Potbelly's actually pretty craveable to me, at least... Have risked missing many a connection at MDW trying to get through the line for an "A Wreck"... Fairly priced if anything. Until Cosi comes to town - IF Cosi ever comes to town - it'll be the best chain sandwich option for me..

 

that downtown Potbelly sign looks nice... which is funny, because earlier today I saw the Potbelly sign going up on the soon-to-open store in Mayfield - and it couldn't have looked any strip-center worse...

Potbelly's actually pretty craveable to me, at least... Have risked missing many a connection at MDW trying to get through the line for an "A Wreck"... Fairly priced if anything. Until Cosi comes to town - IF Cosi ever comes to town - it'll be the best chain sandwich option for me..

 

that downtown Potbelly sign looks nice... which is funny, because earlier today I saw the Potbelly sign going up on the soon-to-open store in Mayfield - and it couldn't have looked any strip-center worse...

 

That is very true of the Potbelly's sign.  I hope it is one of the spreading effects of E4th that better signs are erected when new businesses open. 

 

Also pretty impressive that between PS and E9th there are 5 spots that are currently unoccupied (I am assuming that Schoefield will have tenets whenever they reopen), pretty remarkable considering where things were just a few years ago.

p.s. I love the look of Euclid Ave. I am not sure if there's another street in the world quite like it.

 

 

I like it too. It's street walls are very busy. Reminds me of Carson Street in Pittsburgh but with bigger buildings.

 

I haven't checked out Potbelly's yet, but I'm sure I will since it's just down the street from the office.

p.s. I love the look of Euclid Ave. I am not sure if there's another street in the world quite like it.

 

 

I like it too. It's street walls are very busy. Reminds me of Carson Street in Pittsburgh but with bigger buildings.

 

 

Exactly! There's a lot to take in visually.

Ok urban planner types. Am I crazy, or were they putting up what looked like solar panels on the front of Potbelly when I walked by there the other day? Maybe they were just sun-shading panels or something, but they were great big, rectangular, dark blue slabs.

you want to like potbelly...reality is its a glorified arbys. well i shouldnt be so harsh, its ok, my expectations were probably too high.  i suggest you skip the seasoning salt and get the peppers, which add zest yet arent too spicy.

 

I'm not a fan.  I would have prefered to see a local or a small restaurant group  from out of state (sbe, thomas Keller, David Burker, Concentrics, etc.) open a location here. But it is what it is.

 

I'm calling it now.  The Mallification of Downtown Cleveland has begun!

It's way too early to know if the casino-related business uptick on East 4th will persist, or what the MM/CC will bring, but I do wonder how the restaurant scene is going to evolve downtown.  Will we see a significant net addition to the restaurant scene and big time spillover onto Euclid?  Accelerated turnover/more chains due to jacked up rents?  More Tilted Kilt type generic corporate formula places?  If nothing else, we're very lucky to have a dedicated core of high quality indy restaurateurs so I'm hopeful we'll keep seeingexciting new places downtown in addition to the inevitable meh stuff.  I'm ready for my hipster donuts! Though that pesky University Circle may be distracting our chefs. 

It's way too early to know if the casino-related business uptick on East 4th will persist, or what the MM/CC will bring, but I do wonder how the restaurant scene is going to evolve downtown.  Will we see a significant net addition to the restaurant scene and big time spillover onto Euclid?  Accelerated turnover/more chains due to jacked up rents?  More Tilted Kilt type generic corporate formula places?  If nothing else, we're very lucky to have a dedicated core of high quality indy restaurateurs so I'm hopeful we'll keep seeingexciting new places downtown in addition to the inevitable meh stuff. I'm ready for my hipster donuts! Though that pesky University Circle may be distracting our chefs. 

 

It was just something Sawyer casually mentioned as a possibility many months ago: http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20111121/FORTY11/311219977&template=printart

 

With the growing population downtown, I think its ready for some more high quality pastry/coffee/quick breakfast places.  I haven't been, but from how I imagine it anyway, I would be very psyched as a downtown tourist for there to be a Bon Bon pastry type place on Euclid Ave. The original Zinc concept was supposed to have something along these lines but that part never materialized.

It was just something Sawyer casually mentioned as a possibility many months ago: http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20111121/FORTY11/311219977&template=printart

 

With the growing population downtown, I think its ready for some more high quality pastry/coffee/quick breakfast places.  I haven't been, but from how I imagine it anyway, I would be very psyched as a downtown tourist for there to be a Bon Bon pastry type place on Euclid Ave. The original Zinc concept was supposed to have something along these lines but that part never materialized.

 

Why "hipster"?  Ugh...I'm so sick of that word!  Give me a Stans Donuts over any of that crap any day!  If you have never been to stans donuts and you're in LA.  I highly suggest you visit.  The donuts are just that damn good!

Stan's is great! Ignore the letter grade in the window!

Agreed that "hipster" is devoid of most meaning.  I don't care what he calls it, I just want a high quality donut/coffee place that's six cuts above DD.  Stans would work just fine.  Sadly very few businesses seemed to have survived our long downtown ice age so we can't depend on old school to fill the need.

Stan's is great! Ignore the letter grade in the window!

 

Not to get off topic.  But I jog there from my house to get donuts when in LA.  At 6/6:30am there is could be a line 25/30 people deep.  Its so funny that they have that volume of business when the store is smaller than my bedroom!

It's way too early to know if the casino-related business uptick on East 4th will persist, or what the MM/CC will bring, but I do wonder how the restaurant scene is going to evolve downtown.  Will we see a significant net addition to the restaurant scene and big time spillover onto Euclid?  Accelerated turnover/more chains due to jacked up rents?  More Tilted Kilt type generic corporate formula places?  If nothing else, we're very lucky to have a dedicated core of high quality indy restaurateurs so I'm hopeful we'll keep seeingexciting new places downtown in addition to the inevitable meh stuff.  I'm ready for my hipster donuts! Though that pesky University Circle may be distracting our chefs. 

 

I think it will persist.  Not because of repeat casino visitors -- which there will be some -- but because people are creating a buzz; that downtown is a fun place to be and they will continue to come... Unlike MTS, I'm not going to get bent out of shape because of one or two chains, like Potbelly, which I welcome because it's springing to life a dead corner (E. 6th/Euclid) and extending the restaurant activity east along lower Euclid.... For every Potbelly, TK or even Cadillac Ranch, we've got a Lola's, Greenhouse, Flannery's and Hodges -- all different but all unique to Cleveland.

 

Our downtown's got to crawl before it can walk... and of late, it is running in some respects.  Let's fix lower Euclid one at a time, creating an activity belt from PS to PHS.  Yes, I'd like to mix in a little retail, too, but I'm not ready to bitch about the chain aspect of certain restaurants when we have plenty of unique, local-based places that is already giving Cleveland a strong regional foodie rep.  (and Micahel Symon's TV/national exposure sure doesn't hurt either).

 

We'll know downtown has arrived when, say, The Cheesecake Factory  starts showing interest. Not everyone's ideal, I know - but many vibrant downtowns I know have one (SFO, ORD, SEA, BOS, etc...). With the casimo and convention crowd, you never know.  Texas de Brazil has opened or will open in downtown Detroit and Pittsburgh recently/soon. Maybe CLE is next. Just another sign to look for.

We'll know downtown has arrived when, say, The Cheesecake Factory  starts showing interest. Not everyone's ideal, I know - but many vibrant downtowns I know have one (SFO, ORD, SEA, BOS, etc...). With the casimo and convention crowd, you never know.  Texas de Brazil has opened or will open in downtown Detroit and Pittsburgh recently/soon. Maybe CLE is next. Just another sign to look for.

 

Please no.  We have a lot of good restaurants downtown.  We don't need them pushed out with the likes of that crap.  Tilted Kilt was bad enough, we don't need the trend to continue.

 

NYC has plenty of McDonalds.  I don't think that is what means a city has "arrived" though.

All I meant by "arrived" was that if big national chains of the type noted, with big expensive build-outs, start showing interest in downtown, then something compelling is going on in CLE - and that there are more people in town/around who need to be fed.. This will mean more independents, too... However, every diner can't/won't go to Lola and doesn't want/won't seek out local... Especially conventioneers dining alone... Just not gonna happen...  Whether people on this board like or not, or admit it or not, is quite another matter...

 

Come to think of it... Isn't it a bit ironic that we all on this board applaud the CHAIN hotels being built in town - Westin, Aloft, possible Le Meridien, Kimpton, etc...  and not a word is ever said negatively about "chain" in that context...  But so many can't get past the word "chain" associated with restaurants - even though I'd bet many have little to no knowledge of/experience actually dining in the restaurants they're blasting... I realize the hotel market is predominantly "chain" - true independents are fewer and farther between than they once were, but they ARE there... What is the difference - especially when hotels are the epitome of "cookie cutter" in many cases...?

 

Sincerely,

 

A guy who loves both Chinato (best meal in memory last Saturday...) and Cheesecake Factory (lunch 2-3 times a week) and Bar Cento (my go-to fave in town) and Potbelly (can't hardly wait) and Moxie and Chipotle and PF Chang's and Momocho and Lola and Chick-Fil-A- and so many more locals and chains - and not ashamed in any way to say it...

 

 

All I meant by "arrived" was that if big national chains of the type noted, with big expensive build-outs, start showing interest in downtown, then something compelling is going on in CLE - and that there are more people in town/around who need to be fed.. This will mean more independents, too... However, every diner can't/won't go to Lola and doesn't want/won't seek out local... Especially conventioneers dining alone... Just not gonna happen...  Whether people on this board like or not, or admit it or not, is quite another matter...

 

Come to think of it... Isn't it a bit ironic that we all on this board applaud the CHAIN hotels being built in town - Westin, Aloft, possible Le Meridien, Kimpton, etc...  and not a word is ever said negatively about "chain" in that context...  But so many can't get past the word "chain" associated with restaurants - even though I'd bet many have little to no knowledge of/experience actually dining in the restaurants they're blasting... I realize the hotel market is predominantly "chain" - true independents are fewer and farther between than they once were, but they ARE there... What is the difference - especially when hotels are the epitome of "cookie cutter" in many cases...?

 

Sincerely,

 

A guy who loves both Chinato (best meal in memory last Saturday...) and Cheesecake Factory (lunch 2-3 times a week) and Bar Cento (my go-to fave in town) and Potbelly (can't hardly wait) and Moxie and Chipotle and PF Chang's and Momocho and Lola and Chick-Fil-A- and so many more locals and chains - and not ashamed in any way to say it...

 

 

 

Chain hotels and chain restaurants are two different beast and you cannot compare.  We need the chains as they provide marketing for their brands.  Starwood, Hilton, Marriot, Priority Club, Hyatt all provide marketing via their guest loyalty programs for their brands.  We need certain hotels to enter our market.  Example, we need a starwood W hotel, a Hyatt Andaz downtown as  those are the types of hotels the 20 and 30 something we want to draw downtown would elect to stay out.  We also need a full service convention sized Hilton, Sheraton, Marriot Marquis and Grand Hyatt for business travelers as their company's most likely will have partnership deals with those brands.  All those properties provide business and leisure travelers options and make the city more marketable to event planners.

 

A McDonalds, Burger King, Corner Bakery, Pot Belly are not my cup of tea and I'll admit, not every local eatery offers seating for all three meal periods nor will all people go there.  I'm just not a fan of them entering our market in mass  no matter how many feet and eyes they put on the street.  Although I have been in a Cheesecake factory, out off all the restaurants you mentioned above I personally wouldnt step foot in one. 

 

I want downtown and the city as a whole to prosper, just not become suburbanized or Mall-ified to mediocrity! 

 

...thats all.

All I meant by "arrived" was that if big national chains of the type noted, with big expensive build-outs, start showing interest in downtown, then something compelling is going on in CLE - and that there are more people in town/around who need to be fed.. This will mean more independents, too... However, every diner can't/won't go to Lola and doesn't want/won't seek out local... Especially conventioneers dining alone... Just not gonna happen...  Whether people on this board like or not, or admit it or not, is quite another matter...

 

Come to think of it... Isn't it a bit ironic that we all on this board applaud the CHAIN hotels being built in town - Westin, Aloft, possible Le Meridien, Kimpton, etc...  and not a word is ever said negatively about "chain" in that context...  But so many can't get past the word "chain" associated with restaurants - even though I'd bet many have little to no knowledge of/experience actually dining in the restaurants they're blasting... I realize the hotel market is predominantly "chain" - true independents are fewer and farther between than they once were, but they ARE there... What is the difference - especially when hotels are the epitome of "cookie cutter" in many cases...?

 

Sincerely,

 

A guy who loves both Chinato (best meal in memory last Saturday...) and Cheesecake Factory (lunch 2-3 times a week) and Bar Cento (my go-to fave in town) and Potbelly (can't hardly wait) and Moxie and Chipotle and PF Chang's and Momocho and Lola and Chick-Fil-A- and so many more locals and chains - and not ashamed in any way to say it...

 

 

 

Chain hotels and chain restaurants are two different beast and you cannot compare.  We need the chains as they provide marketing for their brands.  Starwood, Hilton, Marriot, Priority Club, Hyatt all provide marketing via their guest loyalty programs for their brands.  We need certain hotels to enter our market.  Example, we need a starwood W hotel, a Hyatt Andaz downtown as  those are the types of hotels the 20 and 30 something we want to draw downtown would elect to stay out.  We also need a full service convention sized Hilton, Sheraton, Marriot Marquis and Grand Hyatt for business travelers as their company's most likely will have partnership deals with those brands.  All those properties provide business and leisure travelers options and make the city more marketable to event planners.

 

A McDonalds, Burger King, Corner Bakery, Pot Belly are not my cup of tea and I'll admit, not every local eatery offers seating for all three meal periods nor will all people go there.  I'm just not a fan of them entering our market in mass  no matter how many feet and eyes they put on the street.  Although I have been in a Cheesecake factory, out off all the restaurants you mentioned above I personally wouldnt step foot in one. 

 

I want downtown and the city as a whole to prosper, just not become suburbanized or Mall-ified to mediocrity! 

 

...thats all.

 

+1

 

Potbelly's is a good addition.  Potbellys plus every other fast food chain is a bad addition.

Come to think of it... Isn't it a bit ironic that we all on this board applaud the CHAIN hotels being built in town - Westin, Aloft, possible Le Meridien, Kimpton, etc...  and not a word is ever said negatively about "chain" in that context...  But so many can't get past the word "chain" associated with restaurants - even though I'd bet many have little to no knowledge of/experience actually dining in the restaurants they're blasting... I realize the hotel market is predominantly "chain" - true independents are fewer and farther between than they once were, but they ARE there... What is the difference - especially when hotels are the epitome of "cookie cutter" in many cases...?

 

The difference is that there are far larger barriers to entry into the hotel market than the restaurant market.  That is why you see a ton of Mom and Pop restaurants, but not Mom and Pop hotels.

 

I'll take the Glidden House or a Bed and Breakfast any day, but I also know that it's not realistic to expect a large enough influx of independent hotels to serve the needs of the entire market.  However, I think we have seen that a large number of independent restaurants can open and thrive downtown and people will go to them.  Just because many people want to eat at Applebee's after seeing 54 advertisements for it the prior week doesn't mean they shouldn't be exposed to something new and better (and many of them will want to return).

 

The biggest problem I have with large chain restaurants is how many of them ship preserved ingredients or worse yet prepared foods across the country, filled with sodium and preservatives to keep it "fresh" longer (and you can always taste a difference from real fresh food).  That's not to say there can't be a good chain restaurant, because there certainly are, but that on average, they by far serve more food which is overpriced and of a low quality.  The reason they can do this is advertising.  The whole purpose of advertising is to get people to pay more for a product than what it would be worth by the laws of economics.

 

If you forced me to hand pick some chains which I think would be decent additions to downtown though, I could name a few.  Chipotle, Chick-Fil-A, and Dibella's are some that I will eat at, and I'm sure I could think of a few more.  Lower priced fast food options of a middling quality aren't evil (sometimes you just need to quickly grab a bite to eat and some chains have perfected that while maintaining some semblance of quality), but the fact that people love places like PF Chang's make me want to throw my monitor out the window.  That crap is just overpriced junk food.  I'll take the worst strip plaza Chinese over that place.  At least I'd only pay half as much and it would probably be healthier.  I feel the same way about Panera.  The "power of advertising" is the only reason anyone thinks that place is healthy.

Good discussion. My concern with chain restaurants is that the number of ready-for-action available space downtown is a finite resource. Because of some awful planning there just aren't that many prime storefronts available when you really think about it.

 

I like to hope that eventually space will be so sought after that dreaded parking garages and windowless buildings will be modified to accommodate new restaurants etc. There are way too many dead zones. Until then, you lose Fat Fish Blue to "gain" a Twisted Kilt. We should have room for both!

I would agree that the presence of some of those chain restaraunts would indicate that downtown is thriving in terms of having the necessary customer base.  But the same can be said for a community which gets a Walmart.  In either situation, the long-term consequences outweigh the short term benefits IMO.  You may gain some people interested in downtown dining with the addition of a Cheesecake factory, but long-term you run the risk of losing downtown visitors who would never dine there when the independents are driven out of the market.  The difference is that people go downtown to dine at Lola...... whereas people would maybe choose to dine at Cheesecake Factory when/if they are downtown.  It would be an asset in a sense, not a draw.

 

Local restaraunters are a unique aspect and strength of downtown Cleveland.  It is something every travel guru who reviews our city makes mention of.  Think about it.  Little Italy doesn't have a Ponderosa or Olive Garden.  Tremont doesn't have a Chilli's.  Asiatown doesn't have a PF Changs.  Does that mean those neighborhoods haven't arrived?

Downtown (and I'm only referring to downtown locations) Cheesecake factories are extremely popular with low income households (presumably inner ring locals who generally wouldn't come downtown for meals), high schoolers who have prom/formal nearby, tourists with families, and internationals. You put one in Public Square and it's not going to have any detrimental effect to the city. LOLA will be fine.

 

edit: won't happen again, mr sImon

Can we just have a nice little diner downtown where I can get a plate of scrambled eggs, hotcakes and sausage with a cup of coffee and an OJ?

 

I scratched that because, while typing it, I remembered that Huron Diner offered this a few years ago but I hadn't heard about them in a while. Well, I Googled them and found that their new incarnation  (http://www.huronsquaredeli.com/) offers what I seek. Now if only they were open 24 hours or in a better location, like closer to Public Square!

 

Does Jake's serve breakfast?

Jake's is not open for breakfast. Pura Vida was for awhile, but nobody came, so they quit doing it. Market Cafe/Wine Bar on E 9th has breakfast.

 

Also, it is not Lolas or Lola's. It's LOLA. Lola restaurant. You wouldn't say Cheesecake Factory's would you? Unless the "'s" appears in the proper name, it shouldn't be added. (e.g. Aladdin's Eatery) Please, for the love of God and all that is holy.

Lolas will be fine.

 

Lola  :bang:

 

EDIT: RnR's smackdown arrived before mine ;)

Also, it is not Lolas or Lola's. It's LOLA. Lola restaurant. You wouldn't say Cheesecake Factory's would you? Unless the "'s" appears in the proper name, it shouldn't be added. (e.g. Aladdin's Eatery) Please, for the love of God and all that is holy.

 

Ha ha, I was waiting for that one...  I know thats one of your pet peaves.  What about Chinato's  :wink:....... 

PEEVES. Yes, Chinato is another one that drives me up the wall.  I just don't get it. You wouldn't say Greenhouse Tavern's or Noodlecat's would you? But back on topic. Does anyone know Potbelly's opening date?

Market Cafe/Wine Bar on E 9th has breakfast.

 

R&R, what's your take on this place?

 

To the downtown residents among you, what do you guys/gals do for breakfast on weekends?

Oh, I really like Market Cafe. I go there fairly regularly for lunch. They are a bit steep, but they try hard to procure at least some local products, which I like. The salad station is great because it's sort of "make your own" ingredients, but someone assembles them for you - they typically have the longest lines. And they often have a healthy side dish like wheatberry salad, as a side at several stations. The pizza is decent (mac and cheese is awful) and their grill items are very good, nice to be able to get a chicken kabob, turkey or beef burger, they have a daily grilled fish special as well, and you can get fresh green beans, fresh cut fries or a baked potato as a side, which are great options.

Jake's is not open for breakfast.

 

The owner told me he was going to stay open 24 hours when the casino opened. I haven't been by there after hours to verify. Can anyone else?

Oh, I really like Market Cafe. I go there fairly regularly for lunch. They are a bit steep, but they try hard to procure at least some local products, which I like. The salad station is great because it's sort of "make your own" ingredients, but someone assembles them for you - they typically have the longest lines. And they often have a healthy side dish like wheatberry salad, as a side at several stations. The pizza is decent (mac and cheese is awful) and their grill items are very good, nice to be able to get a chicken kabob, turkey or beef burger, they have a daily grilled fish special as well, and you can get fresh green beans, fresh cut fries or a baked potato as a side, which are great options.

 

Thanks!  Looks like the hours are only 7-3pm, so I'm guessing it's 99% cafe and only 1% wine bar.  From the web site looks like a nice space.

I think they have certain dinner/wine events in the evening, but only on select nights. Not sure. Or maybe they tried that and nobody came and so they quit doing it.

 

The space is full of re-used material and recycled stuff. I'm not so good with the urban planning/design lingo, but I know they went heavily in this direction when building the space, using a lot of what was there.

What about the A Cafe in the US Bank buildling in PHS?  I see people in there for breakfast at least on weekdays.

Flaming Ice cube also has breakfast items. Muffins, coffee, smoothies, their bagel with "cream" cheese and fresh veggies is very good, as is the soy yogurt parfait.

The owner told me he was going to stay open 24 hours when the casino opened. I haven't been by there after hours to verify. Can anyone else?

 

Me and some friends went there around 1 am on a Wednesday after the casino opened. We even called before hand, to verify if they were 24 hrs, and they said yes.

Oh, I really like Market Cafe. I go there fairly regularly for lunch. They are a bit steep, but they try hard to procure at least some local products, which I like. The salad station is great because it's sort of "make your own" ingredients, but someone assembles them for you - they typically have the longest lines. And they often have a healthy side dish like wheatberry salad, as a side at several stations. The pizza is decent (mac and cheese is awful) and their grill items are very good, nice to be able to get a chicken kabob, turkey or beef burger, they have a daily grilled fish special as well, and you can get fresh green beans, fresh cut fries or a baked potato as a side, which are great options.

 

I just checked out the Market Cafe web site.  I'm really impressed.  The interior is really well designed and a very cool space.  I will have to try it when I come to town in 2 weeks.

All I meant by "arrived" was that if big national chains of the type noted, with big expensive build-outs, start showing interest in downtown, then something compelling is going on in CLE - and that there are more people in town/around who need to be fed.. This will mean more independents, too... However, every diner can't/won't go to Lola and doesn't want/won't seek out local... Especially conventioneers dining alone... Just not gonna happen...  Whether people on this board like or not, or admit it or not, is quite another matter...

 

Come to think of it... Isn't it a bit ironic that we all on this board applaud the CHAIN hotels being built in town - Westin, Aloft, possible Le Meridien, Kimpton, etc...  and not a word is ever said negatively about "chain" in that context...  But so many can't get past the word "chain" associated with restaurants - even though I'd bet many have little to no knowledge of/experience actually dining in the restaurants they're blasting... I realize the hotel market is predominantly "chain" - true independents are fewer and farther between than they once were, but they ARE there... What is the difference - especially when hotels are the epitome of "cookie cutter" in many cases...?

 

Sincerely,

 

A guy who loves both Chinato (best meal in memory last Saturday...) and Cheesecake Factory (lunch 2-3 times a week) and Bar Cento (my go-to fave in town) and Potbelly (can't hardly wait) and Moxie and Chipotle and PF Chang's and Momocho and Lola and Chick-Fil-A- and so many more locals and chains - and not ashamed in any way to say it...

 

 

 

 

 

Chain hotels and chain restaurants are two different beast and you cannot compare.  We need the chains as they provide marketing for their brands.  Starwood, Hilton, Marriot, Priority Club, Hyatt all provide marketing via their guest loyalty programs for their brands.  We need certain hotels to enter our market.  Example, we need a starwood W hotel, a Hyatt Andaz downtown as  those are the types of hotels the 20 and 30 something we want to draw downtown would elect to stay out.  We also need a full service convention sized Hilton, Sheraton, Marriot Marquis and Grand Hyatt for business travelers as their company's most likely will have partnership deals with those brands.  All those properties provide business and leisure travelers options and make the city more marketable to event planners.

 

A McDonalds, Burger King, Corner Bakery, Pot Belly are not my cup of tea and I'll admit, not every local eatery offers seating for all three meal periods nor will all people go there.  I'm just not a fan of them entering our market in mass  no matter how many feet and eyes they put on the street.  Although I have been in a Cheesecake factory, out off all the restaurants you mentioned above I personally wouldnt step foot in one. 

 

I want downtown and the city as a whole to prosper, just not become suburbanized or Mall-ified to mediocrity! 

 

...thats all.

 

I think the fact that you don't like these restaurants shows the reasoning as to why they are bad for the city. If these restaurants were to come downtown, it would be great for the city because big corporations are taking notice  Thats what matters. I understand you don't like them... But that doesn't make them bad for a city. Definitely two different things that have to stay seperate.  It's just that not everyone is into eating local and trying new things, and for many people, this may be a reason they have no interest in downtown. The best result wold be a downtown that caters to everyone's interests for everyone to enjoy!... In a perfect world haha

 

Market Cafe/Wine Bar on E 9th has breakfast.

 

R&R, what's your take on this place?

 

To the downtown residents among you, what do you guys/gals do for breakfast on weekends?

 

Just throwing in my opinion,

 

The market is one of my favorite places to eat downtown. It's really cool inside and the food is great. The only problem is the service, the workers are not very friendly and are generally slow.

Jake's is not open for breakfast.

 

The owner told me he was going to stay open 24 hours when the casino opened. I haven't been by there after hours to verify. Can anyone else?

 

They were open around 4am the other night-- probably bout 4 people inside, one homeless looking. So yes it looks like it!!

I always stay home and cook or go to Tremont/Ohio City for weekend breakfast...one of my dives is E55th diner...super cheap.  I just found out today that there's one on Carnegie right by me, but I've never seen it.  I plan to look into it tho as cooking gets old sometimes.

There's a new little spot hidden away inside the Superior Building (815 Superior Ave) that has breakfast and lunch. Egg and cheese sandwich for like 2.00. The owners, I believe, are Lebanese and have some tasty middle eastern lunch items as well.

I've been to the tilted kilt in columbus and the one in belden village a couple of times. I cannot recall those areas raising a ruckus in puritanical Ohio about the lack of clothing. Since it is a new location they over-hire and also bring girls in from the Canton location until things calm down.  If the employees are not offended neither am I.  Since the OP drove by and didn't go in how does he know it was classless?  The girls that i have talked have really sweet personalities. They aren't trying to hustle you for something.  I will not have a problem taking a date there and/or out of town friends.  I really don't get the ambivalence. 

  I recall seeing a tilted kilt on the free shuttle in downtown Denver too.  I wonder if people howled out there about it when they opened.

 

Just like the girls at the gentleman's clubs, right?

I have been to the one in Pittsburgh, and it's classless. I can't imagine a family walking in there.

 

 

yeah thats the only problem. fine for sports guys. not good at all for families with impressionable children. of course this wasnt an issue with ffb. i wonder how that might limit the business when the newness wears off? maybe between sports events and the casino it won't matter? i am pretty sure that is what they are expecting, that the casino spinoff makes up for the fact families will avoid it. time will tell. otherwise, outside of being a chain, at least it looks good, open, well lit and lively.

 

no not cle, but kee rist!

 

just when you thought you have seen it all!

 

its a mexican taco truck.

 

so what you say?

 

yeah me too, but here is the twist:

 

it's indoors.

 

wt...f?? lol!

 

 

http://www.tacombi.com/

 

Speaking of tacos, didn't that bar/lounge in Tremont with the ugly mural of the leggy woman recently change over to a taco place?  Anyone been?

 

EDIT: I think there was a blurb a couple weeks back in Scene about it, which used both "authentic" and [taco] "shell" which was a little befuddling.

^I went a couple of weeks ago.  It's a great concept, great menu, great location, and great patio, but they have some serious kinks to work out.  Service was absolutely awful.  I actually don't have much of a problem with long waits, but the disorganization was ridiculous. Cold food, missing drinks, and half hour spaces between server visits is unacceptable. However, the concept, et al. were so fantastic that I'll probably give it another shot. 

^To each his own I guess.  I love that mural of the leggy girl.  And I went to Barrio twice last weekend, good drink menu and a build your own taco/burrito place.  Service wasn't great, but I'd have to believe they get that under control.  I'll be back next time I come up.

They did have a great drink menu.

where can i get good GOAT CHEESE pizza or cheesecake?

 

also good places for gluten free/vegan/allergy free especially for pastries and cakes. i know some of the health food stores sell vegan stuff but they still have offending ingredients

Flaming Ice cube has vegan bakery items but it's mostly individual desserts and muffins. They do single serve pieces of things like carrot cake, for example. But they are not gluten-free.

 

Have you called Nature's Bin? They could probably make something on order.