Anderson Bar & Grill 8060 Beechmont Ave. 474-2212

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Make ABG your destination to watch The Games
25 TVs, drink and food specials

Super Bowl Sunday Feb. 5th…All U Can Eat Wing and Slider Buffet 6pm-10pm

Dinner Specials
Tuesday- Buy one burger - Get one for $2 all day
Wednesday- Prime rib dinner $11.95 after 5pm

Happy Hour drinks 12-7 everyday with $1 off all bottles, drafts & well drinks
Happy Hour Appetizers 4-7 Mon-Fri and 12-7 Sat and Sun

New beers on tap...
Stone IPA - Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale Stella Artois - Goose Island 312 - Guinness - Rogue Dead Guy Ale

Upcoming Events

Friday
3- Marsha Brady

Saturday
11- Modern Rewind
18- Spookfloaters

Reviews

Chili Cook-off Takes Off

Did you miss Anderson Bar & Grill’s 4th annual Chili Cook-Off? Then you suck (or maybe just hate chili?). Well, we were there, we always are. And, as a matter a fact we love it. Why? First off, ABG’s Chili Cook-Off personifies neighborhood pub.
Where else could you find two parking lots full of cars, both sides of ABG full of patrons and bartenders busy on a sleepy Sunday afternoon? Folks enjoying brews and courteous conversation, ordering appetizers (ABG’s cheese sticks are THE best) to curb the tummy rumble no doubt brought on by the amazing aroma from a couple dozen crock pots of simmering chili. It’s a good time all around.
We’ve judged the cook-off previously and that was a blast. This was our first year as a competitor. Let me tell you now-it certainly adds to the fun too. Nervous anxiety yes, “Will they dig my Indian Chili? Do they know a good masala? Do they understand?” This year featured two new judges (Eric Miller-Executive Director of Anderson Chamber Of Commerce, and Paul Schils-Pelican’s Reef Chef) in addition to one veteran (Tim Johnson-Executive Chef of Coldstream Country Club). Well, since our Indian spiced vegetarian chili didn’t take any of the top three spots I’d guess they didn’t dig it that much. No big deal. It didn’t subtract from our fun whatsoever (and the crowd did dig it after all). Just like the competitors and guests we threw back a few brews and chimed in on all the “chili talk” What ingredients people like & dislike, special seasonings, secret sauces and everything in-between was the hot topic. That, and watching the Steelers smoke the team that just smoked the Bengals.
The game preceded the event, we all watched as Ben Roethlisberger, fresh off suspension threw three touchdown passes, and the Steelers clobbered Cleveland 28-10. Anderson Bar & Grill is the Anderson sports authority pub and even an Annual Chili Cook-Off isn’t going to get in the way of the 100” plasma during game time. Rest assured of that man.

After the salivating wait the Cook-Off took off, an hour later the judges had made their decision, 1st place went to Ron Rodenparker (bottom). Ron’s White Chicken chili hit the sweet spot on the judge’s palate. Ron Meyer took 2nd (center) and Ryan Abbott (top) followed up in 3rd. All should be equally proud. How the results go depends on who’s in the judges seats. Simple as that.
Great chili is recognized by all. After the judging the crowd is allowed to dig in and sample them all. Perhaps that’s the best part of it all. Big bowls of oyster crackers, cheese and onions are on hand to dress it up and what better fall feast can you imagine?
You can bet dollars to doughnuts we’ll be there next year. We may even throw another recipe at the judges (Thai Chili? Hmmm?). It’s all in good fun and it’s damn sure a good time. If you dig chili, beer, football you need to be there too. In the meantime, check out Anderson Bar & Grill’s Cincinnati recipe chili. It’s a permanent menu item and it seriously kicks ass. Huge portions and great chili push ABG’s three ways way over the top of the big three in the city. At least if we were judging.

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Who’s Got The Best Chili In Anderson? ABG’s Chili Cook-off is a crowd pleaser!

Anthony Bourdain left the Food Network when they asked him to do more episodes on good ole’ fashioned Americana. You know, the kind of show with regular Joes cooking up family recipes in the back yard with friends, grillin’ ribs and burning burgers, putting on local food festivals and contests. Good people, good times, what’s so wrong with that Tony?
I know we love it here on the Eastside, just look at the recent Chili Cook-off at Anderson Bar & Grill. ABG decided it was time to get the patrons in on all the culinary excitement they have going on and the crowd agreed.

Anderson Bar & Grill is known to take the usual and make it extraordinary (like the Idol) and this cook-off was no exception.
Fourteen crocks of homemade chili sat in a row, while three judges sat at the table. ABG did a good job rounding up the chili tasters too.
All three judges are well qualified to decide who has the champion chili. Tim Johnson (left) is Chef at the Coldstream Country Club, Dan Starkins (center) is chef at Latitudes Anderson and Buck Fletcher (right) wears the big white hat at the Anderson Kroger. Plus, they all love a good pot o’ chili (and who doesn’t!).

After the initial tasting of all 14 chilies the judges took a second taste of the top 5, then again with the top 3. After the taste buds settled down the winners were finally announced and the trophies were handed out (courtesy of Beth Cook at Trophy East).
3rd place went to (former owner) Charlie Wyatt (top left). His recipe is 20+ years old and a family favorite often still requested by his children. 2nd place (top center) went to Tamara Shepherd. Her recipe is a 40+ year old recipe her father passed down to her and she still makes exactly as he did. That’s really cool.
1st. place went to Dale Geis (top right). His recipe started out as a family recipe but he’s been tweaking it over the years and slowly it evolved into the winning recipe it is today. Mr. Geis says he makes a less spicy version for the kids and they all love it. Great job folks!

If you missed out (like me) on the entering your best pot of perfection don’t fret, Anderson Bar & Grill has more great cook-offs in the works. ABG plans on hosting a ribs, chicken, burger and side dish cook-off soon. The second Chili Cook-off will take place during the Bengals “Bye-Week” so you still have a chance to steal the crown for 2008.
All in all these cook-offs are great family fun, the rivalry is strong but all in good fun. The real kicker is when the judging is over the crowd gets to devour all the delights! I ate my share of the chilies too. I sampled all the winning chilies, they were all excellent but I especially liked entry #9 Whomever you are #9 I say get in that next cook-off because your chili has solid winning potential.
You can bet EV will be at every ABG cook-off with bib in hand, maybe we’ll even judge one. Regardless of who’s judging or who’s cooking it’s always good ole fashioned American family fun and that’s the whole point.
Tony Bourdain’s lucky the Travel Channel picked his narrow ass up and financed all those trips to Pakistan, Korea and Vietnam and such. To me his episode list sounds more like a list of countries we used to savagely bomb (or still are) than a list of the best places to have a great time at the table.
Screw you Bourdain, you should have taken the tailgate party gig and left the people who eat creatures called Squeezel alone. Two words Tony, Chili Cook-off. O.K. maybe that’s three words but it’s all American, it’s all awesome and we always keep it Squeezel free.

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Eastside’s Number One Chili Cookoff

Anderson Bar & Grill won Best Pub Grub and that’s not an understatement. Most all of their menu items are scratch made and even the Boss Chris Ornella can often be seen in the kitchen cooking.
Mondays are packed for the wings & bar specials and the game is on loud and proud on the biggest plasma you’ve ever seen. Tuesdays bring in the burger fans, buy any burger and get one for just a dollar. These are goooood burgers too! Wednesday is prime rib night and has been a favorite since the beginning. And Thursday is the popular rib night.
ABG’s fish is bar none the best in town. Big beautiful and hand breaded this slab of fish dwarfs most others and is sooo good. We order the sandwich platter for lunch and don’t really even bother with the bun. Just chomp right into that flaky filet, eat the toppings as a salad. To us the fish is too good to be covered up by bread and veggies. The homemade tartar sauce has an awesome caper kick and that we always get extra of.
The pub has a nice nightlife, popular bands and sports sports sports but.... it’s the kitchen that’s the heart & soul of this pub. Don’t doubt that.
Chris keeps ABG fun and fresh with cool events like the ABG Annual Chili Cook Off. This year’s event was the biggest ever with over two dozen entries. Trophy’s were awarded to the top 3 finishers. We tried them all and the judges were right on.
Truth is Janet Ornella actually won first place but since she’s Chris’s mom she was given an honorary title only. You can’t say this contest ain’t fair! The after judging chili buffet was awesome. It’s so much fun next year we’re entering our own to join in on the fun.

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Karaoke King

ABG has always been recognized for their fantastic bar food and great live entertainment. As an added attraction they feature one of the most entertaining karaoke shows in the city making Anderson Bar and Grill home of the biggest Karaoke Contest this side of Vegas!
Eastside Vibe was there to check out the November finals, it was wall to wall with rowdy fans who showed up in droves to support their favorite Anderson Idol contestants. The last contest ending in cashing out over $2000.00 to the top five finalists. That’s amazing to think you can win $1000 just for coming out to sing at ABG.
Todd Humphries (aka Karaoke Todd) has been hosting shows at ABG for over five years.

The first Anderson Idol contest was the brainchild of Todd and Chris Ornella (general manager at ABG). Todd (an American Idol junkie) and Chris (has never seen one minute of the show) obviously had some differences on concept.
Todd tivo’s every show and Chris wouldn’t know the difference between Kelly Pickler from Kelly Clarkston. Nevertheless, this odd couple sat down together and a few beers later Anderson Idol was on the marquee. Now, they have enjoyed two hugely successful contests, and their third one is starting now.
In November, first place and the title of “Anderson Idol” went to Tia Noah (along with $1000 in cash). Bet you wish you were Tia huh? Soon you could be. If you have what it takes to be the next Anderson Idol then get registered now.
To be crowned an Anderson Idol winner and win the grand prize of $1000.00 you start by qualifying for the semi finals. Qualifications will be held during all this month starting on the first Saturday.
Karaoke crooners will have a chance during all of ABG’s January karaoke shows to qualify for the semi finals. The shows will be on Thursdays and Saturdays.
After selecting all the participants for the semi-final event the 12 finalists will go on based upon vocal ability, stage presence, song choice and audience reaction. From this point the fun begins with the finalists performing two songs each night from preselected genres and themes for six weeks.
Their will be always be a country night, rock night, movies and musicals represented and maybe a night of scaryokie where the contestants are caught off guard.
The contestants and the staff at ABG really get into the contest with dressing the part for the different theme nights. This contest differs from the real American Idol because no one is voted off. Contestants compete for points which accumulate over the six week event.
The contestants earn points two ways: judges score their performances each night for points and the audience has a chance to vote for their favorite performer by buying support votes.
$2 buys a vote which adds to their point totals. The more supporters the better. The better you perform the more supporters you’ll have.
At the end of the six shows the top five are announced and invited back to perform for the grand prize money. ABG guarantees $1000 first place with $250.00 second place and restaurant gift cards for the third fourth and fifth place finishers.
Participation has been so great that cash was awarded to all top five winners in the last contest. That means this next Anderson Idol will most likely be even bigger and of course when the participation grows so does the prize money!
The results from the last contest:

Tia Noah $1000.00
Allen Walker $500
Erica Gillum $350
Sarah Ammerman $200
Audrey Sersion $150

With all this cash up for grabs the excitement takes on a new level. It brings out more and more talented people no one would have known of if they were still singing at some penny ante karaoke contest. The only downside is after seeing the last Anderson Idol finals in November ABG might need a bigger bar if they keep this up. Hey wait a minute, that’s not a downside at all is it? Don’t worry EV will get the live performances on video so you can at least check it out on our website if you can’t get in.

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