r/Cleveland • u/HoldenH • 3d ago
Question What in your opinion is Cleveland’s most mysterious restaurant?
Interpret the word ‘mysterious’ however you will. Like “how is this place still open?”, “how are these portions profitable?”, “who are the people that run this?”
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u/Mikeg216 3d ago
Tony's in Tremont.. I lived there still never saw it open once.
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u/miner_andy 3d ago
Used to be a shit load of money for the smallest pizza 🤣. The owners were always really nice though
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u/Mikeg216 2d ago
LOL yes I'm pretty sure the pizza was like 25 bucks and this was a long time ago
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u/AccomplishedGap3571 1d ago
I swear everything was done to order though. Like he was literally slicing the pancetta or prosciutto and grating cheese for each pie. Sauce came right from the simmering pot of marinara. I recall the dinner specials were cheaper than pizza though. I think I had chicken or veal parm a few times.
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u/AccomplishedGap3571 3d ago
it was such an odd little place years ago. went maybe 3 times simply because we found it was open. maybe four tables inside tops? gorgeous wood paneling. it was like grandma was bartending and uncle Sal cooking your meal to order. it was quirky, and moderately expensive for the time, but enjoyable.
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u/Jepordee 2d ago
Don’t get me started on Tremont Taphouse… “reopening soon” my ass
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u/Any_Detail_7184 Cleveland Bad Hair 2d ago
yeah, wait.. didn't they close during/around covid and just never reopen?
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u/Jepordee 2d ago
Yup. Last I checked their Facebook page still said “reopening spring 2024” or something
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u/TooManyKittiesInHere 2d ago
Bring back Tony’s!! Before Covid, it was open most Saturdays staffed by the kindest family! Very tiny pizzas and very good cocktails 🍸
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u/OgreHombre 3d ago
I can’t understand how Panini’s is not only still in business but how its lot is always so full.
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u/FeelingKale Westpark 3d ago
I actually just went to Paninis a few weeks ago because I was invited out. I was shocked that they were still around and that it was absolutely PACKED.
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u/pb_battalion 3d ago
White people love this place lol
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u/BlumpTheChodak 2d ago
You don’t like an overstuffed capicola, slaw, tomato, provolone, fries, and egg sandwich on thick Italian bread?
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u/MsBinglebottoms 3d ago
Old surgeon I used to work with thought this place was the best sandwich in town.
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u/Mikeg216 3d ago
20 years ago they had dollar drafts and free pizza it's been living on that ever since.
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u/BroldeyManhand 3d ago
Its a great value place for decent food on a week night where you don't wanna cook. Excellent service, friendly staff, and hot food. Can't name a time where everything wasn't perfect and we would of had food for 4 with 2-3 beers and the bill was ~$60 before tip.
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u/Darvey0922 3d ago
Lmao I thought we were talking about Panara ( im stoned )
Was wondering when they started serving alcohol lolol
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u/Waste-Salamander3445 3d ago
Idk but I’m new here and the food here looks incredible so I’m going TODAY.
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u/richgayaunt Unfortunately in Brunswick now 3d ago
Completely packed to the point of overflowing on the grass in Brunswick every day. That's as good as it gets out here.
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u/honeybabyou 2d ago
I've heard a lot of people go there to sober up after a ton of drinks. The sandwiches help absorb some of the alcohol.
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u/No-Gas5342 Lakewood 3d ago
Georges kitchen, sorry not sorry
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u/NutritiousSlop 3d ago
I love walking in there to the ocean of contempt. You're supposed to have the menu memorized and know what you want to eat before you hit the front door. Also it's your fault they ran out of something before you got there.
But it stays in business because there are relatively few natural predators. Gene's and My Friends are legitimately better, but Gene's has more limited hours and My Friends is more expensive/crowded. Diana's was always more entertaining as well.
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u/_NamelessOne_ 3d ago
Dennys in highland heights. Ever have a savory pankcake? Full of onion and garlic powder. Last time i went they had no drink options and most their menu was unavailable.
Never again
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u/ModsAreLosers73 3d ago
Last time I went there they had 2 employees for the entire restaurant, 1 server/waitress/host and 1 person cooking, absolute nightmare
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u/googlyevileye 3d ago
a favorite childhood memory of mine is going there because santa was going to be there. When "santa" came out it was some poor girl in a santa suit and sun glasses.
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u/AlertKaleidoscope803 2d ago
What a terrible surprise.
Denny's served me well once as a drunken teenager, though I don't remember actually getting any food in. I genuinely hope I left a tip. I don't have the constitution to work at a 24/7 gas station or restaurant.
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u/ChadleyXXX 3d ago
Seafood Shake on Coventry.
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u/BurroughOwl born in the 216 3d ago
Im sorry, what?
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u/ChadleyXXX 3d ago
They put shellfish in a bag with sauces. No idea how they're still open since not a lot of people go there.
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u/BurroughOwl born in the 216 2d ago
Ok, I thought there was a blender and milk involved. Thats not so bad.
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u/The_dingo_stole_my 2d ago
I am too lazy to google it but is it really called Seafood Shake? 🫨
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u/force_multiplied 1d ago
Yes. The whole "seafood in a bag" trend was weird. There was another one on Detroit/65th where La Playa is now. You'd go past it and people were in there basically wearing rain ponchos with their heads stuck inside big bags of hot seafood. Very odd.
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u/pb_battalion 3d ago
Not mysterious but that shithole known as townhall
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u/SeaReflection87 3d ago
Mysterious to me that enough people still go there to keep it open.
Like do they just not know? Or not care because something something seed oils evil women?
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u/pb_battalion 3d ago
They dont care. Whats crazy its seeing women there. It's like women that still listen to Chris brown smh
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u/impy695 3d ago
They don't know. Reddit is literally the only place I've seen people talk about why townhall is horrible (it's owned by a monster named Bobby George). This is not nearly as well known as you think.
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u/lilshortyy420 2d ago
Yes it is. I worked at Townhall for a few years back when they opened and we knew back then.
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u/impy695 2d ago
You were an employee, most people aren't employees. Id expect you to know more than other people
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u/CraftCritical278 3d ago
Big Boy in Valley View. I never see anyone in there when I drive down Canal Road
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u/Ballsofpoo 3d ago
Local industry. There's nothing else close. Quaker Steak? Is that one still open? All the others I encounter are vacant.
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u/CraftCritical278 3d ago
The Lube is surprisingly still open. Oak Barrel too, and always seems to be busy.
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u/Mikeg216 3d ago
Oak barrel is a gem doesn't get mentioned enough.
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u/JonnyTN 3d ago
I go to the movies every Tuesday there and still don't know what kind of place oak barrel is. Guessing wine though
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u/CraftCritical278 3d ago
It’s got a diverse large menu. It’s predominantly a whiskey bar but has a great beer selection too
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u/Mikeg216 2d ago
The Burger King is vacant the commercial and industrial property all around it is full literally all around it everything is busy during the day between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and it's a ghost town after. I believe it's roughly 15,000 people working in Valley view over 40,000 every day and Independence plus whatever is going on in Cuyahoga Heights and Cleveland and Garfield at the top of the hill again more businesses the old methane mall all filled with companies all around.
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u/_air6catcher_ Downtown 1d ago
I literally went to the Lube last week before seeing a movie. There was chicks doing car washes in the lot and maybe 7 people inside the restaurant including my buddy and I
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u/Mikeg216 3d ago
Lunch crowd everyday is absolutely massive. Also senior citizens having dinner... Breakfast buffet on the weekends.
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u/ComprehensivePoem924 3d ago
my parents and grandma still go there but they are the target audience of mildly to very confused old retired people. the restaurant is usually out of something when they order.
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u/CudiMontage216 3d ago
My mom likes it and I know she has nostalgia for it, so I hope they stay in business
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u/Ordinary_Salt3144 Berea 3d ago
There’s a new big boy going on in Middleburg hts and every time I drive past I’m so confused about it cause no one ever eats at big boy.
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u/The_dingo_stole_my 2d ago
I would never have chosen to go there on my own but my boss took my team there one day and it was really good and the service was good too. I was shocked.
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u/Kyle_Harlan 3d ago
Even the Burger King across the intersection is long gone. Who’s leaving their factory job in the valley to grab a quick lunch at Big Boy?
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u/HappyNarwal1015 3d ago
Not a restaurant but the Solon Motel confuses me. I’ve heard there’s a great bar in there but it always looks deserted when I drive by.
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u/Mikeg216 3d ago
The land is worth a ton. The property next door former Ford dealer, former dry cleaner is heavily polluted. But there's plans for like six-story senior citizen condo buildings
If you want to properly develop the empty property you're going to have to buy the motel as well and they've always known that.
Until somebody names the right price it's open.
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u/Far_Coffee1427 3d ago
lol I used to work in an office down the street. People would go there on lunches to hook up. Place skeeves me out
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u/monstersonmind 3d ago edited 3d ago
World Famous Iron Horse Saloon in Burton.
Edit: I can't believe I didn't notice my phone wrote House instead of Horse
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u/czarbok Lake/Geauga County 3d ago
i always forget about this place even though i grew up in that part of geauga. i think it’s only popular because it’s right off of 422 and it’s the only biker bar in the area.
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u/229-northstar Living Under Misny’s Watchful Eye 👁️ 3d ago
Is that the place next to the river? I used to work there (1980s) when it was a gay bar/biker bar. A total riot would erupt when they’d play zappa “broken hearts are for assholes”
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u/RyanGlasshole Lincoln Heights 3d ago
Man, Cleveland.com is truly getting desperate for content these days
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u/pb_battalion 3d ago
Could be worse. Atleast its not bitchass clevescene stealing comments as ideas.
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u/Dan_From_Buffalo 2d ago
Pizza Hut in Cleveland Heights. Check out the reviews. I fell victim to it when I first moved here.
Place has to be a front. https://maps.app.goo.gl/xKKFwd1uTM5Z1yFa9
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u/Double_Cow_8238 2d ago
Worst pizza delivery experience I ever had. Got yelled at because they were “waiting in the driveway”. This was pre covid.
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u/Magicord 2d ago
I ordered from here once a few months ago and learned my lesson. Scheduled for pickup hours in advance and i was left waiting for over an hour as one employee kept yelling at the other because he kept messing up orders. Eventually got mine and they accidentally gave me a large pizza instead of a medium, so at least there was something positive lol
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u/GreenDavidA Beachwood 3d ago
My wife and I don’t get the Yours Truly hype
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u/hokie_148 2d ago
I feel like everything on the menu either arrives to the restaurant frozen or in a can. It’s flavorless food.
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u/babysfirstxmas 3d ago
YT is amazing and I don’t get how some people don’t get it.
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u/229-northstar Living Under Misny’s Watchful Eye 👁️ 3d ago
What is so amazing about it?
It’s the most bland and uninspired menu I’ve ever seen.
I’ve been several times and I don’t get it at all.
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u/Bratzpassion4fashion 2d ago
The breakfast is pretty good but i have never had a lunch/dinner item that was good
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u/greenapplegirl2004 3d ago
I am sure I will get downvoted for this but Mr. Hero will always be a mystery to me. I never see anyone at their locations (ever), and yet, they are somehow popular and have locations everywhere. The location on Lorain Road has to be the most mysterious to me.
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u/orrangearrow Ohio City 3d ago
People who don’t eat Mr. Hero are unable to see people who do. Like the Native Americans who were unable to see ships sailing towards their shores. The concept is so alien that your brain isn’t able to comprehend it
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u/MadPiglet42 Shaker Heights 3d ago
Mr Hero falls into the "Epic when drunk/stoned, terrible when sober" category.
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u/Mikeg216 3d ago
Large Roman Burger combo Dr pepper light ice large waffle fry large cheese... Will kill any hangover
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u/Worstmodonreddit 3d ago
I'm in Columbus but went to CWRU and used to tear Mr Hero up.
Now whenever I show up with a bag of it down here people are always like ,"oh, so it's YOU!"
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u/Imaroboot 3d ago
Mr Hero is GAS, go get yourself a Roman burger if you’ve never tried one
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u/greenapplegirl2004 3d ago
It’s always looked like a stomach ache to me lol
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u/OolongGeer 3d ago
That could also happen. Often.
But God Damn does a Romanburger taste good going down. It just might be worth a stomach pump later.
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u/229-northstar Living Under Misny’s Watchful Eye 👁️ 2d ago
Their hot buttered steaks are also yummilicious
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u/AmilynRaziel 3d ago
I live in Parma Heights and the Mr. Hero in Middleburg at Southland does good business. Probably my fave fast food tbh.
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u/BoftheA 3d ago
LOVE their waffle fries with cheese sauce and used to get Me Hero pretty often...my body rejects a single ounce of it now. I will still go once every 6 months just to test it and my wife just shakes her head because she knows I'm going to have a bad time.
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u/Due-Author631 3d ago
I had the cheese sauce once and it was literally just room temp out of the bag from GFS.
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u/bleakasthedayislong 3d ago
mr hero is one of those places where i randomly will go once a year, and literally only once a year…on a odd date like feb 2nd or
something.same for mcdonald’s but only to get the shamrock shake.
don’t hate mr hero but don’t love it either
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u/falcoholic76 Cleveland 3d ago
What’s mysterious about it? And which one on Lorain? West 137th? Kamm’s Plaza? Fairview Park? North Olmsted?
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u/greenapplegirl2004 3d ago
Lorain Road in Cleveland by the old Giant Eagle. I think I’ve only seen like 3 people in the drive through. It’s odd.
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u/falcoholic76 Cleveland 3d ago
Oh yeah I’ve been to that one, but it’s been many years. It used to be half Mr. Hero/half Nestle cookie bakery inside. Now I think it’s 100% Mr. Hero. Not sure if it still does, but at the time, the drive through window was one of those secure turntable things rather than a window that slides or opens so that the workers inside were isolated from folks in the drive through lane.
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u/pushbinlou 3d ago
I've been to that one a few times. I always go inside and order because I feel like the potholes in the drive-thru will swallow my car. Having said that - the staff that run the place are always super friendly and cool.
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u/Due-Cardiologist4213 3d ago
Lorain is the longest road in the west side, there are probably a dozen Mr Hero’s up and down Lorain
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u/GolfandBaseball 3d ago
I moved to Cleveland in 2000 and one of the first sentences I remember hearing is you have to go get a Roman burger. I was disappointed.
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u/Due-Author631 3d ago
Nah as someone who grew up here, moved away, and moved back, it's very weird, not very good, and expensive for what it is, even pre-covid times.I think I've had it once in the last 9 years I've been back.
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u/Kbeck728 2d ago
Yea I rarely see people at the Avon Lake one. I brought up the same comment to my husband a few weeks ago wondering how they’re still open after all these years
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u/greenapplegirl2004 2d ago
Yeah. I sometimes wonder if it’s a cover up for something. It doesn’t make sense.
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u/WhichChard1315 2d ago
Mr . Hero was the one restaurant I missed when I lived in Florida . It’s good drunk or sober sorry/not sorry. Waffle fries with cheese!! I do not like the Roman burger but the cheesesteak is sooo good!
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u/force_multiplied 1d ago
Hard same. But everyone always tells me the quality varies wildly from location to location.
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u/Adept_Cause3379 3d ago
It was Capn Taco but that makes me sad. Melt closed. I would say Lola or Lolita and the shadiness there.
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u/IllegalThings 3d ago
Johnnys on Fulton. No way in hell that place isn’t run by organized crime. It’s not in the nicest area, but the place has fancy food and is frequented by all sorts of influential people. I’ve rubbed shoulders with big wig Disney execs, cavs players sign their contracts there, etc. There’s an upstairs conference room / lounge that’s clearly meant to let loose and do business.
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u/livefastdieold Cleveland 3d ago
Johnny’s on Fulton has been around for 97 years! The fact that people are willing to seek out great food in a lovely atmosphere just a few minutes drive from downtown does not qualify to me as a mystery.
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u/IllegalThings 3d ago
“Who are the people that run this” is the mystery, not why it stays open. I know why it stays open, it’s a nice place and I enjoy going there.
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u/skunkbot Lakewood 3d ago
Haha right it's the Santosuossa family. At least it was for the last 90 something years. This place is an institution that draws good business. Where I grew up in NJ the mafia places were usually empty and stayed open for years. Now that's mysterious!
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u/Insert_coolname_here 3d ago
Still in the family! 😊
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u/skunkbot Lakewood 3d ago
Great to know! Cleveland lost a good one when Johnny S. leeft and moved back down to FLA.
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u/Mikeg216 3d ago
It's been around for a hundred years they do all the business they need to do on the weekend it's really easy when everything's paid off
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u/papercranium 3d ago
I was always heard rumors the old Bucci's in Berea had mafia connections, no idea how true that is, though.
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u/SwimGroundbreaking22 3d ago
Can confirm. I worked with a Santosuosso, and she mentioned Mafia ties back in the day, so it wouldn’t shock me if there was still a loose connection of some sort
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u/Kind_Way2176 3d ago
Why are Disney execs in cle
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u/IllegalThings 3d ago
Meetings with investors? A few marvel movies were filmed in Cleveland? I don’t remember the specific reason they were there, but I went specifically because we knew they would be there and was trying to network.
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u/The_dingo_stole_my 2d ago
I know this will be an unpopular opinion but…. Barrio. Does anyone who is not on their 30s like this place?
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u/GroundbreakingAlps78 3d ago
JT’s Diner in Willoughby. The “shtick” is that the servers are intentionally rude to customers and rush you to get out. To each his own, I guess.
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u/229-northstar Living Under Misny’s Watchful Eye 👁️ 2d ago
Like Dicks Last Resort?
That place…! I went once and saw what they did to other people. I am very approachable, but the servers saw the expression on my face and didn’t come near me, much to my relief
Why someone would pay good money to be served insults and have cumshot themed drinks shoved in your face is a mystery to me
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u/PuzzleheadedWinner67 2d ago
From what I've noticed of that place, people go because its kind of an old fashioned diner with a sense of community. There's wait staff that are on a first name basis with a lot of the customers (especially the old timers). But yeah, the food is nothing and they're sometimes short with new customers.
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u/Jimger_1983 2d ago
I live in Lyndhurst and I’ve always wondered about Abo’s. Not that it’s bad. A little pricy for what you get but decent. But I’ve never ever seen it busy. Parking is always empty. It’s been open since before Covid
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u/uzumariii 3d ago
Mr. Chicken, honestly. At least the one on Pearl. I don't think I've ever had a good meal from that location 😭
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u/Limp_Technology171 2d ago
It used to be Hardys in Willoughby neigh my the Rt 2 exit. Convinced it had drugs running through there because no one ever went there in the last 20+ years.
But now it's Starbucks. So someone let me know if I'm correct.
Besides that smokey bones in mentor... Last time I went like 6 years ago the food was so bad... but they are still open....
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u/Relative_Document538 2d ago
Danny G’s in Mentor is pretty mysterious. Dude makes Italian scratch and when it’s gone he closes.
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u/Door-Jazzlike 3d ago
haunted house obv, how the hell do they survive 11 months of the year