The Gruff

  4.5 – 1,462 reviews   • Restaurant

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Neapolitan-style pies, sandwiches & craft brews round out the menu at this minimalist, airy outpost.

✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out ✔️Delivery The Gruff 41011

Address and Contact Information

Address: 129 E 2nd St, Covington, KY 41011

Phone: (859) 581-0040

Website: http://www.atthegruff.com/

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Order and Reservations

Order: Order online

atthegruff.com

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Related Web Results

The Gruff | Covington, KY

The Gruff offers a full bar and eat-in restaurant featuring brick oven pizzas. The menu will also feature deli-inspired sandwiches and salads.

FOOD – Covington – The Gruff

Shared Plates · Smoked Lemon Dill Salmon Pate* · Braised Beef Stroganoff · Hanky Pankys · Deviled Eggs · House Pickled Fried Red Onion.

The Gruff | Covington KY – Facebook

The Gruff provides an opportunity to experience Covington through quality service and unique tastes.

Reviews

Callie Robinson
This place is great! I stopped in for a quick bite to eat before heading across the bridge to a Bengals game and I’m so glad I did! I had a Goetta Cubano (photo attached) and oh my goodness… I make goetta at home but THIS was PHENOMENAL! My server was great and very helpful when I asked about the area as well. This place is definitely on my list to return to!
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Barbara Holley
We were visiting the Krohn Conservatory on Friday, and needed a lunch destination. We asked AI and gave some parameters such as close by, affordable, lunch specials and great food, and we selected The Gruff from a short list of contenders. We are so happy with the choice!

The location is quirky at the corner of Greenup and 2nd Sts. in Covington, about a half block from the river. We found parking in their lot as they weren’t very busy when we arrived. We were offered our choice of seating and were immediately asked what beverages we would like by our waitress, Rachel. The menu had a great variety of selections including sandwiches, salads and pizzas. Some had cute “goat themed names,” such as The Gruff Boy (a nod to another ‘boy’ burger, we assumed). Our group of 4 ordered: a pizza, a burger, a reuben and an albacore tuna sandwich. The sandwiches came with sides and we each chose something different: fries, tots and my favorite, pickle fries. The friend with the small pizza ate about half as it was quite plentiful and filling, and he reported “delicious.”

The server, Rachel, was spectacular at her job. We all commented to each other … and to HER… about what a wonderful job she does. It was obvious that she LIKES her job. She is personable, knows her products and interacted SO well with us as well as her other patrons.

We are planning another trip back to The Gruff in the next few weeks, and we hope to be blessed with Rachel as our server again. She steered us toward the best selections and seemed to know exactly what we wanted even when we did not. The pricing was well within what most places are charging for FAST food lately, and we got great food AND great service! Thanks for a great experience and for contributing to a wonderful, relaxed day of adventure for our group!
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Ana Peterson
Absolutely love The Gruff! Every visit has been a great experience from start to finish. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a perfect mix of cozy and lively. The patio is such a bonus, especially on a nice day.

The food is consistently delicious — fresh ingredients, creative flavors, and generous portions. Their pizza is a standout, and the drink selection (both craft beers and cocktails) never disappoints. The staff is friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming.

Whether you’re going for a casual dinner, meeting friends, or enjoying a date night, The Gruff is always a solid choice. Highly recommend!
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Doug
The burger and tots were decent, nothing extraordinary, but the service made up for it—staff were super polite and friendly. The vibe inside was cool and welcoming. The surprise standout was the chocolate chip cookie—fresh, delicious, and only $2.50.
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Lamar
Good atmosphere, excellent service & awesome pizza!! A block or so up from the river pier. We visited right before the WEBN Labor Day fireworks show. Place was full, but service was still good.
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Katie Shumate
This place has the best food, especially the fried chicken sandwich. The servers are friendly and knowledgeable and go above and beyond to accommodate guests. They are efficient but don’t make guests feel rushed. If you want a cool local place with great food and high energy, go to the Gruff!
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skylar walter
a basic kale salad & simple tuna sandwich cost $30 and the portion sizes were both small for the price and bland. the side of fries was very tiny and the coleslaw was in a miniature cup. unfortunately just an underwhelming experience, as a takeout order. probably a nicer time if you choose to eat on their patio (which was dog friendly). the female bartender, who took my order, was friendly.
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Krista H
Pizza is soooo good! Thin crust is crispy and the sausage is amazing on the truffle sausage pizza! If you sit at bar, you watch the pizzas be made in their fire brick oven.
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Eric Ward
Great food! Bartender was awesome, talked baseball with him for a solid hour. Went around 5, so I imagine might not have that kind of time to talk later in the evening but still pretty cool. I’d bring the wife and kid if we’re over this way in the future.
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Eileen Seitz
We loveddddd The Gruff!! Such an awesome vibe inside with a great menu. Their pizza was delicious and we loved the beer list. Highly recommend!
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