Montgomery Inn at the Boathouse

04/02/09

Good American food

by jennaly at Citysearch

It's a good place to go before or after a baseball game with a view of the river. If you get the ribs, don't forget to ask for a bib!

• Pros: Great view and great ribs
• Cons: Can be pricey

02/15/09

Many Couples Disappointed for Valentine's Day

by pkagobucks at Citysearch

For Valentine's Day, my husband and I decided to enjoy the view and atmosphere down at the Boathouse. Yes, there are restaurants who's food we prefer, but you can't beat the view.

We attempted to make a reservation 2 weeks prior. We were told that they were only doing "cal ahead seating." Fine. We called at 5pm and were told that we would be seated about 9pm.

Upon our arrival, at 8:15, we discovered a line out the door and were told that walk-up or call ahead, it did not matter...get in the line. The line was over an hour long, only to get inside and be told it would be another 2+ hours for a table. They would not even let you in the building to use the bathroom while in line. For those familiar with the location, you know there aren't exactly other options.

This was THE single most ridiculous experience of my life!

Gregory family, I realize that things are tough right now. They are for all of us. If you cannot successfully manage to navigate the "call ahead" system....TAKE RESERVATIONS or only do 'first come, first serve'. Do not promise people, who are looking for a special evening out, something that you are obviously incapable of delivering!!! A responsible and competent management team would have realized by 5pm that you already had more people on the books than you were capable of serving. WHY KEEP TAKING NAMES??? Greed!

And to top off our great evening of NO DINNER, the valet people mis-tagged our car and we got to stand in the cold AGAIN for another 30 min.

Great Valentine's Day. Thanks

07/23/08

If you want slow-cooked, smoked and rubbed delicious bbq......

by DavidAR at Citysearch

...Don't go to this place. I've heard for 2+ years, since I moved to this area, how great Mont. Inn is. So, a few weeks ago my wife and I went for dinner. Got the 29.00 (ouch) full slab of ribs. Result: No dry rub, no smoke, not even all that tender. Both of us were very disappointed. I guess if you've never had ribs prepared by a pitmaster, you'll eat this stuff. We lived a few miles from the 3-time Memphis Worlds Best Ribs Champ at our last residence, and I'll never take great ribs for granted ever again. I know, 'to each his own'. I'll never eat at Mont. Inn again.

The service was competent, but not friendly.

• Pros: Great view of the Ohio River. Good BBQ sauce, especially with the homemade potato chips.
• Cons: No smoke, no rub. I'd pass on the ribs if you're seeking succulent pork. .

07/13/08

Excellent food but horrible serive

by Wasserjb7 at Citysearch

I dined at the boathouse on a sunday evening after having a nice day with friends. We had planed a ladies night out and we all wanted to treat ourselves to a nice dinner. When we arrived at the restaurant the host were friendly and accomodating taking us to our table immediately. When our server finally arrived, his name was Tim by the way if you ever have him ask for a replacement, he was extremely short, had a bad attitude, and didn't even give us the respect of introducing his self. Throughout the entire dinner he was rude, never made eye contact, and mumbled the entire time. At the end of the meal I asked Tim for sauce to go and he responded NO we don't do that the container will melt. Please, your just to lazy too walk and get it. After paying 40 dollars a person and tipping him I was thoroughly displeased and want everyone to know. I know we are a group of young ladies but its no reason to be treated differently or be assumed to not tip. I feel sick with the service, my nice expensive meal isin't digesting right. Thanks for the great dining experience.

• Pros: Excellent food
• Cons: Terrible Service

12/30/07

Resting on its laurels

by bearcated at Citysearch

My wife and I have been going to Montgomery Inn for 25 years. It has for years been one of our favorite dining spots. However, over the past few months we have noticed a decline in quality. It seems the rib recipe has changed. The ribs are tougher, salty, and the quality of cuts has gone down. Food is still OK, and some of the other entres are still good (barbecue chicken, for example), but it is not what it once was. It seems that now that Ted is gone, the current generation of owners seems more intent on milking profit than maintaining high standards. And they continue to raise prices. Montgomery Inn is now a rather pricey meal. It's a shame.

• Pros: Good location. Service still good.
• Cons: Over priced. Quality not what it once was.

12/08/07

going bad

by thebizz at Citysearch

just had carryout ribs meals...salads not included is a bad move....bread went from slices of bread to a hunk of tough dough ..very bad....the ribs were dry not enough sause....first time i have been dissappointed with your resturant,,,dont know what happnd to quality but the changes are not good for me...larry b

08/27/07

Best Restaurant I've Ever Been To

by xufan317 at Citysearch

I have been to Montgomery Inn hundreds if not Thousands of times. I love to go for the ribs, but other great choices are the Duck, steaks and chicken. I have tried everything on the menu at least once, and I can honestly say that I have never had a bad meal there once. The service is very nice, quick, and efficient, but while they do have to move between multiple tables, they are willing to stop and chat for just long enough to make you feel at home. On top of the great service and food, the atmosphere is incredible, with an exceptional view of the river, and tons of memorabilia, it is a great place to go and take it all in. The Montgomery Inn is by far my favorite restaurant, from the Ribs, to the Service, to the atmosphere, you cant go wrong with this Cincinnati Classic

• Pros: Service, Ribs, all of the food, Atmosphere
• Cons: NONE

06/22/07

Not even close to authentic ribs

by mst3kguy at Citysearch

Ignorance is bliss. That's how I characterize the loyalty that Cincinnatians have to M/I ribs. Most have grown up on M/I ribs, and therefore when they try real ribs, the ones that are smoked, have a dry rub, etc., they cringe, because the "other" ribs aren't swimming in ketchup-like sauce and don't fall apart when you pick them up.

If you are looking for authentic wood-smoked ribs, you won't find them here. Try something authentic like just about any ribs place in Memphis TN, North or South Carolina, or even south of Lexington KY. In Cincinnati try Burbanks, Boston Butts, or City Barbecue, to name a few. M/I doesn't taste like a wood-smoked rib, it tastes like a boiled and microwaved rib soup.-A Cincinnatian that didn't grow up in Cincinnati and knew how barbecue was supposed to be before coming here. ( :

• Pros: Location and view.
• Cons: The ribs. See text.

05/22/07

Montgomery Inn at the Boathouse

by mysterytonite at Citysearch

This place has everything you would ever need in a restaurant. Top flight food, romantic setting, scenic views of the rivers. The ribs and the brisket are the main attractions here. The calamari is very good too. Service is top notch, while it does get loud at prime hours it is still romantic. I love coming here, it is a must when you visit the city. Anything with the famous sauce will be excellent.

• Pros: Great food, service, views, romance
• Cons: gets loud

04/15/07

Great Food, Great View, Exceptional Hospitality

by missnati at Citysearch

The Gregory's sure know how to do it right, I've been coming to the Montgomery Inn since I was a child and in my late 20's really started frequenting the boathouse alot. Where can you go wrong? the food is consistently good, the view at night is incredible (makes u feel like ur in a different city almost!) and I've yet to have any inkling of bad service. The last time I was there they had the sweetest front desk girl who did her best to secure us a great view and a very attentive and outgoing server ...there was flawless service from beginning to end. If my vote matters, its montgomery inn for me!!! a big thanks to the gregory family for many years of great memories!!

• Pros: View, Ambience, Exceptional Staff, Celebrity Sightings