Blue Ash Chili Restaurant - Blue Ash, Ohio

Blue Ash, Ohio is a suburb of Cincinnati.  They LOVE their chili in Cincinnati with almost a cult-like appreciation for it.

So, it was no surprise that they would have entire restaurants dedicated to nothing but chili and it was no mistake that Blue Ash Chili has chili as an ingredient in almost everything that they serve.  Some of it was presented in some really creative ways.

Cincinnati chili is basically a no bean chili served with enough cheese to make one of those cheddar head hats that the Green Bay fans sometimes wear.  I actually prefer the opposite kind of chili, the all bean or some kind of lean meat chili and a little if any cheese. 

I ordered the chili lasagna. It was kind of like regular lasagna made with a traditional Italian meat sauce but with a different set of spices.  Whereas with Italian meat sauce, the tomato and basil is the star of the show but with Cinci chili lasagna the meat and onions are the stars of the show.  It was good. 

The chili is served with no perceptible spicy kick to it like I’m used to. For that they leave two kinds of pepper sauces on the table for you.  I usually like to not put extra stuff on my food because right or wrong, I feel like the food should come plated just the way that the chef intended it to be eaten. 

The atmosphere is pure American Diner.  They have the checkered tile and formica tables bolted to the floor and wall.  The waitresses will call you “hun” and don’t have a pretencious bone in their bodies. 

I’d rate Blue Ash Chili an 8 out of 10 on the Triple-D scale.

Blue Ash Chili Restaurant
9565 Kenwood Rd
Cincinnati, Ohio
(513) 984-6107
www.blueashchili.com

Jamaica Gates - Arlington, Texas

Jamaica Gates was a little disappointing on a couple of different levels.  We showed up on a Sunday a little after 12 noon when they opened up.  They didn’t have any rice ready or being cooked when we showed up.  So, we had to wait quite a while for our food.

I think that they hadn’t baked any bread yet either because the bread tasted a day old.  I think that they actually served us day old bread and tried to pass it off as fresh.

The atmosphere was okay.  As a Caribbean restaurant, I half expected some strong atmosphere from that part of the world.  The restaurant was actually kind of ordinary except for the Bob Marley flags and Bob Marley music playing. 

On a positive note, I ordered a jerk chicken salad which was pretty good.  I appreciated the fact that a Triple-D restaurant had something on the menu that wasn’t a heart attack on a plate.

So, I’m glad that I tried it but, I’m in no rush to get back to Jamaica Gates.  I'd give it a 4 out of 10 on the Triple-D scale.

Jamaica Gates


1020 W. Arkansas (SW corner of Cooper and Arkansas)
Arlington, Texas 76013
Phone: (817) 795-2600