It shouldn’t be too difficult for diners to locate the new TB’s Restaurant, Bar and Lounge (2015 E. 8th. St.), says owner Tim Smith; he’ll just direct them to the massive mural of a black dog, painted on the wall of the City Club Building. That mural was painted about a year and a half ago to help direct diners to the entrance of Black Dog Kitchen, but apparently more than a few gallons of paint was required to make that restaurant a success; it closed a couple weeks back. For the time being, Smith says he has no plans to remove or alter the image as it serves as a monumental landmark.
For the past four years Smith has operated TB’s Hot Dogs & Hoagies at E. 185 and Lakeshore, but he’ll shutter that outfit to focus on his new downtown spot. He says that popular eatery combined with his bustling T-Bone’s Catering business should provide him with a solid base of customers.
“I’ve built up quite a following doing festivals and catering,” he says.
But TB’s will be “completely different” than his casual east-side spot, he says. Downtown diners can look forward to a “higher end American-style restaurant specializing in steaks, seafood and pasta. Entrees, priced $19 to $25, will include steaks, scampi, lamb chops and lobster mac and cheese. Starters, priced $9 to $12, range from crab cakes and lobster bisque to blackened scallops and steamed mussels.
More affordable lunch options include soups, salads, sandwiches and a few entrees.
Smith says he was attracted by the location of the restaurant, which is in close proximity to countless downtown workers and residents.
“Everybody down there is looking for somewhere to go for lunch, happy hour and dinner,” he says.
Smith says he hopes to open before Super Bowl kickoff time.
This article appears in Jan 15-21, 2014.
Oh great, another restaurant with food I can’t afford. There’s a definite class war in the restaurant biz in a city with no money and declining population.
Let me translate this: “higher end American-style restaurant” = overpriced crappy food you can get anywhere else.
A hint for the new TB’s… get some solid beers and a good, cheap happy hour and the “everybody down there” crowd will find a reason to go to you instead of the other 100 bars/ restaurants downtown.
Actually OCDUDE, Cleveland posted a population gain from 2012 to 2013 according to the latest census estimates released. Plenty of people can afford these price points as most of these restaurants downtown are successful. If you can’t afford a $20 meal once in awhile might want to re-think your choice of career.
The problem with Black Dog was that it was overpriced. You’d think the owner would realize that no one downtown is paying ~$20 midweek for a bowl of pasta in an empty bar. Especially with better and more visible, known options around the corner.
There are plenty of people in the downtown area with cash in pockets – the casino, as one example, makes sure of that – but the golden ticket is to get them wandering around to spend that disposable income. It doesn’t happen with any regularity; there is no connection in the “entertainment grid”.
A higher priced restaurant still needs daily traffic to survive. It’s a crappy location in a crappy building. When was the last time you were in the building (besides the City Club)? it’s a building that time as passed by (kinda like the City Club itself). I wouldn’t want to go to that building to have a “nice meal” … If I were going to go for a “nice meal”, I’d head to more of a destination spot, like East 4th or West 6th. And if the owner can’t get enough daily traffic (ie: lunch) to cover his bills, then it’s only a matter of time before this goes belly up as well. I’ve worked downtown since 1991 — I can’t even remember all the “nice” restaurants that splashed and flamed out….
He will have to compete with Restaurants on East Fourth and in the Playhouse Square like Cibreo, Cowell and Hubbard, Chinato, Lola’s and Greenhouse Tavern.
Wish him the Best of Luck!
What downtown needs is a moderately priced neighborhood pub that’s not a sports bar. Good Beer, drinks, wine, etc… Think Tremont Taphouse downtown…
The Tremont Taphouse folks are putting ‘the Butcher and the Brewer’ on E 4th street.
Scheduled to open this coming Spring/early Summer.
This should be quite awesome.
TB’s???
Kind of a strange name for an eatery.
Im probably in the minority on this one, but tuberculosis comes to mind when I hear TB.
“Welcome to TB’s, would you like a little pleurisy with your burger?”
I know the gentleman who is going to operate TB’s and he does a wonderful job. He has to have that high priced menu to pay the rent…not cheap anywhere downtown…but He also knows where the average working man needs to be and his lunch is something I anticipate. I have an office in this same “crappy building” as this restaurant, and while it is not a stunner outside it is a decent place inside, and last I knew thats where we will be eating…inside. I like the jazz band concept…being in my 50’s I really dont want to go to the loud and rowdy hot spots like I did when I was younger and I think that applies to many professionals.
It’s just a shame to see people try to prejudge this effort before it even starts. Tim is a good man trying to bring a slice of good food to the Cleveland Scene. Yes…we have some great food. Nothing wrong with a little more. (I just hope he considers making one of the bars a Smoothie Bar…THAT would suite me very well.
Good luck Tim!
Congrats TB! I know that you will do well. I have known the owner all of my life and he is a real stand up guy! The company and conversations are worth the trip by themselves. The food on 185th is excellent and I know that this spot will be no different. Ignore the naysayers TB and do your thing! God Bless!
God Bless Tim!
Wally Hunter