Restaurant Review: Flo's Plate Full of Soul

I'm always surprised at how many redundant restaurants there are in downtown Cincinnati, some only a few blocks from one another. For example, there are two Sports Page restaurants; several Subways and Skyline Chilis; and the same hot dog vending company peppered throughout many a street corner. It's as though it were a crime to have unique downtown lunch fare.

Suffice to say that Flo's Plate Full of Soul is bucking that trend. Located near the corner of Court and Main, Flo's puts the "S" in Soul Food with their signature, tasty offerings.

Photos of owner Katrina Mincy adorn the walls, documenting her appearance on Martha Stewart's TV show. Martha had invited Mincy to appear after sampling her delicious cobblers one day following a Cincinnati book signing.

Flo's fish sandwich choices (either the "whiting" or catfish) are wonderfully cooked, non-greasy and tasty. They require no tartar sauce, but Flo's offer packets if you'd like. The fish is served on thick, buttered, toasted bread that holds up well.

Side dishes abound, including the classic Mac & Cheese, but our favorites were the fresh-cut Yam fries, which are a meal in themselves, served very hot and need absolutely no additional seasoning. Indeed, it seemed sacrilege to even think about slathering ketchup on these fries.

Pricing is competitive for downtown fare, though perhaps a little more steep than some can stomach for lunch. The fish sandwich was $5.49 and the yam fries were more than $3. But for us, the price was well worth it. This is, after all, not a generic fast food joint. You can also get platters with a meat and two sides for $8.99

Seating is very limited: the little restaurant is geared more to the on-the-go lunch crowd.