Summerside - Cincinnati, OH Area Guide

Originally named East Mount Carmel, Summerside was developed in the mid-1800s. When the post office was established in 1887, the community’s name was changed to Summerside in order to differentiate between it and the adjacent Mount Carmel community.

You won’t find museums in Summerside, and the community doesn’t have much of an arts scene. However, residents visit the Tri-State Warbird Museum in Batavia to view restored airplanes from World War II and the Indian Hill Historical Society in Indian Hill to tour the historic Bonnell House, also known as Buckingham Lodge, and a one-room schoolhouse. Nearby annual events include: the Miami Township Holiday Parade in Milford, Bethel Down Home Christmas and the annual Old West Festival in Williamsburg.

Summerside has limited restaurant options, including Gold Star Chili, located along State Route 32 in the southern portion of the community. Also, several fast-food and chain restaurants sit in and around the nearby Eastgate Mall.

Grammas Pizza, located on Old State Route 74, serves pizza with homemade crust, steak hoagies and calzones filled with mounds of pizza toppings. The small establishment doesn’t allow people to dine in, but you can have your pizza delivered, or call in and order to pick-up.

Located on Clough Pike, Mio’s Pizzeria serves some of the best pizza in the Cincinnati area. Other local favorites include deep-fried ravioli and the steak hoagie on homemade bread, topped with cheese, pizza sauce, onions and pickles. The family-friendly restaurant features 1980s arcade games, such as Donkey Kong and Pac-Man, to keep the kiddos entertained while you wait for your food. Bring the family to Mio’s on Mondays or Tuesdays for Kids Make and Bake, and watch your little chef make his or her own pizza at your table. Every Thursday is Date Night at Mio’s, and the pizzeria serves heart-shaped pizzas.

Visit Rincon Mexicano on Eastgate Boulevard for authentic Mexican cuisine. Many locals insist that Rincon Mexicano serves the best Mexican food in town, and they rave about the seafood tacos pacifico. With affordable prices, eclectic decor that helps create a welcoming atmosphere and a carry-out menu, it’s easy to see why this restaurant remains an area favorite.

Summerside doesn’t have an active nightlife scene. In fact, you won’t find any bars in the small residential community. Nearby communities house a handful of laid-back bars and pubs, but that’s the extent of the area’s evening entertainment options. Bakers Lakeside Pub, located southeast of the Eastgate Mall along the shores of Jackson Lake, draws a decent-sized weekend crowd thanks to its relaxed environment. Alternatively, visit Latitudes Cafe on Five Mile Road for martinis or The Varsity Sports Bar & Grill for its extensive beer selection and cheap happy hour prices.

The majority of Summerside residents rely on their own vehicles for transportation. Area businesses offer ample free parking and direct access to State Route 32, which intersects with Interstate 275, making it easy to navigate throughout the entire Cincinnati area. Even though the community sits on relatively flat land, walking and bike riding remain recreational activities because the community doesn’t have dedicated bike lanes. Plus, traffic along State Route 32 gets congested.

Summerside doesn’t have any public transportation options. However, buses run between the nearby Eastgate Mall and downtown Cincinnati at regular intervals. You can’t hail a cab in Summerside, and Uber doesn’t service the area. In order to arrange a ride, you need to call a local cab company.

Summerside houses Clepper Park, a 50-acre park located on Summerside Road. The free park, ideal for family outings and outdoor exercise, features a large playground to occupy the little ones, basketball courts, soccer fields, a football field and a paved walking track. It also has a lake that permits fishing and shelters with picnic tables designed to accommodate wheelchairs. The park doesn’t host any annual events, but it does welcome dogs as long as they are kept on their leashes.

The average cost of living in Summerside remains on par with Cincinnati’s average cost of living. Expect to pay an average of $544 a month to rent a one-bedroom apartment. For a pint of beer at a local pub, expect to pay between $3 and $5. One-way bus fare between the Eastgate Mall and Cincinnati costs $3.75, and gas prices typically average around four percent lower than the national average.

Adjacent to Summerside, the Eastgate Mall, and the area surrounding it, houses a multitude of department stores that sell everything from clothing and jewelry to toys and electronics. Some of the options include: Kohl’s, Toys ‘R’ Us, and Dillard’s. You have to drive downtown to shop at upscale retail establishments, such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Tiffany & Co., but neighboring communities house a handful of interesting shops.

Book Rack, located on Beechmont Avenue, specializes in used books. The shop has a reputation for having a friendly staff that’s willing to find the book you’re looking for if it isn’t in stock. The shop also carries a selection of new books at discounted prices and allows customers to trade in their used books for store credit.

Also on Beechmont Avenue, Snooty Fox dubs itself Cincinnati’s most-fashionable consignment store. The store specializes in name-brand clothing, formal wear and designer handbags. It also purchases old clothing from customers, so clean out your closet before you shop.

Several large grocery-store chains service the Summerside community, including Meijer, Kroger, GFS Marketplace and Aldi’s. Jungle Jim’s International Market on Eastgate South Drive carries a vast selection of international food, fresh produce, meat, seafood and baked goods. For Mexican food, visit El Porvenir Mexican Grocery on Mount Carmel Tobasco Road, and visit Baker’s Bright Inc. on Old State Route 74 for fresh baked goods. Two farmers markets sit near Summerside: Country Fresh Farm Market and Wine Depot on Beechmont Avenue, which stays open year-round and Newtown Farm Market on Round Bottom Road.