Question for the locals

You may want to just have them drop you off at Newport on the Levee. The stadium is directly across the river, but the taxi might charge you extra to cross state lines. Probably worth it to just walk over the Roebling Suspension Bridge, which is a great walk if it’s a nice day. There’s a lot of bars, restaurants, riverboats, and aquaria in Newport too. Less stuff immediately around the stadium. You could check out Paul Brown Stadium, home of the losingest team in sports over the last 18 years.

Also, definitely show up about an hour before game time to see the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. It’s the best baseball museum outside of Cooperstown, and will give you a lot of the history that the Reds have been part of.

CVG is the most expensive airports in the country. Airtran flys to Dayton, and meaning that Delta and Airtran will be competing on the ATL-DAY route.

But they are a must-eat when you are here.

As for Skyline Chili, it’s Cincinnati-style chili that you don’t find many other places. It’s different, and quite good. This is an unusual no-bean chili made with ground beef, cinnamon, cloves and unsweetened chocolate in a beef and tomato base. It’s often served over spaghetti noodles or as a chili paste on coney dogs.

It sounds weird, but you’ll be happy.

Eat the ribs pre-game so you’ll be stuffed enough that you only drink beer at the game. If you need a snack at the ballgame, try the fried bologna sandwich, as it’s a local flavor. Then do the chili on the way back to the airport – after a beer or two at the game, it’s nicey nice.

If you need directions to any of these places, ask ANYONE. All patrons at the game (and honestly, anyone in Cincinnati at all) will take pleasure in giving you directions to MI or the nearest Skyline Chili. And don’t settle for Gold Star Chili, which is the lesser chili chain. Get the Skyline.

There is no contest that these are the two meals any visitor going to Cincy should aim for.

And be sure to go to the top of the stadium behind third/home plate. The view is special.

Thanks, guys. See you on the 26th of April.

it’s some kinda ground up meat parts that they turn into different recipes. I think it has oats and is like a grosser sausage.

I’ve never eaten it though

Fuck. You. All of you. The nearest Skyline to me is 275 miles away in the Cleveland suburbs.

I think Skyline comes in AFTER Empress, Camp Washington, Dixie and Gold Star chilis. Not bad but the chili is too watery.

but if he wants to try Cincinnati food i think he has to eat skyline

it’s not good

not even as good as some national chains…

I’ll scream it if you scream it.

Roy, try it and judge for yourself. I think it’s delicious.

I lived in Little 5 for about 6 years, after UGA and whatnot. Anyway, if you have a chance, check out a new restaurant called “The Bureau.” One of my oldest and dearest friends is the owner and I hear it’s good stuff. It’s on Edgewood Ave. but I don’t think you’ll need a gun.

the place never sells out and anything in the lower bowl is a good seat. im not a big fan of the 400/500 level seats whatsoever. I guess ive been spoiled by years and years of being able to either have free corporate seats or just make my way down to the good seats. piece of cake…

I liked Turner Field the one time I went. Try and go on the 4th of July, and especially try to see John Smoltz when he’s a dominant closer. Should be a pretty good experience.

I’ve been to Turner Field, it wasn’t bad. It was a rainy night, they kicked the shit out of the Marlins and Russ Ortiz pitched 7+ innings. I don’t remember too much about the field though.

I think I can take it down…

I’m guessing you mean Mellow Mushroom? Either way, they’re not very good IMO.

If you make it to Atlanta, it all really depends on what you’re in the mood for. If you’re into good barbecue, there is a place not far from Turner Field called Daddy D’z (yes, with a Z), but it has real good “Southern-style” barbecue from chopped pork to ribs. Abdullah the Butcher, a former wrestler actually runs a joint called “Abdullah the Butcher’s house of Ribs and Chinese Food” (seriously), and the portions are gigantic, and it’s as genuine soul food as you’d get. Fat Matt’s has some of the best barbecue in the city, and often, they have pretty good live jazz bands there.

Sadly, the actual city is such a mixing bowl of people, it’s hard to find anything actually “regional” about it. But if you want something freaky, also not terribly far from Turner Field is a place called “Ann’s Snack Shack,” where it is a one-woman operation, and she serves this abomination called the “Ghetto Burger.” Google it, seriously, it actually won a nationally labeled Burger of the Year from the Wall Street Journal not long ago. It’s about 1.5 lbs of, well, messy burger. Having transportation is important, because MARTA is a joke, and doesn’t even really have direct drop off to the city’s ballpark.

If pizza is your thing, and you have a car, there is a place that was actually recently shown on Discovery Channel’s Man vs. Food. Big Pie in the Sky Pizza, which is in Kennesaw, GA, and if you’re coming down I-75, it’s not far off of it. Great pizzas, and if you have a big-eating partner, you can take on the 11 lb. pizza challenge to try and win $250.

Turner Field is a great park, IMO. I’ve been to a lot of places, and I try not to be biased when I say it. But the city of Atlanta is terribly fair weathered, and they have more seats than they know what to do with (est. 55,000). They never sell out, and people arrive late and leave early. RF seats aren’t difficult to get, especially when the Braves fall out of contention. Francoeur, is also very crowd-friendly, and is often seen signing things and being a good person (the player leaves a lot to be desired). The parking situation leaves a little to be desired, but it’s not the worst I’ve seen. Reasonably priced, but kind of a scary location, but since there are crowds, you don’t feel too in-danger.

Maybe I should’ve used Bronson Arroyo and Micah Owings to make the Talladega Nights references to then.