Pastimes Cafe Adds Another Daytime Dining Destination to Lakewood

(This post is excerpted from Scene Dining Editor Doug Trattner’s weekly CLE Bites newsletter. Want more stories like this directly in your inbox every Saturday morning? Subscribe here.)

One segment of the hospitality scene appears to be growing quicker than others, and that’s the breakfast-and-lunch category. In the past five or so years, we’ve witnessed an explosion of places that start early and shutter early, a response to shifting demographics. For every happy hour barfly and late-night snacker, there appears to be two or more diners who prefer to start their day bright and early with a proper meal on the go.

We are living in the golden age of breakfast sandwiches, my friends.

Cleveland is blessed with a bevy of new spots that put quality, efficiency, flavor and affordability on the front burner. We’ve got Martha on the Fly, Little Cloud, Roaming Biscuit, Le Marché, Milk + Honey and more.

Last month, we welcomed another: Pastimes Café (14224 Madison Ave.) in Lakewood.

In 2021, owner Evan Laisure launched a food truck of the same name that specialized in breakfast and lunch items. This past April, he took over the former El Tango Latin Grill space and made the jump to brick-and-mortar. After gutting the old space, he rebuilt it with custom woodwork, new lighting and original murals. The result is an attractive, colorful café with an open kitchen.

Working in a food truck requires organizational skills that tend to transfer well to quick-fire breakfast spots like Pastimes. Despite being open mere weeks, the busy shop is orderly, efficient and expeditious.

To eat, there are build-your-own bagel (or focaccia) sandwiches with an array of protein, cheese, veggie and sauce options. There is a selection of oat and buttermilk pancakes, specialty breakfast sandwiches and burritos, and rotating brunch specials. To drink, there is a full lineup of coffee and tea drinks. I enjoyed a Standard ($11) on a Cleveland Bagel with egg, cheddar and cream cheese. Our Truth ($15) burrito was filled with scrambled eggs, housemade sausage, bacon, rice, and sauce.

Check out the complete menu here.

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