6 Butler County restaurants that opened or announced plans in November

November saw a mix of restaurant openings, re-openings and announcements for new dining options.

Here’s a sampling of Butler County’s ever-changing dining scene.


REOPENED: Kosta’s

One of the city’s most iconic and longtime eateries re-opened Nov. 5 under new ownership.

Kostas, which got its start in 1950 at 221 Court St., had closed in September 2018, with its former owner posting a sign that said “Look for our Return.”

That long-awaited event highlighted a kitchen revamp with all new-equipment, a remodeled dining room with new tables and booths and a fresh coat of paint throughout the interior.

A majority of the restaurant’s employees have returned.

MORE: Iconic Hamilton restaurant reopens under new ownership


REOPENED: A Game Knight

Board game parlor and tavern in Hamilton’s German Village reopened under new ownership Nov. 15 at 345 N. Third St. with a new focus on being a gathering place for the entire community, not just gamers

It serves a selection of domestic, import and craft beers from 20 taps, as well three nitrous taps serving nitrogenated beer. A menu introduced this past Friday includes appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches and subs.

The business first opened in November 2018, but its previous owner closed it in August, citing personal reasons.

A Game Knight still offer the same game selection, but also will bring the art community in by highlighting local artists, including musicians, spoken word, poetry, flow artists, drummers and more.

MORE: A Game Knight’s new co-owner shares details on reopening the business


OPENED: Twin Peaks

Restaurant and sports bar chain Twin Peaks opened Nov. 20 inside the Streets of West Chester, 9424 Civic Centre Blvd. in West Chester Twp.

The 9,800-square-foot restaurant features 68 high-definition flatscreen televisions, 32 taps, a variety of beer and spirits and multiple fire pits on an open-air covered patio.

The chain boasts a menu of "made-from-scratch food and the coldest beer in the business, served by friendly and attractive Twin Peaks Girls." Twin Peaks also says its mountain lodge setting offers "a uniquely differentiated casual setting in an upbeat and comfortable atmosphere."

Ohio's next two Twin Peaks locations will be in Dayton and Columbus. The new location continues to hire. For more information, click here or call 513-847-4012.

MORE: New Twin Peaks restaurant opens today in West Chester


OPENED: Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A opened its first Fairfield restaurant on Nov. 21 at 6305 S. Gilmore Road.

The new 4,900-square-foot restaurant features a dual-lane drive-thru merging into a single pick-up point that can handle as many as 200 cars an hour, plus environment-controlled canopies designed to further enhance the outside face-to-face ordering experience.

It also features a 110-seat dining room with a two-story indoor playground and free Wi-Fi, along with a 28-seat outdoor patio. The new location also includes a vintage-inspired interior with floor-to-ceiling windows and drop pendant lighting.

MORE: Fairfield’s first Chick-fil-A offers chance to win free meals for a year


OPENED: Chubby Bunny Bakery/Chickpea Chicks

Two Hamilton businesses teamed up to open a 1,400-square-foot storefront Nov. 22 at 216 Main Street in Hamilton.

Chubby Bunny Bakery makes baked goods such as cookies, doughnuts, muffins, cupcakes, brownies and bars, and full-size cakes all without any gluten, dairy, eggs and nuts.

Chickpea Chicks makes several different kinds of hummus, including Lemon Zowie, Toasted Sesame, Pumpkin Curry (seasonal) and Garlic, which is a restaurant exclusive. Spicy flavors include Smokin’, Wasabi Green Onion and Cincy Style, which mimics the taste of Cincinnati chili. It recently introduced dessert flavors Chocolate Raspberry and Chocolate Coconut.

MORE: 2 small food businesses teaming up to open Hamilton storefront


ANNOUNCED: New Hamilton restaurant, bar

Two buildings in downtown Hamilton that are more than 100 years old are being renovated into the city’s latest dining and drinking spots.

Crews are working to combine buildings at 20 and 26 South Third St. to create a 5,000-square-foot space that spans the first floor of both properties.

The ground floor of a three-story building at 20 S. Third will include a restaurant and bar, while a two-story building at 26 S. Third St. will be transformed into a separate two-story bar featuring two walk-up outdoor ordering areas and a patio.

It will feature live music and karaoke, plus daily happy hour specials, he said.

MORE: Owner hopes new restaurant, bar in two 19th century Hamilton buildings energizes downtown

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