Since 2017, the Best of the West has celebrated all that Cincinnati’s West Side has to offer. From fried chicken to auto shops, we love celebrating the West Side businesses. Thousands of people voted in the 2021 Best of the West competition. Cincy Magazine readers voted for their favorites in 71 categories, and we are excited to bring you this year’s winners. Green Township was the community partner. We asked all of our winners why they thought they won their category, and we included a selection of their responses in the following pages.
Auto
Best Auto Repair
Body Works, Ltd.
4293 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati.
bodyworksltd.com
“From start to finish, our focus is on the customer; to make their life as stress-free, safe and streamlined as possible. There is no such thing as ‘being the best’ without putting them first. The world of car repair certainly has the potential to be stress-inducing, so our overarching goal is always to create an environment where customers feel comfortable and confident in allowing us to handle their problems.” – Sam Geroulis, owner
Beauty
Best Hair Salon
Embellish Salon and Spa
5319 Foley Rd, Cincinnati.
experienceembellish.com
“We offer a welcoming, and safe environment. Our staff and stylists will have a smile on your face from the moment you walk in, until you leave! Come unwind and benefit from our services, such as hair removal, hair treatments, stress relieving massages, beautiful lashes, manicure and pedicures, bridal hair and makeup, facials and more!” – Kylie Fantetti, salon manager
Best Manicure/Pedicure & Best Place for a Spa Day
A Touch of Heaven
6766 Hamilton Cleves Pike Rd, Miamitown.
atouchofheaven.info
“A Touch of Heaven Beauty & Wellness Spa is truly a reasonable-revive-reinvent-rejuvenate-remarkable relaxation location! Every therapist, hair designer, nail tech, makeup artist, skincare professional, body treatment provider and administrative staff is committed to listen and deliver to your satisfaction.” – Mindy Lovins, owner
Best Master Stylist
Robin Schreck, Beautique Duo Hair and Nails
6564 Glenway Ave, Cincinnati.
facebook.com/deenaandrobin.net/
“The best part of being a stylist for the past 20 years is the relationships I have developed with my clients/friends. These are my people and I get the privilege to make them have at least a good hair day!” – Robin Schreck
Drink
Best Bar
JTaps Sports Bar & Grill
6441 Glenway Ave, Cincinnati.
jtapsbarandgrill.com
Best Bourbon Selection
Route 50 Saloon
251 Main St, Addyston.
route50saloon.com
Best Brewery
West Side Brewing
3044 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati.
westsidebrewing.com
Best Happy Hour & Best Sports Bar
Bucketheads
6507 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati.
bucketheadscincy.com
Best Wine Store/Tasting
Henke Winery and Restaurant
3077 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati.
henkewine.com
Entertainment
Best Live Music & Best Patio Dining
Cabana on the River
7445 Forbes Rd, Cincinnati.
cabanaontheriver.com
Family
Best Dance/Theatre Instruction
Technical Dance Center
7355 Eagle Creek Rd, Cincinnati.
technicaldancecenter.com
“At Technical Dance Center, we are much more than just a dance studio, we’re a family. We offer classes and performance opportunities for dancers of all levels and are home to an award-winning competition team. Our mission is to teach our kids to be the best they can be through dance in a safe and fun learning environment.”
– Diane Campbell, owner
Best Gymnastics Center
TGC – The Gymnastics Center
5166 Crookshank Rd, Cincinnati.
thegymnasticscenter.com
Best Music Instruction
ETBMusic and Fine Arts Center
5958 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati.
etbmusic.com
“We offer lessons for piano, voice, guitar/bass, drums and strings. In addition, we have Rock Band classes, which give students an opportunity to perform as a group at various venues, festivals and events throughout the Cincinnati area. It is a wonderful community of people who share a passion for music on the West Side of Cincinnati!” – Emily Beck, owner
Best Photographer
Emily Broering Photography
emilybroering.com
“From that first bite of cake to the closing chapter of someone’s high school career, and all of the smaller moments in between, I have the honor of capturing beautiful, genuine moments for people that live on through generations. I want my clients to feel like I am an extension of their family as we collaborate to create and capture important moments.” – Emily Broering, owner
Best Preschool
Pilgrim Preschool
4418 Bridgetown Rd, Cincinnati.
pilgrimpreschool.com
Best School Spirit (K-12)
St. James School
6111 Cheviot Rd, Cincinnati.
stjameswo.org
“St. James School is an amazing community! Especially this past year, our students, staff and parents came together to open our school safely in-person. We all take pride in providing our kids the best possible experience!” – Jeff Fulmer, principal
Best Summer Camp
Club MMA
3285 Westbourne Dr, Cincinnati.
club-mma.com
Food
Best Bakery & Best Dessert
Julie Marie Sweets
juliemariesweets.com
Best BBQ
Velvet Smoke BBQ
Multiple locations including Harrison (10515 New Haven Rd) and White Oak (5626 Cheviot Rd).
velvetsmokebbq.wpcomstaging.com
Best Breakfast/Brunch, Best Fresh Catch & Best Restaurant
Ivory House
2998 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati.
ivoryhousecincy.com
“There’s a commitment to excellence that is seen, felt and tasted during the Ivory House experience. The talent and creative vision of Chef Rob Scannell and his crew elevate our menu offerings. Knowledgeable front-of-house professionals delight in exceeding service expectations. Our guests have really embraced the experience we’ve created.” – Frank Eversole, President, Ivory House and EP Investment Group
Best Burger & Best Wings
Chandler’s Burger Bistro
Cincinnati (6135 Cleves Warsaw Pike) & Harrison (10533 Harrison Ave).
chandlersburgerbistro.com
Best Butcher
Langen Meats & Fine Wines
1170 Harrison Ave, Harrison.
langenmeats.com
Best Catering
Vonderhaar’s Catering
19 W Pleasant St, Reading.
vonderhaars.com
Best Chef
Vitor Abreu, Vitor’s Bistro & Sushi Bar
932 Jamison Rd, West Harrison, Indiana.
vitorsbistro.net
“We feel we are best in best chef category due to our chef, some awesome grub and our wonderful customers that helped us to get where we are.“
– Vitor Abreu
Best Cupcakes
Cake & Pastries by George
3674 Muddy Creek Rd, Cincinnati.
facebook.com/Cakes-Pastries-by-George-114196848767687/
Best Donuts
Bizy Bee Bakery
6601 Gracely Dr, Cincinnati.
facebook.com/BizyBeeBakery/
Best Family Dining
Santorini Family Restaurant
3414 Harrison Ave, Cheviot.
facebook.com/Santorini-Family-Restaurant-121895249744/
Best Fine Dining
Primavista
810 Matson Place, Cincinnati.
pvista.com
Best Food Truck
Chicken Mac Truck
chickenmactruck.com
Best Fried Chicken
Ron’s Roost Restaurant & Bar
3853 Race Rd, Cincinnati.
ronsroost.net
Best Ice Cream
Zip Dip
4050 Drew Ave, Cincinnati.
zip-dip.com
Best Mexican Cuisine
Cancun Mexican Restaurant
5034 Glencrossing Way, Cincinnati.
cancunmexicanglencrossing.com
Best Sandwich Shop
J&J’s Restuarant
6159 Glenway Ave, Cincinnati.
Best Soup/Salad
TAG’s Café
5761 Springdale Rd, Cincinnati.
tagscafe.com
“We make all of our soups from scratch every day. Our salads are made from house chopped romaine and fresh ingredients including homemade dressings. TAG’s has been in business over 13 years and employs the kindest, hardest working employees anywhere! We are happy to be able to provide a quality product at a fair price to our community and friends!” – Terri A. Graber, owner
Best Steak
Maury’s Tiny Cove
3908 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati.
maurys-steakhouse.com
Best View from a Restaurant
Incline Public House
2601 W 8th St, Cincinnati.
inclinepublichouse.com
Health
Best Chiro
Dr. Andrew J. Limle, DC, Cincinnati Chiropractic
4021 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati.
cincinnatichiropractic.com
Best Dentist
Brian Meister, Meister Dental Group
10067 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati.
meisterdentalgroup.com
Best Fitness Center
Western Athletic Club
5490 Muddy Creek Rd, Cincinnati.
westerntfc.com
“Western Athletic Club strongly believes in building community while helping our members develop healthy habits and active lifestyles. We are here to help members thrive and better the communities we serve. We want everyone who walks through our doors to feel like we are their second home!” – Angela Wilson, general manager
Best Fitness Class Instructor
Gabby Williams, SWT Fitness
4456 Bridgetown Rd, Cincinnati.
swtfitness.com
“I know what it’s like to be the underdog. I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I have lost and maintained a 200-pound weight loss over the last decade. I started SWT Fitness because I wanted to create a true judgement-free environment that focuses on fun, effective workouts with a strong sense of community and support. These are the qualities that make myself and SWT Fitness so successful!” – Gabby Williams, creator/owner/instructor
Best Medical Spa
New Body Aesthetics
4004 Harrison Rd, Cincinnati.
newbodyaesthetics.com
“We focus on our patients’ wants and needs and provide them with realistic expectations. Meaning, we provide patients with every pro and con of the procedure or service they would like to receive to ensure the patient can leave our clinic with a smile.” – Krystle Marie, office manager
Best Pediatric Dentist
David M Sullivan DDS
Best Pediatrician
Dr. Sharon Harp, Queen City Physicians – TriHealth
Glenway (6530 Glenway Ave) & Western Ridge (6949 Good Samaritan Dr).
trihealth.com/hospitals-and-practices/queen-city-physicians
Pets
Best Vet
Miamitown Pet Hospital
5990 OH-128, Cleves.
miamitownpethospital.com
Places
Best Event Space & Best Place to have a Wedding
Nathanael Greene Lodge & Reception Hall
6394 Wesselman Rd, Cincinnati.
greentwp.org/departments/nathanael-greene-lodge/
Best Fitness Trail
Whitewater Memorial State Park
1418 S IN-101, Liberty, Indiana.
in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/whitewater-memorial-state-park/
Best Park
Miami Whitewater Forest
9001 Mt Hope Rd, Harrison.
greatparks.org
Best Place for a Picnic
Fernbank Park
50 Thornton Ave, Cincinnati.
greatparks.org
Services
Best Accounting/CPA
Matthew P. Roth & Co.
4218 Bridgetown Rd, Cincinnati.
rothaccounting.com
Best Assisted Living
Bayley
990 Bayley Dr, Cincinnati.
bayleylife.org
Best Car Wash
Mike’s Carwash
Multiple locations including Glenway (6289 Glenway Ave), Harrison Ave (5627 Harrison Ave) and Colerain (9046 Colerain Ave).
mikescarwash.com
Best Computer Repair
Fuller Information Technology
6040 Harrison Ave, Ste 200, Cincinnati.
fullerinfotech.com
“We’re conversant. We are very familiar with the people and the area and we’ve been in this business a long time. We just celebrated our 25th anniversary. Our Microsoft-certified technicians are knowledgeable and experienced, providing a variety of services from computers to remote work, and even phone systems.” – Renata Freese, office manager
Best Dry Cleaner
Kroner Dry Cleaners
3820 North Bend Rd, Cincinnati.
kronerdrycleaners.com
Best Florist
Lutz Flowers
5110 Crookshank Rd, Cincinnati.
lutzflowerhaus.com
Best Heating/Cooling
EW Heating and Cooling
5949 Cottonball Ct, Cincinnati.
facebook.com/EWHeatingandCooling/
Best Home Remodeler
Grand Remodeling
5739 Westgrove Dr, Cincinnati.
grand-remodeling.business.site
Best Insurance Agent
Lauber & Will Insurance
7012 Harrison Ave, Ste 5, Cincinnati.
lauberandwill.com
Best Real Estate Agents
Coldwell Banker: The Linden-Kamp Real Estate Group
6730 Ruwes Oak Dr, Cincinnati.
facebook.com/TheLindenKamp/
“As lifelong friends amd proud Westsiders, we match our unparalleled knowledge of the area with award-winning customer service to help our clients achieve their dreams of home ownership.” – Edward Lindenschmidt, Realtor
Best Tire Center
Brogan & Folz Firestone
4511 Bridgetown Rd, Cincinnati.
brogantire.com
Shopping
Best Bookstore
Inner Blessings Christian Books & Gifts
4002 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati.
shopinnerblessings.com
Best Clothing Store
Lou Lou’s
6145 Bridgetown Rd, Cincinnati.
shoploulous.com
Best Farmer’s Market
Sayler Park Farmer’s Market
6600 Gracely Dr, Cincinnati.
facebook.com/Saylerparkfarmersmarket
Best Jeweler
Dave Faigle & Son Jewelers
6355 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati.
dfsjewelers.com
