PKT25: Commentary on Bars & Restaurants
Some of the posts in this series have gotten a lot of comments on Facebook. As before, I'm continuing to collect them here so I can find them easily without scrolling back one hundred times.
1. Bars
The post about bars of our college years got a lot of comments on Facebook. As I myself noted, at the time:
Posts detailed semester breakdown: crickets
Posts list of bars we drank at: great enthusiasm!
The stereotypes about fraternities exist for a reason!
There were two really good comment threads on that. The first thread featured Davis and Astrid.
Davis
Oh this post is so near and dear to my heart!
The Euc was where I learned to love both wings and beer, not to mention seeing some amazing shows (Soul Coughing pre-touring El Oso material!!), but the Greenhouse was totally my favorite on-campus pub once I figured out that a whole bunch of sorority party sisters hung out there (shoutout Phi Mu Grab-A-Date).
Early years were Flats West Side b/c Trilogy was our rave destination and 1148 had regular college ID nights. Once we turned 21, it was all about the Basement, tho we did Beach Club for mixed-age crowds, and Bar Cleveland on 25 cent beer night (NOT worth it). Later on the gay clubs went mainstream, and a lot of us dancers frequented a handful of warehouse spaces up from the river on the East side. That was peak Cleveland clubbing for me, for sure.
I honestly don't even want to express how much I miss the Basement. The balance of stylish and grungy, the multi-generational dance mixes, the indoor and outdoor options. No cover, and right next to that late night sandwich joint? The name of the bar, the bar is called heaven.
Astrid
besides the wings & beer, the Euc was also my first introduction to stuffed jalapeño poppers that Tony would always order.
During my au-pair year, we spent almost every weekend at the Basement (after scoring some free drinks at Dick's cause one of the bartenders there liked us). Have a nice day café had those awful fishbowl drinks that some of the other au-pairs would order over cheap beers.
The basement definitely had the best mix of music!
Davis
The other side of that story is us chillin at Phi Kap house when the boys come home from the club (Jeff, Neal S, Zuck?) GLOWING with sweaty joy. We all gather to hear what's up, and the magic begins with one sentence:
"We met some European au pairs at the club, y'all. They're coming over for the party tomorrow." The rest is history.
The second thread featured Joe #1 and Dave. I've edited some comments together.
Joe
I remember one time at Club I, when Davis was a pledge, (my note: I believe this was Spring 1996) going with him, Dave and probably some other brothers. I remember Davis ordering a cheeseburger and fries but leaving it on the table to go and dance to an awesome song (no surprise!). I believe Dave and I promptly ate the entire burger and fries. Sorry Davis!
Dave
this is my second favorite memory of Club I.
When prompted, he told us his favorite:
Shep (my note: a brother from before my time) peeing on the floor while giggling like Beavis. In related news, I’m shocked that Club I closed.
2. Restaurants
Sometimes you want to go out to eat without drinking, so I hit that in my restaurants summary. That also got a lot of comments. Apparently we really remember hanging out with friends over food!
Astrid
BW3 on Coventry was another popular spot, even if they spelled my name for my order as Estard...but those milkshakes at Tommy's were soooo good (plus it has that walkthrough to the used book store--double-win!)
I myself did not include BW3 in that summary, but some responses to this teased out that there was one in Coventry in the movie theater building, as well as one at Cedar/Fairmount for a while
Ducar noted that the BRB was the Biomedical Research Building. Davis was a fan:
Their hot bar was far and away the best balance of hearty and healthy within walking distance of campus, and their atrium was airy even on the nastiest of Cleveland days. I loved lunching there.
Christy (spouse of Dr. Bovi) added:
Your memory is outstanding. Many of my dates with my Phi Kap spouse were at the Winking Lizard that I don’t know how we afforded so frequently.
The problem with my work study was it wasn’t a campus job and I was the only student there for at least 2 years. So socializing with really-for-real grown-ups (though clearly not really) essentially took all the cash I was making. But crashing at their places and making real meals in their kitchens and drinking their fancy drinks wasn’t so bad.
Davis dropped a huge story on it.
Here's my top story on this topic:
- While my class was doing their senior year, I had a dead-end data entry job at one of the UH research offices and lived in Little Italy with a CIA grad student. I'm certain most of us have either very intense memories of this era, or giant blank holes and a handful of scars (shoutout Beautiful People Ugly Clothes One). The year I was 21 was definitely both the drunkest of my life and the brokest of my life, tho I'll never admit the two are related.
I find myself stumbling home one night, embarrassingly drunk, embarrassingly broke, but charming as ever, having spent my last $5 on a Bud Light shortneck, tip, and bus fare home. We lived across the street from Presti's who, on some lucky nights, had pizza as well as donuts. I roll in there, 3 am with the munchies from hell, and those workers were kind enough to give me two slices and a donut on a smile and a promise to pay them tomorrow. That food tasted amazing, and I did indeed pay them the next day. Sometimes it's great to be local.
Honorable mentions:
- Getting kicked out of that Denny's when a certain brother brought in a watermelon dressed up for dinner, named "Baby Jeffy", and insisted the watermelon get to order just like the rest of us.
- The Big Egg's endless giant hashbrown. If you ordered some, they broke off a cooked section from the right side, and added some fresh to the left. Like a big ass potato conveyor belt. I swear the coffee had grease in it for flavor, as this was where I first learned to love coffee.
- East Cleveland Taco Bell had a bulletproof to-go window, and served us SO WELL. We even made friends in the drive-thru there more than once.
- BoHo's (my note: Boarding House) sandwiches were the sleeper hit of the neighborhood. I worked there as a 2nd gig for a while, and they had the bomb fresh bread and imported meats and cheeses.
- Arabica, especially with a band, was the most romantic place on the North side. I loved the artsy vibe, and it was the place I felt most at home on campus before I got settled at Phi Kap.
- The corner hot dog cart warmed me up on many a cold day, and the proprietor made a wonderful guest on the Hog-Wild show! (my note: Hog-Wild was Davis's radio show at WRUW)
- Phi Kap house meal plan was consistently the best food I ate around town except for the few times I talked Erika (my note: his college girlfriend) into taking me out for Red Lobster (where I had my first legal drink).
Susan
Yeah, I don't think "Baby Jeffy" did well after that meal . . .
Ducar
I can’t remember the year or which fraternity- but one house did a Greek Week skit that was an ode to the hot dog guy. Freaking amazing.
Me
I worked at the BoHo deli side the summer after graduation and enjoyed their sandwiches. They were too expensive for me to get regularly! I never once ordered from the hot dog guy or was even tempted.
Mak (who married a PhiKap from before my time and ended up in my Supper Club)
I miss the Royal Dragon. They had the Best potstickers
Tiffin (who didn't go to CWRU with me)
So funny the overlap of restaurants I went to as well during that time period, both because of where I lived and that we went to church at the Newman center on Case’s campus. And also I went to that Denny’s in high school but that was because I had friends living in Mayfield. It wasn’t good enough for you to travel that far!
My radio friends also chipped in on the comments.
Shari (my long-time radio cohost)
Boarding House had the best onion rings ever and I remember heading there in the early 80s to listen to jazz
Sarah (who was at CWRU with me and was my radio cohost in fall 2003)
My college years are blurred together with the post-college years I still lived at Ford and Bellflower, but I think you named every restaurant I can think of. I also ate at the hospital atrium pretty often and the Vietnamese restaurants down Superior or St Clair.
I never went to any of those restaurants in Asia Town in undergrad, and I'm not even sure I knew about them. I did after the fact remember the standard Chinese-American takeout place which was a decent drive away, but was much cheaper than the Chinese places in Coventry.
Lazybones (who was at CWRU 5+ years after me)
I had no idea there used to be so many Taco Bells on campus! It’s surprising how few restaurants I recognize on here. I assumed restaurant turnover had only become high in the area recently (eg literally everything on Euclid in University Circle), but there must’ve been a lot before I hit Case in 2007 as well. (Also I guess it is reassuring, if depressing, to know that Case’s cafeteria food has always been that bad. Crazy when you think of how much they force students to pay for it.
The Ohio Alpha Beta Chapter of Phi Kappa Theta
The House Tour
Outside,
Main Floor Bedrooms,
Main Floor Public Rooms,
Basement Public Areas,
Basement Private Areas,
2nd Floor Big Bedrooms,
2nd Floor Small Bedrooms,
3rd Floor First Hallway,
3rd Floor Second Hallway,
Attic & Errata,
House Tour Commentary: Joe & Laura & Astrid,
House Tour Commentary: Jackal,
House Tour Commentary: Susan,
House Tour Commentary: Assorted
The Pledge Program
Bid Night, Schedule, Curriculum & Black Books, Big Brothers & Pledge Pins, Paddling, Initiation
Semesters
Fall 1996, Spring 1997, Fall 1997, Spring 1998, Fall 1998, Spring 1999, Summer 1999, Fall 1999, Spring 2000, Summer 2000, Fall 2000, Spring 2001, Summer 2001, Alumnus
Events
Detour, Blackout, Boo at the Zoo, Chapter Meetings, Serenading, Greek Week, Rush Events, Formal, Retreat, School's Out
Other
Full Series, My Rush Experience, Chapter History, Family Trees, National, Greek Life at CWRU, Fraternity Offices, Part 1, Fraternity Offices, Part 2, Fraternity Offices, Part 3, Demographics, Seniority, Bars, Ponding, Video Games, Restaurants, Phi Kap Guy, Assorted Traditions
Additional Commentary
Black Books, Boo at the Zoo & Blackout, More Boo at the Zoo & Blackout, Chapter Meetings, Bars & Restaurants
1. Bars
The post about bars of our college years got a lot of comments on Facebook. As I myself noted, at the time:
Posts detailed semester breakdown: crickets
Posts list of bars we drank at: great enthusiasm!
The stereotypes about fraternities exist for a reason!
There were two really good comment threads on that. The first thread featured Davis and Astrid.
Davis
Oh this post is so near and dear to my heart!
The Euc was where I learned to love both wings and beer, not to mention seeing some amazing shows (Soul Coughing pre-touring El Oso material!!), but the Greenhouse was totally my favorite on-campus pub once I figured out that a whole bunch of sorority party sisters hung out there (shoutout Phi Mu Grab-A-Date).
Early years were Flats West Side b/c Trilogy was our rave destination and 1148 had regular college ID nights. Once we turned 21, it was all about the Basement, tho we did Beach Club for mixed-age crowds, and Bar Cleveland on 25 cent beer night (NOT worth it). Later on the gay clubs went mainstream, and a lot of us dancers frequented a handful of warehouse spaces up from the river on the East side. That was peak Cleveland clubbing for me, for sure.
I honestly don't even want to express how much I miss the Basement. The balance of stylish and grungy, the multi-generational dance mixes, the indoor and outdoor options. No cover, and right next to that late night sandwich joint? The name of the bar, the bar is called heaven.
Astrid
besides the wings & beer, the Euc was also my first introduction to stuffed jalapeño poppers that Tony would always order.
During my au-pair year, we spent almost every weekend at the Basement (after scoring some free drinks at Dick's cause one of the bartenders there liked us). Have a nice day café had those awful fishbowl drinks that some of the other au-pairs would order over cheap beers.
The basement definitely had the best mix of music!
Davis
The other side of that story is us chillin at Phi Kap house when the boys come home from the club (Jeff, Neal S, Zuck?) GLOWING with sweaty joy. We all gather to hear what's up, and the magic begins with one sentence:
"We met some European au pairs at the club, y'all. They're coming over for the party tomorrow." The rest is history.
The second thread featured Joe #1 and Dave. I've edited some comments together.
Joe
I remember one time at Club I, when Davis was a pledge, (my note: I believe this was Spring 1996) going with him, Dave and probably some other brothers. I remember Davis ordering a cheeseburger and fries but leaving it on the table to go and dance to an awesome song (no surprise!). I believe Dave and I promptly ate the entire burger and fries. Sorry Davis!
Dave
this is my second favorite memory of Club I.
When prompted, he told us his favorite:
Shep (my note: a brother from before my time) peeing on the floor while giggling like Beavis. In related news, I’m shocked that Club I closed.
2. Restaurants
Sometimes you want to go out to eat without drinking, so I hit that in my restaurants summary. That also got a lot of comments. Apparently we really remember hanging out with friends over food!
Astrid
BW3 on Coventry was another popular spot, even if they spelled my name for my order as Estard...but those milkshakes at Tommy's were soooo good (plus it has that walkthrough to the used book store--double-win!)
I myself did not include BW3 in that summary, but some responses to this teased out that there was one in Coventry in the movie theater building, as well as one at Cedar/Fairmount for a while
Ducar noted that the BRB was the Biomedical Research Building. Davis was a fan:
Their hot bar was far and away the best balance of hearty and healthy within walking distance of campus, and their atrium was airy even on the nastiest of Cleveland days. I loved lunching there.
Christy (spouse of Dr. Bovi) added:
Your memory is outstanding. Many of my dates with my Phi Kap spouse were at the Winking Lizard that I don’t know how we afforded so frequently.
The problem with my work study was it wasn’t a campus job and I was the only student there for at least 2 years. So socializing with really-for-real grown-ups (though clearly not really) essentially took all the cash I was making. But crashing at their places and making real meals in their kitchens and drinking their fancy drinks wasn’t so bad.
Davis dropped a huge story on it.
Here's my top story on this topic:
- While my class was doing their senior year, I had a dead-end data entry job at one of the UH research offices and lived in Little Italy with a CIA grad student. I'm certain most of us have either very intense memories of this era, or giant blank holes and a handful of scars (shoutout Beautiful People Ugly Clothes One). The year I was 21 was definitely both the drunkest of my life and the brokest of my life, tho I'll never admit the two are related.
I find myself stumbling home one night, embarrassingly drunk, embarrassingly broke, but charming as ever, having spent my last $5 on a Bud Light shortneck, tip, and bus fare home. We lived across the street from Presti's who, on some lucky nights, had pizza as well as donuts. I roll in there, 3 am with the munchies from hell, and those workers were kind enough to give me two slices and a donut on a smile and a promise to pay them tomorrow. That food tasted amazing, and I did indeed pay them the next day. Sometimes it's great to be local.
Honorable mentions:
- Getting kicked out of that Denny's when a certain brother brought in a watermelon dressed up for dinner, named "Baby Jeffy", and insisted the watermelon get to order just like the rest of us.
- The Big Egg's endless giant hashbrown. If you ordered some, they broke off a cooked section from the right side, and added some fresh to the left. Like a big ass potato conveyor belt. I swear the coffee had grease in it for flavor, as this was where I first learned to love coffee.
- East Cleveland Taco Bell had a bulletproof to-go window, and served us SO WELL. We even made friends in the drive-thru there more than once.
- BoHo's (my note: Boarding House) sandwiches were the sleeper hit of the neighborhood. I worked there as a 2nd gig for a while, and they had the bomb fresh bread and imported meats and cheeses.
- Arabica, especially with a band, was the most romantic place on the North side. I loved the artsy vibe, and it was the place I felt most at home on campus before I got settled at Phi Kap.
- The corner hot dog cart warmed me up on many a cold day, and the proprietor made a wonderful guest on the Hog-Wild show! (my note: Hog-Wild was Davis's radio show at WRUW)
- Phi Kap house meal plan was consistently the best food I ate around town except for the few times I talked Erika (my note: his college girlfriend) into taking me out for Red Lobster (where I had my first legal drink).
Susan
Yeah, I don't think "Baby Jeffy" did well after that meal . . .
Ducar
I can’t remember the year or which fraternity- but one house did a Greek Week skit that was an ode to the hot dog guy. Freaking amazing.
Me
I worked at the BoHo deli side the summer after graduation and enjoyed their sandwiches. They were too expensive for me to get regularly! I never once ordered from the hot dog guy or was even tempted.
Mak (who married a PhiKap from before my time and ended up in my Supper Club)
I miss the Royal Dragon. They had the Best potstickers
Tiffin (who didn't go to CWRU with me)
So funny the overlap of restaurants I went to as well during that time period, both because of where I lived and that we went to church at the Newman center on Case’s campus. And also I went to that Denny’s in high school but that was because I had friends living in Mayfield. It wasn’t good enough for you to travel that far!
My radio friends also chipped in on the comments.
Shari (my long-time radio cohost)
Boarding House had the best onion rings ever and I remember heading there in the early 80s to listen to jazz
Sarah (who was at CWRU with me and was my radio cohost in fall 2003)
My college years are blurred together with the post-college years I still lived at Ford and Bellflower, but I think you named every restaurant I can think of. I also ate at the hospital atrium pretty often and the Vietnamese restaurants down Superior or St Clair.
I never went to any of those restaurants in Asia Town in undergrad, and I'm not even sure I knew about them. I did after the fact remember the standard Chinese-American takeout place which was a decent drive away, but was much cheaper than the Chinese places in Coventry.
Lazybones (who was at CWRU 5+ years after me)
I had no idea there used to be so many Taco Bells on campus! It’s surprising how few restaurants I recognize on here. I assumed restaurant turnover had only become high in the area recently (eg literally everything on Euclid in University Circle), but there must’ve been a lot before I hit Case in 2007 as well. (Also I guess it is reassuring, if depressing, to know that Case’s cafeteria food has always been that bad. Crazy when you think of how much they force students to pay for it.
The Ohio Alpha Beta Chapter of Phi Kappa Theta
The House Tour
Outside,
Main Floor Bedrooms,
Main Floor Public Rooms,
Basement Public Areas,
Basement Private Areas,
2nd Floor Big Bedrooms,
2nd Floor Small Bedrooms,
3rd Floor First Hallway,
3rd Floor Second Hallway,
Attic & Errata,
House Tour Commentary: Joe & Laura & Astrid,
House Tour Commentary: Jackal,
House Tour Commentary: Susan,
House Tour Commentary: Assorted
The Pledge Program
Bid Night, Schedule, Curriculum & Black Books, Big Brothers & Pledge Pins, Paddling, Initiation
Semesters
Fall 1996, Spring 1997, Fall 1997, Spring 1998, Fall 1998, Spring 1999, Summer 1999, Fall 1999, Spring 2000, Summer 2000, Fall 2000, Spring 2001, Summer 2001, Alumnus
Events
Detour, Blackout, Boo at the Zoo, Chapter Meetings, Serenading, Greek Week, Rush Events, Formal, Retreat, School's Out
Other
Full Series, My Rush Experience, Chapter History, Family Trees, National, Greek Life at CWRU, Fraternity Offices, Part 1, Fraternity Offices, Part 2, Fraternity Offices, Part 3, Demographics, Seniority, Bars, Ponding, Video Games, Restaurants, Phi Kap Guy, Assorted Traditions
Additional Commentary
Black Books, Boo at the Zoo & Blackout, More Boo at the Zoo & Blackout, Chapter Meetings, Bars & Restaurants