Some time ago I set a goal to eat my way through East 4th Street here in Cleveland. A worthy goal, given all there is to eat on East 4th, and yet an ambitious one, too, for the same reasons.
On this page, I'll catch you up with a quick synopsis and will link over to a larger review where appropriate. Here's where we stand:
- Zocalo
- I originally had been very excited about this place when it first opened. It sounded like there was going to be an attempt at some real Mexican food. I've eaten there four or five times and each was disappointing. If I'm going to pay these prices, I expect it to taste like a Mexican made it, not like food that American kitchens churn out every day across the country.
- More thoughts here.
- Flannery's
- One can eat rather well at Flannery's. The meatloaf is exquisite and there are many other things that delight as well. It's like eating bar food without eating bar food. (And they serve Woodchucks, yum!)
- House of Blues
- Food's a bit pricey and not terribly exciting. Yes, you're supposed to go for the ambiance, like Hard Rock, only Blues.
- Pickwick & Frolic
- Prices seem a bit high but very edible. They've got a cheddar-ale soup that's yummy (among a long list of other tasty things).
- Saigon
- Of all the food on East 4th, Saigon is where I'll keep going and going and going. Scores high on prices, portions and edibility.
- More thoughts here.
- Corner Alley or 4th Street Bar & Grill
- Prices seem a bit high for the lunch crowd. One won't starve here.
- Wonder Bar
- Not yet visited. Is this place open at lunch time?
- La Strada
- Not yet visited.
- Lola
- Not yet visited. Yes, I know, this place is famous; how have I avoided/delayed going for so long?
- Harry Buffalo
- Not part of the East 4th Street neighborhood, but definitely on East 4th Street. Bar food: what else can you say?
There are some who would add Theresa's Pizzaria and Jimmy John's to the list. Why? They're not even on East 4th. It's bad enough that Flannery's door isn't on East 4th (but their windows are).
