I'm sure that Tommy's has this classic Cleveland charm that the locals really enjoy. But Tommy's has never been a destination lunch spot that I seek out or crave.
I find their menu extremely overwhelming. They can make everything, we get it. Even if it's not on the menu - I promise and guarantee you, if you were to ask for it - they're gonna be able to make it.
This is great if you're the type of person who also loves to walk into a book store just to look at all the pretty books. But, I'm the type of person who doesn't have time to waste. If I want to buy a book, I go to the bookstore. I go to the bookstore because I want to read. My hope is to leave the bookstore with a book I can't put down.
I go into Tommy's knowing I want falafel. That's all I know. But to proceed in placing my order I have to create a flow chart before the waitress returns. Do I want my falafel on my tuna sandwich? Do I want it with mushrooms? Do I want it served cold or warm? Wait. Hold up. Maybe I want it on my salad instead? Le sigh. It creates a real problem. Just give me falafel, damn't.
What about the portions? WAY TOO MUCH. I've never seen a salad bowl so big. And, I'm a salad girl. But, I can't even finish it. And the toppings - you could easily ask for chocolate sauce on your salad if that's your thing.
They pile all the toppings on top of the greenery. So, then you have to scrounge around and mix your own salad without messing your lap. I wish they'd serve it in a bucket with a lid. The bucket would fit all the salad they serve you and then you have a tool to shake it up in as well.
Does Tommy's pride themselves in all the vegan options they provide to their patrons? Perhaps, but Crop and Whole Foods do a better job at presenting and creating interesting and enticing menus that make vegans yearn to repeat their experience time and again.
The moral: Too much of a good thing can be a very bad thing. Less is more.