Category: Good eats

Crostata’s Pizzeria

Crostata’s is a Quagliata family restaurant. The Quagliatas have 50 years of history in the restaurant business here in Cleveland. Crostata’s is a wonderful spot to enjoy Neopolitan-style pizza. I was most recently here on a Tuesday night, and it was full, which is very telling. The staff always makes you feel welcome. It is tucked in the middle of a semi-residential area and is located at the corner of Bishop Road and Wilson Mills Road.

The wine is served in juice glasses. I have become a fan of Sangiovese wine, so started off by ordering a glass of Sangiovese. The waitress also brought me a glass of water. As Wikipedia explains, “Sangiovese’s high acidity and moderate alcohol makes it a very food-friendly wine when it comes to food and wine pairings. One of the classic pairings in Italian cuisine is tomato-based pasta and pizza sauces with a Sangiovese-based Chianti. Varietal Sangiovese or those with a smaller proportion of the powerful, full-bodied Cabernet blended in, can accentuate the flavours of relatively bland dishes like meatloaf and roast chicken. Herb seasoning such as basil, thyme and sage play off the herbal notes of the grapes.” If you haven’t tried it you might want to give it a try.

I can recommend the soups. First of all, the Italian wedding soup is a great wedding soup, and the New England clam chowder was a special that I enjoyed during my most recent visit. The clam chowder was refreshing and had a lot of clams and potato chunks. The wood-fired bread stick that comes with the soup was a nice touch.

First off, if you like arancini then you have to order the arancini here. They are the best I have had. Arancini are Italian rice balls that are stuffed, coated with breadcrumbs and deep-fried. Crostata’s arancini are delicious. They have meat, mozzarella, and peas in them. Truly delicious with a great tomato/basil sauce. I ate one and saved the other for lunch the next day.

The first time I was here I ordered a pasta dish. They apparently make their pasta in house. It was okay, but if you want a truly outstanding meal order one of their pizzas.  It is prepared in an authentic Italian style wood burning oven, which is a feature in the open kitchen behind the counter. The prices for the pizzas are also quite reasonable.

I’ve been here a couple times now and have tried a few of the pizzas. I love a good wood-fired Napolitano pizza. I love the char and appreciate being able to enjoy it with a knife and fork. The Quattro Stagioni has the four toppings, but they are mixed together on the pizza. The artichoke hearts were a little unwieldy to eat, but they were tender enough. I really enjoy the Margherita con Bufalo D.O.P., and the arugula-topped pizzas were really delicious as well.

Contact info:

Crostata’s Rustic Pizza
558 Bishop Road
Highland Heights, OH 44143
(440) 449-7800

Fish Fryday #7 2025: Eugene Kitchen at the Bottlehouse Brewery & Meadery

It’s Good Friday and officially the last Friday of Lent. This means the blog will be going back to posts every two weeks. To all of you who have recently found me by searching about fish fries in Cleveland: I hope you have enjoyed my posts and maybe will consider sticking around. I had been thinking about shutting the blog down because I wasn’t sure if people were reading it, but the traffic on Fridays have really be heartening for me. So thank you.

I enjoyed a final tuna melt at Chelo’s Kitchen for lunch, but I won’t bother posting a photo or writing about it since I have talked about it frequently in the past. If you want to see a photo just scroll down to last week’s post. I added a cup of New England Clam Chowder and a side salad today, since I knew my dinner would be fried fish and French fries.

I decided to go to a restaurant fish fry since most churches have Good Friday services today. Eugene at The Bottlehouse has been on my radar all season since I heard about it on Ash Wednesday at Voodoo Brewing, so I was looking forward to finally giving it a try. There are two locations (in Lakewood and in Cleveland Heights), and I chose the one five minutes from my house in Cleveland Heights. I got a parking spot on the street right in front and got there shortly after 4 when they open. The weather was in the 70s, and I was tempted to sit outside on their patio on the first official warm day of spring.

The Bottlehouse holds a special place in my heart. I used to come here when it hosted the Bread and Soup Experiment just before the pandemic, and I have met friends here for beverages on occasion. It has a nice floor plan and is a great place to get together with friends (they have games available and large tables that accommodate groups). They have a nice selection of beer, mead, cider and non-alcoholic beverages. Families and kids are welcome. Eugene Kitchen has been a welcome addition to provide food for its guests. Eugene is known for its Tinman Burger, which I enjoyed back when the food hall on W. 25th (Ohio City Gallery) opened. The Tinman Burger is a “drippy double smash burger with American cheese, special sauce, and sweet and spicy pickles on a brioche bun.”

Eugene is a little enclosed kitchen just inside The Bottlehouse. I walked to the order window and ordered the fish fry, which features Lake Erie walleye, fresh cut French fries, hush puppies and cole slaw for $22. I paid cash, so it was several dollars cheaper than the initial price the employee at the window quoted, which reflected the credit card price. She gave me a beeper (see above), and I then walked to the bar to order a beer. After I asked for a lager, the employee recommended I order the Community, which is a Czech / Bohemian Pilsner that tastes more like a lager than a hoppy pilsner. It paired nicely with the fish fry, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can see myself going back to enjoy one again soon.

The fish fry was fantastic. The slab of walleye was nicely fried, and the fish itself was very moist and flaky. I tore off pieces and dipped it in the nice tartar sauce that came with the fish fry. The French fries were nicely salted and perfectly cooked, and the hush puppies were nice as well. The coleslaw was okay, and if you prefer a less creamy coleslaw you will enjoy it. The sweet, spicy pickles were a nice surprise. I’m not a huge fan of bread and butter pickles, preferring dill, but these were flavorful enough to not be too reminiscent of sweeter pickles. The lemon wedge was also a nice touch to squeeze over the fish. It was a great way to end the Lent season. Thank you for accompanying me on my journey this year.

Contact info:

The BottleHouse Brewery & Meadery
2050 Lee Road
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
(216) 214-2120

Fish Fryday #1 2025: Chelo’s Kitchen and EDWINS at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

I first visited Chelo’s Kitchen a little over a year ago when someone posted a photo of their special tuna melt on a Facebook food group I am on. That tuna melt was absolutely amazing, one of the best I’ve had in Cleveland. I have since become a regular there – so much so that when Chelo’s wife Sarah saw my name in their Facebook feed she thought I would be requesting the tuna melt. But I have also had their fried catfish and eggs breakfast special in the back of my mind. When I saw they were serving it today, I jumped at the chance and ordered it. It was even better than I expected. The catfish was moist and tender with a crispy cornmeal crust. Just a light press with the fork was all I needed to get the perfect bite. I ordered my eggs over easy and added a side of home fries to my order. I enjoyed every single bite and finished the whole thing. I highly recommend it, so order it if you see it. That said, I will definitely also be going back for the tuna melt while it’s on offer.

One of my friends who attends St. Paul’s Episcopal Church sent me a notice about their Fish Fry, which is a one-day event featuring EDWINS and their special fish fry batter. The fish fry is prepared onsite by EDWINS students and graduates. Walk-ins are also welcome, but reservations are preferred for planning purposes. I pre-ordered the large fish and shrimp combo to go, which cost $18 and featured 5 fried shrimp, 1 piece of fried cod and French fries as well as cocktail and tartar sauces, to mark the start of Lent. I added a hot cross bun for $2 to my order and look forward to enjoying it tomorrow morning with a cup of coffee. All profits support the EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute. I have enjoyed their fish fry at EDWINS Butcher Shop and Church of the Gesu in University Heights in the past.

I stopped there this evening to pick up my meal. I parked in their parking lot off Fairmount Boulevard and walked to the church and simply followed the smell of fried fish through the rear entrance. There were stairs to climb down for the fish fry, so if you have mobility issues you might need to see if they have an elevator. I didn’t see one, but I didn’t look too hard. We had to order ahead of time, and I chose carry-out. There were plenty of tables in the room for dine in though. There was a bit of a wait when I arrived at 5:30. I ended up getting my fish at around 6 and the runner apologized for the wait. Apparently they were running behind packing the food.

I eagerly tucked into my meal when I got home. I enjoyed every bite. The fish was a pillow of moist fish in a crispy batter, and the tartar sauce was as scrumptious as always. The fried shrimp were also perfectly fried and delicious paired with the included cocktail sauce. The fries were also quite tasty, although I had to add my own ketchup. They did have ketchup packets on the tables for those dining in. The fish was phenomenal, and I really enjoyed the shrimp a lot too. In short, EDWINS never disappoints.

Contact info:

Chelo’s Kitchen
4446 Mayfield Road
South Euclid, OH 44121
(216) 382-4490

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
2747 Fairmount Boulevard
Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44106
(216) 932-5815

Ash Wednesday at Voodoo Brewing Company

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, and to kick of the Lenten season I decided to head to Voodoo Brewing Company on Lee Road in Cleveland Heights to try their fried walleye. Voodoo has been on my list of Lenten places to try, because numerous people in the neighborhood groups have raved about the fish. This review differs from my usual reviews, because I usually write about a restaurant after I have visited several times. This was my first visit to Voodoo. It opens at 4 PM on Wednesdays, and I got there shortly after 6 PM.

I parked in the large lot behind the strip and entered through the back entrance. I had done a little research, so I knew I needed to order my food at the bar and pick it up at the kitchen window I walked past as I entered through the back.

I took a seat at the bar and was greeted by a friendly bartender. I ordered a Melon Executioner, which is made with vodka, Liquid Death Convicted Melon (apparently a Voodoo creation) and lime juice. It was a refreshing start. I then ordered my food and was given the above pager that notified me once my order was ready for pick-up.

They started serving the fried walleye dinner and shrimp po’ boys today and will continue to offer them on Fridays (until 4/18) during Lent. The fried walleye is a 1/2 pound walleye and a ton of housemade fries. It was available from 4-6 PM tonight. The shrimp po’ boy special for the week features battered fried shrimp, lettuce, tomato & bayou sauce on a toasted hoagie roll. The po’ boy is served with house-cut Old Bay fries. I have to say that I was happy I ordered the walleye, because Old Bay can be a bit much in my opinion. The slab of walleye was perfect. The batter coating was crisp and not greasy (I forgot to grab a fork, so I ate it by breaking off pieces with my hands and dipping it in the tasty tartar sauce), and the fish was flaky and moist. The fries came with a little container of malt vinegar, but I opted to enjoy ketchup with them. I was extremely pleased with the walleye, which is usually not a go-to fish for me.

Wednesday night is apparently also Trivia Night starting at 6:30 PM, and I didn’t plan on staying for it but ended up talking to two guys next to me at the bar who happily let me join them for the first half. When I asked what they recommend on the menu since they are regulars, they suggested the burgers and sandwiches, not so much the pizzas. Good to know. I gave them a fist bump when I left and we/they were ranked 8th. I may just go back another Wednesday night and seek them out, because I really enjoyed talking to them and playing trivia. Quelle surprise., but I guess it isn’t *that* surprising…

I ordered their MOSA, which is a Belgian ale with orange, after my meal. The bartender gave me a sample of it first because it is too sweet for some people, but I thought it was great. The bill was delivered tucked in the front of a book, which made me chuckle. Definitely a unique delivery option. A lot of previous visitors added notes to it. My only complaint is that my feet didn’t reach the metal supports on either the bar or the tall bar chair, which caused my feet to repeatedly fall asleep. I was afraid I was going to fall on my face walking back to grab my fish. But I didn’t.

I would definitely recommend checking out Voodoo Brewing Company if you want a good slab of fried fish and tasty fries as well as a refreshing beer.

Contact info:

Voodoo Brewing Company
2279 Lee Road
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
(216) 331-6775

Prosperity Social Club

Prosperity Social Club has been part of my family’s lore since before I was born. I have heard the story about my father being sent to what was then Dempsey’s to buy the G.I.s at the shower house next door a bucket of beer and a pack of smokes. At age 8. And he proudly claims that they gave him a dime and asked for the two cents change back, and he was proud to do it. He probably knew the guys in the photo on the website. He grew up in Tremont and spent a lot of time in Lincoln Park and Merrick House on Starkweather, just a few doors down from Prosperity. It opens at 4 PM during the week, closes at midnight Monday thru Thursday and 1 AM on Friday and Saturday. They also serve brunch on Sundays, so they open at 10:30 AM and close at 10 PM. I haven’t made it there for brunch, but it’s on my list. They have late night specials from 9p to midnight.

Residing in the original 1938 barroom (the aforementioned Dempsey’s Oasis, which was in operation from 1938-2005), Prosperity Social Club is open to the public, being a social club only in a figure of speech, behavior and attitude. The bar room is cozy and eclectic, with its Art Deco influences, dark chestnut walls and vintage beer memorabilia recalling a bygone era. Plus the food is killer. It proudly declares it is “The Clevelandest Bar in Cleveland.” I enjoy sitting in the back room, but lots of people sit at the bar or at tables throughout.

I have been here several times during Lent for the fish fry. The fish and pierogi are top-notch here, so the place is always packed. Reservations are a must. It gets so busy on Fridays during Lent that they have a limited menu, serving nothing but the fish fries and pierogi and a couple other entrees. The kitchen just cranks them out. Apparently they can do the beer battered fish using hearts of palm if you are vegan, but I don’t know if that is possible during Lent. It doesn’t hurt to call to ask. I highly recommend the “Gotta Haddock” Fish Fry, because you get the fried haddock, coleslaw, potato and cheese pierogi, homemade mac n cheese, and a cup of New England clam chowder. The pierogi are pictured above with the brown caramelized onions on top. The “Big Fish” comes with the fish, coleslaw and the mac n cheese. You can always add pierogi for an upcharge. And you’ll want to have the pierogi. They are amazing.

Prosperity is also known for its Eastern European food, such as the aforementioned pierogi, one Hungarian-style stuffed cabbage, one potato pancake and cabbage and noodles with “kielbaski.” If you order the Ethnic Platter you get a little bit of everything. They serve apple-cranberry chutney and sour cream to accompany the potato pancake (and pierogi if you’d like – there are no rules). Everything is filled with flavor, particularly the cabbage and noodles, but my favorites were the stuffed cabbage and the pierogi. That said, it is very heavy and filling and features no veggies. I took half of the dinner home for lunch the next day to eat with a small salad. It heated up nicely and did not disappoint.

They have a great beer and cocktail menu. Unlike during my recent visit to The Friars’ Table (stay tuned), Prosperity serves their Belgian beer in a proper Belgian beer glass! European have specific glasses for their specific beers. Belgian beer glasses are shaped like tulips, and the wide bowl and tapered mouth develop a thick head on the beer that captures each aromatic note. I was very pleased to get a Chimay glass for my Chimay beer.

My friends also really enjoyed their meals – although one friend complained about the lack of chicken in the Chicken Paprikash (see center photo) and was given a small bowl of it in response. My vegetarian friend really enjoyed her Harvest Salad (with tofu – see the photo on the right) and was pleased by how low her bill was. The photo on the left is the Stuffed Cabbage.

One of my friends ordered the housemade potato chips and French onion dip for the table to share, and they were a big hit. If you like crispy chips be sure to try them.

You don’t get much more old-school Cleveland than Prosperity Social Club. If you haven’t been there yet, be sure to check them out.

Contact info:

Prosperity Social Club
1109 Starkweather Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 937-1938

Sand Pebbles in Aurora and Pinecrest

My parents are creatures of habit. Due to my mother’s dietary issues they eat at home a lot and rarely go out to eat. But when they do they are very careful where they go. Their new weekly restaurant outing for the last few years has been Sand Pebbles in Aurora. Sand Pebbles is owned by a very nice Thai brother and sister. For a while the location in Pinecrest just served Thai food, while the location in Aurora also served sushi since that is where the sushi chef worked. Now both locations serve sushi in addition to Thai. The Pinecrest location is in the old Inca Tea spot very close to Graeter’s and the movie theater.

The Aurora restaurant (above) was initially at a smaller location on W. Garfield Road with limited parking, but they have relocated about a mile down the street in the strip mall where Marc’s and Pappou’s is located. It took them several months to get a new liquor license, but now they have a full-service bar. They have also added brunch/lunch hours (11-3), but I can’t report on that. The photos on Yelp look appealing though. We have eaten there as a family several times to celebrate my parents’ birthdays.

The shrimp summer rolls are a great way to start the meal. It is made with iceberg lettuce, boiled shrimp  and carrots wrapped in a thin rice wrapper served with plum or peanut sauce. It is easily shareable with the table. My sister’s family also ordered a California roll to share as well.

The attention to detail for their meals is meticulous. Every dish is served with a beautiful, decorative flower. The first time I ordered a sushi roll I was blown away by the hand-carved lemon. The rolls are rolled tightly, and the fish and other ingredients are very fresh.

My mother usually orders the Vietnamese pork chop. She has gotten it as a salad and with a side of gluten-free fried rice. It is no longer on the menu, but they happily make it for her because they know about her dietary issues (she is dairy and gluten-free). My father loves the crab salad and particularly loves it when it is made with soft-shelled crab. It is usually made with crab meat, spicy mayo, lettuce, cucumber, scallion, sesame seeds, yum yum sauce.

Pearl is very proud of the Kahiki Pineapple (above), which is a tribute to the famous Kahiki Supper Club in Columbus, Ohio. It is $25, but it is a stir fry of tofu, chicken or shrimp, pineapple, egg, garlic, onion, carrot, green pepper, red pepper, curry powder, cashew nut, scallion, and cilantro served in a carved out pineapple. It’s beautiful. And yes, there is a carved out pineapple under there.

I ordered sushi and the coconut soup during the most recent visit. I loved the coconut soup, which is made with chicken and mushroom in coconut milk seasoned with lime juice, scallion, and galanga. The sushi was as good as always, but the soup was the definite highlight.

As long as they keep taking care of my parents so well, my parents will continue to patronize Sand Pebbles. They love it here, and enjoy chatting with all of the employees. Everyone is very friendly and attentive. The owner, Pearl, is the smiling lady in the above photo talking to my father. You should also give them a try. I highly recommend it.

Contact info:

Sand Pebbles
Aurora: 340 Aurora Commons Circle
Aurora, OH 44202
(330) 954-9331

Pinecrest: 100 Park Avenue, Suite 120
Cleveland Ohio 44122
(216) 245-6092

Miss Hickory’s Tea Room

Those who know me know that I am a member of an active tea group on Meetup that visits local tea rooms and has local tea-related events at local libraries such as informative presentations, craft projects, tea blending classes and other events such as our upcoming Chinese New Year tea. Miss Hickory’s is a favorite of our group. We have attended special tea events as well as met for tea as a group in which we’ve ordered off the menu. It never disappoints.

Reservations are required. You can’t just drop in and expect to be accommodated. The ingredients are fresh and everything is made to order each day. One of my friends preorders a quart of soup ahead of time to take home with her.

Miss Hickory’s Tea Room is located in a mid 1800’s farmhouse right off State Route 82 in Strongsville, Ohio (turn on the road is across from Camp Cheerful). Cona and Joe are the owners, and they have a passion for historical properties. They own several of them on the street. The farmhouse was originally the home of Strongsville’s first blacksmith, William Weller. They have put in a lot of work on the property. There is a ramp as well as stairs to the cozy front porch. The parking has expanded a bit, which is a welcome change.

Once you enter the tea room you are greeted by the hostess. The hostesses and servers are dressed in early 1900s attire, and it has a historical vibe. While you wait to be seated they offer a sample of the ‘tea of the day’ at the tea steeping station in the front parlor. I love this station because the light fixtures are made from tea cups. If you are seated right away you will be given a sample at your table, but be sure to admire the steeping station as you leave.

The first time I was exposed to Miss Hickory’s was for a Halloween tea in which we were encouraged to come dressed as witches. The multi-course meal was impressive – they even carved out an orange and filled it with broccoli salad! I wish I could find my photos from that tea, but it was in 2016. They also were not skimpy on the portions. The food was so plentiful that many of us took home leftovers. Their Christmas tea a few years ago had a quartet of carol singers to entertain us.

Despite being a tea room that specializes in hot teas, they also offer coffee and hot chocolate, milk, iced tea and pink lemonade as well as soft drinks. My favorite blend is their Angels Dream Tea blend, which is described as a “heavenly naturally flavored black tea with maple sweetness, blackberry pungency, full flavored Assam and a mystery green tea. We have sought the heavens to try to find the flavor befitting all the virtues of this tea’s namesake. The natural flavors of maple and wild blackberry enhance this excellent tea from the tea world’s finest regions – Sri Lanka, Formosa and Assam (India).” The Arctic Raspberry and Blue Lady Tea (with passionfruit, grapefruit, orange, and grenadine flavors) are also personal favorites. I love a good flavored black tea, but they also have tasty green teas (like their Chai Tea), white teas, herbal infusions, and an Orange Blossom Oolong tea.

The High Tea Sampler is served on 3-tier serving dish filled with an assortment of Miss Hickory’s favorite things, such as BLT finger sandwiches, chicken salad wonton cups, cucumber finger sandwiches, and egg salad club sandwiches; the Scones of the Week with Devonshire cream & homemade jam; their Lemon Tea Bread; and a serving of strawberries. If several people order the tea sampler they are all served on the same serving dish and everyone gets one serving of everything. The finger sandwiches are stunning and delicious.

I usually order off the menu. There are various “house sandwiches,” paninis and wraps. You can order the House sandwiches (chicken salad or tuna salad) on fresh Artisan bread, croissant or greens. I wish the egg salad were also available as a house sandwich, but it is only available in the tea sampler. I also enjoy their various side dishes, such as the citrus broccoli salad, strawberry pretzel salads and cups of soup. I usually order a sandwich or quiche and then add a side dish or two.

Left: Chicken stew with a half sandwich, and citrus broccoli salad; Right: creamy chicken pot pie soups with puff pastry heart and half a sandwich

Their chicken stew with spaetzle soup is delicious. It is available every day. Their other soups vary weekly. The website has all of them depicted and they all sound divine (don’t mind the security alert – they aren’t tracking you; they are simply using an outdated security certificate so the site isn’t “secure.” They run a tea site and aren’t web programmers). The Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Soup with Puff Pastry Heart is especially cute.

They offer a quiche of the day in addition to their Spinach Bacon Swiss Quiche, which is served daily. I had this quiche on my last visit and enjoyed every bite. It is made with fresh eggs and cream, spinach, crispy bacon, shredded Swiss cheese and just the right amount of spices. I was tempted to order one to go as well!

Don’t sleep on the salads either. My friend declared their most recent signature salad “the best salad [she had] ever eaten.” I ordered it to go the next time we went and loved it as well. It was their Autumn Salad, which featured assorted greens tossed with sweet pear slices & candied pecans, all drizzled with a spectacular Maple-Balsamic Dressing. The Classic Wedge Salad is available every day. They also have several other salads available, which are seasonal such as the Fruit Salad, the Honey Crisp Apple Salad and a Spinach Salad.

If you are a scone fan you won’t be disappointed. Their scones are actually scone-shaped and not too dense. The scone changes monthly.

We enjoy sitting on the front porch before and/or after event just catching up. Joe even turned on the ceiling fans for us last summer. It’s especially fun when it is decorated for Halloween, with a spooky pumpkin offering some ambiance.

Contact info:

Miss Hickory’s Tea Room
14217 Mill Hollow Lane
Strongsville, Ohio
(440) 668-3053

Quick Carol Singers video: https://youtube.com/shorts/0p5SQm6uy_I

Cozumel

I’ve never been a huge fan of Mexican food, but I do enjoy Cozumel. The owners opened their first store in Broadview Heights back in 2001. I have gone to the one in Independence in the past, but was excited to hear that a  branch would be opening near me on Lee Road in Cleveland Heights. The location is the ninth location for the popular local restaurant chain. This location has a more modern vibe than the one in Independence. Some have said it seems sterile, but I like the clean, sleek vibe. And it’s nice to be able to see the menu clearly. Cozumel offers Mexican and Tex-Mex-style foods, with a wide assortment of appetizers, quesadillas, tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas and combination platters.

They make their tortilla chips and salsa in-house. During my most recent visit one father was explaining to his kids how he used to make the tortilla chips and how they were made. It was fun. In any event, the chips were fresh and warm, and the salsa had a nice level of heat – but not too spicy. I was tempted to order guacamole, but knew I would probably regret it once the food came out. Maybe another time.

I have visited the location twice since it has opened, but my experiences with the chain span many years. In the past I have ordered combo platters. The menu here has a ton of combinations to choose from. One of my friends ordered the El Combo, and it was huge. It is a lot of food, featuring a chalupa, chile poblano, chicken enchilada, taco and rice. It was served on one plate, but the taco was delivered a bit later on a separate plate, which is why it isn’t in the photo here.

I had a bite of one of my friend’s carnitas from the Carnitas Dinner and was blown away by the flavor and succulence of the meat. The Carnitas Dinner feature slow-cooked Mexican-style pork with grilled onions that are served with rice, beans, guacamole salad and three flour tortillas. Again, it was a lot of food. My friend was thrilled that she was going to have an excellent lunch the next day as well.

As for me, I ordered a margarita flight and the Cozumel Burrito and a single Chile Poblano Relleno from the a la carte menu. A margarita flight features three flavors and can be either frozen or on the rocks. I obviously went with on the rocks. I chose the classic lime, guava and watermelon, and enjoyed all three. Other choices are raspberry, cucumber, mango, and strawberry.

The Chile Poblano Relleno was great and isn’t breaded and deep-fried like it is in some restaurants. I was expecting the usual whole poblano pepper stuffed with white Mexican cheese, topped with melted cheese and ranchero sauce. The waiter then asked me if I wanted chicken or steak, which surprised me because I was expecting just cheese. I asked for chicken and really enjoyed it. It was stuffed full and really tasty. I could have easily eaten that and some cerviche and been perfectly happy/sated.

The Cozumel Burrito was a featured special. I’m not sure if it is available at other locations or if it is only available for a limited time, but I definitely enjoyed it. It was a huge burrito stuffed with grilled chicken, chorizo, rice, and beans and topped with queso, chorizo, grilled shrimp and pineapple. I particularly loved the use of grilled shrimp and pineapple. It was both light and heavy, and I enjoyed it a lot. And again for lunch the next day.

I went back several days later because I had heard Cozumel’s fried ice cream is good in an online discussion about Chi-Chis. Others talked about the seafood enchiladas, so I went in there thinking I would get seafood and fried ice cream. When asked, the waitress said their enchiladas featured shrimp, so I ordered it. Frankly, this dish was rather boring. It was just shrimp wrapped in tortillas and smothered with queso. I did enjoy the Mexican rice, and the salad was a fresh addition. I could have done without the sour cream though. In any case, the seafood chimichanga looks more like what I was hoping for, so I plan to order that soon.

The fried ice cream was okay, but it wasn’t anything like Chi-Chi’s. The ice cream was firm and there were four toppings to choose from. I had been hoping to order the honey, but the waitress must have misunderstood me when I asked about the fried ice cream and said I needed a few minutes. She ended up having a chocolate version delivered to my table, which surprised me because I hadn’t thought I had ordered it. But I ate and enjoyed it.

What I truly enjoyed during that visit was the Red-Eye Margarita, which is duo of their homemade sangria swirled in a frozen lime margarita. My first sip gave me brain freeze, but I thoroughly enjoyed the drink throughout my meal.

I’m looking forward to eating there again soon. It may not be “authentic” (whatever that means), but it was tasty and plentiful. They did a nice job renovating the space too! The service is friendly and fast. I’m thrilled to have them in the neighborhood. With nine locations I’m sure you have one near you as well. There are locations in Broadview Heights, Brunswick, Independence, Lakewood, Parma, Richfield, Cleveland (W. 150th) and Westlake – and of course in Cleveland Heights.

Contact info:

Cozumel Cleveland Heights
(among others – click on the link above for the other locations)
2196 Lee Road
Cleveland Heights, OH 44119
(216) 331-6592

Levant Shawarma

20241115_140925Levant Shawarma, located in the Little Arabia neighborhood of Cleveland, offers a variety of Mediterranean dishes with a focus on shawarma.  It is easy to access, as it is right off I-90 using the W. 117th exit. The storefront is compact, and there is street parking as well as a public parking lot right next door across from the old Variety theater. When you walk in, you are warmly greeted by the staff, and you can easily place your order and choose what toppings you would like to add to your shawarma bowl in a fresh prep area behind a plexiglass guard. The quality of the food is outstanding. It does primarily take-out, but there are a few tables in the back if you want to eat in.

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20241115_140548I was introduced to this place by a friend who organized several of us to meet here for a nice lunch. We have tried several shawarma places in Cleveland, and this one is the best. We all got make your own bowls and split a container of hummus. We all loved it and took home leftovers to eat later. The Build your Own Bowls ($12.99)  are massive and are my personal favorite.

20240530_130438You start by choosing between rice pilaf, jasmine rice or mixed greens, then choose two spreads (traditional or spicy hummus, baba ghanoush, Levant baba or tabbouleh. You then pick your protein (beef, chicken or falafel) and up to 5 toppings (diced tomato, cucumber, chopped onion, pickles, turnip, banana peppers, jalapeno peppers, feta cheese, crispy cheese and crispy chickpeas). The final step is to add a sauce (including toum (a whipped garlic sauce), tahini sauce, Levant’s verde sauce or hot sauce).

20240530_125844I ordered a chicken shawarma bowl with rice pilaf topped with a selection of toppings such as hummus and baba ghanoush, onions, cucumber, “pickles” and pickled turnips and topped with garlic sauce). I loved every bite of it. It was creamy and delicious, and the chicken had a nice char and was toothsome with a nice crispiness to it in spots. I also had a bite of the beef shawarma bowl and was impressed with it as well.

20240530_130441Whatever you choose to order, I highly recommend getting garlic sauce. It’s divine. The garlic sauce is made by whipping eggs, garlic, salt, lemon and vegetable oil together, and is extremely flavorful.

The hummus is creamy and really nice and is served with a lot of pita bread. I can be picky about hummus, because I have a friend who makes the world’s best hummus. This is definitely up there with hers.

20241115_143206The shawarma wraps are quick and easy. The beef or chicken are shaved off the rotating spit into a pita and topped with pickled vegetables and the garlic sauce. You can ask them to hold the pickles, but I really feel they add something to the sandwich so unless you hate pickled vegetables give them a try. The chicken shawarma wrap was a nice choice for a light appetite, but I will definitely stick with the bowls. You can also order the shawarma wrap with fries as a “shawarma meal” in which the sandwich is cut into bite-sized pieces and served with well-seasoned fries, garlic sauce, hot sauce and pickles. It’s definitely esthetically pleasing.

20241115_145206I also ordered the spinach pies, which are 4 for $9.99. I had gotten the order to go, and the 20-minute drive home did not detract from them. They were still warm, even if a little condensation had formed on the container. That said, the dough was still chewy and fluffy, and the spinach filling was flavorful. I would definitely get them again, because I am a huge fan of spinach, and these pies are tasty.

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Contact info:

Levant Shawarma
11804 Lorain Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44111
(216) 331-7223

Corner 11 Bowl & Wrap in Tremont and Poké & Ramen in Strongsville

I am a huge fan of Hawaiian poké. Poké is a great choice for people with gluten intolerances and people who have to watch their sugar and carbohydrate intake. Corner 11 was the first poké place that let customers choose their portion size, type of rice or salad greens, proteins, toppings, and sauces. And Corner 11 has great poké – at both locations. The first location is is located in the Tremont on the corner of 11th St and Kenilworth Ave, hence the name Corner 11. I met a group of friends here for the first time several years ago. The restaurant is very clean, and everyone enjoyed it. It offers poké bowls and “pokérito wraps”with an array of toppings to choose from. You order at the counter, and they will bring it to your table. The staff behind the counter at both locations have been very friendly and hard-working.

 I’ve become a huge fan of Corner 11 Poké & Ramen in Strongsville and have dined here several times. One of my friends noticed it on our way to a tea event, so we decided to dine here. I have also dined here several times on my own. I have always been satisfied. The Strongsville location is a fairly non-descript storefront in a strip mall, but there is plenty of seating.

My friend, who is a vegetarian, particularly enjoyed the tofu wings. The tofu wings were nicely fried and crisp and topped with a nice spicy Thai seasoning and chili sauce. She’s looking forward to organizing a dinner there in the next few weeks for our group. There are quite a few vegetarian choices to choose from, which are indicated with “(V)”.

I ordered the ramen recently, which appears to be the big seller there. It just reminded me that I’m not a huge fan of ramen, but Cleveland Scene Magazine named Corner 11 as one of the “Top 5 Ramens in Cleveland” in 2022. It was a nice bowl of ramen, but give me a bowl of pho and I am much happier. I chose pork for my shoyu ramen and one of the pieces was quite large because I was given the end. The pork was fatty, which I am not a fan of but many people like. If you don’t like fatty pork you can choose chicken or vegetarian ramen instead. The ramen noodles, menma and boiled egg were great.

My go-to there is a medium poké bowl (which comes with 2 proteins – the small features 1 protein, the large has three).  The quality of the fish like salmon and tuna is awesome, and the portion is huge for the money. One of the highlights is the unlimited toppings, allowing for endless customization and ensuring each bowl is perfectly suited to your taste. You can choose between white sushi rice, midnight (“black”) rice or mixed greens, choose raw or cooked proteins like salmon, tuna, spicy tuna, shrimp, chicken, squid or tofu, and then from a wide variety of toppings. The choice of toppings are avocado, carrot, cilantro, corn, cucumber, edamame, jalapeno, sushi ginger, scallion, kimchi, lime wedge, mango, pickled mustard greens, pineapple, seaweed salad, spicy seaweed salad, tomato, masago, and roasted black & white sesame. Certain items have an upcharge if you ask for more. I always load mine with lots of toppings and top it with Yum Yum and teriyaki sauces. The sauces are all gluten-free and include Thai spicy, tom yum, spicy mayo, sweet shoyu (V), yum yum, and teriyaki (V).

Even the beverages are special. In addition to various American and Japanese sodas, you can order a variety of juices, smoothies, milk and fruit teas as well as Thai iced coffee and tea. You can get most drinks with or without boba (tapioca balls). I enjoyed the fruit tea with passion fruit and strawberry puree (although $7 is pretty pricy for something I can easily make myself at home) and especially the Thai Iced Tea with milk. And the mango sticky rice is not to be missed! I have gotten it to go for a treat later in the day and always enjoyed it.

Contact info:

Corner 11 Bowl & Wrap
2391 W 11th Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 713-1757

Corner 11 Poké & Ramen
17100 Royalton Road, Unit 9B
Strongsville, OH 44136
(216) 713-1757