Cleveland-born 'chain' restaurants are thriving, Brew Kettle expanding to Brunswick, Restaurant Week releases menus & more

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Entertainment | Food and Drink

TOP NEWS

Cleveland chain restaurants from Winking Lizard to Barroco & more balance consistency with growth

Chain restaurants get a bad rap for being own by major conglomerates who don’t care about the quality of their food. However, local Cleveland restaurant “chains” like Barroco or Geraci’s prove that not all restaurant groups are created equal. They have succeeded in building multi-location restaurant franchises that don’t suffer in quality or consistency. READ MORE

Cleveland Taco Fest set for Labor Day weekend

The Cleveland Taco Fest is set for Labor Day weekend. The fest – Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 at Jacobs Pavilion – will feature more than 30 taquerias, taco trucks and other eateries along with more than 30 musical and entertainment acts on two stages including mariachis and others. (Musical schedule is in the works.) READ MORE

R. Shea Brewing is shutting down: Here’s why

R. Shea Brewing in Akron is closing both of its Akron locations. A combination of financial challenges, bad timing and changing market conditions all converged to force the decision to shut down. We talk to the brewery’s owner and another Akron brewery owner about the effects of the decision. READ MORE

Cash-strapped foodie? 15 budget-friendly food options under $15

We all want what tastes good. We all crave comfort food around this time of year. We also have wallets that don't necessarily agree with those desires. Here are some budget friendly options that fill your belly without breaking the bank. READ MORE

25 places to find boba tea in Northeast Ohio

If you're on the hunt to try boba tea for the first time or are just looking for a new-to-you place, Greater Cleveland has plenty of options. Here are 25 places to find boba tea in Northeast Ohio. READ MORE

DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast

If you like food and drink – and who doesn’t -- we’re breaking new ground with our lively new podcast about dining and drinking in Greater Cleveland. Hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus crackle with their fun talk about the latest foodie happenings, joined by the most in-the-know experts in town, Marc Bona, Paris Wolfe and Pete Chakerian. It’s called DineDrink C-L-E and you can find it anywhere you download podcasts. Give it a listen and get your mouth watering. LISTEN HERE

What tequila makes the best margarita? Experts offer tips, recipes for National Margarita Day

Get your best tequila ready. February 22 is National Margarita Day. Forget those premade mixes with their gooey sweetness, unnatural acidity and glow-in-the-dark fluorescent color. They’re simply a way to ruin a good tequila. The best margaritas are made with freshly squeezed juices, agave syrup and your favorite tequila. READ MORE

Chagrin Falls’ Bell & Flower restaurant under new ownership

Bell & Flower in downtown Chagrin Falls is changing. The first change is ownership. Restaurateur Rick Doody and restaurant business partner Joe Saccone bought the former Rick’s Café in late 2023. Upcoming changes will be the name, menu and décor. As for the timing, Doody refuses to guess. READ MORE

What are the most and least expensive Michelin-starred restaurants in the U.S.? We have the answers

The five most-expensive Michelin-starred restaurants in the United States are dominated by Asian cuisine. The most expensive – a sushi-centric spot -- will set you back about $950 per person, not including beverage and tip. READ MORE

Lit Cleveland executive director Matt Weinkam's favorite dining spots

Literary Cleveland executive director Matt Weinkam arrived in Cleveland and wasn’t prepared for the embarrassment of artistic riches we have in The Land. While he had no idea how long he and his wife would stay, today he can't imagine leaving. We asked him about his awesome non-profit organization that supports and creates programming for local writers, then talked about another artform: food. He gave us a handful of his must-eat items. READ MORE

2024 fish fry guide: 50+ churches, non-profits offering Lenten dinners

Across Greater Cleveland, non-profit fish frys kick off this week. Churches, scouts, VFW halls and others will be serving up a river of fish – from cod to halibut, perch and more along with pierogis, mac and cheese and other tasty side dishes. Fish frys remain a popular tradition across the region, and our guide will tell you who is serving what and when. READ MORE

Best restaurant fish fry specials in Greater Cleveland

It’s fish fry time in Northeast Ohio now that the Catholic Lenten season has hit, and Greater Cleveland restaurants are adjusting menus in honor. Cleveland.com gathered a list of more than 50 local restaurants offering fish fry options for Lent, whether its a regular menu staple or a seasonal special. READ MORE

Cleveland pizza ranks as third most-affordable option in U.S.

Cleveland was recognized as being the 22nd best “pizza city” in the U.S. according to data from Clever Real Estate. The city determined that Cleveland was the third most-affordable city in the U.S. in general to order pizza in. READ MORE

I tasted Burger King’s new Fiery Big Fish so you don’t have to

Burger King restaurants in northeast Ohio are hyping their newly introduced, limited-time-only Fiery Big Fish sandwich. Naturally, the limited-time offering coincides with the Christian season of Lent when religious reasons cause many folks to abstain from eating meat on Fridays. Then, fish becomes the chosen alternative. READ MORE

Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. to release Solar Eclipse beer

Thirsty Dog Brewing in Akron is the latest brewery in Northeast Ohio to release a beer pegged to the upcoming solar eclipse. The beer’s release is slated for March. Market Garden Brewery in Cleveland teamed up with Heinen’s on a beer for the eclipse as well. READ MORE

OPENINGS/CLOSINGS

The Brew Kettle plans to open soon in Brunswick

The Brew Kettle is set to open at Center and Marks roads in Brunswick. Target opening date is March. The space will include Topgolf simulator and virtual shooting range. The Brew Kettle has continued steady expansion in the past several years and has locations from Amherst to Mentor. READ MORE

Scoot! Cold Brew Coffee to close cafe, maintain wholesale operation

Scoot! Cold Brew Coffee announced this week that it will be closing its West Side cafe location for the time being. The coffee shop at 2085 W. 114th Street will close its doors following the weekend of Feb. 23-25. READ MORE

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is open in Westlake

Crocker Park’s latest eatery is Tropical Smoothie Cafe, open in the Westlake shopping and lifestyle center. In addition to smoothies, the menu includes made-to-order salads, wraps, paninis and bowls. The company, which was founded in 1997 and is based in Atlanta, has more than 1,300 locations. The Crocker Park spot is open seven days a week. READ MORE

EVENTS/TASTINGS

Mac ‘N’ Cheese food fight is back on March 2

If you like mac ‘n’ cheese, the 8th annual Mac ‘N’ Cheese Throwdown is an opportunity to sample 20 of the region’s best combinations. Cleveland’s largest mac ‘n’ cheese festival will be held from noon to 3:30 p.m., March 2 at The Madison event center at 4601 Payne Ave, Cleveland. READ MORE

M Cellars teams with The Spot on LakeShore for dinner

M Cellars in Geneva has teamed with The Spot on Lakeshore for a late-winter dinner paired with wines. The five-course dinner includes some intriguing varietals, like Rkatsiteli, a versatile white wine. Dishes include shrimp bisque, seared duck breast and braised lamb shoulder. The dinner is Friday, March 1. READ MORE

Collision Bend Brewing Co. to hold whiskey dinner

Collision Bend Brewing Co. will feature several whiskies in a five-course, four-pour dinner on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Whiskey to be served alongside the dishes will be from Tennessee-based Uncle Nearest. The dinner is at the brewery's original location in Cleveland’s Flats East Bank. READ MORE

Cleveland Restaurant Week

More than 40 places in Cleveland Independents’ consortium will be participating in the upcoming Cleveland Restaurant Week, which runs March 4-16. The week, which features prix-fixe meals usually for $39, is a way to promote restaurants at a time when business can be a bit slow. Menus were just released. READ MORE

Flour restaurant to hold wine dinner

Flour in Moreland Hills is holding a dinner featuring Far Niente wines of Napa Valley, California. The dinner - which is Wednesday, Feb. 28 – will have six wines from the acclaimed winery. The Italian restaurant is at 34205 Chagrin Blvd. READ MORE

It’s Tennessee vs. Kentucky at Creekside Restaurant & Bar

Creekside Restaurant & Bar in Brecksville is pitting Tennessee and Kentucky in a whiskey-bourbon tasting. The dinner will feature a different whiskey from Tennessee and Bourbon from Kentucky paired with several courses on Tuesday, Feb. 29. READ MORE

Hops with Happy! Museum event is coming up

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is holding Hops with Happy – Happy is a Haplocanthosaurus delfsi, a rare, preserved dinosaur specimen. Beer and wine will be served, planetarium shows will be held, and you can learn about fermentation. It’s part of the museum’s Think and Drink series. The event is on Leap Day - Thursday, Feb. 29. READ MORE

Dean Martin’s Lanning’s to hold Bourbon & Burgers tasting

Dean Martin Lanning’s - a fine-dining restaurant in Akron – is holding a Bourbon & Burgers tasting – five Bourbons paired with five signature sliders. It’s a Leap Day event – Thursday, Feb. 29. Jack Daniels and Uncle Nearest pours will be paired with some tasty burgers. READ MORE

St. Vitus Parish schedules annual Palm Sunday dinner

St. Vitus Parish’s annual Palm Sunday dinner is coming up, complete with Slovenian soup and Slovenian-style potatoes, roast chicken or beef and much more. The popular annual dinner - a fundraiser for the parish - is scheduled for Sunday, March 24. READ MORE

Angels on the Avenue bus-brewery tour is back on

The Angels on the Avenue bus tour of Northeast Ohio breweries is back on after a three-year hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic. The daylong tour takes place Saturday, Feb. 24, and will visit Ghost Tree, Railroad Brewing, Twin Oast, Clag and Muffleheads. It supports St. Augustine Health Ministries. READ MORE

Stout It Out Loud coming up

The Butcher and the Brewer is set to hold its annual Stout It Out Loud, a one-day tasting featuring Stouts and oysters – a fine pairing. More than two dozen breweries will be serving beers at the fest, which is Saturday, Feb. 17. The brewery is at 2043 E. Fourth St., Cleveland. READ MORE

PICKS OF THE WEEK

Ohio Pie Co.

Why?Five different “Brunch Pies,” all outstanding: The “Good Morning” and “Bodega” are mainstream crowd-pleasing party options. But “Uncle Tony” (peppadew peppers, egg and cheese), “Defonte” (potato, egg and cheese) and the “Snooze Button” (essentially a western omelet) are all worth exploring. Signature “everything” crust, cream cheese-based white “party” sauce and their garlic oil seals the deal. Pizza for breakfast, elevated. DETAILS

Greek Village Grill

For those local to Lakewood who are looking for some of the best takeout (and value) in town, Greek Village Grill is the place. The humble restaurant is churning out authentic dishes, from its famous gyros to Olympic platters. The extras, dips and sides are perfect for sharing with a crew, with options like gyro bites, orzo pasta salad, spinach artichoke feta dip and spanakopita being no-brainer options. Greek Village Grill is located at 14019 Madison Ave., Lakewood DETAILS

Chardon Tavern and Grill

Chardon Tavern and Grill was once the dive bar Chardon Beverage. It’s been dressed up with a new façade and indoor renovations. It’s now a friendly local pub, with a few secrets. The menu has burgers, sandwiches, pizza and bar food for that night you don’t want to cook or break the budget. Wing nights are Monday and Wednesday. But Friday, sshhh, the specials go gourmet with dishes like crab cakes, lobster ravioli and veal or steak. And, if you know to ask, they sometimes keep a bottle of purple, top-shelf Empress Gin, behind the bar. Chardon Tavern is at 405 Water St., Chardon. Parking is in back. DETAILS

Ki Asian Cuisine

Fans of House of Hunan were saddened when the Asian restaurant in Fairlawn Town Center closed. It has been replaced by Ki Asian Cuisine, which – like its predecessor – offers an extensive menu of offerings. A shining star is the octopus salad – a refreshing palate cleanser and nice change from fried calamari so many places offer. Note: No alcohol license for now. It’s at 2717 W. Market St., Fairlawn. DETAILS

SPOTLIGHT

Geraci’s Slice Shop offers pizza excellence in a wayback machine

Ever been to Geraci’s Slice Shop on Prospect Avenue? If you’ve been holding out, it’s time to head over. Not only is the pizza on-point (it qualifies as Classic CLE Eats on a number of levels) but the nostalgia runs high in this grab n’go. READ MORE

Entertainment | Food and Drink

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