Schoolhouse Restaurant

My wife and I have always been a fan of «family style» restaurants located in historic buildings/​homes. It feels like Sunday dinner at Grandma’s when you can sit around the table with family and friends and these large plates of home style food are brought to the table for everyone to share. The Schoolhouse Restaurant fit the bill, and we couldn’t wait to try it out. The bar has been set high for us, as we have enjoyed some incredible «family style» farmhouse restaurants, mainly in the south where we moved here from. The Schoolhouse, however, didn’t disappoint. (Foodies– if you are looking for eclectic charm and simple, good food you would expect from your Mom’s or Grandma’s kitchen, then this place is for you. If you are looking for gourmet and glitz, move on.)
The atmosphere is very cool. The building is legitimately a former schoolhouse. The menu is scribbled on the chalkboard at the front of the room. There are many schoolhouse themed antiques, wooden desks, etc. on display so you get a genuine historic ambiance to the place that is playful and fun. Most restaurants of this style tend to be converted farmhouses, so it was nice to see something uniquely different. The tables are also well designed for this style of eating, they have a built-​in Lazy Susan in the middle of the table, which makes «passing the potatoes» very easy and I imagine cuts down on spills and inadvertent dish breakage. The wait service is also simple as well, as you would expect at Grandma’s– especially when things get busy as they always do on warm summer nights. No lengthy engaging chit-​chat and no Sommelier.
The food is as simple an eclectic as the surroundings, including home style fried chicken, chicken fried steak, baked cod and chicken parmigiana. The sides include heaps of mashed potatoes, beans, bread, etc– you don’t need me to read the menu. The food was a little under-​seasoned for my taste, to which my Grandma would have said, «that’s why God created salt and pepper shakers.» You won’t find a Top Chef champion chef here, but you will leave with a happy, full belly. If only there was a football game and a recliner in the next room…
The Schoolhouse Restaurant is exactly as it should be, a great quaint, historic place to gather family and friends to share (underline that word) a good hearty home-​cooked meal. Want to slow life down a little bit and just enjoy a really good meal as if everyone at the table was family? Then leave the electronic devices in the car and check this place out! With the Civil War history you can find all around this place, heck, make a day of it. Well worth the drive!

I’m on the fence about this place. I like it mostly because my mom loves it but I felt bullied by our waitress a little and figured for the apparently competitive prices the 30 minute wait times would be nonexistent for an unsweet tea. The menu is written incursive on a chalkboard that was hard to read for a lot of people, almost have to be a Forensic Handwriting Expert to read it. The lazy Susan tables were awesome! The food I had was a-​maz-​ing with endless sides ! I had the ham combo. They gave us green beans, mashed potatoes, steamed carrots, broccoli and some miscellaneous gluten items with the ham. I basically made an extra large chalupa by filling the veggies up in my amazingly huge slab of ham and folding it in half. I also managed to try the fried chicken and thought, I’ve burned chicken that turned out better than that. Maybe it was a bad day there but the only reason I’m giving this place 5 stars is again, because my mom loves it, I like the theme and building, and the pies are all to die for. I can handle less than urgent service for pies all day. If you do make your way here, get the pies, any of them although I favor the blackberry cobbler pie. Plan on spending two hours here if you do make your way here. Parking is muddy and awkward. There’s an awesome little store with a lot of things I wanted in it behind the actual restaurant that is open during the limited restaurant hours.

The fried chicken is a must try, large portion sizes so there’s usually enough for left overs. The chocolate peanut butter pie is also to die for, made fresh in house daily. If it’s a nice day/​holiday be prepared for there to be a wait, arrive early. If you have extra time be sure to check out the old general store or feed the goats.

For starters, I’m not picky at all, and didn’t have high expectations going in. I went with a good size group, and as a result was able to try a big portion of the menu. I’ll note for each:
Fried chicken — well cooked, juicy. But someone screwed up in the kitchen as it was not seasoned at all. It was said by a few people at our table that Kroger and Meijer has better.
Fritters — good. Not too sweet, would buy again.
Fried green tomatoes — like the fried chicken, not seasoned. Probably the same reason — the batter.
Country fried steak — seasoning was OK, but you could tell that this came out of a freezer pack and simply thrown in the oven. To make matters worse, the gravy was clearly from a packet. School lunch room quality, oh the irony.
Cod crumble — freezer fish, overcooked.
Mashed potatoes — instant, also what you would expect from a school lunch room.
Corn bread — «corn» bread. Basically yellow cake mix, all flour and no corn meal to speak of.
Cole slaw — I liked it, a little sweet.
Salad — I understand that it’s family style, but I personally don’t like Thousand Island dressing. Just lettuce, but OK.
PS — The «honey» on the table was flavored corn syrup, very low grade crap.
Anyway, it’s a fun/​unique experience and I’m glad we went. Service was pretty good. But for the money the food needed to be much, much better. We’ll go again and just get pie or something.

Fun concept in a really cool old school building. We stopped by off the bike trail and I have to say, this is a heavy meal and probably not the best for a mid-​bike stop. Food is served family style on turnntables with plentiful sides. Everything was hearty and tasty, but did seem a tad pricey for the genre. Perhaps with a larger group it would be a little more justifiable! We didn’t have time this time but I would like to check out their country store on the property next time. Very family friendly.

We really enjoyed ourselves because it is so different. Let me be clear about a few things. This place is old school (no pun intended) home cooking. Meaning you will simply get your food in basic bowls and plates– nothing fancy– the same plates used at your office building cafeteria. Not that it is a bad thing but to be clear this place is simple.
The service was very production line like, meaning the server is just there to get the food out effectively. Like at one point the server walked by and puts an ice cream sized scoop of butter on the table and simply says «butter» and keeps walking. To be clear this a positive review of this place– the place is what it is and that’s ok.
The server was positive and well intentioned, just matter of fact production oriented.
I really liked the buttery baked cod, the meatloaf was just ok, the fried chicken was good though I definitely hit it with salt to enhance the flavor. I really enjoyed the mashed potatoes and simple yellow gravy.
Anyway the place is just different. If you go there expecting casual home cooking and are prepared for the unique set up, I think you will enjoy it. As another review said — hipsters need not apply.

Loved this place! Portions are huge, tons of sides included, service was attentive and friendly. Corn fritters were yummy and a little sweet. Green beans were PERFECT. Some items needed more salt/​pepper– but I would rather add that myself to suit my own preference. This place is unique and lovely. Limited menu options, and this place is definitely not for uptight hipsters. The corn was from frozen, the mashed potatoes were instant, but we don’t care. It reminded me of Golden Corral– but it was all brought to the table and you get enough leftovers for more meals. I think it was a good value– $ 17.00 includes a giant half fried chicken, slaw, salad, green beans (fresh & not canned), corn, cornbread (homemade), mashed potatoes & tons of gravy. It was great!!! Fried chicken was perfectly cooked.

How have I lived in Cincinnati for 6 years and never heard about this place/​! Don’t be like me, check this place out now because it is a local gem we should all be visiting.
I ordered take out because it was the closet restaurant to where I was working that night. Little did I know what I was in for. Fist of all, my group was really confused over the sides, some wanted mashed potatoes, some wanted cornbread… guess what, you get both! Actually, you get a ton of all the sides.
The space is super cool. It smells wonderful, you can tell it’s an old building with a lot of history. The old wooden school desks and bicycles fit with the feel. I didn’t sit in the dining room but it looked cozy and welcoming. All the tables were covered in red and white table cloths, each with a lazy Susan. The owner came out to help me with my order, he was welcoming and very enthusiastic about the food he had to offer, he even gave me an order of stewed tomatoes just because he thought I would enjoy them (I did).
The food traveled really well. With our orders of chicken parm, chicken friend steak, and a grilled chicken breast, we had enough for 20 people (there were 4 of us). The chicken was delicious. Add the creamy mashed potatoes + green beans + Sweet boiled carrots + cornbread + salad = you’ve got yourself a seriously amazing dinner party. I didn’t have any dessert but I did hear patrons on their way out rave about the blackberry crumble. I’m looking forward to going back, this time for the full sit-​down dinner experience.
If you’re going to come on a Sunday, get there early, probably around 12pm.

I’ve passed this place many times and been intrigued so after months I was happy to finally make a stop for dinner.
It’s a fun looking place in a neat location; it is on the bike path, adjacent to historic Camp Dennison, in an old schoolhouse building, and on a little plot of land with some goats. The interior feels a touch like a classroom, which it may well be.
Service was fine; friendly wait staff and family style. They bring out salad and coleslaw right away and serve it on the lazy susan, which is fun. Service is OK, but more casual than is appropriate for a restaurant in this price range.
The food was frankly a disappointment. This place is oriented towards traditional fare, which is great, but it is bland and pretty disappointing. The median age of other diners when we visited was 75 years old; this isn’t a problem in itself but is indicative that the food may not be all that adventurous. I got pork ribs; ribs should be neither mushy nor tough, and mine were about as from mushy as they could be… tough to get meat from the bone. They were also glazed in a sauce that resembled ketchup more than I would’ve liked. My wife got fried chicken, which was OK, but nothing to write home about. The family style sides were frankly a giant disappointment. Mashed potatoes were OK, but corn was reheated from a can and the green beans were boiled for a long, long time before they arrived at our table.
And then there’s the price; family of four with 1 appetizer, 2 adult entrees, 2 kids meals, 3 soft drinks, and 1 beer totaled $ 78 before tip. That is enough money that I expect a pretty decent meal, and frankly I did not believe I received this at The Schoolhouse. Other niceties aside (we played with the goats for awhile after dinner, which was nice) I think the price paid versus value of food received will keep me from a subsequent visit.

This is place has the best southern comfort food. It’s a very neat experience dining here. My daughter loves to go feed the goats out back after dinner!

Down home cooking at its best. We pulled off the bike trail on a Sunday for lunch. The portions were HUGE and delicious. Fried Chicken, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes, delicious root beer, etc. There was a bit of a wait, but that is to be expected in any place that is this good. Great history to this place too! The only issue was riding back to the car full of so much great food!

I absolutely love this place ! I went for the first time and I couldn’t be happier ! It is not close to our house in Mason but it was so worth the drive ! I love that the menu is small but they definitely perfected it ! The mashed potatoes and the corn bread are to die for ! I love the atmosphere it’s so cute and antique ! Definitely worth how much you spend !

Awesome people, device, and most of, the food was like my mom made. I highly suggest the fried chicken dinner and bring your appetite!

Really have not enjoyed the past couple times we have gone for dinner at the Schoolhouse. Hoped we just caught them on a bad night and that’s why we gave it another go. Back in my childhood my entire family loved this place and the food was delicious, but it is just not the same. Sides all bland. Chicken not special. Over-​priced. Not the same place we used to love. The famous salad dressing didn’t even appeal to us anymore. Won’t be back.

The Schoolhouse Restaurant is something different from than the plethora of chain restaurants. Located in, you guessed it, an old schoolhouse; complete with outdoor playground. There are even goats and a bike trail out back.
The menu is written on the blackboard, in chalk no less. Guests chose their entrée, then sides are brought to the table. All sides are unlimited & served family style. Our waitress suggested the kids splitting a kids meal, because there are so many sides. My son who is getting to a point where kids meals aren’t enough, ate half a kids meal, a bunch of sides, and left STUFFED. We all did. Food tasted homemade. Mashed potatoes were smooth & thick, without being pastie. The chicken could have been seasoned a bit more. The homemade dressing on the salad was a sweet French like dressing. A little of the salad dressing got on the coleslaw & was really good. At first I though the prices were high, but we left with enough leftovers to equal dinner too. We are big eaters. We all could have shared my chicken. It is rare that we bring home enough leftovers to be dinner too. They are more than happy to bring lots of containers to package up all of the leftovers. There was a family there celebrating a birthday. A waitress made an announcement, and had us all sing to the man.
As we were leaving, the hostess/​cashier informed me that the upstairs may be rented for parties. Employees in general were friendly.
The Schoolhouse is something different, and worth experiencing at least once.

As unique of a restaurant as anything in greater Cincinnati. Great people, casual but not sloppy. Good home cooked meals with all you can eat sides. You feel like you’re transported back 100 years.
You can even park here to hit the bike trail and come back for dinner.

Scrumptious home cooked, southern style soul-​food! FREE never ending SIDES! I don’t want this place to grow in size so they don’t move out of this charming location. Located in a gorgeous historic school house, the upstairs can be rented out for events and dining room down stairs. There may be a dozen large tables in dining room. Menu is written on the chalkboard. Cute country farm tools and knick-​knack on the walls.
Food: So much food and a never ending supply of sides flowed our way. My husband and I thought we could finish 2 orders of chicken. Well boy were we wrong. 2 breasts and 2 wings per order. They Fried Chicken is crunchy yet seasoned to be distinct. Those mashed potatoes are a traditional cloud of yummy. The green beans could be a little more on point as they cook so many, and seams like a staple side dish.
Our server was very nice and enthusiastic. She served the food on a serving table, but it worked there as there is so much food and a country vibe. She boxed all our food up for us. A big thing for my husband and I, as it shows the service goes that extra mile to take care of your food, even as you’re out the door. All of our out of town friends were very impressed and I love taking a mini group here. Thank you for re-​energizing us after a kayak trip!

Country Comfort. Food.
Decided to seek out a little «local flavor» and combine sight seeing with a meal. This place filled the bill.
First off, keep in mind this is American heartland country cooking. You will find no remoulades, no gratins, no aioli and no balsamic reductions here. Basic menu with about 20 rib sticking main course options. The fried chicken is apparently the signature dish and that’s what my husband and I opted to share, we asked for and got all dark meat so we each got a leg and a thigh. It was very tasty. Good quantity for your meat portion… But look out, here come the sides.
Fresh green salad (lettuce, red cabbage, shredded carrot, sweet onion) with a tangy-​sweet French style dressing. Delectable coleslaw of very very finely shredded cabbage and a little onion. Fresh baked corn bread with fresh country butter. Wonderful home style mashed potatoes with gravy. Not one but TWO vegetables of the day; ours were corn and green beans. That’s six sides, served family style, and the waitresses were on the spot when any given dish was empty. «Would you like more?»
This explains the $ 8 extra plate charge when you share the entrée. You get a LOT of food, and it just keeps coming. And whatever is left after your unlimited refills… you can take home! So the $ 8 is reasonable.
Eating in the old schoolroom felt like being in a big farmhouse kitchen, with the platters and family style serving bowls coming out nonstop through the swinging doors. It was a homey atmosphere. Windows were open letting in a lovely summer breeze. The dining room filled up pretty quick (we showed up around 4:45) and there was a number of parties waiting by the time we rolled out the door with our shopping bag full of leftovers. The waiting area is pretty cramped and some people hung out on the benches outside. This is fine in the beautiful weather, I expect the experience would not be as pleasant in the wintertime, nor when it’s 100-​plus heat index.
We wanted to try the famous fritters (this was before the meal started coming) and our waitress suggested we start with HALF of a small order, which was a great recommendation or we might really have exploded from overeating at some point.
The lazy Susan table top really adds to the fun. There are actually two smaller tables in the place that do not have this feature. So if it’s your first visit, and they try to stick you at one of these, tell them it’s your first visit and you want the Lazy Susan! That’s what happened with us, and we were cheerfully accommodated.
Now as to the «general store» with its little farmyard, I was not too impressed. I was hoping for a genuine country style general store, but it was not to be. More of a haphazardly-​arranged antique shop, a lot of the stuff seeming to be more of the junktique variety, rather messy and in serious need of dusting. It’s only open when the restaurant is, which may be only four days a week.
I wouldn’t go out of my way to return here, but if heading in that direction and the timing is right, and I’m very hungry, I can see us returning.

Been here a number of times in the last 40 or 50 years. I want to like this place because it is a beautiful building, great concept, and just over a mile from home BUT the food is not actually that good. The chicken is hard; there’ve been times I’ve thought it was ready and waiting before I ordered it. The sides, which are appealingly old fashioned in appearance, are actually bland when you taste them. It can be hard to secure the promised refills on sides, too. Still, they get points for having vegetable offerings beyond the too-​ubiquitous French fries and iceberg lettuce.
This place would appeal to those who never get a homecooked meat and three at their actual home. As for me, I think I’ll just buy a lazy susan for the house and, when I want good fried chicken, head to the Brauhaus in Oldenburg.

If you like nostalgia and homemade cooking. This is the place to go.
I got the fried chicken, which was good, but it wasn’t hot. I like the décor and the atomosphere.
My favorite is the backyard where they had a little store and farm animals.
Overall, its a great place, but I wasn’t impress with the food, but I really loved the history and building.