A solid greasy spoon! I completely agree with the other reviewers, this place is great.
I wasn't sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised after eating brunch there today. The staff was super friendly and hospitable. The place wasn't to busy around 1PM, so we easily found a booth. Don't get me wrong, but this place is definitely a hole in the wall, but perhaps that's part of the charm. You definitely recognize that this is a place for locals and maybe a few suburbanites in search of adventure :).
Based on the aforementioned recommendations we ordered the shrimp and grits and home fries. Lucky for me, they had a special today of eggs benedict with crab! YUM! The food took quite a while to come out, I mean like 30 minutes or more (there's only one small griddle) but it was well worth the wait. You can tell the ingredients are top notch. Fortunately, there was someone by with coffee like every 5 minutes.
The Shrimp and grits portion was huge! The grits were nice and buttery and there were lots of medium/small shrimp spiced nicely -- they had a kick (but I still added Frank's). This came with a homemade biscuit and jelly and a side of fruit.
The Eggs Benedict topped with Crab was so delicious! The english muffin was soft and the eggs may have been fried, but the yolk was still runny. There was lots of crab meat and the asparagus was cooked to perfection - no one likes it soft and limp. This came with a side of fruit and some grilled red potatoes topped with fresh parsley. Â
We shared a side of the home fries just because there were so many recommendations. The basil is the real key to this dish, packing a fresh burst of flavor. The cheese wasn't the processed kraft variety, rather it was real cheddar.
Overall, one of the best brunch places in Cincy, in terms of food (despite the wait). The ambiance isn't the highlight, so don't come in your Sunday best.
I have been vegan almost 5 years now, and have never tried Tucker's even that I have lived within walking distance. I had heard great things about it and decided to go one morning with my best friend. The atmosphere was that of an old diner and everyone was super nice. We weren't just waited on by one person, but several. They told me the vegan options including the ingredients in them and also their reccommendations. The meal I chose was a potato hash with mushrooms, spinach, and rosemary. I ordered a side of vegan gravy to put on top. I was delighted by the side of avocado, which was half an avocado. The food was not greasy or salty, and was clearly made from scratch with whole ingredients. My friend and I had such a great time there and I will definitely go back.
Review Source:Tucker's is in an "urban" part of town, yet the in-restaurant patrons were all descendants of Caucasia. Neon's is in a similar neighborhood and also attract this same demographic; however, their patron demographic can be explained by their music (classic rock, which is kryptonite to the uhh urban crowd). Â My point is, I don't have a good explanation for why Tucker's, which is in a predominantly African-American neighborhood, has only white patrons. It doesn't really matter; I just like to have a reason for everything, and if you have one, send it my way.
More important than crowd color is, of course, food flavor. I can only vouch for the French Toast and the Turkey Sausage, as those are the only dishes my mouth tasted. Both were delicious and cheap (French Toast = $5.99, Turkey Sausage = $2.50). Keep in mind that this price range doesn't buy you quality ingredients (Pure Maple Syrup, Ketchup w/o High Fructose Corn Syrup, etc); it does buy, though, a satisfying brunch.
You may also be interested to know that our party of 2 arrived at noon on a Saturday and were able to sit immediately. But we got the last open booth, so that may have been lucky.
My favorite part was seeing that Mr. and Mrs. Tucker (the owners) were doing the cooking themselves. It was like seeing Steve Jobs behind the Apple Genius Bar, except better.
Breakfast Club adventure
I cant believe ive been in Cincinnati 5+ years and just now checked out Tuckers...slacking on my part.
This place is total old school, most short order cooking is done right behind the counter and there are about 12 Â smaller booths and a few bar stools. Its a tight fit for a Saturday morning but the energy and staff are right on...maybe it was all that coffee. The breakfast menu is pretty extensive and they even make their own biscuits, its the little things these days people. I had the breakfast platter with Goetta...yummm. My friends had: Eggs benedict...woah drool. And the special menu Breakfast Burger...omg amazing. Cashing out in a large group was a little chaotic but overall a great atmosphere and food.
Tuckers is a Cincinnati institution.
Cincinnatians have been coming to this Over-the-Rhine institution since it opened in 1946. Owner Joe Tucker serves up some of the best food in Cincinnati. His simple, and fresh take on classic American diner food has allowed him to keep his restaurant afloat during some of the hardest times this city has ever seen.
This greasy spoon will have you falling in love all over again. You can't help but feel happy when you are here. The atmosphere is straight out of the 1950's. The outside entrance feels like a speakeasy. The windows are covered up and as you can see from the profile picture a tiny hand painted sign that reads, "Tuckers" in red paint is all you see. But once you find, and get inside this place is where the real magic happens.
I don't think there's been a time when I've eaten here that Mr. Joe Tucker himself wasn't callin' the shots from behind the counter. This guy is a true Cincinnati hero. Their ingredients are fresh daily from Findlay Market and it is like you are sitting at your Dad's kitchen table. The people there are chatting with you and if you have been there more than once they remember your order. The biscuits are made from scratch in-house daily. YES! Delicious.
Some favorites include:
+ Shrimp and grits: not many places in Cincy can make a solid shrimp and grits, these are flavorful and cooked to perfection!
+ The breakfast burger: A huge juicy hand packed burger cooked on the griddle piled high with hash browns, a fried egg, and any other veggie topping you could thing of.
+ Anything with biscuits ;)
The other highlight is the price. Nothing on the menu is more than 7 dollars. The flavor comin off that griddle is insane. The cultivation of many, many, years of hard work, goetta, and happy customers!
This is the best greasy spoon in the city. Tucker's has my heart, and always will.
Holy Cow this place is so amazing! The owner is super friendly and amazing to talk to about well just about everything. And the service and food was sooo great that I can not wait to go back there and eat again. This time I think I will bring the people I work with to share this amazing place. All of the food that my family and I got was spectacular! Biscuits and gravy with goetta, superb! Wife's omelet with fresh (yes fresh!) basil was also superb. I will agree with every good thing I have heard about this place and agree with it being a place to experience in Cincinnati. What are you doing still reading this! Get up and go there already, it's amazing!
Review Source:Craving great breakfast food at an affordable price? Go to Tuckers in Over-the-Rhine.
After living in Cincinnati for 3 years and hearing how 'great' Tuckers is, I finally got to experience all the hype. My recent Saturday morning visit was well worth the wait. In the heart of Over-the-Rhine, Tuckers is on Vine St. north of Liberty. From the outside, you wouldn't know you would be walking into a greasy-spoon heaven. And even when you walk-in, it's a no-frills joint - small, quaint, simple hole-in-the wall diner. But the simplicity of the restaurant should not undermine the deliciousness of their food menu.
I ordered the shrimp & grits with a side of goetta (extra crispy). When my order arrived, I was delighted by the sight of 4-5 large jumbo shrimp and a crispy strip of bacon atop my bowl of grits and the generous portion of goetta on the side that they made just how I like it.. Delicious.....
The silence at the table amongst my company of three while we ate was a clear indicator that they too were satisfied with the the food they also ordered  - respectively, steak & eggs, the breakfast burger, and eggs benedict.
The staff here were incredibly friendly & attentive. Our waitress filled us in on some Tucker history and shared with us that there used to be three Tuckers restaurants in the Over-the-Rhine area, with the Vine location the only one remaining, but still going strong after 66 years in business. Amazing.
Everyone take your friends, family, & out-of-town visitors here for breakfast. Keep Tuckers around for another 66 years....
I was actually surprised at how crazy the hype was for this place. I don't mean to be a downer, but I had high hopes because cheap-o's like me have an affinity for "hole-in-the-walls."
I think I may have ordered the wrong dish for the murmur going on about Tuckers (although I thought it was appropriate for my specific appetite at the moment), so hear me out, because I'm totally willing to give Tuckers another try soon.
For those who are afraid of dangerously decadent biscuits and gravy lest your health go down the drain (like me), get the Mayan Bake (~$8), which was available on the special menu during Saturday brunch. Though not an ideal meal for people who call themselves "champions" of a certain meal time of the day, the layers of polenta, black beans, spinach, yams, and plaintains were certainly something I could feel proud of upon finishing. I didn't feel bogged down with grease or loaded with carbs, like most brunch items. There was some kind of mystery red sauce in it that one of my friends really didn't like. I can't figure out what it was. It kind of tasted like ketchup. The dish comes with mixed green salad with balsamic. Good for the veganites, but mediocre for omnivores.
Also, if I may add, Mr. and Mrs. Tucker, it was a bit over baked.
The fruit that came as a side was amazing and fresh. The assorted fruit (including strawberries and watermelon!) surprisingly didn't taste like homogenized canned pineapples.
Coffee is really good and they go around with refills. Super friendly service. Affordable prices-- and I don't mean hip-and-trendy-Vine-St.-restaurant "affordable." Damn you, OTR. At least Tuckers is still standing strong.
I live two hours away from Cincinnati. Â I sometimes just need what Tuckers has. Â My husband and I drive to Cincy and go into Tuckers where we are warmly greeted by Joe. Â The food is inexpensive and delicious. Â But that isn't what I come for. Â I come to get "grounded." Â The area is rough. Â The mix of people inside is diverse. Â And Joe treats us all the same. Â I explained to my granddaughter that people like Joe and Carla Tucker are few and far between and you need to recognize them when you see them and make a little prayer because you are in the company of the holy spirit!
Review Source:We've been looking for the perfect diner in Cincinnati since we moved here - we've tried maybe 15 places at this point around the Cincinnati area. I miss my New York diner food, and Cincinnati just doesn't have that. Tucker's comes relatively close. I love the fact they have veggie sausage and vegetarian options. I love the fact it looks completely decrepit from the outside but perfectly dive inside. I love the fact you can see them make your food. The huevos rancheros are good (especially with the spicy veggie sausage); the egg white omelette is great. There has never been a wait when we've gone, which also makes me happy... I can't stand waiting for an hour to be seated with all the families at First Watch. Until I find my perfect diner, we'll keep going to Tucker's.
Review Source:Bumstrated. That's my new word to describe this place. I was bummed out and frustrated.
The service was terrible. I had to ask the server over and over to get specific answers to my questions. What kind of tea do you have? "A variety. What would you like?" I don't know, what do you have? ...
They used to have an amazing selection of vegetarian and vegan food that was mouthwatering in description and satisfying in flavor. However, now, there is little left save a note that says "ask about our vegetarian/vegan options." I did just that and the answer I got was "we can make anything vegetarian/vegan." Really? Um, not sure how that's possible since it's mostly meat...can you be more specific. No, apparently not. Wonderful. :(
When the food arrived it was bland and tasteless. It was not inspired as it had been. I could barely bring myself to finish my meal even though I was ravenous.
I don't see myself bothering to stop in again and that's a travesty since I had been so excited to have a brunch place like this in Cincy.
If a true hole-in-the-wall could earn 5 stars, this is the one.... but the fact it gets 4 stars in what looks, from the outside, like one-star max, should tell you something! What Tucker's lacks in ambiance, more than makes up for with amazing food, awesome service & great prices. Biscuits & sausage gravy like mom makes (plus a vegetarian version), the best eggs Benedict (half-order is perfect), shrimp & grits, french toast, etc. All homemade by Joey & Carla, delicious, and served by the friendliest servers anywhere.
You'll need to venture a few blocks north of the new, chic part of Vine Street, but you'll be glad you did!
Tuckers is a few blocks north of all the Vine st. hype, but it's just as good without all the fluff. Their breakfast is the type of stuff you hope to stumble on when visiting a small town in the middle of nowhere... A breakfast joint whose only concern is making your day start out right. They had a 'fancy' (to them at least) menu on my last visit and we were able to get crab cake benedict with freshly grilled asparagus - for $8.95. yep, you read that right.
The food is delicious and the prices are less than it would cost for me to buy the ingredients and make the meals at home. Sounds like a good combination!
My one complaint is the location, and the parking in particular. OTR sucks for parking. I could actually write an entire review just on my frustration with trying to find a parking spot in OTR, but I digress. Try Tuckers, it's worth your time and money and they'll do right and earn your future business.
I absolutely love this place! It's an eclectic, greasy diner atmosphere with great food. Everything on the menu is pretty inexpensive. There are tons of options for vegetarians/vegans/omnivores. They have really good weekend specials, so come here on a Saturday or Sunday morning for some excellent food!
The service was great. They were very attentive, always refilling our cups with hot coffee before we even ran out. My only complaint is that there isn't much seating, so during busy times you could be waiting a little while.
There are so many things that I like about Tuckers, but what stands out to me the most is that they allow for half orders without an extra charge. Their food is delicious and their portions are more than generous. The option of placing a half order makes sampling a real possibility. I've always like their pancakes. Their coffee, while not the strongest, still hits the spot. And their weekend shrimp grits, and eggs benedict are very popular.
While service may be slow during weekend rush hours, the hustle and bustle of the place adds to the blue collar atmosphere. And while the servers aren't saccharine by any means, I feel that they are earnest in their efforts to provide a positive dining experience.
This was my second visit to Tuckers; the first time was roughly 7 months ago, and at that time I fully enjoyed the food and atmosphere (had I been yelping at that time, I would have given it 4-5 stars). Â I'm sad to say that today's visit did not offer the same experience. Â
The eclectic clientele and dive atmosphere is unchanged. Â I love OTR and a visit there is always welcome. Â The service, however, left much to be expected. Â Our server appeared to find us a burden. Â Her answer to the question, 'What kinds of tea do you have?' elicited the unhelpful response of 'Well we have a whole box of them, what kind do you want?' Â It was tempting to go 'round and 'round to see how many times we could complete the question circle, but she did eventually find the strength to throw out some options (she appeared exhausted at the end). Â The menu says to "Ask about our vegan/vegetarian options'...apparently we failed to notice the fine print below: 'Rhetorical Question'. Â Our server's response: Â "We can make anything on the menu vegetarian." Â Got it. Â Thanks for the input - we were looking for a little more detail about what exactly that means (just veggies? tofu?) but like three beaten down school children we put our tails between our legs and cobbled together an order while she hovered.
Unfortunately the food did not redeem our meal. Â I ordered an omelette...now, I know we all define omelette in different ways, but a slab of tasteless egg with vegetables piled on top is not an omelette in my book. Â The home fries were tasteless, mushy and unappetizing. Â If I were blindfolded I could not have tasted the difference between my egg slab, the vegetables, and the potatoes. Â (And that was after the hefty dose of salt I added in an attempt to salvage something...anything....) Â Needless to say our great brunch at Tuckers left us feeling unsatisfied and disappointed.
So sadly, I give Tucker's one star. Â Had the food been tasty I could have overlooked our server's reluctance to be helpful. Â If you are starving and absolutely need food, it's passable.
I am a freelance writer, and I can not put into words how amazing this place is. Â I was visiting my sister, who is new to the area, for a week. Â I went to Tucker's for breakfast 5 of the 7 days I was in town.
The deluxe-home-fries might be the best version of a potato I've ever eaten. Â DO NOT make the mistake of passing on the Deluxe option.
It boasts an old-school aura with old-school breakfast. Â Do not let the ambiance fool you tho, the menu takes simple breakfast dishes...and makes them exciting to eat. Â I miss the place so much since Ive left, that I just mailed them a postcard from Detroit. Â
The Bellagio hotel serves an eggs-benedict that I would murder to eat daily. Â For years that was on the top of my list....until I discovered Tucker's.
I was prepared to love this place the moment I walked in the door. I don't know what it is, but I've always had a soft spot for breakfast dives. The sketchier the better, and this place was definitely sketch. Unfortunately, my entrance was the high point of the visit.
So, to start this off, let's consider the atmosphere. The booths are comfortable, the lighting is perfect, and with a classic rock soundtrack, the place is exactly what I'm looking for in a diner. Next, the service. Our waitress was polite and good about refills, and the cook even came over to ask us how we were doing. Top notch.
Now for the food. For the breakdown: there were two of us. I had pancakes and toast. My mom had "The Classic" (eggs, home fries, bacon, toast). She reported that her eggs were cooked to perfection. My toast was also good. But that's where the good stuff ends. Her home fries looked/tasted like "fried mashed potatoes" (hard on the outside, mushy on the inside). My pancakes were also hard on the outside and soft on the inside. Not to mention weirdly shaped. I hate aesthetically unpleasant pancakes. And the coffee wasn't hot.
All in all, I would go back for the atmosphere, but not for the food.
If you're a food-minded person in Cincinnati and you haven't been here yet, but better get off your behind and go. Tuckers is fantastic. The decor hasn't changed in years, the grease permeates the air, and the bathroom leaves much to be desired, but at Tucker's it's SO much more than the idiosyncrasies.
You won't find a more memorable diner in this town--or maybe anywhere. The food is great (I'd reccommend the loaded home fries with veggies and cheese galore), the ingredients are fresh from Findlay Market, and Joe & Carla Tucker always make everyone feel like family.
It's a great place to see and be seen. To sit and dine near people of all races, backgrounds, and places in life. It's comfortable, casual, and just plain fun.
Don't expect quick service. This is an experience that should be savored, so sit back, relax and enjoy your meal and some great conversation with your dining companions or those around you!
I am addicted. Tuckers is absolutely perfect in every way. The ambiance is awesome, the staff is wonderful and the food, oh the food. On first inspection the menu looks like average diner fare, but upon closer look you find that tuckers uses creativity to make old ideas fresh and wonderful. Its obvious the care that goes into the preparation using quality ingredients. They offer breakfast and lunch, neither of which disappoint. Â Â
Last week I stopped in and was treated to a breakfast sandwich. This glorious item includes a perfectly cooked medium rare burger, lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese and chipotle mayo, but it doesn't stop there. With the addition of hash browns, a perfectly runny fried egg, and bacon all between texas toast this sandwich really gets the day started.
If you haven't eaten at Tuckers you are cheating yourself. With great offerings for vegetarians, vegans and normal people =) it has something for everyone. Top that all off with good prices and a parking lot right across the street and you truly have no reason not to go.
This is a very friendly little diner in a very sketchy part of OTR - not for the faint of heart. Â I'm pretty fearless when it comes to these things, but even this bothered me. Â When you get inside, you first notice the grungy-hole-in-the-wall feel, which they make no attempt to hide, and the grunge adds flavor, for better or worse. Â That being said, I sort of made up my own menu item, and they executed it expertly (a burger with a lentil patty and a beef patty). Â The brunch menu was really fantastic - a fully fleshed out menu - not some half-assed-we-cook-eggs-or-whatever brunch menu you might find other places. Â I greatly enjoyed the genuinely friendly service, and felt good about giving them my money at the end of the meal. Â The whole experience is really a home cooked meal with interesting, fresh ingredients.
Bottom Line: Â If I am feeling daring and want a home cooked meal, I'll be back.
If you have any pre-conceived notions about Over The Rhine, you need to eat at Tucker's and learn the true meaning behind this old German town: comradery.
Tucker's originated in 1944 serving up the first cheeseburgers with tartar sauce in Cincinnati. (That's right, they were before Frisch's!) Joe, the son of the original Mr. Tucker, now operates the restaurant with his wife, Carla. Of course, everyone loves Mom who still helps out 6 days a week in the kitchen; she's almost 90.
Tucker's is famous for their burger, The Big Tucker. Carla and Mom serve up a daily special, from jambalaya to meatloaf; they're filling up stomachs and making people smile. Carla also makes a dessert every day. I love her fudge brownies with molten chocolate inside.
Breakfast is served all day. Huevos rancheros is quite good, as is any combination plate. There are plenty of vegetarian options here for both breakfast and lunch. I highly recommend the cornbread. It's made on the grill, so you get a delicious, crisp circle of cornbread instead of the usual square cube. Tucker's gets all their ingredients fresh from Findlay Market, plus a person can easily stuff themselves for $6.00.
Whether you're at a booth or the counter, you can watch Joe cook on the open grill. Â Eating solo? No problem, Joe and Carla know everyone by name, so they will introduce the person sitting next to you. I have met many interesting folks from different walks of life. Tucker's is a place where attorneys and mayors will enjoy a meal next to a welfare mother or recovering addict, and for those moments, social boundaries fade away.
Tucker's is not only home to good food, but to good people. It is an institution that has been around for over 65 years. I could really go on about Tucker's all day, but you need to go experience its wonder for yourself!
GO NOW! Â Mom's been waiting to see you all day!
Price per person: $6.00
We were out of towner's looking for a place to eat breakfast and see what Cincinnati has to offer. Found it through Yelp. Decided to check it out.
The area in which Tucker's is located can be a turn off to many, but being from Chicago, we loved the diversity of the area. We parked in front, and entered into the world of what diners use to be, cozy and down to earth, which are non existant now a days.
It was busy for a Friday morning. People from all walks of life came and went. The menu is simple and prices are great! We each ordered a different plate so we can taste all Tucker's had to offer for breakfast. Biscuit and gravy was delicious! Servings are on the small side, so you may want to order an extra egg and order of potatoes.
The food is not fancy or dressed up. Nothing extraordinary about it, except that it's just simply home made food that comforts and satisfies the belly.
It's really worth a visit.
Tucker's is a neighborhood diner with over six decades of success in historic OTR. They have good options for everyone, including vegetarians. Whether you're a vegetarian or not, Â you are likely to enjoy their Citybeat Best of vegetarian chili. The Tucker is an excellent burger, Tucker's put tarter sauce on their version before Frisch's rolled out the Big Boy. In my opinion, The Tucker is MUCH better. The brunch on Saturday & Sunday is good. (Tip: Try the Huevos Rancheros!)
What makes Tucker's really special though, is it's place in the community and people within it. This all starts with Joe & Carla Tucker, the husband & wife team who run it. These are just good people who put a lot of work, heart, & love into their food. Carla is always quick to greet you with a warm smile and a kind word. Joe, even when extremely busy, will take a moment to look up and say hello from the grill he mans 7-days a week. When things are slower, Joe is always eager to chat about anything from his passion for Red's baseball to community events to Cincinnati in general. They both take the time to get to try to know their customers, and they treat everyone the same.
Some of my best lunches have been at Tucker's counter, making new friends. I have learned about everything from new ways to smoke ribs, great art openings, changes at Findlay Market, bits & pieces of Cincinnati's history, and the scoop from insiders about what's really happening in Cincinnati.
When my overloaded schedule doesn't conflict, you can often find me at Tuckers on Sundays for brunch before a trip to Findlay Market. It is always an experience I always look forward to.
I sometimes hear negative comments from people about Tuckers, usually from people who are intimidated by run down look of some of the neighborhood. The one thing they seem to have in common? They've never actually been to Tuckers! At best, they flew by in their cars and made a judgement without ever experiencing it. So the neighborhood looks a bit unkempt and the outside isn't fancy. If you judge Tucker's in this way, your a sucker and have NO idea of what you are missing. Muster up some courage, try something different than a lame chain restaurant, and go. Talk to the people within, and experience it. You'll leave with a changed opinion, a full stomach, and maybe if you're lucky, a paradigm shift.
Tuckers is a true Cincinnati Institution. It is more than a sum of it parts. There is a good reason this place has been in business for decades and survived all the changes in the neighborhood. If you have never been, do yourself a favor. Go find out what you've been missing!
Wait, what? How have I not reviewed Tucker's yet? I swear I thought I had. I've probably been to this restaurant more than any other since we moved here 8 months ago.
The main reason I'm a fan is that this place has been here consistently for a long time. It's probably the ONLY reason non-OtR people ever set foot on that section of Vine St., and for that I'm thankful. I love seeing Joe and Carla Tucker (and Mom Tucker) every time I'm in there!
But, I'm also a fan of the food. To be honest, there are several things I don't like (not a fan of the eggs at all), but there are several things that keep me coming back. One is a special...they usually only have it on weekends and I'm not sure if it's even every weekend...but if you are there and shrimp & grits is on the menu--GET IT. Shrimp, grits, pieces of bacon...oh Lord have mercy that is good eating! We had it about a week after moving here from the west coast...and it was so good and reminded me of my Southern Heritage so much I almost broke down and cried right there at the booth.
Something they have every day is biscuits & gravy. Again, one of the things that makes me realize how close we are to Kentucky and the South--they do a great version and it's a big pile of rib-sticking food for a good price.
As others have said--it's not a quick-eating kind of place. Service is slow...but that's part of it. If you are type-A personality you probably won't like it anyway, so just don't go. But if you'd like to enjoy your food, enjoy your community, and thank local shop-owners for staying in a difficult area for many years--then you should head down there next chance you get. I'll probably see you there!
Tucker's is the first place I truly fell in love with in OTR. As a southerner, I've always loved the classic greasy spoon. Tucker's is OTR's very own greasy spoon and has been so for decades now.
Tucker's is a family owned, family run business and I can't imagine it any other way. Joe Tucker on the grill, wife Carla at the counter and "Mama" Tucker floating around taking care of everything and generally being a delight. In the dozens of times I've visited Tucker's for weekend brunch, I don't think I've ever not seen Joe at the grill. He's a machine.
The menu is about what you'd expect. Breakfast & lunch counter items at fair prices. A lot of the items are sourced locally from Findlay Market and have that fresh taste that can be so hard to find. My favorite is The Classic: bacon, eggs, hashbrowns & toast. Joe Tucker makes the best hashbrowns I've ever had. There are even some veggie items.
The space is small. 10 or so tight booths & 8 or so counter seats. Come in at noon and expect to wait a few minutes. Side street parking.
Though I love the food, my favorite thing about Tucker's is the people. A great mix of locals & visitors, white collar, students, hipsters & street folk. Joe serves all types as long as they can pay. If you want the true OTR experience, your first stop for weekend breakfast/brunch has to be Tucker's.
Tucker's looks like a place that you don't actually want go in, but you do. Trust me, you do.
Inside is a sweet little diner that's been there forever, except that they also serve vegetarian and vegan options. Yes, really. You can get a vegan brunch in a diner that looks like it hasn't been touched since 1956. And guess what? It's tasty and reasonably priced too. Also, for your non-vegetarian needs, they have delicious goetta. It's like the best of all worlds.
I could have sworn I reviewed Tuckers long ago, but I guess not! I guess that's because it's such a Cincinnati institution, I kind of figured I already raved about it.
First of all, let's get this out of the way - yes, Tuckers is in OtR, and no, not the new developed Walnut/Main/Vine OtR, but the old school, classic, sort-of-falling down OtR. Yeah, that one that probably scares you. Fear not, though! You are missing out on one of the best spots in Cincinnati. Be brave, buck up and go!
Tuckers has been around for generations. Decades and decades. It's this little tiny diner that probably can't fit more than 50, and even that's going to be tight. The booths are small, so you better like who you're with (or if you're looking for an excuse to casually stab them with a fork without being noticed, this is the place to do it.)
It's basic, greasy diner food. You can get your breakfast foods, your lunch foods and everything in between (I believe they call those "brunch foods.") I've gotten the BLT, which was good, and the huevos rancheros and it was delicious. They always have something interesting cooking up on the special as well, so make sure to check.
The food isn't fast here - not at all. You can actually watch the one cook behind the counter (that you may or may not be sitting at) make it. You're going to be here for a while, especially if you have a large group. Also, soda only comes in cans, which they sometimes run out of. You're better off going with juice or coffee anyway.
This place is good. This place is cheap. This place is a Cincinnati institution. Go, dammit! Stop being so yella and go!
It's my birthday, and all I want is Goetta again. Capital G Goetta. From Tucker's. Yeah. The $2 side of Goetta that is crazy rich & wholesome & aplenty. Plum fun food. Now... you goetta be me kidding me if that's all you think is at Tucker's.
Something known as Red Flannel Hash, which sounds like a WW2 nickname for someone in a gunnery. And, it has turnips in it! When's the last time there was a turnip on a menu?
At high time, it's a tight squeeze at Tucker's, especially for a party of five. I took the role of Jennifer Love Hewitt & grabbed a spare chair to pull up to the booth. I like my service the way I like life -- honest & brash -- & that's what we got here. Shit, man, 5 drink orders is hard to keep straight, so, yeah, by all means, blurt out you need to start over. I agree. That 12 pack of diet coke cans that waltzed in was pretty honest too.
I love this kind of place. To me, it's as much of an American relic as the family portrait on the back wall here. I'm far more suspicious of a clean, sterile suburban chain diner than a family diner with a bar & an exposed griddle & kitchen. Talk about transparency... we can see everything that's happening here.
The biscuits & gravy were mighty. As was that cheap overeasy egg. Add Goetta to the mix & we have ourselves a meal fit for a Prince on his Birthday! If only I didn't live 88 miles away! Yet again... yet again... sigh.
Didn't love it, didn't hate it... my sentiments lie somewhere in between.
Tuckers is a classic diner - the service is a bit brisk, the kitchen is open, there's a counter with stools, and it's small. So small that even booth space is cramped. You can squeeze four in, but you better hope your neighbors used Dial. My neighbors did :)
There's a few specialties such as shrimp and grits and a red potato hash. I ordered a very simple diner staple - 2 eggs (over medium), sausage, home fries and toast. The home fries were unfortunately soggy and the toast also had a case of the underdones. I believe the coffee is touted as the best in town (or something to that effect) but I'd have to disagree... certainly suitable, but not award-winning.
One of the things I like most about diners is that you typically get your food FAST... not the case here, I think it took almost 40 minutes to get our food. All in all, Tuckers is a fine spot for some breakfast eatin' but I get the feeling it's pretty hit-or-miss.
This place is run-down looking from the inside and doesn't get much better when you walk through the door, but hey, dives can have great food, so it was with high hopes that I ordered one of the daily specials--shrimp & grits for a late breakfast ("brunch" just feels incongruous with this place).
We had several different servers helping our table, which got a little confusing and led to some mix-ups, but apart from the original order-taker, the other 2 were quite friendly. I asked if the shrimp & grits contained bacon or ham (I don't eat pork) and was assured they do not, so I ordered happily. However, when the food finally came out (think it's a one man show on the grill, so don't go when you're in a hurry), there were clearly big pieces of bacon all throughout--I immediately brought it the server's attention and to be fair--she was most apologetic and swapped it out for one with 'veggie' bacon instead, pretty quickly.
The dish overall was pretty good--grits pretty creamy underneath and a hearty portion, but it was lacking some 'oomph' in taste overall (maybe the real bacon was the missing ingredient). I've had better, but probably not in Cincinnati.
The dish also came with a biscuit (so-so) and a cup of fresh fruit (nice), and with a cup of tea, a good value for under $10 (before tip). You pay up front (they do take credit cards, but Visa or MC only). Also, fair warning, in hot weather--no discernible A/C inside and it got downright toasty.
Heard amazing things. Experienced good, but less-than amazing, things.
I love teeny diners and dives. In fact, I prefer them. The decor was straight out of 1984 at the latest (only the best year ever!), it had an open kitchen, and the service was welcoming, accommodating, informative and friendly. The right mix was there, but the place was cluttered and dirty, and the food was okay at best.
I got the goetta (hey, when in Cincy, right!?): It was my first time. A mix of meat and oatmeal, in a pan-fried patty? Alright! Let's do it! I ate it; it was ok; but I felt like the grease literally squirting after each chew.
My sentiment was similar regarding my French toast. In my mind, the fruit made up for the buttery crunch, but the butter/oil overpowered any chance for any other flavor.
I'd go back; but would rather see what else Cincy has to offer.
Ugh--do not go here in warm weather. It was a sauna inside. The snarky waiter kept forgetting our drinks, food, check. Gay friendly, but with a meanish queenish waiter. The food was inexpensive and good. Plates and mugs were chipped and it seemed dangerous rather than charming.
Vegetarian friends swear by this place, so veggies take note. Otherwise, go to Lavomatic, or a chain.
Not a very attractive restaurant in a not very attractive part of town, but cheap, tasty, and full of character.
I ordered a waffle breakfast sandwich that somehow combined the genius of the McGriddle with that newfangled heart attack KFC just released, plus a little strawberry jelly to help them clean out the fridge. It was filling, delicious, and at $3.75 the best deal in the state of Ohio.
Not sure if I'd head downtown just for Tucker's, but next time I need to swing by the Central Library, merely a few blocks away, I'll definitely make the sidetrip for breakfast or lunch.
This place is worth supporting, an the food is very good and cheap.
The restaurant is in a rougher part of Cincinnati and the inside is old but had character. Some people will be uncomfortable--in the three quarters of a mile as you walk from downtown to the restaurant in Over-the-Rhein the demographic changes dramatically to say the least. Â But I liked it. Â The people who run and work in the restaurant really, really care about their venture and it shows, they work hard.
And the food...one of the best Western omelets I've ever had, not tradional, but great fresh ingredients. Coffee was above average for a diner (still a bit weak for my taste but better than most diners). But the winner...order the cornbread. But it's not really what I'd call cornbread. More like the best cornmeal pancake you can imagine. Fantastic!
Go to Tuckers you will like it and people running ventures like this deserve the support. If sketchy neighborhoods make you nervous, get a group together. Tuckers is worth it.
A friend and I visited Tucker's based on the one and only Yelp review for this place. It's nestled in an economically struggling part of the city but was well worth the visit.
The thing that tips me into the four star zone is the service. The wait staff and cooks are making their lives out of this restaurant and it shows in their straightforward attentiveness and casual attitudes.
The food: I ordered a vegetarian omelet with extra basil and didn't finish it because I got caught up in eating the amazing saltwater cornbread my friend ordered and the biscuits and gravy we had as a side. Two full meals were much more than we could handle- the portions are hearty.
The coffee was standard diner coffee.
The interior of the place was low light- it really had a nice old style feel. Apparently the owner of the place was in the back washing dishes. ?!?
Several vegan and vegetarian options were on the menu.
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