Terry's Turf Club: Perhaps the city's best burgers
The best burgers in the city. That’s the claim of Terry’s Turf Club supporters: thick, juicy, made-to-order burgers, served on fresh bakery buns, and drenched in sauces that elevate the American classic to gourmet cuisine.
But there are no pretensions here. Just look for the hodgepodge of neon, kitschy signs and waving cowboy along Eastern Avenue, across the street from a decomposing architectural marvel with boarded windows and warning posters, and you’ve found it.
Even before Terry’s Turf Club gained national fame on the Food Network’s Diner’s Drive-ins, and Dives, the place was phenomenally popular. A friendly but frazzled server greets you at the allotted space by the door and guides you over the crushed peanut shells and through the crammed tables to your seat.
If your party doesn’t fill the seats at your table, the server will. They need the chairs in this 53-seat restaurant. But meeting strangers gives you a chance to talk about what you like best about the burgers. And you’ll have time to talk because, as the menu says, this is not fast food. Every burger is made to order, and that can take 25 minutes or more.
For first time visitors, the server is happy to recommend the best pairings of sauces and select cheeses to make your burger the best. While it cooks, enjoy a drink from the full-service bar, an appetizer or a cup of filet mignon chili with big, juicy chunks of real steak.
When the burger arrives, cut it with the kitchen knife before you try to bite into it, (but be careful not to cut through the paper plate it’s on.) Have the napkins ready, it’s going to be messy, but so very good.
HelloCincinnati Tip: Be sure to order one of Terry's terrific sauces or toppings, like burgundy wine sauce, truffles, or crab meat, to transform a good burger into something amazing.
Posted by Barbara David
