Joe’s Diner on Sycamore
1203 Sycamore St, Cincinnati, OH, 45202
Joe’s Diner on Sycamore Menu
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Address :
1203 Sycamore St
Cincinnati, OH, 45202 - Phone (513) 421-5637
- Website https://joesdineronsycamore.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Late Night
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey, Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Mark E.
Joe's got a veggie burger!!! Don't know it's source but I'm still super stoked. Keep it up and I'll be here as much as I'm at Tucker's.
(5)Ben S.
It says open til 11. got there at 945 and its closed. lost me as a customer.
(1)Ryan Z.
This place is okay late night but barely adequate as a day time stop. Three other tables were sat right after us, so we made sure to get our food orders in immediately. That didn't help as they all received their food before us. I think our stuff must have been sitting in the window getting cold b/c it wasn't very good. Chicken fritters ended up being Wendy's style chicken nuggets but not as good. Fries are beer battered and were probably the highlight of the meal... not exactly something to hang your hat on. Despite all this, I'm sure I'll be back for a 3 am snack next time I'm stumbling down Main St. after hours.
(3)Casey Y.
A couple of friends and I went over to Joe's to watch the world series, and had pretty terrible food and even worse service. Here's a play-by-play. We arrived around 9:30 on a Friday night and grabbed a booth near the back. The place was moderately busy, but there were three servers on the floor and only seven or eight tables in the entire place. Even so, we sat for five minutes without even being greeted. Finally we moved to the bar where we sat for another five minutes ungreeted. Eventually the waitress came over, only to ask us to move so that a larger party could take our place at the bar. That alone was bad enough to ensure I'd never go back again. It only got worse. Our drink orders were taken. Another five or so minutes before they arrived. The food itself didn't take long, but our orders were wrong (along with a couple other people in the diner). The quality of the food was abysmal. Too much pepper in the burger and a strange sweet taste to the fries. The malt was good, but not enough to redeem anything. Will not be coming back.
(1)Scott L.
My wife, a couple friends and I checked out Joe's Diner last Saturday (7/24/10). Now, I'll preface this by saying that they aren't "fully" open yet. They're going through a "soft" open. So, they didn't have their full menu open, they didn't have a huge selection of drinks, and they didn't have a huge section of the actual diner open. But, that doesn't change the fact that Joe's Diner is great. First off, it looks like a 50's style diner...right up to the sweet old jukebox. And, yes...it did play, "My Girl" while we were there. They serve their drinks in small mason jars, which is a fantastic touch. They have delicious burgers. And...in my favorite little quirk of any restaurant...the menu calls for a cheeseburger, when in actuality...it's a double cheeseburger! IT'S THE SCOTT SPECIAL! The staff was great. The manager came over and talked to us for about five minutes, and then again talked to us for a bit as we were leaving. And, did I mention they have free WIFI? BONUS!!! All in all, Joe's diner on Sycamore is gonna be a great place to hang out once it's fully open. Make sure you try it out! And, as you'll always learn, if a fat guy talks good about a restaurant...EAT THERE!
(4)Charlie T.
My friends and I came upon this place through a recommendation from a stranger. It was a delightful surprise. The menu had lots of promise with lots of things I want to try. The chicken fried chicken on a biscuit and gravy was delicious (but a little over-salty). Whoever is in charge of the menu and the plating is creative, but keeps a connection with true diner food. It has this fun vintage feel, but the food has a contemporary flair. We are definitely going back!
(4)Steve A.
I have to admit, I was pretty drunk after hitting up some OTR bars when we showed up to Joe's. But I do remember some things. Like the food being pretty tasty. But also the service was a little slow. Especially since I think they forgot our appetizer order until we reminded them. Given its prime location, another drunken trip to Joe's is likely in the cards. Looking forward to it.
(3)Randy K.
What a diner COULD be. We are not in OTR all that often, but on a recent trip we were delighted to see what looked like a retro diner back in town. So after our next trip to Music Hall, we decided to stop for lunch. We sat in the infamous back room. That must be where good meals go to die. I must say, that the fries are quite good. As was my blackbean burger. My daughter had the chicken fingers which were standard fare but not overcooked as you often get. The white chicken chili was tasty. But my wife's omlette looked and tasted like a rubber play version that comes with a child's kitchen set. Also, there was "things" floating in my wife's tea. Even in the second glass after we sent the first one back. And NO, it wasn't tea leaves. The service was quite slow as others have mentioned. Especially for what we had ordered and the amount of other customers. The staff was friendly and the jukebox rocks, but Joe's fails on some of the "diner" basics. Any place that calls itself a diner should serve better than average egg dishes. And have at leave one eggs benedict on the menu. A diner should be clean. Joe's needs a good cleaning. All of our glasses were dirty and spotty. I've been to diner's all over the country that were 10 times busier and virtually spotless. Diner food is usually fast. At least it's served to you quickly. But we waited at least 30 minutes for our food. These are just a few points that Joes' misses the mark. The biggest disappoint is that Joe's could be a great place. The kind of place that always has a wait it's so good. It's not in a bad location and has the bones of a good retro diner. But the food and service have to get measurably better. With some simple improvements, Joe's could be a goldmine and a brightspot in downtown dining. Please turn it around Joe's, we'd like to come back. But until then, we'll go to the Anchor Inn when we need a greasy spoon fix.
(2)Paige P.
I love joes. Sure the food isn't amazing, and the service is on the slower side, but it somehow doesn't matter. Joe's is a great late night meet up spot to grab a bite, and if you feel so inclined grab a drink.
(4)Sean B.
This place is ripe for Kitchen Nightmares. You know the show, where celeb chef Gordon Ramsey comes in trying to help clean up a restaurant before they go under? Typically Ramsey starts by taking a bloated menu and boiling it down to the essentials and that is what needs to happen at Joe's. There's waaaaaaay too much stuff on the menu and, as a result, most of it is not very good. I am extremely excited that the Diner is back open and contributing to the burgeoning OTR scene. I would just like them to *stay open* and not continue the long tradition of businesses in this space failing after a few months.
(2)Alycia B.
Me and my son have visited Joe's a few times for breakfast. I haven't been impressed any of the times, but we keep going back because there are only so many breakfast options downtown on the weekends, especially in OTR. The prices are to high for the quality of food you get. The portions are fairly big, but as someone who is in the process of getting healthy, I would prefer smaller portions with higher quality. That being said, the service is decent, not exceptional, but the waitresses are friendly and that can go a long way. I haven't sworn off the place yet because I like the community feel of the place and I always see old neighbors from Main St. Maybe I should check them out late night sometime, food is always better with alcohol. I could settle with that since there are only one or two other restaurants open downtown late at night.
(3)Jaime S.
I vote skip it. It's to expensive. Poor quality. Shotty service. Slow, Not worth the money. Even late at night, I vote for the Pizza Window right down the street. The drunks deserve better! Also, the breakfast isn't worth it either. Ok, that is all.
(1)Tony D.
Joe's Diner has became an OTR landmark. Especially those that frequent it's neighbor, Neon's. Joe's Diner has your typical diner meals and hours, including burgers, sandwiches, and various appetizers. One under-utilized aspect of Joe's is the breakfast meals. If you get nothing else, make sure to partake in the smoothies. They are the perfect "morning after" beverage. The surroundings are quite diner-ish as well. The TVs will be more inclined to have "Hogan's Heroes" or an Elvis movie on than sports or local news. All-in-all, you can get fancier food, but the odds of getting good food, decent service, and cheap prices are pretty slim. Plus, you have to go so you can be cool like everyone else.
(4)Heather M.
This place is so sketchy now. It has really gone down hill fast. I have been in there recently and i was the only customer. When i first walked in, there was no one in the front. The lights were very dim. I had to check outside again to see if the open sign was flipped. It was dingy and very dirty. I was about to walk out but a woman came out and felt obligated to get something. Foodwise, i have had better. I got a chicken sandwich. The chicken was cooked through thank goodness but never go here again. Especially by myself.
(1)Cindy G.
A quick update, went to Joe's for a carry out order today and got a cheeseburger, fries, and a coke for 5.50!! Talk about a cheap lunch. And still really delicious. The burger was tasty. I don't know what kind of bun they use here, but it is puffy and delicious. The grippo dusted fries were really great! I don't know what people are saying about being too expensive and not good? I've only had great experiences here. They do have some dumb menu items, but like I said before don't order shrimp scampi at a diner. What do you expect? Go for for the burg, or chicken fingers. Great price, good food, and prolly the best drunk food around. Plus they have a membership card! Those drunks meals will add up without you even knowing ;)
(4)Justin M.
Joe's Diner has caught a lot of flak and rightfully so. All of the negatives about Joe's Diner I am sure are true, because I have had some weird experiences here myself. But all of that aside, Joe's Diner is exactly what it's name says. A Diner. The thing that I have come to learn about this place is you have to order smart. What I mean by this is don't order things that you would usually order at Jeff Ruby's. Joe's offers up a pretty extensive menu. They have a completely separate breakfast menu from the main lunch and dinner menu. I've eaten at Joe's probably close to 20 times and have ordered a burger about 15 of those times. I have ordered other things and enjoyed them but the burger is kind of their best seller. They have a lot of different choices. From a regular cheeseburger all the way up to the Juicy J burger which is what I usually get. It's a legitimately good burger and I would gladly eat their burger any day of the week. Also, Joe's offers up some of the best fries around. I know that sounds strange but I really believe this. Imagine a fry that has the crunchiness of Rally's and the freshness of your local dairy whip. Oh, and then throw on some crushed Grippo's dust for good measure and you have my friend, one delicious fry. They also offer up a very good breakfast. Their pancakes are homemade and the waffles and bacon that I tried were very good. It is a legitimate option if your looking for breakfast. I have also discovered recently that they offer up quite a milkshake and also, quite a smoothie. It's a smoothie that is cheaper than Smoothie King and almost as good in my opinion. Other odds and ends served here are a small selection of beer and wine as well as things you would expect like coffee and soda. Very rarely is their second dining area open so you will usually be sitting in the very flashbacky (word) feeling main area. The waiters are always friendly and that is hard consider the drunko's that they have to deal with late night. They also deliver in a close vicinity of their location. Which means yes, you can order from Neon's which is a cool plus for them since Neon's has no food or snacks at all. Sure, they have some flaky hours, but when they are open they are great. Sure their prime rib isn't good, but what did you expect. I don't expect to get the best thing I've ever had in my life at Joe's Diner but what I do get when I go is one pretty dang good meal. And I am completely fine with that.
(4)John B.
I had a rather average brunch meal here last week. I think that I'll have to check other options in the area as the Chicken and Sweet Potato Waffles were nothing special and had me yearning for the (now apparently off the menu) Moroccan Bus Stop Chicken and Waffles at FB's. (Hey FB's, bring those back please.) Alright, back to Joe's. Service was rather casual and by that I mean we sat down and were only vaguely acknowledged. It wasn't busy at all, so this was a little off-putting. Eventually the server came around and took our orders and served us our drinks. Refills were prompt and provided without asking. Nice. Prices seemed a little high for what I got, but I did find the portion just enough to fill me up and not leave me overstuffed. I do love the "step-back-time" feeling I get when walking into the diner area. I also think that some of my friends and I will try the Shadeau Bread sandwich challenge someday. That will be a good time. With some crazy late hours Thursday to Saturday: 7am - 4am, Joe's is probably your best bet for late night noshing.
(2)Michael W.
Before I begin I'd like to make it a point to say this happened to me a couple of years ago so to give the place the benefit of the doubt for it's sake I hope it has improved. ...Went to this place alone one time after the bars closed. Servers ignored me at the counter including the management. One particular older female server gave me major attitude for no reason. I continued to sit at counter as she ignored me ( except for the times she would give me an attitude with glances and short remarks)everyone else was being waited on. Never received a glass of water, coffee, or even a menu. I took some napkins out of the napkin holder and the hateful older female server I mentioned earlier said "quit wasting our napkins!". needless to say I then walked out and I swore never return to this place. I did. I thought I'd give it another try this time earlier in the evening. This time a different female server was attentive and pleasant. The food was OK. I told the server about my less than stellar experience that had happened before and she said about the older server from before " she was probably tired" Really? Sorry, no excuse for the terrible treatment and service before. I don't think I'll be back. I have worked in F and B all my life and never encountered anything as bad as that first time. Like I said the second venture was better service wise but I'm actually afraid to go back in during bar rush.
(1)Alex S.
I had a friend in college who swore by diners ... of course, she was from New Jersey, so it was basically in her blood to love them and everything about them. She would go on and on about their comfort food, their late hours and their friendly (sometimes overly-friendly) staff. I thought diners were neat, nothing spectacular ... but I never had one to call my own. That all changed this weekend. Joe's Diner on Sycamore, which was once the club Vinyl, isn't even fully functional yet. They're doing a soft open, serving part of their menu and limited drinks (they have Coke but no Diet Coke). Still, it was right around the corner from my house and worth checking out with some friends. This spot is going to be amazing. You walk in and it feels like a '50s diner - it's a long, rectangular room with a counter on one side and old-school booths on the other, with waitresses scuttling in between. We were told to sit where we like and immediately had a server there to greet us. She let us know they weren't doing sides yet and a few other things, but everything else (including all the burgers and fries) were available. How could I turn down an offer like that? I got a make-your-own burger with banana peppers (mmm) on sourdough bread and let me tell you something - it was awesome. Perfectly cooked, flavorful, amazing. The fries were nice, nothing to write home about but cooked well and there was plenty of salt on the table to make it just the way I wanted. Plus, when we came in, they were playing "Little Rascals" on the TV, which then switched to "Dukes of Hazard." That there was a real, nice, retro touch. After the meal, manager Keith came over to ask us how our meal was. He let me know once they open for real, on the weekends, this spot is going to be open until 4AM! That's amazing, since Cincinnati is known for shutting down no later than 2, if that. He also said there is plenty of room in the back if it spills over (it just still feels more like a club and less like a diner), so it seems like there will always be seating. Good cheap food? Open late? Classic TV? Free wifi (by the way, they have free wifi!) - oh yes, I'm coming back here often.
(4)Jessica S.
I was really excited to hear of a restaurant in Cincinnati with the word "Diner" its name. Since leaving my home state, I have yet to find a diner that is TRULY a diner: open 24 hours a day, owned by Greek or Italian families, and a never-changing menu where you can order whatever you want at whatever time you want it. Milkshake at 3am... an omelet at 10pm... a rueben at 6am... whatever, whenever, and it's greasy and delicious. Hell, you can take the girl out of New York, but you can't take the New York out of the girl, ya know? Unfortunately, the word "Diner" in Joe's Diner goes no further than how it looks. it is a silvery beacon on Sycamore St. in OTR. First of all, the hours are awful. I firmly, firmly believe that a diner should be open at least 18 hours! But, love how this place really tries to look like a diner: a juke box, option of sitting at the bar in front of the TVs or at a linoleum-and-vinyl booth, and cakes/cookies, gum, and candy on display at the register. Beyond this, however, it doesn't really hit a high note. There are some good greasy-spoon standards found on the menu: sandwiches, breakfast platters, cakes and pies, coffee, soup, milkshakes, etc. Though not traditional diner fare, I actually ordered shrimp and grits because it caught my eye. Unfortunately the grits were flavorless and had lumps and only 5 teenie tiny shrimp came with it (though they were seasoned really nicely). The coffee was really, really good so it wasn't like I was completely dissatisfied. Next time, though, I'll try a sandwich or something else that's hard to mess up. As a diner, Joe's misses the mark more often than not. As a regular restaurant, it's just okay. Basically, if I needed a quick, cheap bite - sandwich, soup, breakfast, whatever - and was in the vicinity of Joe's, I'd consider stopping in.
(2)Scott M.
I'm a big fan of Joe's! I've had some absolutely wonderful mid-crawl meals here at the diner. Sandwiches are very good, fountain soda is nice and sweet! Prices aren't bad and the portions are pretty healthy. You can eat half a sandwich here and save the other half for the next day. There is a diverse crowd and a good mix of people both serving and dining. No one should ever feel unwelcome here. The staff is extraordinarily nice. Service can get slow when they have both dining rooms full. I'm not sure they were fully prepared for the wave of people that crashed through their doors last Bockfest, so you may want to avoid Joe's this year...unless your friends go to Neon's and you don't want to be caught dead there. Definitely a good decision to stop here if you want a little drunk food.
(4)Ryan Z.
This place is okay late night but barely adequate as a day time stop. Three other tables were sat right after us, so we made sure to get our food orders in immediately. That didn't help as they all received their food before us. I think our stuff must have been sitting in the window getting cold b/c it wasn't very good. Chicken fritters ended up being Wendy's style chicken nuggets but not as good. Fries are beer battered and were probably the highlight of the meal... not exactly something to hang your hat on. Despite all this, I'm sure I'll be back for a 3 am snack next time I'm stumbling down Main St. after hours.
(3)Kara C.
Oh Joe's, you could not be less consistent if you tried. The food has always been tasty and satisfying in an inebriated state. Joe's has just what you need when you want something to eat after a night of drinking. They are located next door to Neon's and will even deliver if you order it. Bonus! I have sampled a variety of their menu, from pasta to breakfast items. Their menu is HUGE and has something for all tastes, including vegetarian. I would have to say that my favorite aspect of Joe's is that they have turkey bacon and it actually tastes decent (I'm unable to eat pork so bacon is a rare treat for me). Also a plus...they serve beer! Joe's has a welcoming retro vibe that I enjoy. It has always been very clean when we have visited, even the bathrooms. Now to the bad parts. It takes FOREVER! We went last night around 2am and did not get out of there until 4am. We were waiting for our food almost that entire time as it did not take long to eat. The waiter was very apologetic and friendly but 2 hours is far too long to wait for anything, let alone diner food. My friends and I were ready to fall asleep at the table by the time the food got there. And last night was not an anomaly, it has always taken a very long time to get our food there. As a place that is open late after bars close, Joe's should be able to handle a 2am rush without the quality of the experience being compromised. Visit Joe's for the great food and atmosphere, but expect a long wait.
(3)Chad G.
I go to Joe's because I'm local and it's close. However, everytime I go I keep hoping the food will get better. It doesn't. It's diner food, sure, but I have had better food from diners. If you are in a pinch, it's great, just don't expect to be wowed. I wish I liked the fries.
(3)Stephen B.
Let me start with this disclaimer, I've been to Joe's many times, but never when I was even moderately sober. The reason for this is that it is located in one of the most fantastic bar districts in Cincinnati. After a night of drinking, this is the place you come to eat. I cannot resist their chicken and waffles. The chicken is great, the waffles are mushy and gross. Why get the waffles then you ask? Because it's chicken and waffles, that's why. The 1950's diner style is neat, the food is pretty good, and they know how to be patient with groups of drunk people. From my recollection, the service is horribly slow on weekend nights. Some of the reviews here complain about the prices, but to be honest I have no idea what the prices are. Four stars is probably incredibly generous, but wait! I have a couple more good things to say about it... They deliver to Neon's. Okay, that's actually the only other thing I can think of. The delivery aspect is a factor in my high rating. One more thing, if you get the fried chicken, get the breast. The wings and legs and whatnot aren't really that good. I believe they have a Monte Cristo. Also, the Mixx wings are pretty good. To be clear, the 4th star is based on potential for good times. Your experience may vary.
(4)Christine M.
Joe's Diner has been an essential addition to many of my late nights in OTR. The food is relatively simple, breakfast food is my inclination (so close to breakfast more than not, right?), and the service is friendly. Their fries have Grippo's seasoning on them, which was new to me. The eggs are cooked to your liking, and I tend to prefer a breakfast sandwich. It does good things to equalize what's in my system and keeps me from going home and munching on food far less agreeable to my system the morning. Though it should be obvious, I'd caution the non-drinking or non-tolerant sober folks from coming here late at night. There are often shennanigans, like people who talk too much, too loud, or are slightly off from what you'd expect in a diner in the a.m. There's a lot of guys there, in my experience, who don't know when one's eyes should move on...but it's not threatening, just kind of annoying. Unless you're looking for that, in which case, you might have found the perfect spot to pick up someone on your way home. Either way, Joe's is a great addition to the OTR scene. Kudos to the employees there for always being so calm, together, and friendly. Drunk folks can be a pain in the ass, and they seem to handle their clientele well late night.
(4)Missy L.
Joe's has good intentions. That being said...the service is iffy and the prices could be better. The menu is mostly typical diner food with the occasional oddball item thrown in (the sweet potato pancakes are pretty good!). Joe's also serves alcohol...which is a plus because most of their business takes place during the evening hours. One thing Joe's has oodles of though is atmosphere! It's really like jumping back in time to a 50's malt shop with an eccentric twist. This place also has an ideal location right next to Neon's Unplugged. I've never had anything that was bad at Joe's, however I've never had anything spectacularly great either. I was expecting a greasy spoon like the kind my classmates and I used to frequent in college during late night study sessions (or yanno...coming home from the bar). Joe's is trying, but just falls slightly short. It's not a place I would go out of my way to eat at, but given that I'm at Neon's fairly often I have had a late night meal or two there and it was satisfactory.
(2)Hannah P.
I love frequenting places like this: good food, lots of choices, history, fun neighborhood, alcohol, etc. The menu is pretty varied, bigger than I expected. The burgers are very big, delicious, and unique. I enjoyed the Juicy Jay with fried pickles and banana peppers. Definitely come hungry to this place because there will be way too much food to eat. This place has the traditional diner feeling of a silver trailer-type room. But it's much bigger than I expected with two big rooms, two restroom areas, and a bar stool area. The servers were very nice too and accommodated a birthday party.
(4)Kaitlin D.
I was so excited to try this place out the other night...err morning! But, I fear I made a bad decision and ended up with a sub-par experience. I love pickles. Anyone who knows me, knows that, so when I ordered fried pickles, it wasn't a surprise, while everyone else seemed to be having meals. I even got the option of having just the pickles or a mix of banana peppers and pickles. Though the server said he couldn't tell the difference, I went for the combo to see for myself. Conclusion: they were very different and the pickles weren't my favorite...EEK! The issue (or at least what I think it was): The pickles were actually sandwich or burger slices, not eat-on-their-own pickles, though I totally would, except for the fact that they were tiny little slices of panic inducing pure salt. I ate some of the fried batter alone and it was barely salty (to my over-salted, stinging taste buds; perhaps it was salty, but I couldn't identify it at this point). The banana peppers were delicious and not cringe-worthy salty, so my conclusion is bad pickles. And this is a nightmare to me. Dear Joe's, Next time I'm around, I'll order something else and probably be incredibly happy with my greasy fried eggs or piled high burger, but for now, I'm sad. Can you get new pickles for frying? Please?! I'm sure those other ones work for sandwiches with more than one other flavor going for them, but to simply have pickles, you need a different type. Love, Kaitlin, pickle connoisseur. High points: Good crowd, good server, MASON JARS!!
(2)Zack F.
Always a passerby, never a patron? Well, no longer. It's certainly a cute looking place; part retro, part mod. The neon has a warm, inviting glow. As you walk it, you are made to feel at home. I found it to be clean, which as far as diners go, can be a detractor for some people I know. It's not a true greasy spoon, which for me, is a positive. Growing up vegetarian, I'm not going to pretend that diners held any real allure for me. Then, as I traveled to places like NYC, Middlebury (VT), SF, DC, etc., it finally dawned on me how good they can be. Still, I must remain cautiously enthusiastic when land-locked in the Midwest, as the selections not drenched in meat fat are often limited. ;) That being said, I was able to find several things on the menu at Joe's that I would be happy feasting on after a night out at Neon's. I ended up with the nachos, and they were not only piled high, but tasty to boot. I also had a red eye, and to my surprise, the coffee was respectable, and came in a cool, contemporary, off-round cup. I know that again, on this point many diehard diner-ionados will profess strong contention. Diner coffee should apparently be cheap, slightly burnt or old tasting, and come in a kitschy classic mug. While I can understand where they are coming from, I do not hold the same passion for this style of diner.
(4)John D.
Supposedly this is in an iffy neighborhood, but I thought it was pretty nice. Granted, it was only at 11 am and I was craving some eggs! This place is great for a diner. It has your usual stuff and a pretty large menu for a place like this... And at your average diner price. For what I was hungry for, I got what I was expecting! A funny story: I thought this was the diner mentioned in that Suzanne Vega song so of course I got excited to see a cthedral nearby, only to discover the name of the song was TOM's Diner. *flashback facepalm*
(4)Angela C.
Three stars for food, plus one for being a late-night diner! After some happy hour drinks in OTR, my friends and I tried both the Senate and Lavo for a later dinner (like 8 o'clock) on a Friday. Hour + long waits! It just wasn't going to work, we were starving. We trekked over to Joe's Diner. I love the old-school diner feel: lighting, counter, booths, you name it. And apparently they are open until 4am. Score! And we could sit right down. Perfect! The service was friendly, but for whatever reason, really seemed to be slow. This would be my only major complaint. We sat in the side room, so perhaps we were temporarily forgotten, but while we got our drinks quickly, it took a while to get our orders in. It took even longer for us to get the food, and it didn't seem all that crowded or busy, so I don't really know what was going on. Anyway, we did eventually get our food, and while it's possible that my extreme hunger clouds my judgment, the food was solid. I ordered the fish and chips. Oh-my-goodness, the fries. So crispy but potato-y, with some zesty seasoning. The fish was hot, with good fat chunks of some sort of white fish. I don't know that there was anything unusually good about it, but it tasted good. The coleslaw it came with was pretty average. My friends seemed pretty happy with their chicken fried chicken. Joe's has a pretty large menu with fun diner items, all at a pretty decent price. I'm pretty sure I'll venture in again to try something different next time... perhaps breakfast? Or chicken and waffles? Mmm.
(4)Christopher D.
Dear Joe, I have given you multiple chances to redeem yourself but you keep on failing me. Time and time again you have let me down, whether it be by delivering the wrong food, or taking so long to even get water. Twice I've had to walk out because of how long it took us to even get our beverages. Who knew it took so long to get a glass of water and a cup of coffee at 4pm? I thought you were cheating on me with other guests, but alas as I looked around the restaurant it appeared as if you only had one other obligation (table). I can't do this anymore. I have tried to make this work time and time again and have only been met with a lukewarm response. I'm tired of putting forth an effort only to be shrugged off and ignored. It's not fair to me and I deserve better. I wish you well in your future endeavors, I hope you receive a wake up call and change your ways. Maybe our paths will cross again someday, but only if you shape up your act and focus. Sincerely, Christopher PS, the rumors are true. I've also been seeing The Pepper Pod on the side. I figured it's only fair to tell you the truth. PSS, She's better.
(1)Camilo O.
EDIT: Okay, so I hear complaints about how long it takes. Here's the skinny. If you come here at 2am after the bars, you WILL wait 45min to an hour for your food. No exaggeration. The kitchen isn't small, per se, but it's not big enough for the amount of seating they have. The only time they fill up the joint entirely is the 2am rush, so the kitchen can't keep up. I've been here countless times during all other business hours and it's been great. Food comes out fairly fast, so that shouldn't deter you. Now if you really want that delicious burger at 230am on a Friday/Saturday? You WILL wait an hour (from the moment they take your order). No foolies.
(4)Ryan L.
I went to Joe's for dinner on News Years Day 2011. I had been itching to go there since they opened, but never got the opportunity. I heard great things since they opened and honestly was expecting a lot out of it. That being said, it met every expectation I could have had and exceeded others. My girlfriend and I entered the (now decorated with very fun window paint) entrance and sat along a booth viewing the street. The diner was doing decent business at the time, but it was by no means crowded. The waitress immediately brought us some menus and I ordered a Coke. I perused the rather large (yet fun) menu for a few moments before she brought back to Coke. I smiled as I saw the container was a glass jar. I was even more pleased when I tasted it. Some may argue that all fountain Coke is the same, but I have to say this rivals McDonald's Coke and Mexican Coke (look it up, I swear McDonald's has better than Coke almost anywhere else). A couple of items jumped out at me, including one item that was $19.95, but free if you finished it + one side item in under 30 minutes. Many healtier options are also available. My girlfriend does not eat red meat, so she was torn between the turkey burger and the veggie burger. She opted for the Veggie Burger with sweet potato fries. I got the Buffalo Bleu Burger. The waitress was very polite, and any time any employee walked by, they would fill up my Coke it if was running low without me asking. The food was cooked fresh as it took a little while to prepare, though not too long where I was asking where it was. I noticed the jukebox while waiting for food and wondered what music is available, hoping for some local tunes, though I never actually got up to check. The food came very hot and very fresh. I was eager to start. The veggies came on the side with the top bun, allowing me to remove the tomato without sacrificing any sauce that was already on the burger. The Buffalo Bleu Burger came with tomato, onions, pickles, lettuce, two juicy patties, a layer of buffalo sauce, and crumbled bleu cheese to top it off. The burger was a little hot so I started on the fries. You could tell the fries were done fresh in the diner as they were slightly bumpy and uneven, giving each one a slightly unique texture and taste. The burger was delicious as well. Every bite got me begging for more. The buffalo sauce was spicy enough to satisfy me, yet not too spicy where it becomes unenjoyable. There was just enough of it to keep the taste in every bite, yet not spilling down the sides after each bite. I also tried one of my girlfriend's sweet potato fries. They were good, however I would not be able to handle a whole side of them. Happy with my decisions, we finished our meal and the waitress brought us the check and another refill of Coke. The two burgers and one drink cost a total of $18. I thought it was well worth the money and was happy to tip generously for the meal. Though I have not been there late at night or ordered breakfast, I can only assume they serve the same quality meal then as they did for dinner. The look of the diner is fun and nostalgic, yet fairly innovative and fresh too. The staff wore simple t-shirts that sported the word "joe's" which are for sale at the register. I also noticed they serve bottled beer in case you leave a bar in favor of some good food. After reading some of the reviews here, I believe they have made many improvements from when they first opened. If you did not enjoy your first visit, give it another chance, and you may just find one of your new favorites.
(5)Stephanie L.
Their french fires taste like Grippos! I'm serious, Grippos! It is the most amazing thing. So after leaving Neon's tonight, disappointed that Cafe de Wheels never showed up like they said they would, an still craving a burger and fries, a few of us decided to venture over to Joe's Diner. It was a Monday night, so not very busy at all, a few tables populated by the time we left around 10 pm, and service was super fast. Our drinks were brought out immediately, and always refilled before they even got near to being empty. Our burger orders were taken and it was less than 10 minutes before the baskets containing these lovely sandwiches and filled with fries were delivered to the tables. My burger was a classic, meat patty with American cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato. I added some mushrooms. The bun was warm and tasted super fresh. I had the sweet potato fries, which were very yummy. However, it was my friend's regular fries, which I sampled, that really impressed. I don't know how they did it, but Joe's Diner seems to have reverse engineered the seasonings from BBQ Grippos potato chips! They are coated with a cinnamon- sugary, BBQ flavored combination of seasonings which is most certainly reminiscent of a classic Grippos- but is in french fry form! Fantastic. And considering the total bill for 3 of us was just $19, you most definitely can't beat the value. Joe's Diner, I'm sorry it took me so long to stop by. I *will* see you again before long.
(4)Brieanne S.
Now we have heard a lot of bad things about this place. But we were at neons for happy hour and heard they delivered so we thought why not. This place was great. the burger was one of the best i have had in this city. Its a diner so if you expect a greasy burger with a garden, great fries, and onion rings....you will be happy. I would recommend having i delivered to neons you get the best of both places in otr
(5)Brandon K.
Good quality diner food. VERY friendly and attentive service, lots of positive energy from the staff. Greeted immediately by friendly staff behind counter, wait staff was very good. I had the Ruben and it was good, not the best in town but a nice lunch. The menu is pretty broad so there is a lot to try. Cool mason jar glasses for drinks, but the paper baskets for the sandwiches could be improved on with real plates as the sandwiches were crowded in them and a bit sloppy for a Ruben, perhaps this is because of it's soft-open status? Clearly they are in start up mode but all in all I think it's a good start and a real positive for the neighborhood. Saw the owner on our way out, very friendly guy... positive vibes all around. Eat at Joe's!
(3)Randy W.
I so wish this could be a better review but I have to be honest and say I was a little disappointed. I've had my fare share of diner food over the years and have had better. When we heard that Joe's Diner was having a soft open we decided to give it a try. We ordered off the breakfast menu which seemed to be a really good value. The eggs were average, the bacon was cold, and the hash browns were average. Our waiter was nice and friendly so we chalked it up to they had some things to dial in. A couple of weeks ago we were coming back form somewhere later in the evening and decided to give it another go. My wife ordered a burger and I ordered the Reuben on a suggestion by the waiter. If you like Reubens like I do you might be disappointed. I had visions of a deli-styled Reuben piled with lots of meat. While the marbled-rye bread was delicious, it was more sauerkraut, thousand island and bread than meat. I would have gladly paid a $1.50 extra for more meat to make this sandwich rock. Next up, my wife's burger was over cooked and tough like shoe leather and the meat patty was really small. There are plenty of chains where I can get a double cheeseburger for $1 and change. The other thing I found odd was our meal was served in paper trays which made it hard to separate the sandwiches from the fries. Not sure if that was cause it was later in the evening or if that was how they served up their sandwich items regardless on the time of day. I'm thrilled that Joe's Diner picked OTR as we need more places to eat, especially for later hours. I hear they have free wifi and will also make late night deliveries to Neon's. That's awesome. I'm sure we'll be back at some point as we'd love to see you guys win. But until then, we'll be grillin on the fire escape.
(2)Goi C.
Cold food, slow WiFi. Service was slow, not good. Food was ok, but mediocre. Nothing interesting. One dish came out cold, one hot. If they get their act together they might be good. UPDATE: Under duress, we went back twice (friends insisted). Service was abysmal and the food horrible both times. Last time they didn't even bring my food. I had to ask about it 5 times. Everyone in our party was done eating when she finally figured out that I still hadn't been brought my dish. I gave up. Will NEVER go back.
(1)jeff h.
We used to go to the old diner and loved it years ago. We saw it was open again and on sunday stopped in to eat at noon. Right from the start we had to stand by the door for like 10 mins to get seated. they had many waitresses standing looking at us. several came over and said "how many in your group" and walked away never to return. we get seated. and after 15 mins of no one coming to bring water or anything in the back room with no air in it. Another table of people who came in after us got water , we got up and left. so Your place needs to close.
(1)Jennifer M.
Not very good. We went for breakfast on Saturday morning. I had the shrimp and grits, dreaming of something similar to Tucker's on Vine. Not even close. Even though the grits had a ton of cheddar in them, I had to salt them 3 times, and they still never had any flavor. At all. And the tiny little shrimp were grilled with no seasoning. Seriously tasteless dish. The bacon was fine, but I asked for it to be crispy and it wasn't. My boyfriend had the fried chicken and waffles; the waffle was a pretty good belgian style waffle. The chicken, however, was again completely tasteless, as though they had dipped it in plain flour and fried it. It was a weird gray color as well. Server was slow as snails but nice enough.
(2)Amy R.
We found this on Best Road Trip Ever app while we were driving through Cincinnati and it was great. We walked in and found a diverse and pretty hip crowd of different ages. The food was great and the service was fabulous. Everyone was friendly and we loved the train car diner. I highly recommend it - even if you live nearby. PS - i could echo a lot of what Scott M said but instead I say, go and read his review. Enjoy!
(4)Kristen B.
In the times that I've eaten at Joe's or ordered take-out, the food has ranged from decent to fantastic. My favorite menu items to date are the onion rings (Husband is a HUGE fan of the onion rings) and the chicken & waffles. Other items like the Veggie Nachos and grilled cheese are perfectly fine - but don't stand out as much to me personally. The space is adorable and the service has usually been attentive. Husband usually goes with the Banker's Burger- an egg and bacon on a burger. The burger has great flavor and the egg is perfectly cooked over easy. All in all a great late-night (or anytime) dining option
(4)Carlton F.
My girlfriend and I walked by the (literally) boarded-up Vinyl diner on our way to and from Neon's Unplugged all the time. So we were very excited when we passed and noticed that some of the windows had recently been replaced. We anxiously awaited the reopening and reimagining of the diner. I've been here a handful of times since its opening--a couple of times during their "soft opening" period and two or three times since then--and have ordered a range of things from the menu, including The Banker's Bacon & Egg Burger, Joe's Burger, grilled cheese & tomato, chili cheese fries, and their tangy coleslaw. I don't believe that I have ever been to Joe's and not ordered the Cajun battered onion rings, which are absolutely delicious. My food has always come out fairly quickly, and the staff has been attentive and friendly. TVs hang above the counter, playing classic black and white comedies. The jukebox offers a nice selection of songs from various eras and genres of music. Couple these with the overall look of the diner, and Joe's manages a fun 50s-inspired vibe, without being cartoonish (no one's on roller skates). Last time I was here, I noticed that they have added a number of beers to their menu. The selection won't blow you away, but it's always nice to have the option of a beer with your burger.
(4)Paige M.
As excited as I was to see a vintage diner show up in OTR, Joe's disappoints me with both food and service. My first trip to Joe's, my friends and I were seated at one of the large tables in the back room. We waited for our server...and waited...and waited. It was a weekday evening and the crowd was minimal, what was taking so long? We never received waters or menus, and after sitting there for 30 minutes unattended, we decided to leave. My second trip to Joe's, my friends and I were seated in the back room. It was 2:00am; aside from one other booth, we were the only people in the back area. The diner was not bursting with bar-goers. Our food arrived at 3:45am, and we were leaving by 4:00am. A two-hour wait for diner food? That's ridiculous and unacceptable. Our table had ordered four breakfast platters and two burgers, nothing complicated and some of the dishes were identical. Why did this take so long to prepare? After waiting so long, I figured the food must be worth it. I also figured I would eat anything because I was starving at this point. Nope. The quality of the food was unimpressive. My eggs were lukewarm, the bacon overcooked, and overall everything was flavorless. To top off this evening, the waiter brings my check, which had orders from a neighboring table included on it! How does that even happen? Never again, Joe's. I'll take my late night dining to The Pepper Pod. yelp.com/biz/pepper-pod-…
(1)Khoa N.
I'm a resident of OTR and this is great for the neighborhood!! I've been there twice now and have great friendly service on both occasions. The first time I was there I had chili cheese fries, the bacon and egg burger, and sweet tea. Couldn't ask for a better combo of diner food! I was very satisfied. The second time I was in, I had already eaten dinner and was just joining a friend. But I had to try their hash browns as I am a huge breakfast fan. They weren't as crispy as I would have liked, but they were seasoned well. I also had a few strips of bacon. They were done just right, not too overcooked. Looking forward to many more meals there - both late night and regular hour!
(4)Leisa W.
OK, I've put it off long enough. I don't WANT to give these guys a bad review, I want to give them a rockin' review and have given them two chances to be at least mediocre...and they haven't yet pulled it off. I'm sorry! I've been here twice...once for the soft open, and once last night. There has been great anticipation for this place to open and do well, and I am one of those anticipators (pretty sure that's not a word). I won't talk much about the soft open, except to say my bacon & eggs were overcooked, but it's a soft open, so I'm trying not to judge. Both times I have had servers who were adorable and sweet, but shy and seemed like this is their first serving job. By that I mean, they weren't watching their tables to refill drinks, checking back to see if we were ready to order, etc. Both times, the food took a fairly long time to come out. Not sure if this is wait staff not watching the line, or line cooks not working quickly. Last night I had a make-your-own bacon cheeseburger, which tasted like shoe leather. I'm always worried when a server doesn't ask how I'd like my burger cooked (where are we, McDonalds?), and it was thin (the size of a burger at Steak & Shake, though that is a much better burger) and overcooked. However, the bacon & provolone and bun were pretty good. My husband had the reuben, which was on a nice marble rye. However, there wasn't a ton of meat on there. He was expecting a fat deli sandwich and this just didn't deliver. On the up side, the fries were excellent! They put Grippo's BBQ seasoning or something on them, I highly recommend them. So here's the thing--I LOVE Joe's for adding another establishment to OTR. And I love them for staying open late, and serving breakfast all day. And, I'll probably be back because I want them so badly to win that I may keep coming back until I've exhausted the menu, trying to find something edible. But so far...I'd rather eat at home. I'm sorry, I'm sorry!
(2)John M.
This place is great. The food is great, the servers have personality and its a throwback to early diners that you just don't see anymore. I've been twice for breakfast and will continue to go back! The first time there I gave their corned beef hash a shot...delicious! Unlike others I have had and really flavorful in the right portion size. The second time around, I had the chicken and waffles. The waffle may have been one of the best that I've ever had. It was sweet, savory and delicious. The fried chicken was a perfect compliment in this old southern dish. My wife has had one of their omelets which was large and chock full of the items she order for it. Her second trip, she had lunch and had a Turkey Burger, Buffalo style that she attests was, "fantastic!" Head down some Saturday or Sunday morning and have some breakfast at Joe's cafe. Then I recommend heading over to Findlay Market to do some shopping! (Avoid Kroger, it sucks.)
(4)Chenney C.
I've gone to Joe's Diner a few times now. I'm always ecstatic for two things- 1) raspberry tea and 2) the sweet potato fries. Those two things alone keep me coming back. It's also a skip, hop, jump away from my abode. I think the pricing is bit high for the type of food they deliver, but I'm assuming they are valuing based on the experience of the place. It's a well-kept restaurant, and unique to Cincy. I love it, and will keep going back.
(3)Lewis R.
I've been sitting on this unfinished review, waiting to get back and try the fish and chips. But it just hasn't happened. When I do, maybe it will warrant an update. We shall see... First off, the front half of this place is great. Old style diner decor sends you back in time. But the back half, it's like they frankensteined some other place onto the diner. It doesn't match AT ALL. The weirdness continues into the bathroom, which was really, really dark. Am I in a club all of a sudden?! But at least it gives them more seating. There are only 6 or 7 booths up front, along with the bar, and that isn't nearly enough for the crowds they get. I had a couple choices in mind when the waiter checked in. I told him I'd list them off, and he could tell me what he would get. My first item was the Monte Cristo, he said "I'll stop you right there, because that is exactly what you should get". Needless to say, that got my attention, and I placed my order. The Monte Cristo is a wonderful combination of sweet and savory. You've got the french toast and powdered sugar combined with the smoked turkey and cheese, and you are in heaven. I also added some syrup, but in hindsight I think that was too much. It overpowered the turkey, which is smoked on the premises! In addition I got a side of onion rings. Oh man, they are gooood! I'm guessing it has something to do with the fryer, because, as I was eating, a lot of people were ordering the fish and chips. In fact, practically every take-out was fish and chips. If they're fried the same way as the onion rings, then I can see why. Definitely going to try them on my next visit. One last tip. They won't change the station on the middle TV. It has to always be set to old TV shows. When I went, it was Dukes of Hazard. I guess it helps set the mood...
(3)Gary B.
We have eaten here 4 or 5 times under the present ownership. They have changed their menu since they first opened. The prices appear to be a little cheaper, but I don't know for sure. We have only come during breakfast and lunch hours, and have had no problem with the service. Anyway, one day I had an awesome, but way too decadent, breakfast: chocolate chip pancakes! My wife, Jana, had banana pancakes. Since they were cooked perfectly, it is good to know that these items are available. The last two times I dined there, I ordered the Turkey Monte Cristo with french fries. Firstly, the french fries they have are my favorite. They are seasoned, and part of the seasoning is sweet so that they remind me of hush-puppies. Now, for the sandwich: the Monte Cristo, which I never had anywhere else, is a sandwich that uses french toast as its bread. This works for me because I love french toast. The sandwich is served with a pitcher of real maple syrup. As the sandwich seems to beg to be sweetened, I pour the syrup onto the plate and dip the sandwich into the syrup. Mmmmm. A blend of sweet and savory. Also, it is rare treat to find real maple syrup in a restaurant; the clincher, for me, is the turkey: it is clearly not that deli $%#@ that is oh so omnipresent, but rather genuine pulled turkey. What more can I say?
(4)Courtney R.
I have never had a good meal here, but my love for late night omelettes keeps me coming back. Service is slow and rude. Food is subpar. I'm picky about omelettes, and even Joe's cute atmosphere can't save them & the fact they can't make good eggs. I wish Tucker's was open late!
(1)Bradley G.
Joe's brought together a great dining experience. I think what most people were expecting with this place, was an old-school diner with the traditional look and feel that comes with it. But since the place was packed with flat-screen TVs, I guess that rubbed some people the wrong way. Personally, I loved it. It seemed to me the people putting this place together wanted the best of a diner, without excluding some of the more modern elements that make restaurants a cut-above. (like wi-fi) On top of that, my food was excellent. The portions were pretty huge, and a menu that would take me several months to completely work through. I can't even scratch the service on how friendly the staff was. So some haters out there might say this place doesn't embody a true diner, or that it didn't have the staples of what they think a diner should have. I thought the updated image of Joe's is what it made is so special. After all, haters gonna hate.
(4)David C.
I remember driving past the then-vacant diner at the corner of 12th and Sycamore and thinking it would be awesome if somebody would give it some TLC and open a real, honest-to-goodness diner there. Having spent a number of years living on the east coast, I've been somewhat disappointed in Cincinnati's apparent dearth of all-night diners. And here was an actual diner, like something you'd see in New Jersey or upstate New York but rare for these parts, sitting empty. Fortunately, it seems that others have also seen the potential with this space, and brought it back to life last summer. I've been a regular customer ever since. The good: With only a few rare exceptions (more about that below), the food has always been great. I highly recommend the OTR Breakfast, and they do a great rueben. The fries are awesome. Service is usually prompt and friendly, and one can't beat the space. Even most places that advertise themselves as a "diner" can't claim to be housed in a true, authentic diner the way Joe's is. Books have been written about surviving diners, and Joe's deserves a mention. For bonus points, Joe's also delivers to Neons Unplugged next door. The bad: Joe's Diner got off to a bit of a rough start when opening, with some inconsistencies in their service and quality control. I once waited almost 30 minutes for an OTR Breakfast only to have it served at room temperature, and on rare occasions it will be missing something that's supposed to be included, such as the hash browns. Thankfully, these are rare occurrences, and there has been a noticeable improvement during the weeks and months since the diner has opened. Nowadays I rarely find anything to complain about. Some other reviewers have complained about the lengthy menu, but I've actually found it fairly small compared to some other Greek-style family restaurants I've been to in New York and Chicago, where the menus can be a half-dozen pages or more. The only changes I'd suggest would be to have the place open 24/7, which I know requires a big commitment, but may be justified as the neighborhood continues its renaissance and the casino opens down the street. And hire some Greeks.
(4)Zach F.
Joe's is a great place to go for a late night, second dinner, or that really, really late hangover breakfast on a weekend at 2:00pm. It's also a fine choice if no one can agree on what they want to eat. The burgers are really good, but I'd stick to the normal sized variety, as the 3lb burger challenge could feed a family of four for a week. While everything I've had has been good, Joe's is ultimately my go to spot for a late breakfast and some coffee.
(4)Mike G.
I can't believe this place is still in business , terrible food and worst service ever. I've been there a handful of times and this was the last straw. I got off work and met some friends there at midnight , waited over an hour and a half and never got our food. We walked up to the counter said how long it had been , tried to just pay for our drinks and said forget the food , and the manager started arguing with us. She said they are slow all night then when the bars close they get slammed and cannot keep up. If you know the trends then u should staff accordingly. Not to mention there was under twenty people in there when this happened. Then she said well when you are drunk time seems longer than it actually is, and she doubted it was that long. none of us had been drinking. I got off work at 1145 drove there got there at 12 and when we decided to leave it was 130. This place is a joke don't ever go .
(1)Mike M.
one of the best burgers downtown. the service was a tad slow, but we weren't in a hurry, so it was ok. the fries, it should be noted, are really good. really good. did i say that already? i like joe's. it ain't a bad spot.
(3)Ayana B.
Coming from Chicago to the Cincinnati Jazz Fest, we were excited to try this trendy looking diner. It was late, and we noticed others beginning to come in from nearby bars. However, we were in the diner first. It took quite a while for us to be seated and appeared to be only one waitress and a manager working (she was mostly taking money not orders). When we were seated, the waitress took out orders. She was the bright spot of the diner, with a very friendly attitude. After she took our order, we didn't see her again until she brought our food an HOUR LATER! We never saw her again. I ordered a basic entree - 3 pancakes with bacon and eggs. The eggs had cheese (which I'd asked not to be in them), the bacon was burned, and the pancakes? Well, when butter just sits there in it's natural state, there is an issue. I could have used the "hot" cake as a spare tire. I sent the food back, and...hmmm, who knows how long, a new plate came out...with CHEESE EGGS and 2 PANCAKES. The new cakes were warm, but thick and gummy. No thank you! A friend ordered a burger to go, and after at LEAST 2 hours, it was still not ready. When we tried to cancel, the "manager" kept saying that it was ready, but we still ended up waiting, as he had paid at that point. All in all, we enjoyed Cincinnati, but will NEVER visit Joe's Diner again, NOR will be endorse any recommendations for anyone to go.
(1)Andrew W.
There is only one reason to visit a diner: second dinner. However, Joe's on Sycamore would be quite acceptable for first dinner too. I entered this establishment and was promptly greeted by the staff. They were quite friendly and helpful. I had a chocolate shake, and it was probably one of the best shakes I have had in a long time. I also had the cheeseburger and fries. While it certainly wasn't the BEST burger in Cincinnati (cough Terry's) it hit the spot good and hard. The fries were seasoned with something that took me and my fellow diners a few tries to figure out: the salt from BBQ chips. They were heavenly. I also had a sampling of the French Toast and Chili fries, which were all quite good. Sure it isn't in the best neighborhood, but this is Cincinnati: all of the good food is in a questionable neighborhood. I will definitely return when the 11pm hunger hits again.
(5)Wyatt R.
Not recommended after a night out! I've been to Joe's Diner twice in the past two weeks, not a good experience either time. Both visits took place after midnight on a regular weekend night. On the first visit my stomach started acting up within 30 minutes and within 45 minutes my meal was no longer still in my stomach. I didn't think much of it, I could have drank a bad concoction earlier in the night. A week passes and I try Joe's again. My stomach's fine when we get to Joe's, we're seated right away and order within 5 minutes. I order a side of hash browns, friend #1 a side of biscuit(s) and friend #2 a breakfast sandwich. Thirty minutes later our food arrives. The waitress sets down a small plate with ONE of the smallest biscuits I have ever seen. I mention I thought it was a side of biscuitS not a single biscuit. Either way, we eat we pay and step outside. I immediately feel my stomach is acting up. Within 10 minutes my hash browns are no longer in my system. However as soon as the last bit of hash browns has been expelled, I feel great. Long waits. Small portions. Stomach problems. - Thanks Joe's!
(1)Ian M.
I really do want this place to succeed, just because I think OTR needs more affordable all-hours food, instead of more high-priced gourmet-type places taking over the scene. I must say though that this place could definitely use some improvement. The first time I went there, it was their "soft opening", so service was great. Next time, it was absurdly slow. Both times I've been there they've gotten my burger wrong and have had to fix it, and it wasn't even worth the wait. I think the food is okay, but the long wait and inconsistency make it not worth the while. If their prices were $1 less and service was 4x faster, this place would be perfect for what it is.
(2)Andrea R.
Other reviews have captured the essence of Joe's Diner pretty well. They have a menu full of greasy burgers and sandwiches, as well as a pretty decent selection of breakfast foods available at any time of day. I got a grilled cheese, which was fine, but nothing spectacular. My chocolate milkshake, on the other hand, was outstanding. Our server told us that he made the shakes himself, so bonus points to him. Joe's isn't a place I will be going to often, but if I'm in the mood for a good milkshake, I'll probably head back.
(3)Brian C.
Decent food, great shakes, friendly service, wonderful hours and conveniently located right next to Neon's. Pie. Any questions?
(3)Alexandra K.
My boyfriend and I walked down to the new Joe's Diner on Sycamore last weekend after hearing from various twitter/facebook sources that they were open! Hooray for development in Over-the-Rhine but also for a restaurant that is affordable within blocks of my apartment! The diner had a 'soft' opening and is operating with a test menu until August 10th when they will have their grand opening. There was a manager on duty - verbally training and walking the new staff through their first handful of tables. The restaurant was filled with an eclectic mix of patrons who appeared to come from all over. The test menu had limited options too - maybe they were still expecting some food orders to come in. They had none of their sides or soups available, had limited sodas, and only one of their desserts (funnel cake sticks...sounded good). They also didn't have any alcohol yet - but I know they plan to, so maybe their liquor license is still in process. Our waters with lemon came in glass jars, which I find to be charming and very home-like. Justin ordered a bacon and egg burger. The menu stated the burger came with three slices of bacon, cheddar, a medium cooked egg. When it arrived we noticed that it had a double patty of meat. It was a BIG burger! I ordered the salmon BLT - spice rubbed and pan seared salmon, three pieces of bacon (I had the option of pork or turkey), mixed greens, tomatoes, and a house special sauce. My salmon sandwich came on a lightly toasted and buttered ciabatta bun. The sandwich was really good - except for one thing. I couldn't see any house sauce - but the bottom of the bun had a salty brown sauce on it that I assumed was the sauce. It made the salmon a little too salty. I think a better choice would have been some sort of interesting aioli sauce or maybe a lemony avocado remoulade. I'll definitely go back soon, probably sometime after the opening and see what they've done with the menu after their test period. Go check it out! Also posted on halfpastate.com
(4)Juliane S.
Joe's was about what I expected given the buzz and the other reviews. I frequented Joe's when it was just "The Diner" and I think I may have liked it a little better then although it wasn't as cleaned up. The food is alright - the salmon is actually really good and the fries with the Grippo dust (you can buy this a Kroger btw) is good. I had an outstanding chocolate malt. The service has gotten better. They now answer their phones and they are delivering to Neon's - their pricing seems somewhat high but honestly is about the same as everywhere else in the neighborhood (Motr has same prices for their food). Their menu is huge and might be too long in fact. I would expect a place like this to do a few things well rather than many things mediocre. Their breakfast after a night of strong drinking is what they are best known for - in fact what they've always been best known for...
(3)Pat F.
After having spent years of my life wondering when the Diner on Sycamore was going to reopen, I finally managed to get down there for brunch on Sunday. And, let me tell you, it was not really worth the wait. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's a diner. It has decent diner food. It tastes like diner food, and is even mostly priced like diner food. The main standout feature when I was there, though, was some seriously slow service. We had a fairly large group (about 8 people) and while there was ample space and our server was super nice it still took about half an hour to get my friend a cup of coffee And that was after we waited about 20 minutes for food. Diner food. And they left off one of the sides with my order but somehow gave our table an extra side of cheesy grits. I guess you win some, you lose some. I'll probably go back to the diner because, well, it's in a convenient place and it's open late at night. For brunch downtown or in OTR, though, I'll probably stick to Tucker's or Coffee Emporium.
(3)Kara P.
I went to Joe's Diner just after they opened last year and I was certainly not disappointed. I have been back a countless number of times and am so delightfully surprised by my food each and every time. Joe's menu is a mix of classic diner fare with a flare for the fun thrown in. There are some local favorites (with local names to match) and a late-night menu to boot. If I had to recommend one thing, it would be the Buffalo & Bleu Burger - the homemade buffalo sauce is to die for, even if I go home with a serious case of heartburn. The French fries that accompany the burgers have a sweet, almost funnel cake taste to them and are perfectly cooked every time. The other night when I stopped in for a quick dinner, I ordered the BLT and boy was it a serious sandwich! Six slices of thick, smoked bacon and three whole slices of bread made for a hefty bite. The atmosphere is so cool and very laid back and it has never been too crowded when I've been in. They have a full bar which is nice and the staff is so nice. I definitely recommend everyone try Joe's!
(4)Jeremy F.
Best Place to Sober Up Yes, this won't be your typical review. I'm taking a bit of a different angle on this one. Joe's is located on the corner of 12th and Sycamore, in OTR. It's within a stone's throw of Neon's Unplugged and not that far from every other watering hole in OTR. I'm a huge fan of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. And Joe's Diner is a place that should be on that show. But I digress.... The greatest thing about Joe's diner is that it is an authentic diner, which makes it the perfect stop when you have, um, imbibed a bit too much for the evening. Let's face it. We've all gotten a little too rowdy on a given night. And while I won't guarantee that finishing off your over-the-top evening in over-the-rhine by eating at Joe's will stave off the eventual sleeping on your bathroom floor, it will certainly give you a fighter's chance. They have everything imaginable on a menu that reads like novel. And though it won't win any awards for "heart healthy" items, it will sop up whatever adult beverages you've placed down your gullet. And it will be a tasty way to sop those beverages up as well. When you wake up the next morning, you also won't have to wonder why you're wallet is so much lighter. Well, you might. What, you don't remember buying that bottle of vintage champagne? Well, that's unfortunate for you! But your wallet won't be that much lighter because of Joe's. Everything there is reasonably priced. Finally, in case any of you are wondering...yes, Joe's is an awesome place for some comfort food even for the sober.
(4)Ian H.
*review revised 5/18/2011* My fiancee and I returned with a friend after a Reds game to Joe's and experienced all that was recommended to us - great burgers and fries! I ordered mine without a bun to accomodate the diet I am on. We filled up on all the delicacies Joe's has to offer, and I have to say, everything including the service was top-notch this time around. Really glad to see my experience was a fluke before, and really happy to have an awesome, affordable, delicious eatery like Joe's here in Cincinnati. You have to visit it when you get the chance. *review revised 5/18/2011* *review revised 3/24/2011* I have been meaning to add this to my review for quite a while but I've been so busy without time to really accomplish anything - the manager of Joe's contacted me shortly after posting this review and implored me to give his restaurant a second chance, offering to pay for dinner for me and three of my friends. While I haven't been back to take him up on his offer yet, I have to commend the promptness and kindness with which he sought to rectify an unsatisfied party. I will hope to return to Joe's eventually and give it a second chance. Merely by virtue of Mr. Klump's professionalism and kindness I have revised my review score to a 3/5. I hope when I return the experience is so great that I am compelled to raise the score to a 5/5! *review revised 3/24/2011* The service was unfortunate. Our server was very nice, but seemed to have too many tables. She took about 25 minutes between visits. Our salads came out fast, after about 15 minutes, but our burgers took forever. It was nearly 1.5 hours from ordering until we received them. The worst part after all this came from the burgers. They were horribly average. I've had better burgers at Five Guys. I received sweet potato fries when I ordered regular fries, and my burger was on the wrong bun. The fries were greasy and undercooked. It was really just an overall unfortunate situation. We were seated next to a huge party of people who were loud and obnoxious because the staff didn't clear the tables quickly enough. By "quickly enough", I mean "within one hour of the party leaving." There was also a super annoying photographer walking around and taking pictures while I was trying to eat. Maybe they were understaffed or something judging from all of the reviews on here, because I seem to be the dissenting opinion. I'm not going back though.
(5)Rob J.
Great late-night fare. The burgers (cooked on flat top) are awesome. Get it with the gouda cheese. The fries are perfectly cooked crisp and dusted with Grippo's dust. This truly makes them. They also serve beer/wine, which is unique for a diner-type place. The breakfast and sandwich options are also quite good.
(5)Michael B.
Great diner for late night eating. Even if its 2:00am you still get good service and great food. The shakes and burgers are very good along with the varitey of topping for the burgers.
(3)Michael G.
Joe's Diner is has become my go-to spot when I want something better than fast food but I'm not in the mood to do anything international or fancified. I've now had a chance to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner there and I've been very pleased every time. This might sound strange, but I wouldn't say that they're the best at anything. I will say, however, that they are really good at almost everything - not easy to do when you have a menu as big as Joe's. I'm a big fan of their turkey burgers, french fries, and onion rings and look forward to trying just about everything else on the menu.
(4)Mark E.
Joe's got a veggie burger!!! Don't know it's source but I'm still super stoked. Keep it up and I'll be here as much as I'm at Tucker's.
(5)Ben S.
It says open til 11. got there at 945 and its closed. lost me as a customer.
(1)Casey Y.
A couple of friends and I went over to Joe's to watch the world series, and had pretty terrible food and even worse service. Here's a play-by-play. We arrived around 9:30 on a Friday night and grabbed a booth near the back. The place was moderately busy, but there were three servers on the floor and only seven or eight tables in the entire place. Even so, we sat for five minutes without even being greeted. Finally we moved to the bar where we sat for another five minutes ungreeted. Eventually the waitress came over, only to ask us to move so that a larger party could take our place at the bar. That alone was bad enough to ensure I'd never go back again. It only got worse. Our drink orders were taken. Another five or so minutes before they arrived. The food itself didn't take long, but our orders were wrong (along with a couple other people in the diner). The quality of the food was abysmal. Too much pepper in the burger and a strange sweet taste to the fries. The malt was good, but not enough to redeem anything. Will not be coming back.
(1)Marie E.
Great little diner. The food is just what I want it to be. Nothing gourmet or unusual just the basic comfort diner food. I must emphasize that the milkshakes are delicious. The best part is they come filled to the top with a side silver cup with the "extra" (Please don't ever stop doing that!) I have tried them all while on a recent outing with friends and have to say the chocolate is my favorite. Burgers are great. I also really like the onion rings. There is extra seating off to the side of the building that makes it work well for groups. Had a group of 12 people with no issues. I hear they deliver to Neon's. I will say that both times the coffee has been luke warm which is in the Just Not Acceptable category when it comes to diners. I would much rather wait for a fresh cup than be served something just barely warm from a thermos. This should really be fixed. That being said I will be coming back for more milkshakes and diner food. Makes for a great pre or post Neon's meal.
(4)Richard L.
Had Sunday breakfast around 9:30am. Ordered turkey sausage/bacon omelette with hash browns and sour dough toast. Wife ordered "The Sycamore": eggs, wheat toast, substitute ham for bacon, hash browns. Eggs and hash browns were diner greasy - which means they were good. Omelette was dense and full of ingredients, light on cheese. Was as close to what one finds in a Manhattan diner without being in Manhattan. Toast was toast. Had one cola, one coffee. Cost just over $20. Few patrons at this point of the day. Elvis movie - "Girl Trouble" - playing over the bar for era authenticity.
(4)Joanne G.
I come from the land of diners: NY, NJ and PA. I had never been disappointed in any diner's food or service... until now. Granted, diner food is so fat and calorie loaded, you can almost hear your arteries slam shut. But Joe's diner was a disappointment in terms of food and service. The food was only so-so, and the service inattentive. Our waitress admitted to being new, but she apparently also had short term memory loss. She forgot to bring a water, she forgot to bring a straw, she forgot to bring a spoon -- and then brought the wrong kind -- and didn't seem to know anything about the various beers and wines available. They obviously don't spend much time training their wait staff. The food was only OK and portions skimpy by diner standards. The best thing this place has going for it is its hours of operation. It's one of the few places still serving after 10 p.m. Cincinnati needs more and better late night eateries for folks getting out of the theater, etc.
(2)jeff h.
We used to go to the old diner and loved it years ago. We saw it was open again and on sunday stopped in to eat at noon. Right from the start we had to stand by the door for like 10 mins to get seated. they had many waitresses standing looking at us. several came over and said "how many in your group" and walked away never to return. we get seated. and after 15 mins of no one coming to bring water or anything in the back room with no air in it. Another table of people who came in after us got water , we got up and left. so Your place needs to close.
(1)Gary B.
We have eaten here 4 or 5 times under the present ownership. They have changed their menu since they first opened. The prices appear to be a little cheaper, but I don't know for sure. We have only come during breakfast and lunch hours, and have had no problem with the service. Anyway, one day I had an awesome, but way too decadent, breakfast: chocolate chip pancakes! My wife, Jana, had banana pancakes. Since they were cooked perfectly, it is good to know that these items are available. The last two times I dined there, I ordered the Turkey Monte Cristo with french fries. Firstly, the french fries they have are my favorite. They are seasoned, and part of the seasoning is sweet so that they remind me of hush-puppies. Now, for the sandwich: the Monte Cristo, which I never had anywhere else, is a sandwich that uses french toast as its bread. This works for me because I love french toast. The sandwich is served with a pitcher of real maple syrup. As the sandwich seems to beg to be sweetened, I pour the syrup onto the plate and dip the sandwich into the syrup. Mmmmm. A blend of sweet and savory. Also, it is rare treat to find real maple syrup in a restaurant; the clincher, for me, is the turkey: it is clearly not that deli $%#@ that is oh so omnipresent, but rather genuine pulled turkey. What more can I say?
(4)Courtney R.
I have never had a good meal here, but my love for late night omelettes keeps me coming back. Service is slow and rude. Food is subpar. I'm picky about omelettes, and even Joe's cute atmosphere can't save them & the fact they can't make good eggs. I wish Tucker's was open late!
(1)Bradley G.
Joe's brought together a great dining experience. I think what most people were expecting with this place, was an old-school diner with the traditional look and feel that comes with it. But since the place was packed with flat-screen TVs, I guess that rubbed some people the wrong way. Personally, I loved it. It seemed to me the people putting this place together wanted the best of a diner, without excluding some of the more modern elements that make restaurants a cut-above. (like wi-fi) On top of that, my food was excellent. The portions were pretty huge, and a menu that would take me several months to completely work through. I can't even scratch the service on how friendly the staff was. So some haters out there might say this place doesn't embody a true diner, or that it didn't have the staples of what they think a diner should have. I thought the updated image of Joe's is what it made is so special. After all, haters gonna hate.
(4)Wyatt R.
Not recommended after a night out! I've been to Joe's Diner twice in the past two weeks, not a good experience either time. Both visits took place after midnight on a regular weekend night. On the first visit my stomach started acting up within 30 minutes and within 45 minutes my meal was no longer still in my stomach. I didn't think much of it, I could have drank a bad concoction earlier in the night. A week passes and I try Joe's again. My stomach's fine when we get to Joe's, we're seated right away and order within 5 minutes. I order a side of hash browns, friend #1 a side of biscuit(s) and friend #2 a breakfast sandwich. Thirty minutes later our food arrives. The waitress sets down a small plate with ONE of the smallest biscuits I have ever seen. I mention I thought it was a side of biscuitS not a single biscuit. Either way, we eat we pay and step outside. I immediately feel my stomach is acting up. Within 10 minutes my hash browns are no longer in my system. However as soon as the last bit of hash browns has been expelled, I feel great. Long waits. Small portions. Stomach problems. - Thanks Joe's!
(1)Ian M.
I really do want this place to succeed, just because I think OTR needs more affordable all-hours food, instead of more high-priced gourmet-type places taking over the scene. I must say though that this place could definitely use some improvement. The first time I went there, it was their "soft opening", so service was great. Next time, it was absurdly slow. Both times I've been there they've gotten my burger wrong and have had to fix it, and it wasn't even worth the wait. I think the food is okay, but the long wait and inconsistency make it not worth the while. If their prices were $1 less and service was 4x faster, this place would be perfect for what it is.
(2)Charlie T.
My friends and I came upon this place through a recommendation from a stranger. It was a delightful surprise. The menu had lots of promise with lots of things I want to try. The chicken fried chicken on a biscuit and gravy was delicious (but a little over-salty). Whoever is in charge of the menu and the plating is creative, but keeps a connection with true diner food. It has this fun vintage feel, but the food has a contemporary flair. We are definitely going back!
(4)Mike M.
one of the best burgers downtown. the service was a tad slow, but we weren't in a hurry, so it was ok. the fries, it should be noted, are really good. really good. did i say that already? i like joe's. it ain't a bad spot.
(3)Mike G.
I can't believe this place is still in business , terrible food and worst service ever. I've been there a handful of times and this was the last straw. I got off work and met some friends there at midnight , waited over an hour and a half and never got our food. We walked up to the counter said how long it had been , tried to just pay for our drinks and said forget the food , and the manager started arguing with us. She said they are slow all night then when the bars close they get slammed and cannot keep up. If you know the trends then u should staff accordingly. Not to mention there was under twenty people in there when this happened. Then she said well when you are drunk time seems longer than it actually is, and she doubted it was that long. none of us had been drinking. I got off work at 1145 drove there got there at 12 and when we decided to leave it was 130. This place is a joke don't ever go .
(1)Ayana B.
Coming from Chicago to the Cincinnati Jazz Fest, we were excited to try this trendy looking diner. It was late, and we noticed others beginning to come in from nearby bars. However, we were in the diner first. It took quite a while for us to be seated and appeared to be only one waitress and a manager working (she was mostly taking money not orders). When we were seated, the waitress took out orders. She was the bright spot of the diner, with a very friendly attitude. After she took our order, we didn't see her again until she brought our food an HOUR LATER! We never saw her again. I ordered a basic entree - 3 pancakes with bacon and eggs. The eggs had cheese (which I'd asked not to be in them), the bacon was burned, and the pancakes? Well, when butter just sits there in it's natural state, there is an issue. I could have used the "hot" cake as a spare tire. I sent the food back, and...hmmm, who knows how long, a new plate came out...with CHEESE EGGS and 2 PANCAKES. The new cakes were warm, but thick and gummy. No thank you! A friend ordered a burger to go, and after at LEAST 2 hours, it was still not ready. When we tried to cancel, the "manager" kept saying that it was ready, but we still ended up waiting, as he had paid at that point. All in all, we enjoyed Cincinnati, but will NEVER visit Joe's Diner again, NOR will be endorse any recommendations for anyone to go.
(1)Brandon K.
Good quality diner food. VERY friendly and attentive service, lots of positive energy from the staff. Greeted immediately by friendly staff behind counter, wait staff was very good. I had the Ruben and it was good, not the best in town but a nice lunch. The menu is pretty broad so there is a lot to try. Cool mason jar glasses for drinks, but the paper baskets for the sandwiches could be improved on with real plates as the sandwiches were crowded in them and a bit sloppy for a Ruben, perhaps this is because of it's soft-open status? Clearly they are in start up mode but all in all I think it's a good start and a real positive for the neighborhood. Saw the owner on our way out, very friendly guy... positive vibes all around. Eat at Joe's!
(3)Ian H.
*review revised 5/18/2011* My fiancee and I returned with a friend after a Reds game to Joe's and experienced all that was recommended to us - great burgers and fries! I ordered mine without a bun to accomodate the diet I am on. We filled up on all the delicacies Joe's has to offer, and I have to say, everything including the service was top-notch this time around. Really glad to see my experience was a fluke before, and really happy to have an awesome, affordable, delicious eatery like Joe's here in Cincinnati. You have to visit it when you get the chance. *review revised 5/18/2011* *review revised 3/24/2011* I have been meaning to add this to my review for quite a while but I've been so busy without time to really accomplish anything - the manager of Joe's contacted me shortly after posting this review and implored me to give his restaurant a second chance, offering to pay for dinner for me and three of my friends. While I haven't been back to take him up on his offer yet, I have to commend the promptness and kindness with which he sought to rectify an unsatisfied party. I will hope to return to Joe's eventually and give it a second chance. Merely by virtue of Mr. Klump's professionalism and kindness I have revised my review score to a 3/5. I hope when I return the experience is so great that I am compelled to raise the score to a 5/5! *review revised 3/24/2011* The service was unfortunate. Our server was very nice, but seemed to have too many tables. She took about 25 minutes between visits. Our salads came out fast, after about 15 minutes, but our burgers took forever. It was nearly 1.5 hours from ordering until we received them. The worst part after all this came from the burgers. They were horribly average. I've had better burgers at Five Guys. I received sweet potato fries when I ordered regular fries, and my burger was on the wrong bun. The fries were greasy and undercooked. It was really just an overall unfortunate situation. We were seated next to a huge party of people who were loud and obnoxious because the staff didn't clear the tables quickly enough. By "quickly enough", I mean "within one hour of the party leaving." There was also a super annoying photographer walking around and taking pictures while I was trying to eat. Maybe they were understaffed or something judging from all of the reviews on here, because I seem to be the dissenting opinion. I'm not going back though.
(5)Andrea R.
Other reviews have captured the essence of Joe's Diner pretty well. They have a menu full of greasy burgers and sandwiches, as well as a pretty decent selection of breakfast foods available at any time of day. I got a grilled cheese, which was fine, but nothing spectacular. My chocolate milkshake, on the other hand, was outstanding. Our server told us that he made the shakes himself, so bonus points to him. Joe's isn't a place I will be going to often, but if I'm in the mood for a good milkshake, I'll probably head back.
(3)Brian C.
Decent food, great shakes, friendly service, wonderful hours and conveniently located right next to Neon's. Pie. Any questions?
(3)Andrew W.
There is only one reason to visit a diner: second dinner. However, Joe's on Sycamore would be quite acceptable for first dinner too. I entered this establishment and was promptly greeted by the staff. They were quite friendly and helpful. I had a chocolate shake, and it was probably one of the best shakes I have had in a long time. I also had the cheeseburger and fries. While it certainly wasn't the BEST burger in Cincinnati (cough Terry's) it hit the spot good and hard. The fries were seasoned with something that took me and my fellow diners a few tries to figure out: the salt from BBQ chips. They were heavenly. I also had a sampling of the French Toast and Chili fries, which were all quite good. Sure it isn't in the best neighborhood, but this is Cincinnati: all of the good food is in a questionable neighborhood. I will definitely return when the 11pm hunger hits again.
(5)Rob J.
Great late-night fare. The burgers (cooked on flat top) are awesome. Get it with the gouda cheese. The fries are perfectly cooked crisp and dusted with Grippo's dust. This truly makes them. They also serve beer/wine, which is unique for a diner-type place. The breakfast and sandwich options are also quite good.
(5)Steve A.
I have to admit, I was pretty drunk after hitting up some OTR bars when we showed up to Joe's. But I do remember some things. Like the food being pretty tasty. But also the service was a little slow. Especially since I think they forgot our appetizer order until we reminded them. Given its prime location, another drunken trip to Joe's is likely in the cards. Looking forward to it.
(3)Stephanie L.
Their french fires taste like Grippos! I'm serious, Grippos! It is the most amazing thing. So after leaving Neon's tonight, disappointed that Cafe de Wheels never showed up like they said they would, an still craving a burger and fries, a few of us decided to venture over to Joe's Diner. It was a Monday night, so not very busy at all, a few tables populated by the time we left around 10 pm, and service was super fast. Our drinks were brought out immediately, and always refilled before they even got near to being empty. Our burger orders were taken and it was less than 10 minutes before the baskets containing these lovely sandwiches and filled with fries were delivered to the tables. My burger was a classic, meat patty with American cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato. I added some mushrooms. The bun was warm and tasted super fresh. I had the sweet potato fries, which were very yummy. However, it was my friend's regular fries, which I sampled, that really impressed. I don't know how they did it, but Joe's Diner seems to have reverse engineered the seasonings from BBQ Grippos potato chips! They are coated with a cinnamon- sugary, BBQ flavored combination of seasonings which is most certainly reminiscent of a classic Grippos- but is in french fry form! Fantastic. And considering the total bill for 3 of us was just $19, you most definitely can't beat the value. Joe's Diner, I'm sorry it took me so long to stop by. I *will* see you again before long.
(4)Brieanne S.
Now we have heard a lot of bad things about this place. But we were at neons for happy hour and heard they delivered so we thought why not. This place was great. the burger was one of the best i have had in this city. Its a diner so if you expect a greasy burger with a garden, great fries, and onion rings....you will be happy. I would recommend having i delivered to neons you get the best of both places in otr
(5)John M.
This place is great. The food is great, the servers have personality and its a throwback to early diners that you just don't see anymore. I've been twice for breakfast and will continue to go back! The first time there I gave their corned beef hash a shot...delicious! Unlike others I have had and really flavorful in the right portion size. The second time around, I had the chicken and waffles. The waffle may have been one of the best that I've ever had. It was sweet, savory and delicious. The fried chicken was a perfect compliment in this old southern dish. My wife has had one of their omelets which was large and chock full of the items she order for it. Her second trip, she had lunch and had a Turkey Burger, Buffalo style that she attests was, "fantastic!" Head down some Saturday or Sunday morning and have some breakfast at Joe's cafe. Then I recommend heading over to Findlay Market to do some shopping! (Avoid Kroger, it sucks.)
(4)Chenney C.
I've gone to Joe's Diner a few times now. I'm always ecstatic for two things- 1) raspberry tea and 2) the sweet potato fries. Those two things alone keep me coming back. It's also a skip, hop, jump away from my abode. I think the pricing is bit high for the type of food they deliver, but I'm assuming they are valuing based on the experience of the place. It's a well-kept restaurant, and unique to Cincy. I love it, and will keep going back.
(3)Lewis R.
I've been sitting on this unfinished review, waiting to get back and try the fish and chips. But it just hasn't happened. When I do, maybe it will warrant an update. We shall see... First off, the front half of this place is great. Old style diner decor sends you back in time. But the back half, it's like they frankensteined some other place onto the diner. It doesn't match AT ALL. The weirdness continues into the bathroom, which was really, really dark. Am I in a club all of a sudden?! But at least it gives them more seating. There are only 6 or 7 booths up front, along with the bar, and that isn't nearly enough for the crowds they get. I had a couple choices in mind when the waiter checked in. I told him I'd list them off, and he could tell me what he would get. My first item was the Monte Cristo, he said "I'll stop you right there, because that is exactly what you should get". Needless to say, that got my attention, and I placed my order. The Monte Cristo is a wonderful combination of sweet and savory. You've got the french toast and powdered sugar combined with the smoked turkey and cheese, and you are in heaven. I also added some syrup, but in hindsight I think that was too much. It overpowered the turkey, which is smoked on the premises! In addition I got a side of onion rings. Oh man, they are gooood! I'm guessing it has something to do with the fryer, because, as I was eating, a lot of people were ordering the fish and chips. In fact, practically every take-out was fish and chips. If they're fried the same way as the onion rings, then I can see why. Definitely going to try them on my next visit. One last tip. They won't change the station on the middle TV. It has to always be set to old TV shows. When I went, it was Dukes of Hazard. I guess it helps set the mood...
(3)Zach F.
Joe's is a great place to go for a late night, second dinner, or that really, really late hangover breakfast on a weekend at 2:00pm. It's also a fine choice if no one can agree on what they want to eat. The burgers are really good, but I'd stick to the normal sized variety, as the 3lb burger challenge could feed a family of four for a week. While everything I've had has been good, Joe's is ultimately my go to spot for a late breakfast and some coffee.
(4)Scott L.
My wife, a couple friends and I checked out Joe's Diner last Saturday (7/24/10). Now, I'll preface this by saying that they aren't "fully" open yet. They're going through a "soft" open. So, they didn't have their full menu open, they didn't have a huge selection of drinks, and they didn't have a huge section of the actual diner open. But, that doesn't change the fact that Joe's Diner is great. First off, it looks like a 50's style diner...right up to the sweet old jukebox. And, yes...it did play, "My Girl" while we were there. They serve their drinks in small mason jars, which is a fantastic touch. They have delicious burgers. And...in my favorite little quirk of any restaurant...the menu calls for a cheeseburger, when in actuality...it's a double cheeseburger! IT'S THE SCOTT SPECIAL! The staff was great. The manager came over and talked to us for about five minutes, and then again talked to us for a bit as we were leaving. And, did I mention they have free WIFI? BONUS!!! All in all, Joe's diner on Sycamore is gonna be a great place to hang out once it's fully open. Make sure you try it out! And, as you'll always learn, if a fat guy talks good about a restaurant...EAT THERE!
(4)David C.
I remember driving past the then-vacant diner at the corner of 12th and Sycamore and thinking it would be awesome if somebody would give it some TLC and open a real, honest-to-goodness diner there. Having spent a number of years living on the east coast, I've been somewhat disappointed in Cincinnati's apparent dearth of all-night diners. And here was an actual diner, like something you'd see in New Jersey or upstate New York but rare for these parts, sitting empty. Fortunately, it seems that others have also seen the potential with this space, and brought it back to life last summer. I've been a regular customer ever since. The good: With only a few rare exceptions (more about that below), the food has always been great. I highly recommend the OTR Breakfast, and they do a great rueben. The fries are awesome. Service is usually prompt and friendly, and one can't beat the space. Even most places that advertise themselves as a "diner" can't claim to be housed in a true, authentic diner the way Joe's is. Books have been written about surviving diners, and Joe's deserves a mention. For bonus points, Joe's also delivers to Neons Unplugged next door. The bad: Joe's Diner got off to a bit of a rough start when opening, with some inconsistencies in their service and quality control. I once waited almost 30 minutes for an OTR Breakfast only to have it served at room temperature, and on rare occasions it will be missing something that's supposed to be included, such as the hash browns. Thankfully, these are rare occurrences, and there has been a noticeable improvement during the weeks and months since the diner has opened. Nowadays I rarely find anything to complain about. Some other reviewers have complained about the lengthy menu, but I've actually found it fairly small compared to some other Greek-style family restaurants I've been to in New York and Chicago, where the menus can be a half-dozen pages or more. The only changes I'd suggest would be to have the place open 24/7, which I know requires a big commitment, but may be justified as the neighborhood continues its renaissance and the casino opens down the street. And hire some Greeks.
(4)Randy W.
I so wish this could be a better review but I have to be honest and say I was a little disappointed. I've had my fare share of diner food over the years and have had better. When we heard that Joe's Diner was having a soft open we decided to give it a try. We ordered off the breakfast menu which seemed to be a really good value. The eggs were average, the bacon was cold, and the hash browns were average. Our waiter was nice and friendly so we chalked it up to they had some things to dial in. A couple of weeks ago we were coming back form somewhere later in the evening and decided to give it another go. My wife ordered a burger and I ordered the Reuben on a suggestion by the waiter. If you like Reubens like I do you might be disappointed. I had visions of a deli-styled Reuben piled with lots of meat. While the marbled-rye bread was delicious, it was more sauerkraut, thousand island and bread than meat. I would have gladly paid a $1.50 extra for more meat to make this sandwich rock. Next up, my wife's burger was over cooked and tough like shoe leather and the meat patty was really small. There are plenty of chains where I can get a double cheeseburger for $1 and change. The other thing I found odd was our meal was served in paper trays which made it hard to separate the sandwiches from the fries. Not sure if that was cause it was later in the evening or if that was how they served up their sandwich items regardless on the time of day. I'm thrilled that Joe's Diner picked OTR as we need more places to eat, especially for later hours. I hear they have free wifi and will also make late night deliveries to Neon's. That's awesome. I'm sure we'll be back at some point as we'd love to see you guys win. But until then, we'll be grillin on the fire escape.
(2)Goi C.
Cold food, slow WiFi. Service was slow, not good. Food was ok, but mediocre. Nothing interesting. One dish came out cold, one hot. If they get their act together they might be good. UPDATE: Under duress, we went back twice (friends insisted). Service was abysmal and the food horrible both times. Last time they didn't even bring my food. I had to ask about it 5 times. Everyone in our party was done eating when she finally figured out that I still hadn't been brought my dish. I gave up. Will NEVER go back.
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