Update, Thank You and Index

I just wanted to thank everyone who stops by and reads my reviews. I hope they are helpful and fun. I have had a really good time on going out eating and writing about the places I like and the ones I find. I plan on keeping this going and as the weather improves the motorcycle will come out and I will be heading out and about to find new places and visit some favorites. With the economy the way it is I plan on spotlighting value where I can.

I especially want to thank anyone who left a comment, they are much appreciated and very welcome. Feel free to let me know if I am right, wrong or you just have a different opinion.

Also just leave a comment or drop me a line if you have a suggestion for a place I should check out, if there is an update to one of the places I have reviewed or if you just want to see your words up on the web.

If you like the site and the reviews let your friends and family know, I love to promote the local places and foods that help make Cleveland what it is, the more people we get away from all the chain restaurants, the better.

I have put together an index to the reviews I have done so far sorted by geographic area to make it easier to find what you are looking for.

REVIEWS INDEX:

Posts marked with * and the color purple are my personal favorites.

East Side:

Alescis (Italian Market) – South Euclid http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2009/02/alescis-italian-market.html

Caballo Bayo (Mexican) – Chagrin Falls http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/11/caballo-bayo-chagrin-falls-mexican.html

Cowboy Food and Drink (BBQ) – Bainbridge http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/05/cowboy-food-drink-chagrin-falls.html and http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/06/cowboy-food-update.html

DiBella’s Subs (Sandwiches) – Warrensville Heights & Solon http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/05/dibellas-subs.html

Fat Taco (Mexican) – Bainbridge http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/06/fat-taco-bainbridge-mexican.html

Grums Subs (Sandwiches) – Cleveland Heights (Coventry and Solon) http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2009/02/grums-sub-shop-solon.html

Jacks Deli (Deli) – South Euclid http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/10/jacks-deli.html

Jerusalem Grill (Kosher Middle Eastern) – South Euclid http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/11/jerusalem-grill-falafel-hot-spot.html

Lopez (Mexican) – Cleveland Heights http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/06/lopez-mexican-food-hunt-continues.html

* Miles Market (Produce and Prepared Food) – Solon http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2009/01/miles-market-produce-treasure-trove.html

Rachel’s Caribbean (Caribbean) – South Euclid http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/11/rachels-caribbean-south-euclid-gem.html

** Richie Chans (Chinese) – Cleveland Heights http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/04/richie-chans-hidden-gem.html

Rosatis Custard (Frozen Custard) – Twinsburg http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/07/rosatis-custard.html

*** Shuhei Restaurant of Japan (Japanese and Sushi) – Beachwood http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/07/shuhei-best-restaurant-ever.html

West Side:

Agave Tanqueria (Mexican) – Oberlin http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/11/agave-oberlin-tanqueria.html

*** Melt Bar and Grilled (Bar Food) – Lakewood http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/05/melt-lakewoods-best.html and http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/08/melt-update.html

El Tango Tanquira (Mexican) – Lakewood http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/06/el-tango-tanquira-another-lakewood-find.html

Watami Japanese Buffet (Japanese and Sushi) – Parma http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/07/watami-and-yellowtail-japanese-buffets.html

Cleveland:

Aladdin Baking Company (Pita and Middle Eastern) – Cleveland (Gateway) http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2009/02/aladdin-baking-company-store.html

Bar Cento (Italian) – Cleveland (Ohio City) http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/08/bar-cento-ohio-city-hot-spot.html

Bo Loong (Chinese and Dim Sum) – Cleveland (Asiatown) http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2009/01/bo-loong-asia-town-mainstay.html

* Mama Santa’s (Italian and Pizza) – Cleveland (Little Italy) http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2009/01/mama-santas-heart-of-little-italy.html

Mi Pueblo (Mexican) – Cleveland (University Circle and West Side) http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/06/mi-pueblo-hunt-for-good-inexpensive.html

* Nate’s Deli and Restaurant (Deli and Middle Eastern) – Cleveland (Ohio City) http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2009/02/nates-deli-restaurant-ohio-city.html

** Phnom Penh (Cambodian) – Cleveland (West Side and Ohio City) http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2009/01/phnom-penh-cambodian-treat.htm

*** Seoul Hot Pot (Korean) – Cleveland (Asiatown) http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/06/seoul-hot-pot-can-not-miss.html

Sokolowskis University Inn (Polish and Traditional) – Cleveland (Tremont) http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/10/sokolowskis-university-inn-cleveland.html

Westside Market Café (Eclectic) – Cleveland (Ohio City) http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/09/westside-market-cafe-great-breakfast.html

Wonton Gourmet BBQ (Chinese) – Cleveland (Asiatown) http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/06/wonton-gourmet-bbq-asiatown-hidden-gem.html

Lake County and East:

Ballantine (Gastropub) – Willoughby http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/12/ballantine-willoughby-gastropub.html

Burgers-N-Beer- Breakfast (Bar Food and Breakfast) – Willoughby http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/10/burgers-n-beer-breakfast-willoughby.html

Jalapeno Loco (Mexican) – Mentor http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/06/jalapeno-loco-mentor-hunt-continues.html

Kirkland Tavern (Bar Food and Italian) – Kirkland http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/04/great-bar-food-kirtland-city-tavern.html

** Madsen Donuts (Donuts) – Geneva on the Lake http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/08/madsen-donuts-yummy.html

Mama Robertos (Italian) – Mentor http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/08/mama-robertos-mentor-italian-good-food.html

** Piero’s Pasta House (Italian) – Geneva on the Lake http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/07/pieros-pasta-house-geneva-gem.html

South:

Agaves (Mexican) – Northfield Center http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/07/agave-very-good-mexican-restaurant.html and http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2009/01/agaves-northfield-center-gone.html (CLOSED)

Los Gallos (Mexican) – Bedford http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/07/los-gallos-bedford-mexican.html

Noisy Oyster (Seafood and Bar Food) – Akron/Cuyahoga Valley http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/04/noisy-oyster-akron-in-valley.html

Rosatis Custard (Frozen Custard) – Northfield Center http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/07/rosatis-custard.html

Yellowtail Buffet (Japanese and Sushi Buffet) – Fairlawn http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/07/watami-and-yellowtail-japanese-buffets.html

Nate's Deli & Restaurant - Ohio City Institution

Most restaurants today want to be cutting edge and trendy, but there is a place for restaurants that buck that trend, places that have not changed over the years and go about their business serving good food simply and at reasonable prices; Nate's Deli & Restaurant is a a local favorite for just these reasons. This is a place that serves good basic well prepared food. When I need some good Middle-Eastern food cheap it tops the list. Nestled just down the street from the West Side Market at 1932 West 25th Street, Nate's is underwhelming from the outside looking a bit run down from the front. If you park in the parking lot in back and enter through the kitchen you get a chance to see how clean they keep things. Once inside you have a shotgun of a restaurant with booths on one side and tables closely spaced together on the other, there are a couple of small tables in the front display windows. While very clean and attempts have been made to warm up Nate's it still feels a bit crowded and dull, especially because the few colors that have been used are a very muted. But going to Nate's is not about decor its about food. Although the menu features a full deli side, I go to Nate's for the Middle-Eastern side of the menu, most times getting the same thing, a falafel roll sandwich and a half order of baba ganoush. The falafel is a bit simpler than most, just falafel balls rolled with lettuce, tomato and tahini in a pita. What makes it work is that the falafel are excellent, well spiced and lightly fried and then well balanced with the other ingredients. By using a large pita and rolling the sandwich, you don't have the problem of some falafels were the pita gets soggy and overstuffed. The baba ganoush is also very good, with a smooth texture and a nice balance between the roasted eggplant, the tahinin and the lemon. Served simply with a topping of olive oil, parsley and a little paprika and two large pitas to scoop into it, you couldn't ask for much more. But of course at Nate's there is more, since you get a side dish of pepperocininis and pickled radishes to munch along with your food. The pickled radishes are the real treat, with their bright pink color, mild flavor and just the right amount of crunch. Nate's service is very fast and the food is consistently good, with prices for the falafel at $3.00 and the half order of Baba at $2.95 this is very affordable. A couple other things to know about Nate's, they are only open till 5:30pm on weekdays, 4:30pm on Saturdays and closed on Sundays. Cash only, so no charge cards. Also take note of the little number on your table, when you are done you go to the register and give them the number and they will have the check. Nate's has been there seemingly forever, with good reason, they serve very good Middle-Eastern food at low prices and you can get in and out very quickly.

Alesci's Italian Market

Located at 4333 Mayfield Road in South Euclid, Alesci's has been an oasis of good Italian food for decades. One of a number of family owned stores scattered about the area; I know that there are separate stores in Solon and Euclid; the South Euclid store is the flagship with a large selection and good food. Alesci's has a deli and cheese counter that runs the full length of the store, if you cannot find something to like here, you are just not looking. In the back of the store is the hot food section, with pizza slices and other Italian specialties for you to select. The bakery section is on the other wall of the store, with good bread and some decent pastries. The middle of the store has the pastas, sauces, spices and other Italian goodies. My main reason for hitting Alesci's on a regular basis is the fresh pizza dough in the back cooler. Usually priced at 3 or 4 for $1.00, this is the basis of great homemade pizzas. Pick up a small can of pizza sauce at about $.60 which is enough for two pizzas and add some cheese and toppings and you have a great, inexpensive meal to make at home. When working with the dough, it is best if you can leave it at room temperature for a while to let it rise. Then a light dusting of flour and you can toss and spread the dough to the size you want. I use about half of the small can of sauce and add some garlic and basil, top with some cheese and bake for about 20 minutes in a 425 degree oven and the biggest problem is not eating the whole pizza in a single sitting. If you want to go the white pizza method, spread some good olive oil on the dough, add some garlic and herbs and top with the cheese.

Aladdin Baking Company Store

Aladdin Bakery's store may not contain 1001 thieves, but there is some treasure to be found here. Most of the the outlet and factory stores around now are just marketing tools, I long for the days when such stores were located at the factory; well Aladdin Bakery Company at 1301 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland Ohio provides exactly that. Located between Progressive Field and the Wolstein Center, Aladdin has been there a lot longer. When I am in the area, I will stop by and stock up on pitas, and the selection here is staggering. You will find pitas in different sizes, styles and flavors. The best deal is usually stacked up and when I was down last week, these were bags of large pitas for $1.20 each. In addition to the pitas, the store offers a wide variety of middle east foods and spices. You can stock up on anything you need for your middle eastern feast. Finally, Aladdin offers a very nice menu of middle eastern foods at incredibly reasonable prices, with stuffed pies, such as spinach, cheese or meat; pita pizzas; stuffed sandwiches including a very good falafel, gyros and chicken shwarma; and salads such as humus and baba ganoush. You can finish it off with a desert from the bakery selection which includes a variety of baklava and cookies. The atmosphere is a bit grubby and there is no place to eat, but if you want to pick up something fast, tasty and affordable, Aladdin is a great stop downtown or on your way to a game.

Grums Sub Shop - Solon

Grums Subs Shop has been a mainstay of Coventry for what seems like forever. Located in a small takeout only store near the corner of Coventry and Mayfield Roads, the shop has supplied high quality subs for generations. Now those who don't get down to Coventry can enjoy these great subs, since Grums has opened a new location at 28500 Miles Road in Solon in the new shopping center next to Miles Market. Grums seems to favor corner stores as it has taken over the space briefly occupied by the revival of Harvey's BBQ. As opposed to the Coventry store, the Solon's Grums, is plain with none of the atmosphere of the original store, which features alot of brick and wood, along with flyers and other signs of the area. The Solon store, while curently a bit vanilla does provide for seating and is clean and functional, hopefully over time they will add some decor. For those who have not had a Grums Sub, these are excellent subs made with high quality ingredients. In comparing them to the national chains, you will find that there are fewer choices and the prices seem higher, but you get value and quality for your money. First lets talk bread; Grums uses large crusty loaves, that are about twice the width of most place, providing a perfect canvas on which to prepare the sandwhich. Because of their size, a half sandwhich at Grums is about the same as a footlong at Subway or its ilk. I usually get the Seagrum, which has Tuna, Mayo, Lettuce, Tomato and Provolone Cheese. Everything is very fresh and with high quality and taste being the key. Grums offers a full menu of hot and cold subs, salads and a couple of extras. When you get tired of bland foods quickly thrown together and want a real quality sub sandwich head over to Grums and see what a real sandwhich should be, it may not be the cheapest, but certain things are worth paying a little bit more for.