Had breakfast and then lunch because everyone should have a second chance. The verdict: Worse than school cafeteria food. Nostalgia for home town, neighborhood fronts do not equate quality. read more

It's actually not too bad. It's a grease pit, but the BEST GREASE PIT THIS SIDE OF THE OHIO RIVER! The hot cakes are killer. Nothing beats 'em on a cold February overnight when there's nothing else to do but eat. One thing I will say: Make sure you have someone with you if you eat there at night. That part of town is known for weird and unusually types after dark, but especially during overnight hours. Other than that, I like Anchor Grill. read more

If you were in Cincinnati late at night, you would be remiss not to stop at the Anchor for some grub. Located right across the river from downtown Cincy, the Anchor provides an experience not found this side of a David Lynch movie. They may not have the best food in the world and service is with a scowl, but the satisfaction of being able to say that you ate there and survived will last forever. read more

I just want to clarify something that Lindsey S. of Austin wrote. When the waitress said that the omelete contained mangoes, she did not mean the delicous, sweet fruit. Instead she meant bell peppers, most likely green ones. Don't ask me why, but it's some weird regional thing for people of a certain age (like my mother) to refer to bell peppers as mangoes. I grew up hearing bell peppers referred to as mangoes so you can imagine my bewilderment when I had an actual mango for the first time. Yes, it's very odd and I have no explanation for it. Seriously though, the Anchor is an institution and a local treasure. Yeah, it's smoky and greasy, but the food is soooo good. read more

The perfect American diner. It's not the cleanest restaurant and it always smells like smoke, but it has a cheap, yet amazing breakfast. Highly recommend getting the goetta (in omelette or by itself) especially if you're from out of town. It's like the best breakfast sausage in the world and it's only sold in Cincinnati. read more

Historic Covington family diner. An old diner, with plenty of personality. Service was ok, burgers were ok and the value was very good. A bunch of regulars were there which added to the mystique of the joint. Gotta try try it! read more

I picked out this place using yelp's monocle function after finding out that riverside was closed on mondays. I should preface this review by saying that I can understand the appeal of a 24 hour grill next to the covington bars, but for a typical lunch, you can find much better. Food was greasy and a poor value. Sigh. Should've read the yelp reviews before deciding to go here. read more

Good food, but overpriced. I guess if people will pay it though, that's good for them. It's very dirty... But for some reason I love that about them, maybe that's only because I've been going since I was a kid and I'm used to it. It's also awesome that it's always open. read more

Great greasy diner food. Wonderful bacon and french toast. Nice place to go if you're out super late and get hungry, or if you're in need of a pick-me-up the morning after. Always been a hit with my friends. read more

You'll never find better greasy food and the $10 Thanksgiving dinner is as good as Mom ever made.

Great little place that is open all night. Servers were very friendly...made a point to show me the singing puppets, even though I didn't know they were there. read more

It's a great place! It reminds me of a small town shop. The goetta omelet is the best thing on the menu.

Usually anchor is a three night a week or more stop for my girlfriend and I. Stephanie the server is amazing and the older lady that runs the kitchen is great. Unfortunately tonight the obese brunette lady ruined our experience, she took the order of anither table that had just sat down before taking our drink order and we had been waiting for over thirty minutes, when confronted she used profanity when telling me she didnt have time for me. We will most likely not return and take our business to pepper pod, which is unfortunate because we enjoy anchors food, and we always tip the kitchen and our server well. Except for tonightitt has always been five stars but one bad apple ruins the bunch, I hope they fix the issue and are successful for many years to come. read more

Who couldn't love Anchor Grill??? If you want an amazing breakfast that taste like grandma made it, this is the place to come. The service is ok, but the friendliness makes up for the slight speed problem. People of all ages are sure to enjoy their meal read more

Were do I start,well my Dad,was an Insurance Man.They would eat at Anchor Grill ,sometimes for lunch.My Dad being the jokester,that he was,would order a fried Limburger Sandwich.It would run everyone out of the Restaurant.When,we got a Treat,He would take the Family.As a Child,you were mesmerized by the little Orchestra. When ,I had children,we would take them,to see it.Now we have Grandchildren,they love it.Thanks for all the Memories and,of course,The Excellent Food. read more

Really sad. Restaurant half full on a Monday. 50 minutes after first sitting down and moving to the main room in a futile attempt to get fed. Waitress /Cook should absolutely work here instead of any job were they could hurt someone. Used to be a great place. read more

The entire place was filled with belligerent drunks, yelling cursing and fighting. The service was slow, took an hour to order, the waitress was rude. When the food finally arrived it was burnt and so greasy it was un edible. The waitress never checked if we needed anything like refills and when we said something about not wanting the food due to quality reasons we was told there was nothing wrong with it and charged for everything even though nothing had been eaten. So we got charged 35 bucks for something we didn't even eat and threatened to call the cops on us if we refused to pay. Funny there was drunk guys sexually assaulting women and fights breaking out and management did nothing. There was roaches crawling around, the bathrooms were disgusting. This was our first time there and needless to say I'll never be back. read more

The Anchor... Oh the memories here. I first discovered this gem when our Art Club in high school would come here every year around Christmas for "Christmas at the Anchor" and after that I started here coming here all the time, and by all the time I mean LATE at night when I was in need of some greasy food or a little something to soak up some alcohol that should not have been consumed. Needless to say, this was my go-to place for a good hamburger and fries for cheaper than McDonald's, but better in my opinion! The great thing about the Anchor, is it literally never closes. They are open 24/7, even on holidays! Want some grits and a pancake? Anchor. Hot dog? Anchor. BLT? Anchor. The only thing I can think of that isn't on their menu is caviar, but I think that's because they want to stay hipster and cool. If you're a smoker you can come to the Anchor and smoke a couple of packs of cigarettes while discussing the debauchery you and your friends just set upon the wonderful city of Covington. Another note worthy aspect to the Anchor is the "live" band that plays when you put a quarter or two into the jukebox. And by "live" I mean 7 barbie dolls dressed up in revealing dresses and a few stereotypical jazz and piano dolls that move along with the music. The great thing about that is that you never miss the curtain opening to reveal them because a bell rings when it's about to open, so your entertainment for the night can always be enjoyed without missing a thing (you may even get to see the barbie fall off of it's pedestal mid-performance). Overall great place to go to when you want to catch up with friends late at night or if you just need a place to let the alcohol wear off! It is a must-go-to for NKY natives and out-of-towners! read more

This USE to be a good place... Never again. On top of being totally disrespected, it's even turned into a cop trap. If you don't want harassed by cops when your totally legal, respectful and polite than I suggest going to the Pepper Pod their still good people over there but as far as Anchor Grill NEVER AGAIN!!! read more

Arrived after 2am. Place filled with smoke, so we went to the non-smoking section and found a table. Never once were we greeted, so after 15 minutes, we left. The police officer at the table next to us said the food was good, but I wouldn't know. read more

Place looks a bit nasty but food was good our server was nice and attentive had an overall good experience

No service to lousy service. The place looks cruddy and smells of cigarette smoke. Yes, you probably have to be drunk to eat the food. But, don't just take my word for it. Try it once and you'll see I am right. My advice is don't bother! read more

The breakfast food was great. Very reasonably priced. Very unique and local. Sit in the front or sit in the back room, but definitely go look in the back before you leave. You don't want to miss part of the ambience of this place! read more

Love this place! Nothing beats good old goetta and eggs from the anchor. I've been going here for over twenty years and they never disappoint. So what it's a dive, the service is great and the food is great. read more

Your not going to get better than this if you like the greasy spoon. You can sit at the counter or dine at a table. Put a quarter in the jukebox and watch the animated band play. My dad started taking me there some 40 years ago and I loved the animated band. The food is down home and very good. This is a personal restaurant they treat you well. Just tell Carolyn, Ernie Nobles son Ken sent ya! read more

This place give mes the creeps BIG TIME, especially the weird marionette machine. But when you're hungover, it's a god send. Amen.

If I believed in Jesus, heaven and what-not, I imagine this would be one of the resturants up there! I would LOVE to have a conversation with Christopher Columbus while downing a GLT (Goetta, Lettuce, Tomato). This place is that awesome! The outside lookes like it should be the original waffle house. In a scary place of Northern Kentucky and I think the last time I went I got shot walking in. But I was so focused on the smell of heaven, I didnt notice my blood trail. Once you are in there its a free-for-all to get a seat. With vintage sail boats nailed to the walls and somesort of sailboat play thing on the of the walls, Anchor Grill lives up to their boating heritage. The service is great, which is surprising cause the waitresses make Waffle House servers look like beauty contest winners. After you order and the servers/cooks have a smoke break, they will deliver to you pure mouth watering deliciousness on a plate. Its "drop your pants and put yourself in it" good! I have and will continue to praise this shack like heaven in NKY, so go there or you suck! read more

Went there on New Year's Day, i'm sure it was busy because of the holiday but it was the worst service I have EVER received. They were busy but we asked a question about the menu asked for a minute to look over it and she didn't come back for 15 minutes (no exaggeration) it was also after I said we need to order as we were traveling. The place looked dirty. The food was fine but I was really angry I wasted 2 hours of our trip and the reviews were way off. read more

This place had roach motels sitting in the vintage music players on the table. Avoid.

I love this place. The people who run it have been running it forever, and the place just drips with character. Some may say it takes a certain kind to be a fan of the Anchor. I say it just takes an empty stomach. read more

When I moved to the states in 1996 I was in High School and had met one friend. He became my best friend and 4 nights out of the week we would sneak out of the house, push his stick shift fox down the driveway and start it on the run as to not wake his parents at 2 am. We would dump nickles in table side jukebox, always ordering cheese toast with pickles and coke. Great place great memories!!! read more

i know this place is a Covington icon...but really......it's gotten way too expensive for what they offer :/ I sat down, saw a menu, then left :/ read more

This is one of those restaurants you take your out-of-town friends to late at night after they've experience the Mainstrasse strip of bars. You point of that that strange creaking noise is actually an "animatronic" Barbie band "dancing and singing" to the Juke box. The food, while questionable, will cure you of, or prevent most hangovers. And the service will never be less than surly. People watching is at its prime any time of day or night. Whether it's the late night weekend crowd of college kids who've had their fill of alcohol and are leaning over to your booth to ask you to take a picture of their buddy after they've written some not so friendly things about him on his forehead, or the daily regulars who have...."character"....to say the least. Bikers, prostitutes, your Kenton County cops in for a cheap meal...daytime drunks... The Anchor is just one of those places you HAVE to go to. mostly for the experience and the story you get to tell. But the food is cheap...and, it's like the sign says, "We may doze, but we never close!." It's a landmark. Take your tourists with you...they'll never forget it. read more