Walt's Hitching Post

07/27/08

Something has changed

by jmurden at Citysearch

We have eaten at Walt's a couple times a year for at least 20 years. It has always been a good experience, good service and great food. However, this is our first visit since Bill Melton died... apparently so has the quality at Walt's... We were there on Sunday 7/27/08. While we were seated promptly, our server took a long time to take our order. The food took over an hour to arrive. The ribs were small and dry. The T-bone was average at best. The drinks were extremely expensive and we would have only had one each if our food had come in a reasonable time. The new dinning room was closed, so they were not nearly as busy as they are at other times. The BBQ was in full blaze, so we were expecting excellent ribs, much to our disappointment. This was a real disappointment for such and icon in Northern Kentucky dinning.

• Pros: Atmosphere is good as always
• Cons: Food and service have plumted. Prices have increased quite a bit.

11/27/09

Terrible Buffet

by Elbo44 at Citysearch

Had Thanksgiving dinner there and first trip through the line no turkey and no gravy. Second trip turkey was there but gravy and everything else was cold. Seems like they don't know how to run a buffet. Worst Thanksgiving ever!!!

This place needs a website so they can get feedback. This used to be a good place to eat.

• Pros: No pros
• Cons: Poorly run.

11/17/09

Best Meal in Years

by Lisa GG at Citysearch

The service was top notch. The Jumbo Fried Shrimp were East Coast Shrimp worthy. The Prime Rib with A'Jou was both tender and seasoned perfectly. The Tomato-Garlic salad dressing is unique and very tasty. The sides were well prepared and wonderful as well. The ambiance and misic were relaxing. The ribs have that great smoked flavor and are competion worthy. The ribs are so good as they require chewing and savoring the meat's flavor. Everything was great, even the price. I totally suggest getting the daily special and would recommend this establishment to everyone.

• Pros: Best Prime Rib Ever
• Cons: None

09/19/08

I agree still the same

by smiley08 at Citysearch

When I was younger and growing up my parents would treat us once a month to the wonderful Walt?s Hitching Post. Walt?s famous Smoke house Ribs all around except for my father, he was a prime rib man he would always allow me a few mouth-watering bites. When I married a man from out of state I introduced him to Walt?s, he instantly fell in love with the place and the smokehouse ribs. A few years back my husband was offered a better position in Oregon and we moved. Once a year we come back to visit family and always our first stop is Walt?s. This summer my whole family got together a party of 20 the place was as welcoming as ever. What made the experience even better was the service. We had the best three servers a person could ask for. I made sure I got their names to spread to everyone how eager these three individuals are to please their customers and their positive attitudes; Fantastic! . Two polite young men Phil and James and the young ladies name was Stella. (Funny girl!). The food was better than ever. Now I am not knocking the older servers they have dedication and I admire that, but I think it?s time to quit when all you do is walk around loudly complaining and without a smile. Well, that was my soapbox moment. I recommend Walt?s to all!

• Pros: Ribs, House Dressing, Prime Rib, Chicken Livers

09/05/08

Still the same.

by LiamBaker at Citysearch

I have been going to Walt's since I was 8 years old, my first experience was with my father. Such of one that kept me coming back for years to come. I love the overwhleming smell of the wood mixed with the hickory smoked ribs. I still find myself rolling my window down every time I drive by just to get a wiff. Yes my mouth waters just thinking about it. I dined with my family at least once a week, it was always a favorite to the whole family. I now have a family of my own and we eat at Walt's every chance we get.

Yes things are a bit different without Bill H. Melton. He was loved by many and will be mised. Bill Melton was an icon to the Northern Kentucky culture--he mad a great restaurant and was one hell of a business man. What an act to follow, not even some of our best now could fill the shoes of Mr. Melton. I see that Walt's is still going on which so many are glad to see. The food, as always, is good, and the ribs are still the best around. The atmosphere never lost it's eclectic charm and quite often I'm reminded of the happy memories there as a child.

I can overlook some of the snags as long as the main things stay the same. I'm sure the kids will soon get the hang of it and become more polished the way their father wanted. I'm sure it will work out with some time. It's had it's share of hardships, but that will never keep them from putting all their hard work and determination into making the restaurant better than it's ever been. I'm rooting for the Melton family, and I hope they make it so that walt's will be around for my kids, and theirs, to enjoy. I give Walt's 3 stars.

• Pros: Good consistent food. Eclectic, warm, charming atmosphere. Devotion to carrying on the Melton dream.
• Cons: Service needs to be a little speedier. Tip: Work on bettering the service.

06/30/08

When is Sole officially Cod? When the boss says it is!

by BrianStone at Citysearch

My wife and I had dinner Monday 6/30/08 She had half a slab of Ribs which was small and dry, and I the fillet of Sole. As an older couple we eat out at least 4 nights a week so we are experienced diners. Firstly the half slab of ribs did not even begin to look like anything you would get at the Montgomery Inn or anywhere else for that matter. My Sole was a fillet of cod (I am from England and I know fish). I asked for the manager who told me that there was no such fish as Sole but I know most flat fish in the USA are called Sole so I was expecting Flounder which was fine by me. Telling me that there is no such fish as Sole was stupid at best and serving cod as a replacement is pure misrepresentation. I hope the management and chef get some training and until they do SOLE should be off the menu.

• Pros: thinking? give me time I am sure there must be one
• Cons: Management that has no soul as they sell Cod for Sole

Editorial Review

by Contributor at Citysearch

Renowned grill masters slow-cook their BBQ ribs in a special outdoor smokehouse. The service and decor are equally old-fashioned.

06/12/05

COME HOME TO THE BEST

by bopretiree at Citysearch

I LIVED IN NORTHERN kENTUCKY 33 YEARS AGO AND WAS INTRODUCED TO WALT'S AT THAT TIME. AFTER MOVING AROUND THE COUNTRY AND RETIRING TO LEXINGTON, I COULDN'T WAIT TO COME BACK TO WALT'S. THINGS CHANGE OVER THE YEARS EVEN AT AT WALT'S. THE GREAT FOOD AND SERVICE THAT IMPRESSED ME 33 YEARS AGO HAVE GOTTEN EVEN BETTER. THIS IS A MUST FOR ANYONE WHO ENJOYS GOOD FOOD, FRIENDLY AND COURTEOUS SERVICE, AND AN ATMOSPHERE SUITABLE TO ANY OCCASION!

TO THE REST OF THE WORLD, COME TO WALT'S AND TAKE A LESSON!

• Pros: FOOD QUALITY, SERVICE, ATMOSPHERE
• Cons: NONE

07/02/04

Great Ribs, Rye Bread and Real People!

by candil1969 at Citysearch

I have been going to Walt's every since I can remember! The food is fantastic...they have their own style of sauce which I've never seen duplicated. Their rye bread is "to die for" and the waitresses are a special breed of their own also. Heck, some of them have been waitresses every since I was a child and it's nice to know that some things never change. I love Walt's!!

• Pros: Great Ribs, Great Rye Bread, Great Crowd

10/08/02

The Way Things Ought to Be.

by Flying_Brass at Citysearch

You can keep your boiled meat with ketchup and your froufrou crowd. Give me ribs hickory smoked over an open fire and guys at the bar who are still on their first wives and now on their third whiskey. Walts is the kind of place you used to go with your grand-daddy. Great food, great service (You need some more bread honey?) all with a touch of southern gentility.

• Pros: Best Ribs In Town
• Cons: Ummmm - not one thing