Pleasant Ridge Chili Restaurant

Went to 4 Cincinnati chili places yesterday. Not the chains we’ve had those. Between Skyline and Gold Star, Gold Star is our favorite. However, Pleasant Ridge Chili Restaurant was the absolute best Cincinnati Chili we have had so far hands down! Can’t wait for an opportunity to go back again!

I have been in the Greater Cincinnati area for seven months this week and I normally try to go somewhere I haven't been to each week. Today, this spot was on the list as it's currently Cincinnati Chili Week, which I had been looking forward to since I first found out I was moving here. My friend LOVES this place and I can see why. We both ordered the same thing, two coneys and the gravy fries. Now, personally, I was on the fence because I had never had gravy fries, let alone heard of them but when I ate them, I wish I could have ordered the larger size because it was simply amazing! They tasted like regular style mashed potatoes and gravy and it also gave me a reminder of what we call back home in Iowa, a Magic Mountain. It was indeed a little bit of a wait but not too long as we went just after peak dinner times (8pm) and our waitress was phenomenal. Good luck trying to get the recipe of the gravy though. I was shot down immediately trying to get it. It's a secret recipe so forewarning if you try to ask about it. Great food and service, though. I will be back often!

Adorable diner, fast & friendly service, great food at an affordable price! 1/2 order portions were perfect since we are traveling and eating a lot today.

First time here. I ordered a 3 way and a side of Gravy fries n Cheese. Food was Great, Just like I expected it. The Service was Awesome and I liked the old Diner Feel. I will stop back in!

This place does not disappoint. Respectfully, it’s a hole in the wall… which are my favorite types of restaurants. The food is always fresh and delicious. I am obsessed with the gravy cheese fries. They are a staple at this restaurant. Honestly, everything is extremely good on the menu. If you find yourself in Cincinnati, you have to eat here.

The cheese and gravy fries were excellent, and the 3-way chili was very good. Service was fast , despite a crowded lunchtime. I heartily recommend this place. The pictures were from half-orders. Important note: This is a cash-only restaurant.

First time here, had to do the gravy fries and they did not disappoint! I ordered a 4-way with onions and a coney. My dining partner had a tuna sandwich which she said was very good and we shared the gravy fries. This place is a step back in time with a jukebox at the entryway, retro diner decor and cash only. Service was really good, fast and friendly. The only thing I could suggest improvement on was the soda (Coke) tasted flat, something I dunno the mix was off. And they gravy for the gravy fries while very good, could use a little more salt or seasoning IMO. But overall a wonderful experience and I look forward to going back again soon!

Fantastic!!! The chili is great. Chili dog has the perfect amount of dog and chili. Tried the fries with gravy. Fries were crisp and hot. The gravy had a delicious beefy flavor without a hint of greasiness. Saw a chef salad someone else ordered and it was large and loaded. I looked the menu over and there was a large selection of sandwiches. They even serve breakfast!

There's nothing like a mom and pop restaurant. Comfort food, simple atmosphere, more regulars than new customers. This is Pleasant Ridge Chili. Formerly a 24/7 haunt, time and the times have morphed PRC into more mainstream hours. Breakfast anytime and a decent selection of sandwiches, dinner plates, and of course, Cincinnati chili. The narrow space has a horseshoe counter in the back a row of booths along each side walk and a couple of two tops squeezed into the middle. Service is fast and friendly friendly. The food is a good value. There's no dining concept here, just food. While I stand by my favorite Cincinnati chili, Camp Washington, Pleasant Ridge Chili is still better than Skyline or Gold Star. Probably because it's made right there and not shipped to the restaurant from some suburban factory kitchen. Want a quick satisfying meal, this is the place. Bring cash, they don't take plastic.

Food was great, but our rude, MAGA waitress ruined our experience. This restaurant is NOT a safe space for LGBTQ+ customers and/or minorities. I took my girlfriend and my son to eat here, and our waitress barely took care of us. She made us wait forever for menus and refills, but quickly brought us a check. We were polite to her as we ALWAYS are to restaurant staff, but she was very short with us, and made us feel like we were inconveniencing her. When she brought us our check, she started talking about Donald Trump, and she was praising him for the "good things" he's going to do for the country. We were VERY uncomfortable. As LGBTQ+ customers, and as customers who want a dining experience that doesn't involve garbage politics, we will NEVER eat here again.

It was my first time here and I didn't know what to expect but I was excited to try another Cincinnati chili. The interior is cute and the sign out front that lights up is very vintage. They have a decent sized parking lot to the side of their building, which is helpful. The chili is delicious, I could taste the difference between this chili and Skyline Chili. Pleasant Ridge Chili seems to have the spices more pronounced. However, we waited 45 minutes for our food while the restaurant was not busy. Our drink orders weren't taken for 10 minutes. We saw other tables sit down after us and get their food 10 minutes before we did. My brother and I ordered chili cheese fries and 4 coneys between us, so it wasn't a complicated order. My coney order was also incorrect and the waitress tried to tell me that I ordered onions, when I remember telling her everything but onions multiple times. I docked 2 stars for the wait and the service. I would still probably come back eventually though, since the chili was good. Be sure to bring some cash with you, as it is cash only.

I've been going to this place since I was a kid .. the food is good diner food and the chili is better than skyline and goldstar in my opinion. I love their gravy cheese home fries w/ onion - legit the best hangover food or just any time you are in the mood food. The prices are reasonable. My mom says they have great double deckers and steak hoagies. The Danny's special is so good if you like gravy! Cash only & expect a wait on the weekends as they get busy but don't have tons of staff - the ladies who are there have been there forever and are awesome. This is a hometown gem in the Ridge!

Cash only diner with lots of parking. Service was friendly and straight forward. The gravy fries with cheese was great. Will come back and try other dishes in the future.

I've been an avid customer of this place. I enjoyed the food here, today not so much. I ordered gravy cheese fries and cheese coneys. My food was cold!!!! And the waiter who is very old was being hasty about it. Miss ma'am today would have been the day I went there with her, but I had my child. Make my food correctly. A plate of gravy cheese fries was $11 and I promise the portion was so small...I asked her was it the large? I see the food quality and quantity going down and the price going up. Oh yea get some DIVERSITY in the establishment...you sure could use it. Possible eager younger workers...

The chili is the best in Cincinnati. I've never tried the famous gravy fries but can attest that you see them at almost every table. The girls are great with the customers too. Congrats to Danny and daughter Morgan for carrying on the Tradition !!

This is a Cincinnati classic. Forget Skyline's industrial commisary factory food, the PRC is local and homemade. Best Cincinnati Chili in the city. And everything else on the menu is real food. They roast giant steamship round and serve it with real homemade beef gravy, it's just like my grandma used to make. And the fries. Old time large crinkle cuts nicely browned right out of the fryer when you order them. I am a french fry snob and will send back underdone and cold fries that are allowed to sit before being served. You will never have that problem here! A cherished and excellent local treasure. Aliene honey, your review is nasty. Sorry you weren't having a good day. But leave the PRC alone.

Going to Pleasant Ridge Chili is like stepping back in time! It's a small place and on our Saturday lunchtime visit was packed to the gills! We were warned by the busy serving staff that it would be 30-45 minutes to get our food, but we found a quicker work-around: sit at the counter and order chili! We ordered a 3-way, a coney and the gravy-cheese-fries. It was all very good! We were served quickly too. Their menu is actually much broader than chili, despite their name. They have breakfast, burgers and more. The lady next to us was having some mashed potatoes and gravy with her meal and we saw lots of folks eating the burgers. There's parking adjacent to the building, making it easy to get in and out. It's cash-only ("Been that way for decades", says the server) but there's an ATM machine in the back. There's also one of their original menus framed on the wall near the ATM, so check that out too! We'll definitely go back again to try out more of the menu.

Great chili! I walked in alone on a Saturday afternoon with immediate seating at the counter and ordered a chili 3 way and diet Pepsi. I was particularly interested in comparing this independent family owned restaurant to the Gold Star and Skyline chains; I like both chains, and they are different from each other. The Pleasant Ridge chili version has absolutely more depth and intensity than either chain. To me, it's the best Cinci chili I've ever had! They, of course, serve chili in all the traditional "ways," but they also have a 6 way with roasted garlic, which I will try in the future. I just thought that the 3 way was best for comparison. The rest of the menu is very comprehensive, and many items looked appealing. I saw many patrons enjoying the fries and gravy and the sandwiches. The service was fine. The facility is very old and would be difficult for persons with mobility issues. The men's bathroom would be quite a challenge. Bottom line: I'll be back!

The turkey lunch meat sandwich is nasty the chili has no tastes. The owners/ workers aren't friendly

Quaint mom & pop restaurant in the heart of pleasant ridge. This is a cash only business and has a homey/family vibe (so worth a trip with or without the kiddos). While they are primarily renowned for their chili - I typically go for the gravy cheese fries which are to-die for (iykyk)! I've had a few other items on the menu over time and have yet to be disappointed. Some may say it's average but I find it to be a refreshing change of pace compared to todays "normal" in the restaurant industry. This place has character. Definitely worth checking out.

Been wanting to try this since i moved back. customer service was good. definitely don't like the cash only thing, but it's been that way forever so if you wanna eat, bring cash. They do have an atm inside. I ended up trying a small 4 way, a cheese coney & gravy cheese fries. I love how you can get a half or full order of there things because I got a half order of the gravy cheese fries & 4 way & that was just enough for me. They both were good, but the star of the show were the gravy cheese fries. Definitely a must try place in the city. I enjoyed it more than the typical skyline & gold star. The quality just seemed better as well as the price.

Need to update your closing time. Arrived at 10:30 to order take out and door locked. Yelp says 11pm. So what's the real wasted drive!!!!!

This was a wonderful place to have lunch with friends of ours who live in the neighborhood!! I had an awesome double decker sandwich!!

Customer service was great, the food was amazing, and the atmosphere was phenomena! i was impressed that the waitresses actually knew their customers.

Are you looking for good chili well this is it. Cash only but with atm on site. It's what you'd expect from an old school place.5 way or no way.

First time at PRC. Definitely will be returning! It's CASH ONLY but they have an ATM :) The chili wasn't my favorite but when I walked in someone suggested the cheese and gravy fries and I had to try it. Loved them! Breakfast all day which is what i will get next time. Super reasonable prices!

This is one of those terrific no-frills spots that are increasingly rare. Great chili, great prices, and great atmosphere. Don't pass this spot by!

I tried Pleasant Ridge Chili for the first time in December 2020. We had just finished up a Christmas pop up at a bar across the street and decided to give it a try. This place has become a staple in my rotation of less than healthy food options. The gravy cheese fries are the highlight of their very extensive menu. I suggest bringing cash as it is cash only but if you forget you can use their ATM. I also plan to review Pleasant Ridge Chili on my food Instagram. Check out @apotatoeskineats for a more detailed report as well as restaurant suggestions in and around the Cincinnati area as well as places I go when I travel.

I've always love Pleasant Ridge chili since the first time I've tried it. I will say it definitely breaks my heart that since Covid they are not open as late as they used to be. I would skip a meal just to get there at midnight or 1 AM to have a delicious double Decker and undeserving dessert. The bakery goods are straight from heaven. Hopefully someday they can go back to the late night hours but until then I will be grateful that the doors are still open at all. Thank you Pleasant Ridge chili. PS. If you have not tried the cheese gravy fries your life is not complete.

Any chili parlor in Cincinnati is usually a pretty safe bet. This one happens to be one of our favorites. We stopped in for lunch and split a double decker and some chili cheese frys ( big portions) and still had some left to take home. Service was fast and friendly. Would highly recommend for a quick stop lunch or hangover cure.

Love this place, but they never want to work. They've cut the hours, and they never answer the phone. This place gets such rave reviews from everyone but it just seems like they don't want customers. Can they at least sell the recipe if they don't want customers?

I'm not a huge Cincinnati Chili fan, but it was late at night and they were the only place open that had what we all were craving - pie! So we gave it a shot. We tried the lemon meringue pie, chocolate cream pie, and baklava. The pies were good, very large slices at a good price. The baklava was average, would have been better if it was served warm instead of cold. Server was great, especially for being so late at night. Very small inside, designed for quick turnaround. Plus it's got all the local faves - 3-ways, coneys, dinner plates, etc. Good to know: this place is cash only, but there is an atm inside. Would return.

I love to find a good old diner that just serves delicious food. Found it! We happened to be on Pleasant Ridge and had heard about this chili place that we had to try. I also had heard the tip that it was is cash only. They do have an ATM, but I'm not paying those fees. So I was armed with cash and a good sized appetite. We had to try the chili, so I ordered a 4 way (just not a beans guy) and an order of...wait for it...gravy fries. That's what I said. Gravy fries. The mix of French fries with the savory deliciousness of the gravy- my oh my! And the consensus at the table was the chili rivals the bigs (skyline and gold star). The consistency, not too watery and felt substantial along with the flavor- it just all worked. I was also impressed with the variety of food on the menu. The chili will definitely bring me back but I'm looking forward to more diner flavors at this spot. We'll be back!

Kinda watery, hardly any meat. No substance to this. Definitely not the best like everyone said. Price was good though, cheap! Idk Cash only is a bummer. I tried Camp Washington and it was 10 times better. Sorry guys I tried.

Ah, PRC and their Gravy Cheese Fries! Yum! My daughter and I decided to have some dinner at Pleasant Ridge Chili before doing some Christmas shopping. We haven't been in awhile and once the thought of Gravy Cheese Fries entered our mind all other dinner options were forgotten. It's the typical small diner with booths, a few tables and counter sitting. It's cash only, so that's important to know before going. Also, they get very busy for lunch. Thankfully, it was not busy for our early Friday evening dinner. My daughter ordered the Grilled Chicken Sandwich Deluxe and a half order of Gravy Cheese Fries. I ordered the Gyro and a half order of Gravy Cheese Fries. I've never had the gyro here before and it was ok. I wouldn't order it again but it was passable. But the gravy cheese fries were awesome, as always! My daughter liked her chicken sandwich. It's what she's always ordered when eating at PRC and likes it. She also thought the gravy cheese fries were delicious. Our server was friendly and quick and we were done eating and on the road for shopping in no time.

oh and that chicken noodle soup! straight out of the campbells can ain't it? waited 30 minutes for cold food. the salad had a whole head of lettuce the salad was chopped poorly.

One of the best diners in the city. It's always busy with people of different races and families and diners mostly smiling and friendly. I love the diner smell when we walk in. Large menu and breakfast served all day. We love the Cincinnati chili and the Danny's Special sandwich. Bring cash because they do not take cards but there is an ATM in the diner. We love this place.

Old school! Red vinyl booths and a traditional diner counter make this neighborhood spot gah so cute! It's super clean and staff is super sweet. Bustling with folks for breakfast. Seems the coneys are the bomb. Chili is homemade and the servings are generous. The goetta breakfast sandwich was the bomb. So big I had to cut it in half to eat it. Double deckers on point! Love local spots! Don't change a thing. Tip: they only take cash. ATM is available but the fee is $3.00.

Gravy cheese fries are the the real attraction here, further they still have all the same songs in the juke-box from when I was a kid -- kissed by a rose ftw! Wouldn't hurt to pick up some cheese conies though. Ps: They need to bring back the old table top arcade games!!!!

For years I've been wanting to dine in at Pleasant Ridge Chili. Passed it so many times...Finally a Saturday early afternoon, my Mr. and I got to eat here! You step in, you feel like you've gone back in time. Mass nostalgia! The walls are full of Vintage pictures of Cincinnati. The tables and island are diner style. And yes, they have a jukebox!!! Omg, so cool! You seat yourselves but keep in mind that you have to bring cash. They do not accept credit cards. The menu itself has so much! Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Of course if you're a first timer, you have to try their chili. And that's what we did. I ordered two cheese coneys and a side of crinkle fries. My Mr. ordered a cheese coney and a 3 way chili cheese spaghetti. I have to say that I like their chili better than gold star! It's not salty and just seasoned right. We got our order right away and the service was great! I highly recommend coming here! Next time I return, I will definately try their famous gravy fries! What a great experience!

Great local chili parlor. The chile is by far the least spicy - and not just hot spice, any spice - I've had in town, and I think that's why so many people like it, not everyone likes deep and/or spicy food. So good on' em, but I prefer way more flavor! No reason to take away stars. And gravy fries - where else you gonna get that?

I was driving thru town on my way home to NY after a long cross-country trip. This was my third time driving thru Cincinnati -- the first two times I completely forgot to stop and try the city's famous dish, Chili 5-ways. There was no way I was going to make that mistake again. So after a quick Google search, and reading a couple Yelp reviews, I decided to take a chance on Pleasant Ridge Chili. And oh boy, did I select the perfect place for a memorable, authentic experience! I sat at the breakfast bar and immediately was greeted by an extremely friendly waitress. I told her I was driving through to NY and how much I've been wanting to try Chili 5-ways for years but kept forgetting to stop. She not only guided me on what to get, but also suggested to get the fries w gravy too. So I did! While waiting, I began chatting w a nice female customer from Cincinnati and explained to her how much I've been waiting to try their city's famous dish! After a very nice conversation, she left, and it wasn't until I was ready to pay my bill that I realized she paid for my tab without me even knowing it! I was floored. What hospitality and kindness! It was a moment I will never forget and a gesture that I promise to pay forward to someone else. As for the food, it didn't disappoint! Everything I hoped it would be and more! You would be doing yourself a disservice if you are driving thru and don't stop here for the authentic Cincy diner and chili experience! Just an overall great place w the friendliest of people! You can bet I'll stop back again if I ever find myself driving thru again! (Brendon, Albany, NY)

Gem spot! The Gravy Cheese Fries have a special place in my heart...Mom & Pop spot here...Super amazing Chili! All home cooked from scratch daily!! Service was top notch!! It's so wonderful to have places like this still around! Also amazing Cincy Coneys!! 100% recommend!

If you are looking for a great chili place look no further. I highly recommend going to PRC if you have not before. It is a CASH only place so be prepared but if you forget they do have an ATM in the place. Service is great and the food is delicious and not too expensive! I got the gravy cheese fries and a cheese coney with onions and mustard on it. The gravy cheese fries from PRC is a brown gravy that they make in house! The place isn't very big so if you have a big group try to get there early to get the table!

I love PRC. Their chili is delicious, and their double deckers are the bomb.com. I also love their salads! They can't get 5 stars from me though- they don't take cards, at all! I always have to remember to take cash out before I take that 10mi trip. But it's worth it!

It's more than just pleasant at Pleasant Ridge Chili. It's positively tasty and then some! I'd recommend it for any fan of Cincinnati style chili for sure. Yeah, if you've been in Cincinnati long enough (a week or so), you'll already have heard the big two in a debate over Cincinnati style chili. It usually comes down to Skyline vs Gold Star. But true Cincinnati chili fans know there's MUCH more than just those two. Pleasant Ridge Chili is a perfect example of that too. Walking inside, it feels like a cozy, classic diner, complete with a jukebox full of great tunes. Grab a table or sit at the counter, but wherever you sit, you'll feel at home. The servers are all friendly and prompt, greeting with a smile, making sure you get everything quickly. My lady and I had been wanting to try their chili for a while and finally did on a Saturday. I'd heard they can get busy FAST on Saturdays, but it wasn't too bad when we got there. I ordered a 3-way and a cheese coney while my lady ordered two cheese coneys and some fries. When at a chili place, right? But their menu holds FAR more to discover, including sandwiches, burgers, salads, and lots of breakfast options (served ALL day). The chili tasted a little on the milder side spice-wise but was more robust than some I've had before. I found both of my choices to be quite delicious. Needless to say, my 3-way and coney didn't last too long before they were in my belly. Even better, the price was very easy to stomach. Great lunch at a great price with great service! Cincinnati chili is something I've grown to be a big fan of after moving here from North Carolina. Ever since, I've enjoyed trying different Cincy style chili destinations, and Pleasant Ridge is certainly no exception. I'll definitely be coming here again and enjoying more!

I want to bathe in Cincinnati chili and PRC is my weapon of choice. Known for some beautiful gravy cheese fries as well.

Pleasant ridge chili is a late night Cincy staple. Their menu is diner-ish food but really, you need to, no you MUST, have either the chili cheese fries OR the cheese fries and gravy. We had a large group of people and when they saw us trying to cram into a booth, they immediately offered to move a table over for extra space. My fries were great. Other friends had french toast, 5 way, 3 way, and pie. The only issue that arose, was my friend had chocolate milk that was spoiled. They apologized and took it off the check. *CASH ONLY* although there is an ATM in the back if you get in a jam. This is what keeps their prices very low!! Plenty of parking in their private lot (which isnt always easy to come by in the Ridge).

Gravy. Cheese. Fries. Clearly it's a must try. A Cincinnati staple for late night eats that includes the typical chili parlor fare: double deckers, coneys, fries, breakfast, and random things. Pretty much everything I've tried here has been very good. Don't expect too much in the way of service. The staff isn't rude or anything, they're just focused on getting everything done quickly. I don't understand how they haven't taken over the store front next door and expanded cause they could use a little more space. Bring cash. If you want to carry out, call ahead. It doesn't move as quickly as Skyline.

TOYALLY IN LOVE WITH THIS PLACE. 1. the ladies here are wonderful! service is great. they let us sample the popular fries dish 2. came here to try chili spaghetti. we got it full blown done up. that means with cheese and onions and beans. it was good. i'd get it again. 3. they make the cole slaw here. and, damn. it was good. usually slaw has no flavor. this slaw has flavor all over. 4. they cook roast beef here and make their own gravy. the gravy cheese fries is the dish to get. sorry chili spaghetti. OMG. this dish is it. it shames everything else ever eaten before this day. GET SOME.

What a pleasant surprise!!! We were here from Arkansas helping our son move into town. Had a craving for the famous Cincinnati chili - why try a chain?? I wanted the real deal. Thats what we got at Pleasant Ridge! This store front was CLEAN as a pin! Smelled delicious and tasted even better. The staff was wonderful and helped me make some fabulous choices for our first (of many) visits. French fries with brown gravy and cheese???!!! Y E S. Who knew.

Went in at a slow time, waited 45 minutes for 6 cheese coneys. When we asked about our meal we were attacked by a very rude waitress. We were lied to about a "new" cook in the chili department as the reason for the wait. Most people in the kitchen were basically doing nothing.

I would really like to give this restaurant more stars because the taste of the food we ordered was delicious BUT (even though we were a large group 25) our waitress was sooooooo dang slow. Our group was split into 3 tables with 2 different waitresses. The waitress we had was a full 30 minutes behind the other which meant most of our party was finished eating before we received our food. We ordered the cheese gravy fries, French Toast, Coney dogs, but the French toast, sausage and my eggs was not hot. In addition, the place was dirty. Floor had food and debris under the tables, tables had to be cleaned so we could sit...just not very sanitary. We asked three times for our ticket and finally got up as if we were going to leave before she finally brought it.

I know everyone says this is a good old place to eat at but be very careful what you ask for. I have never been here and have wanted to try it for a while. They only take cash its a bit small but thats not the problem the problem is the food is not bad but that depends on your stomach. My food was not bad i had a 3 way chilli but its a small 3 way i also had a ham and turkey double decker but you have to pay for extras like cheese and tomato and not cheap. My wife's cheese Coney's wers green she got very very sick that night. Be careful watch what you eat.

Stopped in during my first trip to Cincinnati to get a 5 way to go because I already had eaten. I was served right away and two servers hustled to try and help me while I was making up my mind. I got it home and heated it up and it was really good. The place was busy and I imagine it's always busy. Yup must stop if you are near.

They get five stars just because of French fries and home fries with gravy and cheese, and because you can get a half order, so it works as a side. Today I got a cheeseburger deluxe, which wasn't great, but not bad, either. I'm not fond of their chili, but that's just a matter of personal preference. You might love it. They have a big menu and are family friendly, so I recommend this place.

My boyfriend and I stumbled upon Pleasant Ridge Chili while taking a walk to find dinner near his apartment. I had heard of PRC, but as a gal who isn't a fan of Cincinnati-style chili *don't hate me*, I hadn't gone out of my way to give it a try. But, there is one word that'll get me inside any restaurant: DINER I love me a good diner, and was anxious to see what PRC is all about. I asked the waitress what she recommended for a first-timer, and without skipping a beat, she recommended the gravy cheese fries and chili. I felt like I owed it to PRC to give the ole chili a try - but skipped the gravy cheese fries since I didn't want to contradict my previous workout TOO much (luckily for me, our waitress still gave us a sample - YUM). My boyfriend, also a non-Cincinnati chili fan, but a pro-breakfast-for-dinner fan, ordered pancakes and bacon and it was a hit! My chili was full of flavor and not nearly as runny or cinnamon-y as Skyline or Gold Star - another hit! The only downside to PRC is the fact they are cash-only. Luckily we had cash (a rarity), but it might deter us from going under normal circumstances.