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    The Gruff

    4.1 (410 reviews)
    ModeratePizza, Bars, Delis
    Closed 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    The Gruff Photos

    Business Info

    THE GRUFF ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Casual
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Gruff

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    Reviews With Photos

    Margherita Pizza
    Ally R.

    Needed a quick bite to eat last night and decided on a pizza. We didn't dine in, but there quite a bit of outdoor seating and indoor. When we arrived our pizza was still cooking in the brick oven! Super neat, didn't even realize they had one. Several staff members greeted us and quickly checked on our pizza. It didn't take but maybe 15 minutes from the time we ordered so that was awesome. The pizza was delicious & I even really enjoyed the crust. It was not greasy at all and the cheese was all perfectly melted. I have heard great things about their salads so we will definitely be back. Several TV's above the bar and would be a good place to watch the game.

    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

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    9 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Kristin S.

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    5 years ago

    Great service! Good beer selection! Nice bartenders! Pizza was a win. Nice view and casual atmosphere!

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Food was just average, especially for the price. Staff and atmosphere were great though!

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    9 years ago

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    Page 5 of 11

    Ask the Community - The Gruff

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    Goodfellas Pizzeria

    Goodfellas Pizzeria

    4.2(365 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
    Goodfellas Pizzeria - Bar

    Bar

    Goodfellas Pizzeria
    Goodfellas Pizzeria - Cocktail

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    Cocktail

    Cork N Crust - Four cheese meatball pizza on our traditional Neapolitan style pizza baked in our stone oven.

    Cork N Crust

    4.6(147 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
    Cork N Crust - Calzones fired on a stone oven at the Cork N Crust.

    Calzones fired on a stone oven at the Cork N Crust.

    Cork N Crust - Smoked Barbecue Chicken Pizza at the Cork N Crust

    Smoked Barbecue Chicken Pizza at the Cork N Crust

    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

    The Gruff - pizza - Updated August 2026

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