One of my favorite things while traveling is to explore the local food scene. It was no different while we were visiting Butler County. What I love about the area is, they have such a great mix of new and old – eclectic and traditional. When visiting, we try to hit up a mix of spots – making sure we don’t stick to one culinary outlet. This last trip, we went to a few different spots. These were my favorite five!
Taqueria Guanajuato
Taqueria Guanajuato has gone from being a popular food truck to a brick and mortar restaurant, but don’t worry, they still have that food truck vibe! Their menu boasts tacos, burritos, tortas, and quesadillas – all the favorites you’d expect to see at a food truck. They also have some mouth-watering appetizers like chips and salsa, and cheese with chorizo. Although they don’t serve margaritas, they do have something even better: good old Sprite in glass bottles.
We kicked off our meal with the perfect starter: complimentary chips and salsa, followed by a mouth-watering queso and chorizo dip. It was the ideal way to get our taste buds in the mood for the amazing flavors that awaited us!
When it came to ordering dinner, we decided to try a bit of everything. We knew we had to sample both the hard and soft shell tacos, as they are a specialty of the house. I particularly loved the hard shell tacos, which had an authentic vibe – no lettuce, tomatoes, or sour cream, just perfectly cooked carnitas and toppings of cilantro and finely diced white onion. The flavors were out of this world, and to top it off, the prices were reasonable. Stephen opted for the steak torta, which turned out to be the perfect sandwich. We absolutely loved this place – the service was exceptional, and the flavors were incredibly delicious. It’s safe to say we’ll definitely be coming back for more!
Address: 752 NW Washington Blvd., Hamilton, OH 45013
Facebook
Jolly’s Drive-In
Jolly’s is an absolute must-visit for anyone who loves a classic burger joint that’s been around for decades. They’ve been serving up delicious meals and keeping the old-fashioned drive-in spirit alive for an impressive 70 years! You can either have your food delivered right to your car, or you can go inside for carry-out or to enjoy your meal at one of the few tables or booths available. But make no mistake: Jolly’s is all about the food. From hot dogs to burgers, and popcorn to root beer, they’ve got all the classics covered. And if you only try one thing, make sure it’s their root beer – it’s what they’re known for, and it’s absolutely delicious!
We decided to get some carry-out from Jolly’s and take it back to the hotel. As luck would have it, this gave us a chance to go inside and chat with the friendly ladies who were working there. They were so excited to hear that it was our first time, and we had a great time talking with them. As we placed our order, we pretty much got one of everything. And let me tell you, the food did not disappoint – you can see for yourself just how greasy, cheesy, and delicious it was from the pictures. It was exactly what you’d expect from a 70-year-old hamburger joint – pure, classic, and oh-so-tasty.
Address: 210 N. Erie Hwy., Hamilton, OH 45011
Website: Click Hereย
High St. Cafe
If you’re looking for a great breakfast spot, High St. Cafe should be at the top of your list. The interior is quirky and historic, and the menu is filled with delicious, homey comfort food that is sure to leave you feeling satisfied. The chefs have over 50 years of experience between them, so you can expect to find classic dishes with a creative twist. As you look around the restaurant, you’ll notice an array of antiques and collectibles on display, along with local artwork that adds to the cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
For my breakfast at High St. Cafe, I decided to try the Italian Toast, which was a unique take on eggs in a basket. It consisted of two eggs cooked in griddled toast, topped with marinated tomatoes and red onion, mozzarella, and Italian seasoning. The flavors were absolutely fantastic, but I have to admit that the bread did get a bit soggy from all the tomatoes. My partner, Stephen, went with the Scrambler, which is one of his favorite ways to eat eggs. The dish features three eggs scrambled with ham and spinach, topped with shredded cheddar, and served on an English muffin with home-style potatoes on the side. It was absolutely delicious, and I have to say that this is one of the best ways to eat eggs (besides extra-fried with hot sauce, of course!).
Address: 250 High St., Hamilton, OH 45011
Website: Click Here
Bagel & Deli
Although we hadn’t heard of the other restaurants on our list, Bagel & Deli had been on our radar for quite some time. If you attended Miami University or know anyone who did, you’ve probably already heard of this world-renowned eatery. They specialize in steamed bagel sandwiches and subs, with over 90 different concoctions to choose from! Whether you’re a carnivore or a vegetarian, Bagel & Deli has something to offer that will fill your belly and put a smile on your face.
For my bagel sandwich at Bagel & Deli, I opted for The Crunch and Munch, which came with an Everything Bagel, turkey, smoked cheddar cheese, lettuce, Parmesan peppercorn ranch dressing, honey mustard dressing, and – of course – Doritos! I didn’t realize that I didn’t have to choose the Doritos, but it was too late by the time I realized my mistake. Next time, I think I’ll go for the spicy kettle ones (like the ones they have at Subway) to add a bit of heat to the mix. In addition to their creative sandwich options (which I highly recommend checking out online before you go), Bagel & Deli also offers plain bagels with cream cheese and the option to create your own custom bagel. Overall, it was a delicious meal and we were left feeling pretty disappointed that we don’t have a Bagel & Deli location closer to home.
Address: 119 E. High St., Oxford, OH 45056
Website: Click Here
Flub’s
Of course, we couldn’t end our foodie adventure without hitting up a dessert spot, and Flub’s, a Butler County icon, did not disappoint! This 50-year-old ice cream stand is a summer nostalgia trip, where you can order something far bigger than your stomach can handle and chat with the friendly staff. From the impressive menu, my husband went with his go-to vanilla milkshake, while I had a tough time deciding on the cyclone with over 40 combinations. And we couldn’t resist getting a cookie dough ice cream pie too! We’re already dreaming of our next weekly summer stop at Flub’s.
Address: 981 Eaton Ave., Hamilton, OH 45013
Website: Click Hereย
If you’re looking for a foodie road-trip, pack your bags and head to Butler County. Not on this list, but, make sure to check out our first and second trip on the Donut Trail. That is definitely something you don’t want to miss.
