It's been a rough year for us all, but the restaurant industry has taken center stage through most of the ups and downs of business closures, safety procedures and employee shortages.
As mask orders are lifted and more people are dining out again, we thought it was a perfect time to reflect on the year we've been through. Below, we've compiled a list of some of our biggest stories from the roller coaster of a year for Cincinnati foodies.
We looked for future solutions as we tracked trends in the industry. We were reflective and nostalgic as we appreciated the many gems of our city. And we were hungry. Well, that's the theme here. We're always hungry for more. Here's a good look at what we've been digging into:
We followed trends in the changing and struggling restaurant industry
Why are restaurants struggling to find workers? It's more complicated than you think: To say restaurants both in Greater Cincinnati and nationwide are experiencing a worker shortage is an understatement. Whether you're in Over-the-Rhine or Anderson Township, the help wanted signs hanging in doors or on the counters of restaurants and bars are everywhere.
'They have no choice.' Why eating out is about to get more expensive: Rising menu prices are something Greater Cincinnati foodies will have to get used to. Here's why.
People are posting negative restaurant reviews. Why now might not be the right time: Aaron Sharpe, owner of Lucius Q in Pendleton, says "Before you take to Google or Yelp with a one-star review and complaints in all caps, PLEASE give us a chance to make it right."
Why the latest trend in restaurants might be the 'burbs: Christian Gill, owner of Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey in Pendleton, is moving to the suburbs. “With the new normal, for now, being a work-from-home structure for a lot of companies, taking the biscuits to the people was the next logical move."
How COVID-19 turned this OTR diner into a full-on family restaurant: Silver linings were hard to come by during the pandemic-rattled 2020. But the story of how COVID-19 turned this diner into a true family affair definitely counts as one.
Let's put this into perspective. This is an apocalypse for local restaurants: From back when restaurant closures all began. "I think maybe some people think this is spring break for restaurants," Travis Maier, culinary director at Jeff Ruby restaurants said. "It's not."
We wrote odes to places we've loved for a long time
We shared the best eats around town
Cincinnati's best dishes (according to our local chefs): when it comes to good local eats, these folks know what they're talking about.
These are my favorite salads in Greater Cincinnati (so far): These local salads are light, simple and free of the threat of meat sweats.
One man's search for the best Chicago-style pizzas in Cincinnati: Yes, yes, people have their various complaints or even dismissals when it comes Chicago pizza. None other than Anthony Bourdain once called it, “a crime against food” and “some kind of Midwestern mutation of pizza." But I’ve never understood why it upsets people so much.
These bagels have everything: 8 local shops to try (from National Bagel Day): Just because it's not National Bagel Day doesn't mean it's not the perfect day to add on the carbs and schmear.
Food brands you didn’t know are from Cincinnati: You probably didn’t know that Pringles, Airheads, Frank’s RedHot and other food famous food brands are from Cincinnati.
10 of the best burger joints you should try carryout-style: From cheap to fancy, it's a great time to find your new favorite burger.
Who has the best tacos in Cincy? We TRIED to find out: National Taco Day was on Oct. 4. So, we took that as a time for your favorite local taco joints to take the spotlight.
Who has the best burgers in Cincinnati? ?: We celebrated #NationalCheeseburgerDay with some polls to find out who has the best burgers in Cincinnati. You had feelings.
We kept tabs on restaurant openings and closings
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