I used to spend a fair amount of time out in Euclid on the weekends years back for training seminars. For long, grueling, 10 hours a day training seminars. One of my first days there I asked a local for a good place to hang my coat and to grab a bite. Aside from the typical fast food choices and other selections, one mentioned was "Mama Catenas." Unfortunately, the couple I asked had never formulated a solid opinion of the place. Sounded like an adventure.
I walked inside and was offered a seat in the cozy dining area. It was earlier in the afternoon and I was the sole customer. On the television reruns of "I Love Lucy" played on. I noticed they were being watched by an elderly gentleman ("Papa Catena") in the booth behind me. I cordially said hello and grabbed my chair.
My first visit was a litmus test. Whenever I go to a new Italian (or Sicilian, in this case) sit down, I generally go with a plain pasta and red. Why? A good, flavorful red sauce paints a vivid picture of everything else on the menu. It's simple and generally requires a certain level of mastery to get it just right. Fran (who I later came to know) knew how to make a good red sauce.
A crisp loaf of bread, refreshing salad with Italian vinaigrette, and my selected pasta later, I knew I was in the right spot. I slowly enjoyed my meal as I sipped black coffee and watched the reruns. From the first day I was greeted warmly and felt like more than a stranger or patron grabbing a meal.
I've spent about a dozen times experimenting off the menu and have grown quite fond of the place. I still remember the extra long lunch breaks I'd take just to hear how "Mama" and "Papa" (who regularly visit) met back in the old country. On one occasion I had a bottle of Toasted Head with a friend and spent a good deal of time chatting with Fran. Catena's is definitely worth the visit for an early lunch. The hospitality and the flavorful cooking make for a wonderful experience that shouldn't be missed.