Zola Pub and Grill

Burger #24: Zola Pub and Grill – Zola Burger $7.95

Main Street in Covington is an active place with out door seating.
Not my picture.

 Oh, Hi again!  Remember me?  I know it's been a few months since I've done a review and I've been getting burgers but I haven't kept up with the blog, and for that I apologize.  After one of the worst nights I've had in months, I feel the need to get back to what I love to do... write about my adventures.  It has been a few long months of never ending class work and social gatherings, as well as trying my best to not be forever single, I'm back at this. 

I went to Zola's back on a Thursday night on July 28th for a late dinner.  My very attractive companion for the night had never been to Zola's and it was my third time going, but it had been years since I had the burger so I was happy to get back there to see how it compared.  It's located in the middle of Mainstrasse in Covington near Cock and bull, Che Nora and Dee Felice to name a few.  I like the area because it's a social part of town with lots of outdoor seating and lots of German tradition and festivals, including their own Oktoberfest and Geotta fest.  There is a large amount of dining, entertainment, bars, and even dessert all in a few blocks.  I used to play darts for a year across the street from Zola's so I'm well acquainted with all that the area has to offer and I'd recommend getting out there if you've never been. 

The restaurant is a mix between a restaurant and a late night bar.  It was fairly dead when I got there at about 8:30pm on a Thursday so we got a seat right away.  When you walk in, you notice it's a tight fit for some of the seating, but I hear there's more upstairs, I've just never seen it.  They have live music most days of the week starting at 9pm.  As a bar, I can't say there is anything that this one has that others bars lack, but as a burger place it's pretty damn good.  There were regulars hanging out, but I felt like I didn't have enough visible tattoos to fit in.  The menu isn't out of the box, having the standard assortments: turkey ciabatta, cod filet, cajun chicken, a gyro, wings, etc.  They also do pizza's, which I haven't seen anyone order ever.  Their main thing is the burger.

My friend's delicious burger and giant fries. 

Zola's is known as a burger place so I knew that this was going to be a good one from the start.  Every Wednesday is burgermania.  This special is a burger with 5 toppings and a side for 6$.  There aren't many places that can beat this price with the taste, so you should probably go check it out soon.   The burger list includes the spicy jack (blackened seasoning, bacon, banana peppers and pepper jack), black and bleu, caribbean ( jerk spices, bacon, and pineapple), Mo town (bbq sauce, bacon, onion straws), mushroom burger, and cajun bell ( grilled red and green peppers, red onions and topped with feta cheese. 

Zola burger.  I got Swiss cheese and
substituted for onion rings.  Mmm!

The Zola burger was a 1/2 pound black angus patty with bacon, grilled onions, sauteed mushrooms, capacolla ham, and american cheese for 7.95$.  When it came, the meat was well seasoned and cooked slightly pink for medium.  It was much better than I remember from years ago.  It wasn't very greasy but still juicy.  The bun was average, as was the bacon, but bacon is always a great addition to a burger.  The capacolla ham looked like a giant piece of sandwich ham, but still a nice topping.  The bad part of our experience was the live music at 9pm that played directly next to us, so we had to leave shortly after eating because we couldn't have a conversation and the one guy on the stage wasn't that good. 

Since Zola's is always on the top burgers in the city no matter which list you look at or person you talk to , this is one of those places you have to try if you haven't yet.  Burgermania on Wednesday's is always a good choice.  If you want a different venue to hang out at afterwards, there are plenty to be had in this part of Covinton.  There are always good places to go to people watch as well, which I find makes for  an amusing conversation with your friends.