Credit: Winking Lizard
For nearly 20 years, Winking Lizard has been a fixture on Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights, where it replaced Pepper Ridge Tavern, which replaced Turkey Ridge Tavern before that.

That all ends after business tonight when the restaurant (1852 Coventry Rd., 216-397-8380) closes for good. Plans have been in the works for over a year to build a new eastside location in Mayfield, with Coventry closing around the same time. Although the new location won’t be open until first quarter 2017, owner John Lane said that the time had come.

“The landlord has found somebody else to take over the space so we’re leaving,” he explains, adding that while abrupt, it makes sense to move swiftly. “This is always the best way when you’re closing a restaurant. It’s tough on the staff when you drag it out.”

All of the current employees will be moving to other locations, he says.
The shiny new location will open across the street from Hillcrest Hospital on SOM Center Road.

“It’s been a great 19 years, but the space didn’t afford what we do,” Lane explains. “There is no outdoor space, and parking has become more and more of an issue over there. Guests want ease of getting in and out.” 

This article appears in Aug 10-16, 2016.

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.

13 replies on “Winking Lizard Coventry Closes Tonight After 19 Years”

  1. Ugh. I have no interest in going to Mayfield Hts for any reason. I wish them well on their new venture.

  2. with a huge lot and deck across the street, it’s easier to park in Coventry than downtown–where they have *two* locations. so…like…can’t be parking. but they’re entitled to think so, I suppose.

  3. I always loved this one. Too crowded. Nothing else to complain about. We would go there after 2600 meetings in the Arabica. I miss Coventry.

  4. It is a shame but wish them the best in the new location. I wonder who is moving in.. “Two” downtown locations?? The best location is either the original one on miles or the one in peninsula!!

  7. all of them need to close. nedd to close desperatley. worst place in the city by far. FAR
    dirty staff, dirty building, lousy food, horrendous service
    good riddance

    lizardville isnt worth the dumpster outside either

  8. Gonna have to make the drinks a whole lot stronger (or train bartenders who done use mixes) if you are going to attempt to compete with Fox and hound.

  9. Disappointing, but this is the trend (move out of cool old space into generic strip-mall location, see: Avon). One can only wonder if the Lakewood store, currently located in a beautiful old racquet club, has its days numbered.

  10. Not one person myself included is going to travel to the new location with any frequency whatsoever.
    They had a great Cleveland Hts area family following that is now lost.
    The old tai orchid on lee would have worked well but that’s no longer available.

  11. Always hated this location, only went when forced as Mongolian next door is a stupid setup as well but usually more crowded. Everything on the street suffers from the parking arrangements, it’s just after leaving a restaurant half lit and with your leftovers you aren’t really in the mood to sprint across your street to your car or try and get out of your street parking spot. They’re going to make a killing across the street from the hospital and I’ll definitely look forward to going to a restaurant with new furniture, better parking, outdoor seating, and a larger capacity for people. What’s not to like?!

  12. If you’re willing to settle for their crappy “Applebee’s / TGI Friday’s” quality of food (and frankly I think that’s somewhat of a compliment to “the wink”) I can’t think of a better place to do it than a Mayfield stripe plaza setting. They no longer have a niche with beers you can’t get elsewhere. Bottom line… the food & drink expectations are lower (the competition is weaker?) and there’s more money to be made in further out locations.

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