Happy Buddah Cafe - University Heights Chinese

Happy Buddha Cafe is easy to miss nestled into a small strip mall at the intersection of Green and Cedar Roads. And yes, Happy Buddha is in University Heights, since as Green jogs West, Beachwood gives way for this corner (see the map here). Cleveland has many small Chinese take out places scattered about, and with some notable exceptions, they are unexceptional, well Happy Buddha is certainly different and better. You can get an idea just by looking at their website here; the fact that they even have a website is different, but this one is well done and reflects the care that has been taken with this small restaurant. Connected to Bo Loong by the owners, Happy Buddha has worked to elevate the small takeout restaurant. Since the Lius have taken this spot over they have redecorated to give the small dining area a much better look, the walls have been textured and painted a warm golden color and that are accented by the high gloss pictures of selected dishes. Although much of the business is takeout, they welcome you to eat there and provide table service. The menu is impressive for this type of restaurant, while providing the regular items you would expect, it also has dishes usually found at the larger downtown restaurants, including squid, panfried noodles and salt baked items. The food here is good and among the items that I would recomend are the Singapore style Mei Fun, the Shrip Pan Fried Noodles and the Salt Baked Squid. The food is fresh, well prepared and seasoned and while not the cheapest place in town, the prices are affordable and a good value for what you get. While not as exotic as a trip down to Asiatown, Happy Buddha offers a suprising variety of very good Chinese food at good prices in an attractive if somewhat small setting. If you are in the Eastern Suburbs and want some good Chinese stop by and check it out or take some home.

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.