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Tag Archives: Cuban Sandwich

Historical Christian Moerlein Brewery Reopens at The Banks in Cincinnati

2 July 202122 September 2024

After spending a beautiful day along the Banks of Cincinnati, I was ready for an outside table at  Moerlein Lager House.  With views along the Ohio River and northern Kentucky, I had the perfect Cincinnati Reds pre-game seat to enjoy a hearty lunch and a couple of beers.  The place was flooded in red with Reds game attendees.

Prior to Prohibition, Cincinnati was one of the leading beer producers throughout the United States with nearly one-hundred breweries opening before the 1920s.  One of these brewers was German immigrant, Christian Moerlein.

Moerlein arrived in the United States in 1841 and settled in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati popular with German and German-American immigrants.  He began brewing beer in his blacksmith shop before opening the Christian Moerlein Brewing Company on Elm Street in 1853.  He produced over 1000 barrels of beer in his first year of production.

Moerlein created brews that were not only popular in Cincinnati, but throughout the country.  The brewery became the largest in Ohio, the fifth largest in the country and began shipping internationally to Europe and South America.  By 1890, Cincinnati was called the “Beer Capital of the World.”

Unfortunately, with the passing of Moerlein in 1897 and Prohibition shortly thereafter, the brewery closed in 1920.

The Christian Moerlein brand was reintroduced to the public when Christian Moerlein Select Lager was produced by Hudepohl Brewing Company in 1981 and was considered on the “leading edge of the craft beer revolution.”  It was the first beer to pass the strict Reinheigsgebot Bavarian Purity Law of 1516 which requires a beer to contain only four ingredients:  malted barley, hops, water and yeast.

By 2004, local Cincinnatian, Greg Hardman purchased the Christian Moerlein and Hudepohl brands to re-introduce some of the best known brews of Cincinnati.  Six years later, Hardman bought the Husman Potato Chip factory in Over-the-Rhine just a few blocks from Moerlein’s original site.  The first beer produced was the 1861 porter which was introduced on New Year’s Eve 2010 in celebration of Arnold’s Bar and Grill’s 150th anniversary.

I was excited to see an amazing list of Cincinnati retro beers to include Hudy 14-K, Hudy Delight, Hudepohl, Little Kings and Burger on the Lager House menu.  I ordered the Purity Pilsner from their amazing selection , a wonderful light beer.

Moerlein Lager House opened in February 2012 along Cincinnati’s newest neighborhood, The Banks, located along the banks of the Ohio River.  This prime location is also adjacent to Great American Ball Park, home of Cincinnati Reds baseball along the riverfront.

Measuring 150,000 square feet and standing two stories, Moerlein offers plenty of seating with 500 seats inside and 600 outside throughout its multiple beer gardens.  A large beer garden connects to Schmidlapp lawn, an outdoor event space along the riverfront park.

With an extensive menu, Hardman wanted to include foods based on the 19th century German cuisine of Over the Rhine such as soft pretzels, German sausage platter and Reuben sandwich.

I couldn’t resist ordering the Cuban sandwich, chips and Hudy Delight.  With over 80 selections, I have time to try another beer before the Cincinnati Reds game.

Have you visited Moerlein Lager House in Cincinnati?  What beers did you order?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Thank you for reading about my visit to Moerlein and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Moerlein Lager House
115 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH  45202
Telephone:  513 421 2337
Website:

Where to Eat:

Moerlein Lager House
115 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH  45202
Telephone:  513 521 2337
Website:  https://www.moerleinlagerhouse.com/

Where to Stay:

AC Hotel by Marriott Cincinnati at The Banks
135 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone:  513 521 2337

What to Eat: 

  • Skyline Chili:  My go-to meal at Skyline is the 4-way chili with onion served with oyster crackers and hot sauce.  I always pick up two York peppermint patties after cashing out.  Cincinnati chili is a beef based sauce served over spaghetti noodles and cheese.  Additional toppings include onions and beans.
  • LaRosa’s Pizza:  A local chain pizzeria, this Sicilian style pie is made with a sweet crust and sauce.  My favorite menu item is the Caprese pesto Flatbread Pizza.
  • Graeter’s Ice Cream:  It’s the French Pot process that makes Graeter’s Ice Cream so decadent and rich.  Towards the end of the process, they pour chocolate into the mix creating large chunks of yummy goodness.
  • Montgomery Inn BBQ:  Visiting the original Montgomery Inn BBQ at the boathouse is a culinary and scenic experience.  Their ribs are served with a sweet and tangy sauce that has since made them the “Ribs King” and a favorite among locals.  Load up on their amazing BBQ flavored Saratoga chips,
  • Glier’s Goetta:  While it looks like a slab of corn beef hash, this breakfast staple is made of sausage and oats, cooked until crispy.  Most breakfast restaurants carry it as a side, especially the local cafes and diners.
  • BonBonerie:  One of the most decadent pastry shops in Cincinnati, their rich confections are absolutely amazing.

Where to Drink:

AC Hotel Rooftop Bar
135 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH  45202
Telephone:  513 744 9900

What to Read:

  • Eligible:  A Modern Retelling of Pride & Prejudice, by Curtis Sittenfeld
  • Running, by J.T. Cooper
  • Dead Witch Walking, by Kim Harrison
  • Beloved, by Toni Morrison
  • Double Dutch, by Sharon M. Draper
  • Romiette and Julio, by Sharon M. Draper

Photo Guide to Cincinnati:

  • City Hall – Inside and Out
  • Smale Riverfront Park
  • Union Terminal
  • Roebling Suspension Bridge
  • Washington Park
  • Krohn Conservatory
  • American Sign Museum
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Lunch Stop and Tarpon Feeding at Robbie’s in Islamorada

10 November 201919 September 2024

Hopping into our car, we leave the Caribbean Club with our windows rolled down taking in the salt air of the islands.  Over the course of our drive we will cross 42 bridges connecting more than 100 miles to our destination of Key West.

Miles of ocean surrounded us on both sides of the Overseas Highway as we drove southbound towards Islamorada.  Mesmerized by the never-ending shades of blue, I dreamt of a day of sailing through the Keys.

Within a few miles from Islamorada, my stomach was beginning to growl, thinking about the seafood selection on the menu at The Hungry Tarpon Restaurant.

We found an amazing table with  shade away from the 84 degree weather and our server arrived within minutes to take our drink order.  I couldn’t resist the Trailer Trash Bloody Mary, which is a top-seller at the restaurant.

I was surprised that there were not as many seafood selections on the menu, so I selected the Cuban Press, with ham seasoned pork, Swiss cheese, mustard, mayo & pickles on Cuban bread.  When my sandwich arrived, I was so excited and couldn’t wait to bite into it.

We all decided to order their chips and salsa because the table beside us had ordered them and they looked amazing.  Once we had finished, we decided to settle our bill and visit the pier to feed the tarpon.

Approaching the pier, I could hear the splashing of the tarpon and noticed a large crowd gathered around, looking down into the clear waters.  With bait in their hands, they waited in line to feed the tarpon, a tradition which began about thirty years ago.

One day, while Robbie was close to the water’s edge, he noticed a tarpon struggling to free itself from the shallow water of the bank.  Trying to save the Silver King, he lifted it up out of the water and noticed that its right jaw was injured.  Reaching out to Doc Roach, the doctor stitched up the injured tarpon and Robbie decided to name the fish, Scarface.  After six months of nursing him back to health, he released the tarpon back into the wild.  Scarface returned, eventually bringing several of his “friends” and Robbie would feed them when they would visit and the rest is history.  Schools of tarpon arrive to the dock each day while visitors pay a small fee to feed them bait and the tradition continues.

Sun-drenched and stuffed to the gills, we continued our drive towards Key West with about two-thirds of the drive to complete.  Soon we would be checking into our hotel with plenty of time to reach Mallory Square to watch the magnificent sunset.

Have you fed the tarpon at Robbie’s in Islamorada?  Or stopped by for lunch at the Hungry Tarpon?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the  comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my visit to Robbie’s and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

Robbie’s of Islamorada
77522 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, FL  33036
Telephone:  833 913 1842

Where to Stay:

Islander Resort
82100 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, FL  33036
Telephone:  833 913 1842

Where to Eat:

The Hungry Tarpon
82100 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, FL 33036
Telephone: 833 913 1842

What to Eat:

  • Ceviche
  • Conch Fritters
  • Crab Cakes
  • Grouper
  • Lobster
  • Mahi Mahi
  • Shrimp

What to Read:

  • Islamorada, by Howard Hunt

 

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A Taste of Cuba at The Starliner Diner, Hilliard, Ohio

22 September 201716 September 2024

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I won’t claim to be an expert on Cuban food, but having lived in Tampa for several years, I’ve have had my share of Cuban sandwiches at Hugos and La Terasita’s served with a side of black beans and rice.   So when a friend suggested I try Starliner Diner in Hilliard, Ohio, I was curious to see if they could compare to the authentic dishes I truly missed.

When I arrived at the café on Cemetery Road, I quickly learned (from my friends at Destination Hilliard and the Hilliard Chamber of Commerce) that the restaurant had outgrown its space and had relocated to nearby Main Street in Old Hilliard.

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As soon as I entered the restaurant, I briefly felt as though I was back in Florida with the colorful rooms and mounted fish on the walls.  Transported to the tropics without the beach, I was escorted to the main dining room sitting next to a huge mural of the sun.  The extensive menu was full of amazing Caribbean dishes to include appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pastas, pizzas and supper dishes.

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In addition, I was provided a handwritten page of specials for the day, but I already knew what I would be ordering….the Media Noche (Cuban Sandwich) with the fried plantains.

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When my meal arrived, my mouth was watering from the sweet aroma of the plantains and the delicious smell of ham and Swiss.  My sandwich was perfectly pressed and I was  ready to take my first bite.  Ahhh…I had been waiting for this moment and I was not disappointed.  This Cuban was a perfect blend of marinated pork and ham, Swiss cheese, a hint of mustard and pickles.  It tasted as authentic as if I had just ordered it from a roadside food stall in Cuba.  The plantains were fried to perfection with a mild taste of sweetness and I love the caramelized texture of this delectable side dish.

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The Starliner Diner rates high on my list of restaurants to visit in Hilliard and I wish them nothing but success with its new location.  I am already checking my calendar to make plans to visit for the Chiles Rellenos,

Have you had the opportunity to visit Starliner Diner?  I would love to hear what you like to order if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below, that would be great!  Many thanks for reading my post and I hope you continue to follow my journey as I explore my home state of Ohio and beyond.

Where to Eat:

Starliner Diner
4121 Main Street
Hilliard, Ohio  43026
Telephone:  614 529 1198

Where to Stay:

Hilton Garden Inn Columbus/Dublin
500 Metro Place North
Dublin, OH  43017
Telephone:  614 766 9900

Here are more of my favorite Columbus Classics:

  • Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream:  Known for her unique flavor combinations, Jeni Britton Bauer has made ice cream famous in C-Bus!
  • North Market:  A one-stop shop for universal cuisine, Columbus’ North Market is worth a stop in the Short North District of the city.
  • The Thurman Cafe:  The Thurmanator is the burger of all burgers at this longtime local cafe in German Village.  There may be a wait all burgers are made to order.
  • Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant:  While the sausage at Schmidt’s is the official food of Columbus, it’s the amazing Cream Puffs that have the locals lining up at the door.

What to Read: 

  • Columbus: The Story of a City, by Ed Lentz
  • Columbus, Ohio: A Photographic Portrait, by Randall L Schieber and Robin Smith
  • Ohio in Photographs: A Portrait of the Buckeye State, by Ian Adams
  • Secret Columbus, by Anietra Hamper

Photo Guide for Columbus: 

  • Coffman Park: small ponds, bridges, white barn, pavilion, landscaping, public art
  • Columbus Museum of Art:  the grounds, inside artwork and special exhibits
  • Everal Barn and Homestead:  landscaping, white barn, beautiful lake
  • Frank Fetch Park:  gardens, brick paths, beautiful trees and landscaping
  • Franklin Park Conservatory:  beautiful gardens, artwork, flowers and special exhibits
  • Gantz Park:  barn, beautiful trees,
  • German Village:  brick streets, landscaping, parks, charming architecture, Old World charm, historical buildings
  • Grove City:  brick roads, small town, shopping area
  • Hayden Falls – wooden walking path, waterfall
  • Historical Village of Hilliard:  a small village to include a schoolhouse, train car, chapel, log cabin, covered bridge, gazebo and granary
  • Homestead Park in Hilliard: walking path, covered bridge, barns, trains, tractor, pond and pet park
  • Inniswood Metro Gardens:  gardens, lily pond, herb garden, play area for children, secret garden
  • Ohio State House: rotunda and landscaping (photo permit required)
  • Ohio State University:  campus, landscaping, Mirror Lake, Ohio Stadium (you can pay a small fee to take photos inside)
  • Park of Roses in Clintonville:  various types of rose gardens
  • Riverfront Park:  city view, Scioto River, landscapes, fountains, walking paths
  • Schiller Park:  gardens, walking paths, stone columns, wooden bridge, small lake
  • Scioto Mile:  city views, Scioto River, landscapes, fountains, walking paths
  • Scioto Park in Dublin:  statue of Chief Leatherlips, river views, landscaping, and paths
  • Short North:  restaurants, italian village, shops, city views, murals
  • Topiary Park:  depiction of George Seurat’s 1884 painting, landscape, fountains, small pond, gazebo
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About Me!

I have had a passion to travel for as long as I can remember and landed my dream job at the age of 19 on a cruise ship. The Suite Life of Travel is about those experiences as well as my future endeavor to explore this amazing world!

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