Bars and churches might be the first two things to come to mind when you think of Lakewood, but the west-side suburb also claims a growing culinary scene. There's Melt, of course,and Angelo's, legends new and old respectively. And for the hungry Lakewood traveler, plenty of choices for delicious eats under $10 await.
Buckeye Beer Engine
West Side Burger - $9.50 (with pretzel bun)
While drinking your way through the extensive beer list at the Beer Engine can be a blast, don't overlook the grub. For the money, you can't beat the West Side Burger. This half-pound burger is topped with caramelized onions, sour cream, cheddar and a large cheddar-potato pierogi. To take this to the next level, upgrade to a pretzel bun.
15315 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216.226.2337
The Place To Be
Gyro Quesadilla - $6.99
For more than 30 years, The Place To Be has been dishing up some of the best greasy spoon delights west of McKinley. This institution is also known for its authentic gyro meat, spurring my choice — the Gyro Quesadilla. This south-of-the-border classic meets the Greek Isles in a big way. Although you can choose your cheese, feta is the only option that makes sense. Throw some lettuce and tomato into the mix, and you are in food bliss.
1391 Warren Rd., Lakewood, 216.226.8783
Jammy Buggars
Crispy Calamari - $9.50
Quickly gaining ground as a favorite in Lakewood, Jammy Buggars is a low-key spot for killer pub food. For less than $10, go with the Crispy Calamari. Lightly breaded and fried, the fish is then tossed with a chorizo-corn hash. Served with roasted lime BBQ sauce, this isn't your typical calamari dish.
15625 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, 216.767.5922, jammybuggars.com
Around The Corner Saloon & Cafe
Chicken Wings - $7.99
This popular bar has one of the largest patios on the west side of Cleveland. Beyond the shot specials and DJs, this place has some good eats, and consistently ranks for some of the best wings year after year. Their self-titled "Award-Winning Original Wings" come in a pack of 10. ATC offers a lengthy list of sauces, but choose the black pepper rub. This dry rub has just the right amount of heat that any wet sauce can provide without requiring a full roll of paper towels.
18616 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, 216.521.4431, atccafe.com
Italian Creations
Veal Meatball Sub - $7.25
Who said you have to dine-in to have great food? Definitely not the owners of Italian Creations. Centrally located on Hilliard in Lakewood, this slice of Italy on the west side services all your take-out, catering and delivery needs. The "creation" I crave the most is the Veal Meatball Sub. This Italian sub is loaded with freshly hand-packed veal meatballs, then topped with homemade marinara and baked with provolone cheese. Enough to split and at only $7.25, this sub will have you eating-in more often.
16104 Hilliard Rd., Lakewood, 216.226.2282, italiancreations.net
