Damn Good Eating...

As I've gotten older, my appreciation for a good meal has gotten oh so much better. When I was younger, I ate like a horse and pretty much ate anything that I felt like eating. My metabolism was so fast at one point that I couldn't put on weight if I tried. Sure, it was before the days of calorie counting and fat content and paying attention to the ingredients, but it was a lot more fun because you didn't worry about what was in your food. If you were hungry and saw something that looked appealing...you ate it.

This past Saturday...the day after my birthday, TLB (The Lovely Bride) and I decided we would have my birthday dinner. We had talked about going to a couple of different places and had more or less decided that we'd go to Longhorn for a steak...mostly because we have a $50 gift card to go there.

Over the past several months here in Cincinnati, we've checked out and found some pretty good restaurants. Found a kick-ass panini in Findlay Market, some decent New York Style pizza at Balboa's and a really good burger at the Oakley pub which is within walking distance from the house. But we were also told: "There are good burgers in Cincinnati, you've gotta go to one place though for the best". The best...Terry's Turf Club an extremely odd, small, diner style restaurant near the river.

((Terry's Turf Club//Photo Courtesy: Glenn Hartong/Cincinnati Enquirer))

Truth be told, we had intentions of going at some point but recently the place had been in the news because the Food Network Show Diners, Drive-In's and Dives and host Guy Fieri was going to be taping there. So I told TLB in the afternoon this past Saturday...."Let's go to Terry's".

We also had been told by some friends that if we go, go early, so we showed up a little before 5pm. It was crowded but there wasn't a line...yet. We sat and ordered a beer...they actually have a pretty good choice of Micro Brews (I had a Bell's Amber Ale for those who are into such things) which was a pleasant surprise and perused the menu.

Hamburgers are somewhat of a personal thing for a lot of people. There are very few people who agree on the best. There are some who like fast-food. McDonalds, Wendy's, Five Guys and the like. The opposite end of the spectrum are places like Flip in Atlanta where you get gourmet 5oz burgers with some crazy toppings (Yes, we've eaten there).

Finally, we ordered. For me a burger with everything: Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickles, Grilled Onions and Banana peppers. TLB just got hers with the Cheese lettuce and tomato. We of course got some fries as well...you have to get fries to go with a burger don't you?

((The Burgers//Courtesy: Glenn Hartong/Cincinnati Enquirer))

About 20 minutes and 2 beers later the burgers showed up. I should add that shortly after we seated, the line started...there is room for maybe 50-60 people inside the crazy, neon decorated restaurant which just added to the atmosphere. I might also note that apparently Terry, the proprietor used to own a restaurant called Neon's in Downtown Cincinnati. He took the aforementioned Neon signs and just relocated them to the current location which along with that had 3 large bottle shaped neon lit coolers in corners of the room as well. Plus a nice, but small bar where Terry Carter, the owner himself was tending.

Anyway, the burger showed and looked fairly normal. On a potato bun/roll but already oozing. It's at this point where you would put ketchup or mustard or mayo on it...well anywhere else you would...not here. I grabbed mine and took a bite. Holy crap! A big, thick hunk of ground sirloin cooked just about perfectly. Damn...no need for condiments here! The fries, handcut and just as good.

I've got to say. The place lived up to the hype and then some. I have eaten in some cool places all over the country. I've also eaten at some pretty damn good restaurants. Without a doubt, this is one of the funkiest, trippiest, coolest places both me and TLB have ever or will ever set foot in.

By the way, if you are interested, the episode of Triple D on Terry's will air sometime this summer. They didn't give a date. They actually taped the segment 2 days after we were there. If you want to read the story that the Cincinnati Enquirer did on it...check it out RIGHT HERE

Anyone who finds there way to Cincinnati should make an effort to find and eat at this place...if you do...give us a call...please....we'd be happy to go with you. After all isn't the saying "You can never have enough of a good thing"?

For those unfamiliar with the show, here is a clip from another restaurant that they visited and one that I've eaten at in Tucker, Georgia...Matthew's Cafeteria. Thanks Food Network/You Tube: