Sugar n' Spice Diner

Cincinnati, Ohio

Founded by Mort Keller 

Circa 1941

www.sugarnspice.com

Famous for its wispy-thin pancakes, fluffy omelets and handing out rubber ducks to diners, the beloved establishment operates multiple locations across the city including its original flagship at 4381 Reading Road. Its rich, 80-plus year history has made it a celebrated Midwest culinary landmark with its ceiling mural at their Over-the-Rhine location (1203 Sycamore Street).

The Sugar n' Spice is family-owned and family-friendly with a playful decor aesthetics that features a large collection of rubber ducks.  Sugar n' Spice began as a drive-in restaurant in the 1940s. Part of preserving that experience is continuing beloved traditions, including each diner picking out their own rubber duck.  There are close to 900 rubber ducks at the Reading Road location.

Sugar n' Spice does not have a dedicated Wikipedia page, but their legacy spans more than eight decades as one of Cinncinati's oldest continuously running dining spots.

The iconic Sugar n' Spice features whimsical murals of giant, cartoonish flying breakfast foods and dripping syrup.  Created by artist Sandra Dee, this colorful 50-foot ceiling mural in the Over-The-Rhine dining room is affectionately known as the "Sistine Chapel of Pancakes". The mural is a playful, heavenly landscape filled with giant flying pancakes, eggs and waffles. Along with the murals, the diner is known for its pastel booths, a mimosa bar and gifting complimentary rubber ducks to guests.  

The Birthday Duck

At the retro-style Sugar n' Spice diner the iconic duck tradition is a beloved staple.  Customers are greeted by expansive collections of whimsical ducks displayed on shelves and everyone receives a complimentary, colorful rubber duck to take home as a souvenir at the end of their meal.  If it happens to be your birthday, you just might get this cute one.

The Story Behind Them

The duck tradition happened entirely by accident!  Originally, one of the diner's former owners used to hand out gold dollars and 50-cent pieces to brighten children's days.  When those stopped being minted the diner's previous owner, Steve Frankel, found a stash of rubber ducks at a local toy shop.  The toys were initially just meant for kids, but adults loved them so much that  everyone now gets to pick a duck before leaving.  You can experience the ducks at any of the three Cincinnati-area locations:

Paddock Hills (Original): 4381 Reading Road

Blue Ash: 9941 Reading Road

Over-the-Rhine (OTR):  1203 Sycamore Street

Nick and Adam Mayerson are the the 6th owners and are excited to preserve the tradition that is Sugar n' Spice.  

..when in Cincinnati ..