After years and years as a prototypical sleepy Cincinnati suburb, Deer Park has become something of a real estate hot spot of late. Over the past decade, scores of transplants have bought up the community’s cozy houses with wild abandon, bringing new energy to the northeast side city. Amongst the reasons to check out Deer Park is the city’s distinctive dining scene.

In addition to the ever-popular bar and grill Chicken on the Run, one can find standout Venezuelan offerings at Arrechissimo, Peruvian food at Inkazteka, Mexican food at El Jinete, and kosher Mediterranean meals at Kinneret Grill. And a relatively new addition to the scene, Il Gusto Pizza & Pasta, serves up very good Italian food from an unassuming storefront in the Dillionvale Shopping Center, next door to an IGA.