"2015-03-15T00:00:00"^^ . "0"^^ . . "I'd currently give the CLE haus 3 stars, but having been to the Pittsburgh location multiple times for a solid 4 star experience, I think the Cleveland location is still warming up and so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.\n\nI will start by saying that you need to carefully choose when you'll be visiting based on what type of experience you wish to have. If, for example, you want to catch up with a friend or family from out of town then a weeknight or weekend afternoon is great. If, as is usually my reason to visit, you are looking for \"something different\" to do with your usual group of friends then Friday or Saturday night in the beer hall is your jam (get there earlier than you'd normally go out to avoid lines). By \"something different\" I of course mean: you still want to get too drunk with your besties but are reaching that stage in your 20s where you wonder should I have stopped enjoying drinking beer at the local watering hole by now? The answer is no and the hofbrauhaus will help you feel better about this. People of all ages, including 70 year olds in matching tshirts, will be drinking liters of beer, dancing with dames half their age, and singing along to drinking songs while standing on their table benches. Friday and Saturday nights are for this type of activity, not for a quiet meal.\n\nI probably visited a dozen times before ever trying their food. Their beer is good and brewed on site - lager, light lager, hefe Weizen (my favorite, a wheat beer) and dunkel (dark but very drinkable). Be aware the liter is equivalent to three beers! \n\nWhen I finally did try the food, I started with the soft pretzel and beer cheese - DEFINITELY DIP IN THE BEER CHEESE. The fried pickles are also delicious. The schnitzel makes for a nice, hearty lunch. The German sausage platters are tasty and enough to share between two people. Recently went for a yelp event and they served the meat and cheese board - had no idea what meats I was eating but they sure were good. This is something id have never ordered on my own, but definitely will order in the future as it is great for sharing over a few beers.\n\nThe service at the Cleveland location is still a little slow but friendly. Definitely improving each time I go. The Pittsburgh location, which has been open for years, runs like a well oiled machine so I think the Cleveland location will get their eventually. The outdoor beer garden is set to open soon and I'm super excited - Cleveland is on for a treat!"^^ . "4"^^ . "2"^^ . . . "0"^^ .