Friendly Stop Bar and Grill

Dinner for 2 last night. I have never really been impressed during prior visits, especially disappointed with their brunch as whenever I would order something not readily available on the buffet, waffles for example, they arrive luke warm. Anyway, had the onion soup which was fine and a filet which was good. They were busy and had to ask/​track down our server for some items. Overall it was good so I will try them again for dinner some time.

This is the best version of a dive bar. Great burgers and beer. Appropriate to expectations, taste, and price. Prices actually seem a bit low considering the value and taste.

The Friendly Stop Café is just that. It’s a small bar with a full menu and a few tables to eat at. The food menu is diner food for the most part and I have had the Reuben with tater tots both times that I ate there and it was excellent both times. I have always gone during the work day so I haven’t had a chance to check out their beer or other alcoholic choices that they have. I will definitely have to go back one evening when I can check out the ‘rest’ of the menu.

I’m in love. Again. this place is great. The locals gave me the «hmmm new face» glance and lots of chuckles. Young. Old. Black. White. Male. Female. All happy to be in here together. This dive bar has the magic to it that old little hole in the wall places should have. I mean, come on now, you have to go behind the bar to get to the seating in the back!
Service was prompt. Bartender friendly. (Ha! Like the name of the place!) Seems the owners are regulars at this bar too.
Garlic burger is legit. Hand formed patty and perfect garlic. Dive bar has super fresh salads too. I’ll be back.

One of my local favorites — only wish it was within walking distance from my house! This dive bar has a great selection of food (try the salmon burger and pulled pork BBQ), and their daily specials are great too! They usually have leftover deserts from The Grand Finale (across the street) which is a plus. Drink prices are cheap and they have deals during happy hour as well!

Came here once with my friends in high school 11 years ago after a Premium Concert in the middle of a snow storm. I still remember the cheese burger like it was yesterday. Absolutely delicious.

Came here last night on a whim with a couple of friends. When we first arrived we started questioning our decision… When they say dive bar, they mean it! As soon as we walked in, we felt a bit out of place, but decided to give it a go anyway and I’m so glad we did!
Their menu is nothing special, just normal bar food BUT THE TASTE IS AMAZING! BEST BAR FOOD AROUND ! We were so surprised how well everything was prepared and talk about bang for your buck. Our server was great, super welcoming and attentive, always seemed to be around when we needed something. My friend and I both ordered long beaches… Only 5.25 and definitely will not let you down!
If you want awesome food, great drinks and a good time COME HERE… TODAY!

Why did I wait so long to try Friendly Stop? The basic cheeseburger is delicious, good quality meat, and was perfectly cooked to my order of medium rare. No big challenge to deep fry tasty tater tots, but they were done to perfection also. Love the old-​fashioned atmosphere with antique signs and license plates on the wood paneled walls. I would caution against going at a busy time, because the rooms are small and probably become cramped feeling and noisy. But yeah, one of the best burgers in the Cincinnati area.

Nice atmosphere for a small bar, few tables, cozy. Mostly regulars. Service was fast and friendly. Seafood soup was a tad «fishy» but had good size pieces of shrimp. The gravy for the mushroom burger was with me till the next day. Overall it was better than ok, I’d give it another shot!

Stopped last night with a group of friends prior to an event in Glendale. We started with the yummy skins with bacon. They were amazing. Probably some of the best skins I have enjoyed. We also ordered cheesesticks. I’d say good, not great, on those.
For dinner, we all ordered burgers. They are really good. I enjoy that crinkle cut fries are an option with them.
The beer selection is not very good. For a city with such a great brewing industry, I expect craft brews, not Bud Light, Yuengling, etc. They did have one local IPA. I’d like to see all but one tap be local crafts.
Prices are OK. I don’t think they’re as cheap as the signage would lead you to believe. (Best cheap lunch is what the sign says.)
Thank goodness, credit cards are now accepted.

Stopped by today for lunch with a couple friends. As usual the food was great. I had the Reuben special. Corned beef was tender and stacked high. Lou had the Open faced roast beef with gravy smothered fries instead of mashed potatoes. We could tell it was delicious because he quit talking long enough to devour it. Herb ordered the Turkey Club on the recommendation of our waitress. He truly thought it was more than he would be able to finish. He always says that, but manages to clean his plate.
Our waitress was great. She took real good care of us. She is one of the reasons it’s called the ‘Friendly’ Stop.
With a house full of regulars, even first-​timers feel welcome.

Found this place on Unilocal while working in cincy. Not much to look at from the outside but I just had a better burger than I’d get at a chain restaurant for less! And a very friendly place!

I’ve only been here once but that Black Peppercorn Burger and tater tots were both excellent. I will definitely be back!
⁴⁄₁₆ — Been here a few times now and it’s still a great burger. It’s on the small side, but man it is really tasty. The place is very small, so don’t come during peak times or you’re waiting a while. I’ll go back any time!

A great dive bar in the neighborhood. I had a garlic burger and it was terrific. My significant other had a BLT and the bacon was was fresh and crispy.
We are going back.
PS they take cards now so no need to get cash.

Now accepting credit cards! Also, there was a Unilocal check in deal at the time of my visit.
While the service wasn’t very friendly, the food was friends with my mouth. I ordered the peppercorn burger with french fries. The burger was in fact encased in cracked peppercorns. Some places have a tendency to skimp on that, or use plain pepper. There was lots of flavor. The crinkle cut french fries were a 1.50 upcharge. Crispy outside with a soft inside will have me ordering the fries again.
Décor is reminiscent of a roadside café. The turn in for the parking lot is immediately after the building, don’t miss it like I did. The parking lot is small, but so is the inside.

Sorry gang this is one of the places I just don’t get the hype about.
Got the garlic burger & fries. Burger was super dry. Partner got the open face roast beef sandwich & that was just ok.
That being said. Happy hour & drink prices are great, BUT the catch is you have to be one of the Glendale cool kids to get decent service. Staff is very rude to the non regulars. Not sure how it got called the friendly stop
We live in walking distance & would visit more if we could get our Glendale cool kids card. FYI if your not one of the cool kids they will last call you @12:30−1am. If your a cool kid you can stay till 2:30 drinking
It really is a cool place with cheap food & beer. Just sucks the staff is rude

You know, the food isn’t all that special, but its fun that I can walk in whenever I want and get some food. Recommend the pepper-​corn burger.
Its a dive café, the kind you expect on the side of the road on Route 66 or something, but its got awesome charm and its your standard deep-​fried experience of awesomeness.
It’s also a 2 minute walk from where I stay in town, so that certainly helps, lol.
Worth a trip if you know Glendale. If you don’t, you should still visit for a unique place.
And as it’s been stated. CASH ONLY.

We stopped for lunch because I found this great place on Unilocal.Mom and I were thrilled with this find!
Mom had the salmon burger with great flavor and not too spicy and onion rings that she enjoyed.
I had the french dip with fries and sour cream on the side~impressed that the sour cream cameout right away as most places forget and have to go back to the kitchen. The flavor of the beef I found plain although, the au jus made up for it!!! The au jus had alot of body and flavor without being saltly! Yum! The crinkle cut fries were great too. I added a Yuengling on tap that finished the sandwich wonderfully.
We saw a worker from a nearby place that had an apron on come and order to go.

**CASH ONLY**
This is a cute little stop for drinks, meeting friends, and maybe a meal. Friendly Stop Café definitely lives up to its name; the staff and the patrons are very friendly. The bar offers no frills drinks at very good prices. I did not try a famous burger but will when I make it back. It can be a bit difficult to find a seat here but it is a great place to come with friends– and maybe meet some new ones. There are definitely conversation pieces all over the bar (like license plates). Overall, this makes for a great stop!

First time back after a long while… Glad we did. Cool, old, established joint, neighborhood bar and grill, would be a regular hangout if I lived in the nabe. Had a NY (outer borough) feel for me… good sized wood bar, wood floor, jukebox, minimal number of TVs, and those placed where you can watch them if you want, but they’re not in your face everywhere you turn. Small bathrooms with great utilization of space. Fun dive bar décor everywhere you look, not like the phony forced atmosphere in those cold cavernous chains. And a cigarette machine to boot. (Didn’t check the price, but I’m sure it would NOT fall in with the NY feel.)
Two of us shared the garlic burger (awesome!) with fries (simple crinkle cuts, but cooked perfectly, nice and crispy outside) and onion rings (just fine for what they are, I’m really not an O ring fan), three Yuengling pints, total $ 18.
Desserts were all sold out! They get them on Monday morning «leftover» from the Grand Finale across the street, and they are available till they sell out. Even our friendly waitress was surprised however that they were already gone by 3 o’clock on a Tuesday afternoon.
It seems if you want your burger other than medium well, you will need to speak up, as we were not asked. Saw this comment in another review too. Burger, however, was absolutely delicious.
Hope to be back soon for another daytime meal.