Libby’s Southern Comfort

Stopped in at Libby’s at 2:45 today (Saturday) for a late lunch. The restaurant was empty other than one table of four. We made it halfway across the restaurant and were asked to wait a moment while the bartender/hostess cleaned a table. She didn’t bother to wipe down the booth seat which was covered in sesame seeds and other debris. Once seated, our server quickly came by to get our drink order. The entire visit, the bartender/hostess and two servers were either on their phones, sitting with the other occupied table and talking loudly, or visibly eating food in the kitchen. Our server was the only floor staff who kept herself busy refilling straws, cleaning, refilling sugars, etc. I ordered the shrimp roll and Southern Mac and cheese with a sweet tea. Hubby ordered the two piece chicken with Mac and cheese, fries, and sweet tea. The shrimp roll description gave the impression of big flavors. The only real flavor came from the Grippos bbq chips. There was an excellent quantity of shrimp, but even with the old bay/mayo seasoning it was bland. I was excited for the Southern Mac and cheese - but was disappointed in the flavor as well. No cheesy flavor, no southern kick at the end, not even a bread crumb. It was almost like plain Mac noodles with cheddar melted on top. Hubby’s fried chicken was better. Good crunch on the chicken skin, nice brine albeit a little salty. The meat was super juicy. His Mac and cheese was also mediocre. The fries were tasty, but not house made. The biscuit was “fine”. The sweet tea was perfect. I’ve never in my life had bland Southern food until today. My husband’s granny from Alabama would not approve.

Libby’s Southern Comfort is incredible! My best friend and I stopped here for lunch during our girls trip, and I’m still thinking about it. The hot honey chicken sandwich was hands down the best I’ve ever had—crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor. The mac n cheese? Unreal. Creamy, rich, and totally unforgettable. The restaurant has a modern, welcoming vibe, and our server was amazing—so friendly and full of great energy. Even though I live four hours away, I’ve already told everyone I know about this place. I’m 100% coming back with my husband. Libby’s is a must-visit!

First time trying Libby’s and the food did not disappoint. The fried chicken sandwich was massive and the batter was light and crispy. I could eat this sandwich weekly. The fries were 10/10 and the flavor on the oyster po boy was great; super soft bread. Service was attentive and drinks were good. The dessert menu looked incredible. I was really hoping the crème pies were available, sadly sold out! We snagged a bread pudding to go and it barely made it home! We will definitely be throwing Libby’s into our dinner rotation.

I visited Libby's Southern Comfort on a Tuesday night during Cincinnati Restaurant Week. Despite the busy atmosphere, with a 20-minute wait for a party of one, the experience was quite memorable. Initially, I planned to try the pre fixe menu but opted for the Tuesday special instead: two pieces of chicken, two sides, and a biscuit for $11. The bar was the perfect spot for a solo diner, and the bartender was exceptionally friendly, explaining the menu, drinks, and specials in detail. The fried chicken was fantastic, with crispy skin and juicy meat, and the German beer from a familiar brewery was a delightful touch. However, a significant downside was the 3% credit card processing fee. This practice is a major pet peeve of mine, and it feels outdated and inconvenient in 2025. Due to this, I won't be returning and wouldn't recommend Libby's Southern Comfort to friends, as prioritizing cash payments is less safe for both sides. Overall, while the food and service were excellent, the credit card fee overshadowed the experience.

The food was good. The atmosphere was clean and relaxing. The customer service was reasonable. Despite the fact that we came around 9:15p. We felt rushed ordering our meals. Overall, I do recommend giving them a try.

The food was good. (The wife wanted more southern choices). The portobello sandwich was messy but tasty. You’ll just need to ask for extra napkins. The hot honey chicken sandwich was tasty as well, would have preferred it to be a little more messy though. The seasons fries were crispy and had great flavor. We liked the atmosphere, it was open with a rustic decor. We were there during great weather so it was open air which made it even more pleasant. Service was very good. Definitely recommend.

I would highly recommend that you do NOT order their Tuesday special unless you love dry, tasteless chicken. I waited 20 minuets past the pickup time for my 2 piece chicken dinner, which was so overdone, the skin flaked off, as seen in the picture. There are so many amazing fried chicken restaurants in the tristate area. Don’t waste your money on this one.

I say this as a person who has eaten a significantly high number of chicken sandwiches in her day: that hot honey chicken sandwich might be the best I’ve ever eaten. The chicken itself was hefty, but insanely moist throughout. Usually birds that big become dry while frying—not this one. The breading was beautifully seasoned (a tad bit too much salt, but that’s a personal preference). The vinegar based slaw and the pickled onions made for the perfect cut through the heavy breading. And that honey was evenly dispersed, you got a bit of sweet in each bite. I can’t say enough good things about this sandwich. I WILL be back, just for this sandwich. And I’ll be ordering more of those bonkers hush puppies, too.

Libby's has amazing food. The chicken and the side dishes are excellent. Definitely try the cherry slushy. Service was perfect and the ambience is great. Highly recommended

The ambiance was the same as always. Service left a lot to be desired. It was as though they had been left on their own for too long. We were seated at the bar. That was Ok even though there were tables and the 6 top in the front was occupied by the staff. I found that strange at 7:00 on a Friday night. We sat at the bar for over 5 minutes before being acknowledged. Then given One menu for us to share. We asked what way on tap. The bartender didn't know. They only have two taps and one is Miller. We ordered two Millers. She went over and poured two Millers and let them sit and settle. Ten minutes later asked us if we would like to order and then brought our beers. We decided to go elsewhere for food. I have always liked and recommend Libby's but I cannot if they treat their customers this way. I hope this was a one off.

Food was nothing to write home about and overpriced. Drinks were the same. Ambiance is nice and there is potential but won't be a destination for us sadly since it is about 2 miles from home.

Fried chicken and mashed potatoes live long in my childhood memories so it was a natural choice for this year's birthday dinner out with the fam. And I was looking for a place with great fried chicken with a couple steps above the "we serve the world's best chicken out of the back of our garage" kind of place. Which led us to Libby's. Excellent dinner all the way around! We had 2 orders of the two piece dinners (one light, one dark), one BLT salad and one chicken thigh dinner. The chicken dinners were outstanding. Good sides -- mashed potatoes, black eye pea salad and collard greens -- not outstanding, but really it's the chicken I was there for. The chicken thigh dinner was reported to be excellent by hubs, with sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts. Oh! And we started with the Big Dipper app which was crostini with 3 different spreads: feta, crawfish and pimiento. Delicious! My favorite was the crawfish- nice light flavor. Salad was deemed delicious. The menu changes so don't count in what you see online (the chicken thigh dinner wasn't listed online though I assume the standards stay consistent). Just go and know you'll find something great. We made reservations on a Saturday night, and were directed to an outdoor, plastic'ed in room -- it was ok. The main restaurant has more ambiance but is quite small, tight and maybe more noisy?? Let's call it "bustling". Our waitress was super - nice, attentive, friendly. There's parking attached, on weekends. We would definitely go back next time fried chicken calls our name!

I'm so disappointed. I need to make a caveat that I have eaten here before and enjoyed it. But this experience was quite bad. The Charlie Brown sandwich needs to be advertised as "drenched in cheese and grease". There was simply no other flavor besides grease and cheese. It made me nauseous. The fried green tomatoes were okay, but the center of the tomatoes were hard. The Bloody Mary was the single saltiest drink I've ever had and it would send someone into Hypertensive Emergency. The only good thing about this meal was the bourbon drink. Was it worth $14? No. I left feeling like I lost $65 and received nothing in return. Very disappointed as I like the staff and ambiance.

We had a lunch reservation for a Saturday and were seated right away after checking in. Wait staff was truly friendly and accommodating, bringing us menus and a high chair first thing. We ordered the fried green tomatoes to start, and they were phenomenal. Thick sliced, crisp, juicy, and topped with chunks of bacon and a large scoop of pickly pimento cheese spread. We loved these, so did our baby! For entrees we ordered the 2-piece fried chicken with a leg and thigh, along with Mac and cheese and the green beans. Everything was hot and well-made, just like I was eating at home. We also had the shrimp and grits, another excellent dish. The shrimp were covered in blackening and they were unbelievable. Perfect meal!

I Loved the Hot Honey sandwich! It was so much bigger than I thought it would be! Also loved their holiday themed cocktails...I got the "Gimmie S'More", which had a toasted marshmallow on top. Another stop on the B-Line passport

Hubs and I went to Libby's for Sunday brunch and had a minimal wait without reservations about one hour before closing. We started with the fried green tomatoes which were tart and delicious. For mains, I had the stuffed french toast which to me, was a complete ripoff. I paid $19 for two thin slices of brioche stuffed with marscapone, three itty bitty berries and that was literally it. I mean, if you're gonna charge $19, at least use challah bread and include eggs and bacon at that price. I added a chicken thigh for $7 and while it was quite delicious, it still felt over priced. However, where my dish fell flat, the Mr. absolutely loved his shrimp/grits. I tasted the grits and they were the best seasoned grits I've had. It would be great to offer fish/grits dish for us shellfish allergy folks. We ordered a peach cornbread cobbler to-go and it was a no from the both of us. It definitely needed more sugar and spices like nutmeg/cinnamon to have it taste even remotely like a peach cobbler. I'd be willing to give Libby's another go but it definitely would be for dinner vs. brunch.

I've got to be honest the food here was really delicious however the service is terrible and the kitchen took forever. Kind of took away from the food experience because the service is just not good.

Good southern food. Breakfast is the best. I don't like their take on shrimp and grits, however. Most of their stuff is good.

I absolutely adored this place! We went at 3ish on a Thursday so it was pretty dead but our waitress took amazing care of us! They have a huge cocktail menu and if bourbon is your thing? This is the place to go! Their menu is STACKED with choices. I got the Bees Knees drink and ended up liking so much I got two! My husband and I shared the green tomato appetizer and OMG, seriously the best fried green tomatoes I've ever had, easily. We also opted to share the hot honey chicken sandwhich which was also superb! It's a massive sandwhich and it came with fries. The fries were decent! Just a regular side, but the sandwhich was so flavorful and moist i would definitely order it again. It definitely has that southern kitchen feel to it and I loved the news articles posted around the restaurant! This is a must visit for cinci!

Looking for some fried chicken but also something different than the usual, we tried out Libby's. The service was excellent. The ambiance could use a break from the squeal of train brakes (but that's not the restaurant's fault). My wife's peach sangria was very good. Alas, my beer was warm. The food was tasty, the Mac n cheese was divine. The only real issue we had was value for the money. For example, we split an entree salad as an appetizer and the serving was very small for $17. Somehow we were expecting something alighned with the size of a large salad at Dewey's. Instead it was maybe 1/2 that size. The chicken was good, but very small pieces. I gave it 4 stars because our server was excellent, otherwise I gotta say 3 at best until the value is better. For $18 I expect more than two very small pieces of chicken.

The goetta hush puppies and sauce were so good!! I got the hot honey chicken sandwich and it was pretty good but I probably would try something else next time. The server was really friendly and this place was very crowded for Sunday brunch. Everyone I came with seemed to really like their food as well.

Amazing service and delicious food! Our server was so kind and attentive, she let us try a sample of the coleslaw and answered all of our menu questions with ease! We shared the deviled eggs, yum. I got the Alfredo pasta with blackened chicken (double yum, definitely recommend this add-on), my friend got the shrimp and grits (she was very pleased), and my fiancée got the 2-piece chicken entree with a side of coleslaw and Mac-n-cheese (Mac was just OK but the fried chicken was really good).

Friendly greeting at the door and a table along the window for our group of 4 started Sunday lunch off right. The fried green tomatoes -goetta appetizers are what we crave. A variety of brunch entrees were delivered hot & fresh, made with care. Service - fabulous! Thank you Libby's, we adore you.

On a recent trip to Cincinnati with some friends, we stoped in Libby's for lunch. Besides having a friendly staff, the food was most excellent. We started off with fried chicken skins, as good as they sound. I had the shrimp roll which was most excellent. Others in my party had the Oyster Po' Boy, The Willy Burger and the Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich. The rest of my group really enjoyed their meals based on the empty plates. Looking forward to going back to Rich's to try some of their additional offerings.

Best fried chicken in the area. Delicious, salty goodness. Honestly, everything is good.

We've been here more than a few times; always been top-notch. However, this was on a Sunday, with the brunch menu (only) available. No problem - what could go wrong with Biscuits and Gravy, and a side of bacon? The biscuits were OK, but the gravy was flat. Even with adding S&P couldn't get much flavor out of it. Mixed it with a little fried egg from my Mrs' plate and that helped. Bacon - this is a sacred breakfast (or anytime!) food - and NOT TO BE FINISHED IN THE DEEP FRYER. Waiter brought out the first edition and had to send it back. I thought it was just overcooked. However, watched the cook throw the prepped bacon in the deep fryer to finish it off, and same result. Deep-frying bacon removes all of the flavor (and fat) and is not worth eating. And $5 for two slices. We'll go back to Libby's, but not order bacon on anything.

We had the fried chicken which was OK. Service was ok. Only came back once to check on us and refilled my water. Sat by the window and the door which was very cold and drafty. Maybe come back when the weather is warmer.

The service was extremely poor. Had to wait for water for almost 30 minutes and he only came to our table in the entire 1.5 hours we were there three times. I ordered the Charlie Brown and it had some strange sour/bitter chunks. Almost like curdled milk or something? My husband had already finished eating by the time I could get ahold of anyone so unfortunately I didn't get a main entree. The crab cakes were really good though! The deviled eggs were not good either. Zero flavor and the pork belly about broke my tooth. The blackberry smash and maple smoked old fashion were great though! Overall wouldn't go back again and don't recommend it either.

We went for brunch and it was delicious ... but Beware if you order the Lox and Bagels that it comes on a charcuterie type board which means no lip and the capers will roll off. This is also listed as "Bagels" in it is just one bagel. If you plan on ordering A la Carte, the prices online are not the same as what was listed on the in-house menu. Onsite was more expensive so they have not updated their online pricing. The stuffed French toast was very good but while the fruit was large and fresh, it tasted like it was not washed and had a chemical flavor to it. It probably wouldn't have been noticeable if it was on the French toast but it came out separately to the table. The location feels small but it could have been the table location. Servers kept running into our chairs. I recommend you make a reservation because it seems like a frequently visited place. Overall was a nice brunch but not my favorite.

Supporting small businesses is important. Come out and support this business. Food and service is excellent and they make you feel at home

Although more and more "Southern" restaurants seem to open over the years in the Cincinnati metro, something seems off about most of them. With Libby's, I can't quite put my finger on what the problem is, although the gist of it is that the menu is too limited and the prices are 2 or 3 notches too high. I like the look and feel of the place. The owners converted what they say was an old wholesale grocery--very industrial bones--and have turned it into a modern yet very comfortable and inviting spot. It can get quite loud on a weekend evening, though. But as I suggest, the food and prices are a bit of a problem: About half of the entree list is chicken, most of it fried. And there's a pasta with alfredo sauce, which is always boring. There's also a salmon, which absurdly enough, a server told my wife the kitchen wouldn't (or couldn't) cook to order and, in so many words, that it would come out well-done. (Any restaurant serving a $30 salmon dish and not offering, much less being able, to cook it medium (or less) needs either to reconsider offering that fish or to hire people who can frigging cook it properly. My wife of course did not order the salmon.) I've had the fried oysters a couple of times, which are quite good but overpriced. Speaking as a native Southerner, I think Libby's needs to discover pork. That seems like a gaping hole in its menu. The side and apps are a bit better: fried green tomatoes are nicely executed (overpriced again, though, at $14), as are deviled eggs (which are still not as good as Sacred Beast's, even if a couple of dollars more expensive). From the sides list, Libby's does a great job with the collard greens and blackeyed pea salad. Libby's is OK but seems like it ought to be better--and a better deal--than it is.

A yummy southern menu location. Great drinks and food and an attentive staff. We'll be back.

Great spot in Covington!! Went on a Saturday afternoon for a late lunch and sat at the bar. Very friendly and food was delicious. Fried chicken was perfect and the Fried Green Tomatoes were the best we've had in a long time. The restaurant is very tastefully decorated with bourbon bottles and news clips. Well worth the trip.

I can't stop thinking about their sourdough bread! The perfect crunch and flavor and yet still so soft. Seriously though, this place definitely lives up to the hype. For a Tuesday evening, it was fairly busy when I arrived at 5:15. However, they still sat my group 45 minutes earlier than our reservation time which was much appreciated. I ordered the turkey club which featured the delicious sourdough bread I mentioned. I could eat that stuff all day. The southern Mac n cheese was tasty as well. This seems like the perfect casual date night spot. They even have a parking lot directly outside the building that is open after 5pm and on the weekends. I'll definitely be back.

Fantastic restaurant for comfort food. Very cozy atmosphere and our server was friendly and knowledgeable. The fried chicken was some of the best I've had in a long while. They have a full bar also.

Everything is delicious! The drinks are always made with great ingredients! Service is always on point and everyone is so friendly!

Good shrimp and grits which isn't always a given. Decor is great. We usually eat at the bar and staff is great. Never had a disappointing meal. We live walking distance.

Been on the list to try for a long time. Finally met a great friend here for drinks and food. To start, drinks! We had bourbon slush with an extra shot. The slush was different but very good. A little sweet, but I had a few so that speaks for itself. We had the shrimp and grit appetizer, plus goetta balls. Both were good. I'm not a goetta fan, but I these were not bad. We both had 2 piece chicken meals, collards, green beans, and mashed potatoes. We both are the sides first. All were well seasoned. We were only able to eat our chicken wing because we were stuffed! The chicken was so good. It was crunchy and well coated, and my breast was spectacular for breakfast the next morning. My friend said her husband ate her breast in like 2 minutes when she got home. Our server was awesome, cool vibe. I will be back!

The food was delicious, it's in a nice place in Covington, KY...so if you in the area stop by. Good service and nice ambiance. Average noise, I would definitely go back.

Crowded on Tuesdays. The Tuesday special was excellent. Think fried chicken and bourbon. That's what they promote and do well. Great service,

Wonderful food and service. Great ambiance. A little pricey, but worth it. I had the chicken thighs and husband had the fried chicken sandwich. Great flavor on both. And try a Cheerwine slush, you won't regret it!

Great southern food, a casual environment, and a fantastic selection of Bourbons and ryes. Looking forward to coming back again!

Service and decor are great....food is good, but my expectations were high from all the 'talk' that I was hearing about how the chicken was to die for. I mean, it was good....

A northern Kentucky gem! The food is always top notch. Service is smooth with attentive severs fairly knowledgeable about the menu and very helpful. Love the covered patio space! You must try the fried green tomatoes and the Bloody Mary my personal favorites!

Went today for the Tuesday special. $10.95 for a 2 piece chicken dinner with two sides and the $5.95 bourbon cheer wine slush. What's a Taco Tuesday?! It was heaven. And cannot go without mentioning the staff, again. We love Libbys and the crew!

Well, I'm a fan. I've been wanting to try this place ever since Purrfect Day Cat Cafe opened (I mean, what better placement! Come for the southern food, stay to pet the kitties next door). Unlike some other users on Yelp, I had fantastic service. Attentive. Friendly. Not over-bearing. I had the the salmon/bacon over potatoes - with green beans on the side. I was trying to be healthy, folks, and that's not easy with southern fare. Loved it but next time I'm going to get the friend chicken and do it right (as my SO did). Also, the collard greens are the collard greens of my dreams.

Lunch dates (during the school year) are my favorite, because I don't have to find a babysitter I wish more of my favorite restaurants served lunch! I've been dreaming of this juicy fried chicken & those oatmeal pie cookies ever since we visited The only thing I would change is the Mac n cheese, it was a bit bland. I don't recommend the Mac but don't let that deter you from trying this amazing place. Everything else was so good!!!

The food is good. I think they are trying to hard to fancy up some dishes fried bologna is fried bologna no matter what else you put on it. The goetta balls are really good.

If you're looking for some comfort food,, look no more!! This place hit the spot!! Hubby and I shared a whole chicken with 4 sides for just $32! And we still had leftovers! This place is highly friendly, but leave your hate at the door!

The nicest staff and atmosphere. The food is so rich and full of flavor. Absolutely a go to spot for sure.

Some of the best fried chicken ever, and the hot honey made even that much better. I gave a 4 star because when we got home, there was a noticeable grease smell on our shirts and jacket. I think exhaust venting system could be better. The colors greens were PERFECT, The hot honey chicken sandwich yummy. The drinks made perfectly.

Oh dear God! This may have been the best meal of my life. We started with Fried green tomatoes and Brussels Sprouts. I could have stopped there and died happy. But we went on to the Fried bologna sandwich (better than my grandmother's) and the Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich and we shared it all among the table. Really you have to come here.

We split the Whole Bird- 2 wings, 2 thighs, 2 breasts, 2 wings, 4 sides and 2 biscuits. Well worth the cost, we had enough for leftovers even. The chicken was perfectly crispy and juicy. The biscuits were the furthest from dry. Their sweet tea is amazing. Service was quick and friendly.

First of all the service is great and probably the food is just as great- but as an older person I don't eat much fried food and southern foods aren't appreciated or as appealing to my GI tract. My husband however loved the fried chicken, but my daughter didn't rate the honey hot chicken as excellent and my fried green tomato sandwich just fell apart and was hard to eat. All in all I think you should just go for the fried chicken

4.5 Stars I'm totally thinking... someone's southern grandmother must be in that kitchen throwing down. Yes, it was that good! I chose Libby's as my Cincinnati Restaurant Week pick and I'm glad I did. The vibe was lively and clearly this was the people's pick for a Saturday night because it was packed! The owner (I later found out) noticed that I was waiting to be served and prepared my well-balanced Barrel-Aged Bourbon Manhattan for me. It was perfect. I then ordered the Deviled Eggs appetizer (yum!), Half Fried Chicken with Mac and Cheese and Green (yum, yum, yum!), and the house-made Honey Pie (yum to the millionth power). The fried chicken was seasoned and cooked to perfection. The mac and cheese was baked, as it should be and the green beans were really like the ones make at home. The meal had soooooo much soul in it. Usually I skip dessert, but because it was part of the menu and a staff pick, I went for the Honey Pie. OMG! This honey-sweetened, custardy goodness inside a delicious crust was EVERYTHING. I was full so only planned to eat a few bites but before I knew it, every last bite was in my belly. Lol and smdh. Libby's is doing things right. Don't walk, RUN to check it out.

I had a work conference in Cincinnati and was in Kentucky since it was right over the Bridge running errands when I yelped comfort places for lunch. Of course being in Kentucky I had to try their famous fried chicken or a place that had it. The service was the only thing lacking the young man that took my order and brought it out to-go wasn't the warmest unless he was just having a bad day. Ambiance was nice. Service 3/10, food 6/10 I am from Houston TX so I may be bias on my take on southern comfort meals the sides was lacking flavor I had the green beans and Mac n cheese for reference and Ambience 7/10.

Boy do I love a yummy biscuit. I think they have the best. We were out with friends for drinks but I couldn't resist getting a biscuit when I saw it on someone else's plate. We sat at the beautiful bar in this crowded space on a Saturday night. Had drinks and soaked up the vibe. Definitely plan to be back for dinner. Hoping they can accommodate me as a vegan. We shall see and I will update the post after that experience.