Great Walk Up Windows in Cincinnati! - Hey Michelle

I am so excited to announce that I am doing a spot for WCPO-Channel 9 at 7:00 on Thursday nights. Kristyn Hartman and I will be getting “in the kitchen” at local restaurants around town and the sharing the story behind the owners and their vision. So, tune in. We hope you will enjoy.

Walk-up Windows in OTR

No need to get all dolled up for dinner when you can go out and grab a meal from one of the new walk-up windows in town. I love this whole idea because you can go get a bite and take it home. Or, if you’re at one of the many bars around town that let you bring your own food, (most that don’t sell food are ok with you bringing it in) these are a great stop along the way! There are a couple of windows that are already attached to a bar, so that makes it super convenient. The other plus is it can be an inexpensive night out … and who doesn’t like that?

Boom Box Buns!

I can’t even contain myself on the yumminess of this place. There are usually 3 selections a night always including one vegetarian. (they are only open Friday & Saturday from 7:00pm until Sold Out which doesn’t take long). What kind of buns you ask? Well, damn good ones. They are the soft steamed Chinese buns called bao buns, filled with seasoned filling of choice. At $4 a bun, call me a cheap date!

Owner Nathan Friday is always there with his beanie cap on ready to take your order. You might recognize him from being the sous chef at Please –another great place in OTR. If you’re an 80’s person, you will love the boom box theme!

What I recommend is grab your buns and walk over to Mr. Pitiful’s at 1323 Main. Grab a cold beer and a table and have a great night.

1324 Main St. @boomboxbuns on Instagram

13th Street Alley

A bit of Philly in the alley! I have been wanting to try this because my family loves Philly cheesesteak. I happened to be parked near this place the day I was planning a dinner party. I talked to them and told them I didn’t want to spoil my appetite, so I would come back. They insisted I try one and just take a bite. So, I did… then drove off with the rest of the OTR Philly sandwich on my front seat. I went to my next appointment, looked down, looked around and took one more bite. I ate the whole dang thing! It was so good. I can only imagine how good it would be at 2 o’clock in the morning! The fresh cut fries were just as tasty.

They have a couple tables out front or you can just shove it in while you’re in your car (hahaha).

126 E. 13th Street. Monday- Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-3pm, Sunday

12pm-6pm

Gomez Salsa

This place has been around the longest, but it is still the top “go to” food choice! They serve up tacos and bowls, but their claim to fame is the turtle. It’s like a burrito stuffed with goodness, but it is flat and has a tad of crunch. You can design your own to your liking with plenty of options. I’m drooling while I am typing… Andrew Gomez comes from a small town in Texas where he learned from his grandmother and father how to make the best tacos and salsa since he was a kid.

After playing around with variations of tacos he happened upon the “turtle shell”. Thank you, Andrew ‘cuz it is flipping awesome.

While the walk-up window has moved inside Halfcut, so you can just eat inside and grab a beer.

107 E 12th St. Tuesday & Wednesday 11am-10pm, Thursday 11am- midnight, Friday & Saturday 11am-2:30am Closed Sunday & Monday

Babushka Pierogies

They have a space in Findlay Market, but now have a weekend walk-up window in OTR serving up their Ukrainian stuffed pierogies. Owners Sarah Dworak and Iwona Handloser have combined their family recipes to make these delish potato pockets full of fun fillings. The most common is cheese fillings, but they have gotten creative and came up with some nods to Cincinnati with fillings such as 4-way and pizza. You may have spotted them in Findlay Market and now they have the late-night window. Just recently, they opened Wódka Bar (but it is pronounced Vodka even though I like to say wodka!). So now, you can eat your pierogies while sipping on vodka.

1200 Main St. Open 6:00- 2:30 am

Forty Thieves

Mid-East Street serves up food like Falafel, Beef Shawarma and more. It was very tasty and a has a comfortable, casual vibe. You can eat on the spacious patio or stay in the Holiday Spirits Bar that is connected and has the same owner. And, this isn’t the owners first rodeo. Dan Wright and his wife, Lana, also own Abigail Street, Pontiac Bourbon & BBQ and Senate. So, they are just adding to their list. I would check out Holiday Spirits, too. It’s a fun spot with skee-ball, pool and a bar full of colorful cocktails, frozé and more.