Quaker Steak and Lube

              We don’t usually do chain restaurants but when we do they are chosen with care. Quaker Steak and Lube is a small chain of over 40 restaurants in mostly in Pennsylvania and Ohio but there are now locations in New York, Colorado, Florida and a host of other states.. We ate at the one in Milford because it was playing host to the 2^nd Annual Shriner’s Car and Bike show, something we report on for our other blog.

              Quaker Steak and Lube was founded in 1974 with the idea of keeping alive car culture, particularly muscle cars. The one in Milford is decked out to showcase this theme, complete with cars and lots of gas station décor.

    This Quaker Steak can be found at 590 Chamber Dr. in Milford and on-line at http://www.quakersteakandlube.com/.

Burgers

           Though Quaker Steak and Lube is perhaps best known for their wings, we both had the All-American Cheeseburger which, like all of their burgers, is a half-pound of 100% USDA steakburger. Josh ordered up American cheese and Mark’s had provolone. Both of us ordered up fries.

                The burgers were tender and flavorful and actually cooked to order, something that doesn’t always happen in chain restaurants. The burgers were also a bit juicy which seemed to give the garlic bun a bit of trouble because both of us got to the point where we couldn’t really set the burger down without it falling apart.

                While the lettuce was good and fresh, both tomatoes were a little under ripe causing them to not really have a whole lot of flavor. We both thought we might have been better off just putting ketchup on the burgers.

                It would be nice to say this is the best chain burger out there but it isn’t. Not that it’s bad. We both felt this burger beats a lot of its competition like Buddy Rich beating a drum. Still, there are a few better choices out there. In fact, this Quaker Steak is located very near a Red Robin which probably doesn’t help its burger showcasing abilities.

                Still, the combination of décor, the car and gas station theme and the quality of the service do go a long way in helping us recommend this restaurant. If all Quaker Steak and Lubes are the same quality as this one, then it is worth making a pit stop for some grub and to check out the cars.

Bertie and Huck's

                Bertie and Huck’s Restaurant looks exactly like what it is, a neighborhood place like grandma would run. With a quaint décor and attentive servers, you get the feeling that heading to 15 E. Foster-Mainville Rd., in Mainville, OH could easily be a regular drive. And it is a drive, unless you live near Mainville or Loveland or one of the other burgs in that part of the state.

Burger

                For this one I went alone since Josh had other plans (that included some girls but hey, he’s a high school kid so why not). The menu boasts a number of down home cooking kind of items, the kind of comfort food that you think of when you think of when grandma comes to mind.

I ordered up a double cheeseburger that, as promised, was hand patted from fresh ground chuck. I wasn’t given a choice on how it was to be cooked but when it arrived at the table, with melted American cheese, crispy lettuce, ripe tomato, a dill pickle spear and a generous helping of potato chips, the burger wasn’t charred the way many restaurants seem to think we should all eat them these days. Rather it was more on the medium side and each bite provided me with all the expected flavors.

                While the bun was rather mundane, seeming as though it came from the local grocery store rather than a bakery, it was the only thing about the burger itself that wasn’t very good. The pickle spear was kind of bland and the chips tasted like Lay’s. They definitely weren’t homemade, that’s for sure.

                One of the only other tables in the restaurant when I was there had their order all screwed up. Two of the four got the wrong sandwich but both went ahead and ate it rather than wait for the proper meal to be fixed. They then were treated to some homemade desert that they were still raving about when I left. Overall, it was worth the drive and warrants a recommendation to come back another time.

Great Scott Diner

                Great Scott Diner in Amelia harkens back to a time when cars were king, rock was rolling and everyone flocked to a diner to fill up on burgers and fries.

                With 50s and 60 rock playing, the servers dressed in period style uniforms and the walls plastered with all sorts of rock and car posters and signs, the instant you walk in you have a good idea what to expect when you eat here. And we’re never disappointed.

                Located at 106 E. Main St. in Amelia, OH and on the web at http://www.greatscottdiner.com/ we stopped in before heading to a car show that, unfortunately, had been rained out.

Burgers

                With a lot of different choices on the menu, including burgers, dog, sandwiches, and a delicious Sunday morning breakfast buffet, there are plenty of options for everyone at Great Scott. We were there for the burgers and even limiting our selection to that single category didn’t narrow the field all that much.

                Though we both settled on an Old Fashioned Burger, there were tons of other options, especially if we were really, really hungry.

                The Big Nasty family of burgers is exactly what you would expect from burgers with that name. From the one pound (yes pound) Big Nasty to the two pound Super Nasty to the four pound behemoth Impossible Nasty, these burgers are more than one sane person should try on their own. But folks do and only complain about how full they are.

                Our Old Fashions were like the Frisch’s Big Boy, only full size. Two quarter pound patties with tartar sauce, American cheese and pickles on a fresh bun that comes to your table stacked so high it’s daunting to try to eat it. Here’s a hint, order the burger as a combo, without the center slice of bun and it’s a lot easier to handle.

                Since the atmosphere of Great Scott takes you back to the 50s, so too does this burger. It is juicy and filled with flavor.

                To round out our lunch we both ordered up a generous portion of curly fries that really hit the spot.

                If you are ever on the east side of town and want to tap into a good classic burger, head to Amelia and Great Scott Diner. Or if you are just feeling nostalgic for a bygone decade, take the drive and spend some time looking at the walls and be sure to check out the kitschy gift shop before you go.

Roxy's Restaurant and Lounge

                Josh and I were downtown not too long ago checking out the Wine and Wheels car show. Normally we would have eaten some of the fare they were grilling up (wood stove pizza, ribs, chicken, burgers) but Josh wanted to get out of the heat and sit down where it was comfortable.

                Using the always helpful Urban Spoon app, we found Roxy’s Restaurant and Lounge. Located at 909 Vine St. (where Hamburger Mary’s use to be) and on the web at http://www.roxyscincy.com/, it was just a short walk from the show.

                Inside the place was empty as we became the first customers of the day. The décor is movie influenced with posters and pictures from films and stars lining the wall. With funky jazz playing, this isn’t your usual stop to chow down on a burger. But it is an interesting place to dine, even if you don’t intend to stay for one of the late night “events” that surely bring in a crowd.

Burgers

                We both ordered up Roxy Burgers, made with one half pound of fresh meat delivered daily from Eckerlin Meats (http://eckerlinmeats.com/) of Findley Market. The burgers took a while to prepare but when they came they were served on brinoche buns baked locally at Giminetti Baking Company (http://giminetti.com/). The burgers were done just right. Josh had cheddar cheese which added just enough of a bite to accent the freshly ground beef. Mark topped his with provolone. Both burgers had tomato, mayo and ketchup.

                While the burgers were good, this really came as no surprise. With the quality of the meat and bun already established and being cooked up on the grill that made Hamburger Mary’s such a wonderful place to eat, we would have expected nothing less.

                What was a pleasant surprise was the seasoned fries which we both ordered. We were told that they used a Cajun spice on the fries and it was very, very good. The spice was just enough to let us know it was there but not enough to overpower the potatoes.

                The only disappointment in the meal (other than the $8 price on the burger, good and yes worth it but it’s easier to find a burger that is just as good for much less) was the fact that they were out of diet soda and so Mark drank water instead.

                Still, that aside, Roxy’s is a good place to dine and well worth the drive to downtown. And maybe you might even want to consider staying around for one of the late night “events” featuring drag shows and all-male revues. Or not.

Habits Cafe

                I’ve been going to Habits Café in historic Oakley Square for years now. So not too long ago when I was meeting my friend Mike Dennis for lunch to talk over a project, the thought of doing so at Habits gave us both a quick nod of approval.

                Mike and I both have some history at this place. We spent the better part of a week there a few years back shooting scenes for the feature film April’s Fool. In that movie, Mike played a down on his luck accountant who had just lost his job. Given the chance to earn some quick money by doing the books for a seedy strip club owner, he finds himself caught up in a plot to rig a horse race that ends in murder. We shot a number of scenes in Habits’ basement which doubled as the strip club office. Another room in the basement was perfect for a warehouse scene which sees Mike’s character worked over by some of the people involved in the racing scam.

                Legend has it that the basement of Habits is haunted by a former crooked police officer who was murdered there when he got too greedy. Though I’ve never really believed in the whole ghost and supernatural thing, we did experience some very unexplainable problems with the battery chargers while shooting there. If you like ghost stories, ask me about what happened there the next time you see me.

                Since this was a business lunch (and Josh would rather hang out with his friends) I went alone to Habits and met up with Mike.

                Located at 3036 Madison Rd. in Oakley square, and on the internet at http://habitscafe.com/, Habits offers up a well-rounded, very tasty and affordable menu.

Burgers

                Though I had eaten at Habits numerous times, this would be the first time I’d had a burger in over a year. With an option of six different types of burgers (including ostrich which is surprisingly good) and a slew of combinations, normally my choice would have been difficult. But since I was writing for the blog I decided to go, as is always the case, with the classic burger.

                Habits gets their meat fresh ground daily at a local butcher so it is never frozen and always fresh. For mine I added provolone, lettuce and tomato and topped it with some ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise.

                The burger arrived promptly and was served on a bun that was perfect. It was fresh, soft and just the right size. Why, I always wonder, to restaurants insist on using buns that are too big or too small? That’s just a pet peeve of mine but since I take my burger eating seriously I like to have things done right.

                Done right is just how they do it at Habits. There isn’t anything over special about the burger, just good fresh meat cooked to perfection. There are no fancy spices or rubs that taint the flavor away from what it should be.  This is a very good basic burger.

                To complement the burger I added some of Habits’ famous sweet potato fries. These are some of my favorite sweet potato fries in the world. They are done to perfection, crispy on the outside and soft and warm in the middle. Each bite is filled with that wonderful flavor. Add to it the fact that sweet potatoes are much healthier for you than regular potatoes and I, at least, should be eating them at every meal.

                If you are adventurous and want to try something out of the ordinary, remember, there are lots of burger options to check out. But if all you want is a good, solid standard burger, you can’t go wrong at Habits.

Anchor Grill

                While this little slice of diner heaven is probably best known as a place to chow down after the bars close, it’s 24 hour service and old style ambiance, together with a good old diner style menu, makes it a good joint to drop in on anytime of the day or night.

                Located at 438 Pike St. in Covington, it isn’t generally someplace that you’re going to pass on your regular route. But it is worth the drive and quite often, the wait. Because of its small size and limited seating, there can be a line, especially at night and into the wee hours of the post bar morning. Low prices, fast and friendly service and consistently good food are always enough to make you want to put up with a little standing in line if necessary.

Burgers

                We went on a weekday afternoon and the entire time we were there the place only had three other customers. Which was fine. It allowed us to soak up the place with its few booths and stools in the front room, with the open kitchen in plain sight.

                Both Josh and I ordered the DD Cheeseburger which was grilled up on the flattop grill just behind my back. Both came to the table with a slice of American cheese, a slice of tomato, what seemed to be a half a head of fresh lettuce and probably more mayo than any other joint uses in a whole day. I always am curious about condiments. Some places will provide the burger dry and have ketchup and mustard on the table. Others will put one or both of these on the burger. But unless you’re getting a “special” sauce or tartar sauce laden burger, you almost always have to ask for the mayo. Being a mayo fan, I was glad the Anchor accommodated me.

                The burgers were just down home right. Nothing fancy just ground beef fried up. There was no question by the server (I should say waitress here and I’m sure she wouldn’t get offended in the least by that title) as to how we wanted it cooked. It came medium well. I don’t think they know how to cook them any other way.

                But the burger was still juicy and the blend of the cheese, condiments, lettuce, and tomato made my mouth happy. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a great burger. There are plenty of other burgers on this blog that simply blow this one away. But if you want a basic burger done right, this is worth a try.

                Likewise, the crinkle cut fries were nothing special but they were crisp on the outside and light and fluffy as air on the inside. All it took was just a little salt and, if you please, a dab of ketchup and these were a very good basic side to a very good basic burger.

Joe's Diner

                Since the 1980s when an old diner was transplanted from Canton, OH, the corner of Sycamore and 12^th Street has been the home of a restaurant that is something of a front porch to Over the Rhine. While the official name has changed with different owners, most people just refer to it as The Diner, a shortened version of its original name, The Diner on Sycamore.

                Last summer, new owners stepped up to reopen the establishment and return it to the shining breakfast all day, grab something to chow on after the bars close at night place that people who frequent the area have loved for years.

                Joe’s Diner has a ‘50s kitsch about it which is added to by the classic TV shows that stream through the monitors not showing sporting events. With an extensive menu of sandwiches and burgers as well as the aforementioned breakfast all day, there is something here for everyone. Add to that fast, friendly service and affordable prices and this really does give you the feel of an old style diner.

Burgers

                I’d been pigging out at the restaurant at Sycamore and 12^th since it originally opened as The Diner on Sycamore. When I heard last year that it had re-opened, I couldn’t wait to give it a try. My first trip in was actually a business lunch, working out details on a live to tape segment for an upcoming television show. That time I didn’t order up a burger but my associate and I were both pleased with our meals and my expense account didn’t take a hit either.

                So when Josh and I were nearby we decided to drop in and have a burger for the blog. Now we had been here before, actually chowing down on burgers when we went to the Cavalcade of Customs last January so this wasn’t the first time for either of us. But it was an official visit for the blog.

                We both ordered up a Joe’s Burger, a quarter pound of fresh beef. On the previous visit, a time when I was very hungry, I’d feasted on a Joe’s Double but both of us knew that we couldn’t handle one of those. There are a lot of other burgers from which to choose and they all look good but the purpose of this blog has always been to just try out the basic burger at each stop and use that as our benchmark.

                The atmosphere at Joe’s Diner is exceptional with the feel of an actual 1950s diner. That’s accentuated when you get your drink served in a Mason jar. While these aren’t as huge of a glass as a lot of restaurants use these days, if you need a refill the servers always seem to be right there.

                The food arrives quickly with the burger accompanied by a generous serving of fries. The fries are always prepared to order so are never sitting around. Of course they arrive to your table almost too hot to eat. But the outside is crispy and the inside is so soft it almost melts in your mouth. I learned one of the secrets to their fries on this trip, when they come out of the fryer they are topped with Grippo’s barbecue seasoning. This is the same stuff Grippo’s has been putting on their barbecue chips for decades. Because the seasoning isn’t applied too heavily there us just a hint of barbecue flavor and it doesn’t distract from the fries.

                Served on a just right sized bun with a slice of American (their cheese selection is rather limited) and fresh garden (my tomato slice was exceptionally thick and juicy), each bite burst with flavor. But what added the largest hint of flavor was the onion that they mix in with the beef before they fry it up. Normally I’m not an onion guy because it tends to stay around with me long after the memory of the burger has faded, but the amount of onion mixed in didn’t overpower the flavor but it did stick around for a good long time. I wish they hadn’t included it but it wouldn’t stop me from ordering up a burger next time I’m in there.

                It’s good to see the restaurant at Sycamore and 12^th open again, this time as Joe’s Diner. With good food, fast and friendly service and prices that won’t break the bank, this is a great place to eat if you are downtown or in Over the Rhine.