This Week's Counter: The Coffee Pot

Another trip to the West side -- back to Lakewood to visit The Coffee Pot on Madison Ave. This one comes highly recommended by lots of on-line reviews, where it's touted as one of the best breakfast spots in the area.  

The Coffee Pot occupies a small storefront and looks pretty basic.  It has maybe 10 tables plus a counter -- nothing fancy at all, a pretty typical diner atmosphere.  When we got there it was jammed with the Saturday morning breakfast crowd, but people were kind enough to move over and make 2 spots for us at the counter.

Service was very friendly and the menu had many different breakfast options -- from the basics to omelettes to various kinds of pancakes and French toast.  A handwritten sign on the wall described "The Hangover Special" -- a combination of eggs, meat, potatoes and toast.  Since it was too early for lunch and we didn't see chicken tenders on the list, Cam picked French toast, eggs and bacon.  Ted had the usual, eggs, potatoes and toast, plus bacon.  

We waited maybe a half-hour or more for the food -- surprising as the crowd was slowing down post-breakfast time. This got to be really frustrating, but turned out to be well worth it -- everything was cooked perfectly and was delicious.  Some of the best breakfast food we've had.  The critical pieces -- potatoes and bacon -- were prepared exactly as ordered and outstanding.  

The Coffee Pot gets a strong recommendation from us -- must-try place, and worth the drive West for any East-siders looking to visit a different part of town.

Cam says: "A small place with a comfortable counter.  Amazing food and great service!  I give it 8 frying pans."

Ted says: "All around excellent, with the exception of food coming out slowly. That's the only thing keeping it from a perfect score -- 9 frying pans!"

This Week's Counter: John's Diner

For the first time in quite awhile, we made a trip over to the West side, to visit John's Diner in Lakewood.  This place is apparently an institution on a busy part of Detroit Avenue as you approach Rocky River.  It's a classic "greasy spoon" type of place, and the inside looks like it's made of a couple of old train cars put together.

It was surprisingly quiet for late morning on a Saturday and we were initially the only people sitting at the fairly large counter.  Service was very friendly.  The menu was pretty big, lots of breakfast choices and more.

Cam chose chicken and waffles, and Ted of course had his usual -- eggs, potatoes, toast and coffee.  Both meals were pretty average -- clearly not high-quality food.  The very low price compensated for it a bit, but overall it was below expectations.  

If you're in Lakewood and want something quick, easy and cheap, then John's will be your kind of place.  But we've certainly had better!

          

 

Cam says: "Casual counter with lots of space. Average food and service.  I'll give this one 6 frying pans."

Ted says: "Atmosphere was pretty good, but everything else mostly below average.  Food quality could be a lot better.  Works out to 5 frying pans for me."

This Week's Counter: Danny's Ice Cream & Burgers

This is by far the coolest counter we've done!  Danny's, on Route 82 in Macedonia, is a little place on the side of the road -- sort of a small shack with an outside counter .  We noticed it last summer, and finally decided to give it a try.  

They're only open from lunchtime onward, so we stopped in around noon on a Saturday.  Being a cloudy and no so nice day, we were the only ones there.  We checked out the menu near the window where you order and were surprised at home many different things they have -- burgers, dogs, various other kinds of sandwiches, and of course lots of ice cream desserts.  

Cam of course chose chicken fingers and fries.  Ted chose the gyro (recommended by the woman taking our orders).  Tami was with us again, and also took a recommendation to get a burger.  While we waited for the food we started talking to the staff -- the cook was Danny himself.  He told us the place had been there for about 50 years, as a food stand in one form or another, and he has owned it for 12.  He takes amazing care of the place -- perfectly landscaped and clean.  They probably have crowds of people sitting outside eating ice cream on nice summer evenings.

Our food was pretty good, although Cam wasn't crazy about the chicken -- seemed like it was the same type of frozen nuggets we make at home -- but liked the fries.  Ted's gyro was very good, with perfectly seasoned meat, and Tami's burger was also very good.  Cam decided to finish off the meal with a Coke float.

Really memorable counter because it was so unique -- great people, good food, interesting atmosphere and history.  You definitely need to make a trip down to Macedonia for this one!

Guest counterphile Tami says:  "Very good food -- but even better was meeting the owner and staff. Definitely want to go back. 8 frying pans."

Cam says: "Amazing atmosphere (plus dogs).  Food was average for, but experience of being there was extraordinary. 9 frying pans!"

Ted says: "This counter was awesome, can't wait to go back. Lots of other stuff on the menu I want to try. Great people and really unique overall -- solid 8 frying pans."