Joe's Deli

Inspired to turn a negative 2019 To Dine Challenge experience around, Mr. H and I decided to hit another restaurant on the list the very next day. We had some errands to run in Rocky River, so a late lunch at Joe's Deli and Restaurant was a perfect fix!

We thought by heading there at an "off" lunch time of 2PM would cut down on a wait time, but wow the line was still out the door and we weren't seated until close to 3PM. The place is so huge compared to what I had pictured in my head, and they were pumping diners out pretty quickly (on top of steady takeout). But that kitchen looked like a well-oiled machine, and it gave us time to drool over the dessert counter (cakes from Cake Royale in our neighborhood, which ROCK!).

Once we were settled into a booth and looking at the menu, I knew I had to get the famous Matzo Ball Soup (cup- $4.50, bowl- $5.95). I won't pretend to be a connoisseur, but many locals claim this is the best version around.

I also knew I needed to order the side of Onion Rings ($5.95). Thanks for the tip, Lisa Zone!

7 of these huge hand-battered babies arrived. We were only able to eat half. They should come with a warning, haha. 

The real star of the meal, however, turned out to be the Shish Tawook ($12.95) with marinated chicken tenderloins served in a pita with fries and garlic mayonnaise. You can request it panini-pressed, as Mr. H did, and I highly recommend. I could bathe in that delicious garlic mayo.

The restaurant was a winner. This Lebanese spot will get a slot on our rotation. There's plenty of more menu items to tackle!

Joe's Deli and Restaurant
19215 Hilliard Blvd.
Rocky River, OH 44116
(440) 333-7890

Cake Royale's New Retail Location

We are frequent shoppers of the West Side Market in Ohio City. Just a short drive from home, we enjoy getting our proteins and specialty items from the market. The only thing that I don't care for there is the produce. So, when we saw that one of our favorite dessert stands was opening a retail location in our neighborhood, we were thrilled!

We stalked their "Opening Soon" sign for quite some time, and then started to forget about it. They opened quietly, but then we always seemed to be driving by after-hours. Well, that finally changed last weekend.

We were headed to the grocery store, and the lights were ON in the new Cake Royale shop on Pearl Road in Old Brooklyn.

We stopped in, and I was immediately struck by the charming Parisian entryway.

This storefront is the family-run business' production facility, but it also has a counter and cooler for grab-and-go items like cakes, cookies, macaroons, and more.

I couldn't pass up a slice of what the owner called "the best of both worlds" with layers of cheesecake and moist (ugh, I hate that word) chocolate cake. Mr. H took home a slice of the Cookies n' Cream, and half of it didn't even last an hour.

They'll also do catering orders, custom cakes, and more. We stood and talked to the owner for about twenty minutes, and her passion for the business and our neighborhood is infectious. When they were looking for a new retail location and production facility, they considered several neighborhoods. But, they ultimately chose to invest in the neighborhood in which they live, and we, for one, are very happy about that! Check them out in the West Side Market, or at the new location.

Cake Royale
4276 Pearl Road
Cleveland, OH 44109
216-351-3553