Iron Chef Michael Symon Bringing Gourmet Burgers to Town

Facebook helped bring a new B Spot to Strongsville.

"(Celebrity chef) Michael Symon and his business partner asked on Facebook where people would like to see another B Spot," said Brent Painter, the city's economic development manager. "A lot of the people responded with Strongsville."

Symon, who owns the acclaimed Lola in Cleveland and who gained national fame by winning the Food Network's Iron Chef competition, looked at several communities for his second gourmet burger-and-bratwurst restaurant before picking the location at 18066 Royalton Road. 

"They found a place they liked here in the Greens of Strongsville," Painter said. 

Construction crews are now turning the site of the former Bombay Company into a 120-seat eatery slated to open in early February.  The 3,300-square-foot restaurant will feature Symon's gourmet hamburgers and bratwurst and a variety of hand-crafted beers on tap. It will employ 40 to 50 people.

There will be no outdoor seating, but the front of the restaurant will include a sliding glass door that can be opened in warm weather.

"Even if you're sitting inside, it'll feel like you're outside," Painter said.

Symon's business partner, Doug Petkovic, appeared before the Strongsville Planning Commission in November to seek plan approval. The new B Spot will feature the same menu as the original at 28699 Chagrin Blvd. in Woodmere. 

In addition to Lola and B Spot, Symon also owns Lolita in Tremont and Roast in Detroit. He recently that announced Bar Symon in Avon Lake would close.

Painter said the Greens of Strongsville, anchored by , Heinen's and, "has really been a success," with vacancies quickly filled. 

He said he believes residents here will embrace the new B Spot.

"It'll be a good addition to our community," he said.