LINK Streetscapes: Eat your way through Mt. Zion Road

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARIA HEHMAN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

It’s a rarity on this Streetscapes series to find one area where Northern Kentucky natives could truly spend an entire day, from breakfast to dinnertime. Off the winding Mt. Zion exit awaits three locally owned businesses that will have guests covered for all three meals.

This Streetscapes, we head to Mt. Zion Road. We’ll start with a coffee and doughnut and end with a beer and BBQ.

Pink in a Blanket Doughnuts

When it comes to breakfast, one of the ongoing heated debates is savory versus sweet. Being that it is the most important meal of the day, a person has to choose which is going to start their day off right.

Pink in a Blanket Doughnuts has found a solution to the debate with their innovative titular food: a pink in a blanket. For those who’ve yet to visit either of their Mt. Zion or Burlington Pike locations, let me enlighten you on their creation. A pink in a blanket is a breakfast version of a pig in a blanket in which they replace the hot dog with a breakfast sausage and wrap it in a croissant.

A balanced mix of savory and sweet, it is truly perfection in a hand-held treat. For those who truly love some sugar to kickstart their day, they cover the gamut of doughnut offerings.

Classic glazed, sprinkled, jelly-filled, or a custard-filled long John, they have everything for your sweet tooth. For guests on the savory side, they have breakfast sandwiches that are custom-made to your liking.

Regardless of whether you like savory or sweet, most anyone can agree all mornings should start with a coffee. They can make your coffee hot, iced, latte or frappe, and have 13 different flavors that can be added to your drink. If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s coffee and doughnuts are the perfect pair.

Buffalo Bob’s Family Restaurant

There are very few things more “Kentucky” than bourbon and beer; add in burgers and wings and that about sums up Buffalo Bob’s Family Restaurant.

This locally owned and operated restaurant strives to keep the atmosphere both fun and family friendly. With a separate bar and television area, those wanting to connect with family can do so away from the excitement that often comes with sports bars. Guests looking to take advantage of their robust bar menu will be delighted and overwhelmed by what seems like endless options. Rotating 20 draft beer choices seems like nothing compared to the bourbon selection that has over 100 – yes, 100 – different bourbons.

As the weather gets warmer, guests can also opt to enjoy their meals on the spacious patio. Before ordering their famous wings and burgers, their fried mushrooms are the perfect starter. For those with kids, their tater kegs (supersized tater tots loaded with bacon and cheddar cheese) will be a satisfying snack for everyone in your family.

Smokin’ This and That BBQ

This family barbeque joint will feel more like stepping into a friend’s backyard BBQ than into a restaurant. Everybody knows everybody, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, and like all true barbeques, the food is amazing.

In true BBQ fashion the food is served on disposable plates and seats are picnic bench style. They smoke the meat outside in several custom-made smokers. Guests’ mouths will be watering the moment they pull in the parking lot. Their signature dish, BBQ parfait, is served with your choice of smoked pork or brisket topped with beans, house-made slaw and BBQ sauce. You get the best of their foods all in one convenient cup.

The owner, Guy Cummins, has strived to create a place that is community driven. They host charity events and are available for private events. Because of their focus on community and service, Smokin’ This and That BBQ offers discounts to veterans and first responders.

What to Know If You Go:

Pink in a Blanket Doughnuts

Location: 202 Mt. Zion Road, Florence

Hours: Sunday through Saturday 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Phone: (859) 918-1302

Buffalo Bob’s Family Restaurant

Location: 9910 Berberich Drive, Florence

Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Website: eatatbobs.com

Phone: (859) 371-5244

Smokin’ This and That BBQ

Location: 10020 Demia Way, Florence

Hours: Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Website: smokinthisandthatbbq.com

Phone: (859) 817-0492