As many times as I have come in for a drink for happy hour, I have never bothered to try the famous mac n cheese here. Â Until my most recent visit that is.
I created my own with caramelized onions, mushrooms and roasted red peppers. Â That's some pretty darn good mac n cheese right there (but mine is better ha!). Â Service is always good; food is good; the drinks are good and fairly priced.
Overall a great place to go and hang out with friends, and enjoy some good food and drinks.
Nom. Nom. Nom.
A restaurant with an entire menu of Mac and Cheese? Yes please!
A long list of Bloody Mary's? I want some more!
A lovely patio and good service? Don't mind if I do!
I've enjoyed every outing at Keystone. I mean... what is there not to like? I've only ever been during the day so I can't comment on the evening crowd, but this is a GREAT brunch/lunch spot.
Hmmmm.... I may have to go soon...
I held an engagement party for a friend in the upstairs area. There were about 70 people. It got a little crowded, but luckily we all liked each other. The best part about the upstairs is that it is free to rent out, you just provide food for the guests. The Mac and Cheese was great and kept everyone from getting too out of hand.
The only warning I would give is that drinks were very pricey compared to other bars in Covington. Other than that we all had a great time and I would definitely reccommend hosting a party here!
Everyone loves Keystones Mac n Cheese but what they are forgetting is that Keystone has a great brunch!
We came here for brunch and sat out on the patio. The warm breeze was sweeping against our skin, while we sipping one of the best Bloody Mary's ever. The mimosas are never a bad call either.
Here with a big group we all ordered something different and then shared around the table. I got a traditional breakfast eggs, toast, side of bacon, and hashbrowns and it was simple but executed perfectly. That is my favorite kind of food. I had a few bites of everything at the table and it was all great.
Keystone is one of my favorite American comfort food joints in the city. Check it out and you won't be disappointed!
My husband and I went here for NYE and had a wonderful time. The server was friendly, even though she pointed out it was her second year in a row working. At midnight they had champagne for everyone and free mac&cheese. Three different and delicious kinds! Definitely worth visiting again if we ever are in the area again.
Review Source:I find the prices here on the high side for what you get, but if you want some amazing mac and Cheese, then this is your place. Go on Monday's and get it Half Off! They also have quesadilla Tuesday, if that is your thing. That said the food is always good, as are the Saratoga chips and barbecue sauce. The service is generally good, and is a Monday Lunch destination favorite here at the office.
Review Source:Had our company Christmas lunch scheduled here. Â They advertised a "game room" for private parties. Â The week before the party, they removed the pool table in order to accommodate more people. Â The only game left was shuffleboard. Â Needless to say, our employees were disappointed and so were we.
 We ordered buffet food to make it easier  to serve 22 people.  However, the food was not very good.  Reuben sandwiches served cold, other sandwiches were dry and not particularly appetizing.  Trays meant for 20-22 were skimpy.  All-in-all, a disappointing experience.  Will have to rethink this whole thing next year.
I go to Keystone nearly every week for mac n' cheese Mondays. I have frequented both the Hyde Park and Covington locations.
What can I say? I love mac n' cheese, and Keystone is one of the only places in the area that serves up an awesome variety of cast-iron skillet mac n' cheeses, at a great price to boot. I have tried nearly every mac n' cheese on the menu, and have never disliked one of them. I mean, I prefer some over others (for example, I prefer the Green Day and Pink Floyd over the R.E.O Speedwagon and Buffalo Springfield, but would still happily consume the latter). Keystone also has great saratoga chips and makes their BBQ sauce in house. I recommend these for before your mac n' cheese, or the house salad, which is also good.
The service at Keystone is always great, even when they are super crowded, which is often, especially on Monday nights. I recommend trying to go before 7PM on Mondays. Remember to tip them well!
I can't speak to much else on the menu aside from the mac. I did go to the half-price quesadilla night on a Tuesday once, and it was good, but I'm just such a fan of the Monday night deal that I have a hard time straying. I do mean to try their brunch sometime in the near future, though!
I tried their mac and cheese (the original, and the bbq one) during MidPoint this year, and was really impressed. That was kind of what clinched that I should probably try this area institution of a restaurant.
I was really pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere. The lovely house-y feel is a nice touch, especially since I was expecting more of a big, chain-ish restaurant type atmosphere. I made my own mac and cheese (fresh mozzarella, bacon, and keystone chips) and probably could've done without the bacon, but having mac and cheese as a make-your-own is super fun.
Their beer list is pretty impressive, love that.
I can't wait to try the hyde park location.
1/2 price mac&cheese mondays and 1/2 price quesadilla tuesdays. Those are really the only 2 reasons to visit, but they're good enough to make the trip worthwhile. Their dinners and lunches are average at best. Of note, they also have a location in Hyde Park that is a lot of fun for Sunday brunch.
Review Source:I love Keystone. It's one of many gastropubs in Northern Kentucky, but may be the best.
Yes, you can get a Corona here, but why would you? Lots of craft beers, most of which are on tap. I've gotten to the point where I just ask our waitress/bartender if they have a certain beer style on tap and just go in blind. If I'm in the mood for an IPA, I'll typically end up with a great beer I've never had before. Does it get any better than that?
Actually, it does get better because the food is really good. Everyone has mentioned the mac and cheese, and they're not lying. I'm not even a hardcore mac and cheese guy, but it's hard for me to pull myself away from the many mac offerings and try the other things on their menu. I have managed to experiment a bit, having been to Keystone so many times, and the rest of their menu is good.
There's little to complain about here. Sometimes the service can hit a snag, and it's happened when both busy or slow, but every once in a while you'll sit for quite a bit before being attended to. I've also waited 10 minutes for a beer before, which can be frustrating when you're sitting right across from the bar and can tell there haven't been 9 minutes worth of other orders in front of you. That being said, this isn't a place aiming for Michelin stars, so take it or leave it. When the service does come, it's always polite and capable.
Don't let my dining weigh heavily in your mind if you're deciding whether or not to hit Keystone up for dinner tonight. Have a couple of beers and a skillet of macaroni. It'll cost you about $20 and you'll be glad you came.
So of course I went to Keystone on their half priced mac n cheese Monday. Mmm...let's say that I definitely was not disappointed. The cheese is the perfect amount of gooey/stringy/goodness and the noodles are fun spiral shapes that just makes eating so much more fun! Additionally, the chicken chunks from my Cordon Lightfoot mixed with the cheesy goodness was just perfect. I could probably die happy from eating that every day.
I will say though that I went back on another Monday (of course) and got the Fleetwood Mac and was slightly disappointed. Maybe the first experience set the bar really high, but the mac n cheese was a bit greasy and I could see the pockets of oil pooling in my meal...not the most appetizing.
Overall, get some. It's awesome.
I'm a gastro pub aficionado. Â I love the dark wood, craft beers, and great food. Â I travel a lot by myself so I'm usually sitting at a bar in one of these places chatting with a hopefully competent bartender. Â This place has everything you could want in a great gastro pub. Â It has great pub food. Â It has outside seating. Â It has a nice selection of craft beers. Â I could go into detail on these things but the star of the show here is the Mac 'N Cheese menu.
I'm betting that you grew up with Mac 'N Cheese like I did. Â My Mother made it often. Â When I was a starving college student, I had a wacky roommate that made an interesting version. Â Instead of using milk as the liquid he used beer! Â He would also sometimes add some diced bologna. Â What a great morning after breakfast Yummmm!
The Mac 'N Cheese here is both unique and decadent. Â It's served in personal sized cast iron skillets. Â Each order is nicely backed to a golden brown on top. Â Be warned that the portion is large. Â I made the mistake of ordering a sandwich with fries and some Mac as a side. Â I'm a big eater but this was way too much food. Â
On any given day there are about a dozen choices that have great fresh fillings and interesting names. Â Prices range from $7.50 to $9.50. Â How about the Fleetwood Mac with fresh mozzarella, pesto and tomatoes? Â Or maybe you would enjoy the Pink Floyd with bacon and caramelized onions. Â I tried the Black Sabbath that was loaded with steak and mushrooms. Â It was delicious. Â If you want a great deal be sure to visit on a Monday. Â The entire Mac 'N Cheese menu is half price!
So if you are looking for a gastro pub with a unique twist on pub food you owe these folks a visit.
I've only been here for the  1/2 price mac n cheese Mondays.
DO:
- 1/2 price mac n cheese on Mondays
DON'T:
-Haven't tried anything else to know...
PARKING:
-Depends on the location (Hyde Park or Covington)
-Most likely street parking on F-Sat, and a parking lot Sun-Th
The mac n cheese is quite delicious here. I've been to both locations and the food is pretty consistent. At full price the macs are probably 3.5 stars and rounded down to 3 stars. At half price I guess rounded up to 4 stars. There's nothing quite like the mac n cheese menu in the Cinci area, so check it out, on a Monday that is...
Keystone = Komfort. Whose day isn't made better with a hearty helping of mac n' cheese? Sure, Keystone has a menu full of other delicious foodstuffs, but it's known as the macaroni place, the quesadilla place, and a great bar.
At the foot of the Roebling Bridge on the Covington side, Keystone serves up lunch, dinner, and late night drinks seven days a week. There's the main dining area, a banquet room, an upstairs pub with billiards, and relaxing patio seating. Another plus: the entire restaurant is non-smoking, making it one of my favorite places in Kentucky.
Service has always been prompt and attentive, plus the weeknight bartenders make fabulous cocktails. My favorites include the spiked mango iced tea and the Easy Living: lemonade and blueberry vodka. There is also a massive craft beer list. Try the O'Fallon Weach; it's a light peach beer!
My custom mac n' cheese includes steak, caramelized onion, and mushroom. Keystone offers countless combinations with both make-your-own and kitchen-created recipes. I also enjoy the quesadilla combinations which are just as unique. I love to stuff mine full of veggies and go light on the cheese. Looking for something lighter? The Cobb Salad is delish.
Every Monday at Keystone is half price mac 'n cheese and every Tuesday is half price quesadillas. There are often happy hour drink specials as well, making this a go-to place for an early dinner. While Keystone is fantastic most any day, I would suggest not going to eat on Friday or Saturday night after 10:00pm as the bar is swarming with folks enroute to Mainstrasse. The rest of the week, you'll find a laid back, young professional crowd. Also, the kitchen closes at 11:00pm.
Price per person: $13.00
Yum! Good place for some comfort food. Got the green day mac n cheese which was pretty good. I love the fact they have so many different choices and you can even make your own. My first time and it was 1/2 off mac n cheese, (probably wouldn't have got the mac n cheese if it wasn't 1/2 off, so glad I did). Also got the buffalo chicken wrap with bleu cheese which was good, but I don't think you can ever go wrong with a buffalo chicken wrap and bleu cheese.
Review Source:I met two of my friends for Operation Cheer Up Dinner. It's been a rough week. It was going to be a sushi night, but it turned into Mac n Cheese night.
I had a chance to sample some of Keystones Mac n Cheese at the Yelps July 4th bash, and I've been craving it ever since. If you haven't tried it, you have no idea what you're missing! Wait, there's more. Not only is it fantastic, but on Monday nights it's half price! It's a great little spot, awesome outdoor seating and a decent amount of indoor seating. It's a really laid back place.
I got the B.B. King (BBQ and bacon)...and wow. It was probably so bad for me, but so delicious. Our server was awesome and checked back often. When we were finished with our entrees (I couldn't quite finish mine, it was so good but very filling) the three of us split a piece of raspberry cheesecake. Also really good although I could only take two bites.
Great drinks too. I had some sort of spiked lemonade. Must remember to take notes!
The hours are a perk, open until 2:30am..Any place that has hours past 10pm is a win in my book because I work crazy hours and am often out late.
I kept hearing reviews about how great this place was so we decided to hit it up on our lunch hour. Â Service was good but a little slow, but that I get since it was lunch rush. Â I ordered the lemonade (yum) and BBQ Bacon Cheddar Burger. Â My dining companion got the turkey wrap. Â We both asked for the keystone chips, but when our plates arrived we had fries and was told by the waitress they were out, yet plates after ours had the chips on them... Â
My burger was okay, big portion and tasty but it was a little dry and overcooked (I asked for medium and it was definitely well done). Â The fries were decent but it was the cheese sauce you dip on the side that made them. Â The cheese sauce rocked, the burger was so/so.
Overall I would say the BBQ sauce was the best part of this experience. Â While we sat and waited for our to-go order for a fellow coworker to arrive, a waiter started clearing our table and was a bit pushy and tried to rush us out although we hadn't received our order nor were we done with our drinks yet. Â
I would say this place is okay if you want lunch, and maybe it's the mac & cheese like others mention, but since I can't do pasta I wouldn't be able to say.
I like Keystone a lot. Â We went on a Monday for 1/2 priced Mac and Cheese. The Buffalo Springfield is excellent (actually - we tried most of them, and they were all very good.) Â My only beef was that we had a party of 6, and they sat us upstairs where they have just set up a bunch of plastic picnic tables. The atmosphere definitely was not there. I appreciate that they have gotten a bit busier than they were ready for, but get some real tables, at least. Â
They have a pretty good beer selection, however the server sold me on a delicious beer on tap, and they promptly ran out of it as soon as I ordered my second one.
Good food, service was fine as well.
The mac & cheese is the big draw here--mainly, I think, because they have a whole menu of options. The mac & cheese itself is good (but not the best ever) and I like the options to customize, but 'create your own' options can get more pricey than expected especially since there aren't ingredient prices listed (and on my last visit, our frazzled waitress had no idea).
I've also had their burger, which is just okay. The burgers and sandwiches come with Saratoga chips and BBQ sauce for dipping.
As far as seating, outdoors is nice, but beware that smoking is still allowed outside (but thankfully not inside). Although, the room in the back on the ground level got extremely smoky on a recent Saturday evening from the patio smoke wafting in through the windows (which they wouldn't shut because apparently "it gets like 100 degrees in here"). For seating, I like the front room with the bar best.
It's a fun place to hang out with a good beer selection, but it's strong suit is definitely as a bar vs. restaurant.
Okay, there may be over 100 reviews of this place, but it never hurts to keep laying on praise or reinforcing what others have said. I actually had the nerve to come here on St. Patrick's Day, and while it was busy, the workers all brought their "A" game to deal with all the partying wannabe Irish people. The newly remodeled outside seating area is great for enjoying a meal with friends.
I guess if you want some negatives, the parking in the area can a be a little difficult, but their mac is worth it. Heck, park far away and "walk off" a few of the macaroni calories. Sometimes the place feels cramped or small, but that's really because it's packed with hungry people like yourself.
As this is KY and smoking is the norm, I find it awesome that smoking inside is not allowed. Kudos to the owner Dan Cronican for making this decision. I'd buy ya a beer but have no idea what you look like.
The upstairs area includes 3 reservable party rooms (Art, Game and TV/Living). A few years ago I reserved the Game Room for a birthday party and it was a blast.
Looking for a good gift? Have someone buy you a gift card to this place that is also good at the 8 other 4EG locations. <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffoureg.com%2Fgiftcard%2F&s=ca9961096b9a332db8a4cc2c3eeacf69edafec429205ad71872d9463e022de8f" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://foureg.com/giftca…</a> (almost all are actually in Cincinnati, btw.)
Great food, workers and no smoking inside, that deserves 5 stars in my book.
I'm taking it to a 5 star because of the amazing mac 'n cheese Mondays and quesadilla Tuesdays. On those evenings, Keystone is as good as it gets and their BB King (barbeque) mac 'n cheese is just amazing. The portions are really big too, so I had half of mine for lunch the day after and that was still perfect!
So, go on a Monday or Tuesday night and get the mac 'n cheese (Monday) or quesadillas (Tuesday) and you'll be in heaven!
Recall having the Mac and Cheese at taste of cincy and enjoying it. Maybe I should have stuck with it when I went to the actual location because the pub grub was pretty mediocre. The potato skins were undercooked...and no additional seasoning other than a little bit of bacon and bland cheese. We also got the dip sampler...spinach artichoke, beer cheese, and red pepper hummus served with housemade tortilla chips. Of the three the spinach artichoke was the only halfway decent dip. The beer cheese was very bland, tasted a bit like cheez whiz. The red pepper hummus was properly named--as only hummus and not the full name hummus bi tahini (Arabic for chick peas with tahini)--it lacked the creamy sesame goodness that should be present. Â The tortilla chips...very heavy-kept in the oil too long and I'm pretty sure this is what made me feel ill later that evening.
On the plus side, the beer list was solid.
The food here is wonderful. Keystone has a mac 'n cheese menu which makes them awesome, but their menu, overall, is full of great choices that are likely to appeal to everyone. They do not just serve bar/pub food here, people - you can get healthy fare at a decent price.
When I lived in downtown Covington, my husband and I used to walk down to Keystone in the summer to sit on the sidewalk and enjoy a nice dinner. The environment is really pleasant outside in the warmer months because that section of Greenup has several other small restaurants and shops. It's a nice vibe.
I can't speak to the bar or how the drinks are. Never had a drink there.
I can speak to the layout, though. Other reviewers have mentioned it's a little awkward and they're right. When you walk in, you are immediately in the bar area (there are high top tables along the wall to your right and the bar on your left) and, straight back, is booth and table seating. It can get loud in that section - especially if you are there trying to eat after 8 or 9. If you want a quieter dining experience, and the sidewalk isn't an option, go to the first opening on your right and head straight back and you'll find a smaller room with just a few tables and a view of the street/sidewalk. It's definitely a lot quieter back there.
I'm giving Keystone 4 stars because of the weird layout and also because the service is not that great. It's hit or miss mostly. You don't always get a slow server, but it can happen from time to time. Parking can be another issue with Keystone. There are a few spots on Park Place and some street parking on Greenup, but unless God is watching over you, chances are you won't get those spots. Check the neighboring block for street spots and remember after 6pm, street parking is free!
This past Saturday, my husband and I met friends at Keystone for a late lunch. Despite living in Cincinnati for three years, it was my first visit, so I was excited to finally make it in. Sadly, I was not very impressed.
First of all, I was disappointed to learn that their infamous mac+cheese was not available. This surprised me because it was almost 2pm. Well, not that you would know this coming in (I cannot find brunch hours anywhere on their website), but our server informed us that Keystone serves exclusively from their brunch menu through 3pm. One would think that if you are known for a particular dish, it would certainly be featured on all of your menus (the brunch menu has plenty of burgers and other savory foods on it), but Keystone must disagree. I had tried the mac+cheese at Taste of Cincinnati and had been looking forward to finally getting to try it in house, but I suppose it wasn't meant to be.
The next hiccup-- drinks. Keystone apparently has no drink menu. We asked for a printed draft list, but the server said there wasn't one (even now, their online version redirects to an error page). Our server started running through their list, and while we each found something we liked, we did miss one key piece of information that a printed list would have offered...price. More on that in a minute.
Since there was no mac+cheese available, I settled on what seemed like an equitable loaded carb substitute-- the "Inn in the Woods Potato Crisp." It was supposed to be a "large platter" of hash browns "stuffed" with bacon, tomatoes, onions, cheese, and sour cream. What I got was on a large platter, but it wasn't a large serving. It was the same size as a side order of hash browns most anywhere else, and they mixed in a ton of cheap American cheese and sour cream. I found maybe one or two pieces of bacon and tomatoes in the whole thing. Not so "loaded," to say the least. Plus, because they mixed so much of the cheese and cream in, the once-crisp hash browns were soggy, and the flavor was really pretty gross. One of our friends ordered the similar "Southwestern Crisp," and it was equally lacking toppings.
I will give Keystone a bit of credit. My husband and our other friend both ordered burgers. Both were fairly large and reported to be pretty decent. My husband also substituted fries for chips, which came served piled high. I had a few myself, and they were quite tasty. As well, service wasn't spectacular, but adequate, although I do hate places where multiple servers end up taking care of you. Who gets the tip?
Speaking of money, I said I'd get back to it, so here it goes. The price. Remember those beers we ordered? Approximately $10 a piece. That means, for brunch for 4 and 2 drinks all around, the bill for our sub-par meal was over $100. Worth it? Not even close. For good food, we gladly pay that, but this wasn't good. I might as well have taken a stack of $20s from the ATM and dropped them off the side of the Roebling. Ah, at least we were in great company.
Maybe I'll go back on half-price mac+cheese night and give them another shot (I'll do an update if I do), but you can bet I'll be drinking water!
Finally got over to Covington to try Keystone. We went for half price Mac-N-Cheese Mondays at lunch. Woah buddy, was it busy! We got there around noon and had to wait a good 15 minutes for a table. It wasn't an issue for us this time as we weren't in a time crunch. But, I'd suggest for those that want a quick workday lunch to either come early, or skip the Mac Mondays here.
The Mac-N-Cheese was fantastic! The serving is huge! I was afraid I wouldn't have enough, but I ended up taking some home for dinner. The service was very quick and attentive for as busy as they were.
We'll be back for lunch. But next time we'll get there early!
Man, just had Keystone's Southwest potato crisp from the brunch menu and, boy, do I feel awful. It was an $8 plate of greasy potatoes with cheese and a little sour cream. At first sight I was disappointed because on the tiny food portion. Then, I got it, you can't eat more than a few bites without feeling sick. It seems this place is supposed to be a "morning after" place, but there are better ones with greasy AND tasty brunch (e.g. Comet).
Also, $8 Angry Bloody Mary did not have near enough vodka in it. Couldn't taste it. Couldn't feel it. Hands down worst bloody mary I've ever had. It's supposed to make you angry because it's so spicy, but I was angry for other reasons.
Service was slow and unenthusiastic.
Update: Either the potatoes or the bloody mary got me sick a few hours later if you know what I mean.
If you are from Cincinnati/NKY, you have heard of the legend that is Keystone Bar & Grill's macaroni and cheese menu. I am here to tell the masses that all that you have heard is true. Yes, they have numerous different versions you can choose from, all named after bands and musicians. Yes, you can even decide to make your own by picking and choosing from a number of ingredients and toppings. Last but not least, yes, it is quite possibly the best macaroni and cheese you will ever have the pleasure of tasting in this world or the next.
If you can't tell by now, I am a big macaroni and cheese fan, but hey, that isn't all that Keystone has to offer. Although I was lured in by the aforementioned cheesy goodness, there were a number of items on their menu that looked delicious and I plan on trying on future visits. In addition, they also seemed to have a pretty good selection of beer, though I was not drinking since I visited for lunch and had a long evening of work ahead of me.
Keystone Bar & Grill is one of those defining places that make NKY the place that it is, and makes me wish that Ohio could somehow officially annex it away from Kentucky. Check it out, you will not be disappointed.
Recently went for a private party in the upstairs room. The beer list was outstanding including draft and bottles and the mac and cheese menu was excellent.
Due to happy hour prices was able to keep the tab low which was awesome. Â I ordered the bacon and onion mac and cheese which was really delicious. Â I will say that all of their mac and cheese dishes have at least a small kick to them.
The downstairs was very very crowded especially for happy hour and despite the cold weather several folks were sitting outside.
Service was good and we didn't have to wait for anything and our water glasses were kept filled.
Half-price mac-n-cheese on Mondays! I had the Green Day (sun-dried tomatoes and spinach), and even though I couldn't taste the spinach at ALL, it was tasty. I'd probably choose something else next time, though. Keystone had awesome beer choices, and even though the place was packed, our food came out within ten minutes. Spinach and artichoke dip was only ok.
If I'm ever back in Covington on a Monday, I'll be back, but I'd probably pick something else on a different day!
Yum! Yum! Yum! Â This was my choice for my birthday dinner last night. Â Why did I choose Keystone? Â MAC AND CHEESE!
They have a ton of different types of Mac and Cheese with all sorts of goodies in it. Â You can also customize one. Â I had the Buffalo Springfield (Chicken, Buffalo Sauce, and Blue Cheese) but added jalapenos and roasted red peppers for an added kick! Â AMAZING! Â If you happen to be free on a Monday, they have half price mac and cheese night (works out to about $4).
The rest of the food is good. Â I usually add on a house salad with my mac. Â It comes with blue cheese, walnuts, and craisins. Â I like a more than basic salad.
The thing I don't like about this place is that it can be very crowded, loud and smoky. Â The dining areas are small and so you might find yourself listening to several different conversations at once. Â If the weather is nice, opt to eat outside.
They have a variety of drink specials throughout the week, including a half price bottle of wine night!
Service is quick and friendly (and there is one really cute waiter!) Make the trip to Covington to try this place out.
It's Tuesday again--that means Half Priced Quesadilla day at Keystone.
Look, I work around the courthouse, and any time you can get a decent lunch for $5.00, I'm game. Except, I never seem to be able to get out of Keystone for the price listed on the menu and the advertised special discount. Â I always order the original quesadilla ($6.99) plus chicken ($3.00???). Â The total before the half-off is $9.99...Right? Â BUT, each time I order the original + chicken on Half Price quesadilla day Tuesday, the total listed on my check is $6.50 (oddly enought, they've already done the "half off" for me and it shows up as one price entry on the bill), with an added tax of .39, for a total of $6.89. Â Unless I learned math in some alter-world, that's NOT half off of $9.99. Â My total should be more like $4.99 plus .29 for a total of $5.28. Â Look, it seems nickel and dimey--but it's $1.61 difference, not to include the tip--and it's happened 3 times now. What gives?
No more Half Price Quesadilla Tuesday for this local.
The Keystone Bloody Mary gets 5 stars. Â Otherwise Keystone Bar & Grill is a decidedly 2-star affair.
I got an Inn The Woods Potato Crisp, which was little more than a glorified "All the Way" hashbrowns from Waffle House. Â I added a side of goetta -- when in Rome, right? -- that was sliced way to thin and pan-fried to oblivion. Â No flavor left.
But still, that Bloody Mary. Mmmm.
Is it Monday?
Are you being held in prison by Commissioner Gordon and Batman after a failed heist involving massive amounts of M&Ms and explosives?
If the answer to the first question is yes and the second question is no, then you have NO excuse for not being at Keystone Grill for half price Mac Monday*.
Why do I make this a requirement, you ask?
Well, for several reasons:
1. They put EVERYTHING on mac'n'cheese. Do you refuse to eat anything that doesn't have bacon on it? Well, they have you covered. Are you some kind of health nut who only eats spinach and sun-dried tomatoes? Again, they have you covered. It's scientifically* proven that macaroni soaked in a luscious cheese sauce is a 500% better vector for both bacon and sun-dried tomatoes than anything else in existence.
2. It's HALF PRICE. This means I get two meals for a total of $3.50. Okay, so I eat less than the average bear, but it's still a lot of macaroni for a low price.
3. Possibly coincidentally, Keystone's street always has the best people-watching in Kentucky. One day we got to see people raking leaves with their hands. Another day we witnessed a man using a saw to cut a board he was holding in midair. Yes, this probably has nothing to do with the restaurant itself, but do you want to risk missing these daring feats of natural selection? I think not.
*Okay, this is a slight exaggeration. Other valid excuses exist. But they mostly involve being gluten free or being attacked by velociraptors. If you're in either of these situations, then you probably already know that Keystone isn't the place for you.
*For a meaning of "scientifically" meaning absolutely not involving science in any way.
You know that you're in for a great experience when there is an entire menu dedicated to mac and cheese. Â And wow is it good! Â We first experienced Keystone at a Wild About Wine event at the zoo. Â We immediately knew that we would have to find the place and visit. Â
Mondays are my favorite night to go because ALL of their mac and cheese is half-price. Â It's a perfect option for those on a budget but not a diet. Â
The main reason that I did not give them 5 stars was because of the smoke. Â I HATE having to deal with smoke and, as a result, do not eat or go out in Kentucky as often as I'd like. Â I believe that I heard a new smoking ban in Covington just went into effect, but private bars, etc have the ability to opt out if they meet certain requirements. Â I hope that Keystone does not do this and instead becomes smoke-free. Â I know that I would eat and drink there (as well as other establishments) much more often.
Okay, I'm now done ranting about smoking. Â Please check out Keystone for some creative mac and cheese. Â Their beer cheese bowl with house-made tortilla chips is also delicious! Â It's Monday today so maybe you'll see me there this evening :)
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