There were once 100 Ollie's locations across the Southeastern United States, an idea born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1973 serving American takeout from an actual repurposed trolley car. This Cincinnati location is one of only three remaining in the U.S., and the only location still in its original trolley. It was the Knoxville, Tennessee, location that we frequented in the late '70s and early '80s, a memorable part of my coming of age. My father would transport us to Ollie's in downtown to eat their mediocre burgers and absolutely stellar french fries. Unlike all the other American joints in town with their plain fries, Ollie's loaded theirs with seasoning. We're talking dozens of spices, a very complex mixture indeed! And even though my last taste of those fries would happen in 1984, they never left my memory. Fast forward to 2024. It was 40 years later, and I was driving through an unsavory section of Cincinnati when I spotted that telltale red streetcar and Ollie's Trolley emblazoned in yellow lettering across the top. I nearly lost my mind! I had no idea they still existed anywhere! You can't miss the countless signs lining the fence touting all of the dishes they serve. While the neighborhood isn't as nice as the original takeout spot still standing in Louisville, it didn't matter. The curt greeting from the employee I couldn't see who took my order while remaining invisible behind tinted glass didn't discourage me either. All I needed were those fries. And they are still just as good as they were four decades ago, still thoroughly seasoned with such a level of complexity! That was all I ordered on my stop there, a simple flashback to my youth that I thought was lost forever. read more

Ollie's Trolley - Seasoned Ollie's fries! - Soul Food Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Stopped by while traveling thru the area.I had the whole ribs with a side of baked beans and my wife had the whole chicken with wings and fries. This place has a old school dinner feel. We each had a 24 oz Lemonade. Topped it off with Chess pie. It was a different experience. The service was attentive and our order was correct. Ours was not the same as some other reviews, but your mileage may vary. If you are in the area, you might want to get it a try for your self. read more

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good food super cheap too love it fr fr its only open from nine am to two thirty pm go to ollies read more

Ollie's Trolley feels like the most authentic place to eat in downtown Cincinnati. By far the coolest spot to hang out at and enjoy

I got the $9 fried chicken buffet which included a fried quarter chicken leg, potato salad, coleslaw, and Mac & cheese and I didn't like any of it. The chicken was not seasoned, the Mac and cheese had too much cheese and no seasoning, and the coleslaw and potato salad didn't have much of a wow factor. read more

While I'm a vegetarian who doesn't eat most of what Ollie's is known for, I've trusted Marvin with catering parties and preparing dishes ( including vegetarian) or holiday turkeys and the food always gets raves from my guests without emptying my pocket. He's a pleasure to deal with and I've recommended him to others. read more

Excellent breakfast bowls! After a horrible experience at Sugar & Spice, we happened upon this perfect breakfast on the go with excellent service and food! read more

Burger 10/10 whatever you could want they got it. Fries 5/10 seems like they aren't seasoned right, kinda dry. You also have to wait outside which isn't the best but the burger is worth it read more

This place has a storied history and after reading about it, we decided to give it a try. The story is worth googling. Our group tried three items- The Ollie burger, the cod sandwich, the rib tips (it was at the end of the day and the full rack wasn't available) and the fries. If healthy is what you are looking for, turn around. But the Ollie burger with the special Ollie's sauce was messy, greasy goodness. Three of our group ate them and all three of us will be back for another. Tasty with a lot of meat for the price. And the fries were the same- and should be eaten while they're hot. Greasy, seasoned well & tasty! The cod sandwich was pretty lame. It was a fried piece of cod stuck between two pieces of wheat bread. And the rib tips were a bit on the fatty side. There's only outdoor seating and you will not be greeted by friendly staff, so don't expect that. But if a good burger and fries are on your mind (or stomach), this would be a great place to go. We took our meal just a couple of minutes away and ate on the deck at Washington Park. read more

Ollie's Trolley - Soul Food Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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The was not fresh rib tips were cold and hard. The greens were under cooked, Mac and cheese was ok

The burgers are always amazing. Staff is always very friendly and helpful. Great place to stop if want fresh and in a hurry. Did I forget to talk about the ribs. Mmmmmm read more

Ollie's Trolley - Menu - Soul Food Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

We've tried the Ollie's Trolley in DC and Louisville, and I must say- this is the worst one if you're specifically going for an Ollie burger. The hamburger patty was paper thin, cheese wasn't melted, and the bun was huge in comparison. The fries only had 1/4 the seasoning that is considered normal. They have definitely deviated from the standard. Now, I have read this location is moreso known for their rib tips and bbq options. We did try the greens and Mac and cheese. Neither were impressive. The greens were gritty and spicy. I'll stick to the Louisville Ollie's Trolley for Ollie burgers in the future. read more

If I could give you a zero I would. There's is no way yal sent food out this burnt!! I'm super upset and I'm sure I'll never eat from this place again read more

Ollie's Trolley - Fried mushrooms - Soul Food Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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I'm visiting from California been here a few times before. I've seen Ollie's Trolley but never tried it til today, ordered a mushroom burger w fries. It was delicious and would definitely order again. I read the reviews n it was recommended to ask for extra seasoning on fries and burger, I'm glad I did, they have a seasoning of their own and it tastes great. I love mushrooms so next time I'll ask for more on my burger. My boyfriend had the Lincoln Ware breakfast cup, I tried it and wasn't to my liking, it just wasn't as flavorful as I would prefer. read more

Wow, man, awesome spot! Gotta admit, I was pretty skeptical. But, the food here is BOMB! I had the brisket buffet-with collard greens and Mac-n-cheese. I wanted desperately to try the sausage, but it's just too much food! For $9 I walked away feeling fatter and happier than I could in any 'fancy' restaurant. I can't wait to go back and try more when I'm nearby again. Absolutely go!! read more

It's about a 3 1/2. I gave It a 4 because of the price. I had the burger, BBQ tips, collard greens, green beans, and mac and cheese. The burger was really good, very flavorful. My best way to describe it is a really good sub sandwich (You know how you get all the good flavors). My only knock on the burger would be the meat that is used. I guess to keep the price down you have to cut costs somewhere. The tips were pretty good didn't really standout for me. The side were bland nothing good there...i have been to a lot of places that don't put enough effort into the sides.. I need the sides to get better. If this place wasn't do cheap I would give it 3stars. So good pricing has saved the day. If I had to do this item by item it would be Burger 4stars Tips 3stars Sides 2 1/2 Like I said it's only ranted 4stars because I can't give them a 3 1/2 and the price is set at such a good point, I have to put them on the other side of 3 1/2. read more

Ollie's Trolley - Tips with mac and cheese, greens, and beans - Soul Food Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Best BBQ burger I have had in a while, fast, nice and great hidden gem. Outdoor seating and friendly staff... Very cool spot. read more

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Had a tasty lunch at Ollie's Trolley and just wanted to share our experience. My husband had a great burger with the fixings on it and said it was very flavorful and cooked to his liking. I had the brisket sandwich which was also cooked perfectly and seasoned very nicely. Fries and onion rings were both hot and crispy and made for great accompaniments to our sandwiches. We had a friendly little kitty "join us" as well and I'm sure he or she was used to getting a little something from each diner. We didn't mind the extra company. It was quite a hot day and we did have to fend off some bees, but I guess that comes with eating outdoors sometimes. Otherwise, it's pretty much what you see is what you get. We would have liked a little more interaction with the staff, but they seemed pretty occupied taking customer orders and manning the grill/smoker, so I guess that's to be expected as it was around 11:30 and nearing lunch hour. We will definitely be back again though. Really want to try their breakfast! read more

I stopped here because I just learned about Ollie's Trolley in Louisville which is my wife's hometown. She's never even mentioned Ollie's Trolley and of course hasn't taken me there so I when I was in the Cincy area I decided to give this a try. It is in an area that I would describe as worn out industrial supply business area. Semis, etc. and a lot of boarded up buildings. Just don't expect a really nice neighborhood with a lot of other businesses around. I did see a couple of policemen so that was comforting I suppose. The lady who took my order was very friendly and very clear to explain that they have their own menu and might be different from Louisville. She has not been to Louisville and was very interested in the differences if I could let her know. I'll try to do that. The burger was fine. It has flavors I've never had with a burger that I can't describe. It is definitely messy. The fries are ok and both of these items definitely wouldn't be as good if they were not hot. Mine was perfect. No iced tea! Only canned drinks so I had their lemonade. It was great! The staff was very friendly. I had a nice conversation with them all and I felt well served. I doubt I will be back but I'm glad I went by for this experience. read more

The best hamburger ever! Love the ollie fries to ..staff was really kind and professional. Highly reccomend them .Mr Ollie a true Queen city legend..love it Paul [ BIGDADDYKING!] King read more

My husband and I love Ollie's Trolley. I love sitting on their patio when it's a nice day out. On our last visit, I ordered the rib tips with macaroni & cheese and collard greens. The rib tips were nice and moist, and the BBQ sauce was sweet and tangy, with just a hint of spice. The mac & cheese was creamy, and the collards were cooked perfectly. They were soft but, not mushy, and were seasoned awesomely. My husband ordered the Big Ollie Burger. It had a great flame grilled taste and was garnished with all of the fixings. For dessert, I had to get the chess pie. I was not disappointed! It was super creamy, and had a delicious flaky, buttery crust. I definitely recommend a visit! read more

Been a few times before covid but recently I can't get a straight answer on what time they close. They're on FB so i messaged them and was told one time. Tried again the following week and they closed even earlier and didn't get a response when i tried to message them again to confirm. If closing is depending on business that day due to covid then say that. Don't waste my time giving me made up times. I wasted my gas twice trying to get down before they close when no one there can agree on a closing time. Fed up! read more

I go to ollies trolley whenever I'm in Cincinnati but I doubt I will go back. They are now microwaving the food in Styrofoam containers. The result is the Styrofoam melts into the food. I really don't want to eat melted styrofoam. read more

Before I even talk about the food it's obvious Ollie is a pillar in the community. There are pictures of him with the president and first lady, Harry Belafonte, the Mayor of Cincinnati and all types of celebrities. In addition to that there are pictures of regular people everywhere as if you walked in someone's living room. This is not a fancy place. It's real:. The people who work there are real and the food is real soul food. Soul food is one of the rarest finds in any city because lots of folks claim to have it but most don't. I'm happy to report Ollie's does! I go for the $5 lunch specials but there are so many options for such a little place that it's easy to find your fix. They even offer vegetarian options (1 option) but points for even giving a hoot. The wait is extremely short, everything comes out piping hot and I always feel comforted by the food I get here. I read that for $45 they (The whole Ollie's family) deep fry over 1,000 turkeys on Thanksgiving and people come from all over the state to get them. I think I know what I'm doing for the holiday! P.S: The lemonade...OMG!!!! Not so humbly submitted, King Michael C. read more

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Oh, YUM! Ollie's Trolley serves up some of the tastiest burgers in the city. This Cincinnati institution serves up deluxe, hand-pressed quarter pounders for under $5.00. To compliment the burgers, you can get a variety of soul food sides, such as: - Mac & Cheese - Potato Salad - Baked Beans - Black Eyed Peas - Collard Greens - Buttered Corn - Pinto Beans - Cabbage - Home Fries - Green Beans - Chili - Cole Slaw Yep, that's a lot of sides. But wait, there's more! Additional mains include: - Ribs - Pulled Pork Sandwiches - Fried Chicken (dinners or by the piece) - Fried Cod (dinner or sandwich) - Hot Dogs - Chili Dogs - Hot Metts - Double Decker Sandwiches Did I mention they have milkshakes as well? If you're overwhelmed with the menu, go for the burger. It's what they're known for. But then come back and try something else. It's ALL good! Be sure to stop by around Thanksgiving, where you can pick up an entire turkey, cooked and ready to go, straight from Ollie's oven! Ollie's Trolley is an actual trolley car located right under the giant Obama mural on Liberty Street; you can't miss it. read more

Ollie's is the kind of place that, once you finally stop in, it quickly becomes your go-to lunch spot. It only took me two years of living nearby to go, but I am so glad that I did. While somewhat of a knock-off with it's special sauce, lettuce, cheese, and pickles, the Big Ollie Burger puts the Big Mac to shame. It's juicy, a bit sinful, and so good. The fries are also really great. They're thin, crisp, and topped with a special seasoning mix. I haven't tried most of the other sides that Ollie offers, but the macaroni and cheese is also divine. In fact, I struggle so much with the decision of fries or mac that, admittedly, I sometimes get both! The prices are also incredibly reasonable. For my husband and I, we've never spent more than $15 for the both of us to have lunch. For your convenience, Ollie's also accepts credit cards, unlike many other small restaurant spaces, and there is ample street parking nearby. Ollie's pretty much assures that I'll never fall into the fast food lunch trap again. read more

I just learned that Ollie's does fried turkeys for Thanksgiving. No mess, no stress, just go pick one up!! I'm going to have to try this!

I ate breakfast here today, had "breakfast in a cup ." My husband had a breakfast sandwich. Between the 2 of us we couldn't finish it all. Tasty, good ingredients, and very inexpensive. I'd go back again but unfortunately was just visiting. read more

Just enjoyed the Breakfast Cup at Ollie's Trolley, a legend in a fast-gentrifying Cincinnati neighborhood. Fluffy grits, thick cut bacon, meaty sausage, perfect potatoes, egg and cheese in a cup for $5.00. Ollie's get 5 star reviews and they deserve it. I'll be back for a burger later. Ollies is next door to the Samuel Adams brewery and a short walk to the young and yuppy Over The Rhine shopping/dining area. But I like the real down home ambiance of Ollies. Only a service counter in the trolley... plenty of outdoor seating. read more

Ollie's Trolley - Soul Food Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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If you're not from the neighborhood and a bit timid you'll drive past Ollie's Trolley but that would make you an idiot. Next time you're downtown and hungry for a good, cheap burger drive over to the corner of Central and Liberty and order a Big Ollie Burger with fries. It's cooked perfectly with only enough grease to claim itself a good burger. They also top it with the very special Ollie Sauce. I don't know what it is, but it's heaven. Fries are good too. There's a couple tables outside to eat at which is just fine but the burgers also benefit from a 20 minute drive home to let the flavors meld...and permeate your car for a pleasant aromatic surprise the next morning. read more

Don't let the looks fool you. This family run business has been around for decades and their food is great. Look for the specials like brisket or fish. The BarBq is the best. read more

I have seen Ollie's Trolley many times but I never stopped there to try it. I was out with a friend and she said let's go there. Well that was a mistake because I love everything about this place, and now I won't want to go anywhere else. The cool little trolley car that houses the restaurant is very unique. Everyone that works there was friendly, especially Ollie himself. He is a friendly and happy man, which added to the charm of the place. He was happy to hear that it was my first time there. Now onto the greatness.... the food. First of all I am a burger junkie so naturally I am drawn to them automatically on the menu. Ollie's offer several different hamburgers. I love barbecue sauce so I went for the Barbecue Burger and my friend had The Big Ollie Burger which I guess is the stand by burger, and let me say it is AMAZING! We split them so I could try both. I was not disappointed either. The burger patties are big, and juicy. The barbecue sauce is sweet, smokey and tangy the way barbecue sauce should be. It was a beautiful day out so we sat outside to eat it (which if you want to eat it there that is your only choice) I felt all nice and warm inside after eating it. It was truly a great hamburger and a great experience. To top it off I had a slice of chess pie delivered out by the man himself. That was an amazing slice of pie! read more

I love this place. I intended to try Ollie's Trolley before moving to Florida but never quite had the chance. I was back in town last year (2020) and made it a point to give it a try. This is now one of my all-time favorite burger places. Sadly, I won't be able to enjoy it very often due to distance, but I will do what I can to stop in when I am in town. Five stars all day long. read more

Had the mushroom Swiss burger and it was absolutely yummy. The fries they use their own blend of spices to season and it's unbeatable.

Working down the street at the Music Hall and decided to walk here for lunch! I sure am glad that I did. Burger and fries were great! They might want to build some slightly better enclosed seating area since its all outside. read more

Ollie's Trolley is a new favorite of mine. If you're in Downtown Cincinnati and like BBQ, you gotta try it! Due to the kitchen and order area being in an actual trolley, you are limited to sitting outside with a limited amount of seating, or get your food to go, but this small hurdle won't stop me. I've have had both their Pulled Pork BBQ sandwich and their Philly Cheese Steak sandwich... both were great! Their side items are very good too! Across the street is a Drive Thru with "LEAN WIT IT ROCK WIT IT" painted on the building... it's pretty entertaining to watch the people going in and out of there too. I plan on going to Ollie's Trolley on a regular basis. It's great! read more

Although it's freezing outside, I would brave the cold to go again. The "restaurant" is really an ordering counter. There is no indoor seating. Don't be fooled by the dilapidated interior, the food stands on its own. I had the pulled pork sandwich with two sides; mac & cheese and rice & red beans. Each item was surprisingly great. I really enjoyed my meal even though I had to return home to eat it. read more

Ollie's Trolley - Outside - Soul Food Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Although my hubby is also a Cincinnati Native - he was unfamiliar with Ollie's. He has heard me talk about it often enough that while in town - he asked if I wanted to go. Ollie's is the original food truck of Cincinnati AND it's everything. As a girl, my family and I would go to Ollie's after church - we went to a church in OTR and I was raised around the corner in the city. Everything about the hot, well-seasoned fries took me back to those Sunday afternoons. It's literally still delicious. I cannot believe a spot has kept its goodness, authenticity, and flavor for over 30 years. My hubby got the Ollie burger and fell in love. My son and I had the whiting fish sandwich - it came loaded, hot, and fantastic. We sat outside and grubbed. So good. read more

Just had the best bacon cheeseburger and Ollie's fries here! He has deep fried turkeys for Thanksgiving for only $65! All the sides etc you just drive up and pick it up, even desserts read more

We drove by here a few times before we dared to stop, but we were very glad we did. Thumbs up on the burgers, fried chicken wings, pork chops, mac and cheese. Pro tips: take your food to go. read more