![Smoked brisket pizza
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The Gruff is a new eatery in Covington, featuring pizzas, sandwiches, and salads. Visit them in person at 129 East 2nd Street, 41011. [Image: Leah Zipperstein / Cincinnati Refined]](/resources/media2/16x9/full/1015/center/80/bc1fdee7-a5a7-4f61-98eb-2efd34eff2b2-TheGruff23.jpg)
Here's Why We Dig The Gruff
![The Gruff is a new eatery in Covington, featuring pizzas, sandwiches, and salads. Visit them in person at 129 East 2nd Street, 41011. [Image: Leah Zipperstein / Cincinnati Refined]](/resources/media/52502dba-85d1-48f9-828f-5559b28e2d26-TheGruff25.jpg?1446680189697)
![The Gruff is a new eatery in Covington, featuring pizzas, sandwiches, and salads. Visit them in person at 129 East 2nd Street, 41011. [Image: Leah Zipperstein / Cincinnati Refined]](/resources/media/273f3fb0-9338-4c26-8908-1e4a9772c481-TheGruff01.jpg?1446680197382)
![The smoked brisket pizza prepped and ready for the oven
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The Gruff is a new eatery in Covington, featuring pizzas, sandwiches, and salads. Visit them in person at 129 East 2nd Street, 41011. [Image: Leah Zipperstein / Cincinnati Refined]](/resources/media/6deeaf04-c599-4a4c-a4aa-ad3ec14e9982-TheGruff17.jpg?1446680202647)
Trip trap, trip trap.
Let's break it down like those horned brothers of legend might do it -- quick, sharp, on point.
Welcome to the THE GRUFF.
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LOCATION 129 East 2nd St., Covington, KY 41011
Yep, it's directly at the foot of the Roebling Bridge. That pretty much puts us into the realm of "picturesque, refreshing, charming, etc." right off the bat. If you don't already #LovTheCov (really? ... really?) an hour on The Gruff's patio will have you driving the bandwagon.
WHAT FOLKS LIKE ABOUT IT
1) The pizza. Ya just can't go wrong with a wood-fired brick oven. Well, I guess technically-speaking, you could go wrong. But the Gruff folks don't. Their way with the flavor-combos generated a fairly large fan base almost overnight. And, as any Gruff regular will tell ya, their crust does indeed have a good thing goin' on.
2) The selection. The Gruff team is taggin' menu bases left and right. You've got your soups, salads, starters, sandwiches (both hot & straight from the deli), shared plates, and pizzas. Long story short, they've definitely got something with your name on it. Plus, I mean full bar. (Including eight rotating craft beers on tap.) Sold.
3) The market. Wanna poke around and pick up a nice bottle of Bourbon for the wet bar at home? Feel like choosing a nice cheese for the evening? Just gotta grab yourself a sixer of locally crafted beer? Done, done, and done.
4) The location. Again, it's located at the foot of the Roebling. Automatic good times.
WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT IT
It had kinda been a tough day. Let's just say that the view and the Rhinegeist worked their respective magics.
THE VIBE
Easy-breezy/ fun-casual. The restaurant's open concept, expansive bar, and approachable staff (not to mention the consistent-but-not-in-your-face presence of Gruff-themed art -- murals, etc.) all combine to give the place a decidedly colorful, effervescent feel. Add in the fact that the wall facing the river is almost entirely made of glass, and you've got yourself a pretty dang good vibration.
MAKE SURE TO TRY
The smoked brisket pizza. A little smokey. A little sweet. A lot savory. Nice.
THE TAKEAWAY
Lookin' for a spot to infuse a little extra sumthin' sumthin' into that low-maintenance date/ post-work hang-sesh/ Saturday brunch you've got planned? Gruff it up.
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If you'd like to learn more about The Gruff, check out the website or Facebook page. Or, heck, stop on by: 129 East 2nd St., Covington, KY 41011.
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