Burger at Little Bar
Johnny’s Little Bar, 614 Frankfort Ave., Cleveland, 216-861-2166
For Cleveland Classics, I recently revisited one of Cleveland’s last remaining downtown dives. In recent years we’ve lost legendary spots like Moriarty’s, Ontario Street and Euclid Tavern, but thankfully we still have Little Bar. At 40 years old, this alley tavern has survived wave after wave of Warehouse District gentrification. The half-pound burgers – made from the steak trimmings from Johnny’s next door – are some of the city’s best, dished up by a crew that cares. Credit: Photo by Mark Oprea
Apart from the occasional Browns Sunday service, everybody’s favorite downtown watering hole has steered clear of the brunch biz. That all changed last weekend, when Johnny’s Little Bar (614 Frankfort Ave.) opened the doors bright and early on a Saturday morning and welcomed a steady stream of bleary-eyed guests.
Why now?
“We realized there aren’t many Saturday brunch options downtown — especially one that’s reasonably priced, in a cool environment, and with exceptional food,” says management.
On the pub’s brunch bill of fare are hearty platters like the Little Bar Breakfast ($12), which includes two eggs, sausage or bacon, hash browns and toast. Biscuits and sausage gravy ($14) comes with two eggs and potatoes. Of course, the kitchen had to squeeze “Cleveland’s best burger” into a brunch dish. The patty is grilled and paired with a fried egg, bacon, cheese and hash browns.
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.
