Unexpected Burger’s & Bourbon @ Kinley Hotel

Unexpected Burger’s & Bourbon @ Kinley Hotel reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. T

   Terri

   Cincinnati1 review

   1.0

   Dined on February 15, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Okay so my experience at unexpected Burger in Bourbon was horrible. I do not recommend this place at all. I'm going to tell you my experience... I made a reservation mind you a week in advance. Well me and my husband Got down there we were about 10 minutes early for our reservations but we saw that it really wasn't too busy there so we figured you know they take us a few minutes early. We walked into the kinley hotel they you know directed us over to the restaurant host stand. Me and my husband are standing at the host stand waiting on the host. Then there was a blonde server who saw us stand in there twice and just left us standing there and we stood at the host stand until almost 7:45 we got there and 7:22 we stood at the host stand that long Finally a host came up. I told him that we have a reservation and I could just tell right off rip the atmosphere wasn't good his attitude was bad I mean he just he acted like he didn't even want to wait on us okay and then when I told him we had the reservation he said oh it's going to be about 5 or 10 more minutes so I can clean a table off. This place is not busy they have maybe three tables in the restaurant. Then we're over waiting at the bar. The host finally comes and gets us. The host sat us at a table that was already clean and we did wait another 10 minutes on this clean table. Then they sat us in the corner and left a sit back there for another 20 more minutes nobody came to serve us just left us sitting at the table this place was awful service was awful and I just want to put this out there me and my husband are a black and white couple and I really honestly believe because we were a mixed couple that they treated us terribly so we wind up leaving cuz nobody ever came to service us. We got up and walked out because nobody served us. This place was terrible for it to be as expensive as it is and all these good reviews I Read about it that's all Garbage. I see why this place isn't busy on Vday
   

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2. J

   John VIP

   Cincinnati11 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on February 14, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Was hoping for so much more than it was. Bar service was SLOW. The burger was ok at best (maybe the level of a Five Guys), the sauce was very good, and the French fries were just basic fries (slightly poorer than McDonald’s). I actually sent the Caesar Salad back (minimal Caesar dressing, tasted more like mayo, and was kale instead of lettuce). Sadly, it was all that level of “eh” food for fairly high pricing. Service was slow the whole night (although one staff member appeared to really be trying to get everything “into gear” and as it should be). We were both in agreement that we won’t be going back. It’s a shame, really hoped it would’ve been a little gem downtown.
   

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3. M

   Matthew

   Cincinnati7 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on December 20, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Our server behind the bar was outstanding and so much fun! She was excellent.
   

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4. L

   Leni VIP

   Cincinnati4 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on October 14, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 2

   It’s in the lobby of a hotel. The food was ok and it was a Tues. The place was completely empty. I hope they have more business on other days.
   

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5. C

   Cincinnati VIP

   Cincinnati69 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on October 13, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great Brunch items, nice restaurant at Kinley Hotel, best part BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS, great location and super close to any event around the area, Use valet for $10 and went to the show with out any wait on line.
   

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6. J

   JENNIFER VIP

   Cincinnati111 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on October 12, 2024

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   Worst experience ever. Made a reservation for my husband and me and two of our granddaughters for breakfast before taking them to Disney on Ice Saturday morning. Arrived and was told they don’t take reservations. Ok. Need to order at the counter with a 8x10 menu in a frame. I have a 5 & 8 year old. Do you have a menu I can sit and look at with them since they can’t read. Finally got one. Went to sit to decide what we wanted. Most of the tables were unclean. Finally found a seat that’s clean and got our orders together. My husband goes up to order and they are out of pancakes and French toast and can’t make a breakfast sandwich. So we order eggs bacon and an omelette. And fruit. We waited almost 40 minutes for our food. The fruit was not fresh, brown in fact. The bacon was so hard when she put the plate down it broke! My husband said the omelette was one of the worst he ever had. So we spent almost 80 dollars and it was a total disaster. Never again.
   

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7. G

   Gina

   Cincinnati7 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on September 15, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   The vibe was pretty boring since we were the only people there. Beautiful historic bar. The bar tender was attentive. We ordered vodka mules but they were not in the typical mule mug and too much lime. Bar tender made the 2nd drink better. Wrap didn’t have enough mayo , or any. Short rib egg rolls were very good ! Easy walk to Aronoff.
   

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8. L

   Lisa

   Cincinnati4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on September 8, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great spot to get some thing to eat before show at the Arnoff
   

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9. J

   Jesy VIP

   Cincinnati7 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on August 2, 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 2

   We went in August and perhaps this was one of the first times that they had ever been open before? The service was terrible and super slow and no one really knew how to make a drink until a certain bartender got to the restaurant. It was easy for us to get reservations on a night that downtown Cincinnati housed a very popular concert and now I know why. 
   

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10. L

    Lindsey VIP

    Cincinnati3 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on August 2, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2

    This was an odd one. Food was great. Drinks were terrible. Bartender wasn’t there to make the drinks on the menu. The person who greeted us was awesome and friendly. The person waiting on us was not the best but really think he was filling in for lack of employees. All in all would go back again but only stay if the bartender was there to make what looked like amazing drinks on the menu.
    

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