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    The Gruff

    4.1 (407 reviews)
    ModeratePizza, Bars, Delis
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    The Gruff Photos

    Business Info

    THE GRUFF ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Casual
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - The Gruff

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    Griddled meatloaf sandwich
    Andy S.

    Stopped in prior to the Savannah Bananas game. Seated quickly, server asked if we were going to the game. When we said yes she said she'd let the kitchen know. Ordered some drinks, sorry to say, I've forgotten what drums we ordered. Truly a bummer since everyone seemed to really like what they had!! (Sorry!) One of our party ordered the Margherita pizza. No leftovers there! Very happy with that choice. I ordered the Griddled meatloaf, pickled red onion, melted American cheese and bbq sauce on a griddled sourdough bread. Now, I've considered my wife's meatloaf the best I've had (not just saying that, it's great!) but thus was Real close! A definite repeat order next time. My wife opted for the fried chicken sandwich. She like it a lot. She doesn't remember details about it but she recalls it was hot and very good, so, you'll have to go with that. Location of this place makes it a great place before or after a ballgame downtown. Could get a bit noisy as it has concrete floor, lots of glass and a metal roof. But, I would think after a Reds win, a great place to celebrate ( or, in case of a loss, a great place to commiserate!) When my wife says something on the order of 'we need to eat here again' well ya know we'll be back

    Amazing weekly specials and delicious food!
    Madi S.

    I went to The Gruff for brunch and it was fantastic! I had a mimosa and the sausage sandwich -- absolutely delicious. Honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on their menu. I've been a few times and the pizzas and fried chicken sandwich are my absolute favorites. That chicken sandwich is the stuff of dreams -- thick, crispy, and perfectly seasoned. The atmosphere is always great, and the food never disappoints. Definitely one of my go-to spots in Covington!

    Kim S.

    I loved the concept of this restaurant with the 3 Billy Goats Gruff at the base of the Roebling Bridge. And I loved the location and the colorful exterior with the goats painted on the building. Unfortunately, I didn't like much once we entered. When we first arrived, even though it wasn't very busy it was pretty loud and then it filled up, including a large group of kids and their families and it got really loud! The metal chairs were super uncomfortable. I ordered apple and bacon pizza and was really disappointed. The apples were sliced paper thin so that you couldn't actually taste them. There was also supposed to be blue cheese on the pizza but I didn't taste that either. I will say that our server did a good job and was friendly but with the other things going against it, I don't think we'll be back.

    Happy hour pitcher deal
    Anna H.

    The wait staff was stellar; recommendations for our group took into account all our requests. Patio service and server adjustment for shade was top-notch. Food choice amazing.

    Goetta Grilled Cheese
    Joyce K.

    When looking for a place to take a last minute group of 8 near the Kentucky Convention Center, we came across The Gruff. It was a 5 min walk away and we were able to be seated outside. I ordered the goetta grilled cheese and the princess peach and although the service was great, the food did come out notably slow. We discovered the goetta is actually a mixture of ground pork and beef, and not cheese like we originally thought. The grilled cheese also had spinach in it which was interesting, but I personally was just hoping for a normal grilled cheese. My friend found a fly in her martini, but they kindly brought out another one. Overall, the Gruff was alright for a casual meal but I don't think I would recommend it or return.

    Margarita pizza on califlower crust.
    Dianna S.

    Great little place. Staff were super nice and attentive. Food was great and didn't have a long wait. Will definitely stop back in.

    Truffle Sausage Pizza
    Christian B.

    A good place to eat! This local restaurant offers a well rounded menu, from pizzas, hot and cold sandwiches. A good salad selection and a kids menu. The selection of local and domestic beers is very nice. The restaurant was clean and offers lots of sitting indoors and outdoors. The staff is friendly and professional. Give it a try and enjoy the food.

    Bar
    Wendy K.

    We received a $10 off meal coupon as a gift and decided to check this place out. We are so glad that we did. First let me share that everything is homemade at this establishment and that makes it extra special for me. Knowing that they take that extra step means a lot. Our server was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. As a teacher it's his second job to help support his family, I appreciated how he made us feel welcomed and how he provided us with insight about the restaurant and their food. Clean, busy and friendly is how I would sum it up. Good food and drinks. We will return too!

    Griddled Meatloaf Sandwich
    Tammi W.

    Great atmosphere and service. Close to the river so great view there. Meat loaf sandwich was ok but the fries and pickle fries are to die for!!

    Chicken sandwich
    Dennis T.

    The chicken sandwich was the best meal I had in 3 days! The pickled slaw is the icing on the cake and the service was friendly with a smile. Couldn't ask for more!

    Brussels Sprouts Pizza and Margherita Pizza

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    22 days ago

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    3 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    1 month ago

    It's the first place we go to every time we're in Newport or Cincy! The food is always amazing and the staff is friendly!

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    1 year ago

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    8 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Food was great, service was even better. They serve a meatloaf melt which was beyond amazing.

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    This is one of our favorite neighborhood spots. Both our oldest and youngest grandchild's favorite restaurant. Great views. Great staff.

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Amazing time! Fantastic service and the food was great. There's a great margherita pizza that was well priced and I had great drinks.

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    Goodfellas Pizzeria

    Goodfellas Pizzeria

    4.2
    (364 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $

    Never having been there beige and being in the town next door, I was in the mood for pizza and…read morethought I'd try them. I wasn't disappointed. I was greeted quickly and while looking at the rotating menu board behind the counter and trying to decide. I was directed to the menu laminated on the counter. Duh! even though I was alone I got a small meat lovers pizza and sat out back. The back was like a fenced in backyard with tables and umbrellas. When the guy brought my (great tasting) pizza out he told me to turn on the fans and basically make myself at home (my words, I was the only one there). I enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Laid back, relaxed and they even have a bourbon bar upstairs. How can you beat that. When I'm in town next year, I'll have to check them out again. You should too!

    This is a review on the food that was ordered while we were at the speakeasy above the pizzeria…read more We ordered a caprese salad and the Vinny pie while upstairs at the speakeasy on a slow Thursday afternoon. The gentleman who brought us our caprese salad, didn't directly say anything to us, but instead spoke only to the bartender (as he placed the salad in front of us) and told him not to place any more orders for caprese. He seemed inconvenienced by our order and more interested in his smoke break. We were surprised at the presentation and at the lack of flavor but assumed that the pizza would be amazing! based on what we had read and heard - but were incredibly disappointed. The pizza was flavorless and Incredibly greasy. Our impression is that this must be a great location for college students or those who have enjoyed their drinking experience and need some grease to sober them up and don't mind what they are eating. We were very let down in our experience and the lack of professionalism from the employee who seemed to think that since he was in the speakeasy, he didn't need to be professional.

    Photos
    Bar
    Bar
    Goodfellas Pizzeria
    Cocktail

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    Camporosso

    Camporosso

    4.5
    (460 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$

    I went to Camporosso expecting the usual "artisan pizza experience," which normally means three…read morethings: 1. Tiny portions 2. Huge prices 3. A waiter who calls water "hydration." Instead, I got something shocking... Actual great pizza!!! The wood-fired crust comes out blistered and charred just enough to whisper, "I went to Italy for a semester and didn't come back with a man bun." It's crispy outside, chewy inside ... the kind of texture that makes you forget every sad, floppy chain pizza you've ever eaten in a strip mall next to a vape store. The toppings? Legit. We're talking San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, hot honey, and fancy meats that sound like they have their own passport. And here's the real shocker: It's not pretentious. Nobody lectures you about "mouthfeel." Nobody asks if you want your pizza "deconstructed." Nobody serves it on a wooden plank shaped like Vermont. It's just seriously good pizza ... the kind that makes you say, "Wow, maybe civilization isn't collapsing after all." And the wood-fired flavor? Smoky, slightly charred, and rich...like it was baked by a Tuscan grandmother who also owns a flamethrower. The owner just showed me their home made pasta dish for the Friday in Lent. Looks amazing!! Thank you Patrick for the tip!!

    Best pizza in the Midwest!!…read more The folks at Camporosso are fun and engaging. The food is fantastic.

    Photos
    Pizza maker
    Pizza maker
    Prosciutto and Fig Wood Fired Pizza
    Prosciutto and Fig Wood Fired Pizza
    Hugo (alcoholic beverage)

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    Hugo (alcoholic beverage)
    Cork N Crust

    Cork N Crust

    4.6
    (146 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    We went to Cork N Crust on a Friday just before 6 p.m. and were seated right away, which was a…read moregreat start for a busy night. Service wasn't the fastest, but everyone was friendly and welcoming. What really stood out for me was the vegan menu. I was genuinely excited to see solid options, and I'd absolutely go back just to work my way through more of them. I ordered the Vegan Chardonnay pizza -- bianca sauce, roasted garlic, roasted mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, vegan cheese, and rosemary. I'm usually not a white sauce person, but this one completely won me over. It was rich, flavorful, and balanced in a way that made every bite interesting without feeling heavy. The crust was also excellent -- that perfect mix of airy and crisp. Bonus: the leftovers reheated surprisingly well in a dry pan on the stove. The only downside was the garlic... and I mean seriously heavy. I smelled like garlic for a full 24 hours afterward, despite brushing, mouthwash, showering, and mints. Not subtle. Still, I'd order it again without hesitation. Worth it.

    We wanted to try something new, to us…read more We decided on Cork N Crust for a meal with some friends. The pizza is very good. We had a Chardonnay and a Bellevue pizza along with an apple dessert pizza and some meatballs as an appetizer. The pizza was great. Generous toppings, nice sauces, thin but not crispy crust. The apple pizza was okay. Dare I say on par with CiCi's apple pizza, only smaller and much more expensive. The meatballs were tasty, decent marinara. But the balls were small. For the price I expected something bigger. Service was adequate. The dining room was comfortable. We found street parking right in front. Not sure if they have a lot. Overall, the move from three to four stars was the pizza. A little pricey, but worth it.

    Photos
    Calzones fired on a stone oven at the Cork N Crust.
    Calzones fired on a stone oven at the Cork N Crust.
    Smoked Barbecue Chicken Pizza at the Cork N Crust
    Smoked Barbecue Chicken Pizza at the Cork N Crust
    Specialty pizza at the Cork N Crust - fired on stone oven

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    Specialty pizza at the Cork N Crust - fired on stone oven
    Bourbon House Pizza

    Bourbon House Pizza

    4.0
    (145 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Okay, I understand the hype! Bourbon House Pizza does Chicago deep dish pizza perfectly. My husband…read moreand I split one of the supreme pizzas and got Italian sausage and mushrooms in it. It was honestly so delicious, and oddly enough was even better reheated the next day! (Reheated great in a toaster oven) It also came out quicker than I expected. (With it being Chicago deep dish, I was prepared to wait!) We also got their appetizer sampler. The items were good, but the pizza balls definitely stood out! The dough was so fantastic and clearly homemade. It was perfectly buttery and flaky, yet firm structural. The sauce was also delicious. A must: pairing everythingggg with their house made ranch. My brother got a steak hoagie and was pretty disappointed when a small sandwich with a meat patty and a side of potato chips is what came out. It just didn't match the caliber of the pizza at all. We also got to Italian sub style hoagies, and those were both small and underwhelming as well. The dining room had a bit of a disheveled feel but I couldn't quite put my finger on what was off. The servers were attentive and kind. We parked at the Levee and walked over. Overall synopsis: I actually can't wait to get pizza here again!!!

    We visited Bourbon House for Father's Day and intentionally arrived early before the rush. Although…read morethere was one large party, the staff seemed very discombobulated. We had 4 different servers checking on us, but never at efficient times. We wouldn't see anyone for 15 minutes and then they'd all check on us at once. There was a younger boy working that was walking around with longer hair and he kept ruffling his hair as he walked through the restaurant which was off-putting. The food was exceptional; we started with the meatballs which we devoured too fast for a picture. The supreme pizza was phenomenal and our group of four couldn't even finish the large. The food was 10/10, but definitely felt my experience was soured which is why I only gave 3 stars.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Fried pickles
    Fried pickles
    Beautiful just not a lot of flavor.

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    Beautiful just not a lot of flavor.

    The Gruff - pizza - Updated July 2026

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