Aside from its geographic location, the one thing that isn’t known about Cincy on a national or even regional level is the fact that, for its size, it is a Foodie’s dream. It has Cincy-born chains like Graeters ice cream (The Oprah even gave it her highest comments)… Skyline and Goldstar chili (not the kind of chili you eat in a bowl; I learned this the hard way as a greenhorn transplant)… Montgomery Inn ribs… LaRosa’s Pizza… and an odd Cincy-only food called Goetta. Cincy actually has 3 different local chain ice cream brands, aside from Graeters, there’s UDF and Aglamesis Brothers.
On top of the local chains, there are a ton of must-eat restaurants serving up good eats. Some of my favs are a plate of chicken pad thai at The Teak in Mt. Adams… an ostrich burger and sweet potato fries with fresh made apple butter at Habbits in Oakley… great Italian despite a stupid name at The Spinning Fork… the best bang-for-buck Mexican at La Casa Tequila… incredible fish and homemade hushpuppies at Herbs in northern Kentucky… or the best BBQ chicken pizza on earth at Garzelli’s in Amelia. There are many, many more, but those come to mind right away.
Yet despite all this good eating, I always have an inner-longing for Illinois food. Sometimes it’s anything fried to remind me of Marseilles – fried cod, fried chicken, whatever. But more often than not it’s a need for an authentic Italian beef made from Vienna Beef, with the right bun and seasoning. I’m not a fan of the onions and peppers. I’ve asked around here in Cincy as to where I can get one, but the locals always ask, “What’s an Italian Beef – is that like a roast beef sandwich?” Ummm…
But my search for the illusive beef reached an end today when, after a referral from a friend, I was told of a small joint in a strip mall in Mason (Symmes Twp.) on Montgomery Rd. called Hotdogginit.
I walked into this place this afternoon with my wife and child, and immediately knew I was in the right place. On the walls in frames hung jerseys of Cubs, Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, and oh yeah, that other team – the White Sux. The yellow signs for Vienna Beef were proudly displayed here and there, and at the counter stood a stocky Baby Boomer ready to take our order. I paused to take it in, smile on my face. I could smell it all.
“You ok?” he asked. We chit-chatted and finally I ordered my beef. He asked all of the right questions – peppers/onions?… dry or wet… etc. Then the wife ordered a fish and we shared some fries. A few minutes later I was staring at an Italian Beef the size of a well-filled diaper. It was perfect.
The owner came out to talk some more… we enjoyed our food, staying about an hour, and eventually left. Hotdogginit is as clean a place as you can ever eat. The tables and chairs are immaculate, the food is well-made, and ownership is 100% privately owned. They get their food direct from Chicago, and the place is decorated in all Chicago gear.
Needless to say, I just found a place I’ll stop by a lot more.
