This is my new go to place for a beer and a burger. Â The burger madness is a great deal and a great burger. Â I do not quite understand the menu when it states no more than 6 cheeses when there seems to be only 5 on the menu, but hey, I'm not going to beat them down for that. Â I have also had the fish sandwich, and it was very good as well. Â Fries are always criisp and hot.
The beer selection is good and changes frequently so you always have something different to try. Â The atmosphere is cozy, with a seperate bar and restaurant area. Â This is nice if you want a little less hustle you can sit over in the restaurant only section. Â I find this place to always have a good crowd, so you may have to wait a bit to get a seat. Â I know I am having a bad day when I walk in and cannot find a seat at the bar. Â Very dissapointing...
I would recommend trying this place out if you like burgers and beers. Â Sunday - Tuesday is burger madness.
3.5 stars, but I've been rounding up too often recently.
I had been hearing about this burger for months now. It's always Arthur's and Terry's that are brought up in discussions about Cincinnati's best burger. For some crazy reason, I haven't tried Terry's yet. It was closed both times I tried to go. Arthur's made a good burger, but I don't think it was any better than Mayberry's lunch burger.
I got mine cooked medium and garnished with bacon, blue cheese crumbles and avocado. The avocado was fresh. The blue cheese was delicious. The bacon was just alright and was thin like the cheap Hormel brand at the grocery store. I was expecting thick cut applewood smoked on a $12 burger, but no. The burger was pretty good. They advertise it as 90% lean ground sirloin. It did keep its moistness, which I'm always worried about on a lean burger, but it certainly didn't blow my mind.
The bartenders were talkative and smiling, and the draft beer flight for $6 was an absolute steal. I'll be back to try the burger again, but not until after I've had Terry's.
This place is a landmark. Not the BEST burgers I've ever had, but for BURGER MADNESS and cheap beer, you CAN NOT beat this place.
The service excels, given how busy this place is.Tables are small, and close together, but that's how people dined back in the day. Great for a random weeknight meal. It will not be crowded.
When I lived in Hyde Park I ate/drank here 4-6 times per week. The staff is outstanding (very personal service). Great draft selection; wide selection of bottled beer too. Burgers are amazing, but so it everything else on the menu. Try the wonton poppers if you're looking for a good app!
Review Source:When a co worker suggested Arthur's one night to grab a burger for dinner I thought to myself, "great...just what I need another burger place". I'm down to try anything at least once so I was in. Best suggestion ever!!! This place is legit and does it right. Does NOT try to be something that it is not. They have their niche and do it right. I am beyond serious when I say that the burger was not just a burger, but an experience. Full of flavor, cooked to perfection and literally made my mouth water. Icing on the cake was a great number of options for craft/micro brews. Bar tender was very knowledgeable, a big plus. Great place, can't wait to head back ;)
Review Source:This is a decent local place that our friends assured us was consistent. Service was good. My dining partners said the burgers were great, though I skipped the burger. I had the grilled cheese vegetarian style. It was ok but not great. Fries were good.
I would return. Prices were decent and it had a good vibe.
I was in Hyde Park with my mom & we were looking for a quick lunchtime spot. Â She chose Arthur's because she had never been there before. Â I wasn't too impressed with the healthy options - it seemed like everything was fried or filled with carbs. Â I was in the mood for the mexican salad, but wished it had black beans too! Â I ended up ordering just a cup of chicken tortilla soup since I wasn't that hungry anyway. Â My soup was delicious, much better than what I make at home. Â My mom's cobb salad was a rather large portion and she liked hers as well. Â Service was fast and efficient.
Review Source:Cincinnati Magazine is currently doing a bracket for Burger Madness. Arthur's has moved into my #1 spot after we went there today for lunch. They have a super laid back atmosphere that I find inviting, all of the staff was super friendly AND we were sat right away!
I know that everyone screams that Terry's has the best burger, but to me it isn't worth the wait.
Arthur's has an amazing burger that doesn't need any fancy add-ons or fixings to make it amazing. It has good quality meat, it was cooked EXACTLY how I ordered it, and it was just GREAT!
I will definitely be voting for them to move on to the final four as well as the Burger Championship!
I frickin' love Arthur's - let me start by saying that.  My  husband and I visit at least once a week, and that's no joke.  I always get the same thing every time I go, but my husband changes it up every time.
First of all, do yourself a favor and order the loaded fries. O - M - G! Â A heap of fries, smothered in cheese and bacon, with ranch dressing on the side for dipping. Â Heaven! Â The best part is, whoever is back there making these actually "gets it", and layers the cheese and bacon, instead of just piling it on top so you have naked fries on the bottom. Â Its fries - cheese, bacon, more fries, cheese, bacon. Â
The potato skins are also pretty good. Â Actually, they're more like potato cups - literally almost half a potato with cheese and bacon. Â Depending on when you go, sometimes they're baked a little too crispy for me.
I always get the fried chicken salad, which is basically just some greens with cheese, tomatoes, eggs and fried chicken on top. Â I opt to go without the egg, and I have ranch dressing instead of the honey dijon it comes with. Â It also comes with a garlic breadstick, which is hit or miss. Â Some days its soft and yummy, other days its hard and chewy. Â I love this salad - so good. Â What does suck is that they've just recently started charging 50 cents for extra dressing. Â Who does that?
Arthur's is known for their burgers, but I've only had a burger once - and it was ok. Â Not stellar, but good. Â My husband has tried about every sandwich on the menu and says they were all good. Â He really liked the Buckaroo burger (which is seasonal).
Great atmosphere, nice bar, good place to come and watch a game. Â For two of us to eat (no alcohol), it is around $40 with appetizer, including tip. Â Well worth it. Â You won't be disappointed!
Arthur's has been at the top of my Cincinnati bar list since I moved here in 2001. Â It is one of those places that my dad must visit every time he is in town, because he loves it that much.
Burger Madness is a Hyde Park staple, and I highly recommend checking it out when you have an opportunity. Â This is offered on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Â
Beer selection is also pretty good. Â Get to Hyde Park and check it out!
Although their burger is not the best, it is certainly a good burger. And the price for the burger madness is pretty reasonable. I also like the toppings and cheeses I get to choose. They have an extensive list for crafted beers which I like about. The service was also great. I did not get his name, but he was super friendly and helpful. Oh, their black bean burger was really great although I'm very far from being a vegeterian. I took a bite from my girlfreind's burger, and I thought it was very tasty. I do not have much complaint about the decor either. It is cozy enough and has this local feel. I have a feeling that Arthur's will be my frequent stop when I am around near Hyde Park. I hope it's not that crowded when I dine in..
Review Source:Mmmmmm Burger Madness.
Arthurs is known for their burgers and they are really great, but the best deal is Burger Madness, which I think is only during the week (sunday, monday, tuesday). Â You get a burger with unlimited topics for around $8.
It is worth it. Â Vs Terry's Turfclub or some of the other "best burger places" theirs is actually a really good deal, plus a really good burger.
Definitely check it out.
- Krista
I've really only been to Arthur's for burgers, so can't really comment on the rest of the menu, but Burger Madness (Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays) is a  good deal. For $8, you get unlimited toppings on your burger and side of fries. It's not the best burger in Cincinnati, but it's a fun place that serves a solidly good burger. In nice weather, the patio out back is a laid-back good time.
On non-Burger Madness days, a standard burger is $9 and each topping is 75 cents, which can get a little pricey for a burger with just adding a few. Service can take a little while, but has always been pretty good overall. Your best bet for parking is the lot off Edwards (green "Parking" sign) right before Dancing Wasabi (only $1 for two hours).
Looking for some late night grub, my friend and I went to Arthur's for burgers. I've heard the legends about this restaurant and was eager to try it out.
Upon entering, I noticed a pungent smell of cleaners and wet mop. It was barely after midnight on the weekend and Arthur's is open until 2:00am. I wasn't sure why they were cleaning house early, but the stench filled up the entire restaurant.
The menu was filled with tons of items: five pages of selections could suit just about any appetite. The full page of giant salads caught my eye, which I will have to return to sample for lunch one day. This night, I was in a mood for a burger and fries, and ordered the Gourmet: a beef patty with goat cheese, red peppers, spinach, and pesto mayo. It was a standard hand-pressed burger with the goat cheese carrying most of the flavor. For a $12.00 burger, I was expecting more.
My friend had a Spicy Black Bean Burger with Arthur's infamous pink salsa (sour cream mix with salsa and tomato). She swears up and down by it being a fantastic vegetarian burger.
The overall prices of Arthur's are higher than I'd expect, mainly because the restaurant is a hole-in-the-wall. There's no real theme going on here, like the kitschy signs and decor of Terry's Turf Club, or classic pub style of Habit's. There a yellowed dingy mural of celebrity charicatures that doesn't do much for the place.The food didn't warrant costing $12.00, and I was surprised to see some of the appetizers averaging around $8.00 (cheese sticks, nachos). Entrees of sandwiches or salads cost $10 - $12.00.
Not bad, but nothing special.
Price per person: $15.00
Like so many other restaurants in Cincinnati, Arthur's gets a lot of hype for having "the best burger in the city". That being said, it was no surprise to me that my stomach finally convinced me to stop by their Hyde Park location and give the infamous sandwich a try. One delicious meal later, I am happy to say that even if Arthur's isn't my favorite burger in the city, they are definitely up there in the rankings.
After arriving at the restaurant, we were seated quickly and had our orders in within a respectable amount of team, even during the busy weekend lunch hour. Of course, all three of us had to give the burgers a shot, and were very happy to find out that we had stumbled in during "burger madness", a promotion they run during certain days of the week in which you basically get unlimited extras on your burger for free. Once our food arrived, we were anything but disappointed. The burgers were cooked perfectly and were thick, juicy, and extremely tasty. The thing I liked most about the burger though is that when I said I wanted it medium, I got medium, something that seems to be an issue at a lot of places.
In addition to the excellent food, the inside of Arthur's is also equally as impressive. The wooden bar and booths give the place a feeling of age, while the cartoon celebrities on the wall serve as a unique reminder of the amazing place that is the city of Cincinnati. Arthur's also has a very local feeling, and you can tell that it is definitely a hot spot for Hyde Park locals, with almost everyone greeting everyone else as they walk in the door.
To put it simply, Arthur's is my kind of place.
I love Arthur's. I really love their Black & Blue burger and their patio out back. I haven't experienced the bar very much but the service for food is excellent. It's good food and the burger may not be the best in Cincinnati but it's not McDonald's LOL.
This is a good basic tavern with good service, good food and good drinks. It's almost always crowded however so going on an off night is essential. I wouldn't make this my go to tavern or become a frequent customer or even make it a destination place but if you're in the area for something and need to eat this is a strong, safe bet.
Burger madness is where it's at!
The bar is great! The staff is amazing! And Arthur's has the best bar food in Cincinnati. We love going on Tuesday night to participate in pint night. Which is by far the best pint night in Cincinnati.
Burgers are cooked to order and are always delish. This is probably my favorite burger joint in Cincinnati, excluding Terry's. The Boursin Burger is the best on the menu.
Atmosphere is always laid back and chill. A great place to spend a weekday night after a hard day at work.
I don't understand why some reviewers complain about the parking situation. There is an open lot across the street at the bank (after hours), and there is a lot behind Arthur's which cost 1 Dollar.
Hit this place up when you are in the area!
I'm not a big fan of burgers! but when it comes to Arthur's it's something else. I really enjoy their burgers!
we've been coming here several times so I can't say which burgers we tried because we probably tried most of them and were pleased each time we came. never tried the other sandwiches on the menu, and why should we when we're here for such great burgers?!
I like sitting in the patio when the weather is nice outside. the service is excellent and friendly.
as many said, parking around there could be difficult sometimes but I think it's worthy in the end!
I'm going to keep piling on the love for this place. I finally had a chance to enjoy a great meal with friends on a surprisingly not so busy Friday night. The server Jessica was nice and worked hard to keep our drinks full and our food was served quickly. I had just come in from the cold, so I ordered a hot chocolate. It was warm and yummy, and only $2. I then had a Turkey Blackened Blue Burger  ($9.75) and subbed a side salad ($1.75). Great flavor. I can't wait to come back for "Burger Madness". Ha ha!
While this place was packed, I was told by others in our group that normally it's really packed so wait times can be a little long. Plan accordingly.
*Our server did check for ID which I appreciate. Not many take the time to do that.
When you're in Hyde Park and you just want a burger, Arthur's fits the bill.
For a discounted burger with tons of toppings check out Burger Madness during the week. Â Fighting the crowd here can be madness at times as well, but I just visited last night and was able to get a table for five within twenty minutes which worked out perfectly.
Arthur's casual character is largely defined by an awesome mural of Cincinnati notables on its north wall. Â You probably will not recognize 95% of the personalities as the mural is between 30-40 years old (judging by the overall style and the haircuts depicted in the mural).
When the weather is pleasant Arthur's has a beautiful brick and ivy patio in the back.
Last night I enjoyed the Grilled Gouda Cheese sandwich ($8.25) with Roasted Red Pepper instead of bacon. Â I was trying to go vegetarian for the evening and the sandwich was quite good, but I'm absolutely sure it would have been better with the bacon. Â I had no problem finishing the whole thing and all of the fries that came with it.
If your friends are headed to Hyde Park and you want a relaxed atmosphere and a casual location Arthur's is a fantastic suggestion.
A friend/co-worker of mine suggested we go out to Arthur's for lunch. I asked, "What do they have there?"
I got one reply :
BURGER MADNESS...
with a name like that I had to go!
A couple other people from work and I all hopped in the car, and boy was I in for an awesome lunch time burger!!! I got to add as many things as I wanted. Grilled onions, pepper jack and cheddar cheese... I could have had swiss too! Their burgers were nice and moist. There was more than enough meat. They didn't skimp and they didn't give MONSTER patties you'd feel guilty for not eating... Their tomatoes were nicely sliced. None of that falling a part crap you get from most burger joints. Not too greasy and not dry at all! All in all a very tasty burger!!!
From what I can remember the pickle they gave being fresh and crisp. Their fries were amazingly well done too, not oily or limp.
Parking is as bit meh, because you may not get such a prime sport. But for Hyde Park Square its has a great side location!
The atmosphere is relaxed and down to earth! Not to mention the cool caricature mural they have on the wall. If you don't have anything to talk about, that mural can be a real conversation starter.
I always say I'm going to bring my boyfriend there for a lunchtime date. :) So, 5/5 because I keep wanting to go back again and again!
What I love about this place is that it is so un-Hyde Park despite being in the center of Hyde Park. Â There is absolutely nothing pretentious, over-priced, or oh-so-contemporary about this place. Â This restaurant probably hasn't changed in 30 years and is unabashed in that. Â
It has good hearty food that pleases the masses. Â It welcomes people of all types in with open arms and doesn't make them feel like they have to be dressed in the latest styles. Â It doesn't have to impress you with trendy new age food. Â Its kind of like your favorite great aunt- old, yet somehow cool.
I went here because I was craving burgers and heard they had some of the best. Â I was thrilled to find both a turkey and black bean burger on the menu, since I generally avoid real (good) hamburgers. Â I went for the black bean burger which had great flavor, though fell into the veggie burger trap of being pretty mushy. Â
I ordered the Santa Fe Gourmet burger. Â Because I ordered it bunless, it came out looking pretty funny with all my toppings on the side. Â This was actually incredibly nice because I could pick and choose how much I wanted to put on. Â The poblano relish was great and had a nice kick. Â I thought the chipotle mayo was a little bland. Â I would probably try ordering a different style of burger in the future.
I tried the famous curry ketchup and pink salsa. Â Though the "ketchup" didn't taste like it at all, it was amazing on the burger and the couple fries I snagged from my dining partner. Â I was totally underwhelmed by the pink salsa. Â
For my side, I got a side salad, which they charged $2.50 for. Â I thought that was a little steep for some lettuce, but in the interest of calories I went with it anyway.
I can't wait to go back for "Burger Madness" some time and try the burger with 6 cheeses... after running a half marathon.
I love walking to Arthur's for their Burger Madness. On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, a burger with (almost) unlimited toppings and fries is $7.50. Â Delicious and inexpensive... perfect combo.
If you live nearby, Arthur's is great, but I can see why navigating the parking would dull the experience for some.
I'm pretty sure if Arthur's wasn't here, Hyde Park might break away and float into the stratosphere and be lost in the ether of yuppiness forever.
Hands down my favorite restaurant in Cincinnati. Â It's got everything I like and nothing I don't. Â The food is great, better than typical bar fare without crossing over to the dark side into the ridiculous category of "gastropub." Â
The burgers, their specialty, are top-notch. Â There are a number of gussied up options, as well as just the standard burger with cheese. Â I've tried a bunch of them and have never been disappointed. Â The Black and Bleu burger is my favorite. Â And, unlike a lot of places (I'm looking at you, Zip's) at Arthur's they cook 'em to order, so if you like, you can have your Black and Bleu burger red, too.
It's not just about the burgers, though. Â They've got great wings, potato skins, pizzas, and even the ahi tuna tacos (which might seem out of place) are good for a lighter dinner. Â I've also got a weakness for Ruebens, and Arthur's pulls theirs off with all the tangy sloppiness that such a delicious culinary abomination requires.
The service is always attentive without being hovering or snooty. Â The bar, while it doesn't have the bazillion beers on tap that Cock and Bull does, is well-stocked, and the bartenders know their business.
Arthur's is the kind of place that knows what it is, and it knows what it's not. Â It's the perfect neighborhood spot to relax, eat a great meal, and have a few drinks without having to worry if the guy next to you is secretly judging you on the sophistication of your beverage choice.
Some people want to go to heaven when they die, or have their ashes cast into the wind. Â When I die, I want my picture painted on the mural at Arthur's.
BURGERS!
Good meat, Good buns, and Good fries.
This place is about 35 minutes away for us, but is worth a special trip if your craving a good burger!
I had the SouthWest Burger that included roasted pablanos, crispy tortilla strips, and chipotle mayo. Really pleased, but am guessing one of their 15 other specialty burgers would have really knocked my socks off. Also, their buns are high quality that can handle a few tablespoons of mayo, meat juice, and/or ketchup without falling apart.
The special burger deals that I can not remember now are sweet too!
Great location and relaxing ambiance
As a Hyde Park local, I love that Arthur's is just around the corner from us. Â Good, consistent bar food, and their hidden gem is their homemade, seasonal desserts. Â While not my favorite burger in the city, their burger madness on Monday and Tuesday is great, and I love their stuffed mushrooms. Â Their BBQ and Buffalo chicken salads are also good. Â
My favorite part about Arthur's, though, is the back courtyard. Â It is such a surprising, lush, garden patio - one of the best in the city.
It took me a long time (30-40 minutes) to finally come to the decision on who has the best burger in Cincinnati. But I have made my decision and it is Arthur's.
Here is a short list of my 3 favorites things at Arthur's -
1. Hamburger
2. Hamburger with cheese (aka cheeseburger)
3. Hamburger with cheese and bacon (aka The Last Supper on a bun)
My point here is that Arthur's delivers when it comes to hamburgers. I've tried all the local places that are known for burgers and although Gordo's comes in a close second and McDonald's a close third (I'm kidding of course), nothing beats Arthur's burgers.
Part of what makes Arthur's the best in the city is the value. Not only are you getting ridiculously bomb food but you're getting it at an incredibly low price. Case in point - Sunday, Monday, Tuesday is Burger Madness. You can get a burger and fries with whatever you want on it for $7.99. And when I say whatever you want I mean it. The last time I went I sampled a burger with american, cheddar, swiss, provolone, pepperjack, and blue cheese. And although I probably shortened my life by a good two days and was constipated for a full week, I'd say for $7.99 I was the big winner.
Also Monday-Friday from 4-7 is happy hour which means $2 off appetizers. If there is one appetizer worth getting it's the fried cheese. It's thick and crispy and delicious and easily the best fried cheese I've ever had anywhere. Seriously, if I could roll it up, I'd smoke it, it's that good.
If you go when the weather is favorable make sure you check out their Paris cafe style patio, it's pretty money and you would never guess that you're in the middle of Hyde Park or just 45 minutes away from Dayton, Ohio (eww, Dayton).
I want to love Arnold's. I really, really do.
So, let's start. This place is all about burgers. Everyone loves them, even my dad who is fairly picky. This is right about the time I figured out my dad and I have very different tastes. My husband and I got the cheddar bacon burger to split along with potato cupcakes. We really disliked the burger. It was dry, not too much flavor, and just didn't seem worth it. It was too well cooked (we usually order medium well, so I am assuming this is what we ordered) and just hard to eat. I only took a bite or two, but my husband who ate most of it, ended up getting really sick. That kind of made up our minds to not come back on our own, simply because there are so many other good burgers around.
The potato cupcakes were good though. I make something similar at home a lot - their menu calls them potato skins, but they are more like potato cupcakes - they split the potato the opposite way of normal and sit them up like little cupcakes. I liked them for that - but otherwise, they were just a pretty solid few potato skins.
I remember the service being mediocre and that I just had nothing really memorable about the trip, other than a bad burger.
I agree with Dan that burger madness is the way to go.
7.50 for a burger and free toppings? That beats Zip's any day.
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The turkey burger is AMAZING. I've never been much of a turkey burger person, but this totally blew me away. It was flavorful and not dry, which is generally my issue with turkey.
The rest of the menu seemed really reasonable as well, and they are very family-friendly, which is a must for me! We'll be back!
Two words: Burger Madness.
Burger Madness =$7.50 for burger (with lots of free toppings) and fries on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. Â Sold. Â That being said, there are some $1.50 toppings that you can still order. Â The boursin cheese is worth every bit of that upcharge. Â Anyways, the service is friendly and the burgers are delish. Â They have a tendency (like many burger joints) to err on the side of more well-done. Â They have a sweet patio in the back that you should land a table at, weather permitting. Â Otherwise, a top-notch establishment. Â Also, burger madness.
Bottom Line: I'll be back for burger madness on a Sunday/Monday/Tuesday.
Our first meal out in our new neighborhood came quickly. We started unpacking boxes in our new house three Fridays ago, and the next day we made our way to Arthur's in Hyde Park Square. Friends of ours stopped by that afternoon for a tour of our place, one of whom was on her way back to Denver after a few month stint in Australia. After showing them around we made the quick walk up to the square for lunch. This was my first time heading into Arthur's but I quickly realized that this could be a popular spot for my wife and I. They have a solid beer list and a wide variety of sandwiches and salads to satisfy us for many visits.
On this visit I went with the chicken salad croissant, a blend of white meat chicken, sliced water chestnuts, celery, snow peas, a touch of curry, and mayonnaise on a butter croissant with lettuce and tomato. I also upgraded my side to sweet potato fries with their curry ketchup. I was very happy with my choice and could easily eat this sandwich again. The croissant was very good and quite large. The chicken salad was great. I loved the touch of crunchiness from the various vegetables and the curry in the mix was a wonderful addition. The fries were good and the ketchup was a nice touch, though I would have liked even more of it.
Arthur's specializes in burgers and a couple of people at our table verified their claim to a solid burger. My wife ordered the turkey burger "Santa Fe" style with freshly made roasted poblano relish and topped with pepper jack cheese, seasoned tortilla strips, sliced red onion, and chipotle mayonnaise. A friend of ours had the Arthur's burger and was also happy with his selection. I will definitely try the spicy black bean burger on a future visit, which I'm sure will be soon.
Should've gotten the buger. Â Should've gotten the burger. Â
That's all I could think while my husband bit into his juicy hamburger. Â We went to Arthur's on an unseasonably warm April night. Â I have always enjoyed Arthur's, but in the winter I'd only give it 3 stars because the seating is so tight. Â But when you can enjoy the New Orleans-esque patio with Christmas lights and gas-lit lanterns, I'll throw in another star strictly for the ambiance. Â
Arthur's is known for it's burgers, but for some reason I was drawn to the Grilled Gouda sandwich. Â The waitress described it as "light," and if I can get a "light" grilled cheese, I can't pass it up. Â Unfortunately, the sandwich was not ooey-gooey hot when it came out, which is the only way to properly serve grilled cheese. Â I know gouda is a hard cheese, and therefore harder to melt, but there has to be a way to get it hot without burning the bread. Â Get on that. Â The sandwich also had bacon, tomato, and spinach, but I left out the spinach.
My husband's burger, however, was a "great burger." Â Believe me, this is high praise from my husband, who could never cut it as a Yelp reviewer. Â 99% of the time he describes his meal as "just alright." Â Next time I will for sure order the Boursin cheeseburger, and not think twice about it!
The service was wonderful, the food and drink cheap, and the patio is a great place to enjoy a meal on a warm evening.
Holy cow! Â Apparently after over six months of living here, I didn't know that Arthur's was the place to be on Friday night! Â On the cold December night, the place was packed with all types including families and an extensive younger crowd as well. Â
As with going to any restaurant in Hyde Park square, parking was a pain, even if you do know about the secret parking area behind Arthur's. Â You can always park on a side street and walk, but with the freezing temperatures last night, we opted out. Â
Arthur's is a place that it seems locals love, and it does seem to have a lot of character. Â The mural on the wall to the left when you first walk in is full of caricatures of famous Cincinnati residents, and the walls are painted like you're in a castle. Â The booths are wood with old looking pads on the bottom. Â They also have a jukebox- how fun! Â When the weather is nice, it is hard to beat the back patio. Â Not great on a view, but isn't it always nice to be outside when the weather is pleasant? Â
The girl who seated us asked us if she could get us anything to drink. Â After taking a quick look at the long beer list, I asked for her opinion. Â She was helpful and helped me pick out a good beer. Â It seemed like a great place to go to try different types of beer, and they even had something where you could try four beers in little glasses. Â
Surprisingly, they had many vegetarian options including fish tacos, a black bean burger, and fish sandwich. Â I tried the tuna salad croissant. Â It came with fries, which I'm sure you could substitute if you were interested. Â If you don't like extra "stuff" in your tuna salad, it may not be for you. Â Filled with eggs, celery, walnuts, raisins, and relish, for some reason it seemed to have an abrasive almost vinegary taste to me. Â Also, it was almost twice the size of my hand. Â No joke. Â The fries were just ok. Â It wasn't bad, but not the best food I have had in Cincinnati. Â
I think this is a place you can go to please everybody. Â Fine Cincinnati dining? Â No, but a place everyone can find something they like for a good price, yes!
Some things are hard to say, but they must be said, for it is necessary for the whole world to hear the truth. It is not an easy choice to make your words heard in cases like this, especially when opinions against you are so popular, but it's time to stand tall, be proud and loudly exclaim what needs to be spoken: The famous burger at Arthur's is overrated.
There, I said it! Throw your stones, strike me down if you must, but I stand by my opinion. Dammit, I do!
It's not that it was a bad burger, it just wasn't anything amazing - and I'd heard these tales of the giant Arthur's burger which could rival any in Cincinnati. I went with my girlfriend in hopes of trying this burger and seeing what all the fuss was about.
Going to Arthur's is a pain. There is nothing but street parking, and there's barely any of that, Luckily, we found a spot close to the restaurant but I could see this being such a hassle, people giving up and driving away. Walking in is ... an experience. To your left is a giant mural filled with cartoon drawings of Cincinnati celebrities. To the right is wallpaper that makes the wall looks like it's made of stone. I'm not sure how I felt about either.
However, we're not here to talk about decorations, we're here to talk burgers. There are a selection of burger-options to choose from, either pre-made or build-your-own. I got a normal Arthur's Burger with some cheese and banana peppers. Mmm... Only, not. The burger was indeed giant but it was, well, sloppy. The whole thing basically fell apart in my hands after taking a few bites. The bread was mushy, there was little to no flavor on the burger and the banana peppers weren't crispy at all. I had to load it down with ketchup to make it what I was looking for
Now, Sunday through Tuesday they have a fantastic deal called Burger Madness, where you can get a custom-made burger with any toppings you want and fries for $7. That's pretty badass right there - even if the burger wasn't all it was it was cracked up to be. Sorry Arthur's, I wanted to be delicious but you're just kind of ... meh.
Arthurs isn't quite a pub or a restaurant, but somewhere between the two. On the one side of the place is mostly restaurant tables, while the other has the bar....with more tables. So it's really more of a sit-down restaurant-type feel and has the food to match. This is one of the more reasonably-priced locations in Hyde Park and the food tends to be at the upper aspect of the pub-food scale.
On my most recent visit, I wasn't particularly hungry and was mostly looking for a beer. So we had appetizers: I had the soup of the day while my friend had the spinach and artichoke dip. The soup of the day (chicken noodle!) was fine and the artichoke dip and spinach was rather good. The spinach chips were a little bit more flaky and chewy than I expected, which was a nice surprise.
One of the more underrated things about Arthurs is that it's a pretty good place to catch a game. It doesn't have the loud atmosphere of a sports bar and it doesn't have a big Jumbotron-type screen. But it does have TVs scattered across the room and it's almost impossible to find a bad seat where you don't have at least a decent view of the screen. I'm convinced that someone had to sit down and spend a lot of time working out the sight-lines in this place.