Ludlow Avenue

Cincinnati is a very old city, rich in tradition and history.  The city is proud of its German heritage, as evidence by the staging of the largest Oktoberfest in the United States, according to ohiotraveler.com. Over the years, however, Cincinnati has become diversified. 

While the chili is still the best around, Cincinnati is no longer a one-trick pony; there’s no better example of Cincinnati’s diversification than Ludlow Avenue.

The truly beautiful aspect of Ludlow is not the melting pot of cultures present, but the way new meets old.  Ludlow has a classic charm that is spliced with modern cultural trends.  This fusion creates a unique business district that we are fortunate enough to have footsteps away from the University of Cincinnati campus.

While walking down Ludlow, you’ll notice a strong presence of Indian culture.  There are a handful of Indian restaurants on Ludlow that offer great cuisine, but none as delicious and authentic as Ambar India Restaurant.  The food is spicy … in more ways than one.  It is an exotic experience that will set your mouth aflame.  Fortunately, the service is terrific, so there will be no shortage of water at the table.  What sets Ambar apart is the passion for not only food, but Indian culture in general: you can sense the dedication to India as soon as you set foot in the restaurant.  You will pay a pretty penny for your lunch or dinner, but the quality— and quantity— is worth more than the price.

The strong Indian presence may be new to many Cincinnatians, but there are also familiar locales on the strip.  For a nice taste of history, look no further than Skyline Chili.  While it’s true there are Skyline locations all over the city, the Ludlow location maintains the historic reputation of the area and is the oldest Skyline restaurant in operation.  While there are many restaurants I frequent more than Skyline, whenever an out-of-towner asks where they should start, this is my reference point.  Chili is Cincinnati’s culinary contribution to the world and no restaurant does it better than Skyline.

If you’re walking down a street in America, chances are you’ll stumble upon a coffee shop.  There are a several options on Ludlow, but the cream of the crop is Sitwell’s Coffee House, located next to the famous Esquire Theater.  Sitwell’s is a coffee house, but this isn’t your typical strip-mall Starbucks – there is more than meets the eye.  Sitwell’s has terrific coffee at a reasonable price, but they also have fantastic food.  I’ve found, after perusing the menu several times, that Sitwell’s has the best bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich in the land, bar none.  Aside from the food and drink— you can spruce up your coffee with a bit of alcohol too, if that’s your thing— Sitwell’s offers very hip décor and live music and events on occasion.  Coffee houses have certainly taken the country by storm and become desirable hangout spots, but Sitwell’s takes the trend above and beyond; by offering an expansive menu and friendly surroundings, it is the closest I’ve found to a real-life Central Perk.

On the off-chance that you’re walking down Ludlow Avenue, paper in hand, eating at these restaurants in the order I mention them, I apologize to your stomach — you must be stuffed.  After you finish your latte, go next door to the Esquire Theater.  Before going up to the ticket window, I beg you to take a moment to marvel at the fabulous architecture of this theater.  I cannot think of one theater currently in existence that is similar to the Esquire; it is classic in every sense of the word.  Once you arrive at the ticket window, you may be unsure what film to see.  You may have not even heard of the films the Esquire features.   The theater prefers to show Indie films and are able to  charge lower ticket prices while also offering a generous student discount.  If, for some reason, you must see Terminator: Salvation, then head down to Newport.  If you’re open to great cinema at a slightly lower price, this is the ticket.

Cincinnati will not let go of its history (the huge success of Oktoberfest is proof of that), but that does not mean the city will become a modern-day Siena and freeze in time.  Growth of other cultures is prominent on Ludlow Avenue more than any other area of Cincinnati.  Whether you are looking for a new experience or prefer the friendly confines of classic Cincinnati, Ludlow Avenue has something for everyone.  While your stomach can’t handle all of Ludlow in one day, I don’t think you’ll have a problem coming back.