Norwood Restaurant Guide
Betta's Italian Oven
Darren LaCour
Opinions & Editorials Editor
Erika Breese
Just down the street from Xavier University, cozy little Betta’s Italian Oven sits, drawing in a sizeable portion of the Norwood community and not as many Xavier students as might be expected.
Walking into the restaurant, I was soothed by the gentle yellow lighting and ambience; the atmosphere wasn’t gaudy or sterile, but very welcoming and warm. Behind the counter, you can see the wood burning oven filling the restaurant with a pleasant aroma.
Since it wasn’t too crowded on the Wednesday we went, we seated ourselves, taking a table next to the window that easily accommodated our party of four (for future reference, window seats are pretty cold when it’s under 20 degrees outside). Our server was a wonderful young lady who was a lot of fun, even if she seemed to forget about us a few times; it was only because they were understaffed.
The menu is full of great Italian dishes ranging from traditional spaghettis and lasagnas to various chicken dishes (like chicken parmigiano) and even sandwiches. The crown jewels of Betta’s Italian Oven, though, are the wood fire pizzas.
Inspired by the scent drifting through the restaurant, I went ahead and ordered a pizza. Though the traditional types of pizza did look delicious, I decided to create my own, with pepperoni, mushrooms, sausage and a red sauce.
We didn’t have to wait long at all before the food arrived, and surprisingly, the pizzas came out first. It was a glorious, delicious and filling 10 inches, though I had to stuff the last few bites in my mouth while my body pleaded for mercy.
My friends ordered the Pizza Bianco, lasagna and an oven-toasted sandwich: I heard no complaints, except maybe my own groans from being stuffed.
There were desserts on the menus, but like most men, we decided to pass and instead got our bills.
The meal rounded out to about $12, including tip. It’s not as cheap as White Castle or PRC, but the food is clearly a step above, and the restaurant is a perfect place for a college student who needs something better than the caf.
And of course, adding to Betta’s wonderful rep was the fact that there was stack of Xavier Newswire’s at the front counter, but even taking that away, I’d certainly recommend this family restaurant to anyone looking for a good bite to eat at a reasonable price.
Anna's
Zach Nolden
Business Manager
Erika Breese
Nestled between The Bluebird Restaurant and Cincinnati Nails, Anna’s Family Restaurant serves up some decent meals at affordable prices. An old, faded maroon overhang welcomes hungry locals to dine in or carryout for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I headed North on Montgomery in hopes of a decent meal from Anna’s. Parking wasn’t a problem, as there are meters on either side of the street, however it is best to park on the west side to avoid crossing four lanes of traffic.
Entering the restaurant proved to be a treat. The smell of the grill overcame the small space and really complimented the hospitality provided by the staff. There are a dozen tables to choose from with four chairs at each. The walls are covered with pictures and clippings depicting part of the history of Norwood.
Reading the menu was quite a chore. The drink options are the basics with fountain drinks, milk, coffee and tea. With food choices ranging from eggs and bacon to gyros to Coney’s, there seems to be something for everyone.
I decided to order the cheeseburger after examining the expansive menu. It was prepared quickly and came with fries on the side.
The burger was excellent and definitely trumps many of Cincinnati’s favorites. The fries on the other hand, were decent at best, but many of the other sides on the menu looked excellent. The meal was well worth the $5.
The majority of the menu is reasonably priced, however the deli sandwiches are a bit more expensive. It would be very difficult to spend more than $10 before the tip.
owever, with the excellent service provided, a large tip will likely ensue. Anna’s is also cash only.
With countless menu options, great service and cheap prices, Anna’s is an excellent spot for students.
Quatman’s
Patrick Stevenson
Editor-in-Chief
cincinnati.com
It’s not lavish and it definitely isn’t luxurious. But, for a cheeseburger, fries and a beer at a highly reasonable price, Quatman’s Cafe is your place.
There simply aren’t many places in Cincinnati anymore where one can get a cheeseburger, fries, and a beer for under $6. There are even less places where one can get a good cheeseburger, excellent fries and a mediocre local brew for under $6.
Perhaps the most intriguing part about the Quatman’s special—the only meal anyone should even consider ordering at Quatman’s—is that beer can be substituted for soda at no extra cost.
Just imagine if beer cost the same as soda. That’s the kind of world I want to live in.
The beer I selected was Hudy’s Delight, which I’m told is a Cincinnati brew that used to be extremely popular. It’s not bad, it’s kind of like the vanilla of beers: totally inoffensive, yet totally unremarkable in taste, color and texture.
Other things you’ll find at Quatman’s: classic red and white checked tablecloths, a high def television (which seems out of place in the otherwise simple establishment), paper plates and friendly service.
Things you won’t find at Quatman’s: menus, silverware or martinis.
My favorite part about Quatman’s was not the award-winning half pound burgers (strangely enough), but the ultra-crispy thin-cut fries. In my opinion, whoever invented extra-crispy, thin-cut French fries sits at the right hand of God.
If not for its less-than-ideal location (just off Montgomery Road on the way to PRC), Quatman’s would be the perfect college hangout: inexpensive burgers, beer and fries. If you have transportation, Quatman’s is a must-visit.
Sorrento's
Emily Hoferer
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Sorrento’s Pizza and Restauraunt is located a little ways down Montgomery. After crossing the Norwood lateral and the church, this pizza shop (with a horrible parking lot) stands out. Walking in, I was instantly reminded of Betta’s Italian Oven. As it turns out, Sorrento’s was founded by two Italian immigrants, Santina and Enrico de Luca, when they emigrated from Italy in 1956.
The inside of the restaurant is bigger than one would expect it to be. There are plenty of booths, tables, a party room and a fully stocked bar.
Sorrento’s is very polished and gives off a sense of a sophisticated restaurant mixed with a sports bar. There were TVs in decent locations as well as other decorations bragging about their softball team.
The food at Sorrento’s is decently priced. A medium pizza with pepperoni, which is surprisingly filling despite its size, is only $12 and can easily be split with another person. A large runs anywhere from $13-$22 depending on what toppings you choose.
They also have a variety of pastas, sandwiches, soups and salads, and for dessert they offer my favorite, cheesecake!
My colleague, a Chicago native, accompanied me to Sorrento’s gave it her stamp of approval. Now that is really saying something.
H&H Grill
Andrew Chestnut
Editorial Columnist
It may shock and disturb you to discover that there is—and has been for a long time—a dubiously inexpensive restaurant mere feet away from the intersection of Montgomery and Cleneay (across from Stones). Had H&H Grill been a snake, it would have bitten and killed me on hundreds of occasions as I’ve walked right past it, usually hungrily wondering why there isn’t a Waffle House where the VW dealership is (as Pat Stevenson so brilliantly once suggested).
The reason I, and probably you, have labored for so long under the delusion that there is nowhere to buy exceptionally cheap food within walking distance of campus is that there isn’t—unless it’s a weekday morning. H&H serves breakfast until 10 a.m. Monday through Friday, then lunch until 2:30 p.m.
These hours make it a little unavailable when we collegiates need it most (walking back from parties on Cleneay late Saturday night), but if you happen to be awake one morning and the caf doesn’t seem like much of an option (hard to imagine, I know), take the five minute walk to Montgomery, and bring cash.
I recommend The Special, which includes two eggs, biscuits with gravy and home fries. With coffee, it will run $5.54; five of the most delicious, hearty, home-style dollars you’ve ever spent. And not to worry! It won’t be like that scene in “My Cousin Vinny” when Vinny gets breakfast and is scorned and disparaged for being a Yankee-boy who doesn’t know how grits are made. The staff is friendly and welcoming.
But you may want to do it soon. H&H is the only property on that corner that isn’t owned by the university (yet), and if Xavier’s buying pattern continues, the eatery could go the way of the Woods at any time. Don’t let it exist only as missed opportunity in your memory (like Soupie’s and the Woods does in mine).
In the mean time, I’ll be trying to convince them to stay open until 4 a.m. on weekends, license PRC’s gravy cheese fries and sell breakfast bombs. They’d make millions.
Bluebird Restaurant
Matthew Finger
Managing Editor
Erika Breese
The Bluebird Restaurant, located on Montgomery Road just past Walgreen’s, probably has just what you’re looking for. This country-kitchen-meets-late-night-50’s-diner has a great menu and an atmosphere that’s as cute as a button.
The food selection offers anything from a big breakfast special, to sandwiches and pasta, to Cincinnati style chili and beyond, including pies, shakes and soups.
When you first walk in, chances are you’ll notice all the blue. Not unexpected. But if you skim the room you’ll catch glimpses of unique decorations like hand-painted plates, original black and white photographs and artwork with subjects like roosters and coffee cups. It’s a quaint atmosphere with lots to look at; if you’re on your own you won’t get bored.
If you’re hankerin’ for some music, just drop a quarter into the classic jukeboxes that each booth and play anything from Glenn Miller to Neil Diamond and Kenny Chesney. Or just enjoy listening to the bustling sound of a classic restaurant.
The best part of the Bluebird, (aside from the delicious half-pound burger and fries for under $6) however, is the wait staff. These friendly servers have no problem striking up a conversation with their clients, and are probably anxious to do so.
Your coffee cup will never be empty, and nor will your stomach with the delicious food and hospitable staff. Even the customers won’t hesitate to greet you with an enthusiastic “Hullo!”
And chances are if you’ve been there before, they remember you, just like one waitress, Susan, remembered that a boy eating at the counter had a Sprite last time he was there. “You don’t want to always have the same thing!” she said.
With a great selection, top-notch food, awesome prices and just about the friendliest people in town, the Bluebird Restaurant is a solid choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The cloth napkins and real ceramic plates also give you a feeling of home.
The Bluebird is a family owned establishment which has been open for over 35 years, so you know they’ve got plenty of experience under their belt. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, although it will be closed for about three weeks starting Feb. 4 for renovations. They accept cash and all credit cards (except for American Express).
Catherine Stahl
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Mascot competition
Xavier’s Public Relations Student Society is having a Mascot Competition to find a mascot for the DEBUNKIFY campaign this semester. The competition will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31 in the GSC Atrium. One winner will be selected to receive the $350 grand prize. If you’d like to participate, email gregoryal1@xavier.edu or call (330) 618-4928 for more details.
Don’t Tell Anna
If you love joking around with friends or have always wanted to be part of an improv comedy group, you’re in luck. Don’t Tell Anna, Xavier University’s premiere improv comedy group, will be holding open auditions for freshmen, sophomores and juniors at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30 in Kelley Auditorium.
Super Bowl party
Looking for Super Bowl fun? Cheer on your favorite team at Ryan’s on Sunday, Feb. 3. Ryan’s will have Eli Manning and Tom Brady smoothies, prizes and special appetizers. Also, enjoy Toni’s Little Italy pizza specials.
Luau party
Come beat the winter blahs at Ryan’s luau party. The event will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday Jan. 31 at Ryan’s. Ryan’s will feature a special luau burger, Jimmy Buffett music, leis, grass skirts and non-alcoholic smoothies.
