A look at our 10 favorite celebrity sightings from 2023

From President Joe Biden to comedian Adam Sandler, lots of big names spent time in the Queen City in 2023. And who can blame them?

We rounded up our favorite celebrity sightings in Cincinnati from this year. To make the list, the A-lister had to experience Cincinnati beyond the work or event that brought them here, and documentation was required.

Here's a month-by-month breakdown of our 10 favorite times celebrities were spotted in town in 2023.

January

Joe Biden

This year of celebrity sightings started out big when President Joe Biden ventured to the Queen City on Jan. 4 to make his speech in Covington touting a $1.6 billion federal investment to upgrade the Brent Spence Bridge.

During his time here, the president grabbed some lunch at Just Q'in BBQ in Walnut Hills, accompanied by Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval.

Biden posted about his lunch on X, writing, "Stopped by Just Q'in for some BBQ and cobbler yesterday."

Robert De Niro

Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse has hosted a lot of big names over the years, and this year started out with acclaimed actor Robert De Niro, who visited the restaurant Jan. 4.

De Niro was in the Queen City early this year filming "Alto Knights" (renamed from "The Wise Guys"), a gangster drama directed by Barry Levinson.

Ruby documented De Niro's visit on X, saying Levinson introduced him to De Niro at one of his restaurants. Upon meeting the 79-year-old movie star, Ruby said he recited one of De Niro's famous lines from the 1999 movie "Analyze This" to him.

"Alto Knights" is set to release late next year.

February

Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider

Comedians Adam Sandler and Rob Schneider paid a visit to Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse while in town for Sandler's Feb. 6 show at Heritage Bank Center. Schneider was Sandler's opening act.

Ruby posted a photo on X of the two comedians, writing, "Thank you Adam Sandler and Rob Schneider for supporting us every year you're in our two great cities."

Sandler and Schneider also visited Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse in Columbus, according to the post. After his performance in the Queen City, the "Saturday Night Live" alumnus performed at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Feb. 7.

Kathrine Narducci, Debra Messing

Actors Kathrine Narducci and Debra Messing visited Nail Joy, an Over-the-Rhine nail salon, while in town filming "Alto Knights."

Salon owner Meagan Whitfield told WCPO 9 (WCPO-TV) she styled both Narducci and Messing's nails for the film after a staffer recommended her business.

Messing documented her manicure on Instagram and tagged the salon.

"When your character has long nails and you realize you can’t open a banana," the "Will & Grace" star wrote.

March

Orlando Brown Jr.

Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. shocked the NFL earlier this year when he signed with the Queen City after two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.

After speaking at his first press conference as a Cincinnati Bengal on March 17, Brown visited Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse, according to a post from the local restaurateur.

Ruby posted a photo of Brown alongside Bawe C. Shinholster, corporate director of training and quality assurance at Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment, on X.

"Welcome to Cincinnati and ⁦(Jeff Ruby's) Steakhouse, ⁦(Orlando Brown Jr.⁩)," Ruby wrote. "A big man! A big appetite and a big heart. Our staff loved you tonight! Go ⁦(Bengals) and go ⁦⁦(Oklahoma football)."

Brown replied to the post and gave the upscale restaurant a major thumbs up.

"Appreciate your hospitality!! Food was (fire)," he wrote.

May

Karl-Anthony Towns, Jordyn Woods

NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns and his girlfriend Jordyn Woods visited the Queen City in May to attend a wedding at Cincinnati Museum Center.

The wedding was for Ashley Oliver, daughter of University of Kentucky's executive associate athletic director Ray Oliver, according to an Instagram post from UK men's basketball coach John Calipari, who was also in attendance. Towns, who now plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves, is a University of Kentucky alum.

Towns was accompanied by Woods, who rose to fame on Kylie Jenner's reality TV show, "Life of Kylie." The 25-year-old, who has over 12.4 million followers on Instagram, posed for a photo with Towns in front of the iconic museum writing, "Wedding Season."

Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Kodai Senga

New York Mets pitchers Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Kodai Senga were pictured at Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse near Fountain Square one day before the team's loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

The entire Mets team dined at the Downtown restaurant, according to a post from Ruby. The restaurateur shared a photo of Verlander, Scherzer and Senga with pastry chef Eric Clark and another employee, thanking the team for its patronage.

August

Chad Ochocinco

Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, aka Ochocinco, stopped by the team's practice in August. The NFL star posed for photos with Joe Burrow, Tyler Boyd, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

"Always good to be back home," Johnson wrote on X, adding that he was going to take the Bengals players to McDonald's after practice.

The 45-year-old paid a visit to Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse for dinner later that day.

Dominic Fike

"Euphoria" star and musician Dominic Fike stopped by Pixel 19 Vintage Clothing, also known as Pixel Base Alpha Warehouse, while in town for his Aug. 29 performance at the Andrew J. Brady Music Center.

The vintage store documented Fike's visit on Instagram.

December

Jake Browning

Jake Browning, the Bengals' new starting quarterback following Burrow's wrist injury, celebrated the team's Dec. 10 win against the Indianapolis Colts at Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse in Downtown.

Browning, who was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week in Week 13, visited the restaurant with his girlfriend Stephanie Niles, according to Ruby.

The Cincinnati restaurateur documented the QB's visit on X.

"Congratulations ⁦⁦[Jake Browning]," Ruby wrote. "The team at [Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse] of Cincinnati was elated that you and Stephanie got to enjoy The Jeff Ruby Experience tonight!"

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 10 Cincinnati celebrity sightings from 2023