Gus’s Diner 185 is a clean and cozy little diner on E. 185th Street in Cleveland that offers a diverse menu of diner favorites and classic American comfort food. My friend who lives down the street from it highly recommends the Eggs Benedict, and I have heard good things about their gyros. However, I often prefer sticking to favorites like breakfasts with rye toast or a club sandwich on my first few visits. They are open every day from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Breakfast is served all day, and they also have lunch and dinner options.
Since I always go at weird hours (non-rush hours) I have managed to get a spot in front of the diner on the street each time I’ve gone, but there is a parking lot behind and next to the diner with a walkway. When you walk in, you are greeted and told to sit anywhere you would like. I chose a booth close to where I was standing, and it was quite cozy. You can adjust the table in the booth as needed, and the cushion was comfortable and sturdy. The service is great and quite fast, and the servers are friendly and attentive. The server gives you a menu and a specials menu. The specials link on the website hasn’t been updated since I’ve been keeping an eye on it. They offer two soups every day, which are on the specials menu. The main menu itself is extensive, and there are lots of good choices for both breakfast and lunch.
The first time I went I ordered the croissant breakfast sandwich because I was craving one after enjoying a perfect croissant breakfast sandwich at Goldie’s in Strongsville. The croissant sandwich at Gus’s was also quite good and very generous. It came with a side of hash browns, which I needed to add salt and pepper to (probably kept under seasoned so that diners can doctor it up as they need/want). The croissant sandwich is made with scrambled eggs, cheese and your choice of bacon, sausage or ham (there is an upcharge for sausage patties or turkey sausage patties). I went with ham to replicate the one at Goldie’s. You can also get a breakfast sandwich on an English muffin or toast.
I also ordered a slice of French toast on the side. It had a really nice flavor to it, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a nice hit of sweet along with the savory.
I enjoyed the Everything Omelet with hash browns and rye toast on another visit, because I was in the mood for spinach, mushrooms, and ham. The rye toast was perfect. I added some grape and strawberry jam from the packets on the table and enjoyed it. The Everything Omelet is made with 4 eggs, onions, tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, ham, bacon, sausage, gyro meat, corned beef, Swiss and American cheese. It was a lot, but it was really tasty. And I just realized there wasn’t any spinach in it. I’ll be sure to order the spinach and feta omelet next time. I took about a quarter of it home for later because I couldn’t finish it.
I also ordered a Turkey Club sandwich to go. It was properly cut into triangles with large toothpicks to hold the three layers together. It came with a side of fries, which were decent. I forgot to ask for a side of Thousand Island, but I was able to whip some up at home. I slathered my club sandwich in Thousand Island, as you can see in the picture. I also really enjoyed the pickle. It was fresh and had a nice crunch to it.
Gus’s is a classic neighborhood diner. It serves a good breakfast that hits the spot, and the coffee is good and plentiful (and served in the old-fashioned brown diner coffee cups, which is always comforting). There are definitely better spots out there if you’re feeling at all fancy, but it does the job and does it well. This is a real mom-and-pop place and quite utilitarian and affordable. I will definitely go back in the future. The fried chicken and gyros sound and look good. There are plenty of choices to keep me busy.
Contact info:
Gus’s Diner 185 797 E 185th Street Cleveland, OH 44119 (216) 481-8781
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.
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.
2024 was a quiet year for me. My weight loss journey has stalled, but my health has improved so that’s a bonus. I am not organizing big dinners with friends anymore and have been dining out alone a lot (just me and my Kindle, which is fun). But I still enjoyed several Best Bites in 2024.
First of all, I’ve been on a quest to find the best tuna melt. I have been ordering a tuna melt whenever I see it on the menu. And there are a lot of restaurants that serve tuna melts (but also especially during the Lenten season). A good tuna melt to me has a nice toasted bread and good flavor. The tuna should also be warm throughout. So far, my favorites have been at Chelo’s Kitchen in South Euclid and Old Brooklyn Cheese Company. Chelo’s tuna melt (left) is a Lenten lunch special, and it is so good I went back and ordered it three times during Lent this year. Chelo’s tuna melt is made with grilled onions, American and Swiss cheese on seeded rye bread. I love the pairing of American and Swiss. Old Brooklyn Cheese Company’s absolutely delicious tuna melt (right) also has a great combination of cheeses. It features tuna, mayo, diced dill pickle, onion, Old Brooklyn Mustard’s lemon preserve and a blend of mozzarella, raclette and cheddar on grilled sourdough from Leavened Bakery. Amazing flavor! It was an outstanding tuna melt, and I hope they serve it again soon.
I became a regular at Chelo’s Kitchen this year. It is located at the corner of Mayfield and Green and is run by a really nice married couple. Sarah runs the dining room and handles takeout orders, while Chelo cranks out great food from the kitchen. Since he is from Uruguay you can’t beat the empanadas and other Latin American dishes. They have great breakfasts and advertise different dinner specials on Wednesday and Friday nights (when they are open for dinner). I have had a lot of great meals here, from fall-off-the-bone ribs to stuffed cabbage and chicken parm to fish fries, but my Best Bite is the Chelo Burger. Not only is it impressive to look at, it is tasty to boot. The Chelo Burger features a large homemade hamburger topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, BBQ sauce, lettuce, and tomato topped with two hand-battered onion rings.
Speaking of good burgers, everyone knows I appreciate Gunselman’s burgers of the month. Their French Onion Dip Burger was so delicious that I couldn’t put it down. If you love French onion soup this burger was the epitome. It was the burger of the month in April, and I can’t stop thinking about it. I highly recommend it if they offer it again. It features a fresh baked onion bun from Sauced Pizza of Fairview Park as well as an 8 oz brisket/short rib/chuck burger patty, balsamic carmelized onions, bacon, Swiss cheese and garlic aioli. It was served with a bowl of delicious French onion soup. The two together was cheesy, oniony goodness!
In addition to Gunselman’s french onion soup, undoubtedly the best soup I had this year was the New England Clam Chowder at Bruno’s. It was served as part of their clambake and was probably one of the best clam chowders I have ever eaten. I liked it so much I got a pint to go to enjoy the next day. It was chock-full of chunks of potato and bites of clam with a heavenly herby flavor (I think it’s thyme among other seasoning). Absolute heaven!
I also couldn’t get enough of the poké bowl at Corner 11 Poké and Ramen in Strongsville. It is a suburban offshoot of Corner 11 in Tremont. I am a huge fan of Hawaiian poké, which is diced fresh fish over rice with a variety of toppings. Corner 11 was the first Cleveland poké place that let customers choose their portion size, type of rice or salad greens, proteins, toppings, and sauces. It’s in a non-descript strip mall, but the quality and portions are outstanding. I prefer the poké over the ramen. My go-to there is a medium poké bowl with salmon and tuna. The toppings are unlimited, allowing for endless customization and ensuring each bowl is perfectly suited to your taste at that moment. I usually order the white rice and as many vegetables and fruit as I’m in the mood for (as well as avocado, ginger and roasted sesame seeds). I then usually top it with Yum Yum and teriyaki sauces. Heaven. And the fruit teas, milk teas, and Vietnamese ice teas and coffees aren’t bad either.
I’m not always healthy. I met friends at The Palazzo on Detroit Avenue near Edgewater and was blown away by the Quattro Stagioni there. I fell in love with Quattro Stagioni when I was living in Germany, and they actually do a proper Quattro Stagioni. Oftentimes a Quattro Stagioni here has the toppings, but they are jumbled together over the entire pizza. Quattro Stagioni is a very popular pizza in Italy. It means Four Seasons. The pizza is prepared in four sections with diverse ingredients, with each section representing one season of the year – artichokes represent spring, tomatoes and basil (the sauce) represent summer, mushrooms represent autumn, and prosciutto and olives represent winter. Palazzo’s Quattro Stagioni features artichoke hearts, mushrooms, olives and sausage. I was so thrilled to find a pizza with delineated sections!
I enjoyed several other great pizzas on a beautiful day in early August at In Forno in Avon. It was definitely worth the drive. In Forno’s wood-fired oven churns out amazing Neapolitan pizzas with great char and flavor. I first enjoyed the pizzas when the chef was crafting pizza in the wood-fired oven on a trailer at pop-up pizza events (outside the Olde Wine Cellar in Olmsted Falls). This time some friends and I spontaneously decided to meet there when they posted a photo of their special Peach Pizza on social media. The peach pizza was a taste treat. It is made with thinly sliced fresh peaches, walnuts, smoked bacon (my vegetarian friend ordered it without bacon and it was just as tasty), mozzarella and a drizzle of honey. I wish it was closer, but it is always worth the drive.
Italian seems to be a favored cuisine for me this year. In addition to Mama Catena’s on Babbitt Road in Euclid, I have been frequenting Scotti’s Italian Eatery on E. 185th in Cleveland whenever I want to treat myself to a nice lunch/early dinner. Scotti’s is cash only, so I always make sure I have enough with me. I love the fresh-baked herb focaccia bread. I found a new favorite this year when I had a hankering for ravioli. I ordered the Mushroom Ravioli and started second-guessing myself after I ordered it. I’m glad I didn’t call the waitress back, because it was perfect. The portion was perfect, with a tasty mushroom sauce (no canned mushroom here). I usually take leftovers home, but this was so good I stuffed myself until it was all gone. I couldn’t stop enjoying each bite. One of my friends met me here a couple of months later and ordered it because I had raved about it. She was just as pleased as I was.
Levant Shawarma has become a favorite this year as well. It is in the Little Arabia neighborhood right off I-90 near the intersection of W. 117th and Lorain Avenue. It has rotating spits of chicken or beef ready to shave and top with a variety of fresh toppings. The quality is outstanding. It does primarily take-out, but there are a few tables in the back if you want to eat in. I enjoy getting a shawarma bowl. I’m a fan of the rice pilaf (although jasmine rice and mixed greens are options as well) and add 2 spreads (I always choose their delicious hummus and baba ghanoush) and 5 toppings (the pickles and turnips are a must). My sauce of choice to top it is the toum (whipped garlic sauce). It’s a huge portion – enough for two meals – and absolutely delicious.
And last but not least, the chorizo risotto balls (Chorizo Funky Balls) at Funky Truckeria in Norton are amazing. One of my caterer friends highly suggested them when we were out and about one afternoon, and I’m glad she did. One order contains two deep-fried risotto balls filled with chorizo, goat cheese, and chihuahua cheese and topped with poblano crema, queso fresco and cilantro. It sounds like it would be spicy, but it isn’t. It’s just delicious. Funky Truckeria used to be a food truck called Wholly Frijoles Mexican Street Foods. Plus, I don’t usually like tacos, but their tacos were fantastic. I had the tequila lime chicken and Korean BBQ pork loin tacos, and definitely plan to go back to try some more the next time I am in the area. There is a Salted Turtle Nacho Sundae that looks and sounds amazing when it’s warm out again.
What were your favorite bites in the past year? What should I try in 2025? I am open to suggestions. Here’s hoping we all have a delicious 2025.
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, 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.
I 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.
You 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).
I 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.
Whatever 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.
The 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.
I 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.
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.
“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!” I thought I was done, but one of my friends contacted me earlier last week and invited me to join her and some of my friends at one last clambake this past Sunday- this time at Gunselman’s. Gunselman’s Tavern in Fairview Park is always a favorite, and their clambake is probably the one clambake I have attended the most. The clambakes sell out quickly and early, so I assumed it wasn’t going to be an option this year. But luckily my friends had bought tickets for several of them. The clambakes are dine-in only and require the purchase of a clambake to enter the establishment. This year the weather was allowing outdoor seating as well as indoor. The Browns game made it almost impossible to hear each other this year.
I usually get the steak bake at Gunselman’s, but my friends had bought chicken bakes because the steak bakes were sold out when they got their tickets. They start serving clam broth and clam chowder at 1 PM and serve the clambakes at 2 PM. I got there at 12:45 and joined my friend inside. I debated if I wanted a beer or a glass of wine, but ended up ordering a cocktail that intrigued me – a Chocolate Peanut Butter Old Fashioned, which features Bird Dog Peanut Butter Whiskey, orange bitters, chocolate bitters and simple syrup. I really loved it and might have to buy some peanut butter whiskey and chocolate bitters so I can make them at home. I would probably add a splash of half and half, but even without it was a delightfully inventive cocktail. I’m also intrigued by the Autumn Aperol Spritz that features sparkling wine, Aperol and apple cider.
We were given a cup of steaming broth as we sat, and once the others in our party arrived we were served a bowl of Irish Kevin’s delicious New England clam chowder. The chowder had chunks of redskin potatoes and was nicely seasoned with a lot of thyme, which gave it a unique and delicious flavor.
The clams were great – tender and not gritty. According to the Gunselman’s website, “the clams are sourced from Joe at Lobster Brothers in Westlake, who has a source in Narragansett Bay, RI, which is home to the finest clams in this part of the world.” The server happily got me a side of barbecue sauce for my roast chicken, and I happily enjoyed the clams, corn, the leg portion of my half chicken, the roll, and a couple bites of the redskin and sweet potatoes. I got a box for the breast portion of my chicken and the redskin and sweet potatoes.
Several of us also ordered cheesecake – mostly to go. One of the servers proudly told us she had made blueberry and cherry cheesecake. When I ordered I told the server that I didn’t care which one she brought and to just bring me a slice of the one they had more of left. She brought me a slice of the blueberry cheesecake, and it was really nice (I had a bite of mine from the carryout box).
We made sure to ask whether the tickets included a gratuity and it did not. I hope the other diners were aware of this and tipped accordingly. I added the price of my preordered ticket to my drink and cheesecake tab and tipped our server for the full price. It would be nice if they would make it clear to everyone at some point, because I hope the servers didn’t walk out of the set dining hours with less than they would normally make – especially since it cut into the Browns “customers” (they didn’t serve brunch today in preparation and the kitchen opened at 3 PM as we were leaving).
So that was my final clambake of the 2024 Clambake Season, and I’m glad it was a good one. I love this quirky Cleveland tradition.
I attended my final clambake of the year tonight. I focused on quality over quantity this year, trying to hit as many of the top clambakes (according to Cleveland Magazine and other local recommendations) as I could.
Willoughby Elks
I once again attended the Willoughby Elks’ clambake with my friend, who is a member, on September 28th to kick off “clambake season.” I managed to get a really good parking space near the door and met my friend in the back where the clambakes were being prepared. Unlike last year, which was rainy, we had gorgeous weather. We grabbed a beer at the bar inside and grabbed a table. We then headed outside to line up at the tent as our meals were assembled. It was not as crowded as it has been in years past because they were doing a big clambake and fundraiser a few weeks later. But no crowd meant no line. We also met towards the tail end, so that might have also played a factor. The clambake includes clams (or mussels) with the choice of 1/2 a chicken or steak along with sweet potato, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and clam chowder. I had ordered a Chicken Bake this year, because I remembered enjoying the taste I had of my friend’s last year. I usually get a steak here. My friend ordered the mussels, while I had the clams. They grill the chicken and steak outside to order and then in my case slathered the chicken with a tasty barbecue sauce. After loading our trays with everything we headed inside where it was air conditioned. The chowder is usually a highlight, but maybe it had been sitting too long because it was pretty thick. And there were no butter issues this year (the rain had seeped through the tent last year). I once again enjoyed the clams and chowder and a few bites of chicken and brought home the rest of the chicken and the sweet potato for lunch the next day. Since it was towards the end of the clambake they were offering extra clams and mussels if people wanted them (we shared some mussels, as you can see below to the very right). Unfortunately they were somewhat overcooked and falling apart.
Reithoffer’s Clambake catered by Normandy Catering
One of my friends from high school (Dreadlock Dave) posted about a clambake he was going to perform at (he’s a musician), so I bought a ticket on Eventbrite thinking I would know some people there. Unfortunately we are from the West Side, and the clambake was decidedly on the East Side – near the Ravenna exit off 422, so I didn’t know anyone but him (and met his girlfriend). I guess technically it is in Chagrin Falls, but it is close to the border with Ravenna. Reithoffer’s Art, Spirits and Entertainment is an eclectic bar and special events center on Ravenna Road. The clambake was held outside, and the weather was stunning. The event started at 4, but I tried to get there towards the tail end since I knew I would be staying to hear him perform at 8. Dave decided to perform inside since the temperature was going to drop when the sun went down. When I arrived I found a parking space in the spacious parking lot and headed towards the catering tent. I was looking forward to this, because Normandy Catering has a very good reputation.
The clambake was delicious. I grabbed a tray with New England clam chowder, fresh clams, a 1/2 chicken, corn on the cob, sweet potatoes, and a roll. I went back to enjoy the delicious apple cobbler and ice cream. The clam chowder was once again thicker, but that happens with catered events. The clams were tasty (if occasionally gritty), and I enjoyed the corn on the cob. The chicken and sweet potatoes were also tasty. I had several bites and decided to save most for later so I could enjoy the dessert. The cobbler was warm and cinnamony, and the ice cream was freshly scooped from the frozen container. I think the dessert was my favorite part of the meal, so I’m glad I decided to indulge. I got to enjoy the vibe (lots of tables on the gravel lot and several fire pits) as well as the sunset beforehand. I covered my plate of leftovers with a napkin and headed inside to get a comfy chair to enjoy the show. I enjoyed a pumpkin spice martini and people-watching while I waited for the show. The inside was spacious, with several rooms to choose from. I had planned to just stay for a couple of songs but ended up staying for the entire first set as the patrons got increasingly drunker. It’s always fun to watch Dave perform. I headed to nearby LaDue Reservoir afterwards to see if I could enjoy the Northern Lights – but alas, the skies were clear but aurora-free.
The Winking Lizard
The Winking Lizard always does a great clambake. I decided to enjoy the clambake in Mayfield Heights again this year and paired it with a trip to MicroCenter afterward to buy a much-needed laptop. The Winking Lizard clambakes are on the weekends from Friday after 3 pm and all day on Saturday and Sunday. I decided it would be a great Sunday treat. I got there at 3 to ensure I could have time to shop and would avoid the crowds. I didn’t remember that the Browns were playing that day. The weather was great, so the hostess seated me on the patio, which was really lovely and not drowned out by the game. The clambake includes a cup of New England clam chowder, steamed clams, baked or sweet potato, corn on the cob, and garlic cheese bread with your choice of twin lobster tails for $40, a 12 oz. strip steak for $36, a half slab of St. Louis ribs for $32 and a BBQ chicken breast for $26. Another option was “Clams & Clams” for $32. It’s a really good deal. I ordered a delightful watermelon drink and decided to opt for the ribs and add a lobster tail for $14 from the ala carte menu. Everything was of course cooked perfectly. I especially enjoyed the ribs and the garlic cheese bread. I ate the chowder, clams and lobster tail and a couple ribs there and took the ribs and sweet potato home. The waitress had asked if I wanted “the butter” (cinnamon butter), but somehow I didn’t get it and it wasn’t important enough to me to ask for it. The butter pats I did get were sufficient, but I whipped up some butter at home for my leftovers.
Rustic Grill at Stonewater
Tucked in the middle of the golf course in Highland Heights, the semi-private Stonewater club welcomes both members and guests to its annual clambake on several days in October. There was a private event in one of the rooms I passed as well as the main dining room and quite a few people sitting out on the patio. This year I attended by myself on Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. I was able to pre-order my dinner when I made the reservation, so they were prepared for me. The bake features a dozen middleneck clams, a cup of New England clam chowder, a roll with honey butter, braised red skin potatoes, lemon poppy seed and apple slaw, sweet corn, half a roasted chicken or 12-ounce strip steak and apple crumble for $49. I chose the strip steak and added a lobster tail. Everything was great. The lobster tail and steak were perfectly cooked to my specifications. The clams were large, and the slaw was a nice surprise. It was quite tasty. I also enjoyed my Mai Tai from the bar.
Station 43
I have never had a bad meal at Station 43 in Solon (and my parents used to be regulars there on Thursday nights). It is independently owned by a former Solon firefighter. I used to eat here a lot when I lived in Solon as well as when I would meet my parents here after I moved to Cleveland Heights. I met a girlfriend there for the clambake on October 24. We had to wait about 10-15 minutes as everyone arrived all at once just before I arrived at 5:20. As you can tell from this post I usually bring home leftovers. I left without leftovers! Part of it was due to the smaller sized sweet potato and corn on the cob, but I was also really hungry that day since I had several Zoom classes and didn’t have time to have more than a couple pieces of toast all day.
I started by ordering an apple cider mocktail and adding Captain Morgan Rum. My friend enjoyed her Rum Runner (once she got it – she had to remind the server). As for the food… The clam chowder was perfect – with a great smooth consistency to the chowder with nice chunks of potato and clam. The steamed clams were perfect – and the BUTTER was perfect. Most melted butter at the clambakes this year tasted like nothing, but this butter was perfection and super-buttery. A total standout! The ear of corn was great and very fresh, the sweet potato was soft and tasty (smaller sweet potatoes are just somehow sweeter and soft), and the chicken was nicely grilled and really tender and fell off the bone easily. I knew the meal would be good (and was prepared to order off the menu if they had run out by 5:30), but it even exceeded my expectations. This clambake is not touted by anyone as one of the best in Cleveland, but it definitely is in my book! My friend just started working in Solon and was thrilled to learn about this gem of a restaurant.
Bruno’s Ristorante
I spontaneously decided to enjoy the final clambake weekend in style. Bruno’s clambake is available every Friday and Saturday (this year from September 27 to October 26 2024) during dinner service from 4 PM to close. I made a 4 PM reservation at Bruno’s earlier in the day at 11:30. They managed to accommodate me since I promised the table would be available for a 5:30 reservation. I managed to fulfill that promise, but just barely. But it wasn’t me. The servers were not whipping out the courses, which made for an enjoyable meal and I definitely didn’t feel rushed out the door. Bruno’s is always an excellent meal – if a little crowded, so reservations are a must! And this clambake was spectacular. Probably the best one this year.
Bruno’s is known for its excellent Italian food. Bruno’s Clambake Italiano includes fresh baked Italian bread with a tasty garlic butter (a cruet of olive oil and shakers of red pepper flakes and parmesan were on the table for dipping), one dozen middle neck clams in an herb broth (you can see the herbs on the clams), clam chowder, choice of cornish hen ($40), oven roasted 1/2 chicken ($40) or strip steak (my choice – for $49), corn on the cob, sweet potato (with brown sugar on the side), homemade white clam pasta, and Chef’s choice of dessert (it was a layered white cake that had a hint of strawberry and buttercream, which I got to go). I ordered a Pinot Grigio (which was perfectly chilled and served in a nice solid and hefty wine glass) and enjoyed several slices of the crusty bread to start. The corn could have been a little bigger (only half an ear instead of a full ear), but it was well-cooked and tasty. The clams were tender without a hint of grit, and the white clam pasta was good (although I had to add salt and pepper to “zhuzh” it up). The steak was very tender and just as I ordered it (but rare enough that it reheated well without overcooking). The gravy wasn’t necessary and didn’t really add anything, but it was good all the same. But I was absolutely blown away by the clam chowder. This was delicious and chock-full of tender potatoes and chunky clams. It was so good I got a pint to go! I will definitely go here again next year. The clambake is served every Friday and Saturday in October starting at 4 PM.
Stancato’s
Stancato’s hosts its clambake every Saturday in October. I met a dining out group here for the clambake last night (on the 26th). There were 8 of us, and all but one ordered the clambake. They were a little panicked because it was the last clambake of the year and things were looking tight, but they managed to accommodate us in a private dining room and we had a wonderful meal. Our server was stressed, but she handled us great. I started with a Pinot Grigio, which was a little light on the pour but I had already had a sangria at my book group earlier. We were four people to each table, and they brought out a board of five herb ciabatta rolls and a small bowl of marinara for dipping or drizzling. The ciabatta was soft and nicely herbacious. They then brought us a cup of New England clam chowder, which had a nice sherry note to it, followed by the linguini in white clam sauce. I can’t wait to enjoy it tomorrow. The third course featured a dozen middle neck clams with broth and drawn butter, which were perfectly cooked. They gladly brought out small bowls of clam broth when we asked. It was nice and was light like a wonton soup broth. At that point I was getting full. The roasted portion of the meal includes a marinated roast chicken breast, Italian sausage with peppers and onions, parsley red skin potatoes, and buttered corn on the cob. The marinated roast chicken breast was really tender and delicious. I had a piece of sausage with a pepper and onion, a bite of the potatoes and ate the entire corn cob. It was great, but they happily boxed it all up for us (including a separate container for the clam pasta since there was some liquid to it). We weren’t offered dessert, but to be fair we had promised not to take up the room for too long, so we headed out after paying our bills. It was a great clambake to cap off Clambake Season in Cleveland.
One final observation that became painfully clear to me – why do restaurants even bother serving drawn/melted butter if it doesn’t taste like anything? It’s almost as if it was the tasteless oil-based butter. There is a huge difference between melted salted butter and unsalted butter for heaven’s sake. Next year I’ll try shaking the salt shaker into the butter. Maybe that will improve things.
The Village Butcher opened in 2022 and is part of the Quagliata empire. The tucked-away butcher shop is located in a strip mall next to Heinen’s on SOM Center Road near the intersection with Wilson-Mills Road. It is a destination for shoppers in search of imported pantry items, deli meats and cheeses, high-quality steaks and chops, and built-to-order sandwiches. The butcher shop serves as a production site for the restaurants that the Quagliata family owns. They use all Ohio-raised meats like chicken, pork, and beef. The products are all high-quality, and you pay for that quality. Those of us who appreciate that don’t mind paying a little extra. We are happy to support family-run farms and businesses.
As you walk in the first thing you see are giant slabs of beef slowly dry aging in a separate room, followed by a large red steel meat scale and a huge counter filled with gorgeous-looking slabs of meat. There is also a small refrigerated counter filled with premade items such as various salads and potato salad, meatloaf and Italian specialties such as lasagna or eggplant parmesan. There is also a modest modern kitchen in the back somewhat out of view where the staff makes the delicious built-to-order sandwiches.
The first sandwich I enjoyed was a fish sandwich they advertised for Lent. It looked delectable, and since the butcher shop had been on my radar for a little while I headed straight there to enjoy it. It was one of the best fish sandwiches I have ever enjoyed – tender and flaky with the most delectable tartar sauce. The cod was beer battered and perfectly deep fried. It was also a huge chunk of fish. The brioche bun kind of fell apart toward the end under the large amount of tartar sauce, but I didn’t mind one bit because it did not detract from and only added to the amazing flavor of the sandwich. I can’t wait until Lent so I can enjoy it again.
I bought a slab of lasagna and one of the bacon-wrapped meatloaves that same day to heat and eat later. Both were absolutely delicious. I ate the lasagna over two days, adding a little pasta sauce to moisten it. I also bought another individual-sized meatloaf on my most recent visit as well as some frozen cheesy potatoes. Both paired nicely together for a nice stick-to-your-rubs, meat-and-potatoes meal.
Most recently I tried the special sandwich of the day, a peach and prosciutto sandwich. When I asked how it was one of the employees replied that she liked it and didn’t even like peaches. It features a peach chutney on a sub bun with layers of prosciutto, arugula and slices of cheddar. It was quite tasty – and I do like peaches. I would have never thought to pair peaches with prosciutto, but it works. If you like a salty prosciutto this is one to try next peach season.
I have heard good things about their burgers and the Barbecue Short Rib sandwich. They take Ohio-raised short ribs and sous vide them with rosemary, thyme, salt, garlic and pepper, then cut chilled pieces and fry them a little so they are a little crispy but still soft and juicy on the inside. The meat is then topped with cheddar cheese, some house made sweet and smoky barbecue sauce, black garlic aioli and pickles and onions. It’s on my list for next time.
Since it’s a Quagliata business you can stock up on huge cans of tomatoes, frozen homemade Italian pasta, boxed or bagged Italian pasta, and frozen quarts of Italian Sunday sauce and vodka sauce and other soups and finds. The selection is well curated.
Levant 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.
I 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.
You 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).
Whatever 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 shawarma wraps are quick and easy. The beef or chicken are 
I 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.
Cleveland Rocks, Cleveland Eats 