We were in for dinner a few days ago and enjoyed our meal. My husband ordered the Creamy Beef Fettuccini and I ordered the Chicken Shawarma Plate. My husband also ordered a beer. We both thought everything tasted great. My plate of Chicken Shawarma was served with warm pita, hummus, rice, tahini sauce, and Israeli salad. It was delicious and very filling. The service was also very good. read more

Kinneret Grill - Chicken Shawarma Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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It must be nice to be the only kosher meat restaurant in a metro area because there is no motivation to provide good food or service. We are in town visiting and we went there for a nice meat meal after several days of dairy on the road. There were 6 of us at the table with 2 children. If I lived in town I would not be going back. They had 1 waitress working the entire place. She was kind enough but all she did was make excuses. We sat down at 6:15 and we did not get our hummus appetizer, which apparently they ran out of soon after, until 7:15. When we arrived there was only 2 tables occupied so it was not bustling. I am not sure how or why it took so long to prepare Hummus but given the ingredients I could have scratch cooked our entire meals in a fraction of that time. Again, when we arrived there were 2 other tables of 2 and maybe 1-2 small orders picked up during out time there. During our visit they had several more groups come in, some served before us, some getting the constant refrain, "we are out of this." It seems like there was 1 chef in the kitchen preparing all the food on their own. It is also highly problematic that they had 2 small children sitting there for an hour with not even a little bread or anything. We had to push the waitress to get the hot dogs out so they would calm down. As for the food, most of it was OK. The ribeye was properly cooked. The braised short rib was tender with a little wine flavor. The kids hot dogs were hot dogs. The chicken schwarma was flavorful. The Israeli salad was what you would expect. The green beans were overcooked, unseasoned and tasted like nothing. The worst and most impressive thing was how they got the mashed potatoes to taste like they came from a powder out of a box. I don't often leave something completely uneaten but they were inedible. How you can serve a $50 steak with such artificial swill is beyond me. I get it, they are the only option. Fail! read more

This is one on my favorite Kosher food restaurants. Karen the cook putsher everything into the food and it shows. Everthing we ordered tasted like it was home made just now with pride. Tonight we had a pargiot (grilled chicken thigh filets) sandwich in a lafa with lettuce and Israeli salad with tehina which comes with fries, a steak sandwich in a lafa with a bbq sauce and a pargiot entree which came with mashes potatoes and perfectly grilled green beans. The food was oh sooo tasty and Lily our server was prompt, efficient, helpful, pleasant and hospitable. The ambience is warm welcoming middle eastern hospitality. A perfect 5 star dinning experience. read more

Very good quality food, the service is not bad, but the wait is a little long. We had a great time there! read more

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Made reservations for 5. Table for 4 was waiting. Lovely young woman was the sole server, personable and accommodating, this review is of no reflection on her. She got our table set up while trying to serve other tables. Matzo ball soup was superior, obviously made in house. Steak salad had bland, chewy meat. It was rated so-so, nothing special. Chicken and beef skewers, chicken was good, the beef was chewy and came with a hair .The Israeli salad tasted strongly of fish, ugh, really awful. 4 people tried it, tasted like fish to all. Mashed potatoes were offered in place of unavailable rice. If I had to guess by taste what it was I would have drawn a blank. Fries were top notch as was hummus and pita. We had been looking forward to this meal and were disappointed. $200 later, with no plan to return. I'm sorry to post this, the restaurant is lovely and necessary, but they need to serve better prepared dishes and stop serving out of season fish tasting Israeli salad. That stuff was a disgusting embarrassment. read more

This might be the worst food I've had in a long time. I ordered the wings expecting 8 JUMBO WINGS like the website suggests only to get 3 wing that you can tell were obviously cut to give me 3 drums and 3 flats. The menu on yelp and their website doesn't match and they know it. The chicken was overcooked so much so, that the bones were black. I had heartburn the next day and I haven't had heartburn since highschool. Greasy, dry, overpriced, and overcooked. Nothing "southern" about it. Save your money. read more

This place is fantastic! Kosher restaurants are rare and therefore expensive, but not the case here. The food was great and reasonably priced. The burgers were incredible and if you are a pasta fan try the beef fettuccine! Definitely make this a stop! read more

Almost everything about this experience was disappointing. This place will not stay in business long if it doesn't clean up its act. 1) Service. My in-laws were greeted disrespectfully, because they were 3 minutes early for our reservation. The service was slow (waited about 1 hour for food) and inaccurate (2 mistakes and neither corrected). 2) Prices are outrageous. There is NO reason for them to charge what they are. 3) Food lacked flavor and to make matters worse, the toppings / sauces were awful. - Hummus was fine, but they mistakenly (we did not order this) added canned mushrooms on top which just ruined the flavor - Israeli salad- I don't know how you can screw up tomato and cucumber but this had an awful flavor - Tahini - usually something I love with Mediterranean food, but this had an unusual almost spoiled flavor (between that and the Israeli salad - my schwarma sandwich was downright awful and too small for $15) - Taco appetizer was only highlight of meal- it was served cold but still had decent flavor read more

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So glad I tried this place! I loved seeing all the vegetarian / vegan options on the menu! Mediterranean places generally only offer falafel on the menu (still a favorite) but I'm happy to see other options! I had the vegan shawarma plate which was very filling! The seitan bites they used were chewy & had a texture similar to meat but spiced accordingly! Definitely filling! The baba ganoush & could have been more creamier & smokier in my opinion but was still good! Definitely coming again to try all the vegan options on the menu! read more

Kinneret Grill - Vegan Shawarma Plate with Fries & Baba Ganoush as sides - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

This is a great restaurant. I used to go here when they were across the street. They've moved to a nicer place and added a lot of different dishes to their menu. I always get good service. They have a nice beer in wine selection also. read more

Kinneret Grill - Great food. t dishes. I usually get chicken schwarma and some matzoball soup - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Great place for lunch. Super quick. Wonderful vegan food. Discovered that it's a short drive from my office. Love having great vegan/vegetarian food options nearby. Will definitely make this a regular place for lunch. Update 10/18/18: their online ordering is pretty easy too. Ordered lunch today and read more

Kinneret Grill - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Looking for vegetarian, vegan, or Kosher cuisine? The Kinneret Cafe meets all those needs. Mediterranean lunch and dinner options. I had a lunch special. Lunch specials are even available on Sundays. Choices are a sandwich with either fries, or soup, or a drink. I opted for the portobello mushroom panini, and an order of fries. The sandwich also came with a small cup of coleslaw, and piece of pickel. The panini had a big garlic flavor. The bread was nicely pressed. Fries were crisp on the outside, and soft on the inside. I thought I was hungry, and it all ended up being too much food. Faux meat options are also available. As others have stated, limited parking is in the front, with additional parking in the back. It is a small location. Food is handmade, and does take awhile to come out. If in a hurry, online and phone ordering is available. If you enjoy their food, and also enjoy meat, the Kinneret Grill is also owned by the same family. Both restaurants are closed on Saturdays. read more

Kinneret Grill - Portobello mushroom panini with coleslaw - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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The falafel pita was great! The owner is very friendly and welcoming. Lunch special was also a good deal. Thank you!

We heard good things about this restaurant from our friends, and with us driving from louisville to cleveland with our 4 kids, this was a perfect place to rest and get something to eat. The place looks wonderful, cozy, with booths and tables. The food is incredible, everything we ordered was delicious, even reminded my Wife of her own home cooking. We highly recommend KG to anyone, and can't wait to make a stop next time we go to louisville. The owners are clearly invested. This makes for a great experience, atmosphere, tasty food and good memories. read more

The old pescatarian location across the street and the new location on the mall strip have been combined into one now, and this place caters to omnivores, pescatarians, vegans, and vegetarians. Their famous vegan schnitzel and schwarma plates are still on the menu, but the smoothies are no longer on the menu. The owners are nice people who cater to your food preferences. The decor is nice and more spacious than the old location. I appreciate that vegan options are clearly marked on the menu. They are also great with making onion-free items upon request. read more

Kinneret Grill - Amazing vegan Mediterranean food! - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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First time at this restaurant, asked the waitress what was the most ordered entree. She said the bacon burger....,really a burger at a Mediterranean restaurant! I ordered the Mediterranean Plate only to be told it didn't really come with grape leave wraps like the menu said. So I changed my order to the chicken wings. The waitress tells me the menu says you get 8 wings for $15 but you really only get 6 for $15. I ended up ordering the burger which was a frozen patty. Not terrible not good either. To top it off my Chardonnay was warm instead of chilled. I would not recommend this place. read more

I've never been to Cincinnati before and looked for a kosher option. We were extremely impressed. My son has allergies and they were one of the most accommodating places ever been. It wasn't just having food he could eat, but the care, concern, and pleasantness surrounding helping him find a palatable option. Then the food came. DELICIOUS!!! I'm sorry I don't live closer -- I'd eat here all the time. Did I mention the staff was friendly, engaging, and welcoming? Well, they were! Everything was exactly what I'd want from any restaurant. read more

I don't keep kosher so I don't need this restaurant therefore probably will not go back. Service is very slow - I know made to order but really slow. The chicken shawarma was not edible to me, I get chicken because it is lean but this was full of duck fat and 2 hours later the one bite I had is still reminding me how greasy it is. I must say the French fries are really good, I hope they succeeded because it's nice for those who keep kosher but for me, I will Pass read more

Very clean and cheerful space, attentive staff. First time here for lunch. I enjoyed the vegan Mediterranean plate and will return for the vegan schwarma read more

Kinneret Grill - Mediterranean Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Pretty good food. Matzo ball soup broth was yummy. Falafel sandwich was huge! Their Kinneret Salad was huge! read more

Kinneret Grill - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

A lot of folks wish Yelp provided for half-star ratings. I'm one of them. The Kinneret Cafe, a tiny restaurant near Kenwood Mall serving Mediterranean and specifically Israeli food, is a prime example of a three-and-a-half-star enterprise. Kinneret's got a number of four-star virtues with one huge drawback. First, the good stuff: Kinneret gets points for its unique status as being the only Kosher-certified sit-down restaurant in about a five-state radius, probably between Chicago and Atlanta (correct me if I'm wrong). On the website, the owners call the restaurant vegetarian, and there are plenty of solely vegetarian and even vegan items on the lengthy menu, but Kinneret is actually pescetarian: there is a group of fish entrees. So this is a big plus for a Cinci vegetarian community with few decent options. Another big plus is the hominess of the little cafe and the warmth and friendliness of the couple that runs the place. Don't let me forget the food: The little I've tried--mainly the Mediterranean plate with felafel, cucumber and tomato salad, hummus, grape leaves, and babaghanoush--is really good and reasonably priced. Very fresh, and seems scratch-made for the most part. I'd like to get back and try some more. But there is one maddening drawback. The couple who run the place seem to be the only folks working both the floor and the kitchen, which can make for some absurdly slow service. After food orders are placed by customers, the couple can disappear behind the closed door of their kitchen for five, ten, and even fifteen minutes at a time. (I figure the only reasonable way to get their attention is to go up to the restaurant's front door and open and close it, which triggers some bells that summon them back out into the seating area.) The niceness of these folks suggests that these disappearances are not the product of neglect (much less spite) but just the necessity of concentrating on food orders, mandated by the slim staff of a tiny place probably operating on slim margins. So: 3.5 stars, rounded up. I recommend Kinneret, especially for vegetarians and vegans and those blesseed with extra time and/or patience. read more

I can't believe I waited so long to check this place out. I went for the first time today, and was so pleasantly surprised. First, there are primarily vegetarian-friendly dishes, with some vegan options in there too. Win! The shawarma is made with seitan, so I was a bit apprehensive going in. My hubby ordered the shawarma, and it came served on top of homemade hummus. There was also pita and a cucumber/tomato salad to help balance the flavors. I had the shakshuka: 3 eggs perfectly poached in a tomato sauce with peppers and onions. My hubby's order came out first, and I tried a little bit. I was so surprised by the shawarma - it was so filled with a rich savory flavor, without all of the fat that traditional shawarma gets rendered in. The hummus was also awesome. I actually don't like hummus, but I would come back again just for this hummus. A definite must-try! My shakshuka was the epitome of comfort food. It came out super hot! Make sure you break your yolks right when you get it. I made the mistake of waiting, and they cooked while I was working on the first one. It didn't take away from how much I still enjoyed the dish! The parking lot is a bit small, so make sure you're driving slow - it's just after the light, and you may miss it if you're going too fast! read more

A friend was craving a falafel sandwich, so we ended up at Kinneret Cafe. (We tried going elsewhere first, but they didn't offer falafel sandwiches for dinner and weren't willing to accommodate.) Of course, it wasn't a problem, since I'd been wanting to try Kinneret for quite a while. I wasn't totally sure what to expect. It's pretty basic and very small. You can sit at a table to review the menu and then you order at the counter. They bring your food too you. Drinks are only in bottles or cans, no fountain service. We each got a falafel sandwich (billed as the best falafel in town) and an order of fries to share (there were plenty for two). The falafel was definitely worth the visit and I can see why it has gotten billing as the best in town. The falafel was tasty, moist and soft (sometimes they can be dry and hard) and the pita was very fresh...best of all, totally vegan and absolutely delicious. Don't go to Kinneret Cafe expecting anything fancy, but if you go there expecting great food you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to go back and try out something else...or maybe another falafel sandwich. read more

Kinneret Grill - Falafel sandwich - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Wanted to give Kinneret Grill in Dillonvale Plaza a shout out. They are owned and operated by the same individuals who own and run Kinneret Cafe on Plainfield. Kinneret Grill is a non vegan Mediterranean restaurant that has only been open 2 months. Their food is amazingly flesh, flavorful and our server, Adina, was very pleasant and attentive. We ordered the Kinneret Grill Steak Salad, Garden Vegetable Salad w grilled Chicken added, and the Shawarma Sandwich. We were very impressed w everything. So if you are craving Mediterranean do yourself a favor and give Kinneret Grill a try, you'll be glad you did. read more

Kinneret Grill - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Quality middle eastern grill, kosher certified, offering middle eastern and American cuisine. The kebabs are my favorite dishes offered. read more

Kinneret Grill - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Outstanding food and service. The ribeye was tender and fettuccine so good. The fettuccine simply delicious!! Totally recommend this restaurant for both food and service impeccable. read more

We ended up eating here on the 4th of July since they were one of the first places that we confirmed were open. Walking in, i wasn't sure if we were to order at the counter, but after a few seconds of puzzlement, we were told to have a seat wherever we liked. I think a simple sign at the door directing customers in what action to take would be helpful. It's a small interior with limited seating and an unassuming exterior. It seems a bit dingy inside but acceptable - and there's a random sink up front by the counter. The menu is all vegetarian and fish, so the vegetarian part was much appreciated. After we'd looked over the menu, we went to the counter to place our order - although she did later come to other tables to collect orders. The place started out empty, and she was kind enough to warn us that a larger party was coming so we might want to switch seats. We took advantage of this advice and it did get pretty loud once other people showed up. I started out with the Shawarma in Pita and my husband got the Shnitzel on Pita. I ended up trading him cuz' I preferred his. We were never offered water, which seems odd. But all of the food was very good. read more

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overpriced menu which was bland, fries greasy, thin hamburger with a toasted bun that had density of a hockey puck! All this for 15 dollars! Waited at least 30 minutes for order! Won't be back ever. read more

Needed several kosher meals to bring back up to Dayton for a weeks stay. Everything was delicious and stayed well In fridge. Salmon was perfect, well seasoned and not a speck of skin. Vegan schnitzel, vegan Shawarma, both excellent. Veggie burger also excellent, green beans and sautéed veggie sides were also tasty . The crinkle fries were the best restaurant fries I can ever remember ( ate one batch right in the parking lot! ) . Sweet potato fries came with yummy sauce. Karen was kind and patient over the phone with good explanations and recommendations . Everything was packed well . I don't normally like babaganush and seitan but since they were vegan and "homemade" in house I was convinced to try them - delicious ! Highly recommend this restaurant! read more

On October 3, 2021, I was driving on I-75 through Cincinnati and wanted to pick up something to go. Well, first of all, if you do decide to eat here, do not do so on a Sunday night. I placed my order for a sandwich at 6:33pm and did not receive it until 7:15. I did not plan on wasting almost one hour for a shawarma sandwich. If it takes this long for a sandwich then something is definitely wrong. The place is not being run properly. But, I suppose they can get away with this because as a kosher restaurant, customers don't have the option of simply going across the street. Hopefully, I won't be going through Cincinnati anytime soon. read more

I recently had dinner at Kinneret Grill with some friends and it's easily one of the best dining experiences I've had. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated and has a warm, welcoming ambiance. We had some appetisers to start and they were all delicious, especially the flatbread and hummus! I then had the chicken matza ball soup which again, was fantastic. A great option if you want something filling but not heavy! As well as the lovely food and atmosphere, the staff were extremely friendly, kind and attentive. Shout out to Jason and Adina who were our servers for the evening and catered to all our needs in a polite and professional manner! Can't wait to come back in the future! read more

The Kinneret Cafe opened in mid-2008, and I've been trying to eat there since. Everytime we'd go, they were closed! It's run by a Jewish family, so I suppose it's the problem of having to close every Friday night, Saturday and holiday. Finally, last week, I got lunch there. I got a Chumus, Avocado and Cheese Sandwich with fries. Their hummus is very tasty, and surprisingly for a small diner, the fries were really good too. You can also get a salad if you don't like fries (ha-- as if. Rather, if you are on a diet). The pickles they bring out are very unique and interesting-- hard to describe. The restaurant appears to have a vibrant Jewish clientele, but I think the gentiles should get in on the action! The prices are reasonable, and the people who run the restaurant are super friendly. Don't expect to pop in and out, though. When I was there, it appeared the server was also the cook, so it took awhile to get the bill, etc. For the sake of your sanity, here is Kinneret Cafe's hours of operation from their takeout menu: Sun. - Thurs.: 11:30 - 8:00 Fri.: 11:00 - 2:00 Sat.: 8:00 - 11:00PM I would have given the restaurant 4 stars if it didn't take me a year of trying to finally eat there. read more

*Disclaimer: My five stars are strictly from carryout experience.* As a recent vegetarian and a veteran slacker, I have been looking for places within a few miles of my job to eat lunch when I forget to pack (4-5 days a week). Kinneret routinely came up in my searches so I gave it a shot. Their sandwiches are so good. SO good. I love the hummus, avocado, and swiss the most but have ventured into their paninis also and haven't been disappointed. Plus the couple who own it are adorable beyond belief and very affable. The place is tiny so I can imagine their table service is lacking, but it doesn't strike me as a place to go for a quick bite. Since their carryout is so fast (15 mins tops - except for the time the owner added food to my order because of a totally unimportant error), they probably reserve the dining room for relaxed service where you should take your time. Please go here. I would be quite upset if this little place didn't exist. read more

Excellent food although the service was a bit slow. The food was tasty and fresh. Ordered the falafel sandwich which was outstanding.

**4.5 stars is my vote!** This place is great for carryout! I am a long-time pescatarian, so Kinneret is right up my alley. They offer Kosher-certified, mainly vegetarian food, with a few fish options thrown in. I've gone deep into the menu, and so far have not had a bad experience once. This is a great place that you can indulge just a little and still have an overall healthy, balanced meal. As some have mentioned, sometimes you have a bit of a wait for food, but it is because everything is handmade by the family that owns the restaurant. The family is so friendly and caring - it's just an old-school, family run joint. I highly recommend the matzoh ball soup - it is the rare vegetarian matzoh ball soup in this region, and it has a nice flavored broth and 2 homemade matzoh balls - very good. I've had other soups - like the chickpea soup - that were also pretty good, but I always go back to the matzoh ball. All the Mediterranean appetizer options are top-notch. Go for the Mediterranean platter if you have a big appetite or want to share - then you get to try a little of everything. The Moroccan Cigars are also good, if you have a craving for something a little fried but still a little healthy. AMAZING Sandwiches - I just heard that Kinneret received a nod from Cincinnati Magazine for some of their sandwiches and paninis. One thing that makes the paninis so good is that they regularly bake up fresh ciabatta bread in the kitchen. I can hardly tear myself away from the KING DAVID PANINI - Tuna, Avocado, and Muenster cheese. It's delish. Also a huge fan of the falafel in pita with hummus - which is one they were recognized by Cincinnati Mag for! TIP: Be sure to request the special hot sauce - it's great on this sandwich. I like both the fries and the salad options as a side. Other options that are also very good: Salads - I sometimes like the chicken caesar, and all the dressings they make are very good. Seafood - I've had positive experiences with the fish and chips and the tilapia. I think the fact that everything is hand made really makes the fish and chips shine. I haven't tried the pizza yet, but I've heard good things. Kinneret has also started serving breakfast and brunch options that sound decently good. Looking forward to trying that sometime. read more

Best kosher, vegetarian restaurant in the city and that's coming from an organic gourmet and health coach! Get on this! read more

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***3.5 stars*** So if you're looking for a glatt kosher Mediterranean place that also serves pizza, fries and other American foods - come here! The decor is very, very simple, the clientele is loyal and the food is pretty good. Well, the Mediterranean platter I shared with Susan N. was pretty good. I liked that the hummus had the paprika infused oil drizzled on top, which is how hummus is supposed to be served - with a drizzle of infused oil or just plain ol' olive oil. The falafel was OK, I've had better, but I live in NYC where a conversation on "who's got the best falafel" is something that everyone has participated in at one time in their life. All in all a pleasant experience. I recommend coming here if you're in the neighborhood. A-OK read more

This place feels warm and welcoming. The owner/chef is extremely nice and can cook a variety of things well! We tried the falafel balls, shawarma plate, and falafel sandwich. Our favorites in order were the falafel sandwich, falafel, shawarma plate. The falafel was excellent, but just a little too dry. The shawarma plate had a lot of different flavors, but we will probably try the mediterranean plate next time. They have a loyalty card which they punch quite a few times for your first visit! read more

i was craving some Mediterranean food for lunch last week and, after a quick yelp search, I found Kinneret Cafe. Im surprised that I had never noticed it before, as it is in the same plaza area as my grocery store. The store front is very nondescript, so Its no wonder that I missed it. Inside is a very basic dining room with a good amount of tables and seating. I entered to find a loud political debate going on among the other customers. Anyways, back to lunch. Kinnerets Menu is an explosion of vegetarian, kosher and Mediterranean food all brought to one menu. The menu is rather expansive with foods ranging from Sharwrma to a tuna Panini . When I had lunch there, I had the Mediterranean plate which had falafel, babaganush, humus, stuffed grape leaves, and Israeli salad. All this served with grilled pita. The hummus and falafel where probably some of the best Ive ever had. The baba was kinda watery and not as thick as I would prefer. I always imagine it as having a hummus-like texture. The stuffed grape leaves where great as well. Everything tasted and looked fresh, especially the Israeli salad. The afternoon that I had lunch there, it seemed like there was one person acting as the Server/Cook/Cashier/Host. The food didn't take long to get, but don't expect to check out quickly if there are other customers there. I took some pastries back to work for my co-workers. The Server told me they have them shipped from NewYork and they tasted great. I will defiantly be back, probably not on a lunch break, as it did take awhile to get out of there. Also, If you need to follow a kosher diet, they are certified kosher. read more

Vegan? Love falafel? Enjoy a great hummus plate? Feel the need for more setain in your life Kinneret Cafe can deliver on all of the above! Double plus--They are open on Sunday when many locally owned places are closed. As small business owners ourselves, our only days off are Sunday's and Monday's so we frequently miss out on some of the best local eats. read more