Habits Cafe: Rags and rich dishes
Celebrate Habits’ 30th anniversary! Visit the bar and restaurant in Historic Oakley and you’ll know why the friendly neighborhood bar has been a favorite for Cincinnatians for three decades.
Have a drink with friends at the long wooden bar with stained glass accents, and select from any one of your favorite domestic beers, American and Premium Craft Beers or foreign beers. There’s also an extensive wine list and liquors as well. Sip your drink and play some darts or a game of pool, and on Sunday enjoy open mic night for aspiring entertainers.
In the adjoining room, diners relax in booths and tables beneath high tin ceilings, quaint stained glass light fixtures, and a crystal chandelier that would be at home in Music Hall. Of course, there are also the requisite flat screens with the latest sports, but there’s also the unique view of the iconic 20th Century Theater across the street.
Enjoy the atmosphere, along with the buzz of happy customers, as you look over the menu. Habits “Cincinnati Classic” Potato Rags are a must, an appetizer of hash brown potatoes covered with bacon, onions, tomatoes, cheddar, mozzarella, provolone and ranch dressing.
Habits Café also features soups, salads, and sandwiches along with burritos with your choice of grilled and marinated chicken, steak or Tofu. But it’s the burgers they boast about, and there’s a system to ordering one.
First, diners choose a burger. Do you want ground hamburger, a Garden Burger, Ostrich (yes, ostrich), or something else? And how do you want that cooked? And what style do you want? A classic with cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo? Or something more exotic, like a Blue Moon with crumbled bleu cheese, and sesame seed sticks? Or hot, like a White Hot Sun with pepperjack and parmesan cheese, jalapenos, and crushed red pepper? Want any extras? Sour cream? More cheese? Decide all that, and finally, choose a side: Mac and Cheese, chips, cole slaw or fries? If fries, what kind of fries? Regular, Texas, Cajun or Sweet Potato Fries with Apple Butter?
Dinner entrees are served after 5, and just to keep those complicated, too, the menu varies with the season. But, like everything else here, they’re always good.
HelloCincinnati Tip: Habits doesn’t have a parking lot, and parking in Oakley Square is difficult. Side streets are the best bet.
Posted by Barbara David
