Jack's Deli

For me going to the Deli is one of the lower choices on the food spectrum, not that I don't enjoy it, but most of the things that I would eat at the deli, I can have at home for a lot cheaper. But I decided to at least give Jacks a try for breakfast, especially because it is very near my house. Now, on the East Side of Cleveland, there are two basic choices for Deli; Jacks and Corky & Lenny's. Jacks is a bit smaller and seems a bit friendlier. Located at 14490 Cedar Road, University Heights (I know you think this is Beachwood, but the little shopping center is in University Heights). In its new home around the corner from its original location, Jacks presents a clean modern dining room; nice, but noting noteworthy. I will say that on Sunday morning it was busy, but I got a table right away. The breakfast menu is what you would expect, eggs, pancakes and waffles. The nice part is that you have several additional choices to add to your eggs, such as Lox, Corned Beef and Pastrami, if you so choose. There are breakfast specials available before 11:00am, which adds a small charge onto a menu item, but provides coffee or tea and a small juice. I ended up getting the 2 eggs over medium with cottage fries and a bagel. The eggs were well cooked and not greasy, the large side of cottage fries were excellent and the fresh dill pickel (available on request) was just the way I like it, crisp with just a hint of dill and garlic. Overall a good value considering the juice and tea. Looking at Jacks menu, you will notice that while the prices aren't cheap, they try to give you value for your money. As an example, the Deli sandwhiches come with a side of potato salad or coleslaw. Service was good and the place is clean and convenient. About the only downside is the parking is mainly behind the old location, so you may have a short walk to and from your car. If you have an urge for some good deli, Jacks is the place to head on the East Side.

Burgers -N-Beer Breakfast - Willoughby Delicious Dive

A place called Burgers N Beer would seem to be problematic for me; after all I haven't eaten meat in over 30 years, so the Burgers are out, and as tempting as a good draft might be I do not drink when I am out on the motorcycle; but thankfully they did tack on Breakfast at the end of the sign. I am always looking for good breakfast places, you know the kind of place that gives a good sized breakfast at a reasonable price. Especially for Sunday mornings; I don't know why I will usually not eat breakfast all week and then come Sunday, time for a full breakfast. Located at 4027 Erie St. Willoughby, Ohio 44094, right near the intersection with Route 20, BNBB is housed in an old building, with the front of the building underwhelming, almost uninviting. Once inside however you are presented with a nice two room restauraunt/bar done up in vintage European posters, and other knick nacks. The theme even goes to the tables, with posters laminated onto them. The place has a cozy, dive like atmosphere, partially coming from the dark ceiling. The menu is the usual collection of eggs, pancakes, French Toast and the usual go alongs. You will notice that the prices are very reasonable and that they actually offer a good number of different combinations. I did a couple of pancakes with 2 eggs over medium and added a side of homefries. The pancakes were outstanding, with 2 very large and pretty thick pancakes well cooked and very flavorful. The eggs were cooked just right and not at all greasy and the homefries were also very good, with thin slices of potato cooked until crispy on the grill. I have heard that their burgers are very good and having had the fish sandwich, I can say the portion sizes are large, with sandwiches served on large slices of garlic bread. Burgers N Beer Breakfast may not have the most original or catchy name, but it is a cool place to hang out and get some good grub at a very reasonable price, so if you are over Willoughby way, check them out.

Sokolowski's University Inn - The Cleveland Classic

I have been trying to get down to Tremont and Sokolowski's for a while, so last Friday, I headed downtown to check it out. For those who don't know about Sokolowski's, and if you are from Cleveland that is hard to believe, it is one of the last holdovers from what Tremont used to be before it went upscale. Sokolowski's is located at the very edge of Tremont, under the I-90 in an old brick building at 1201 University Rd. Cleveland, OH 44113. Open since 1923, food is served Cafeteria style, with you taking a tray, silverwear and then picking and choosing as you head down the line. Dinner is served Friday and Saturday only, with Fish and Seafood specials abounding on Fridays. Faced with a choice, I went for the classic baked Scrod, which was a large portion of the fish, breaded and then baked served with 2 sides, roll and salad. I went with the corn (just average) and paid the extra $.50 for the pirogies which were excellent. Of note is the small salad bar that comes with all the meals, since it includes very good potato salad and an excellent cukes and onions. The portion sizes were big, with plenty of food for the money and the food quality was very good. This is not a place to get cutting edge food stylings, but if you want good food prepared in a classic way, like grandma use to do it, this is the place. The atmosphere is very casual, with a number of different rooms, all covered with genuine Cleveland memorabilia, especially from the Browns, Indians and Cavs everywhere you look. There is also a bar, and beer and wine is available. The bottom line, if you have been to Sokolowski's before, it hasn't changed and you should make a point to get back; if you have never been before, this is one of the keys to true Cleveland Cuisine and you need to check it out. Nothing fancy, but definately good and filling.