The Unassuming Restaurant That Cincinnati West Siders Are Quietly Obsessed With
By Andrea Limke|Published July 21, 2018
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Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
There are many restaurants in Cincinnati that don’t need a fancy location, a trendy name, or innovative dishes to be a local favorite. Most of these dining destinations have been around for decades because Cincinnatians continue to visit for the classic food, friendly environment, and “feels like home” appeal. On the west side of the city, one such restaurant is Kennings Circle K. It’s not fancy, in fact, it’s rather unassuming, but west siders have been quietly obsessed with this eatery for decades and it’s time for everyone to find out why.
Kennings Circle K is located on Bridgetown Road on the west side of Cincinnati and has been a family tradition in the area since the 70s.
This unassuming, family-owned dining spot was first named Circle K Steak Ranch, but after it was accidentally listed in the Yellow Pages under horse stables, it forever became Kennings Circle K.
When driving past the restaurant, you may not think much of it, and it definitely looks as if it's been around since the 70s (in a good way).
Photo Courtesy of Theresa Ryan Rosenacker
There aren't many windows and it just looks like the kind of place only locals know about. That last statement is very true, but everyone is welcome at this family-friendly, inviting restaurant.
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The appeal of Kennings is not just in its delicious food, but also the unique atmosphere that combines comfort with fine dining.
It'll always be a family affair at Kennings, and you’ll be soon to run into a few regulars. They host large gatherings and intimate meals for special occasions, and the restaurant even offers catering.
The menu at Kennings includes just about everything, you definitely won’t leave hungry. The menu consists of largely classic comfort food made simply and deliciously, and it's these dishes that keep patrons coming back again and again.
On your first trip to Kennings, it's best to go with a "Create Your Own" option, where you can choose two entrees and comes with two sides. Our suggestion is to go with the Prime Rib and BBQ Baby Back Ribs - two of their specialties. The Twice Baked Potato is also a favorite.
If you've lived on the west side for a while, chances are you've already enjoyed a meal at Kennings, and perhaps have many special memories tied to this classic restaurant. But this dining destination is worth crossing that invisible west/east side line for. We promise you'll be able to find your way back home.
Kennings Circle K is open Sunday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Keep this west side hidden gem in mind the next time you're craving a nostalgic meal and the comfort of delicious food.
Kennings Circle K keeps things simple and delicious, and they haven’t had to change much over the years to continue to provide a favorite dining experience for the west side of Cincinnati. Is Kennings one of your favorite local restaurants? What other similar places are hidden around our city? Let us know in the comments!
Kennings Circle K is located at 6166 Bridgetown Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45248. For more information, visit its website here and follow along on Facebook here.
And for more unassuming restaurants in Cincinnati that serve an amazing breakfast, check out our previous article here.
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