bodes well for any Cinci-tucky native. The environs are cozy and comfortable as long as you can weather the cigarette smoke. The Big Anchor is a staid classic, as is the goetta and cheese omelet, and there is enough on the menu to satisfy most intoxicated palettes. Laminate wood walls, warm lighting and delightfully tacky bric-a-brac – from a coin op “Band Box” to a wall-spanning oceanfront print worthy of Thomas Kinkade – give the appearance of a 1970s den. The Anchor’s character as a mid-American salon is reflected in the remarks of a frequent patron: “We have the best discussions here.” Settle into a booth, throw “Chantilly Lace” on the box and regain the calories you burned waltzing around town. The Anchor is a haven for night owls of any stripe.
Pepper Pod Restaurant
703 Monmouth St. - Newport859-431-7455
The Pepper Pod has been presided over by the Barton family for three generations. The Newport eatery’s strategic location on Seventh and Monmouth streets makes it an accessible spot to fall out after the Levee breaks for the night. Something about the unapologetic, largely-unchanged-since-the-’70s décor – replete with wall-mounted jukeboxes – is a welcome contrast to the dark recesses of the contemporary bar scene. A friendly stable of regulars intermingles with the late-night crowd at the Pepper Pod. The sizable lunch counter is complemented by an ample menu, which possesses the kind of range one looks for in an all-night diner, though potentially daunting to the bleary-eyed after hours patron. Chili and goetta offerings join up with a pulled pork sandwich and fried pickles, reflecting a nice compromise between the American South and Southwest Ohio. Hearty omelets make a credible claim to “Best in Town,” and the double-decker “Big Eddie” burger is a cheap and satisfying option.
Chaucer's
2477 Royal Drive - Fort Mitchell859-341-2800
Chaucer’s is a nice little discovery tucked away into Fort Mitchell’s Tudor-ific Drawbridge Inn. The welcome sign reminds customers that wearing shoes is not optional – a subtle indicator that Chaucer’s is a singularly late-night animal. The restaurant specializes in after-hours dining, serving patrons from 11 p.m. to 11 a.m. Though less conspicuous, it’s certainly head and shoulders above your local Waffle House. The interior is hotel-clean, and the late-night crowd is generally well behaved. While Chaucer’s is not located in the heart of any prominent bar scene, Greater Cincinnati nighthawks will find a friendly staff and breakfast favorites including the popular “Sunny Morn” breakfast. Night shifters and insomniacs alike come for the comfort food and stay for the wireless Internet.
Pleasant Ridge Chili Restaurant
6032 Montgomery Road - Cincinnati513-531-2365
Those up late chasing down the afterglow should follow the neon sign that points the way to Pleasant Ridge Chili. Stepping inside is trip back in time. Framed photographs commemorate Cincinnati circa 1976. Settle in and get cozy under the booth overhang – which is eerily reminiscent of the zigzagging structure on the Dodgers Stadium mezzanine. Much like its contemporaries, P-Ridge serves delicious chili all ways alongside diner standbys like double-decker sandwiches and breakfast classics (available any time of day). The real coup, aside from the chili, is the deliciously indulgent gravy cheese fries – with beef stock gravy made in house.
The Comet
4579 Hamilton Ave. -
Cincinnati
513-541-8900
For good late-night vegetarian fare, it’s hard to beat a burrito at The Comet. Carnivores and vegans alike can enjoy the jerk tofu burrito – a healthy and satisfying alternative available as late as 1 a.m.
And we couldn't forget… late-night pizza
For those craving New York-style thin crust pizza made with a little kick in the marinara, both Lucy Blue (Mt. Lookout, Over-the-Rhine, downtown and Mainstrasse) and Ramundo's (Mt. Lookout) are the upper crust. Lucy Blue keeps its convenient pizza window open until 3 am, while Ramundo’s serves pie until 4. If you find yourself in Northside and need a slice, get over and sample Gypsy Hut’s pizza window, located inside the establishment. They usually keep it coming until closing time.
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