Zola's

Review 14 @ Stop 22
Zola’s Pub & Grill
626 Main Street (Covington)
859.261.7510

Located in Covington MainStrasse, Zola’s is a neighborhood tavern with a spirit similar to Quatman’s Café and many other neighborhood establishments featuring food and drink. Bucky looked around and said, “This is good.” With an old wooden backbar, a small seating area (but there is an upstairs), and an open view of Main Street, Zola’s provides a great casual atmosphere for people of all ages to meet.

Found within the surprisingly large menu are 8 different burger – wow! No wonder locals love Wednesday’s burger special of any 5 toppings for $5.

Although Freddie craved the Zola Burger, the traditional burger ($4.95), a half pound of Black Angus beef with tomato, lettuce, onion, and mayonnaise plus fries or slaw, was the choice. The large Kaiser bun, lightly toasted on both sides, served to anchor the meat.

All three patties were slightly different sizes – ah ha! – a sign of freshly made. On the other hand, cantankerous Bucky noted he got the smallest patty that allowed too much space between the burger and the bun’s edge.

Bucky, Freddie, and Wolfy ordered their typical medium-well, medium, and medium-rare. After several bites, the inside color created a perfect color continuum and Wolfy said, “This is good.” Every bite brought forth the freshness of the Black Angus and the simple salt and pepper seasoning. Freddie states, And this is good – but the meat can use more seasoning.

The Burger Guys also give a big shout out to the common ownership of the pub and grill triumphant: Oakley, Zola’s, and 915. Although Freddie and Wolfy have yet to visit the Ft. Thomas location, Bucky without hesitation guarantees, “It will be good.”

The old bar environment, the nice server, the MainStrasse setting proved to be a great experience. Although the burger was not flawless and did create considerable debate among the team, it is good. Freddie’s score boosts this burger into the Exceptional Award category.

Congratulations Zola’s! Hope you frame the certificate and show it to those who came and say, “The Cincinnati Burger Guys sent us.”

PS: See the Northern Kentucky Bluegrass Band on Tuesdays, 9 pm till midnight. Tell them to play a song for the Cincinnati Burger Guys.

Score: 8.5
Rating: Exceptional

Next Review: 915 Pub & Grill