There’s something special about stepping into a place that feels like it’s been doing its thing forever—and somehow still gets it right. That’s exactly how it felt walking into Zip’s Café in Cincinnati. This small, no-frills pub-style burger spot has been around since 1926, and with its 100-year milestone, it carries a kind of history you can feel the moment you sit down.
What makes it even better? They’re still doing things the old-school way—like getting their meat delivered fresh daily from a local butcher. That commitment to local sourcing shows up in the flavor more than you’d expect.
We came hungry, and Zip’s definitely didn’t hold back.
The Experience
Zip’s Café is the kind of place that doesn’t try to impress you with flash—it just leans into what it does best: burgers, chili, and classic pub comfort food.
We started with their famous chili, and it immediately set the tone for the meal. It came loaded with toppings—onion, cheese, sour cream, and jalapeños—and every bite was rich, hearty, and just the right amount of spicy. It’s the kind of chili you slow down to eat, even if you didn’t mean to.
From there, we moved on to the burgers.
We ordered the Zip Burger with cheese and the Flying Pig Burger, which stacks bacon and ham into one seriously heavy build. The Zip Burger was the classic done right—simple, balanced, and exactly what you want when you’re craving a straightforward burger.
The Flying Pig, meanwhile, was bold and flavorful but leaned a bit salty from the combination of meats. It’s a great “go big or go home” order, just maybe not the one you finish without a drink nearby.
One thing that definitely caught my attention on the menu—even though I didn’t go for it—was their burgers topped with mettwurst, a regional favorite. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t quite brave enough to try it this time, but it’s the kind of unique, local twist that makes you do a double take. If you’re looking to try something very Cincinnati, that might be the move.
To round things out, we added shoe string fries and onion rings. The fries are thin, crisp, and even better if you upgrade them with chili or cheese. The onion rings were also a standout—golden, crunchy, and perfectly cooked.
Beyond burgers, the menu is surprisingly broad: sandwiches, salads, black bean burgers, and turkey burgers and sides like mac and cheese, Saratoga chips, and cole slaw. It’s the kind of place that works whether you’re fully committed to comfort food or just along for the ride.
And with a full bar offering beers, liquor, wine, iced tea, and soft drinks, it also fits the bill as a true neighborhood hangout.
Key Highlights
- The chili is a must-order—hearty, rich, and fully loaded
- Burgers are made with fresh daily meat from a local butcher
- Unique menu options like burgers topped with mettwurst
- Zip Burger is simple but perfectly balanced
- Flying Pig Burger is flavorful but very salty and heavy
- Onion rings were crisp, golden, and a standout side
- Fries are best upgraded with chili or cheese
- Relaxed, classic pub atmosphere with deep local roots
Practical Tips & Takeaways
- Start with the chili—it’s one of the most memorable items on the menu
- If you want a classic, go for the Zip Burger over the heavier specialty options
- The Flying Pig is fun but best shared or paired with something lighter
- Consider trying the mettwurst burger if you want something uniquely local
- Upgrade your fries if you want more flavor payoff
- Onion rings are the sleeper hit—don’t skip them
- Expect a casual, no-frills pub environment
- Great for groups thanks to a menu that fits different tastes
Logistics
Zip’s Café keeps things simple and unpretentious, from ordering to seating. It’s the kind of place where you settle in, take your time, and enjoy a straightforward meal that doesn’t need overthinking.
Final Thoughts
Zip’s Café feels like a true Cincinnati institution—one that’s survived 100 years by sticking to what works. Between the locally sourced meat, bakery-fresh buns, and consistently solid comfort food, it’s clear why people keep coming back.
It’s not trying to be trendy or reinvent anything. Instead, it focuses on doing the basics really well—and in this case, that’s exactly the point.
If you’re in Cincinnati and want a classic burger spot with real local roots (and maybe a chance to try something like a mettwurst-topped burger), Zip’s is absolutely worth a stop.