This Week's Counter: Goody's

Making our way out to the West side on a Sunday morning, we dropped in at Goody's in Brook Park, on Snow Rd not far from the airport.  This place is really popular, and the large parking lot was pretty full -- probably near peak time for the post-church crowd on a Sunday.

The good news is, they have a very large counter -- and with most people being there in larger groups, waiting for tables, we had no trouble getting seats.  

Goody's seems very efficient -- clean, pretty quick and well-organized.  Even the staff all wear matching shirts, and seem to work together really well.  I think we had 3 different servers paying attention to us at the counter, whether it was taking our order, bringing more drinks or delivering the food -- all seamless.

They have an extensive menu (beyond just breakfast -- they seem to do a great lunch business too). We both had potatoes and eggs, and Cam added bacon. All around, the found was great -- fresh, hot and another one of the few places that can get the potatoes right. Crispy on the outside, light on the inside, and not greasy at all.  Coffee was solid too.

This one is a keeper -- we would definitely go back when in the area -- quality and overall experience make it well worth a visit to Goody's.

Cam says: "Good food quality with comfortable counter and decent atmosphere. Service was solid.  I'm giving it 8 frying pans."

Ted says: "Really liked this place a lot -- spacious counter, attentive staff, busy but not chaotic, and the food quality was excellent. 9 pans!"

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This Week's Counter: Gus's

We're always struggling find additional East side or central counters, so we don't have to make a long trek to a new location each time. Gus's, in Old Brooklyn, was one of the remaining ones on our list that wasn't too far.  We dropped in on a Saturday late morning to check it out.

This is blue-collar, urban neighborhood, no frills dining for sure!  On the bottom floor of an old brick building on the gritty northern-most part of State Rd, Gus's seems to attract a lot of regulars from the area -- a very diverse crowd.  It was busy, but we didn't have a problem getting seats at the somewhat small counter.

Service was pretty quick and very business-like -- no frills there too. We ordered and the food arrived fast (Gus's prides itself on no more than 10 minutes wait between ordering and eating). Breakfast sandwich with egg and bacon for Cam, cheese omelet and potatoes for Ted.  All cooked well and hot -- better effort on the well-done potatoes than most places deliver. The coffee was just fair -- kind of weak, although they score points for the heavy, old ceramic mug.

If you want to experience a bit of the "real" Cleveland, maybe before a visit to the Zoo (nearby), check out Gus's -- not fancy, but good and easily worth the price.

Cam says: "Service was just fair, food was good.. I'll give it 6 frying pans."

Ted says: "Very good quality food, but lacking a lot on atmosphere. I'll give it 6 pans."

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