21 Greasy Spoon Diners for All-Day Breakfast in Cincinnati

Anchor Grill

438 W. Pike St., Covington, 859-431-9498.
Breakfast/Brunch: 24/7
While we typically seem to eat brunch after 11 a.m., the Anchor Grill is open 24/7, so you can chow down literally any time at this Covington greasy spoon, which has been serving up diner fare for decades. It’s a throwback dive with wood paneling, retro fixtures and black leather booths. As an added bonus, a tiny animatronic Big Band orchestra — led by a swingin’ Barbie doll — plays and moves along to jukebox selections in a vintage Chicago Coin’s Band-Box by the ceiling. The Anchor doesn't serve booze, so opt for diner-style coffee and a slice of their famous chocolate-covered peanut butter pie. It’s cash only, so come prepared. Must Try: Located only about a block away from the headquarters of Glier's Goetta, you'd be stupid not to order a slab of this sausage-and-oat breakfast meat. Go for the goetta omelet with a side of onion rings, because brunch is really just chaos thinly disguised as late breakfast.
Photo: Emerson Swoger

Blue Jay Restaurant

4154 Hamilton Ave., Northside
Since its opening in 1967, the Blue Jay Restaurant has, for the most part, remained the same, boasting a nostalgic image and homestyle eats. As with any good local diner, there’s Cincinnati-style chili in bowls, on coneys and 3-ways, plus classics like all-day breakfast, double decker sandwiches and homemade pie.
Photo: Paige Deglow

Pepper Pod

703 Monmouth St., Newport
Greasy spoon dining at its best, the Pepper Pod is a Newport legend. Open 24 hours a day so you can get your breakfast fix whenever the craving hits.
Photo: Emerson Swoger

Price Hill Chili

4290 Glenway Ave., Price Hill
Generations of West Side patrons have grown up on this iconic, family-owned restaurant’s diverse, fairly priced menu. Having expanded several times over the years, there are now multiple dining areas and a full-service attached cocktail lounge called Golden Fleece. What sets them apart from other chili joints is their liquor license and full menu, which features an excellent Greek salad (with secret-recipe dressing), specialty sandwiches, steaks, all-day breakfast and amazing homemade macaroni and cheese on Fridays (available after 4 p.m.).
Photo: Marci Rhodes

The Echo

3510 Edwards Road, Hyde Park
Opened as a sandwich shop in 1945 by Louise Schwartz, customer favorites include the Echo Grill (baked ham, Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato served with tartar sauce), an open-faced turkey sandwich and the “hangover helper” Hot Mess, with layers of home fries, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, gravy and cheese.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Dunlap Cafe

1926 Dunlap St., Over-the-Rhine
Dunlap Cafe has been operational since 1936 with an emphasis on home-cooked meals, all day brunch and, recently, draft beer. Breakfast sandwiches, omelets and other early morning classics are available all day long with a selection of traditional and specialty burger and sandwich options for seriously reasonable prices.
Photo: Paige Deglow

Sugar n' Spice

4381 Reading Road, Paddock Hills
As the name implies, this restaurant has everything nice. The campy, colorful decor is a good indicator that Sugar n’ Spice likes to turn on its nostalgic charm both in and out of the kitchen. While it’s likely you can find about anything you like to typically order at American diners, you should give their Wispy Thin pancakes a try, bonus points if you go for blueberry. Pair that with a ham steak, two eggs over easy and a big glass of chocolate milk and you’re sure to feel like a kid again, so go ahead and blow some bubbles in your milk. Open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. daily.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Anchor Grill

438 W. Pike St., Covington, 859-431-9498
While we typically seem to eat brunch after 11 a.m., the Anchor Grill is open 24/7, so you can chow down literally any time at this Covington greasy spoon, which has been serving up diner fare for decades. It’s a throwback dive with wood paneling, retro fixtures and black leather booths. As an added bonus, a tiny animatronic Big Band orchestra — led by a swingin’ Barbie doll — plays and moves along to jukebox selections in a vintage Chicago Coin’s Band-Box by the ceiling. The Anchor doesn't serve booze, so opt for diner-style coffee and a slice of their famous chocolate-covered peanut butter pie. It’s cash only, so come prepared.
Photo: Emerson Swoger

Pleasant Ridge Chili and Restaurant

6032 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge
A local multi-generational chili joint that is more than 50 years old. Offers late-night eats (until 4:30 a.m.) and a traditional breakfast menu with items like French toast, omelets and breakfast sandwiches — in addition to plenty of chili offerings.
Photo via Facebook.com/PleasantRidgeChili

9 of 19