This Week's Counter: Sammi's Deli

Last time we were out on the West side for a counter, we happened to notice Sammi's Deli -- in the shopping plaza off of Dover Center Rd, a block behind Lorain in North Olmsted.  So we went back over on a Saturday morning, planning to check it out before making a stop at Guitar Center just down the road.  

Around 11:00, the place was full -- seems to be really popular.  Fortunately we got 2 seats at the counter without waiting.  Service was friendly and pretty efficient -- Sammi's appears to be a family-run operation, with the owner (maybe Sammi?) cooking in the back and the rest of the family serving and cleaning out front.

We both opted for breakfast -- bagel sandwich with egg, bacon and cheese for Cam and a veggie omelette and coffee for Ted.  Both with sides of home fries.  The food came out very fast.  Portions (particularly the omelette, but also the home fries) were really big -- well worth the price.  While reasonably tasty, there was really nothing standout about the meals, and for sure the potatoes could have been cooked a lot longer -- no effort to make them well-done as requested.

Overall, a decent but somewhat average meal -- it was fine, but maybe not our favorite in that part of town. Side note: this was counter #74 -- next up, our diamond counter visit!

Cam says: "Fair service with limited atmosphere. Decent food quality.  I give it 4 frying pans."

Ted says: "Clean and efficient place, friendly service, decent value but pretty average food. 5 pans."

s

This Week's Counter: Chicago Deli

We'd been to Chicago Deli in Solon a couple times before with extended family.  And each time, we left a bit disappointed.  Neither food quality nor service was all that good.  We've had it on our list, since we knew it had a small counter.  But always made it a low priority. However, not feeling like driving too far on a Saturday at lunch, we decided to give it a try.

The counter here is tiny -- just four seats.  Luckily, 2 were open when we arrived.  The counter waitress offered us a choice of breakfast or lunch menus -- we took both since we weren't sure.  Both were pretty extensive, but we went with breakfast.  Cam got a bagel breakfast sandwich with bacon, plus fries, and Ted had a veggie omelet, potatoes and side of cottage cheese.  Coffee was really good, in a nice heavy mug too.

Wait staff was really friendly and very attentive, and our food arrived very fast.  Everything was hot, fresh and very good.  Potatoes crisp as requested - -they got it right where lots of places don't.  The breakfast bagel had so much egg and bacon scramble that it was tough for Cam to eat.  Only thing a little bit off was the omelet was just a bit overcooked.  All around very good though, and much better than we expected.

   

Cam says: "Great service and food. Average counter and overall exerpeince.  I'll give it 7 frying pans."

Ted says: "Really surprising -- did not expect it to be this good based on past experience.  Excellent service and really good food.  Worth a solid 8 frying pans."

s C

This Week's Counter: Sammy's Grill

We ran across Sammy's in our recent hunt for more counters to fill the pipeline, which was running low.  It's located in the lobby area of the Holiday Inn Express downtown, which used to be the old National City Bank offices -- beautiful old building, lots of stone and marble. 

We dropped in for a late breakfast on a Saturday morning -- the place was about half-full, and there was no problem getting seats at the very long counter.  It looks like the main breakfast rush had just ended, as there were a lot of tables yet to be cleared, and the one waitress (seemed to be the daughter of the guy cooking) was rushing around frantically.

They were friendly enough, and we quickly had drinks and ordered.  Cam made an unusual selection -- bacon grilled cheese with fries. He thought it was really good. Ted had his usual (eggs, potatoes, toast and coffee) -- all pretty average.  We were sitting right in front of the grill, so could see everything being made. Classic greasy spoon place -- not the cleanest or most organized kitchen.

The food was all OK, nothing special and a bit too much butter being used -- the grilled stuff definitely had a bit of grease to it!  OK for a quick breakfast, and at very low prices.  But not one of our favorites for sure.

    

Cam says: "Decent food with a decent counter. Not enough staff and not too clean. I'll give this one 5 frying pans."

Ted says: "Pretty much (below) average all around, and not great on atmosphere.  Lots of better choices around, so I doubt we will be rushing to go back.  3 frying pans from me."

This Week's Counter: Slyman's

This time a counter that’s a little bit out of the ordinary – at least as breakfast goes.  While it’s very famous for it’s massive corned beef sandwiches that cause lines out the door during lunch time, Slyman’s down on St. Clair near 30^th is not generally known as a breakfast place.  But it does have a counter, and so we topped in mid-morning to give it a try.

No problem getting seats at the counter, which was not surprising since the lunch corned beef rush was over an hour away.  We were sitting right next to where he cooks getting ready for lunch – endless slabs of corned beef and slicers running non-stop.  It looked great – have to go back for a sandwich again some day (maybe after saving some money – It’s now $12.50 for a basic CB!).

Service was OK, not great – but friendly enough.  food was even better.  Cam chose a bacon and egg sandwich, which he thought was awesome.  Ted had his usual and everything was excellent --- good coffee, potatoes crispy and nothing greasy at all.   Really enjoyable all around and very inexpensive.  Highly recommend going for breakfast if you are in the neighborhood and it’s too early for a pound of corned beef for lunch!

       

Cam says: "Amazing breakfast sandwich, especially the rye. Comfortable counter and OK service.  I give this one 4 frying pans."

                                                       

Ted says: "Surprisingly good considering breakfast is now what they really do.  Next time I'll be adding a 'shot' of corned beef.  Very solid 4 frying pans."