Tag Archives: Carew Tower

Hathaway’s Diner, Then and Now

Update:  Please note that Hathaway’s has now closed.

My first experience at Hathaway’s Diner was more of a Cincinnati induction than a breakfast.  It was here that I first experienced Goetta and would order my morning coffee from that point forward.  Conveniently located on the first floor of Carew Tower, the diner was my first stop before reaching the elevators to the 9th floor.

I had just moved to Cincinnati from Raleigh, where I had taken a position at Kendle International as a Marketing Manager and was excited to be working downtown.  The Carew Tower was considered not only one of the most prestigious locations to work just as historic.  The tallest building in the city, it included its own parking garage as well as a network of store shopping and restaurants.

Hathaway’s Diner was one of the first floor restaurants which first opened in 1956 by Lloyd Hathaway and his wife, Vera.  A 1950s diner with black and white checkered flooring and seafoam green naugahyde chairs, it was a popular place for Kendle employees to stop for lunch, an afternoon coffee or an old-time milkshake made from ice cream and milk.  It was also popular enough for a visit by Elvis Presley in 1977,  only seven weeks before his death.

The servers wore dining uniforms from the 1950s and took our order on a green Guest  Check pad and pen.  For lunch, I looked forward to ordering the cheeseburger and mashed potatoes combo with a vanilla milkshake and if I was extra hungry, I would add a piece of chocolate cake.  The comfort food served at Hathaway”s has always been amazing.

I later learned that the Food Network had visited Hathaway’s Diner in 2019 and named the restaurant the Best Diner in Ohio and I couldn’t agree more.

Have you visited Hathaway’s Diner?  I would love to hear about what you ordered and your dining experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my longtime admiration for Hathaway’s and wishing you many Happy Travels.

Where to Eat: 

Hathaway’s Diner
441 Carew Tower
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone:  513 621 1332

Hathaway’s Diner has moved closer to the Hilton Netherland Plaza with a new address at 25 West 5th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio  45202.

Decadent Cupcakes at Abby Girl Sweets, Cincinnati

Abby Girl Sweets first opened in downtown Cincinnati on January 7th, 2010.  Owned and operated by Nathan and Andrea Thompson, I was first introduced to these decadent cupcakes on a recent visit to Cincinnati. Having worked at Carew Tower a few years earlier, I was excited that this new cupcakery was located around the corner on Fifth Street.  I happened upon this pretty pink shop and couldn’t resist stepping inside to try a cupcake or two.

Each day, Nathan bakes 10 – 12 cupcake flavors per day, while his wife Andrea frosts them.  From cake to cheesecake based cupcakes, there are so many amazing confections to try.  Fans of the cupcakery can rest-assured that they can order from the menu of regular flavors while new flavors will be added weekly.

With so many spectacular choices, I finally decided on the Red Velvet cupcake which was decadent and moist.  Additional flavors include carrot cake, vanilla buttercream, pistachio, peanut butter cup and chocolate supreme which are all baked from scratch.

Paying $3.50 each for cupcakes up to five while a half a dozen to a dozen brings in $3.25 for each cupcake. Call Abby Sweets for pricing on large orders. Today there are three locations to include downtown, Blue Ash and Eastgate.

I’m looking forward to checking out their Facebook page to see which new flavors are added to their menu.  I’m sure their daughter Abby, the taste tester for the company, will give her stamp of approval.

Have you visited one of Abby Girl Sweets’ three locations?  Which cupcake(s) did you order?  Do you have a favorite?  I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Abby Girl Sweets
Downtown Location
41 West 5th Street
Cincinnati, OH  45202
Telephone:  513 335 0898

Blue Ash Location
4773 Glendale Milford Road
Cincinnati, OH  45242

Eastgate Location (next to Jungle Jim’s)
4450 Eastgate South Drive #253
Cincinnati, OH  45245

Where to Stay:

Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza
35 W. 5th Street
Cincinnati, OH  45202
Telephone:  513 421 9100

Where to Eat:

Hathaway’s Diner
25 W. 5th Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 621 1332

Hathaways has been serving diner comfort food and breakfast all-day since 1956.  On a recent visit, I ordered the wings which were perfectly cooked and served with fries. Check out a part of Cincinnati’s history.