Friday, December 2, 2011
The former Golden Goose looks the same outside, but the menu has changed dramatically.
The Blue Door Cafe & Bakery has been operating as the Blue Door since July, despite the outward appearance that it's still the Golden Goose. But local diners seem to be catching on that this is something completely different. Owner Mike Bruno got his start on the bakery side of the Golden Goose, which was owned by his mother-in-law, Annemarie Leipply, before he bought and took over the operation this year. Rather than plow a lot of money into changing the physical appearance, Bruno is putting his money into a veteran staff of chefs to prepare fresh, mostly made from scratch meals with local food sources whenever possible (salmon and scallops are kind of tough to find in Ohio). The changes in appearance will be more gradual as budget …
41.13404
-81.508494
Blue Door Café & Bakery
1970 State Rd, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
/articles/bites-nearby-the-blue-door
2027458
/locations/5934995
Friday, November 18, 2011
Bacchus shares roof and ownership with Russo's; less formal (and less pricy) menu.
I set out to review something other than burgers this week, but fate was having none of that. I haven't been to Russo's for quite a while, so I thought this would be a good opportunity for a foodie experience. As I pulled in to a nearly deserted parking lot, I wondered if it had suddenly closed. No, I was early for the 5 p.m. dinner start. But, the host said, Bacchus Lounge in back is open if you want to wait there and we'll come get you when a table is ready. Well, I settled in at Bacchus and never looked back. Fate had other plans. Thursday, it turns out, is $5 Burger Night at Bacchus. Ah, fate, you win again. So a $5 burger it was, with red beans and rice ($4), and a salty snack (free!) to nibble on while waiting for the burger to …
Friday, November 11, 2011
Nothin' fancy: Burger and a beer gets the job done
Jimmy Bigg's Grille has been around for a while, so after driving by on probably hundreds of occasions, I decided it was time to stop in. There's a neighborhood feel to the place, with a small bar that seats seven or eight people. Several patrons can be found having a beer and a sandwich at the bar or at a dozen or so tables in the dining areas. The menu features a lineup of burgers ($5.49-6.99), specialty sandwiches ($4.95-$6.95), wings and a few other old reliable bar foods ($3.95-$6.95). And salads. The bacon cheeseburger with french fries ($6.50) lured me in. Twice, actually, on consecutive Tuesdays. The second time, I brought it home and shared with my kids. * On both occasions the burgers were thick, the bacon thoroughly cooked …
Friday, October 28, 2011
This is not your grandmother's Italian. Adventurous cuisine with Italian accent.
Sugo opened last March in the former DiLullo's at 2845 State Rd. with quite a bit of fanfare in anticipation of Louis Prpich's latest venture in Cuyuahoga Falls. I didn't get around to visiting until late October. It was worth the wait. Sugo strives to emphasize modern with its menu, its decor and even the music. The Black Keys and Arcade Fire were among bands that could be heard piping out over the speakers (but not too loud) on a recent visit. The room is cozy, and on our recent noon visit it was not terribly busy. Sugo (Italian for "sauce" or "juice") changes its menu from time to time, although there are some constants. Having peeked at the lunch menu online, I had a already decided I wanted to try the Carbonara ($11): "Fresh black …
Friday, October 21, 2011
Vast menu gives diners lots of choices. Most are pretty good.
Rockne's, with locations in Cuyahoga Falls, Akron and surrounding areas from Stow to North Canton to Fairlawn, has been a popular destination for years. It features a wide-ranging menu with popular salads ($4.49-$9.49) and sandwiches ($5.99-$7.99), soups ($4.29 or $5.29), pub specials ($7.99-$8.99), appetizers to share ($399-$9.95), jumbo burgers ($5.89-$7.69) and plenty more. On a recent visit to the Cuyahoga Falls Rockne's at 1203 Bailey Rd., a 6-ounce New York strip steak caught my eye. I've enjoyed several sandwiches and the legendary Firestone salad, but the day seemed to call out for something sizzling off the grill. Yes, a nice steak, but not too big. I ordered the steak medium-rare. The platter is $12.95. It comes with a choice…
Friday, October 14, 2011
Offspring of downtown Akron Bricco a little less formal.
Sandwiched between Cuyahoga Falls and Fairlawn-Bath, Pub Bricco on Merriman Road in the valley is convenient for a quick commute for lunch or gathering after work along that busy thoroughfare. Pub Bricco seems a little less formal and a little less upscale than its downtown Akron brethren, Bricco on Main Street. The menu focuses more on sandwiches and burgers ($7.50 for burgers and chicken to $11 for crab cake) than the mother ship, but it features many of the same appetizers ($5-$8). Speaking of appetizers, on a recent visit we ordered fried white Cheddar cheese wedges with a mustard horesradish sauce ($6). The sharp Cheddar and slight bite of the sauce made for a nice savory appetizer. I ordered the grilled Buffalo chicken wrap with a …
Friday, October 7, 2011
Chestnut Boulevard eatery serves adventurous fare, preserves quirky art from Jimmy’s Café.
When Louis Prpich opened up the Chowder House at the former Jimmy’s Café in 2009, fans of Jimmy’s might have worried that the colorful décor would get a major makeover. Those worries were largely unfounded as the bold palette and fun, quirky touches are still there. The menu reflects a change in ownership. Prpich, who recently opened the nearby Sugo with an Italian emphasis, maintains a hand in creating the menu and running the kitchen at Chowder House. The lunch menu features popular sandwiches such as the lobster roll ($9), pulled pork ($8), East Coast cod ($10) and chicken with goat cheese ($9). Lunch specials cost a tad more. Sandwiches come with chips or you can substitute chilled sesame noodles for an extra $2. Dinner features …
41.128976
-81.507119
Chowder House Cafe
2028 Chestnut Blvd, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
/articles/bites-nearby-chowder-house-cbada00d
1084521
/locations/5544483
Friday, June 17, 2011
Donuts fit for a King.
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” So says Jack Torrance, that writerly type played by Jack Nicholson in the 1980 Stephen King film, “The Shining.” Maybe if he had tossed a donut or 12 into his diet, Torrance wouldn’t have been so uptight. To wit, “Bites Nearby” most certainly includes delectable breakfast treats and Jubilee Donuts is the Rubber City’s premiere go-to donut option. Gritty Akronites may cite underground faves North Side Donuts as their “King,” but Jubilee parking lots suggest they’re (natch) “The Chosen One.” (Let us know when you're tired of the LeBron James jokes...) With four Akron-area locations -- Cuyahoga Falls, Ellet, Akron and Tallmadge Circle -- this local donut shop franchise offers homespun, handmade …
41.14561
-81.47325
2686 Front St, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Jubilee Donuts
/articles/bites-nearby-jubilee-donuts
/locations/4631924
41.02906
-81.52694
2126 S Main St, Akron, OH
Jubilee Donuts
/articles/bites-nearby-jubilee-donuts
/locations/4631925
41.10087
-81.44147
218 Tallmadge Cir, Tallmadge, OH
Jubilee Donuts
/articles/bites-nearby-jubilee-donuts
/locations/4631926
41.039044
-81.4329
916 Canton Rd, Akron, OH
Jubilee Donuts
/articles/bites-nearby-jubilee-donuts
/locations/4631927
Monday, March 7, 2011
Front Street restaurant’s unassuming surroundings belie elegant dining.
Cuyahoga Falls has its share of fine dining restaurants, and Moe’s falls into that category. Owner Maureen “Moe” Schneider and Executive Chef Jared Kirby present an imaginative menu and specials that change on a regular basis. Moe’s boasts that everything is prepared fresh daily on the premises, including bread, pasta and potato chips. Seafood is brought in fresh daily. Lunch sandwiches range in price from $8 for the BLT with egg on ciabatta to $13 for Crabby Patty with slaw and tartar sauce on a Kaiser roll. The Italian braised beef sandwich ($9) is piping hot and tender and juicy. You might need a second napkin. The chips definitely do not come out of a bag. House bread is warm and substantial, accompanied by whipped garlic butter. …
Friday, March 4, 2011
Wesley "Pop" Swenson began selling his hamburgers outside Buchtel High School in 1933.
In 1933, Swenson’s founder Wesley T. “Pop” Swenson started selling hamburgers from his station wagon at the newly opened Buchtel High School. Over 75 years after, the Swenson name is synonymous with hamburger genius—mentioned in the same breath as Akron’s Menches brothers for elevating an American classic. Swenson’s is an institution, one that boasts seven burger-fry-shake drive-in locations with curbside service that harkens back to a bygone era. And their double-sauced Galley Boy is a national legend, too: the double cheeseburger recently toppled another Akron burger tradition, the Skyway Drive-In’s SkyHi double-decker, in a Food Network “Food Feuds” showdown hosted by Iron Chef Michael Symon. Swenson’s offers other great sandwiches, …
41.15537
-81.40079
Swenson's Drive In Restaurants
4466 Kent Rd, Stow, OH
/articles/bites-nearby-swensons-2
1085383
/locations/3578409
Amanda Harnocz
11:44 am on Friday, December 2, 2011
This is within walking distance from my house, I can't wait to try it! more ›