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    BaCalls Cafe

    3.8 (124 reviews)
    ModerateNew American
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    BaCalls Cafe Photos

    BACALLS CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - BaCalls Cafe

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    Decision time
    Gloria Z.

    This place was fantastic. I can see why they've been around so long and I hope they continue well into the future! The hostess was wonderful and our waiter - whose name was either Jack or John; I just couldn't keep that straight - was perfect, answering questions, checking on us several times, engaging in just the right level of friendly conversation. We chose to sit on the bar side and I liked the atmosphere very much. The other side was pretty crowded when we arrived on a weekday around 1 PM. Food came quickly and was fresh and delicious. Soup of the day was a sausage chicken gumbo so I had to try a cup of that. Chunky, hearty and full of homemade flavor. My husband had the single grilled pork chop with vegetable of the day plus mashed potatoes. The chop was big and plenty satisfying. Potatoes were house-mashed, just lumpy enough with bits of red skin and an amazing gravy. He was very impressed that the veggies, including the carrots, were cooked so nice and tender. I had the Avocado Chicken Club which was perfection. I took the cilantro mayo on the side so I could apply it at leisure, and I also enjoyed dipping my parmesan fries in it. This was also an ultra-satisfying portion, in fact I decided to polish off the fries and took about half the sandwich home which was super delicious that evening. The roll was so soft and fresh - everything was super fresh. Although we were beyond full, the homemade dessert menu was impossible to resist so we took home a piece of bread pudding, which was, unsurprisingly, excellent. Convenient parking lot in the rear, just note there's no rear entrance so it is a bit of a stroll to get to the front door. BaCall's is quite a ways from my home, boo hoo, but we try to get out and about a lot so if I'm anywhere in the vicinity be sure I'll stop again. Winner!

    Tamika T.

    Bacalls is located on Hamilton Ave in the College Hill area. It is part of a DORA also. It is adult and family friendly. They have weekly food specials in addition to their regular menu. The food is decent, sometimes hot or miss. Music bingo every other Saturday, trivia Tuesday, wine Wednesday. Lisa is the best bartender you'll ever meet. Street parking and the lot in the back, they share that lot with different businesses that can be explored while in the area.

    Avocado chicken club with Parmesan fries
    Erin E.

    Super conflicted with this review. The food was decent, but the service was so terribly slow. Came for lunch on a Monday and it took over an hour to get our food. They seemed under staffed. Super friendly people and great atmosphere, so I will come back and give them another try! Hoping we just caught them on a bad day?

    Cheese steak au jus with onion straws
    Walter B.

    Our group from the Y had lunch at Bacalls Cafe today. The service was very efficient, though lacking any warmth. The food was very good. Their specialty is their burgers, but surprisingly, no one ordered one. We decided to try them on a Friday, when burgers and a side are only $10.

    Burger week burger
    Michael B.

    Thank you Burger Week for allowing me to find another hidden gem in Cincinnati. This place is a classic diner/cafe with so many items to chose from with a great selection of drinks also. The staff was so nice and helpful, they greeted us and when we left they said hurry back so you can enjoy many of our other dishes. Can not wait to go back. Thank you BaCalls for a great experience.

    Lauren F.

    I was so hungry I forgot to take a pic of my food. lol. I had the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich with onion straws on the side. Sandwich was delicious. Add the house made ranch and it was the best. I wasn't impressed with the straws Definitely a diner feel, but service was friendly. I'd go back.

    Cheese Nuggets
    Alex D.

    Classic diner experience! Just get The Burger with the onion straws and you will thank yourself.

    Appetizer fish and chips
    Devena S.

    The vibe is 100% NY Soho diner. Totally comfortable for the whole family but services a mature crowd. Morghan, my server analyzed and matched my energy spot on, recognizing that I did indeed deserve a bourbon slush. They have a valentines special right now with steak or salmon dinner for 2 plus a bottle of wine for $65. I need one of my besties to slide in with me the 14th or 15th. Just saying. 5 stars because though this is very much classic diner, they have an appetizer that's dish and chips. Long cod fish sticks (not pollock or some other cheap cardboard box whitefish) and a healthy serving of fries with tarter and ketchup. I was shooketh. Almost demoted to 4 stars because the soup of the day (roasted red pepper with Gouda) was a little in the cool side, but it was warm enough. And I received the bourbon slush I deserved. 10/10 or 5 stars out of 5 I'm definitely coming back if I need some solo time out of the house or with a friend.

    Entrance.
    Tyanna M.

    Stopped in Bacall's Cafe for Cincinnati Burger Week. Thought I would pop in here for lunch and when I went in I said I can sit at the bar and I was told that there was only two servers so they were trying to seat everybody on the same side of the restaurant. They did a great job for only having two servers. The Bacall's Southwest Burger was the one they had at the burger price of $7 so I ordered it and supplemented it with onion straws on the side and a Bahama Mama cocktail. They brought me a water quickly followed by my cocktail. Great Bahama Mama. The burger was wagyu beef with pepperjack cheese, onion straws, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and southwest ranch sauce. I loved the big basket of onion straws with catsup. Nice little place.

    Bacall's Burger
    Mike J.

    I've been going here for decades and it has always been great. Kind of a classic American menu but done insanely well. It is definitely upscale compared to standard diner affair. The hosts in wait, staff are always great. My only complaint is that it gets pretty noisy in there when it is crowded, but most places do.

    Buffalo chicken wrap with Parmesan fries
    Alan G.

    We haven't been here in years and decided to try them again. Walked in and it was crowded but we were seated right away. It was loud from people talking and the air was blowing cold air so if you get cold you may want to bring a sweater. I had a cup of chili which was tangy and it wasn't bad. I ordered the buffalo wrap with bleu cheese and hot sauce. The wrap itself was good but lacked the taste of bleu cheese. The fries was good but didn't wow me so I may get something else next time. The service was excellent and we will be going back as they have a lot on their menu to choose from.

    Me getting ready to chow down!
    Daniel K.

    Bacall's is a retro diner that is well supported by the local community - the service was amazing - even though they were super busy our server made sure our drinks were topped off and gave us some great suggestions for an appetizer to start our dining experience - the Zucchini fries paired with an amazing aioli for dipping was just what the doctor ordered - the atmosphere was definitely the sign of satisfied patrons - it's always nice to frequent an establishment that is full of happy, and well fed patrons - I had the Wagyu burger and it delivered all of the beefy, umaminess you would expect - delicious!! The dessert offerings were great - I had the bread pudding - more please! All in all a place to enjoy a refreshment from their wide selection of draft beers, wines and mixed driI will definitely be back!

    the hours of operation
    Colleen A.

    I recently tried BaCalls Cafe for the first time. My husband and I met some friends for dinner. What drew us to BaCalls Cafe was that they had vegetarian options (beyond salad) on their menu. Our friend tried the vegetarian chicken sandwich and absolutely LOVED it. My husband and I split the battered fried fish with coleslaw and parmesan fries. The fry portion was oddly small, the coleslaw was average, and the fried fish and tartar sauce were a bit on the bland side. I probably wouldn't order that meal again. The service was pretty good. The business itself was pretty packed-- which is usually a good sign. They have rotating dessert options that they write on a big chalkboard on the wall. It was cute. We didn't try any though. Decor is simple. Street parking only, but we had zero issues finding a spot!

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    2 years ago

    AMAZING vegetarian chicken sandwich, and was not super greasy. So nice to order off the menu at a diner style place as a vegetarian.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Nice neighborhood eatery with good service and traditional menu. Nice pricing. Alcoholic beverages are not overpriced either.

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    8 years ago

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    Alex N.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Good atmosphere.. good service...good food n drinks. The restaurant and bathroom are always clean.

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    3 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great good, good variety, wonderful cocktails and beer specials. What a great find, close to College Hill

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Food was pretty good but overall unpleasant due to the very loud 'Name that Tune' bingo caller and music volume.

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    Went here during lent. You order first and they bring it out. I had the fish sandwich, ordered…read morefries which was an appetizer and the wife ordered the margherita pizza. They don't give anything out like numbers but a device that looks like you would get when you are on a wait list and the lights would go off. Well to my surprise they use it for your table location which they bought my fries out first and dropped them off at the table. The food came out shortly after that. Everything was good and surprisingly barramuñdi filet was delicious. Never had it before. The first with the aioli was good and the wife enjoyed the pizza. It doesn't have waitresses so you have to get your own refills. We definitely go back when I am at the mall.

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    A combo plate - made up by recommendation of Kenny (wait staff) - with a Tostada, an enchilada and the Birria Taco.
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    Looking into the kitchen
    Looking into the kitchen
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    "Pad Thai"
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    BaCalls Cafe - newamerican - Updated August 2026

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