We headed East for Quest Stop #7 which was in impromptu visit to Pleasant Ridge Chili. PRC is one of the most iconic chili parlors in town, however chili isn't the main item they are known for, many go for their gravy cheese fries. However, we did not get a chance to try the gravy fries this trip, I am cutting out fried food for my marathon training, and Alison wasn't hungry enough. Next time we go, we will have to try them.
Pleasant Ridge Chili is probably the smallest parlor we have been to thus far (it does have more tables than US Chili, but appeared to have less square footage). It also has a look and feel of a restaurant that hasn't changed anything in 30 years. I liked this, made us feel like we were stepping back in time. Also as the old saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Above each table is a picture of Cincinnati and up front by the counter are various magazine and newspaper articles about Pleasant Ridge Chili.
The menu is similar to many of the parlors we have visited, breakfast is available all day, they also feature double decker sandwiches, the previously mentioned gravy cheese fries, and of course all the typical Cincinnati chili dishes. One thing to keep in mind before visiting, PRC only accepts cash, they do have an ATM inside if you don't have cash on you. I would make sure to plan ahead and bring cash so you wont have to deal with any ATM charges.
Clint's review
One word to describe the flavor of the chili would be SWEET. This is your stereotypical sweet tasting Cincinnati chili. I enjoyed the flavor of the chili a lot. I would've liked a hint of heat level spice, just to give it a little more flavor and balance. However, I did like the sweet spices and flavors they use, it is a very tasty chili. I also liked the texture, wasn't thick but not too thin and watery either.
The other ingredients of the coney complimented each other very well and you get a generous amount of chili and cheese. The cheese tasted fresh, the buns weren't anything remarkable but they held up for me which was necessary because you do get a lot of chili on each coney. The hot dog was ok, nothing spectacular but not so bland that it took away from the coney. One more plus for Pleasant Ridge Chili is they give you a bag of oyster crackers while you wait for your food. I always assumed this was standard, but at this point its only the second parlor of the quest to do so.
I give Pleasant Ridge Chili a 4 out of 5. The one thing holding PRC back from getting above a 4 (and taking the highest score thus far) is the lack of any heat. Ideally I would like some balance, however it is the best of the sweet category I have had, and they were tasty, so I give them a solid 4.
Alison's review
Pleasant Ridge Chili undisputedly falls into the sweet category. There is no heat in this recipe. Onion and garlic are not abundantly used, and the flavor is very bright. I don't think I could guess what balance of brown sugar, cinnamon, chocolate, paprika, or other sweet ingredients goes into the chili pot, but Pleasant Ridge Chili offers a surprisingly complex and delicious sauce without the need for a tang or zip.
The onion variety used on the cheese coney, which I'm guessing to be vidalia, was the perfect zesty compliment to the sweetness of the sauce. The balance was really great. Every ingredient after this, however, ranks about average. The hot dog was fairly plain. The bun was fresh but fell apart on me a little bit. The cheese was I've come to expect from every chili parlor in town. And the mustard was undetectable. Nothing bad, but nothing outstanding.
At this point in the quest, however, this is my favorite chili of the sweet variety. I give the overall coney a 3.5 out of 5
ATTN. : Owner Danny
ReplyDeleteWent to this place for the first time in 3 years for Jul 1, 2023, approximately 6:53 PM.
I placed my order with one waitress then went outside to wait which became really hot and unbareable myself and son have asthma so I thought I go in and get the waters I ordered with my $25+ order of food.Once I got to the register I waited my turn but when it was my turn this waitress an older white lady very aged looking named Michelle
about 65+ at least looked at me and rolled her eyes like some trailer park trash and proceeds to ignore me so I just stood there as I have a great life no sense in letting no ghetto silver sneakers wearing AARP member get to me especially if you are just a bottom feeder racist so the old racist white lady waitress named Michelle saw a another lady come up behind me and ask her instead of what she needed..so I immediately said I've been standing here aren't you suppose to get my order.or question first? The old lady begin acting ghetto moving her neck and rolling her eyes saying you.will wait you've been helped very rudley and raised her voice even after explaining we just wanted our waters we ordered earlier this old racist lady Michelle not easy on the eyes was HORRIBLE at customer service and gave me anxiety due to just standing in line and asking for water upfront to take to my family in the hot car. So.I finally got my order from another waitress and I ask for a pen to take notes about what has just happened by this racist old white women. I am assuming she is related to the owner Danny of Pleasant Ridge Chilli or friends..etc.basically what ever that old women was she throw customer service out the window and the respect of the business for many years she literally doesn't care to attack random people for the color of there copper skin because she is horribly miserable I mean just look at her. I left out of there devastated, physically and mentally upset and paid for a slice of cake but never received it because I was soo upset to remind the staff even though I shouldn't have to I called back the next day to report and my name and number was taken down..but no call from Danny-owner of Pleasant Ridge Chilli because they shutdown for vacation for nearly two weeks but Danny didn't bother to reach out to me and could care less his restaurant worker Michelle is a ugly racist and did not give me my entire order mind you I'm visiting from out of town. I have been emotionally abused,scared and berated only because I stood in line and asked for water in front of the whole restaurant the video tape is there for July 1, 2023, approximately 6:53 PM.
I was visiting from out of town so if a lawyer/attorney would like to help me with what felt like racial discrimination and emotional abuse..etc. I do request you reach out to my family below..
shay shay 45229 @gmail
Thanks*