Anchor Grill
438 Pike St, Covington, KY, 41011
Anchor Grill Menu
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Address :
438 Pike St
Covington, KY, 41011 - Phone (859) 431-9498
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Opening Hours
- Mon :Open 24 hours
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Breakfast, Brunch, Late Night
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : No
Categories
Burgers
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Katrina H.
Delicious greasy food. What awesome experiences I had there as a drunken teenager. Now, I go there for brunch after Mass. It is still as wonderful as ever.... If you like goetta, scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon. Yummo! Don't bring your kids.... Unless you want them to experience more smoke-filled air than anywhere else on the planet. Really, the smoke in there is terrible. Go for the goetta, stay for the experience of the dancing Barbie dolls in the top corner.
(4)Fred S.
The perfect American diner. It's not the cleanest restaurant and it always smells like smoke, but it has a cheap, yet amazing breakfast. Highly recommend getting the goetta (in omelette or by itself) especially if you're from out of town. It's like the best breakfast sausage in the world and it's only sold in Cincinnati.
(4)Casey Y.
This is the only restaurant I've ever been to that serves what appears to be blue Kool-Aid (hiding under the pseudonym "Raspberry Lemonade"). I took a sip, looked across the table at my mom, and said, eyes wide, "Mom. This is Kool-Aid." Then I cried tears of joy. Oh, and the food's good too.
(4)Michael F.
This place rocks! I've only ever been when I'm super drunk,so I can't remember how much I've spent, but from what I can recall the food is reasonably priced and at 3 in the morning....you can't beat it. Goetta, eggs, toast bacon, and did I mention goetta? If you've never had it, and you're a resident of the greater Cincinnati area, you gotta try it...and the Anchor Grill is the place to do so.
(4)Samantha J.
This is your typical, greasy diner. My girlfriend and I went after a day of Bunbury Festival last month around 11pm. The service was a bit delayed, but we enjoyed it. We sat at the bar and I liked the atmosphere! We were half-asleep and just wanted something fast and greasy and this place fit the bill. We also smoked as we ate, so if you don't like smoke near your food, I wouldn't advise going there. From what I can tell, it's a typical hang-out for drunk people, so I also wouldn't advise going there late if you'd prefer to avoid that. Overall we enjoyed it and highly considered going again before we left the city. We probably will be next time we're in Cincinnati!
(4)Kyle S.
The anchor grill was my first real experience with goetta. That stuff is delicious. I had a goetta and cheese omelette. The character of the place is great, extremely tacky like it's straight out of the 50's. You don't find too many greasy spoon places like this still around so enjoy it. Get some goetta as well.
(5)Erin O.
I've been here both drunk and sober. That's right, sober. But never during day light. The Anchor Grill will meet any greasy food hankering. The service depends on how crowded they are - you'd be amazed at how friendly folks are at around 8 p.m. versus 2 a.m. Win - cheap, greasy, almost always open, parking lot. Lose - somehow you can still smoke in there, and folks truly enjoy getting their smoke on. Also, cash only. Boo. But they do have an ATM on site, so I guess it's not so bad. I visited last month with high hopes of introducing the Barbie doll juke box to my Anchor Grill virgin husband, but did not see it. Me hopes it still exists!
(4)Andrew H.
I checked this place out at the recommendation of a friend of mine who just opened a bar right up the street. Not knowing what this place was, we went inside and seated ourselves to see what it was all about. The building itself: It's dated and you can tell it's been there for years. You can smell the age when you walk in- it literally hits you like a ton of bricks. As to be expected with a name of Anchor Grill, the entire place is adorned in nautical and seafaring decorations. I liked the old school charm of this place, not gonna lie. They have old jukeboxes on the wall at each table...unfortunately these no longer work and are just there for decoration. There is a jukebox at the front of the restaurant, and the jukebox itself controls the lighting in the dining area, as well as an old fashioned band box, which was VERY COOL. The food: I got a plain bacon cheeseburger with a side of fries. It was okay, unfortunately it was nothing to write home about but it was serviceable and was enough to hold me over until the next morning. I felt like I got a whole lot less burger and a whole lot more bun. For the price I paid, I was very disappointed. Not happy about that. My one buddy got the pork tenderloin sandwich and it was gigantic. Perhaps I'll try that if I ever go back to the place. My overall impression of the place...it was okay. It's serviceable but nothing spectacular or worth the drive from the other side of town. I might give it another try if I go back down to my buddy's bar sometime soon. I'll definitely give it another chance. If you go, remember that they only take cash...no checks, no plastic, Also remember that "we may dose, but we never close!"
(3)Liz G.
The Anchor Gill is what it is...not fancy, down to earth servers, non-smoking from 11am-4pm. (Really, why bother!) The Goetta is good, although it was hard not to laugh when I ordered extra cheese on my omelet and she asked "how many slices". Clearly no gruyere here. The Peanut Butter Pie is interesting - really rich. Not sure I could take it after a night of drinking but I would take it home and freeze it for later. I have to go back just to see the Marionette Jukebox work - the guy reading his paper underneath it looked like he would not have been happy if I had started it going. All in all, a good dive.
(4)P S.
Admittedly, I'm really boring when I go out for breakfast. I get pretty much the exact same thing every time if it's available and nothing else is notable (hash browns/home fries, two eggs over medium - which almost no one knows how to do, bacon, a side of biscuits and gravy if I'm starved). Anchor has all that stuff done well (but for the egg clause mentioned above), including yummy biscuits and gravy. My best girl Kathy A wound up with the goetta and cheese omelet, which is the exact reason we traveled over the river to Kentucky to go there. It's a diner in the truest sense. Counter seating, lifer waitresss, regulars, watery coffee, ashtrays on the tables and dark insides. It also has charm though, even if the bathroom door doesn't lock... They only take cash, and if you hit it on a good day and the thing is working, put a quarter in your tabletop jukebox, wait for the lights to dim and see if the little mechanical band starts to play your song up in the corner.
(3)Karina M.
Light of Day Review (if you'd like to contrast it with the Dark of Night Review, see below): It's been many, many years since I've eaten at the Anchor during the day but I recently took my bf to the establishment because he had never experienced the place. I did him a great disservice taking him at 11am on a Saturday. The waitress was very pleasant and the service was fast. I had the country fried steak with green beans and hot saw (glad to see it on the menu) and he had the Western omelet. All was good but nothing stood out as particularly satisfying. The decor that I find so charming at 3 am just looks shabby and a tad depressing when the sun's out. BTW, you can still smoke at the Anchor despite the smoking ban in Kenton County. Don't know how that works.
(3)Nora C.
Wins: -Goetta -Peanut Butter Pie (come early, they often run out!) -Lemonade that happens to be Electric Blue in color -Sassy Waitresses who banter with their regulars (of which my crew and I definitely are!) -Crazy random decor Not So Wins: -Smoke (they got around the smoking ban by having smoke-free hours during the day) -This place is either dead or absolutely packed. I usually come with a group of 12+ after late night dance events and sometimes we have to go somewhere else because there just is not enough room. That's a good problem for a restaurant to have, though! -Cash only (they have a shady overpriced ATM if you forget)
(4)Janet H.
I just love Anchor Grill. We may doze, but we never close - and that's why I like them. This is my go-to place for after hours snacks and recovery. It allows smoking, the food is greasy, the waitresses aren't always pleasant, and its old - and I LOVE IT. My favorite is grilled cheese or the GLT (geotta lettuce tomato).
(4)Christopher G.
Full disclosure: I have consumed alcohol before. And in quantities sufficient to impair judgment, motor skills, and taste in music. I feel that this distinction qualifies me to review the Anchor, because, let's face it, I have it in common with most of the people who have ever gone there. I will therefore discuss it primarily as the place to which you order your designated driver at the end of the night. This is what Anchor Grill is for, really. You'll notice the other reviewers all commenting on how it's the place to go very, very late at night. What they're all too polite to mention (except Alex--represent, man), and what I will happily attest to in their stead, is that this is because it's the best possible place to weather your drunken stupor. It's open all night, the food is cheap and fantastic, and everybody else there is drunk, too! Really, if I can find fault with this place, it's that it just doesn't market itself correctly. It's all about down-home cookin' and delightfully rustic decor. What they should do is hang a sign outside that says "Anchor: where the party doesn't stop. Ever." There are some snags. For one thing, they don't take anything but cash. Bummer. Also, because it's such a popular hangout after the bars close, expect to wait a while for your food. But come on, the place is essentially a party on a boat (and if you're in the right condition, it even rocks like a boat!). Why rush it? And others have already beaten me to this, but seriously, two words for the first-timers: goetta omelette.
(4)Tim D.
I'm not a giant fan, especially at these prices... The location is quaint, but I was getting a bit sea sick... They serve a large portion of the Gliers Geotta, but you do pay for it... The homefries and biscuits are brilliant and your meal portions are healthy, but not as "Homemade" tasting as one would expect... Definitely make your way into the "Window" room as the booths, in the darkened room, are not very accomodating at all, even if you're by yourself... And remember, BRING CASH, it's all they'll take as payment...
(3)Caitlin B.
It is with great regret that I report the smoking ban has finally arrived at Anchor Grill. I'm not a huge fan of smoking indoors so I should be relieved, but I feel like the Anchor has been robbed of some of its charm. There's nothing like stumbling into Anchor Grill at 2 AM for coffee and second dinner and stumbling out with the smell of smoke and grease soaked into your clothes. It's part of the kitsch - no one expects stellar food (though seriously, nothing soaks up alcohol quite like their hash browns and breakfast sandwiches) but the atmosphere and jukebox puppet show make up for the lack of culinary depth. My favorite moment at the Anchor Grill, pre-smoking ban, was when I approached the counter to pay my bill. The door to the kitchen swung open and standing over the stove was the cook, cigarette in hand. Next to her was...a dog. As the door swung closed, I heard her say to the dog, "Get back in here, you're gonna get us in trouble!"
(4)Adam P.
Keep in mind, the 5 star rating is only applicable if you are absolutely shitfaced at 3am. This place easily has the best drunk food and atmosphere in the Tri-State area. I highly advise the Brown Gravy Fries with some crispy fried goetta after a hard night of drinking. Their biscuits and gravy are killer as well. They have a good selection of southern favorites and breakfast classics. Everyone can find something to like! The atmosphere doesn't appear to have changed much since the 50s. As far as I know, they have only closed twice in the last 60 years, which is a very impressive streak. The food is closer to 3 stars when sober, but still beats Waffle House.
(5)Leigh H.
All right, so I've been to Anchor Grill twice now, and while the first time was quite good, the second time, not so much. I can't give it two stars because the food is exceptional greasy spoon far for super cheap, but I can't give it four because the service is pretty much crap and my friend and I both found hairs in our food at our last visit. Hers was in her goetta, mine was in my sausage. Not cool. I'm also not a fan of the fact that it's cash only--I would go way more often if they took credit cards, but I can understand why they don't. It is, however, one of the few 24-hour diners in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area, so it does fulfill a very specific need among night owls who crave omelettes at all hours like yours truly. Will I be back? Probably, not gonna lie. Will I expect decent service? Uh, no. And if I find another hair, me and Anchor Grille are done professionally.
(3)Joey S.
The Anchor... Oh the memories here. I first discovered this gem when our Art Club in high school would come here every year around Christmas for "Christmas at the Anchor" and after that I started here coming here all the time, and by all the time I mean LATE at night when I was in need of some greasy food or a little something to soak up some alcohol that should not have been consumed. Needless to say, this was my go-to place for a good hamburger and fries for cheaper than McDonald's, but better in my opinion! The great thing about the Anchor, is it literally never closes. They are open 24/7, even on holidays! Want some grits and a pancake? Anchor. Hot dog? Anchor. BLT? Anchor. The only thing I can think of that isn't on their menu is caviar, but I think that's because they want to stay hipster and cool. If you're a smoker you can come to the Anchor and smoke a couple of packs of cigarettes while discussing the debauchery you and your friends just set upon the wonderful city of Covington. Another note worthy aspect to the Anchor is the "live" band that plays when you put a quarter or two into the jukebox. And by "live" I mean 7 barbie dolls dressed up in revealing dresses and a few stereotypical jazz and piano dolls that move along with the music. The great thing about that is that you never miss the curtain opening to reveal them because a bell rings when it's about to open, so your entertainment for the night can always be enjoyed without missing a thing (you may even get to see the barbie fall off of it's pedestal mid-performance). Overall great place to go to when you want to catch up with friends late at night or if you just need a place to let the alcohol wear off! It is a must-go-to for NKY natives and out-of-towners!
(4)Andrea H.
Classic. I used to live around the corner from this place and ate here often enough to be considered a "regular"... It's open 24 hours and has a very old school style. Of course, the dancing dolls that move when you put money into the jukebox, but also the old photographs, awesome nautical decorations, and you can sit at the counter and watch them make your food. The food is typical diner food. Breakfast, meatloaf, soups, salads and really good coffee. I went back while I was in town and noted that now you have to pay first before you get your food, probably because of all the drunks leaving without paying. My favorite time to hit this place up was at 3 AM Halloween night. What a freak show! I love people watching, and this was THE place to do it. I would call in orders of their delicious hash browns.. sigh, I miss this place. If you are just visiting and eat meat, get some goetta. It's a Cincinnati-only meat that mixes pork with grains. My in-laws loved it. I wish I had gotten a picture of their gorgeous mural on the side of their building... A big paddle wheeler!
(4)Terri H.
All Nite Dive Check List: Great drunk people watching - check. Greasy food for a hungry/drunk belly - check. Jukebox - check. Kitschy nautical themes - Check. Creepy dancing puppet band - Check. What's NOT to love???
(4)Nick M.
This place is great for any time of day! I had a goetta and cheese omelet!!!! DELICIOUS!!!!!!!! Momma makes the best food! I'm excited to go back again!
(5)Mike S.
The epitome of the "greasy spoon" but the food was awesome. It was like stepping back 30 years when I entered this place - terrible wood paneling and decor, OLD jukebox, old school counter and that feel of an old building. You know that smell and feel you get when you enter an old place? This has it in spades. I tried the goeta (sp) omelet and it was so delicious. The portion was adequate and the sides were good as well. Fun, funky, old school little funky country place with good food and service.
(4)Stephanie S.
This is another one of those places that I've not been in before 2am, and I don't want that to ever change. I'll be honest, I have no idea if they have brunch, if they have good burgers, or if it's a good place to take your kids for dinner. Great little dive that has decent sausage gravy and hash browns. (with cheese, obviously) The prices are good, the food does the trick, the service isn't bad.
(3)Matthew R.
Anchor Grill. You have to try it. Food wise it's just your usual greasy diner food. Not amazing, definitely not bad. Definitely best at 3am when you're drunk. Speaking of, it's open 24/7 right down Main Strasse in Covington. The staff is friendly and reasonably quick. You have to try the jukebox. The creepy animatronic barbie dolls dance. I kid you not. A big plus for me is that you can still smoke inside. There's nothing like sucking down a cigarette and killing the bottomless cups of coffee at 2am. If you hate second hand smoke, though, you won't like it. Definitely recommended, and it is one of my favorite late night spots in the Cincinnati area!
(4)Rob K.
Goetta omlette. Who could ask for more? Home fries. Who could ask for more? Toast. Who could ask for more? How about Barbee singing songs? Who knew she had the range she does? And the band played on. Be patient, service can be slow. Especially at 2:30 a.m. when the crowd piles in the front door. The staff here probably deserves a Noble Peace Prize for what they put up with, drunk asses and all. Bring on the B's and G's.
(4)Hank R.
This is a slice of Americana that is fast disappearing throughout the country. The smoking ban is a load of nanny-state nonsense, and a place like this is really where it hurts. As was reported in a previous review, the smoky atmosphere is part of the charm. There is no better place to eat late at night in the area, hands down. The entire atmosphere reminds me of places that were already old when I was a little kid, and very few of them exist today. Even without the smoking, there is no better place to go to eat in the middle of the night, and especially after drinking. I am with the crowd in the case of Anchor Grill, and though I wrote a bad review of the local worship place Terry's Turf Club, I think the difference between the two is trying to hard (Terry's shithole) and not giving a damn (the glorious Anchor). I've had a lot of menu items and none of the were bad. I recommend something fried, maybe with a potato of some kind, and gravy. But the burgers are good too.
(5)Melissa L.
This place is a dirty, smokey, hole in the wall, but it is awesome. It is open 24 hours and serves the best 'drunk' food that you could want...I mean, who wouldn't pass up anything with goetta while under the influence! I came here with a few family members after snow tubing while and filled our bellies with such goodies as 'goetta and cheese omelette, chicken tenders, The Big Anchor (think Big Boy), goetta and eggs, and finally the GLT (Goetta, lettuce, and tomato). It was awesome.
(4)Mick J.
The Anchor is simply one of the greatest, weirdest diner places that you could ever go to. Try to go at 3am. Make sure to play the jukebox as much as possible, not just because the music is great, but because the stage display is like nothing I've ever seen anywhere, ever. Be nice to everybody. Smile at everybody. The employees are generally nice, but if they've had a bad day, they may be weary. So be nice. Don't be a hipster gawker. Tip well, because the food is so cheap it's hard to believe. The neon sign says it all: "We may doze, but we never close." Get some Goetta. It's a regional delicacy and it's not made of anything horrible. It's just an odd combination of beef, pork and ... oats? Yes, oats. Think of it as a slab of sausage or a burger patty. Long live the Anchor Grill.
(5)Célèste B.
The food is nothing to write home about and the whole place smells like smoke, but you will nevertheless be a fan for the following reasons... 1. It's the only place open when the Fishbone concert ends. This is reason enough to go, but you're really glad you did when, just after ordering your food, Angelo Moore (Fishbone's front man) walks in and sits at the table next to yours and starts to make small talk. Of course he's eating here too; it's the only place open! 2. The Anchor Grill has the largest collection of charmingly kitschy nautical decor you've ever seen. We're talking seas of dusty ship captain a sailboat knit knacks. 3. The characters you will see here will definitely keep you entertained. There is always a table full of stoned high school kids right next to a table where two cops are having coffee and turning a blind eye. No wonder the place has a punk song written about it! Oh yeah, bring cash. It's cash only.
(3)Aaron C.
Getta & cheese omelet with homefries with onions, plus a coffee! ..........order it!!! trust me! Besides that its a great greasy spoon restaurant. I have been going there for years. Good food that puts a weight in your belly but thats what you go there for. The service can be slow at times but still worth the weight. It is also open 24/7 365 with a slogan "WE MAY DOZE BUT WE NEVER CLOSE" and with that type of availability you can never go wrong with the anchor for any type of dinning either early morning before a long day or early morning from a long night. Oh and it is Cash Only but they have a ATM but you will have a 2 or 3 dollar charge can't remember which one.
(4)Ryan A.
No service. A group of people walked in after us and were served before us. The cook looked at us and we smiled wanting service but she turned away as if we weren't there, so we left.
(1)Captain S.
Great food,Slow service and a Wierd experiance all around. Never had a bad meal here and I highly reccomend everyone eat there at least once in thier life. Its a Greasy Spoon with a Great Greasy Menu. Clean, but Dated for sure. they have a neat assortment of puppets that play a little show. I do like this place. It is what it is. I've only been there late, Drunk, with other drunks. surrounded by other drunks, that are in Need of a Greasey meal before the beer coma sets in. Not sure why I like this place but I do...everyone needs a good place to eat late,drunk or not. Its worth going to at least once, cause its open late when everything else is closed.
(3)Colette N.
having never been to covington, i yelped a late night spot for afterbars - and the reviews were enough to get us to the anchor about 3a. it certainly did not disappoint. the food isnt great, but the staff put up with the drunken rowdies and it certainly hit the spot. if you play the jukebox, you get the priviledge of a mini-stage show featuring barbie as the lead singer. the disco ball is awesome, and the coolest i remember seeing. loved the stream of transvestites coming in to eat - they looked better than most everyone else in the place, but it just added to the charm.
(4)jasmin c.
Everything a greasy spoon should be, but I have definitely had better.......If your drinking in mainstrasse you cant beat it in terms of a place to hang after bars close.
(2)Michelle B.
OMG!!! This is one of the best places in the world! It's especially awesome at 3am when all the nite people are out, and you've GOT to play the jukebox, or you'll miss a huge portion of the experience here. This is not merely a restaurant, this is an EXPERIENCE. The mix of people you get to see at night is soooooooo worth it, not to mention that the food is good and cheap. Are the Barbies still playing? This was my favorite late nite dining spot till I left Cincy...good grub, strong coffee and fun environment. Completely different atmosphere in the daytime, but the food is still great. NOBODY serves goetta outside of the Tristate area...and I miss it!!! I live down South now and they just dont getta goetta...at all. I may have to fly home just to have some soon now that I'm thinking about it!
(5)Franklin B.
Love this place! Nothing beats good old goetta and eggs from the anchor. I've been going here for over twenty years and they never disappoint. So what it's a dive, the service is great and the food is great.
(5)Bryan C.
The soups here are AMAZING! This is apparently a local dive where people go when they are done drinking. We went and to be honest I had set the bar pretty low based on what I had heard about the place. I had a bean soup that was about the best bean soup I have ever had in my life. It was so good I am still dreaming about it. I also had a steak sandwich which was good considering the type of place I was at. The service was fast and the order was correct and the biggest bonus is that they were open at midnight, which is when eating jags seem to hit in this little town.
(3)Kiarash Z.
Anchor is my favorite greasy spoon in the Cincinnati area, especially because it serves goetta, which I can't get in my city. But a word of caution: Goetta doesn't work well in omelettes. Just get it on the side and eat it with syrup.
(4)Brian H.
We were searching for a good lunch spot in Covington and asked the concierge at the Embassy Suites for recommendations. She recommended a Red Lobster on the way to the airport. Not that I'm not a Red Lobster fan, but we were looking for something with a little more character, so my buddy whipped out his iphone and consulted with Yelp. Greenup an Anchor were the number 1 and 2 options, respectively. Although Greenup looked pretty good, the Anchor promised to be a little more regionally fitting, so we headed down to Pike St. Before we even entered, we knew from the overall vibe that we had chosen wisely. Anchor Grill has a great old-school diner vibe and plenty of weird eye candy. And the food was up to snuff too. I had the GLT- Goetta, Letuce, and Tomato, which was delicious. We shared an order of biscuits and gravy which were awesome- I was even tempted to lap up the blobs of gravy that remained on the plate after the biscuits were gone. The country ham was also delicious- a nice big salty slab, on the bone. I'm sure this place is even more of an experience at night. I would definitely make a point of eating here again next time I was in the area.
(5)Randall R.
You'll never find better greasy food and the $10 Thanksgiving dinner is as good as Mom ever made.
(4)Edward B.
No service to lousy service. The place looks cruddy and smells of cigarette smoke. Yes, you probably have to be drunk to eat the food. But, don't just take my word for it. Try it once and you'll see I am right. My advice is don't bother!
(1)Akilah H.
It's 3 a.m. You're probably inebriated and wandering the streets of Mainstrasse when you stomach decides it requires some seriously bad for you food. The Anchor Grill is always perfect for that, because it's always open. Their slogan is "Though we may doze, we never close." Get some delicious arse breakfast foods at any hour for less than $10. My absolute favorite hole in the wall in the Cincinnati area.
(5)Dan J.
The Anchor Grill is a 24 hour bastion for late-night drunks craving diner food and lovers of miniature bands that have Barbie's boy Ken as a back up singer. Sure the food isn't that great, and sure it could take you over half an hour to get your food, but the Anchor isn't a restaurant, it's an experience. I've taken many a friend to the Anchor and each one has found something to love about it. The waitresses are very tolerable because even if your group is particularly awful, you know there has been a worse, drunker group to come in and cause a ruckus. It's even more fun to experience sober because you get to take in everything that goes down there. My favorite recent memory is that right now they are having patrons sign a petition to get the city to allow them to have a giant mural of a steamboat painted on the side of the restaurant, as if the Anchor wasn't awesome enough already.
(4)J K.
I picked out this place using yelp's monocle function after finding out that riverside was closed on mondays. I should preface this review by saying that I can understand the appeal of a 24 hour grill next to the covington bars, but for a typical lunch, you can find much better. Food was greasy and a poor value. Sigh. Should've read the yelp reviews before deciding to go here.
(2)Heather J.
It's wierd, it's dirty and it's cheap - what could be better????? The food is so bad it's good! I love it - even when I'm not drunk!
(5)Donielle W.
Good food, but overpriced. I guess if people will pay it though, that's good for them. It's very dirty... But for some reason I love that about them, maybe that's only because I've been going since I was a kid and I'm used to it. It's also awesome that it's always open.
(3)Liz A.
people have been telling me that i need to go to the anchor grill* since like the first day i moved to cincinnati. i distinctly remember having beers with people i haven't talked to in years now very soon after i arrived fresh off the east coast boat and a guy was telling me some convoluted story about a place with a jukebox and "this weird barbie doll dance thing" where people would go to eat "but only if it's like 3 am and you are really drunk." everyone who ever talked about the place instructed me that "you have to get the goetta omelet" but admonished me to remember that "you're not going there for the food." obviously i had to go to this place, but somehow i could never make it happen. nobody ever wants to drive to covington after they are already drunk, and nobody i know hangs out in covington to drink. i would occasionally throw it out there as a brunch suggestion but people would laugh at me. "go to the anchor grill SOBER?!?!" they would exclaim in pure and utter shock. "you can't go to the anchor grill SOBER! and you can't go NOW! you have to go at THREE AM!!!" i would protest that at this rate, i was never going to make it there. i got no sympathy. "you CAN'T go to the anchor grill if you're not DRUNK and it's not THREE AM," people kept telling me. "NOBODY does that. NOBODY!!!" nobody, it turns out, but kieran. i don't have anything really to say about the food. i ordered the goetta omelet and it was fine. it was fried goetta with american cheese melted on top all rolled into eggs. i think i would have preferred cheddar cheese, but on the other hand i enjoyed the super thin crispy goetta. overall it was just straight up middle american greasy spoon food, which is exactly what it is supposed to be. the ambience however was everything i hoped it would be and more. until next time, anchor grill. because i am sure i will be back. i just might not remember it.
(3)Dale marie P.
Anchor Grill never closes, and they don't really doze, either, despite the neon sign out front. I'll be honest- I've only been to Anchor Grill in the middle of the night. It's not that the food only tastes good when I've been drinking (although it does hit the spot). It's that it's my late-night tradition, and to go during the daylight hours could temper that. Anchor Grill is an experience. While the food is delicious, you don't go for that. You go for the opportunity to see transvestites get into verbal altercations with hillbillies, or to see college kids managing to find something with wheels and using it to careen around the cramped dining room. I love nothing more than taking people who had never been there before- Barbie and her band are reason enough. The servers have to be the most patient people in the world. I would kill someone within a week. Tip them out fat.
(5)Lauren F.
Oh Anchor, how many nights have I sat at one of your crappy booths, waiting patiently for coffee so I can sober up enough to go home and ordered twice as much food as I could eat, food I might not touch if I hadn't spent an evening drinking heavily. Anchor has such a long sordid history in late-night Cincinnati that it's almost improbable for someone to come to age here without a shameful story of passing out on the bathroom floor or narrowly avoiding a fight. I ate there only once in the daytime. Aside from the ridiculously affordable greasy food, the anchor also has sullen waitresses on third shift, obnoxious patrons, a mirrored ceiling fixture and a small stage built into the corner that houses a miniature big band that sways to life when the juke box is played. In the place of one of the musicians is a blond Barbie doll. It's hard to tell if the door to the women's restroom locks and I find myself trying not to touch the door handle as I exit (just a paranoid precaution of course). The draw is not only the consistency of the establishment but also the joy of sinking to this particular level of dive restaurant. For an extra special evening visit the Sub Galley on Short Vine for your beverages and make your decent complete.
(4)Mr. S.
It's a great place! It reminds me of a small town shop. The goetta omelet is the best thing on the menu.
(5)John J.
Great little place that is open all night. Servers were very friendly...made a point to show me the singing puppets, even though I didn't know they were there.
(4)Lindsey S.
This is one of THE things I miss most about my most recent home prior to living in Vegas. No, wait, that was Portland. Okay, this is one of THE things I miss most about living in Cinci. Mah best good freeind, Karin, and I have spent an embarrassingly large portion of our lives sitting in this greasy spoon, drinking coffee, eating cheese omelettes, and doodling on the place mats. True to the name, the nautical theme is carried on throughout this place, in tacky knick knacks and murals. I don't know what the disco cone (it serves the same purpose as a disco ball, but it's a rotating cone in the middle of the ceiling in the main dining room, and a light placed on a table right in the middle of the room creates the desired effect) has to do with the nautical thing, or for that matter what the "band" has to do with anything at all. In the corner of the room, mounted high for all to see, is this glass box containing a "band" of puppets, one of which had broken long ago and was replaced with a Barbie, that move about behind tiny replicas of instruments when the juke box is on. It's a grand show, actually, complete with a curtain that opens and closes at the beginning and end of every song. Hahaha, we used to giggle at the "Vegetables" options on the menu -- Hash browns, fries, or onion rings. The staff is just a hoot as well. I made the mistake of asking our waitress one evening what items the vegetable omelet contained. She said, "Aw, y'naw, t'maidders, chaze, mangoes ...." Mangoes? I just smiled and nodded and told her that that sounded wonderful. And, no, there wernt no mangoes 'n mah omelet. And then there's the goetta. I'll just have to take andy r.'s excellent idea and post the link to Wikipedia's explanation: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go… Good idea, andy. Saved me some time. Oh, I miss Covington.
(5)Eric V.
If I believed in Jesus, heaven and what-not, I imagine this would be one of the resturants up there! I would LOVE to have a conversation with Christopher Columbus while downing a GLT (Goetta, Lettuce, Tomato). This place is that awesome! The outside lookes like it should be the original waffle house. In a scary place of Northern Kentucky and I think the last time I went I got shot walking in. But I was so focused on the smell of heaven, I didnt notice my blood trail. Once you are in there its a free-for-all to get a seat. With vintage sail boats nailed to the walls and somesort of sailboat play thing on the of the walls, Anchor Grill lives up to their boating heritage. The service is great, which is surprising cause the waitresses make Waffle House servers look like beauty contest winners. After you order and the servers/cooks have a smoke break, they will deliver to you pure mouth watering deliciousness on a plate. Its "drop your pants and put yourself in it" good! I have and will continue to praise this shack like heaven in NKY, so go there or you suck!
(5)andy r.
BEST OLD-TIMEY DINER ON THE FACE OF THIS EARTH!!! I'll tells yeh why: 1) 'We May Doze, But Never Close' is their neon motto in the front winda. (truth in advertising) 2) Gotta get a Goetta. Best Goetta in the tri-state area. Best drunk food evah! If the gods drank 75 cent cans of Weidemann's and moshed, this would be their ambrosia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go… 3) Wonderful nautical-themed decor, in constant accumulatory flux since 1946. More "Hey, sailor..." than 80s Ralph Lauren ad. Hey, the Ohio River is less than a mile away. That mermaid coulda swam there...Nah, she'd have ended up in a Po' Boy. 4) Magnificent Improvisational Theater from the regulars and curious alike. One night the place is rockin' 'Okie from Muskogee' and some lady in a booth throws her coffee cup at the waitress, who doesn't even react, except to nonchalantly place the check on the table on her way to ours. Another night, a dramatic relationship 'talk' worthy of Telemundo wafts over another couple passed out in the adjacent booth. The waitress refills their coffee and wakes them by stirring it with a spoon. She's like the mom who knows her kids are bad, but still loves 'em, BLESS HER HEART. 5) The piece-de-resistance resides in the NW corner of the dining room. High above the fray (serious fray) is a beautiful curved glass stage with puppets that play to whatever music you selected in your table-side juke console. Whether it's Patsy Cline (most popular), Aerosmith (nearly as much) or George & Tammy (the real first couple), the band never misses a beat. Over the years, replacement parts must have been out of stock, cause there are sleek, Big Band style figures jamming with Hillbilly Jugband members and a couple Barbies rigged up with makeshift tamborines. A torch light sprouts from the center table, reflecting light off a mirror-cone, making the experience extra fancy, like the ketchup. No trip, layover, or sentencing in Greater Cincinnati is complete without a visit to the Anchor Grill. Your grandkids will thank you for the story.
(5)Mary P.
I just want to clarify something that Lindsey S. of Austin wrote. When the waitress said that the omelete contained mangoes, she did not mean the delicous, sweet fruit. Instead she meant bell peppers, most likely green ones. Don't ask me why, but it's some weird regional thing for people of a certain age (like my mother) to refer to bell peppers as mangoes. I grew up hearing bell peppers referred to as mangoes so you can imagine my bewilderment when I had an actual mango for the first time. Yes, it's very odd and I have no explanation for it. Seriously though, the Anchor is an institution and a local treasure. Yeah, it's smoky and greasy, but the food is soooo good.
(4)Michael G.
If you were in Cincinnati late at night, you would be remiss not to stop at the Anchor for some grub. Located right across the river from downtown Cincy, the Anchor provides an experience not found this side of a David Lynch movie. They may not have the best food in the world and service is with a scowl, but the satisfaction of being able to say that you ate there and survived will last forever.
(4)Stacey J.
This is one of those restaurants you take your out-of-town friends to late at night after they've experience the Mainstrasse strip of bars. You point of that that strange creaking noise is actually an "animatronic" Barbie band "dancing and singing" to the Juke box. The food, while questionable, will cure you of, or prevent most hangovers. And the service will never be less than surly. People watching is at its prime any time of day or night. Whether it's the late night weekend crowd of college kids who've had their fill of alcohol and are leaning over to your booth to ask you to take a picture of their buddy after they've written some not so friendly things about him on his forehead, or the daily regulars who have...."character"....to say the least. Bikers, prostitutes, your Kenton County cops in for a cheap meal...daytime drunks... The Anchor is just one of those places you HAVE to go to. mostly for the experience and the story you get to tell. But the food is cheap...and, it's like the sign says, "We may doze, but we never close!." It's a landmark. Take your tourists with you...they'll never forget it.
(5)Victoria K.
The Anchor Grill is one of the best diners on the NKY side of the river, hands down. The atmosphere and decor aren't the cleanest, but that makes the experience all the more relaxed and authentic. The best part decor wise is the infamous sign reading "we may doze but we never close." The standard breakfast options are phenomenal. I recommend the Goetta & Cheese Omelet. The service is friendly and fast. Overall a great tradition breakfast spot and a family favorite. If you're looking for a frou frou brunch, however, you might want to check out other options.
(4)Scott P.
Loved this little dive. You can sit at the front counter on stationary bar stools or two other dining rooms are available. I got the goetta and cheese omelette. It was very good with plenty of goetta in the omelette. My wife got a burger which was good but the party was pretty thin. I liked the shoestring fries that came with the burger. For dessert we had a shake and an ice cream cone. It was a fun experience. It wasn't crowded at all Friday afternoon. Glad we were there before 4pm when you are allowed to smoke in the restaurant. If you are looking for a traditional "greasy spoon" type place, this is it. Don't expect anything fancy but it's worth the trip and experience. The old style juke box at the tables don't work but the juke box out in the front lobby does. Cash only at this place so be prepared.
(5)J C.
"They may doze, but they never close." I LOVE Anchor. It's adorable. Vintage, retro throwback diner with a pinball machine. The staff are always super friendly, even through handling some of the biggest jerks that come in drunk (which I can imagine is pretttty difficult). Anyways, it's conveniently at the top of Mainstrasse Village, so it's popular for a midnight snack after the bars. It's a diner, they serve a variety of breakfast foods, sandwiches, and goetta. The only downside is I believe it's cash only, but they have an ATM. I've never had a bad experience here & the food is always great. Play a song while you're there.
(5)Adam B.
The best kind of example of a greasy spoon. Open late enough for drunks? Check! (actually 24/7) Cheap food? Check! Decor that is both entertaining and a little shoddy? Check! Breakfast for two for under $20? Check! The Anchor Grill is a Covington mainstay. I won't go through restating what all the others have said. Yes, the breakfast is awesome (they make their own goetta). Yes, the place is a little rundown. But so what? They aren't trying to be a five star restaurant. They are a diner and proud of it! Thanks for a great breakfast!!
(4)David C.
The anchor is... Well, it's the anchor. if you have not visited this character-filled restaurant, you need to make it at least once. The anchor is a anchor for Northern Kentucky culture. "We made doze, but we never close" is their motto, referring to there 24/7 hours. The anchor serves traditional breakfast foods, diner-style dishes, and, one of my favorites, Goetta. I was suggest getting a breakfast plate with Goetta. As they say, "when in France... " I hear that if you're looking for some late night 'entertainment,' and/or you can't sleep, you can visit the anchor at three or four in the morning for an interesting crowd. My first visit was some years ago when it was still a smoking restaurant, but now to Kenton County has outlawed that for eating places, I find it to be a much more pleasant experience while eating breakfast.
(4)Zeus P.
It's a great classic diner in a really cool small town. The service was great and the prices were reasonable. I will be back. Oh yeah... They are open 24 hours... So that's a bonus.
(5)Kat Y.
Excuse my uncultured palate. I really apologize because I think I just couldn't take my first true Southern breakfast. I got the country ham steak, which came with eggs, toast and hashed browns. I think the eggs were the only things I actually enjoyed. And now you may be wondering what was wrong with everything else. The toast was dripping in melted butter. The hashed browns needed more salt, but was fine. The country ham...I was expecting a ham steak, but I should have checked the Internet first. It did not have a traditional ham taste. It was really salty and really fatty. It also smelled somewhat like rotten meat to me. I had a small bite of it and put it aside. Along with the food, this place has a strong smoke smell. There are 3 dining areas, and I chose the last one since it smelled the least smoky. But there was still a sign on the wall that said No Smoking between 11am-4pm. Errrrr, okay, I guess...I don't know how that changes things since it's not like the smell of smoke will just go away at 4:01pm. I finished ASAP and high tailed it out of there to preserve my lungs. I really think this place just wasn't for me since I'm not into Southern food anyway, but if this place has been around for so long, I'm sure there's a reason for it. Next time, I think I'll just stick to the regular eggs and bacon.
(2)Lauren B.
Love anchor grill. Their omelets are awesome. If you go after 2am be prepared to wait.. But totally worth it!
(5)NoneYa B.
Who couldn't love Anchor Grill??? If you want an amazing breakfast that taste like grandma made it, this is the place to come. The service is ok, but the friendliness makes up for the slight speed problem. People of all ages are sure to enjoy their meal
(5)Stephanie H.
I have lived in Covington for 5 years now. I've always heard great things about Anchor Grill in that time. I've heard it's a greasy spoon best known for its breakfast and that it's always open. I finally made it in one afternoon with my boyfriend. I was torn by my usual ham and cheese omelette or their specialty, goetta and cheese omelette. In the end I went with ham and got a side of cheesy onion potatoes. It was all amazing. Everything I expected, cheesy, greasy, and cooked well. My boyfriend got the Anchor Burger (I think that's the name) with coleslaw and both were good as well, particularly the coleslaw which was surprisingly fresh and delicious. I will definitely be back the next time I get my greasy breakfast fix on to try the goetta and cheese omelette.
(4)Steve L.
Definitely a "must do" in the tri-state breakfast scene. Goetta choices are always good.
(4)Tia T.
There is nothing more nostalgic about my childhood or young adulthood than hanging at the anchor at odd hours, eating something with goetta in it, or pounding four cups of their (really good!) coffee in one sitting. This is the perfect Sunday breakfast joint, and also the perfect greasy spoon cure for a hangover. Word to the wise- it's cash only! Also, try the grilled cheese. Sometimes there are fruit flies, but it's a part of the charm. Would. Not. Trade this place.
(4)Dale H.
The "Mother" of all greasy spoons!!!! What newborn spoons dream of growing up to be....
(4)Aspidistra D.
Where else can you eat a goetta omelette while you watch an animatronic miniature band perform to oldies jukebox music? A legend. Filled with blue-collar locals during the day, and alt-set students on Saturday nights. Also, not a bad place to end a night of drinking and debauchery in North Kentucky, as many people do.
(4)Kelly Y.
One extra star for the perfectly cooked Glier's goetta! Ah, the Anchor Grill! It's been ages since I was here for that late night breakfast run. One bite of their perfectly cooked goetta brings me right back! It is cut a bit thicker than most goetta I've had; seared crispy on both side but still keeping the middle moist and chewy. And I never thought I cared about where the goetta comes from until now--Glier's is the winner. And please Yelpers, don't complain about the Anchor's lack of ambiance; ugly brown paneling; dilapidated ceiling or lingering smell of cigarette smoke from the front bar. If any of these bother you, then you don't belong in the Anchor Grill. Sit down, learn to appreciate goetta and bask in the eternal glow of the Anchor Grill.
(5)Todd W.
Goetta and cheese omelette!!! Gotta try it!! They may doze, but never close!! The perfect after hours place to be!! The only take cash...there is an ATM on site however...just a heads up
(4)Laura C.
Goetta crisped to perfection and in a greasy omelette with slices of cheddar cheese. Ordering off of the menu, you have a chance of getting out of there at a semi - reasonable price. As soon as you add and substitute, though, things get pricey given the quality of food and the setting. This is good enough to be a backup to other diners when they are too busy, but in general they need to increase quantity, quality, or decrease cost to make this worthy of a regular visit. Also, they only accept cash, so be prepared!
(3)Chris J.
I just ate the best Western Omelet ever. It was huge and very tasty. Fresh ingredients, perfect blend of veggies, meats and cheese. The waitress peaceful down in front of me within 5 minutes of ordering. Fantastic! They don't take credit, but there is an ATM conveniently inside.
(5)Matt A.
How can one person drop $15 for two grade 'b' eggs, two 1/4 inch thick greasy sausage patties, a dry biscuit and one small sliced potato fried on a flat top with melted cheap cheddar cheese? Prepared by the cashier/cook who handles money and food almost simultaneously. Oh yeah and I had coffee that tasted like brown do-do water with 'Coffee Mate'. What's the world coming to when a dive charges prices more suitable to a slightly upscale diner? If I dine in a dive I trade cleanliness and quality for low-brow hospitality and low prices. Here you get neither. Save your money, save your digestive system and cook at home.
(1)Salvé M.
Don't let the outside fool you. Breakfast is simple and simply delicious, also plenty of parking.
(4)Teresa T.
Had breakfast and then lunch because everyone should have a second chance. The verdict: Worse than school cafeteria food. Nostalgia for home town, neighborhood fronts do not equate quality.
(1)Miranda C.
This place is absolutely amazing! My grandpa always took me and my siblings here when we were little. Our favorite part was the barbie band dancing to the music and the old time decorations. The food is awesome! Best place for a home cooked meal. The staff are really nice and I would recommend this place to everyone!!
(5)Katie F.
My parents have been going to Anchor Grill ever since they started dating almost 30 years ago. They rant and rave about their sign "We may doze, but we never close", and always talk about the little puppet show thing that happens when you put a nickel in. I think nostalgia probably speaks for them. I've been back recently and the place is a dump (which I totally expected, but it was worse than I remember). Granted, I did go at about 9:00pm on a Saturday, so it was an odd time. But the place was empty except for some people I was legitimately afraid of (seriously, some people were actually dressed as zombies at a booth in the other room, and they weren't as creepy as some others in the place). Even though it was empty and EERILY, EERILY quiet (no music, no talking...nothing), our waitress didn't greet us for about 5 minutes and when she did it was obvious that "Service with a Smile" is not her life mantra. Anyway, it took us over 30 minutes (or what felt like it, did I mention how quiet it was?) to get our food: a Goetta omelette and some pancakes + biscuits + bacon. The food didn't disappoint, I recommend the Goetta omelette (Cheesy goodness). But still, nothing about this place made us want to hang around or even come back - ESPECIALLY the smoke. I give this place 3 stars because even though it was a pretty bad experience, it's what you expect from a 24 hr dive diner that's been around for years and years.
(3)KC K.
Ever wondered what your grandparents meant when they talked about the "good ol days?" Well...dine at the Anchor and you will soon figure it out. It looks like a place Don and Peggy would have eaten in Mad Men. Wood Paneling, old juke box, wrap around dining counter complete with ash trays. This is not some reproduction of a 1960s diner...it is a 1960s diner void of any updates. We sat at the counter and were waited on by Rose. She couldn't have been sweeter or more attentive. She even heard me mention that I wished I had saved my gravy to dip my fries in. I had a bowl of gravy 10 seconds later. The food was exactly like I thought it would be...nothing fancy or imaginative but very good! I had the double decker + goetta. My new favorite breakfast spot in the Tristate! If you go in here with the right expectations, you will love it!
(5)Melanie M.
Love love love the anchor grill. Do yourself a favor and tear up a goetta or western omelet. Wash it down with bisquits and gravy...awesomeness
(5)Matthew W.
The best place to eat in Northern Kentucky hands down. The food is always cooked to order and amazing from first bite to last. The prices are fair and you can't beat the portions. Anyone who wants a good old fashioned breakfast any time of the day needs to stop here.
(5)Anthony K.
The food wasn't good, it cost 4 dollars for just one side of bacon which wasn't really good. I'd rather not eat then eat here again.
(1)Sarah A.
This place definitely has a small town diner vibe to it. The food is great. The only thing I can say is that they should have a smoking and a non smoking section instead of just smoking. This is THE place to come after the bars close. Get a pile of fried eggs and goetta.. Mmm
(4)John B.
This place was on my bucket list and for good reason. It's reputation precedes it as a late night haven for half inebriated or just night owls needing grease and the camaraderie of other party people. So, when I walked in I was pleasantly surprised and slightly caught off guard by the first "room" but quickly navigated to an empty table that had a perfect view of (what I call) the gilded sombrero hanging from the ceiling and the totally spooky yet interesting animated puppet band thingy. The food: grease with a side of grease but very tasty especially anything with their goetta and eggs. If you're coming here for fine dining or some kind of palate palooza of flavor, you're going to be disappointed. What you will get is a nice amount of food for a good price, possibly some spontaneous entertainment from the patrons and the weird puppets. Parking in the lot is easy but getting the smoke smell from your clothes and hair is not :)
(5)Cacique G.
My meal was so bad I will only ever go back for the home cooked pies.. it is really annoying to sit in cigarette smoke, there were many people smoking.
(1)Jodi P.
It may not be the prettiest place, but it is absolutely delicious! Best goetta and cheese omelette in the tristate area. You'll leave smelling like an ashtray, but it is so worth it.
(5)Josh D.
This place had roach motels sitting in the vintage music players on the table. Avoid.
(2)Alex N.
So the bars are closed and 2:30 is here your dilemma in Covington, you are basically stuck with Waffle House and White Castle. But then just down the corner is Anchor Grill, Anchor is located on the corner of a sketchy part of town but that really adds its character. I always get the "purple drank" no pun intended at all. They still have the old school punch/koolaid machines that always turning up the juice. Then depending on the mood either guetta and eggs or a variation of the doubledecker. Regardless you can not really go wrong. The place is not really the most clean but what the hell at 3 am you don't really care.
(4)Kelly V.
Went there on New Year's Day, i'm sure it was busy because of the holiday but it was the worst service I have EVER received. They were busy but we asked a question about the menu asked for a minute to look over it and she didn't come back for 15 minutes (no exaggeration) it was also after I said we need to order as we were traveling. The place looked dirty. The food was fine but I was really angry I wasted 2 hours of our trip and the reviews were way off.
(1)Rachael G.
So my boyfriend and I were driving a friend home after a night out and I stated (not to anyone's surprise): "I'm hungry!" For some unknown reason (I think we were an exit or two away) my boyfriend suggested this place. And nearly lost it when both myself and the poor third-wheel-friend looked at him blankly. He acted as though it was the greatest privilege and honor for him to introduce us to this godsend of a diner. This place is the epitome of an old-school diner, ashtrays on each Formica table and all. I half expected to walk in and see my deceased grandmother (God rest her wonderful soul) sitting at the counter with a Diet Coke, a greasy cheeseburger and a cigarette dangling out of her hand. I will admit that I was slightly under the influence of alcohol, so that should be taken into account as I wax poetic about this place. However, we were all starving, and the Coke and grilled cheese I consumed seemed like manna from heaven at that point. I loved the weird clientele and random jukebox picks, could have lived without the blue cloud of cigarette smoke (but then again, it added something to the atmosphere). I will probably not eat here during daylight hours and I most certainly will not bring my mother here. However, it was more than alright in my book.
(4)Nick F.
The Anchor Grill has it all: faux-wood vinyl interior, knick-knacks from any noteworthy 60's-era seamen, and an aroma of Grampa's house. The AG is a definite OG, whose health-standards were questionable before it was hip, and I'm a fan. The food on the whole is as expected: greasy burgers, some standard breakfast items, and a great seafood ceviche (just kidding). The biggest menu stand-out IMHO would have to be their Goetta, which is fried to a delightful crisp on the outside while maintaining an enjoyably softer texture within. All things considered, this place is about atmosphere, not Bobby Flay-level dining. If you're like me and enjoy a good dive, this place is a win. Check it out!
(4)Alex G.
Living in the Oakley/Hyde park area there aren't a lot of quality choices when it comes to having breakfast. My girlfriend and a few friends decided we wanted to have breakfast at a place in Hyde park but when we arrived they had a line out the door. I convinced the gang to hop in the car and drive across the river to an old school spot called the Anchor Grill. When we first arrived they were thrown off by the smell of cigarettes, they didn't realize it's still legal to smoke inside restaurants in KY. Once they got past the smell we all really enjoyed the classic decor Anchor grill has to offer. Everyone enjoyed their food. Service was average, we all could've used a few refills on coffee but All in all it was a success. For people who are tired of waiting an hour for sleepy bee or echo, Anchor Grill is a great choice and I promise you'll enjoy the experience. Also this is very important to remember, they only accept cash so remember to stop at the ATM before arriving. We made that mistake and our friend had to pay for all of us.
(3)Jeremy L.
Yuck. If you want to eat in an ashtray, this is the place for you. America has grown up to where there is no smoking in restaurants. Come join us.
(1)Bradley G.
Anchor is a product of its environment. And you'll take that to mean something different depending on how familiar you are or aren't with Covington. And I wouldn't be the first person to write a review stating proudly that I haven't been to Anchor before one am, because gosh-durn-it, that's just the kind of place this is. I can only imagine this place is a whole different restaurant by day. So the best I can offer you for a review of the Anchor Grill 1-5 am is that you'll not get much word from the staff unless you're doing something wrong: which is just about as perfect of an attitude to have as you can get. If you don't bother them, they won't bother you. And believe me, they've seen enough late night trouble to earn their surly attitudes. They've dealt with punks like you before. So the staff is awesome, and so is the food. You knew that though, right? Of course you did, because it's impossible to screw up simple foods, and even harder to do so when you've been making the same foods for as long as they have. I've literally had orders ranging from eggs and bacon to fried chicken and salad on the same bill, no biggie. All perfect, all quick, all super-cheap. My final thoughts are that they make some of the best geotta in Cincinnati. They also have the best hangover treatment plan their side of the river, and can win a head-to-head bout of best late-night food with any White Castle you got. Cash only, with an ATM inside.
(4)Missy L.
Oh Anchor Grill you are the greasiest of spoons and I love you dearly for it! I used to literally live on the same corner as Anchor. It's a Covington landmark that pretty much everyone knows, and I suppose if you don't know it the giant mural of the boat and anchor on the side of the building probably helps. As their sign decrees upon entrance...they may doze, but they NEVER close! You can go to Anchor at all hours of the day and night. After the bars all close this quaint little diner gets PACKED! The food offerings are about what you would expect...breakfast (including Glier's Goetta), sandwiches, and homemade pie! The pies rotate and are all pretty darn delicious! The interior is covered with anchors of every size, shape and origin. My favorite wacky feature is the option to "Strike Up the Band." If you use the jukebox in the front room you will automatically strike up the band in the first dining room. The band being a small animatronic band with none other than Barbie on lead vocals! They apparently lost the original singer to the set and went ahead and replaced it with Barbie. They dance around and play their little instruments during the duration of the song. I'm like a small child when it comes to this and have to do it every time I'm there. The staff are always really nice (though sometimes very busy). I have had to wait pretty long for my food before, but there's so much atmosphere to look at you really don't even notice. Anchor is one of Covington's greatest little treasures. If you are ever in the area stop in (even if just for a slice of pie).
(4)Brandon K.
I have been to the anchor grill once, and I can say I will be never be going back. The service, and atmosphere was awful. If you ever decide to come here remember to bring cash. They do not accept debit or credit cards. The workers look like they haven't showered in weeks. I was not intoxicated, but once we got seated I noticed they openly have roach traps scattered throughout every booth. Looking down onto the floor under the booth, I found several dead roaches. My entire party decided to walk out, and eat elsewhere. Enjoy.
(1)Kristina R.
I just got a "Just a Note" from Scott E. (or Dweasel Z.), who apparently hails from Kentucky... (apologies for the cut and paste) "Its not cool to poke fun at anothers upbringing. Do you elitest snobs from Calif*ckyou really think your better than us in KY. Let me tell you, I lived in L.A. The most uneducated, (and yes I said uneducated, I went to college, I bet thats suprising to you, since I'm from KY.) egotistical, zeros on the planet reside in your dirty state. Do me a favor, stay there. We dont want you here." I'd just like to apologize to Scott (as I already did in a "compliment") and hope that he understands that I was NOT trying to make fun of his upbringing. In fact, I loved my visit to Kentucky. People have different experiences, and they express them differently. I did not intend to insult him or anyone else with what I wrote about my trip to the Anchor Grill. Having heard millions of insults about "Calif*ckyou" before, I understand the irritation he must feel towards people who make assumptions and generalizations about a place he obviously loves so dearly. However, I take each criticism with a grain of salt. Just because someone hates Los Angeles or San Francisco doesn't make the entire state of "Calif*ckyou" a wash. The same goes for Kentucky and every state in the U.S. In fact, I was trying (apparently, not well) to express my own ignorance about Kentucky and my own pre-conceived notions about the state. Anchor Grill won me over, in its own, very unique, odd way. I regret having pissed off anyone to the point where they felt the need to send a "compliment" to let me know how they felt. My sincere apologies, Scott. And good luck with "complimenting" the other reviewers that might say things you don't agree with, too. Oh, and I'm upping my star rating, out of sheer guilt and shame. FYI: This is why I hate "Just a Note" compliments.
(5)Katherine M.
This is kind of a classic place in the area. It's always open (except at 10pm on Christmas, which, okay I understand, we were insane for trying to go I guess) and always ready to serve you food. It is full of random little things like the dancing barbie doll band (my best friend's band was the electrician who wired it which I find enjoyable as I have only ever gone with her), old school video games, and little knick knacks here and there. The food is typical diner food. Good scrambled eggs - just like they should be at a place like this. Hot tea, coffee, coke - and okay service. it's nothing spectacular really, but it shouldn't be. It doesn't need to be. It just is what it is. The food is okay. Come for the random atmosphere and mix of people. It's just worth it to go to this area establishment.
(4)Jessica N.
This place give mes the creeps BIG TIME, especially the weird marionette machine. But when you're hungover, it's a god send. Amen.
(4)Amy K.
UPDATE: They have restricted smoking (I believe no smoking before 4?) which helps, a LOT, however I still cannot give 5 stars as long as there is some smoking.
(4)Alex S.
Remember in movies when you watch a character walk though his city at night, and it's a completely different place than he's ever seen before. People are creepier, shadows are darker and longer - the whole world looks like it's about to stab him right in the chest with a dull blade it made out of a fork. This is how I feel every time I walk into the Anchor Grill. Let it be clear - I have never been in this dive bar without the bar anytime earlier than midnight. Actually, midnight might be too early - it's more like one to two. And always after drinking. I'm not actually sure they'd let you into this place if you haven't had a drink. The Anchor Grill is nautically themed, only everything is faded and the colors diluted. It seems like it was once a boat lost at sea that was miraculous found, dragged onto shore and turned into a restaurant. If you dug underneath the floorboards, you literally might find gold. Plus, in the back room, there are creepier marionette puppets in a glass case near the ceiling that sometimes come to life and sing for you. That's if you're lucky ... if you're unlucky, they steal your soul. The waitresses are rude, the people behind the counter are rude, everyone in the place is rude. Also, there's never enough room for everyone, so you're going to be shoved into a tiny booth somewhere. I hope you like who you're sitting with. The food is perfect for this place, in which I say, it's awful. It's cheap, it's quickly made and it comes to you so slowly, that you've started chewing on your hand without realizing it, just to munch on something. And when it gets there - you better believe it's the best meal you've ever had in your life. I want you to know that this review was written without sarcasm, hence the four star review. I meant every word of it. Thanks god there is somewhere like the Anchor Grill in this world. Without it, I might never know the true joy and happiness of greasy food at two in the morning. Bring it on, nighttime.
(4)Beth F.
I am all for little "dive" joints, and this one just makes me smile.. even as the grease from my meal dribbles down my chin. Yum. I can literally feel my arteries clogging with each bite, but I can't resist. It's like a food train wreck that I can't stop eating. I was a poor excuse for a Cincinnatian before I became aquainted with this lovely place. I'm ashamed to say it, but I'd never heard of Goetta.. and when it was brought out of a friend's plate I looked at the brown rectangle and actually curled my lip up at the sight of it. Sigh... that was the night I learned not to be judemental of my food.. I took a bite, with my eyes closed tightly shut, and as that piece of... whatever Goetta is, hit my taste buds my eyes shot open and I was a believer.. I grabbed a fork and stole a rather large portion off my friend's plate. Our friendship was strained a bit after that, but it was WORTH it!! Whenever someone comes to town that isn't from here, I drag them to this place. As they walk in and step back into time they look at me with fear in their eyes.. I think they believe I've actually kidnapped them and there is an ax murderer in the back. I assure them they will love me even more than they already do after they leave here, and so far everyone that I've taken has in fact been a fan. I heart you Anchor Grill and you'd be 5 stars if you only accepted credit cards!
(4)Victoria K.
The Anchor Grill is one of the best diners on the NKY side of the river, hands down. The atmosphere and decor aren't the cleanest, but that makes the experience all the more relaxed and authentic. The best part decor wise is the infamous sign reading "we may doze but we never close." The standard breakfast options are phenomenal. I recommend the Goetta & Cheese Omelet. The service is friendly and fast. Overall a great tradition breakfast spot and a family favorite. If you're looking for a frou frou brunch, however, you might want to check out other options.
(4)Scott P.
Loved this little dive. You can sit at the front counter on stationary bar stools or two other dining rooms are available. I got the goetta and cheese omelette. It was very good with plenty of goetta in the omelette. My wife got a burger which was good but the party was pretty thin. I liked the shoestring fries that came with the burger. For dessert we had a shake and an ice cream cone. It was a fun experience. It wasn't crowded at all Friday afternoon. Glad we were there before 4pm when you are allowed to smoke in the restaurant. If you are looking for a traditional "greasy spoon" type place, this is it. Don't expect anything fancy but it's worth the trip and experience. The old style juke box at the tables don't work but the juke box out in the front lobby does. Cash only at this place so be prepared.
(5)J C.
"They may doze, but they never close." I LOVE Anchor. It's adorable. Vintage, retro throwback diner with a pinball machine. The staff are always super friendly, even through handling some of the biggest jerks that come in drunk (which I can imagine is pretttty difficult). Anyways, it's conveniently at the top of Mainstrasse Village, so it's popular for a midnight snack after the bars. It's a diner, they serve a variety of breakfast foods, sandwiches, and goetta. The only downside is I believe it's cash only, but they have an ATM. I've never had a bad experience here & the food is always great. Play a song while you're there.
(5)Adam B.
The best kind of example of a greasy spoon. Open late enough for drunks? Check! (actually 24/7) Cheap food? Check! Decor that is both entertaining and a little shoddy? Check! Breakfast for two for under $20? Check! The Anchor Grill is a Covington mainstay. I won't go through restating what all the others have said. Yes, the breakfast is awesome (they make their own goetta). Yes, the place is a little rundown. But so what? They aren't trying to be a five star restaurant. They are a diner and proud of it! Thanks for a great breakfast!!
(4)David C.
The anchor is... Well, it's the anchor. if you have not visited this character-filled restaurant, you need to make it at least once. The anchor is a anchor for Northern Kentucky culture. "We made doze, but we never close" is their motto, referring to there 24/7 hours. The anchor serves traditional breakfast foods, diner-style dishes, and, one of my favorites, Goetta. I was suggest getting a breakfast plate with Goetta. As they say, "when in France... " I hear that if you're looking for some late night 'entertainment,' and/or you can't sleep, you can visit the anchor at three or four in the morning for an interesting crowd. My first visit was some years ago when it was still a smoking restaurant, but now to Kenton County has outlawed that for eating places, I find it to be a much more pleasant experience while eating breakfast.
(4)Zeus P.
It's a great classic diner in a really cool small town. The service was great and the prices were reasonable. I will be back. Oh yeah... They are open 24 hours... So that's a bonus.
(5)Aspidistra D.
Where else can you eat a goetta omelette while you watch an animatronic miniature band perform to oldies jukebox music? A legend. Filled with blue-collar locals during the day, and alt-set students on Saturday nights. Also, not a bad place to end a night of drinking and debauchery in North Kentucky, as many people do.
(4)Kelly Y.
One extra star for the perfectly cooked Glier's goetta! Ah, the Anchor Grill! It's been ages since I was here for that late night breakfast run. One bite of their perfectly cooked goetta brings me right back! It is cut a bit thicker than most goetta I've had; seared crispy on both side but still keeping the middle moist and chewy. And I never thought I cared about where the goetta comes from until now--Glier's is the winner. And please Yelpers, don't complain about the Anchor's lack of ambiance; ugly brown paneling; dilapidated ceiling or lingering smell of cigarette smoke from the front bar. If any of these bother you, then you don't belong in the Anchor Grill. Sit down, learn to appreciate goetta and bask in the eternal glow of the Anchor Grill.
(5)Kat Y.
Excuse my uncultured palate. I really apologize because I think I just couldn't take my first true Southern breakfast. I got the country ham steak, which came with eggs, toast and hashed browns. I think the eggs were the only things I actually enjoyed. And now you may be wondering what was wrong with everything else. The toast was dripping in melted butter. The hashed browns needed more salt, but was fine. The country ham...I was expecting a ham steak, but I should have checked the Internet first. It did not have a traditional ham taste. It was really salty and really fatty. It also smelled somewhat like rotten meat to me. I had a small bite of it and put it aside. Along with the food, this place has a strong smoke smell. There are 3 dining areas, and I chose the last one since it smelled the least smoky. But there was still a sign on the wall that said No Smoking between 11am-4pm. Errrrr, okay, I guess...I don't know how that changes things since it's not like the smell of smoke will just go away at 4:01pm. I finished ASAP and high tailed it out of there to preserve my lungs. I really think this place just wasn't for me since I'm not into Southern food anyway, but if this place has been around for so long, I'm sure there's a reason for it. Next time, I think I'll just stick to the regular eggs and bacon.
(2)Lauren B.
Love anchor grill. Their omelets are awesome. If you go after 2am be prepared to wait.. But totally worth it!
(5)NoneYa B.
Who couldn't love Anchor Grill??? If you want an amazing breakfast that taste like grandma made it, this is the place to come. The service is ok, but the friendliness makes up for the slight speed problem. People of all ages are sure to enjoy their meal
(5)Stephanie H.
I have lived in Covington for 5 years now. I've always heard great things about Anchor Grill in that time. I've heard it's a greasy spoon best known for its breakfast and that it's always open. I finally made it in one afternoon with my boyfriend. I was torn by my usual ham and cheese omelette or their specialty, goetta and cheese omelette. In the end I went with ham and got a side of cheesy onion potatoes. It was all amazing. Everything I expected, cheesy, greasy, and cooked well. My boyfriend got the Anchor Burger (I think that's the name) with coleslaw and both were good as well, particularly the coleslaw which was surprisingly fresh and delicious. I will definitely be back the next time I get my greasy breakfast fix on to try the goetta and cheese omelette.
(4)Steve L.
Definitely a "must do" in the tri-state breakfast scene. Goetta choices are always good.
(4)Tia T.
There is nothing more nostalgic about my childhood or young adulthood than hanging at the anchor at odd hours, eating something with goetta in it, or pounding four cups of their (really good!) coffee in one sitting. This is the perfect Sunday breakfast joint, and also the perfect greasy spoon cure for a hangover. Word to the wise- it's cash only! Also, try the grilled cheese. Sometimes there are fruit flies, but it's a part of the charm. Would. Not. Trade this place.
(4)Dale H.
The "Mother" of all greasy spoons!!!! What newborn spoons dream of growing up to be....
(4)Todd W.
Goetta and cheese omelette!!! Gotta try it!! They may doze, but never close!! The perfect after hours place to be!! The only take cash...there is an ATM on site however...just a heads up
(4)Laura C.
Goetta crisped to perfection and in a greasy omelette with slices of cheddar cheese. Ordering off of the menu, you have a chance of getting out of there at a semi - reasonable price. As soon as you add and substitute, though, things get pricey given the quality of food and the setting. This is good enough to be a backup to other diners when they are too busy, but in general they need to increase quantity, quality, or decrease cost to make this worthy of a regular visit. Also, they only accept cash, so be prepared!
(3)Chris J.
I just ate the best Western Omelet ever. It was huge and very tasty. Fresh ingredients, perfect blend of veggies, meats and cheese. The waitress peaceful down in front of me within 5 minutes of ordering. Fantastic! They don't take credit, but there is an ATM conveniently inside.
(5)Matt A.
How can one person drop $15 for two grade 'b' eggs, two 1/4 inch thick greasy sausage patties, a dry biscuit and one small sliced potato fried on a flat top with melted cheap cheddar cheese? Prepared by the cashier/cook who handles money and food almost simultaneously. Oh yeah and I had coffee that tasted like brown do-do water with 'Coffee Mate'. What's the world coming to when a dive charges prices more suitable to a slightly upscale diner? If I dine in a dive I trade cleanliness and quality for low-brow hospitality and low prices. Here you get neither. Save your money, save your digestive system and cook at home.
(1)Salvé M.
Don't let the outside fool you. Breakfast is simple and simply delicious, also plenty of parking.
(4)Teresa T.
Had breakfast and then lunch because everyone should have a second chance. The verdict: Worse than school cafeteria food. Nostalgia for home town, neighborhood fronts do not equate quality.
(1)Miranda C.
This place is absolutely amazing! My grandpa always took me and my siblings here when we were little. Our favorite part was the barbie band dancing to the music and the old time decorations. The food is awesome! Best place for a home cooked meal. The staff are really nice and I would recommend this place to everyone!!
(5)Katrina H.
Delicious greasy food. What awesome experiences I had there as a drunken teenager. Now, I go there for brunch after Mass. It is still as wonderful as ever.... If you like goetta, scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon. Yummo! Don't bring your kids.... Unless you want them to experience more smoke-filled air than anywhere else on the planet. Really, the smoke in there is terrible. Go for the goetta, stay for the experience of the dancing Barbie dolls in the top corner.
(4)Katie F.
My parents have been going to Anchor Grill ever since they started dating almost 30 years ago. They rant and rave about their sign "We may doze, but we never close", and always talk about the little puppet show thing that happens when you put a nickel in. I think nostalgia probably speaks for them. I've been back recently and the place is a dump (which I totally expected, but it was worse than I remember). Granted, I did go at about 9:00pm on a Saturday, so it was an odd time. But the place was empty except for some people I was legitimately afraid of (seriously, some people were actually dressed as zombies at a booth in the other room, and they weren't as creepy as some others in the place). Even though it was empty and EERILY, EERILY quiet (no music, no talking...nothing), our waitress didn't greet us for about 5 minutes and when she did it was obvious that "Service with a Smile" is not her life mantra. Anyway, it took us over 30 minutes (or what felt like it, did I mention how quiet it was?) to get our food: a Goetta omelette and some pancakes + biscuits + bacon. The food didn't disappoint, I recommend the Goetta omelette (Cheesy goodness). But still, nothing about this place made us want to hang around or even come back - ESPECIALLY the smoke. I give this place 3 stars because even though it was a pretty bad experience, it's what you expect from a 24 hr dive diner that's been around for years and years.
(3)KC K.
Ever wondered what your grandparents meant when they talked about the "good ol days?" Well...dine at the Anchor and you will soon figure it out. It looks like a place Don and Peggy would have eaten in Mad Men. Wood Paneling, old juke box, wrap around dining counter complete with ash trays. This is not some reproduction of a 1960s diner...it is a 1960s diner void of any updates. We sat at the counter and were waited on by Rose. She couldn't have been sweeter or more attentive. She even heard me mention that I wished I had saved my gravy to dip my fries in. I had a bowl of gravy 10 seconds later. The food was exactly like I thought it would be...nothing fancy or imaginative but very good! I had the double decker + goetta. My new favorite breakfast spot in the Tristate! If you go in here with the right expectations, you will love it!
(5)Melanie M.
Love love love the anchor grill. Do yourself a favor and tear up a goetta or western omelet. Wash it down with bisquits and gravy...awesomeness
(5)Matthew W.
The best place to eat in Northern Kentucky hands down. The food is always cooked to order and amazing from first bite to last. The prices are fair and you can't beat the portions. Anyone who wants a good old fashioned breakfast any time of the day needs to stop here.
(5)Anthony K.
The food wasn't good, it cost 4 dollars for just one side of bacon which wasn't really good. I'd rather not eat then eat here again.
(1)Sarah A.
This place definitely has a small town diner vibe to it. The food is great. The only thing I can say is that they should have a smoking and a non smoking section instead of just smoking. This is THE place to come after the bars close. Get a pile of fried eggs and goetta.. Mmm
(4)John B.
This place was on my bucket list and for good reason. It's reputation precedes it as a late night haven for half inebriated or just night owls needing grease and the camaraderie of other party people. So, when I walked in I was pleasantly surprised and slightly caught off guard by the first "room" but quickly navigated to an empty table that had a perfect view of (what I call) the gilded sombrero hanging from the ceiling and the totally spooky yet interesting animated puppet band thingy. The food: grease with a side of grease but very tasty especially anything with their goetta and eggs. If you're coming here for fine dining or some kind of palate palooza of flavor, you're going to be disappointed. What you will get is a nice amount of food for a good price, possibly some spontaneous entertainment from the patrons and the weird puppets. Parking in the lot is easy but getting the smoke smell from your clothes and hair is not :)
(5)Cacique G.
My meal was so bad I will only ever go back for the home cooked pies.. it is really annoying to sit in cigarette smoke, there were many people smoking.
(1)Jodi P.
It may not be the prettiest place, but it is absolutely delicious! Best goetta and cheese omelette in the tristate area. You'll leave smelling like an ashtray, but it is so worth it.
(5)Josh D.
This place had roach motels sitting in the vintage music players on the table. Avoid.
(2)Alex N.
So the bars are closed and 2:30 is here your dilemma in Covington, you are basically stuck with Waffle House and White Castle. But then just down the corner is Anchor Grill, Anchor is located on the corner of a sketchy part of town but that really adds its character. I always get the "purple drank" no pun intended at all. They still have the old school punch/koolaid machines that always turning up the juice. Then depending on the mood either guetta and eggs or a variation of the doubledecker. Regardless you can not really go wrong. The place is not really the most clean but what the hell at 3 am you don't really care.
(4)Kelly V.
Went there on New Year's Day, i'm sure it was busy because of the holiday but it was the worst service I have EVER received. They were busy but we asked a question about the menu asked for a minute to look over it and she didn't come back for 15 minutes (no exaggeration) it was also after I said we need to order as we were traveling. The place looked dirty. The food was fine but I was really angry I wasted 2 hours of our trip and the reviews were way off.
(1)Fred S.
The perfect American diner. It's not the cleanest restaurant and it always smells like smoke, but it has a cheap, yet amazing breakfast. Highly recommend getting the goetta (in omelette or by itself) especially if you're from out of town. It's like the best breakfast sausage in the world and it's only sold in Cincinnati.
(4)Casey Y.
This is the only restaurant I've ever been to that serves what appears to be blue Kool-Aid (hiding under the pseudonym "Raspberry Lemonade"). I took a sip, looked across the table at my mom, and said, eyes wide, "Mom. This is Kool-Aid." Then I cried tears of joy. Oh, and the food's good too.
(4)Rachael G.
So my boyfriend and I were driving a friend home after a night out and I stated (not to anyone's surprise): "I'm hungry!" For some unknown reason (I think we were an exit or two away) my boyfriend suggested this place. And nearly lost it when both myself and the poor third-wheel-friend looked at him blankly. He acted as though it was the greatest privilege and honor for him to introduce us to this godsend of a diner. This place is the epitome of an old-school diner, ashtrays on each Formica table and all. I half expected to walk in and see my deceased grandmother (God rest her wonderful soul) sitting at the counter with a Diet Coke, a greasy cheeseburger and a cigarette dangling out of her hand. I will admit that I was slightly under the influence of alcohol, so that should be taken into account as I wax poetic about this place. However, we were all starving, and the Coke and grilled cheese I consumed seemed like manna from heaven at that point. I loved the weird clientele and random jukebox picks, could have lived without the blue cloud of cigarette smoke (but then again, it added something to the atmosphere). I will probably not eat here during daylight hours and I most certainly will not bring my mother here. However, it was more than alright in my book.
(4)Nick F.
The Anchor Grill has it all: faux-wood vinyl interior, knick-knacks from any noteworthy 60's-era seamen, and an aroma of Grampa's house. The AG is a definite OG, whose health-standards were questionable before it was hip, and I'm a fan. The food on the whole is as expected: greasy burgers, some standard breakfast items, and a great seafood ceviche (just kidding). The biggest menu stand-out IMHO would have to be their Goetta, which is fried to a delightful crisp on the outside while maintaining an enjoyably softer texture within. All things considered, this place is about atmosphere, not Bobby Flay-level dining. If you're like me and enjoy a good dive, this place is a win. Check it out!
(4)Alex G.
Living in the Oakley/Hyde park area there aren't a lot of quality choices when it comes to having breakfast. My girlfriend and a few friends decided we wanted to have breakfast at a place in Hyde park but when we arrived they had a line out the door. I convinced the gang to hop in the car and drive across the river to an old school spot called the Anchor Grill. When we first arrived they were thrown off by the smell of cigarettes, they didn't realize it's still legal to smoke inside restaurants in KY. Once they got past the smell we all really enjoyed the classic decor Anchor grill has to offer. Everyone enjoyed their food. Service was average, we all could've used a few refills on coffee but All in all it was a success. For people who are tired of waiting an hour for sleepy bee or echo, Anchor Grill is a great choice and I promise you'll enjoy the experience. Also this is very important to remember, they only accept cash so remember to stop at the ATM before arriving. We made that mistake and our friend had to pay for all of us.
(3)Jeremy L.
Yuck. If you want to eat in an ashtray, this is the place for you. America has grown up to where there is no smoking in restaurants. Come join us.
(1)Bradley G.
Anchor is a product of its environment. And you'll take that to mean something different depending on how familiar you are or aren't with Covington. And I wouldn't be the first person to write a review stating proudly that I haven't been to Anchor before one am, because gosh-durn-it, that's just the kind of place this is. I can only imagine this place is a whole different restaurant by day. So the best I can offer you for a review of the Anchor Grill 1-5 am is that you'll not get much word from the staff unless you're doing something wrong: which is just about as perfect of an attitude to have as you can get. If you don't bother them, they won't bother you. And believe me, they've seen enough late night trouble to earn their surly attitudes. They've dealt with punks like you before. So the staff is awesome, and so is the food. You knew that though, right? Of course you did, because it's impossible to screw up simple foods, and even harder to do so when you've been making the same foods for as long as they have. I've literally had orders ranging from eggs and bacon to fried chicken and salad on the same bill, no biggie. All perfect, all quick, all super-cheap. My final thoughts are that they make some of the best geotta in Cincinnati. They also have the best hangover treatment plan their side of the river, and can win a head-to-head bout of best late-night food with any White Castle you got. Cash only, with an ATM inside.
(4)Missy L.
Oh Anchor Grill you are the greasiest of spoons and I love you dearly for it! I used to literally live on the same corner as Anchor. It's a Covington landmark that pretty much everyone knows, and I suppose if you don't know it the giant mural of the boat and anchor on the side of the building probably helps. As their sign decrees upon entrance...they may doze, but they NEVER close! You can go to Anchor at all hours of the day and night. After the bars all close this quaint little diner gets PACKED! The food offerings are about what you would expect...breakfast (including Glier's Goetta), sandwiches, and homemade pie! The pies rotate and are all pretty darn delicious! The interior is covered with anchors of every size, shape and origin. My favorite wacky feature is the option to "Strike Up the Band." If you use the jukebox in the front room you will automatically strike up the band in the first dining room. The band being a small animatronic band with none other than Barbie on lead vocals! They apparently lost the original singer to the set and went ahead and replaced it with Barbie. They dance around and play their little instruments during the duration of the song. I'm like a small child when it comes to this and have to do it every time I'm there. The staff are always really nice (though sometimes very busy). I have had to wait pretty long for my food before, but there's so much atmosphere to look at you really don't even notice. Anchor is one of Covington's greatest little treasures. If you are ever in the area stop in (even if just for a slice of pie).
(4)Brandon K.
I have been to the anchor grill once, and I can say I will be never be going back. The service, and atmosphere was awful. If you ever decide to come here remember to bring cash. They do not accept debit or credit cards. The workers look like they haven't showered in weeks. I was not intoxicated, but once we got seated I noticed they openly have roach traps scattered throughout every booth. Looking down onto the floor under the booth, I found several dead roaches. My entire party decided to walk out, and eat elsewhere. Enjoy.
(1)Kristina R.
I just got a "Just a Note" from Scott E. (or Dweasel Z.), who apparently hails from Kentucky... (apologies for the cut and paste) "Its not cool to poke fun at anothers upbringing. Do you elitest snobs from Calif*ckyou really think your better than us in KY. Let me tell you, I lived in L.A. The most uneducated, (and yes I said uneducated, I went to college, I bet thats suprising to you, since I'm from KY.) egotistical, zeros on the planet reside in your dirty state. Do me a favor, stay there. We dont want you here." I'd just like to apologize to Scott (as I already did in a "compliment") and hope that he understands that I was NOT trying to make fun of his upbringing. In fact, I loved my visit to Kentucky. People have different experiences, and they express them differently. I did not intend to insult him or anyone else with what I wrote about my trip to the Anchor Grill. Having heard millions of insults about "Calif*ckyou" before, I understand the irritation he must feel towards people who make assumptions and generalizations about a place he obviously loves so dearly. However, I take each criticism with a grain of salt. Just because someone hates Los Angeles or San Francisco doesn't make the entire state of "Calif*ckyou" a wash. The same goes for Kentucky and every state in the U.S. In fact, I was trying (apparently, not well) to express my own ignorance about Kentucky and my own pre-conceived notions about the state. Anchor Grill won me over, in its own, very unique, odd way. I regret having pissed off anyone to the point where they felt the need to send a "compliment" to let me know how they felt. My sincere apologies, Scott. And good luck with "complimenting" the other reviewers that might say things you don't agree with, too. Oh, and I'm upping my star rating, out of sheer guilt and shame. FYI: This is why I hate "Just a Note" compliments.
(5)Katherine M.
This is kind of a classic place in the area. It's always open (except at 10pm on Christmas, which, okay I understand, we were insane for trying to go I guess) and always ready to serve you food. It is full of random little things like the dancing barbie doll band (my best friend's band was the electrician who wired it which I find enjoyable as I have only ever gone with her), old school video games, and little knick knacks here and there. The food is typical diner food. Good scrambled eggs - just like they should be at a place like this. Hot tea, coffee, coke - and okay service. it's nothing spectacular really, but it shouldn't be. It doesn't need to be. It just is what it is. The food is okay. Come for the random atmosphere and mix of people. It's just worth it to go to this area establishment.
(4)Jessica N.
This place give mes the creeps BIG TIME, especially the weird marionette machine. But when you're hungover, it's a god send. Amen.
(4)Amy K.
UPDATE: They have restricted smoking (I believe no smoking before 4?) which helps, a LOT, however I still cannot give 5 stars as long as there is some smoking.
(4)Alex S.
Remember in movies when you watch a character walk though his city at night, and it's a completely different place than he's ever seen before. People are creepier, shadows are darker and longer - the whole world looks like it's about to stab him right in the chest with a dull blade it made out of a fork. This is how I feel every time I walk into the Anchor Grill. Let it be clear - I have never been in this dive bar without the bar anytime earlier than midnight. Actually, midnight might be too early - it's more like one to two. And always after drinking. I'm not actually sure they'd let you into this place if you haven't had a drink. The Anchor Grill is nautically themed, only everything is faded and the colors diluted. It seems like it was once a boat lost at sea that was miraculous found, dragged onto shore and turned into a restaurant. If you dug underneath the floorboards, you literally might find gold. Plus, in the back room, there are creepier marionette puppets in a glass case near the ceiling that sometimes come to life and sing for you. That's if you're lucky ... if you're unlucky, they steal your soul. The waitresses are rude, the people behind the counter are rude, everyone in the place is rude. Also, there's never enough room for everyone, so you're going to be shoved into a tiny booth somewhere. I hope you like who you're sitting with. The food is perfect for this place, in which I say, it's awful. It's cheap, it's quickly made and it comes to you so slowly, that you've started chewing on your hand without realizing it, just to munch on something. And when it gets there - you better believe it's the best meal you've ever had in your life. I want you to know that this review was written without sarcasm, hence the four star review. I meant every word of it. Thanks god there is somewhere like the Anchor Grill in this world. Without it, I might never know the true joy and happiness of greasy food at two in the morning. Bring it on, nighttime.
(4)Beth F.
I am all for little "dive" joints, and this one just makes me smile.. even as the grease from my meal dribbles down my chin. Yum. I can literally feel my arteries clogging with each bite, but I can't resist. It's like a food train wreck that I can't stop eating. I was a poor excuse for a Cincinnatian before I became aquainted with this lovely place. I'm ashamed to say it, but I'd never heard of Goetta.. and when it was brought out of a friend's plate I looked at the brown rectangle and actually curled my lip up at the sight of it. Sigh... that was the night I learned not to be judemental of my food.. I took a bite, with my eyes closed tightly shut, and as that piece of... whatever Goetta is, hit my taste buds my eyes shot open and I was a believer.. I grabbed a fork and stole a rather large portion off my friend's plate. Our friendship was strained a bit after that, but it was WORTH it!! Whenever someone comes to town that isn't from here, I drag them to this place. As they walk in and step back into time they look at me with fear in their eyes.. I think they believe I've actually kidnapped them and there is an ax murderer in the back. I assure them they will love me even more than they already do after they leave here, and so far everyone that I've taken has in fact been a fan. I heart you Anchor Grill and you'd be 5 stars if you only accepted credit cards!
(4)Michael F.
This place rocks! I've only ever been when I'm super drunk,so I can't remember how much I've spent, but from what I can recall the food is reasonably priced and at 3 in the morning....you can't beat it. Goetta, eggs, toast bacon, and did I mention goetta? If you've never had it, and you're a resident of the greater Cincinnati area, you gotta try it...and the Anchor Grill is the place to do so.
(4)Samantha J.
This is your typical, greasy diner. My girlfriend and I went after a day of Bunbury Festival last month around 11pm. The service was a bit delayed, but we enjoyed it. We sat at the bar and I liked the atmosphere! We were half-asleep and just wanted something fast and greasy and this place fit the bill. We also smoked as we ate, so if you don't like smoke near your food, I wouldn't advise going there. From what I can tell, it's a typical hang-out for drunk people, so I also wouldn't advise going there late if you'd prefer to avoid that. Overall we enjoyed it and highly considered going again before we left the city. We probably will be next time we're in Cincinnati!
(4)Andrew H.
I checked this place out at the recommendation of a friend of mine who just opened a bar right up the street. Not knowing what this place was, we went inside and seated ourselves to see what it was all about. The building itself: It's dated and you can tell it's been there for years. You can smell the age when you walk in- it literally hits you like a ton of bricks. As to be expected with a name of Anchor Grill, the entire place is adorned in nautical and seafaring decorations. I liked the old school charm of this place, not gonna lie. They have old jukeboxes on the wall at each table...unfortunately these no longer work and are just there for decoration. There is a jukebox at the front of the restaurant, and the jukebox itself controls the lighting in the dining area, as well as an old fashioned band box, which was VERY COOL. The food: I got a plain bacon cheeseburger with a side of fries. It was okay, unfortunately it was nothing to write home about but it was serviceable and was enough to hold me over until the next morning. I felt like I got a whole lot less burger and a whole lot more bun. For the price I paid, I was very disappointed. Not happy about that. My one buddy got the pork tenderloin sandwich and it was gigantic. Perhaps I'll try that if I ever go back to the place. My overall impression of the place...it was okay. It's serviceable but nothing spectacular or worth the drive from the other side of town. I might give it another try if I go back down to my buddy's bar sometime soon. I'll definitely give it another chance. If you go, remember that they only take cash...no checks, no plastic, Also remember that "we may dose, but we never close!"
(3)Liz G.
The Anchor Gill is what it is...not fancy, down to earth servers, non-smoking from 11am-4pm. (Really, why bother!) The Goetta is good, although it was hard not to laugh when I ordered extra cheese on my omelet and she asked "how many slices". Clearly no gruyere here. The Peanut Butter Pie is interesting - really rich. Not sure I could take it after a night of drinking but I would take it home and freeze it for later. I have to go back just to see the Marionette Jukebox work - the guy reading his paper underneath it looked like he would not have been happy if I had started it going. All in all, a good dive.
(4)P S.
Admittedly, I'm really boring when I go out for breakfast. I get pretty much the exact same thing every time if it's available and nothing else is notable (hash browns/home fries, two eggs over medium - which almost no one knows how to do, bacon, a side of biscuits and gravy if I'm starved). Anchor has all that stuff done well (but for the egg clause mentioned above), including yummy biscuits and gravy. My best girl Kathy A wound up with the goetta and cheese omelet, which is the exact reason we traveled over the river to Kentucky to go there. It's a diner in the truest sense. Counter seating, lifer waitresss, regulars, watery coffee, ashtrays on the tables and dark insides. It also has charm though, even if the bathroom door doesn't lock... They only take cash, and if you hit it on a good day and the thing is working, put a quarter in your tabletop jukebox, wait for the lights to dim and see if the little mechanical band starts to play your song up in the corner.
(3)Karina M.
Light of Day Review (if you'd like to contrast it with the Dark of Night Review, see below): It's been many, many years since I've eaten at the Anchor during the day but I recently took my bf to the establishment because he had never experienced the place. I did him a great disservice taking him at 11am on a Saturday. The waitress was very pleasant and the service was fast. I had the country fried steak with green beans and hot saw (glad to see it on the menu) and he had the Western omelet. All was good but nothing stood out as particularly satisfying. The decor that I find so charming at 3 am just looks shabby and a tad depressing when the sun's out. BTW, you can still smoke at the Anchor despite the smoking ban in Kenton County. Don't know how that works.
(3)Nora C.
Wins: -Goetta -Peanut Butter Pie (come early, they often run out!) -Lemonade that happens to be Electric Blue in color -Sassy Waitresses who banter with their regulars (of which my crew and I definitely are!) -Crazy random decor Not So Wins: -Smoke (they got around the smoking ban by having smoke-free hours during the day) -This place is either dead or absolutely packed. I usually come with a group of 12+ after late night dance events and sometimes we have to go somewhere else because there just is not enough room. That's a good problem for a restaurant to have, though! -Cash only (they have a shady overpriced ATM if you forget)
(4)Janet H.
I just love Anchor Grill. We may doze, but we never close - and that's why I like them. This is my go-to place for after hours snacks and recovery. It allows smoking, the food is greasy, the waitresses aren't always pleasant, and its old - and I LOVE IT. My favorite is grilled cheese or the GLT (geotta lettuce tomato).
(4)Matthew R.
Anchor Grill. You have to try it. Food wise it's just your usual greasy diner food. Not amazing, definitely not bad. Definitely best at 3am when you're drunk. Speaking of, it's open 24/7 right down Main Strasse in Covington. The staff is friendly and reasonably quick. You have to try the jukebox. The creepy animatronic barbie dolls dance. I kid you not. A big plus for me is that you can still smoke inside. There's nothing like sucking down a cigarette and killing the bottomless cups of coffee at 2am. If you hate second hand smoke, though, you won't like it. Definitely recommended, and it is one of my favorite late night spots in the Cincinnati area!
(4)Christopher G.
Full disclosure: I have consumed alcohol before. And in quantities sufficient to impair judgment, motor skills, and taste in music. I feel that this distinction qualifies me to review the Anchor, because, let's face it, I have it in common with most of the people who have ever gone there. I will therefore discuss it primarily as the place to which you order your designated driver at the end of the night. This is what Anchor Grill is for, really. You'll notice the other reviewers all commenting on how it's the place to go very, very late at night. What they're all too polite to mention (except Alex--represent, man), and what I will happily attest to in their stead, is that this is because it's the best possible place to weather your drunken stupor. It's open all night, the food is cheap and fantastic, and everybody else there is drunk, too! Really, if I can find fault with this place, it's that it just doesn't market itself correctly. It's all about down-home cookin' and delightfully rustic decor. What they should do is hang a sign outside that says "Anchor: where the party doesn't stop. Ever." There are some snags. For one thing, they don't take anything but cash. Bummer. Also, because it's such a popular hangout after the bars close, expect to wait a while for your food. But come on, the place is essentially a party on a boat (and if you're in the right condition, it even rocks like a boat!). Why rush it? And others have already beaten me to this, but seriously, two words for the first-timers: goetta omelette.
(4)Kyle S.
The anchor grill was my first real experience with goetta. That stuff is delicious. I had a goetta and cheese omelette. The character of the place is great, extremely tacky like it's straight out of the 50's. You don't find too many greasy spoon places like this still around so enjoy it. Get some goetta as well.
(5)Erin O.
I've been here both drunk and sober. That's right, sober. But never during day light. The Anchor Grill will meet any greasy food hankering. The service depends on how crowded they are - you'd be amazed at how friendly folks are at around 8 p.m. versus 2 a.m. Win - cheap, greasy, almost always open, parking lot. Lose - somehow you can still smoke in there, and folks truly enjoy getting their smoke on. Also, cash only. Boo. But they do have an ATM on site, so I guess it's not so bad. I visited last month with high hopes of introducing the Barbie doll juke box to my Anchor Grill virgin husband, but did not see it. Me hopes it still exists!
(4)Tim D.
I'm not a giant fan, especially at these prices... The location is quaint, but I was getting a bit sea sick... They serve a large portion of the Gliers Geotta, but you do pay for it... The homefries and biscuits are brilliant and your meal portions are healthy, but not as "Homemade" tasting as one would expect... Definitely make your way into the "Window" room as the booths, in the darkened room, are not very accomodating at all, even if you're by yourself... And remember, BRING CASH, it's all they'll take as payment...
(3)Caitlin B.
It is with great regret that I report the smoking ban has finally arrived at Anchor Grill. I'm not a huge fan of smoking indoors so I should be relieved, but I feel like the Anchor has been robbed of some of its charm. There's nothing like stumbling into Anchor Grill at 2 AM for coffee and second dinner and stumbling out with the smell of smoke and grease soaked into your clothes. It's part of the kitsch - no one expects stellar food (though seriously, nothing soaks up alcohol quite like their hash browns and breakfast sandwiches) but the atmosphere and jukebox puppet show make up for the lack of culinary depth. My favorite moment at the Anchor Grill, pre-smoking ban, was when I approached the counter to pay my bill. The door to the kitchen swung open and standing over the stove was the cook, cigarette in hand. Next to her was...a dog. As the door swung closed, I heard her say to the dog, "Get back in here, you're gonna get us in trouble!"
(4)Adam P.
Keep in mind, the 5 star rating is only applicable if you are absolutely shitfaced at 3am. This place easily has the best drunk food and atmosphere in the Tri-State area. I highly advise the Brown Gravy Fries with some crispy fried goetta after a hard night of drinking. Their biscuits and gravy are killer as well. They have a good selection of southern favorites and breakfast classics. Everyone can find something to like! The atmosphere doesn't appear to have changed much since the 50s. As far as I know, they have only closed twice in the last 60 years, which is a very impressive streak. The food is closer to 3 stars when sober, but still beats Waffle House.
(5)Leigh H.
All right, so I've been to Anchor Grill twice now, and while the first time was quite good, the second time, not so much. I can't give it two stars because the food is exceptional greasy spoon far for super cheap, but I can't give it four because the service is pretty much crap and my friend and I both found hairs in our food at our last visit. Hers was in her goetta, mine was in my sausage. Not cool. I'm also not a fan of the fact that it's cash only--I would go way more often if they took credit cards, but I can understand why they don't. It is, however, one of the few 24-hour diners in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area, so it does fulfill a very specific need among night owls who crave omelettes at all hours like yours truly. Will I be back? Probably, not gonna lie. Will I expect decent service? Uh, no. And if I find another hair, me and Anchor Grille are done professionally.
(3)Mike S.
The epitome of the "greasy spoon" but the food was awesome. It was like stepping back 30 years when I entered this place - terrible wood paneling and decor, OLD jukebox, old school counter and that feel of an old building. You know that smell and feel you get when you enter an old place? This has it in spades. I tried the goeta (sp) omelet and it was so delicious. The portion was adequate and the sides were good as well. Fun, funky, old school little funky country place with good food and service.
(4)Stephanie S.
This is another one of those places that I've not been in before 2am, and I don't want that to ever change. I'll be honest, I have no idea if they have brunch, if they have good burgers, or if it's a good place to take your kids for dinner. Great little dive that has decent sausage gravy and hash browns. (with cheese, obviously) The prices are good, the food does the trick, the service isn't bad.
(3)Joey S.
The Anchor... Oh the memories here. I first discovered this gem when our Art Club in high school would come here every year around Christmas for "Christmas at the Anchor" and after that I started here coming here all the time, and by all the time I mean LATE at night when I was in need of some greasy food or a little something to soak up some alcohol that should not have been consumed. Needless to say, this was my go-to place for a good hamburger and fries for cheaper than McDonald's, but better in my opinion! The great thing about the Anchor, is it literally never closes. They are open 24/7, even on holidays! Want some grits and a pancake? Anchor. Hot dog? Anchor. BLT? Anchor. The only thing I can think of that isn't on their menu is caviar, but I think that's because they want to stay hipster and cool. If you're a smoker you can come to the Anchor and smoke a couple of packs of cigarettes while discussing the debauchery you and your friends just set upon the wonderful city of Covington. Another note worthy aspect to the Anchor is the "live" band that plays when you put a quarter or two into the jukebox. And by "live" I mean 7 barbie dolls dressed up in revealing dresses and a few stereotypical jazz and piano dolls that move along with the music. The great thing about that is that you never miss the curtain opening to reveal them because a bell rings when it's about to open, so your entertainment for the night can always be enjoyed without missing a thing (you may even get to see the barbie fall off of it's pedestal mid-performance). Overall great place to go to when you want to catch up with friends late at night or if you just need a place to let the alcohol wear off! It is a must-go-to for NKY natives and out-of-towners!
(4)Andrea H.
Classic. I used to live around the corner from this place and ate here often enough to be considered a "regular"... It's open 24 hours and has a very old school style. Of course, the dancing dolls that move when you put money into the jukebox, but also the old photographs, awesome nautical decorations, and you can sit at the counter and watch them make your food. The food is typical diner food. Breakfast, meatloaf, soups, salads and really good coffee. I went back while I was in town and noted that now you have to pay first before you get your food, probably because of all the drunks leaving without paying. My favorite time to hit this place up was at 3 AM Halloween night. What a freak show! I love people watching, and this was THE place to do it. I would call in orders of their delicious hash browns.. sigh, I miss this place. If you are just visiting and eat meat, get some goetta. It's a Cincinnati-only meat that mixes pork with grains. My in-laws loved it. I wish I had gotten a picture of their gorgeous mural on the side of their building... A big paddle wheeler!
(4)Terri H.
All Nite Dive Check List: Great drunk people watching - check. Greasy food for a hungry/drunk belly - check. Jukebox - check. Kitschy nautical themes - Check. Creepy dancing puppet band - Check. What's NOT to love???
(4)Nick M.
This place is great for any time of day! I had a goetta and cheese omelet!!!! DELICIOUS!!!!!!!! Momma makes the best food! I'm excited to go back again!
(5)Rob K.
Goetta omlette. Who could ask for more? Home fries. Who could ask for more? Toast. Who could ask for more? How about Barbee singing songs? Who knew she had the range she does? And the band played on. Be patient, service can be slow. Especially at 2:30 a.m. when the crowd piles in the front door. The staff here probably deserves a Noble Peace Prize for what they put up with, drunk asses and all. Bring on the B's and G's.
(4)Hank R.
This is a slice of Americana that is fast disappearing throughout the country. The smoking ban is a load of nanny-state nonsense, and a place like this is really where it hurts. As was reported in a previous review, the smoky atmosphere is part of the charm. There is no better place to eat late at night in the area, hands down. The entire atmosphere reminds me of places that were already old when I was a little kid, and very few of them exist today. Even without the smoking, there is no better place to go to eat in the middle of the night, and especially after drinking. I am with the crowd in the case of Anchor Grill, and though I wrote a bad review of the local worship place Terry's Turf Club, I think the difference between the two is trying to hard (Terry's shithole) and not giving a damn (the glorious Anchor). I've had a lot of menu items and none of the were bad. I recommend something fried, maybe with a potato of some kind, and gravy. But the burgers are good too.
(5)Melissa L.
This place is a dirty, smokey, hole in the wall, but it is awesome. It is open 24 hours and serves the best 'drunk' food that you could want...I mean, who wouldn't pass up anything with goetta while under the influence! I came here with a few family members after snow tubing while and filled our bellies with such goodies as 'goetta and cheese omelette, chicken tenders, The Big Anchor (think Big Boy), goetta and eggs, and finally the GLT (Goetta, lettuce, and tomato). It was awesome.
(4)Mick J.
The Anchor is simply one of the greatest, weirdest diner places that you could ever go to. Try to go at 3am. Make sure to play the jukebox as much as possible, not just because the music is great, but because the stage display is like nothing I've ever seen anywhere, ever. Be nice to everybody. Smile at everybody. The employees are generally nice, but if they've had a bad day, they may be weary. So be nice. Don't be a hipster gawker. Tip well, because the food is so cheap it's hard to believe. The neon sign says it all: "We may doze, but we never close." Get some Goetta. It's a regional delicacy and it's not made of anything horrible. It's just an odd combination of beef, pork and ... oats? Yes, oats. Think of it as a slab of sausage or a burger patty. Long live the Anchor Grill.
(5)Edward B.
No service to lousy service. The place looks cruddy and smells of cigarette smoke. Yes, you probably have to be drunk to eat the food. But, don't just take my word for it. Try it once and you'll see I am right. My advice is don't bother!
(1)Akilah H.
It's 3 a.m. You're probably inebriated and wandering the streets of Mainstrasse when you stomach decides it requires some seriously bad for you food. The Anchor Grill is always perfect for that, because it's always open. Their slogan is "Though we may doze, we never close." Get some delicious arse breakfast foods at any hour for less than $10. My absolute favorite hole in the wall in the Cincinnati area.
(5)Célèste B.
The food is nothing to write home about and the whole place smells like smoke, but you will nevertheless be a fan for the following reasons... 1. It's the only place open when the Fishbone concert ends. This is reason enough to go, but you're really glad you did when, just after ordering your food, Angelo Moore (Fishbone's front man) walks in and sits at the table next to yours and starts to make small talk. Of course he's eating here too; it's the only place open! 2. The Anchor Grill has the largest collection of charmingly kitschy nautical decor you've ever seen. We're talking seas of dusty ship captain a sailboat knit knacks. 3. The characters you will see here will definitely keep you entertained. There is always a table full of stoned high school kids right next to a table where two cops are having coffee and turning a blind eye. No wonder the place has a punk song written about it! Oh yeah, bring cash. It's cash only.
(3)Aaron C.
Getta & cheese omelet with homefries with onions, plus a coffee! ..........order it!!! trust me! Besides that its a great greasy spoon restaurant. I have been going there for years. Good food that puts a weight in your belly but thats what you go there for. The service can be slow at times but still worth the weight. It is also open 24/7 365 with a slogan "WE MAY DOZE BUT WE NEVER CLOSE" and with that type of availability you can never go wrong with the anchor for any type of dinning either early morning before a long day or early morning from a long night. Oh and it is Cash Only but they have a ATM but you will have a 2 or 3 dollar charge can't remember which one.
(4)Ryan A.
No service. A group of people walked in after us and were served before us. The cook looked at us and we smiled wanting service but she turned away as if we weren't there, so we left.
(1)Captain S.
Great food,Slow service and a Wierd experiance all around. Never had a bad meal here and I highly reccomend everyone eat there at least once in thier life. Its a Greasy Spoon with a Great Greasy Menu. Clean, but Dated for sure. they have a neat assortment of puppets that play a little show. I do like this place. It is what it is. I've only been there late, Drunk, with other drunks. surrounded by other drunks, that are in Need of a Greasey meal before the beer coma sets in. Not sure why I like this place but I do...everyone needs a good place to eat late,drunk or not. Its worth going to at least once, cause its open late when everything else is closed.
(3)Colette N.
having never been to covington, i yelped a late night spot for afterbars - and the reviews were enough to get us to the anchor about 3a. it certainly did not disappoint. the food isnt great, but the staff put up with the drunken rowdies and it certainly hit the spot. if you play the jukebox, you get the priviledge of a mini-stage show featuring barbie as the lead singer. the disco ball is awesome, and the coolest i remember seeing. loved the stream of transvestites coming in to eat - they looked better than most everyone else in the place, but it just added to the charm.
(4)jasmin c.
Everything a greasy spoon should be, but I have definitely had better.......If your drinking in mainstrasse you cant beat it in terms of a place to hang after bars close.
(2)Michelle B.
OMG!!! This is one of the best places in the world! It's especially awesome at 3am when all the nite people are out, and you've GOT to play the jukebox, or you'll miss a huge portion of the experience here. This is not merely a restaurant, this is an EXPERIENCE. The mix of people you get to see at night is soooooooo worth it, not to mention that the food is good and cheap. Are the Barbies still playing? This was my favorite late nite dining spot till I left Cincy...good grub, strong coffee and fun environment. Completely different atmosphere in the daytime, but the food is still great. NOBODY serves goetta outside of the Tristate area...and I miss it!!! I live down South now and they just dont getta goetta...at all. I may have to fly home just to have some soon now that I'm thinking about it!
(5)Franklin B.
Love this place! Nothing beats good old goetta and eggs from the anchor. I've been going here for over twenty years and they never disappoint. So what it's a dive, the service is great and the food is great.
(5)Bryan C.
The soups here are AMAZING! This is apparently a local dive where people go when they are done drinking. We went and to be honest I had set the bar pretty low based on what I had heard about the place. I had a bean soup that was about the best bean soup I have ever had in my life. It was so good I am still dreaming about it. I also had a steak sandwich which was good considering the type of place I was at. The service was fast and the order was correct and the biggest bonus is that they were open at midnight, which is when eating jags seem to hit in this little town.
(3)Kiarash Z.
Anchor is my favorite greasy spoon in the Cincinnati area, especially because it serves goetta, which I can't get in my city. But a word of caution: Goetta doesn't work well in omelettes. Just get it on the side and eat it with syrup.
(4)Brian H.
We were searching for a good lunch spot in Covington and asked the concierge at the Embassy Suites for recommendations. She recommended a Red Lobster on the way to the airport. Not that I'm not a Red Lobster fan, but we were looking for something with a little more character, so my buddy whipped out his iphone and consulted with Yelp. Greenup an Anchor were the number 1 and 2 options, respectively. Although Greenup looked pretty good, the Anchor promised to be a little more regionally fitting, so we headed down to Pike St. Before we even entered, we knew from the overall vibe that we had chosen wisely. Anchor Grill has a great old-school diner vibe and plenty of weird eye candy. And the food was up to snuff too. I had the GLT- Goetta, Letuce, and Tomato, which was delicious. We shared an order of biscuits and gravy which were awesome- I was even tempted to lap up the blobs of gravy that remained on the plate after the biscuits were gone. The country ham was also delicious- a nice big salty slab, on the bone. I'm sure this place is even more of an experience at night. I would definitely make a point of eating here again next time I was in the area.
(5)Randall R.
You'll never find better greasy food and the $10 Thanksgiving dinner is as good as Mom ever made.
(4)Dan J.
The Anchor Grill is a 24 hour bastion for late-night drunks craving diner food and lovers of miniature bands that have Barbie's boy Ken as a back up singer. Sure the food isn't that great, and sure it could take you over half an hour to get your food, but the Anchor isn't a restaurant, it's an experience. I've taken many a friend to the Anchor and each one has found something to love about it. The waitresses are very tolerable because even if your group is particularly awful, you know there has been a worse, drunker group to come in and cause a ruckus. It's even more fun to experience sober because you get to take in everything that goes down there. My favorite recent memory is that right now they are having patrons sign a petition to get the city to allow them to have a giant mural of a steamboat painted on the side of the restaurant, as if the Anchor wasn't awesome enough already.
(4)J K.
I picked out this place using yelp's monocle function after finding out that riverside was closed on mondays. I should preface this review by saying that I can understand the appeal of a 24 hour grill next to the covington bars, but for a typical lunch, you can find much better. Food was greasy and a poor value. Sigh. Should've read the yelp reviews before deciding to go here.
(2)Heather J.
It's wierd, it's dirty and it's cheap - what could be better????? The food is so bad it's good! I love it - even when I'm not drunk!
(5)Donielle W.
Good food, but overpriced. I guess if people will pay it though, that's good for them. It's very dirty... But for some reason I love that about them, maybe that's only because I've been going since I was a kid and I'm used to it. It's also awesome that it's always open.
(3)Liz A.
people have been telling me that i need to go to the anchor grill* since like the first day i moved to cincinnati. i distinctly remember having beers with people i haven't talked to in years now very soon after i arrived fresh off the east coast boat and a guy was telling me some convoluted story about a place with a jukebox and "this weird barbie doll dance thing" where people would go to eat "but only if it's like 3 am and you are really drunk." everyone who ever talked about the place instructed me that "you have to get the goetta omelet" but admonished me to remember that "you're not going there for the food." obviously i had to go to this place, but somehow i could never make it happen. nobody ever wants to drive to covington after they are already drunk, and nobody i know hangs out in covington to drink. i would occasionally throw it out there as a brunch suggestion but people would laugh at me. "go to the anchor grill SOBER?!?!" they would exclaim in pure and utter shock. "you can't go to the anchor grill SOBER! and you can't go NOW! you have to go at THREE AM!!!" i would protest that at this rate, i was never going to make it there. i got no sympathy. "you CAN'T go to the anchor grill if you're not DRUNK and it's not THREE AM," people kept telling me. "NOBODY does that. NOBODY!!!" nobody, it turns out, but kieran. i don't have anything really to say about the food. i ordered the goetta omelet and it was fine. it was fried goetta with american cheese melted on top all rolled into eggs. i think i would have preferred cheddar cheese, but on the other hand i enjoyed the super thin crispy goetta. overall it was just straight up middle american greasy spoon food, which is exactly what it is supposed to be. the ambience however was everything i hoped it would be and more. until next time, anchor grill. because i am sure i will be back. i just might not remember it.
(3)Dale marie P.
Anchor Grill never closes, and they don't really doze, either, despite the neon sign out front. I'll be honest- I've only been to Anchor Grill in the middle of the night. It's not that the food only tastes good when I've been drinking (although it does hit the spot). It's that it's my late-night tradition, and to go during the daylight hours could temper that. Anchor Grill is an experience. While the food is delicious, you don't go for that. You go for the opportunity to see transvestites get into verbal altercations with hillbillies, or to see college kids managing to find something with wheels and using it to careen around the cramped dining room. I love nothing more than taking people who had never been there before- Barbie and her band are reason enough. The servers have to be the most patient people in the world. I would kill someone within a week. Tip them out fat.
(5)Lauren F.
Oh Anchor, how many nights have I sat at one of your crappy booths, waiting patiently for coffee so I can sober up enough to go home and ordered twice as much food as I could eat, food I might not touch if I hadn't spent an evening drinking heavily. Anchor has such a long sordid history in late-night Cincinnati that it's almost improbable for someone to come to age here without a shameful story of passing out on the bathroom floor or narrowly avoiding a fight. I ate there only once in the daytime. Aside from the ridiculously affordable greasy food, the anchor also has sullen waitresses on third shift, obnoxious patrons, a mirrored ceiling fixture and a small stage built into the corner that houses a miniature big band that sways to life when the juke box is played. In the place of one of the musicians is a blond Barbie doll. It's hard to tell if the door to the women's restroom locks and I find myself trying not to touch the door handle as I exit (just a paranoid precaution of course). The draw is not only the consistency of the establishment but also the joy of sinking to this particular level of dive restaurant. For an extra special evening visit the Sub Galley on Short Vine for your beverages and make your decent complete.
(4)Mr. S.
It's a great place! It reminds me of a small town shop. The goetta omelet is the best thing on the menu.
(5)John J.
Great little place that is open all night. Servers were very friendly...made a point to show me the singing puppets, even though I didn't know they were there.
(4)Lindsey S.
This is one of THE things I miss most about my most recent home prior to living in Vegas. No, wait, that was Portland. Okay, this is one of THE things I miss most about living in Cinci. Mah best good freeind, Karin, and I have spent an embarrassingly large portion of our lives sitting in this greasy spoon, drinking coffee, eating cheese omelettes, and doodling on the place mats. True to the name, the nautical theme is carried on throughout this place, in tacky knick knacks and murals. I don't know what the disco cone (it serves the same purpose as a disco ball, but it's a rotating cone in the middle of the ceiling in the main dining room, and a light placed on a table right in the middle of the room creates the desired effect) has to do with the nautical thing, or for that matter what the "band" has to do with anything at all. In the corner of the room, mounted high for all to see, is this glass box containing a "band" of puppets, one of which had broken long ago and was replaced with a Barbie, that move about behind tiny replicas of instruments when the juke box is on. It's a grand show, actually, complete with a curtain that opens and closes at the beginning and end of every song. Hahaha, we used to giggle at the "Vegetables" options on the menu -- Hash browns, fries, or onion rings. The staff is just a hoot as well. I made the mistake of asking our waitress one evening what items the vegetable omelet contained. She said, "Aw, y'naw, t'maidders, chaze, mangoes ...." Mangoes? I just smiled and nodded and told her that that sounded wonderful. And, no, there wernt no mangoes 'n mah omelet. And then there's the goetta. I'll just have to take andy r.'s excellent idea and post the link to Wikipedia's explanation: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go… Good idea, andy. Saved me some time. Oh, I miss Covington.
(5)andy r.
BEST OLD-TIMEY DINER ON THE FACE OF THIS EARTH!!! I'll tells yeh why: 1) 'We May Doze, But Never Close' is their neon motto in the front winda. (truth in advertising) 2) Gotta get a Goetta. Best Goetta in the tri-state area. Best drunk food evah! If the gods drank 75 cent cans of Weidemann's and moshed, this would be their ambrosia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go… 3) Wonderful nautical-themed decor, in constant accumulatory flux since 1946. More "Hey, sailor..." than 80s Ralph Lauren ad. Hey, the Ohio River is less than a mile away. That mermaid coulda swam there...Nah, she'd have ended up in a Po' Boy. 4) Magnificent Improvisational Theater from the regulars and curious alike. One night the place is rockin' 'Okie from Muskogee' and some lady in a booth throws her coffee cup at the waitress, who doesn't even react, except to nonchalantly place the check on the table on her way to ours. Another night, a dramatic relationship 'talk' worthy of Telemundo wafts over another couple passed out in the adjacent booth. The waitress refills their coffee and wakes them by stirring it with a spoon. She's like the mom who knows her kids are bad, but still loves 'em, BLESS HER HEART. 5) The piece-de-resistance resides in the NW corner of the dining room. High above the fray (serious fray) is a beautiful curved glass stage with puppets that play to whatever music you selected in your table-side juke console. Whether it's Patsy Cline (most popular), Aerosmith (nearly as much) or George & Tammy (the real first couple), the band never misses a beat. Over the years, replacement parts must have been out of stock, cause there are sleek, Big Band style figures jamming with Hillbilly Jugband members and a couple Barbies rigged up with makeshift tamborines. A torch light sprouts from the center table, reflecting light off a mirror-cone, making the experience extra fancy, like the ketchup. No trip, layover, or sentencing in Greater Cincinnati is complete without a visit to the Anchor Grill. Your grandkids will thank you for the story.
(5)Mary P.
I just want to clarify something that Lindsey S. of Austin wrote. When the waitress said that the omelete contained mangoes, she did not mean the delicous, sweet fruit. Instead she meant bell peppers, most likely green ones. Don't ask me why, but it's some weird regional thing for people of a certain age (like my mother) to refer to bell peppers as mangoes. I grew up hearing bell peppers referred to as mangoes so you can imagine my bewilderment when I had an actual mango for the first time. Yes, it's very odd and I have no explanation for it. Seriously though, the Anchor is an institution and a local treasure. Yeah, it's smoky and greasy, but the food is soooo good.
(4)Michael G.
If you were in Cincinnati late at night, you would be remiss not to stop at the Anchor for some grub. Located right across the river from downtown Cincy, the Anchor provides an experience not found this side of a David Lynch movie. They may not have the best food in the world and service is with a scowl, but the satisfaction of being able to say that you ate there and survived will last forever.
(4)Eric V.
If I believed in Jesus, heaven and what-not, I imagine this would be one of the resturants up there! I would LOVE to have a conversation with Christopher Columbus while downing a GLT (Goetta, Lettuce, Tomato). This place is that awesome! The outside lookes like it should be the original waffle house. In a scary place of Northern Kentucky and I think the last time I went I got shot walking in. But I was so focused on the smell of heaven, I didnt notice my blood trail. Once you are in there its a free-for-all to get a seat. With vintage sail boats nailed to the walls and somesort of sailboat play thing on the of the walls, Anchor Grill lives up to their boating heritage. The service is great, which is surprising cause the waitresses make Waffle House servers look like beauty contest winners. After you order and the servers/cooks have a smoke break, they will deliver to you pure mouth watering deliciousness on a plate. Its "drop your pants and put yourself in it" good! I have and will continue to praise this shack like heaven in NKY, so go there or you suck!
(5)Stacey J.
This is one of those restaurants you take your out-of-town friends to late at night after they've experience the Mainstrasse strip of bars. You point of that that strange creaking noise is actually an "animatronic" Barbie band "dancing and singing" to the Juke box. The food, while questionable, will cure you of, or prevent most hangovers. And the service will never be less than surly. People watching is at its prime any time of day or night. Whether it's the late night weekend crowd of college kids who've had their fill of alcohol and are leaning over to your booth to ask you to take a picture of their buddy after they've written some not so friendly things about him on his forehead, or the daily regulars who have...."character"....to say the least. Bikers, prostitutes, your Kenton County cops in for a cheap meal...daytime drunks... The Anchor is just one of those places you HAVE to go to. mostly for the experience and the story you get to tell. But the food is cheap...and, it's like the sign says, "We may doze, but we never close!." It's a landmark. Take your tourists with you...they'll never forget it.
(5)