Boo. The online friend I have who is coming to "Cleveland" is actually going to be in Lorain, and only for about 3 days. She's looking of recommendations of places to eat there. For whatever reason, her company has said there is "nowhere" to stay in lorain so they are making her and her coworker stay in Avon and then take a cab back and forth each day, which just sounds completely stupid to me.

 

I know zippo about Lorain. I've been there like 3 times - once to the fair, once to meet my wedding cake baker and once to get married.  I know this isn't really "urban" ohio but wondered if any of our UO folks might have grown up there or have some familiarity on what would be some good places to suggest to them to eat, and if anyone could verify that they really don't have any appropriate hotels for a business traveler to stay? Doesn't have to be a palace, just you know, a residence inn or something.

Avon? That's wacky, especially considering there are hotels at Rt 58 in Elyria. I technically used to work in Lorain for a year but that was at the old Ford plant on the border with Vermillion, and it was about 10 years ago. So I am no help.

 

Edit: The cab part seems stupid too...

I thought it was really weird too. I wonder if they're actually going to be staying in Avon Lake and the powers that be thought that would "look better" to an out of towner as it's more developed and full of chains.

There's no hotel in Lorain at all.  There's a crappy Days Inn and a Motel 6 just over the border in Amherst.  There are hotels at the Rt 57/I90 interchange by Midway Mall including a Comfort Inn, Days Inn, and a Country Inn & Suites.  Avon's only hotel is the Fairfield at Rt 611, so I guess she's staying there.  Our company uses either the Fairfield or the Holiday Inn Express in Vermilion..

 

Right next door to the Fairfield in Avon is a new restaurant named Wood & Wine - wood-fired pizzas, pastas, and a wine bar.  My high school classmate is a partner in this place, and I've had some good meals there. www.thewoodnwine.com

 

The same guy owns Jackalope Lakeside in Lorain, which is at the lakefront marina just east of the Black River.  www.jackalopelakeside.com

 

Diso's Bistro has some good upscale food - the place looks like a hole in the wall from the outside, but the food is high-end for Lorain.  (Just ignore the Big Lots and the check cashing place next door.)  Their facebook page has photos of the food and menu.

 

For the real Lorain experience, hit the Slovak Club on Broadway for Friday fish fry.  It's Lent and the lines will be out the door for Lake Erie perch dinners.

That's terrific. They aren't coming til late April and won't be here on a Fri so they'll have to miss the slovak club, but I really appreciate the rec's.

R&R,

There is NOTHING in Lorain worth eating. The Jackalope Lakeside in Lorain has nice views of the lake but I haven't heard anything about the food. If she is staying in Avon, wouldn't she be looking for something more in the Avon area? I grew up in Amherst which is the next town over and my sister still lives there. In Amherst, there are two places I would reccommend: A place called Jefferson 150(150 Jefferson, Amherst). Although, I've heard they have changed their name just recently but the food is still really good. The second one is Ziggy's Sports Bar in downtown Amherst(110 Church St, Amherst). In Elyria, there is a Luchita's off of the 254 exit on 90(1134 Abbe Rd N, Elyria) and the Thai House(1047 E Broad St, Elyria).

The restaurant scene in Lorain county is just pathetic.

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the thing though, if they're going to be cabbing it everywhere, I don't know if going to adjacent towns is really going to work.  Thx for the info about Lorain.

Are they flying into Hopkins? If not, then why take a cab everywhere? Whoever suggested taking a taxi everywhere is a really bizarre person. He/she is either a scaredy-cat or a control freak. I'd ignore that advice.

 

I second the recommendations for Wood & Wine as well as the Jackalope Lakeside in Lorain. The food at both places is decent, but I rate it a little higher at Wood & Wine. The views are cool at the Jackalope. While there, take a walk along the marina to the end of the pier which is sticks out into the lake. Bring hairspray and a comb.

 

The views are even better at Rose Cafe At Lakeview Beach‎, west of downtown Lorain, but the food is not as good. 

 

On the east side of downtown, just east of the Jackalope, is the New York Grill & Restaurant.  Also has decent food.

 

There's a couple of greasy spoons and sports bar places along Broadway (the main drag) downtown. And there's Casey's Restaurant & Comedy.

They are flying into Hopkins. I really don't get why they would not rent a car, I am going to encourage that.

It will be MUCH less expensive. And while Cleveland isn't a taxi town, it's New York City compared to Lorain County. Taxis are very hard to get in Lorain County.

Cabs are very scarce in Lorain County, and the quality of service is pretty poor (think rusted out old police cars and 10 year old minivans).  The big cab companies in Cleveland will not dispatch to Lorain County.  I would not rely on them as a business traveler.

Yeah, I pointed both of these things out to her even before I saw the last 2 posts. I said it's going to be really difficult to get regular cab service there, you'll be stuck in your hotel or at the work location with very few decent choices in walking distance, and hello, expensive. We'll see what happens. I appreciate the input, everyone.

And while Cleveland isn't a taxi town, it's New York City compared to Lorain County. Taxis are very hard to get in Lorain County.

 

well lorain city is the cleveland of lorain county so you can get cabs there, the rest of the county not so much. a shame, there used to be quite a few little cab companies around lorain, but it's a shell of itself so no wonder most of that service dwindled away too. still, there are a lot of welfare folks and where you have that you always have cabs.

 

here are a couple in town - my bro has used them recently, they are ok:

 

Safe & Reliable Cab Co (near eastside)

2527 Colorado Avenue, Lorain, OH 44052

(440) 288-5466 ‎

 

Lorain County Cab Co (downtown)

203 West 9th Street, Lorain, OH 44052-1906

(440) 244-6555 ‎

 

of course as was mentioned your visitors are much better off renting a car than trying to cab it around, the costs vs aggravation will be competitive.

 

as for eating, yeah jackalope has great views and is definately worth a visit. otherwise, the friday fish frys and good takeout pizza shops are about it. good luck!

 

Thanks! I advised her about renting a car and she's gone to her bosses about it, we'll see.