This Week's Counter: Biagio's Donuts & Pizza

We knew this place was going to be different -- just because of the name.  Donuts and pizza?  And in fact, that is all they have on the menu.   Many kinds of donuts and many kinds of pizza -- but it's all donuts and pizza.  Oh, and coffee.

We stopped in midday on Saturday while enroute to Stebal Drums in Willowick.  Biagio's is right down the road on Vine Street @ 91.  It's clearly all about takeout, with just a few seats and a very small counter inside.  There's a constant flow of people in and out, picking up donuts and coffee -- which, given the frigid temps outside, kept the place a little uncomfortably cool.

When we got there, there were no seats open at the counter, but after a few minutes several people left and we were set.  The counter staff was friendly enough and we quickly got drinks and ordered a few donuts.  Cam had glazed and chocolate frosted, and Ted had plain cake.  They were all fresh and very good, while the coffee was just average.  This had to be by far our cheapest counter meal -- $5 for the two of us!

We'd definitely recommend this place for donuts, but not for a leisurely meal at the counter.  Although we'll have to stop in again to give the pizza a try.

Happy new year!

Cam says: "Odd atmosphere with an odd counter. Service was there, but food selection was not.  I give it 4 frying pans."

Ted says: "Not sure about the pizza, but the donuts were great!  Probably better in the warmer weather, since it's mostly about takeout -- we should stick to that. 5 pans."

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This Week's Counter: Gracie's Diner & More

We had to make a trip over to Willowick, northeast of the city, and so we searched for a counter in the area that we could visit. We had been to a bunch of places already around Mentor, Willoughby further east, and knew there had to be more in Euclid, Wickliffe, Willowick or Eastlake -- these are largely blue-collar suburbs that are the kind of place you'd expect diner-like restaurants.  A web search turned up Gracie's in Eastlake -- not far from the water where the Chagrin River empties into Lake Erie.  

The place was pretty quiet on a very late Saturday morning.  The owner seemed to know everyone, like the place was mostly frequented by regulars.  No problem getting seats at the counter and we quickly had drinks and our order in to the friendly server who turned out to be the owner (she told us her daughter is the namesake "Gracie").  The "& More" refers to donuts -- behind the counter was a big set of racks for donuts, mostly empty since they apparently get quickly sold earlier in the day.  

Despite it being lunchtime, we all chose breakfast. Western omelet, potatoes and coffee for Ted, pancakes and bacon for Cam, and a cheese omelet and bacon for Tami, who joined us on this outing.  All the food was cooked nicely and very tasty.  Potatoes could have been cooked at bit more and the coffee was average, but all around a good meal.  It's not much to look at and very out-of-the-way (unless you happen to be driving down Route 2 out toward Mentor or something), but worth the visit if you want quick, cheap and good.

                          

Cam says: "Great service and great food quality. Decent counter. I'll give it 9 frying pans."

Ted says: "Super-friendly service by the owner and a homey, comfortable atmosphere. Far from high-end as you can get, but food was pretty good and it's very inexpensive.  A strong 8 frying pans."

Tami says: "Clean, friendly owner and good food.  I'll give it 7 frying pans."