Ben N.
Yelp
Cincinnati injustices: That Gas Light Cafe has about five percent of the name-recognition or notoriety of Zip's or Arthur's or Terry's as a local bar and grill, and about 110 or 150 or 85 percent of the merit, depending on which of these joints you're comparing it to. Gas Light's eponymous burger is one of the few Cinci burgers that deserved the hype bestowed upon it in that Cincinnati Magazine "Top 40 Burgers" feature a couple of years back. It's big, juicy, and hugely satisfying, with just a bit of char-broiled flavor. The waffle fries and onion rings are nice, too, and the wife gives big props to the patty melt. (A chicken sandwich was a dried-out, flavorless dud, though.)
Contrary to a couple of reviews here deeming Gas Light a "dive," it isn't even close to one. But this place has got "it": It's just a classic old neighborhood bar and grill with decades to develop its own unique ambience. It's even family-friendly: We've seen a yuppie dad with his two preschoolers hanging out by the dartboards, as well as other families with kids, looking totally comfortable and fitting in just fine. As far as I've been able to tell, given the dim lighting,Gas Light is as clean as a whistle. Service can be a little uneven, and rough around the edges, but everybody that's waited on us over three or four visits has ultimately been friendly and informative.
Reality check: With Gas Light, Emanu, Pleasant Ridge Chili, and the new-ish taco truck, Pleasant Ridge might have more interesting dining options per capita than either Mt. Lookout or Hyde Park does. I have no idea whether there is any substance to the rumor that some of Pleasant Ridge's most interesting businesses are about to be eviscerated so that a boring pharmacy can be built here, but it would be an absolute travesty if it happened, especially considering that there's a vacant commercial lot down the street.