New Menu Keeps Cleats in Good Eats

Earlier in the year, Patch.com had its readers vote for their favorite restaurant. Cleats scored extremely well in this competition and after reading the favorable comments, I knew I had to try the place, especially for the raves on their wings.

So, off I went one Wednesday afternoon and sat down and made myself comfortable in the large, comfy booth. I ordered a diet soda and perused the menu trying to decide what I would sample and write about.

My waitress came back and I struck up a nice conversation about the place. It was then that she told me they were updating the menu. She mentioned a few of the new tasty sounding items that were planned and I realized I couldn’t do a write-up before the change, especially when she mentioned the possible inclusion of a pierogi burger!

So, I packed up my gear (a camera, a pen and a scrap of paper) and put the column on hold. (Stop the presses!) Hey, I truly care about our readers and the restaurants in the area and I want to do the best job I can in my reports.

So I started to give Cleats a weekly call checking on the status of the new menu and I waited.

And, waited.

And, well … waited some more.

Until now! This morning, the girl on the other end of the phone said the new menu was a go and started on Monday, March 21. Awesome news!

So I grabbed my gear (The camera, pen and the same scrap of paper) and darted out.

Looking over the new additions on the menu, it appeared that the pierogi burger didn’t make the final cut. (My Polish half was a tad disappointed.) But there were plenty of other tasty items that I was drooling over.

Mmmm. Wings. Mmmm.

Since it was Wednesday, I was able to take advantage of Cleats' weekly wing special. Every Tuesday and Wednesday is Wing Day with wings half off. That’s a cool deal on hot wings!

The waitress pointed out a new sauce flavor that really did have me drooling. (How embarrassing. I need a napkin.) Wasabiyaki is the mixture of wasabi and teriyaki. It wasn’t as hot as I was expecting, as it was more teriyaki than wasabi. Still, it was a flavorful sauce.

The wings themselves were crispy and large. I hate it when I order wings and I get these little tiny things that are about as much fun to chew on as crows feet. Not a problem here, the wings were meaty and juicy.

And, to repeat, they were half off!

I don’t normally go crazy on the carbs, but Cleats offers so many ways to get your starch that, well, I went crazy on the carbs. On their menu they have a section called “Spotlight Spuds” were they offer eleven ways to enjoy your favorite potato.

And since it was Wednesday, it was “Mr. Potato Head Day” at Cleats. Okay. I made up that name. All the same, cardboard boats filled with their fresh-cut fries or homemade chips (I actually liked the chips the best) are only 99 cents every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It certainly gave me the excuse to sample them both. I also paid the extra $1.59 and got sweet potato fries with my burger. Someone, please help me.

For another 89 cents, you can add either homemade bacon ranch or cheddar cheese sauce. I went with the bacon ranch. It was very good but actually (Am I really saying this?) had too much bacon in it. “Too much bacon” -- is that term even in the American vocabulary?

Despite all the wings and potatoes, I actually ordered a side salad (finally, something green) that was topped with the house dressing that’s made on the premises. It was herb vinaigrette and was terrific.

Then came my burger. To be more precise, the Sicilian Burger. Oh, my goodness. It was huge. Imagine a large burger in a bun stuffed with mozzarella cheese sticks, provolone cheese, salami, marinara sauce, banana peppers along with the traditional slice of lettuce, tomato and onion. I couldn’t get the thing in my mouth, it was that big.

After two messy attempts at clamping the burger down with my fingers and stretching my mouth like I was Mr. Fantastic from the Fantastic Four, I gave up and pulled out the knife and fork. Hey, there’s no shame in using utensils to eat your burger. Is there?

The sweet potato fries were cut more like potato sticks and were very, very good. I ended up taking most of them, the fries, chips and part of my burger home. My dogs were very happy to see me!

I’ll definitely be coming back. I have to check out Thursday’s special, a full slab of ribs and coleslaw for $10.99. (RIBS! MUST HAVE RIBS!) Also, before Lent is over I need to get in on their fish fry. Remember the Gray Wolf Tavern in Cleveland and that fantastic fish fry they had? Cleats has the recipe and serves it up on Fridays. When I told my wife that bit of news she quickly said, “I know where we’re going this Friday.”

I may just have to rent out a booth for the next couple of days.

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