Several locations: Downtown Cleveland, Bedford Heights, Mentor, Coventry/Cleveland Heights, Independence, Macedonia, Peninsula, Brunswick, Avon, Canton, Fairlawn and Columbus

 

Winking Lizard, Inc. currently operates thirteen restaurants with even higher standards of quality and execution than ever before. We continue to invest back into all aspects of our operations. The development of creative recipes, a beer list second to none, and leading edge training programs continue to position the Lizard as an up and coming industry leader.

 

Eat, Relax and Enjoy is the motto of the Winking Lizard and one can do just that at any of their locations.  The restaurant can be fun for the whole family, however, please remember children are not allowed to sit at the bar (we have seen this one too many times).

 

The menu offers a wide variety of tastes and flavors.  The selections range from pizza, wings with 13 different varieties of sauces or dry rubs, soups, ribs, burgers and salads.

 

Like beer?  Join the World Beer Tour and choose from 238 different beers off of their list.  (Sorry, no diet beers)  --After purchasing 100, you get a jacket and invited to their coveted world tour party the following January!

20850 Sheldon Rd. Cleveland OH 44142

 

What can we say?  This place is the best place to get pizza, broasted chicken, spaghetti, burgers a mixed drink or beer.  They have daily specials and the usual Friday special is Ocean Perch Dinner with two sides.  You definately don't go hungry.  Good for families or for special occasions.

 

A great place to go before or after the IX Center shows.

Warehouse District - Cleveland OH

 

Brasa Grill Steakhouse is Cleveland's first Churrascaria (choo-rah-scah-REE-ah). A Churrascaria is a restaurant that serves meat, mostly grilled, and Rodizio is a method of serving the different cuts of meat that originated in Southern Brazil in the 1800's. The concept is to serve you a wide variety of different cuts of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, etc. in sucession to each diner individually right at your table.

The Brasa Grill Steakhouse in a truely unique Cleveland restaurant, located at 1300 West 9th Street in the historic Warehouse District. We feature a "continuous tableside service" of sirloin steak, beef rib, pork, lamb chops, filet mignon, chicken and turkey. If you're a meat lover, Brasa Grill Steakhouse is the perfect place for you. We also feature an incredible "salad bar" that you won't believe until you see it.

 

If you are a vegetarian or you don't like meat this is NOT the place for you!  The cost for this feast is $35.00 per person and this price includes the salad bar and "all you can eat" meat.

 

Remember: If you don't eat your meat, you cannot have any pudding!

Chicago, IL

 

The best Louisiana cooking outside of New Orleans!  When we visit Chicago, we often make "Heaven" a stop.  Everything they make, including the large main dishes can be turned into an appetizer.  So if you need to fix that bayou craving, we highly recommend Heaven in Chicago.  And if you have room, try their southern pecan pie.  It is delish!  --If you don't like spicy...don't go--

Strongsville, OH - As well as other U.S. Locations

 

Got a craving for a tasty fresh burger, but you don't want to wait in a long line at a restaurant?  Go to Five Guys.  Their burgers are fresh as well as the Frys.  Nothing too fancy here, unless you add it though their toppings and there are several to choose from.

 

Word to the wise:  "Little" means one hamburger patty.  "Hamburger or Cheeseburger" means two patties.  If you add enough to the Little, you will be full.

Valley View, OH

 

If you have been living in winter for 9 months like us Clevelanders do, then treat yourself to some Bar-B-Que!  Hoggys is well worth the trip and they have several BBQ choices of meats.  Try the mini sandwich sampler and you get a selection of marinated pork shoulder, smoked chicken, Texas style beef brisket and a mini hamburger/cheeseburger.

 

They also have several side dishes to choose from as well as other non-BBQ items.  There might be a Hoggy's in your area so check out the site and enjoy!

Berea, OH

 

The Oriole Cafe is within a converted house along N. Rocky River Drive in Berea.  They have several different menu items as well as a long list of daily specials from pierogies to crab legs to prime rib.  Try the Oriole Nachos with or without jalepeno's.  They are GREAT!!  This large plate can be consumed as a meal.

Cleveland, OH

 

The Fat Fish Blue menu features Louisiana-Creole Cuisine and Traditional American Favorites, reflecting the roots, diversity and broad popularity of the BLUES. Recipes are a combination of research into Gulf Coast/Louisiana-French style cooking, creative input from BLUES artists, and the dedicated effort of our talented “scratch” kitchens.

 

The Fat Fish Blue stage hosts LIVE entertainment 5 nights per week, including local and national touring artists.

 

They have sandwiches (burgers, po-boys, & muffulettas), salads, vegetarian selections, pastas, poultry, seafood and beef. SOMETHING for EVERYONE, even the kids! We’re talkin’ Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya, Peppery BBQ Shrimp, FFB Cornbread, Crawfish Fritters, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, BBQ ribs, Etouffee, homemade Sweet Potato Pecan Pie, Beignets and Chicory Coffee.

Rocky River, OH

 

Perfectly Frank pizza!  Danny Boys Italian eatery is a reflection of what a restaurant should be: Outstanding food with no skimping on portions, a cozy dining room with Sinatra, Bennett and more.

 

If you are stuck in Cleveland and crave Chicago deep dish, this is the place to get it.  Yes, the place is tiny, and you may have to wait to get a table, but that's what the checkers is for.  Danny Boys has the best deep dish in NE Ohio!  For those that don't like the thick pizza, they also have pasta and regular pizza to choose from.

N. Olmstead, OH

 

Twenty five years of tastin’ and cookin’ make Dave’s 'Que the best ever. Dave's ribs are classic, St. Louis-style spareribs, hickory smoked to perfection, and Dave's award-winning Rich & Sassy sauce is made from a secret recipe - even his mother doesn't know!

 

Unsure what to order or you would like a little taste of everything?  Try the "All-American BBQ Feast" for 4 to 6 people or try the "Feast for Two".  A full or 1/2 slab of St. Louis-style spareribs, a whole or 1/2 chicken, 1/2 lb. of either Texas beef brisket or Georgia chopped pork, coleslaw, Famous Fries, Wilbur Beans, four corn-on-the-cob, and four corn bread muffins.

Several Locations: Downtown Cleveland, Strongsville, N. Royalton, Mentor, Chardon, Chesterland, Louisville, Old Brooklyn, Parma Heights, Jacobs Field, Port Clinton, Wadsworth, Warren, Westlake, Willowick, Norton/Barberton.

 

"Home of the Worlds Best Wings".  Voted several times for Best chicken wings and Best sports bar, cleats has daily specials and the wings are $0.30 each on Tuesday's and Wednesdays (no doggie bags or carry-out).  They also feature a full service sports bar/restaurant with a comprehensive menu  complete with salads, wraps, burgers, ribs and quesadillas.  With their wings they feature 22 signature wing sauces.

Parma Heights, OH

 

Amigo's, This is one of the best Tex-Mex restaurants around.  Their menu has several tex-mex items to choose from that include beef, chicken, pork and seafood.  Try the Chili Con Queso as an appetizer...nice n cheesy!  After that you are on your own.  We are always pleased with the menu selection and never go home hungry...but always leave with enough for lunch the next day!

Locations: Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas & Beverly Hills

 

This is the best restaurant to get Prime Rib while on vacation.  The service is impeccable and like no other restaurant you have been to.  Give yourself some time and make a reservation for dinner.  Please remember this is a 5 start restaurant and to dress appropriately.  The prime rib is "wheeled" out on a 1930's cart and carved at your table to the thickness you desire.  The wait staff is experienced and the meal is timed so they do not rush you with dinner.  We have a Lawry's club card and we get emails, gift certificates and free Lawry's seasoning at our birthday and anniversary.  Since the Prime Rib is their speciality, I would stay away if you are vegetarian or like fish.  Have a good time and relax!!!

Locations: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Texas

 

The Grand Lux we have enjoyed in Chicago, is on the corner of Michigan Ave and Ontario St.  This place is worth the wait!  Their menu is ecclectic American, but has a flare for Chinese as well.  They have lunch specials until 5:00pm each day, or you can order from their dinner menu as well.  Some of their menu items include, burgers, pizza, salads, pasta, grilled items, oven and broiler items, vegetable dishes and they serve breakfast on Saturday's and Sundays starting at 10:00am. When ordering please remember they have "order & bake" desserts.  Take a look at their fresh dessert menu...at the same time as you order your food, order your dessert.  When you are (finished) eating, your 1/2 dozen cookies will be fresh for you to enjoy or to take with you.  The portions are HUGE, so bring your wallet and your appetite.  The four of us got away with ordering 2 appetizers then dessert and did not go away hungry!

Chicago, IL

 

We found this restaruant because it was approx 2:00pm in the afternoon, we were 1/2 way done with shopping the Michigan Mile and we did not want junk food, nor did we want to spoil our appetite.

 

So we split an artichoke and had their home-made soup.  This included bread at the table and the portion sizes were just right!  The wine they suggested was excellent as well as the wait staff and service.  The prices were just right for Chicago lunch and did not break the bank before our next shopping adventure.  I would highly recommend Bistro 110 on your next visit to Chicago.  It is located just North of the Water Tower on East Pearson Street (next to Ghiardelli's).

Locations: San Francisco, Monterey, San Diego, Las Vegas, Chicago, Orlando, Miami, San Leandro, Vacaville, Pleasant Prarie & Lathrop

 

Although the store is quite small, if you are in the location of Ghiardelli's you might as well stop!  Sometimes, they will give out free chocolate squares just because you walked in the door.  They also have their own brand of ice cream you can enjoy with several different toppings.  Yes, it is a bit pricey, but some of the ice cream concoctions can be split among two (or more) people.  They also have specialty coffee's, soda's and shakes.  The Chicago location is near the Water Tower on E. Pearson St.

Chicago, IL

 

A bit of Spain in Downtown Chicago!  This tapas and Spanish wine bar is located near the corner of Michigan Ave and Ohio St.  "Tapas" means small plate in Spanish.  What is interesting about this restaurant is that your tapas food is appetizer size and you can sample so many different Spanish dishes.  They have everything from beef, chicken, port and seafood.  They have a large list of Spanish wines, but we generally go for the white sangria, which is mixed with fresh fruit.

 

They have both hot & cold tapas as well as entree's, Paella and desserts.  We always have the hot tapas and listen to the wait staff regarding the specials.  If you let them know you are willing to give the tapas a try and you want to take your time with it, they will work with you and make recommendations based on your particular tastes.  Most of this dishes are not spicy, unless you request the dish to be made this way.  If you want a small dessert, order the profiteroles.

Chicago, IL

 

If you are craving Chicago deep dish pizza, this is the place to go.  Both Uno and Duo are within walking distance from each other along Wabash Street.  Uno opened in 1943 and today there are 165 locations including Puerto Rico, South Korea, UAE, Honduras, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

 

Take some time to enjoy this thick gooey pizza!  Because of the thickness and size of each slice, we usually can eat two pieces with a small side salad.  If you are tempted to get bread sticks or wings as an appetizer, you may be able to eat only one slice!  The pizza generally takes 45 minutes to cook, so this is NOT a rush pizza place.  Our secret is to get there at 10:50am for lunch, you get seated right away (inside or outside on the patio) and do not have to wait.  Sometimes the wait for both Uno & Duo can be up to 2 hours on a crowded day or night.  Don't think about the number of calories you are consuming...just eat and enjoy!!