This Week's Counter: YT Chagrin Falls

This weekend we were lazy.  Rather than drive somewhere new (and possibly far), we went just down the road to Yours Truly in Chagrin Falls.  We sort of consider this our "home" counter -- being that it's so close and we've been here many time.  Regardless, it's never boring and a trip into Chagrin on a nice day is always fun -- lots of things to see (this time lots of dogs due to some dog-related event in the park, and the falls were pretty heavy due to recent rain).  We were earlier than usual, so the place was fairly quiet -- counter half full but we got two seats together (which at this place are really close together -- not the most spacious).  Ted had one of the summer specials, which was basically his usual plus fresh fruit.  Cam had French toast for a change and bacon as usual.  Excellent YT food quality as always, with the small exception of Ted's potatoes not arriving very well done as ordered.  It was nice to be back here and we enjoyed a relaxed breakfast, talking and reading the newspaper.

    

Cam says: "Sort of a cramped place, but really good French toast and nice service. I give this counter 4 frying pans."

Ted says: "You can always count on YT for quality. Would have been a perfect 5 except they were off on the potatoes. Otherwise really good.  A strong 4 frying pans."

This Week's Counter: Grumpy's

On the excellent recommendation of our good friend Greg Murray, we made a trip to the near West side last Saturday for breakfast at Grumpy's Cafe in Tremont.  We really loved this place! It's in a really cool area of the city and is a very popular place not just for breakfast but at any time.  Unlike almost all the other counters we've checked out, Grumpy's is more of a traditional restaurant than it is a diner. For example, the decor is very un-diner-like -- nicely decorated, plants, great photography on the walls (and it's for sale).  Just a really nice atmosphere.

When we got there mid-morning, there were loads of people waiting outside for tables. Fortunately, we went inside and only waited about 5 minutes before 2 seats opened up at the small counter.  Since it was still fairly early, Cam wanted breakfast -- chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream, and a side of bacon.  No surprise, Ted had eggs, toast and home fries -- at Grumpy's, the home fries are made with cajun seasoning, very good and very spicy.  We agreed that everything about the food was excellent.  Maybe the only negative, which probably is what caused us both to deny a full five-pan rating here, was that the service wasn't all that great.  Friendly enough, but not too attentive -- tough to get the servers' attention for additional requests, more coffee or whatever.  Certainly this was due to how busy the place was, but still -- they could do better. That was a little frustrating, but overall it was still very good. 

 Cam says: "Delicious chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream! Service wasn't great but the food was. Liked the atmosphere at this counter. I give it 4 frying pans."

Ted says: "Excellent food -- really enjoyed the cajun home fries since they are kind of unusual and I like spicy. Great atmosphere inside and the patio for nice weather must be very nice. Just the service keeps me from rating this one a perfect 5."

This Week's Counter: Fresh Start Twinsburg

Last Tuesday we visited Fresh Start Diner in Twinsburg. Before going there though, we had a great round of golf at Brandywine Golf Club down in Peninsula. Beautiful early morning -- sunny and cool, and not too many people on the course.  Cam had 2 pars (his recent lessons and golf camp clearly paying off) and Ted had 3 pars (despite not having played in probably a couple years). The course is very scenic, down in the Cuyahoga River valley.  We had a great time!

We got to Fresh Start mid-morning, and being a weekday the place was nearly empty.  We grabbed 2 seats at the counter.  A couple of older ladies were running the place, and we struck up a conversation with them - the topic of the day was how our local paper, the Plain Dealer, was cutting back to 4 days a week in printed form starting Aug 5th.  Fortunately, they will still print and deliver on Saturday and Sunday, so we'll be able to read the paper at the counter -- it's a key part of the experience!

This Fresh Start is more of less a duplicate of the Chagrin Falls location -- similar menu, decor and atmosphere. Since it was closer to lunch time than we usually go, Cam went for the chicken fingers and fries, while Ted had his usual breakfast -- including the famous Fresh Start home fries which are always excellent.  We thought about the 14" pancake filled with ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup -- only for a second.  Cam says the chicken was very good but the fries not so much.  Since we had the place nearly to ourselves, service was great and we had a very relaxing meal.  We highly recommend Fresh Start -- you won't be disappointed.  At the Twinsburg location, tell your waitress you want to leave a tip for the cooks!

Cam says: "Great chicken -- very juicy.  Service was great, the people were really friendly.  Fries were just OK.  A comfortable counter.  I give this one 4 frying pans."

Ted says: "A good meal all around -- quality of food (although coffee could be a bit better), service and atmosphere.  I also rate this counter 4 frying pans."

This Week's Counter: Washington Street Diner

Another busy few weeks, but now we're back with another counter review.  This week's counter is Washington Street Diner in Bainbridge (just East of Chagrin Falls).  We never knew this place existed -- never noticed it despite being out that way from time to time.  We stopped in on Sunday morning and immediately got a couple seats at the small counter.  Very comfortable with plenty of space to read the paper.  Service was pretty fast and friendly. Cam selected the "Taste of Belgium" -- half a waffle with eggs and bacon. He said the waffle was excellent -- crisp on the outside and soft inside.  Apparently the bacon was good too, as he ordered more.  Ted went with his usual which was appropriately called "The Usual" on the menu -- eggs, potatoes and toast.  The home fries were excellent.  We liked this place a lot since it had a more relaxed feel than some of the other counters we've visited -- despite being pretty busy, we didn't feel at all rushed.  We recommend this one!

Cam says: "AMAZING waffle.  Incredible crispy bacon.  Eggs were just OK.  Service was good. Too bad they don't have WiFi.  I give this counter 4 frying pans."

Ted says: "Really enjoyable experience and a good meal.  Maybe the best home fries I've had so far. Good quality, inexpensive, friendly and relaxed. A strong 4 frying pan score from me."

This Week's Counter: Eat At Joe's

It's been a couple of busy weekends!  We missed getting out to each due to lots of family stuff going on - including some Father's Day festivities. Rather than eating at the counter that weekend, Cam and Ted stayed in and had breakfast on the patio instead.

But now we're back with another counter review.  Since it was closed when we tried to go there on Memorial Day weekend, we made a second attempt at visiting Eat At Joe's in South Euclid.  This place is extremely popular and it was very crowded this morning. Fortunately we only had to wait about 10 minutes for a couple seats to open up at the counter.  Joe's probably has the shortest menu of any place we've been to -- maybe a dozen regular items plus a couple specials. That makes ordering pretty easy -- Cam went with the chocolate chip pancake special and some bacon, while Ted has his usual (eggs, hash browns, toast and coffee).  Service was good but not outstanding, and the food quality was pretty good.  Maybe not as relaxing as other places with people standing around waiting for tables and the counter is bit cramped.  But it was a nice morning we had a good time.

         

Cam says: "Service was just OK, but the food was great! Not much counter space. I'll give this counter 4 frying pans. "

Ted says: "Glad we finally checked out this place, but I would rate it as just average. A little too chaotic and cramped, and food and service just OK. 3 frying pans from me."