A couple of nights ago some friends picked me up to get me out of the house. We decided to go somewhere I’ve not been before for dinner — thankfully, these guys knew right where to take me.
Terry’s Turf Club is located @ 4618 Eastern Ave. in the East End of Cincinnati. I’d heard of the restaurant many times before, but I’m not really all that into burgers so I’ve never made an effort to get there. There are a lot of bad burger joints in Cincy…this isn’t one of them.
Terry’s couldn’t be located in a more unassuming place. It’s essentially a ghetto looking house that is parked in between other dilapidated houses. The only difference between these houses, is that Terry’s has neon lights all over it and there’s a line of people waiting to get inside.
A line of people? For a burger place? Methinks something good is happening in that neon house.
We had to wait for about 20 minutes outside, which didn’t bother me at all because we were able to grab a beer (of which they had tons to choose from) and share dumb guy stories as we waited. Time flies when you’re sharing dumb guy stories.
Once we sat down, I was impressed by how little they had on their menu. It was essentially Burgers and Fries…with various toppings for your burger including lump crab meat, caramelized onions, aged Gruyere cheese, and some other specialty stuff. Of course you could just go with lettuce and tomato if that’s what floats your boat. The only other item on the menu that I couldn’t seem to get past was a Filet Mignon sandwich topped with Béarnaise sauce.
All of the guys ordered their burger options, but it’s in my nature…it’s just who I am…I had to get the Filet Mignon sandwich. And I’m glad I did. I received the best sandwich I’ve ever tasted on Tuesday night – A Filet of Beef cooked to the perfect medium-rare, covered in just the right amount of a beautiful butter and egg yolk sauce that I’d gladly drink from a shoe if offered to do so. Yes, it was a $13 sandwich, but to be honest — that steak would have run you at least $25 if it was sitting on a plate next to some limp vegetables.
Although the phone pictures don’t do a whole lot of justice to the atmosphere of Terry’s Turf Club…I think you get the idea. It’s a diner. It’s filled with neon lights. It feels retro and you get the sense that you’ve been coming there for years even if it’s your first visit. Terry’s had the total package for me, great environment, small menu done really well, and tasty french fries. There’s nothing worse than being known for great burgers and having sucky french fries.
If you live in Cincinnati or you have the chance to pass through – Terry’s Turf Club is a culinary destination worth exploring. Top notch experience. I can see why it’s #1 on UrbanSpoon.com
One of our favorite moments of the night was just before we left. An older gentleman who was eating alone stopped just as he was exiting the door and yelled out to everyone, “OKAY EVERYBODY – WE’RE GOING TO BLESS THIS GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS BY SINGING…
♫ God bless America…
land that I love…
stand beside her….
and guide her…through the night with a light from above…”
By the third word he sang, the entire restaurant burst out in unison to loudly harmonize the rest of it.
It. Was. Epic.
I think I know where I’m taking Allison for our next date night.



















































