If you grew up anywhere near Cincinnati, you know the routine. You’re craving a double-decker with that specific, tangy tartar sauce, and the first place your brain goes is the Frisch's on Plainfield Road. It’s been a Blue Ash anchor forever. Honestly, for a lot of us, it wasn't just a place to grab a burger; it was the site of every post-game celebration, every awkward first date in high school, and that one specific booth where your grandpa always insisted on sitting.
But lately? Things have been... messy.
If you’ve driven past Frisch's Blue Ash Ohio recently, you might have noticed the vibe has changed. Actually, the whole building changed. In early 2025, after a whirlwind of legal drama and eviction notices that felt more like a soap opera than a business move, the iconic Big Boy statue vanished.
The Great Blue Ash Shakeup
It’s kinda wild how fast things moved. One minute we’re eating the breakfast bar, and the next, there’s a massive "Dolly’s Burgers & Shakes" sign hanging where the Big Boy used to be. For a few months in 2025, the location at 9070 Plainfield Road was the center of a "burger war."
Basically, the Michigan-based Big Boy Restaurant Group—who actually own the national brand—tried to move back into Cincinnati. Since Frisch’s had been closing dozens of stores due to rent disputes with their landlord (NNN Reit), the Michigan guys thought they could just slide in and take over the Blue Ash spot. They opened it as Dolly’s.
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It didn't last.
Frisch’s might have been struggling, but they still owned the exclusive trademark rights for this region. They sued. They won. By late 2025, the Dolly’s experiment was over, leaving the Blue Ash community wondering if we'd ever get our crinkle-cut fries back.
Why We Still Obsess Over That Tartar Sauce
People who aren't from around here don't get it. They see a burger and some mayo and shrug. But the Frisch's version? It's the pickles. It's the way it interacts with the shredded lettuce. It’s fundamentally part of the Cincinnati DNA.
When the Blue Ash location faced eviction, it felt like losing a piece of the neighborhood's history. Dave Frisch started this whole thing back in the 30s, and the Mainliner heritage is baked into the city. Losing a location like Blue Ash—which was always packed after Sycamore High games—was a gut punch to local nostalgia.
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What the menu used to look like (and what we miss):
- The Big Boy: The 1/4 lb classic. Nothing else tastes like it.
- The Brawny Lad: A rye bun and a thick slice of onion. It’s an acquired taste, but once you’re in, you’re in.
- Hot Fudge Cake: Vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two fudge cakes. If you didn't get the cherry on top, did you even go?
- The Breakfast Bar: A chaotic, wonderful land of biscuits, gravy, and those spicy spuds.
The State of Frisch's in 2026
So, where do we stand now? Honestly, it’s a bit of a "wait and see" situation. While the Blue Ash physical location has been through the ringer—from Frisch's to Dolly's and then to empty—the brand itself is trying to pull off a massive comeback.
A group of executives took over the remaining 30-ish stores late last year to save what was left. The Blue Ash site remains a symbol of that struggle. It’s a prime piece of real estate, and rumors are constantly swirling about whether a new franchise owner will step in to bring the Big Boy back to Plainfield Road, or if it will be converted into something else entirely, like a bank or a medical office. (God, I hope not a bank.)
Is the Blue Ash location open?
As of right now, if you’re looking for a Big Boy in the immediate Blue Ash vicinity, you’re going to have to drive a bit further than you used to. The legal battle between the Michigan group and the local Frisch's entity effectively paralyzed several locations.
The closest remaining "stable" Frisch’s are scattered across the suburbs, but the "Flagship" feel of the Blue Ash spot is currently on ice.
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How to Get Your Fix
If you’re absolutely dying for a Buddy Boy or a Swiss Miss, don't just drive to Plainfield Road and hope for the best. You'll be disappointed.
- Check the app first. The official Frisch's app is the only way to see which stores survived the 2024-2025 eviction wave.
- Go to the grocery store. If the restaurant is gone, the tartar sauce isn't. Kroger still stocks the jars. It’s not the same as the dining room, but it’s a band-aid.
- Support the survivors. The stores that are still open are working with a new management team trying to modernize the menu. They need the foot traffic.
The story of Frisch's Blue Ash Ohio is really the story of how much we value "place." We don't just want the food; we want the memory of the food. Hopefully, the next chapter for that corner of Plainfield and Hunt involves a double-decker and a smiling statue.
Next Steps for You:
Check the current "Participating Locations" list on the Frisch's website before heading out. If you’re in Blue Ash, your closest operating store is likely the one on Reading Road or towards Sharonville. Support these local spots if you want to keep the brand alive in Southwest Ohio.