A Cleveland institution.
I've been eating here for over 20 years. Probably had most everything on the menu. Not every single thing. But all the highlights.
Had dinner here tonight with family. It's important to note they are only open for lunch during the week. And on Friday and Saturday night. It doesn't matter when you go plan on waiting in line. But it moves fast. When it's your turn you grab a cafeteria tray with silverware. And you move down the line grabbing dessert first, then a drink, then you tell the nice lady behind the counter what you want for dinner (or lunch). All dinners are served with 2 sides. And you get the salad bar at dinner (not at lunch). You pay at the end of the line.
People line up and wait because the food is exactly the same every time you go. It's very consistent. And this time of year (winter) it's comfort food at its finest. Once we finished paying at the end of the line someone helped us find a seat and carry my kids trays as they got heavy as we went down the line. We got a table this evening in the dining room with the fire place. Someone stoked the fire and put more logs on the fire while we ate dinner. It all adds to the ambience. My mom sat where a former President sat. A plaque said so on the wall.
Speaking of ambiance. This place looks and feels like a place you would have eaten at 50 years ago. Along with 50 years of memorabilia hanging on all the walls. You can inspect the wares as you wait in line and check out a menu along the way. As you turn the line you can see the skyline of downtown in the background outside. This place is about as Cleveland as it gets.
Portions here are huge. Tonight I ordered stuffed cabbage with saurkraut and green beans. I also grabbed a small side salad from the salad bar and cucumber salad. I got one stuffed cabbage roll. And it filled half the plate by itself. Tender, perfectly cooked meat. Tender and perfectly cooked cabbage. With a homemade sauce on top. Sauerkraut here is very tart. If you don't like the very tart kind I'd skip it. Other sides like corn or green beans are just ok. I'm watching my carb intake. Otherwise, I'd have gotten the homemade mashed potatoes or pierogies. Both are perfect. Side salad was standard. Cucumber salad was the creamy kind and is delicious.
This restaurant is not just about the food or the location. It really is an institution. A destination. Check it out.