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    The City Diner

    4.0 (103 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Order The City Diner Takeout or Delivery

    The City Diner Photos

    THE CITY DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The City Diner

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    Cheeseburger fries pickles
    Eddy R.

    ***DING***DING***DING***WINNER***WINNER*** OLD BROOKLYN You're going places with more of these. I really haven't been a patron of this establishment in years & I mean years. My wife & I were hungry so I had entered in Yelp "restaurants near me". This place popped up & I can really tell you it was a great choice to get. We can smell how good it was in the parking lot. The music was hard outside but it wasn't really loud i guess if you put outside speakers on its a great addition to the ambience. We were kindly greeted & sat to at our table & was asked our drinks. Our waitress was Anna the bless 1. Which she was so great. Wife had lemonade & I had just had water the lemonade was great. With my wife's meal was a side salad which was great. Our food came out fairly quickly after that. She ordered the roatbeef tips with gravy, mashed potatoes with corn. I tasted hers it was DELICIOUS. I had 1/2lb cheeseburger with extra pickles & fries. Cheeseburger was done to my liking juicy, fries were hot & crispy. The ambience was great. If I can give 10+ s i would but I'm stuck at .5s. But that's alright. I'll be more of a regular now... *** BUEN PROVECHO***"

    Decor
    Latasha A.

    The City Diner: A Hidden Gem That Exceeds All Expectations! If you haven't been to The City Diner on W. 52nd Memphis Ave, you're missing out on one of the best breakfast spots around. From the moment I walked in around 11:30 AM, I knew this was going to be something special. First Impressions: The exterior is charming with its bold red signage and colorful hanging flower baskets that immediately catch your eye. But it's what's inside that truly shines. Despite being a smaller establishment, The City Diner is impeccably clean and beautifully decorated. The classic black and white checkered flooring gives it that authentic diner feel, while the playful, colorful murals on the walls--featuring oversized eggs, crispy bacon, and fresh ingredients--add a fun, welcoming touch that makes you smile before you even order. The Atmosphere: The place was buzzing with activity when we arrived, but it never felt chaotic or overwhelming. The energy was warm and inviting, filled with the sounds of satisfied diners and the sizzle of the grill. You can see their daily specials displayed on a chalkboard featuring their motto "Great Food...Great City," with creative dishes like Honey Dipped Fried Chicken, Stuffed Peppers, and daily rotating specials. It's clear this is a family-run establishment that takes pride in what they do. Outstanding Service: Jana and Q (who I believe are siblings and the owners) were absolutely phenomenal. These two worked the floor with genuine smiles and infectious positive energy, personally delivering food to tables and checking in with every single customer. Watching them interact with diners--from families with young children to solo breakfast-goers--was a masterclass in hospitality. They made everyone feel like a valued guest, not just another table to turn. Even during the busy late-morning rush, they remained attentive, friendly, and clearly passionate about providing an exceptional experience. The Food: Now let's talk about what really matters--the food was OUTSTANDING! I ordered the Greek skillet, and my fiancé had the 1/3 lb patty melt, and both dishes were absolute perfection. The Greek skillet arrived piping hot--and I mean seriously hot. The presentation was beautiful, and the flavors were incredible. Everything was cooked to perfection with generous portions that definitely give you your money's worth. My fiancé's patty melt was equally impressive--juicy, flavorful, and assembled with care. Here's what really blew my mind: we sat and enjoyed our meal for at least 40 minutes, savoring every bite and soaking in the atmosphere. When it was time to leave and I boxed up my leftovers, the food was STILL hot. That's a testament to the quality of their cooking and the temperature at which they serve their dishes. The Verdict: The City Diner isn't just a place to grab breakfast--it's an experience. The combination of spotless cleanliness, delightful décor, exceptional service from Jana and Q, and absolutely delicious food that stays hot makes this a standout establishment. Important Details: * They close at either 1:30 or 2:00 PM, so plan your visit accordingly and don't sleep in too late! * Despite the crowd, there was no long wait when we arrived * Perfect for families, couples, or solo diners * The daily specials board shows they're constantly creating new dishes This is a MUST-VISIT spot, and I'll absolutely be returning. Do yourself a favor and check out The City Diner--you won't regret it!

    Charles L D.

    I've been to The City Diner numerous times and the food is always prepared very well. I absolutely love their pancakes and the French toast is great as well. The service is always seamless, efficient, and quick - the staff has a great routine that works for them and the customers. The City Diner is family friendly and I've taken a couple of my friends there as well for a quick, in-and-out breakfast. I've also been there solo - it's that great!

    Menu
    Ashley K.

    I've been visiting this diner since they reopened under new ownership in 2023 (I think?). I love the small-town feel of this place! The staff are all friendly and helpful. They recently printed a new menu, but I think it has the same items on it. Just in a multiple page format instead of 1 large menu. The food is sometimes a bit greasy, but if you order a greasy dish, it shouldn't be a surprise! I've had breakfast, sandwiches, and entrees here, and they are all amazing! They accommodate special requests well! Their dessert case has always caught my eye, and I finally splurged and ordered a slice of cheesecake for Valentines Day! It did not disappoint! Definitely recommend! My only request would be that they get better coffee. It tends to be weak/ watery. But for a cheaper diner, I understand that you get what you get. So I order ice tea instead.

    The City Diner - exter2 Old Brooklyn, CLE, OH.  4/18/24
    Dennis C.

    Today I stopped at The City Diner in the Old Brooklyn area of Cleveland, haven't been here in a while. Decided on a turkey croissant sandwich with fries and coffee, the lunch was nicely prepared and the service was very pleasant and timely. Ambiance here is cozy, not too busy, dining area very clean and bright. Very satisfying lunch, soup, fries sandwich and coffee all very good. Will come back soon!! A-+

    Smoothie
    Erin D.

    we had brunch here before the zoo and loved it! all the servers were So kind. i ordered a strawberry smoothie, and let the waitress know im allergic to bananas. she made sure to tell the cooks to switch gloves so i wouldn't have any cross contamination! the scrambled eggs i got were perfect. that is such a rare accomplishment. my partner got the homemade corned beef hash and loved it. highly recommend!

    Hot Oatmeal with fresh fruit and cinnamon
    Janette L.

    Love this place so friendly food is good service is good the people that eats here are wonderful

    Menu 6/2023
    Lynette C.

    I waited for the novelty to wear down so I could try this place out. My friend and I decided to come here with her daughter. Her daughter got the kids chicken strip meal and my friend had them add an extra chicken strip. My friend and I split a old fashioned burger, I got house potatoes in lieu of fries. The fries on the kids meal were very crispy and looked good. The burger and potatoes were very good. The chicken strips got a thumbs up. The waitress was really friendly. I only gave 4 stars because the food took a minute to come out. Otherwise we had a very good experience. I would come back again when it's not busy. We got lucky and found a parking spot. Usually when I drive by it's always packed.

    the front of the restaurant
    Kathy M.

    I did an internet search for somewhere different and this popped up for the first time. Apparently this closed down for a little while and reopened under new management. We were greeted upon entering g the restaurant and was seated right away. There is a great selection for everyone on the menu. I ordered the Chicken Parmesan, no cheese along with a side salad. To my surprise the side salad was a nice size. It even had peppers in it so it wasn't just a standard salad. My food came with cheese unfortunately. The waitress admitted it was her mistake and left the spaghetti for me to eat while they remade the Chicken Parmesan. This way I wouldn't have to eat alone or cold food. The food took a little bit but since I was with great company talking the time flew by. The waitress at one point even came by to check on us and see if we needed anything because she was going to take a break. I thought was very nice since she could've not said anything then we could've left been left just sitting there, wondering where she was at. When the rest of my food came out it was worth the wait. It was so juicy and tender. A must have If you like chicken Parmesan. All of the staff was very friendly. A little downfall is when you pay attention to the music the speakers are bad. Again, I heard it only a little bit due to being involved in conversations. The food is very filling and delicious. You get your monies worth going here. I loved the upfront and honesty from the waitress. Very respectable.

    Burger with Swiss and mushroom melt. Took the pic after I ate the first half.

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    9 months ago

    Food is not commercial. Fresh potatoes, real eggs. Workers are wonderful. Always a pleasant meal

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    1 year ago

    This diner was great before and these new owners are just as amazing. We have yet to have a bad meal and the parking lot is always full.

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    Ask the Community - The City Diner

    Are they out of business? Closed last two times I went there.

    Yes, they are closed. They had some issue with their landlord and he put the place up for sale.

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    Characters Sports Bar and Grill

    Characters Sports Bar and Grill

    4.1(61 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $

    A small bar and restaurant. They also have a patio area for when the weather is nice. The lighting…read moreis dark inside. I was surprised by the selection on their menu. There are many things to choose from. I got the Character's roman burger. It was very good. Our server was pleasant, helpful, and attentive. I do plan on going back.

    (Last visited September 20, 2023.) Hanging out in Cleveland, OH on business and it's…read more#WingWednesday! So I did some searching on Yelp to see who's got the best in the area! A place called Characters Bar & Grill kept coming up. So here's how things went! Atmosphere/Appearance: This place is like... at the EDGE of Cleveland's city limits. Lol. Brookpark Road or something. Once I pulled up it just felt like a nice, neighborhood spot! It does have a private parking lot, big outdoor section (where we sat) and plenty of space on the inside. It's a traditional setup. TVs everywhere, random swag and decor all throughout, plenty of high-top tables for seating and a big bar rail. The energy was lively and the music was so random. Lol. If you've been, you know what I mean. Service: I can't remember the name of who took care of us, but she was funny, sweet and just made sure we had everything that we needed. Food: While here I was able to try a few wings, so let's begin. First up were the Mike's Sweet Island Heat. For the record, if you order 10 wings, you can split them into 2-5s for an extra $1.00 if you want separate flavors. Also, on the menu there are 3 "types" of sauces that they offer. The first kind are Buffalo based sauces, the 2nd are barbecue based sauces and the last is "other". Lol. Anyway, these looked amazing, were super saucy and were a decent, seemingly normal size. I got lots of good fruity notes and aromatics as I put the wing to my nose. After tasting the flavors carried through with a bold, fruity, rich flavor. There was good spice and it felt like a chipotle based spice. It was a unique flavor for sure that I hadn't tasted before. Next up was Lenny's Honey Sriracha Teriyaki which is a mouthful of a name, but the flavors showed up! It was a good teriyaki base with citrusy lemon flavors that actually made my lips pucker just a bit. These weren't spicy at all, but it was missing something, I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Next up was Chipotle which I was lead to believe would be the hottest sauce on the menu based on it's placement on the menu, but I was wrong. This one did have some GOOD heat to it. The ingredients were balanced very well that created very bold, rich, hearty, chipotle flavors. I really liked this one. Next up were the Mild Buffalo. These were super saucy, juicy and had a very straightforward traditional Buffalo flavor that had some excellent flavor. The bleu cheese to go with these was a creamy, mild sauce that would cool your mouth down if you can't handle the spice. Next up was the XXX Buffalo which is actually the hottest sauce on the menu. The sauce was a bit watery which is a dead giveaway that it wouldn't be as spicy as it claims to be. It was still delicious, but the spice took a while to kick in, but it's nothing to write home about. It was like a kicked up Buffalo. Value: It's a sports bar, so the food won't be terrible expensive. I was there on Wednesday and wings were $1.00 each. Not bad at all considering how expensive I've see some. They even had $5.00 steaks this night, but I can only imagine them being a Salisbury steak or something. Lol. In conclusion, I had a blast here. The food was great, the people are awesome, I felt welcomed and it just felt like a good place to hang out! I look forward to returning and trying some more flavors!

    Photos
    Characters Sports Bar and Grill - Interior

    Interior

    Characters Sports Bar and Grill - Boneless BBQ Wings

    Boneless BBQ Wings

    Characters Sports Bar and Grill - Garlic Parmesan Boneless Wings

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    Garlic Parmesan Boneless Wings

    Schnitz Ale Brewery - Cheesesteak

    Schnitz Ale Brewery

    4.0(124 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    What a find! We loved this brewery. We don't live in the area and visited as part of the Cleveland…read moreBrewery passport. It was such a cute brewery. The beer was great. We even purchased cans to take home. The staff were so friendly! They food was very good. They have a mug club and by the looks of it there are lots of members. If we lived closer I would definitely join. Looking around the room there appeared to be many regulars. If we venture that way again we will go in the summer to sit on the patio.

    We had dinner at Schnitz Ale Brewery for dinner on a Sunday evening. The restaurant has an open yet…read morecozy feel with a winter lodge atmosphere. We were seated right away but the dining room was very full and it took a little while for our server to make her way to our table. She was very friendly but obviously managing a lot of tables at once. By the time our server got to us we were ready to order. I tried the Shrimp and Grits, which were fantastic, flavorful and well spiced. The classic schnitzel dinner was also great, the breading was crisp and the meat was juicy. We also ordered the winter salad with salmon. Delicious! The schweinhaxe was what brought us here on a Sunday evening as my dad has been wanting to try it for a long time and there's limited availability. It is a slow smoked pork knuckle served with a side of apple bread pudding. My dad reported that the knuckle was tender and flavorful, smoked well and the bread pudding was the perfect compliment. All in all, all of our dinners were delicious and fresh. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu!

    Photos
    Schnitz Ale Brewery - Shrimp & Grits

    Shrimp & Grits

    Schnitz Ale Brewery - Mug club wall

    Mug club wall

    Schnitz Ale Brewery - Upstairs Venue

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    Upstairs Venue

    Rowley Inn - Bacon wrapped Tots with a spicy sauce that was delicious

    Rowley Inn

    4.5(590 reviews)
    2.7 miTremont
    $$

    This place is a one stop shop for many Cleveland classics both original and vegan versions…read more My pre-trip research brought this place to my attention. I wanted to try the pierogi and the Polish boy and the KRAUT and having an extensive beer menu doesn't hurt either. Friendly neighborhood watering hole literally on the corner and basically across the street from the a Christmas story house allowing you to eat within eye sight of the leg lamp. I wanted basically everything from the menu that came vegan (spoiler alert there are tons and tons of things) but gastric space comes at a premium on vacation so we settled on the fried cheese. I was very excited to see the Polish boy (and vegan option no less) I didn't have much of a choice. GF ordered the vegan pierogi platter with vegan kielbasa on a bed of kraut. Firstly the fried cheese was head and shoulders above any mozz sticks or anything of the sort that I have had in memory. The breading is seasoned and crispy and heaven on earth. The cheese is PIPING. Like you will burn yourself if you, like me, have no patience. The accompanying tomato sauce is also steaming. So good. The Polish boy was also in a league of its own. Love that they have a vegan version. What a combo. Probably one of Cleveland's most important community contributions. We ordered the latkes to go and they were orgasmic. What a special place.

    The food here is just incredible! The perogis, avocado toast, hashbrowns and everything else we got…read morewas just above average than your usual restaurant. I loved the little small- town feel it gave. Will be back next time I'm in Cleveland. Only taking a star off because of the parking, no (real) iced coffee, and another reason

    Photos
    Rowley Inn - Entrance

    Entrance

    Rowley Inn - Mac and cheese

    Mac and cheese

    Rowley Inn - Beer

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    Beer

    The City Diner - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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