We're regulars here on Saturday & Sunday mornings. Be prepared to talk to the locals and clean up after yourself, we're all family here. Payments only in cash, and the honor system is very important. This place is a staple of northern Kentucky! Food is cooked to order and the staff is the best. read more

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Nostalgic, simple yet delicious, with the atmosphere of Cheers in Covington, Ky. Herb & Thelma's has been serving burgers since 1939 and they are cooked to perfection on the same little flattop behind the bar that's been turning them out for years. The burgers aren't fancy, just down home deliciousness. And if you aren't craving a burger then I highly recommend a good ole fried bologna sandwich and some bean soup. Over all a great family ran establishment with simple food. Most definitely will be stopping back in for another burger. read more

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This place is an awesome dive bar to grab a dog or burger. They make Cincinnati style chili which my favorite on a dog. I ordered the jalapeno cheese burger and it was great! Be aware it is spicy. Gluten free buns available. The other thing that was great at this place was the Dick's potato chips. My new favorite. They had a really cool old bar look and feel and Little Kings on tap. This is a cash only business so bring your bills. The staff was friendly and food was prepared in a timely fashion. read more

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Great neighborhood burger spot! They make them right behind the bar. A no frills great price. The jalapeño burger was so good and hit the spot. We grabbed a drink to go with and it was perfect. read more

Herb & Thelma's Tavern - American Near Me - Covington, Kentucky

I have been wanting to eat here forever We finally got here!! I love small businesses where you order at the bar and they scream your name when the order is ready My burger was simple with onions and pickles My hubby got the italian sausage sandwich and the chili is delicious Simple food made with love read more

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I have no idea why a tavern with such a small menu would choose to offer gluten free buns but I am SO glad they did. Burgers come with just pickles and onion and that's perfect. The gluten free buns were actually delicious and heated, which always helps. Limited menu but I think that's perfect. You order at the bar and then they yell your name when it's ready. Note they are cash only! read more

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Absolutely spectacular no notes! If you're looking for a family run spot that is authentic and casual this is your spot. Bring cash dunces it's cash only (there is an atm though). The burgers are to die for (what they're known for!). I got a double with the jalapeño spread and it was spicy but FABULOUS!! another time I've been there I got a single cheeseburger and it was also amazing. Don't sleep on this spot if you want a fun spot with the family that makes you feel at home. read more

Herb & Thelma's Tavern - Double Hamburger with Jalapeno - American Near Me - Covington, Kentucky

This is a great little old-school dive with very good burgers. Order at the counter and they yell your name when your food is done. Cash only, but there's an ATM. read more

Great little dive bar/tavern in Covington. Service is friendly and quick. They are known for their cheeseburgers, and they don't disappoint. Nice and simple!! Fresh bun, hot burger. No reason to add anything! Nice beer selection. Will definitely be going back. read more

Lunch yesterday at Herb & Thelma's. Definitely a dive bar in Covington. Hubby did not care for his Coney Dog but that's because it had Cincinnati style chili on it and we are not a fan. Burgers were good and the folks were friendly in there. This is not fast food they are cooking everything to order on a small flat top. Street parking and cash only! There is an ATM on the premises. read more

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Dive Bar with a couple of tasty morsels on the menu. I had the jalapeno burger and some bbq chips. They have a couple of other burgers and another sandwich.. cash only but they have an ATM. Very old style house with a griddle. They have an expansive bourbon collection oddly enough, but you wouldn't expect to walk into that from the outside of the building. read more

It seems that it's usually the smallest burger places that pack in the most character and flavor. That's definitely the case with Herb & Thelma's! The place itself is a bit divey, but it's brimming with classic character, and its burgers make it a must-try spot. There are lots of classic beer signs everywhere to match its great beer selection. The menu itself is all about burgers, sandwiches, and sausages. No fries though, only chips. You grab your table first, order at the bar, and they'll call your name when your food is ready. I tried the jalapeno burger on my first visit with my work crew. The wait wasn't long at all and the burger was excellent. It has a jalapeno cheese spread on top with sauteed onions and fresh jalapenos on the bottom. Did it have a kick? More than I'd expected! My nose was running a little before I was done. Note that they're cash only, but they do have an ATM, conveniently placed in a "confessional" booth behind a curtain. Told you this place has character! I could certainly see coming back with my fiancée. read more

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This place is an absolute staple within the community, and today I found out why. As soon as you walk in, you're greeted with the most welcoming staff and also customers as well. Instantly felt like family, and the walls are covered with local history everywhere. It's like a perfect time capsule of our area. The real star of the show however, was the food. Their cheeseburgers are INCREDIBLE, the menu is straight to the point and curated perfectly. I'm mad at myself for waiting so long to try it, but it won't be the last time I eat here that's for sure. read more

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Alalways worth the stop. It will become your favorite burger spot quickly. Bring cash and enjoy read more

Herb & Thelma's Tavern - American Near Me - Covington, Kentucky

Gosh darn good burger and Italian sausage . Great food is hard to find these days. Both me and Pam loved the food here.

Ice cold beer and best burgers in town. Friendly and welcoming staff. Highly recommended

Been here several times. Love the place, great staff. The food we have had has always been great, except for the veggie burger, which the cook doused with hot grease from the back of the griddle. It was then overcooked, so I would avoid that item. Otherwise, great experience. read more

I wavered between a three and four star review, but went with a four-star review because of the overall vibe of the place. There's nothing too outstanding here, but the food and the general feel of the place are pretty great. You can tell this place has been around a long time, so it's a bit like stepping into a time capsule. I ordered a brat because it came with house made sauerkraut, which they heat up on the grill. It was messy, but it was good! All that said, they are known for their burgers. If we go back, I'll definitely try a burger. The ordering process is unusual, but they know what they're doing. Thankfully one in our group had been here before so we navigated paying for lunch like an old pro. If you've never been, you should definitely check it out. read more

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This was the best burger I've ever had. The cooktop was original from '39. The new Dick's chips they carry are great. Plus, they had a beer on tap I've been looking for. Will be back very soon. Oh, and the locals are great! read more

They stay open till 11pm but they stop serving food at 9pm. Should not be listed as a late night food place.

We have driven past this bar for the last 8 years on our trips to Louisville and finally we had enough time to stop in and check it out. This might be the smallest bar I have ever been to, when you walk in the front door it's like going back in time. Burgers were fresh and made to order and the beer was cold. This is a cash only bar and the prices are very affordable. We had two burgers, two bags of chips and 6 beers for $48. Herb and Thelma's didn't disappoint and we will definitely go back on our next trip to Louisville. read more

Herb & Thelma's Tavern - Menu with prices including tax - American Near Me - Covington, Kentucky

I'm so glad to have finally made it to Herb & Thelma's! My husband and I had a little date night last week and this was a perfect location. The burgers were excellent, the interior is fantastic, and the volume was low enough we could talk. The food is cooked fresh in front of you and the staff is friendly. The decor is vintage and represents the history of the restaurant, building, and area. We didn't have cash, but the ATM inside was perfect. (It's hidden behind a curtain by the bar.) read more

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Neat little bar. Burgers were quite good but side options were limited. They only take cash which could be an issue if you don't carry cash. Service was great and the bartender was super friendly, read more

After driving for a while, and having those hunger pains strike, my boyfriend found this place, right across the river from Cincy. There is street parking and the town Herb & Thelma's is in, is adorable. This is also a cash only establishment, however, $20 should cover it. You also order at the bar. We were immediately greeted as we walked in and I immediately fell in love with the place. There were some gentlemen at the bar, who all seemed to know each other. It was comforting. There is a back area with tables and some games, and the front area, where we sat, had tables and the bar. I loved how it was decorated with various memorabilia. I ordered a hamburger and chips, that were local, with a gluten free bun. Yes! They have gluten free buns, which are pretty good. My boyfriend ordered a cheeseburger and chips. This place is no frills and has a small menu, but what they do here is fantastic. That burger was wonderful and when driving through that area, I would definitely go out of my way to make the stop. Our entire order with 2 bottles of water was under $20, but with the tip it was $24. Not bad for a lunch on the road that was local and not a chain. read more

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Cute place with cold beer & burgers fried up on the griddle right by the bar... which holds 8 stools. A couple tables doctor up the floor between front door & the bar. A side room off to... the side duuuhhh... if busy. Yummy burger with fried up onions & pickles if you wish makes it taste like a glorified Whitie's slider. Friendly staff & regulars read more

This is a great little tavern with that nice neighborhood atmosphere. It has that sweet cozy friendly feel to it. I just love the ambiance. Great to hang and watch a game. read more

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Ethan and his family were very hospitable and what great atmosphere located in Northern KY! Service was awesome and now let's talk about Top 3 Cheeseburger in Kentucky! Great Double Cheeseburger(onion and pickle) - juicy, steamed with cheese. Excellent chili with jalenpenos. Special hidden gem in Covington KY. Thanks Ethan- we'll be back. read more

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While visiting my son in Cincinnati, we ventured over to Covington, KY for an excellent old style cheese burger and a beer. A classic old school bar. read more

We got delivery. I can't imagine what this tastes like fresh. It was still excellent. I got the double cheeseburger with homemade sauerkraut, swiss, and onions. No sauce of any sort. I love sauces. It was incredible. Seasoned well, hearty, bun steamed to perfection. Zips, Gordo's, Bard, Turf Club- y'all got nothing on this. All are good, but this has the homemade quality that really stands out. My husband got the chili and a hot mett. The chili is fantastic- it's not Cincinnati chili. It's everywhere else chili. It's great. I hate beans and enjoyed it still. The mett might have been a touch over cooked but it had great flavor. Highly recommend. I might even go there tomorrow. read more

Excellent food , Great hole In the wall .. drove 2 hours to eat a Burger I'd say make it a stop on your travels .. read more

Herb & Thelma's Tavern - Best Burger ever .. make the drive oh I forgot the chili is fantastic also .. - American Near Me - Covington, Kentucky

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Like a taking a step back in time, Herb and Thelma's defines classic American food. The service is incredible and very friendly.

Ordering was a bit weird- find a table but then go stand by the bar and form kind of a line. Pretty small place, but cool atmosphere. Guys behind the bar were super nice. Burger was great. read more

Is this place special?......good enough my son and I were talking about it the rest of the evening.Quite confident we'll become regulars.Best burger I've had in years....great atmosphere ,excellent service and the bartender/chef was incredibly kind...so yes , this place is unusually special....perhaps 1 of a kind read more

The. Best. Burger. In. Kentucky. Small, family-owned place with amazing hospitality and vintage vibes. If you haven't been by now, honestly question your life choices. *Cash only but does have an ATM inside with small processing fee* read more

Combined review from my experience and my fiancée, because I am not a burger eater! We have passed this place many times and finally had the chance to visit because my fiancée was craving burgers. This place has a small-town feel (lots of older, local memorabilia hanging on the walls) with kind, no-fuss service. We loved that there was just one guy flipping all the burgers in his little grill station behind the bar. The burger absolutely hit the spot for my fiancée. I ordered a black bean burger which was fine but nothing special. I did miss having a side of fries that usually comes with burgers in other joints.. but the sauerkraut was delicious!! read more

Not much to say. Just burger perfection. Nothing fancy about any of it. Its a dive in the best sense of the word. Just meat, cheese, soft bun, onion and pickle (I add little ketchup and mustard on bottom). Thats it!!! Nothing else needed. I will make the 40 min drive again for sure. read more

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EXCELLENT burger! GREAT service! I just wish they sold fries and hard liquor BUT I guess that's the price you have to pay to have such great burgers! read more

Service was super friendly and quick. Food tasted absolutely amazing and the price is unbeatable. Ambiance is unmatched as a place that feels like drinking a beer in your own home. Servers turned on the hoops game for me and I didn't even have to ask. This place is a must go when in Cincinnati. Cash only and that just makes it even better. read more

Herb & Thelma's Tavern - American Near Me - Covington, Kentucky

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I want to really love this neighborhood dive. It clearly does a a nice business for itself. I have two complaints- the bartender handles both the cash and food. In this era, that is downright disgusting. Second, the burger was lacking flavor- despite it being piled with cheese and grilled onions. I'd recommend seasoning the burger patties. My fella loves their coney dogs. If I could get past the sanitary conditions, I'd try this place again. read more

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Best burger in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area. Great staff and friendly environment.