BREAKFAST: Jack Flaps

Jack Flaps is a new and totally hip breakfast place in Ohio City. Ohio City is a very cool part of Cleveland and I was very eager to try out a place with such a weird name.

While tiny, we waited less than ten minutes. There were seven people ahead of us. Not bad for a Sunday. This place has the vibe of a Brooklyn, NY restaurant and I totally love it.

I ordered the red velvet waffle -- which I expected would be sweet. But I thought it was perfectly balanced & decadent. Exactly what red velvet is. The coffee was delicious & my cup was never even half empty. The vegetable root hash was beyond delicious.

The entire menu is sweet, decadent, and not your average greasy dish. This is not your average breakfast spot and I would recommend anyone that doesn't like sweetness to stay away.
They serve the coffee in to go cups. Which I loved because I was able to get a cup for the road. Plus the coffee was really good. The service is great and really everything was amazing.

Oh, and from 1 pm till close the pancakes are only $5. Which is a pretty sweet deal.

Visit Jack Flaps:
website: on facebook
location: 3900 Lorain Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44113

hours: everyday, 7-3

COFFEE: Bent Tree

Okay, so I'm stepping outside of Akron to bring you the best coffee in Northeast Ohio. Okay, maybe that's slightly an overstatement because there's a LOT of coffee I haven't tried in Cleveland. But between Akron, Kent, and surrounding areas -- this is it.

Bent Tree locally roasts their own beans. Which means if you enter their establishment, you will be overwhelmed with the best smell in the entire world: fresh roasted coffee beans. It's heaven. The place isn't meant for hanging out. Though their is a window bar seat if you feel inclined.

Bent Tree, however, roasts over sixteen different blends at any time. All of which are of the highest quality. This is the only place I will buy bags of coffee and much to my surprise, the prices are excellent for fresh and local beans. Each roast has an information card in front of them for extra information. I absolutely love this because they are thorough.

The workers are passionate about coffee, hilarious, and helpful. I rarely pick out my own coffee because they are so excellent at guessing what I'll like and they are NEVER wrong. They also sell individual cups if you want to taste test in store. They do pour overs -- a hand pour method and maybe one or two other methods. Please do NOT pass this up. There's nothing like a pour over. Seriously. Remember that. "There's nothing like a pour over!" It's the absolute best way to brew coffee to bring out all the rich flavors and undertones.

In addition to this, Bent Tree sells cold brew single serves and coffee brewing systems. Cold brew is a method of brewing iced coffee that preserves the flavors without making it bitter with the ice. It's delicious. Bent Tree sells pour overs, chemex's and other various coffee nerd things. This is wonderful because they sell all of their products more or less at cost. You won't find better prices online or elsewhere.

The moral of the story? Bent Tree is the best coffee of all time and you need to experience a pour over at LEAST once in your life. Starbuck's does NOT count. In fact, a pour over at Starbuck's is the complete opposite of good.

Visit Bent Tree:
website: benttreecoffee.com
hours: Monday-Friday
7am -- 5 pm
location: 313 N. Water Street

BREAKFAST: Flury's

Flury's looks like an old school made-for-television diner. The decor is retro and it's REALLY tiny. It's overly hot in the summer and ice cold in the winter. The coffee cups are also tiny and require non-stop refills. But all of this is part of the undeniable charm.

Flurry's is tucked away in a residential part of Cuyahoga Falls. They only accept cash and are closed on Sunday's. But if you are lucky enough to stumble upon this place with cash in your wallet, you better stop here for year round pumpkin pancakes. Seriously. YEAR ROUND PUMPKIN and it's really delicious. Their french toast is pretty simple, but it's out of this world too.

For such a itty bitty dive, the food here is top notch. It blends the gap between Fred's and Blue Door.

Visit Flury's:
website: flurryscafe.com
hours: Monday-Saturday
7:00 am - 3:00 pm
address: 1300 Sacket Ave
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 4422

COFFEE: Caffe Italiano

This is a brand new coffee shop that opened up on the Tallmadge Circle. It's a strange place for a modern coffee shop, but my parents live in Tallmadge so I'm very pleased to have an option other than Dunkin Donuts. I was a little skeptical that it would ever open because the sign was up for about ten months.

Anyways, the shop is tiny, but there is a window bar for those that want to hang out -- which I always do. The menu was handcrafted by a former Starbuck's barista, Taylor who is now the manager of the establishment. He spent a lot of time making this a coffee shop that not only survives, but one that thrives in a non-typical location.

They use Bent Tree Roaster's beans. Which are locally roasted in Kent. This is some of the best coffee around, so there's no surprise that the coffee here is top notch.

Plus they serve gelato! Owner Lynette Ward said, "There's no gelato places around, and we thought that would be a great addition to Tallmadge to have something that really nobody did,"

Photo c/o Caffe Italiano's facebook

Visit:
website: Facebook
phone number: (330) 351-0193
address: 14 Tallmadge Circle, Tallmadge, Ohio 44278
hours: 6:00 am - 9:00 pm

MEXICAN: Nuevo

Nuevo is a brand new Mexican joint in downtown Akron. It's centrally located near the main stretch of the city and the University. It has the vibe of an upscale restaurant and the prices to match. This is not your typical Mexican restaurant. It feels more like a knock-off of the high end places in Ohio City. If this place seems intriguing to you, do yourself a favor and drive to Momocho's. You won't regret that.

When my friend and I walked in the door the hostess was not very kind to us because we didn't have a reservation. Her exact words (with a grimace), "So, uh, we could give you a table, but there's a group of people who thought ahead and reserved a table for 6:15 so if I give you this seat, you must be finished by then," It was almost 5:00 p.m. This is not a big deal of course, but the place was empty. There were about six tables in the main sitting area without any guests. I guess since they're trying to be high end and classy they expect people to make reservations the day before.

They also do NOT give chips and salsa. This is kind of a big deal for a Mexican restaurant. I know that it's Mod Mexican. Which is slightly different. I ordered a gourmet guacamole -- almond, goat cheese, and cinnamon, and it was incredible, but for $6, I would expect enough to finish the basket of chips. Alas I was wrong!

The food came out very quickly, was quite pretty, and okay tasting. I ordered the vegetable burrito. Which had smoked tofu & cheese. On the side was rice, salsa, and black beans. The rice was REALLY gross. It was rock hard and sticky. The tofu, however, was made to perfection and with the salsa + black beans added the burrito was pretty good. For $9, I definitely expected a more decadent tasting dish, but it wasn't bad.

Essentially, I like the idea of this place and I think the food is pretty okay, but I definitely don't think it lives up to the anticipation.

Visit Nuevo: website: nuevomodmex.com
address: 54 EAST MILL ST.
AKRON, OH 44308
Hours: M-T -- 10-10
Thursday-Saturday -- 11-11
Closed Sundays

BREAKFAST: Fred's Diner

Oh Fred's. Fred's is the seedy breakfast joint that everyone secretly loves, but nobody talks about. It's the place that looks like a run down trailer. The place that when you walk in, the air is thick with old grease and cigarette staleness -- even if smoking was never permitted inside. It's the breakfast place straight out of television shows.

With that said, this dive of a spot is PERFECT. It's the greasy and ridiculously cheap breakfast of your hungover dreams. This is the kind of place that you'll wait awhile for the day after a drinking holiday. It's the kind of place worth waiting for because the portions are huge and the bills are cheap.

There's a lot of debate over this place. See the Yelp reviews, but the general consensus is the same: weird decor, cheap food, yes, please.

Visit Fred's
website: fredsdiner.net
Phone number: 330-535-FRED
Hours: 6 am-3pm
Address: 930 home ave
Akron, Ohio

Photo c/o Fred's website

ICE CREAM: Mary Coyle

Mary Coyle is an Akron staple. If you've ever spent time in Highland Square, you're probably familiar with the owner. He runs around outside yelling at people with a huge floppy chef hat on. He's quite hilarious.

Mary Coyle is the best local ice cream in Akron. The shop looks like an old school ice cream parlor. The sundaes come in adorable metal cups and everything is handmade. They also have delicious chocolates. If you like peanut butter, do yourself a favor and get the peanut butter syrup on your sundae.

Mary Coyle also has food, but I can't vouch for its quality as I've only gone for the ice cream. This place has all of the old school charm and the amazing ice cream to back it up.

Visit Mary Coyle:
Address: 780 W Market St, Akron, OH 44303
Phone number: (330) 253-1511
Hours: 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Photo found on a Google Search

LATE NIGHT: Luigi's

You didn't think I was going to forget the Akron staple Luigi's now did you? Luigi's is infamous for a couple reasons:
1) their salads
2) their late hours
3) their bangin' pizza's
4) how annoying it is that they don't take debit cards in 2014.

Let's go through these. How can a salad be special? Well, Luigi's salad is more like a heaping bowl of fresh mozzarella cheese with a wee bit of lettuce underneath. There are also black olives, radishes, and a wonderful Italian dressing, but who cares when there's a HEAPING mound of cheese? This salad is legendary for those that want to indulge in cheesy goodness. A Luigi's rite of passage.

Luigi's is open until 2:00 A.M. This is wonderful because at these hours if you want food your options are cooking (who is cooing at one am? Not many.) or fast food. Fast food is never a good idea and definitely not the proper way to cure a drunken night. Delicious Italian food though? That will surely soak up all those beers and put a smile on your face.

Pizza. I love pizza. Pizza is my go to food. If you can't find me, I'm probably somewhere with a pizza. Luigi's pizza is very traditional, but it's very good. There's a wide variety of toppings and the pizza's are big enough for multiple people. It is expensive (to me, anyways) so I make sure to ALWAYS share with my friends. They also have incredible traditional italian dishes like pastas and meatballs. They also have amazing unlimited fresh bread. I love any place that gives me fresh/free food to eat before I eat.

This is a cash only place. This is ANNOYING for us modern day dwellers. But fear not, they do have a machine in the back that gives you a slip that the cashier gives you cash for. Come prepared or come ready to be inconvenienced. This isn't a big deal because I don't think it charges, but it surely is annoying.

This place is very unique and has the vibe of a classic dive (it is), but it's also really fun and good. They don't mind your annoying conversations and loudness if only because they're too busy ignoring you, but still. Not the best service, but definitely the best of its kind.

They are also open for lunch/dinner and occasionally you will have to wait in a line that wraps around the building for a table and that's pretty freakin' awesome to see.

Visit Luigi's: Website: lugisrestaurant.com
Address: 105 N Main St, Akron, OH 44308
Phone Number: (330) 253-2999
Hours: 11am-2am

BURGERS: The Rail

There are more than a few places in Akron to get a good burger. If you're a vegetarian, like me, then the Rail is probably not your number one choice. Their veggie burgers are pre-frozen patties which to me is very annoying. I, however, appreciate their honesty when I asked. They used to serve homemade but decided that they were too crumbly and messy. Which is basically the signature of a tasty veggie burger. But what do you expect from a meat based establishment?

However, for you meat eaters this place is fabulous. There are plenty of options and they're all very creative. The Rail wins my vote of approval because they have delicious sweet potato fries, amazing pickles, delicious milkshakes and everything is local. Plus they have ridiculously fabulous salads. Their staff is generally really attentive and fun as well.

It has the vibe of corporate burgers, but yet the taste of local and handcrafted. It's the good middle ground for people with different interests in restaurants.

Oh, and they give 10% off for having a student id and they have a location in Canton & Cleveland area.

**Picture from the Rail's website**

Visit the Rail:
Website: railburger.com
Address:3265 W. Market Street
Fairlawn, OH 44333
Phone number: 330-864-RAIL (7245)
Hours:
Sunday—Thursday: 11am-10pm
Friday & Saturday: 11am-11pm

LUNCH: Stew Pot Kitchen

The Stew Pot Kitchen is a soup lovers dream. It's like a homemade delicious fairly priced better version of Panera Bread. It's ran by a former stay-at-home Dad that wasn't fully certain what to do after his youngest child was in school, "Back then the job market was bleak. To get a good job (or any job) I realized I'd have to compete against people that had nine years more experience than me, and they'd probably have a lot more training. But I loved to cook." Scott Malensek, owner.

The Stew Pot is unique for a couple reasons. One, they have a ridiculous amount of delicious hand crafted soups. They cater to the vegetarian very well. Even their potato soup is vegetarian which is very rare. They have unique soup flavors as well as your tradition broccoli cheddar and chicken noodle. I mean, they even crafted a beer cheese soup and a pepperoni pizza soup. Seriously, this is real life. And it's AMAZING. Second, the sandwiches! They have huge panini sandwiches -- grilled cheese, pepperoni pizza, ham and cheese, and even hot dogs. Lastly, their prices. This place is really cheap. The portions are really generous and the prices are great. But even better when you get a combo.

Stew Pot is very quaint, delicious, and affordable. Plus did I mention they have a hot sauce wall? Because they do. It's a dream come true.

Visit the Stew Pot:
Website: Stewpotkicthen.com
Address:
23 South Main Street
Akron, Ohio 44308
Phone number: 330-376-STEW
Hours: M-F 11:30-5:30, closed weekends

LATE NIGHT: Mr. Zubs Deli

Zubs is connected to the infamous Highland Square bar, The Matinee. Zubs isn't necessarily somewhere you would go for dinner, but definitely okay for lunch, but mostly it exists for late late nights. It's open until 3:00 a.m. and you can order food from the bar or drinks from the food counter.

Zubs has a lot of charm. It lies between the neon yellow decor, the greasy creations, and the pop culture references in the title of every menu item. Head chef Micah Townsend thinks the appeal is simple, "It's because we’re the only one there is."

The sandwiches at Zubs are original creations and mostly under $6. Ever wanted a sandwich with mac and cheese and bacon? The Hightower has you covered. Ever dreamed about grilled tofu, sprouts, veggies, and cream cheese? The Rosemary is for you. Every dream about Krispy Kreme donuts as your bread? Zubs has that too! There are over twenty sandwiches and not one of them is something you'd find at a Panera or some other chain.

The tater tots, hummus, and soups are also delicious. Their hummus rivals that of most restaurants and there is no such thing as a trip to Zubs without tater tots.

Zubs isn't somewhere you'd take someone on a date, but definitely somewhere to go if you want a delicious and cheap lesson in self-hate.

Visit Zubs:
Website:: mrzubs.com
Address:
812 W Market
Akron, Ohio 44303
Phone number: (330) 252-0272
Hours: 11 am - 3 am

BREAKFAST: Sweet Pea

Oh, Sweet Pea.

Let's get started: Sweet Pea is one of those awkward places that when you walk in no one greets you. No one tells you to seat yourself. No one even looks at you. It's like you're simply supposed to know where you should go. And no matter how long you stand there, no one will tell you what to do. It's a simple thing, but a really annoying one.

The actual service is okay. It's decent at best. Some people there are WAY better than others. But overall, the workers are negligent. Sometimes you have to ask for more coffee, go up to the counter to get jelly, and sometimes half of your meal never comes out.

This is horrible and annoying, so why am I writing about them?

WELL, their FOOD is incredible. Sweet Pea is like Blue Door with natural and vegetarian options. It's better than a chain or a dive spot. The menu is huge and everything can be made for the vegan/vegetarian. I appreciate this. The portions are huge. Everything is fairly prices and the wait for the food is relatively small.

The lunch here is also incredible. There's something here for everyone. I mean that. So, yeah, the service is terrible, the organization of this place is nonexistent, but damn is the food incredible.

Visit Sweet Pea:
Website: sweetpea.com
Address: 117 Merz Blvd. Suite 116
Fairlawn, OH 44333
Hours: M-S 7:00 am - 2:30 pm

DINNER: Pub Bricco

Pub Bricco is the mecca of gourmet burgers. It's got the pub vibe and the classiness of its parent restaurant, Bricco.

First we'll focus on the burgers. The way Pub Bricco works is you select a meat option: chicken, turkey burger, regular burger, veggie burger, crab-cake, sliders, or salmon. Then you select a pre-made combination -- like apple pie filling and gouda cheese (seriously, to die for) or bacon, eggs, and cheese. You are also able to custom make, add or remove. Which is something I as a picky eater really appreciates. I typically get avocado, pepper jack cheese, and tomato. Classic combination.

The veggie burger is house made and AMAZING. I know, I know, I've talked a lot about veggie burgers, but being a vegetarian in Akron isn't always easy. I, however, think that Pub Bricco wins the best veggie burger. But beware: it's very, very messy. Which is a surefire way to tell if a veggie burger is made in the restaurant or is a frozen patty. Homemade burgers crumble as there is no binding agent to hold it together.

Pub Bricco also has delicious french bread pizzas, salads and appetizers. Their goat cheese + spicy marinara with pita is 50% of the reason I eat here. It's the perfect blend of spiciness and savory cheese. It makes a nice topping on your veggie burger as well. They serve this at Bricco too!

One of my biggest complaints about this place is that the sandwiches do not come with anything. For over $10, I believe french fries or a salad should come complimentary. While this isn't the case, they do have delicious sweet potato fries that they serve with syrup. Yup. Syrup and fries. Also their service isn't the best, but otherwise, delicious.

Visit Pub Bricco:
Website: Pubbricco.com
Address:
841 Merriman Road
Akron, Ohio 44313
Phone: (330) 869-0035
Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 11:00am - Midnight
Friday and Saturday: 11:00am - 1:00am
Sunday: Noon - 11:00pm

DELI: Diamond Deli

As a vegetarian, when I hear the word "deli", I run. This, however, isn't the case with Diamond Deli. They make a killer grilled cheese. I mean, five cheeses and on fresh rye bread? Yes, please. The soups are also out of this world. Ever wondered what mac and cheese soup would taste like? Me either, but they made it and it was beautiful.

The owner and his family/friends are the ones that are usually working and there's something different about a family ran operation. When I say different, I mean that they actually care about the food and the quality in which you receive. Sure, it's just sandwiches and soups, but they go the extra mile to make sure that it's top notch and that the customers are happy.

Diamond Deli is my go to dinner spot in the summer and my ultimate winter lunch spot. While I can't vouch for all their huge and extra meat filled sandwiches, the faces my friends make when they eat here for the first time is that of pure ecstasy. So, that counts, right?

This is the kind of place that thanks you for coming in and they truly mean it.

Visit Diamond Deli:
Website: Diamonddeli.us
Address:
378 S. Main St. Akron, OH
Phone number: 330.762.5877
Monday thru Friday 8-8
Saturday 8-7

TREATS: Sugar Luv

SugarLuv is a treat shop in Cuyahoga Falls. It's a tiny hidden gem of a place that specializes in truffles and other chocolate related delights. Truffles are fun treats because they're tiny and under a dollar. They also melt in your mouth which is fun. SugarLuv's flavors are all over the board from cookie dough, peanut butter, espresso, and IPA hops -- yes, a chocolatey booze flavored snack.

The staff is (mostly) friendly, kind, and willing to help you select the best treats. They're patient and they'll give you a free salted caramel candy if it's your first time in the store.

In the past few months, they've experimented with selling other treats such as cookies, gooeybars, cupcakes, and chocolate dipped pretzels. They also sell a small collection of craft beers in bombers. Truffles and beer sound like a pretty good time to me.

And for the price, it's worth trying out.

Visit SugarLuv:
Website: sugar-luv.com
Address:
410 Chestnut Blvd
Cuyahoga Falls, 44221
Phone number: 330-474-9869
Hours:
Sunday & Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Friday: 12:00 - 7:00
Saturday: 12:00 - 5:00

ETHNIC: Cilantro

While it's impossible to find sushi in Akron after 2:00 P.M. it's not impossible to find good sushi before and after. Most sushi places close from 2-5 to prepare for dinner -- I get it, but it's the worst when you're craving sushi at 2:01.

Cilantro is beautiful inside. It truly looks like a highend eatery, but don't let their fancy decor scare you off. The prices are completely reasonable and considering the quality of their food, I don't mind.

I mostly go to Cilantro for their sushi, edamame, and miso soup, but they also have a huge selection of traditional thai dishes. All dishes have customizable spiciness if spice isn't your thing. It's vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free friendly.

For what it's worth, Cilantro's sushi trumps House of Hunan (which is right around the corner) by a long shot.

Visit Cilantro:
Website: Cilantrothai.com
Address:
326 South Main Street
Akron, Ohio 44308
Phone number: (330) 434-2876
Hours:
Mon - Thu: 11:00 am - 9:30 pm
Fri: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Sat: 4:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Sun: 4:30 pm - 9:30 pm

DRIVE-IN: Swenson's

Swenson's is your classic old fashioned drive-in restaurant. It's a NEO staple and for good reason. When most people think Akron, they think: galley boy. The galley boy being their award winning sandwich and claim to fame. It's a double cheeseburger with two special sauces. The recipe is a secret, but it's been said that the burgers are made with brown sugar -- hence the sweet and delicious taste.

Swenson's has all the typical drive-in foods: burgers, chicken nuggets, milkshakes, fries, fish -- anything fried. But don't let that stop you from eating here. It might be typical ideas of food, but the food is far superior. For instance, the potato teezers (spicy cheese + potatoes breaded and fried) are out of this world. Their seasonal pumpkin milkshake is hands down the only pumpkin treat that actually tastes like pumpkin. Actually, the shakes at Swenson's are noteworthy all on their own. as they are ridiculously delicious.

In keeping up with my tradition of discussing vegetarian options, Swenson's has a "Salad Boy", my personal favorite. That is a handmade veggie burger with lots of vegetables on top, special sauces, and a wheat bun. It's huge and seriously good. I can only eat about half of it. There's also the "Veggie Special" which is a whole bunch of veggies on a bun. It's also delicious. Plus they have salads and grilled cheeses. My point? We vegetarians are not left out here!

Besides the seriously delicious eats, there's something very charming about a drive-in and Swenson's is definitely doing it right. They've been featured on Food Network shows. Which is always nice to have a little Akron claim to fame. There are several Swenson's locations throughout the area and this past summer they opened up a food truck and if that's not enough, watch the below video where four kids drive ten hours to eat a Galley Boy. The look on their face after their first bite says it all, "eat at Swenson's".

Visit Swenson's:
Website: Swensonsdriveins.com
Address: There are TONS of locations. Pick whichever one is closest to you.
Hours:
Sunday through Thursday 11 am - 11 PM
Friday through Saturday 11 am - 1:30 am

MEXICAN: Tito's

Either it's really hard to find good Mexican or I'm picky. I'd say it's 50/50. If there's a restaurant even remotely resembling Mexican, I'm there. Most Mexican restaurants in the area are really dirty, a little too quick in bringing out the food, and mediocre in quality. Luckily for all of us, Tito's exists. Tito's is tucked away in Fairlawn right by the mall and it's a true gem.

It's really nice and clean inside. The food comes out in the appropriate amount of time. The staff is wonderful. And the enchilada's are the best, ever. No, really. They're spicy with just the right amount of cinnamon in the sauce. This is a dream flavor combination. I've never tried anything here that I didn't like.

Even better? This place is ridiculously cheap and the owner is always around making sure that the service and quality are up to his standards.

Tito's recently started serving a Saturday and Sunday breakfast. I haven't been yet, but I hear it's almost better than their dinners. Might have to do another post on that...

Visit Tito's:
Website: titosmexicangrille.com
Address:
25 Ghent Road
Fairlawn, OH 44333
Phone Number: 330-835-9801
Hours:
Mondays thru Thursdays 11:00am to 10:00pm
Fridays and Saturdays 11:00am to 10:30pm
Sundays 11:00am to 9:00pm

(Photo from Tito's website)

COFEE: Angel Falls

I am a self-proclaimed coffee snob and I believe that the world is a better place because coffee exists. I'm not a huge fan of sugary coffee beverages that don't taste like coffee. Ahem, Starbucks. Which is why I'm thankful that coffee shops like Angel Falls exist.

Angel Falls is in the heart of Highland Square aka the most hip place in Akron. Angel Falls roasts all of their own coffee in downtown Akron. Which means it's extra local, extra fresh, and extra delicious. Like I mentioned above, I'm not a huge fan of sugary lattes, but the "cafe con leche" an Angel Falls original is the best drink on the menu. The "cafe con leche" is made from all fresh ingredients -- no syrups and it tastes like coffee (duh) + warm cinnamon milk. In addition to coffee, Angel Falls has loose leaf tea. I'm not a huge tea drinker, but if I drink tea, it must be loose leaf. There is an entire wall to choose from, but my personal favorite is the lemon grass chai.

Photo c/o Angel Falls general manager Zak Waryas

This place has one of the best coffee shop environments, it's cozy, the lighting is perfect, the music isn't cliche or loud. The baristas are hilarious and the internet is free. As general manager, Zak Waryas puts it, "If you are in Akron, Angel Falls Coffee Company is the place to go for fresh artisan roasted coffee. It is the place for the local community to hang out. It is the place for delectable desserts. It is the place for local artists. The hard work and dedication that we put into the shop makes Angel Falls an Akron staple. A must visit."

Visit Angel Falls:
Website: angel falls on Facebook
Address:
792 W. Market St., Akron, Ohio 44303
Phone number: (330) 376-5282
Hours:
Monday - Thursday, Sunday 7 - 10
Friday & Saturday 7 - 12

ITALIAN: Mr G's

I am including this semi-embarassing photo to give you an idea how large the pizza's are

I'm very picky when it comes to pizza. I want my pizza to be thin and crispy like New York street slices. I also want it to be savory, slightly sweet, and not out of a cardboard box. As a vegetarian, pizza can be pretty boring -- cheese on cheese? Boring. So, I tend to look for places with lots of options.

For starters, their pizza comes in three categories: New York-Style, traditional, and gourmet. Naturally, I go straight for the NYC style pizza. The pizza comes in three sizes, medium, large, and x-large. The traditional pizzas are pretty traditional, so no need to explain those. But the gourmet? This is game changing pizza. The mac and cheese pizza is the most delicious and artery clogging creation in the world. What I really love about their pizza section is that you can make your own or it's really easy to pick one of their pre-made pizzas because they cater more to the veggie lovin' pizza eater than the triple meat eater. All pizza's also come with salads and bread sticks.

Clearly, Mr. G's is all about the pizza, but they also have incredible authentic pasta dishes, calzones ("they're like pizza's that are harder to eat"), chicken wings, subs, soups, and appetizers. The menu here is HUGE, but the prices are affordable.

The lunch specials are also ridiculously cheap and 100% worthwhile if you aren't ready to commit to an x-large mac and cheese pizza just yet.

After reading this review on The Patch, I learned that Mr. G's is BYOB. Now if that doesn't get you there, I don't know what will.

Visit Mr. G's:
Website: mrgspizzaandwings.com
Address: 2955 West Market Street
Fairlawn, OH 44333
Phone number: 330-836-1111
Hours:
Monday & Tuesday: 4 pm to 10 pm
Wednesday & Thursday: 11:30 am to 10 pm
Friday & Saturday: 11:30 am to 11:00 pm
Sunday: 12 pm to 10 pm

LUNCH/DINNER/BEER: The Lockview

The Lockview is located in the center of downtown Akron. It once was a dive bar/music venue and the owner, Danny Basone, renovated the place to be a successful restaurant. It also has one of the biggest beer selections in Akron and it's a cheese lovers dream. Why you ask? It's basically all gourmet grilled cheeses. Basone often jokes that he, "invented the grilled cheese!"

How could a grilled cheese be gourmet? Well, for starters, there are thirteen different grilled cheeses. My personal favorite is the apples, bacon (minus bacon for me), and cheddar cheese. Closely followed by the mashed potato, bourbon gravy, and cheddar cheese sandwich (comes with American, but I don't believe in American cheese). There's a grilled cheese for everyone and if you're boring, there's a basic just cheese sandwich.

If you're not a cheese fan, don't worry, the Lockview has multiple handmade soups, salads, burgers, pasta, and chicken sandwiches. The veggie burger is made from scratch and if you're a vegetarian, you know how hard it is to find a non-frozen veggie burger.

On Monday afternoons, the Lockview offers an amazing special called, "MONDAY'S SUCK" and all dishes are 50% off. It's an incredible deal because most of the dishes are already cheap.

During the summer the Lockview opens their rooftop patio so guests can soak up the sun, listen to live music, and get a wonderful view of downtown Akron while consuming lots of cheese.

If beer and appetizers are your thing, Lockview has a huge selection of craft beers, top shelf liquors, and delicious appetizers ranging from hummus, deep fried pepperoni, and sweet potato fries. There's something for everyone and if you're lucky, you might be there during their random "happy hours". Where all appetizers are half off.

Visit the Lockview:
Website: lockview.com
Address:
207 South Main Street
Downtown Akron, 44308
Phone number: 330-252-5128
Hours:
MON-THURS: 11am - 11pm
FRIDAY: 11am – Midnight
SATURDAY: Noon – Midnight
SUNDAY: FOUR – TEN
Bar is open until two a.m.

BREAKFAST: The Blue Door

The Blue Door is located in Cuyahoga Falls and it's easily the best breakfast place in town and don't take that lightly because breakfast is kind of my thing.

What makes it so special? Well, everything. For starters, every ingredient is locally grown. Any item that is imported is local to that region. There is no corn syrup in the restaurant -- not even in the ketchup. Everything in the restaurant is made in the restaurant -- nothing is boxed or deep fried. The actual menu is limited, but each day the restaurant rolls out a new menu of specials. The specials range from dishes full of duck to decadent quiches to Jameson French toast (yes, the whiskey). The dishes are original, decadent, delicious, and nicely portioned.

In addition to the delicious breakfasts, the Blue Door also offers lunch. Their lunches are as well crafted as their breakfasts. The main focus isn't on lunch, but every day they do offer at least three different lunch items.

They also has one of the best bakeries in town. The artisan pastries, pies, and savory scones are on a rotating schedule, but their chocolate croissant is the main attraction. Seriously. I have dreams about this pastry. That's how good it is.

Each day their owner posts a detailed specials menu on their Facebook page, ran by owner Michael Bruno. Bruno says, "We take each and every comment that you have very seriously. Honestly, to own a restaurant, you have to have eyes in the back of your head." The Facebook also acts as a way for the cafe to stay in touch with customers and get consistent feedback about the food, menu, decor, and anything else.

One thing that makes or breaks a breakfast place for me is the coffee because what is breakfast without a good cup of coffee? The answer is nothing. Blue Door clearly understood this because they partnered up with Angel Falls Coffee and crafted their own roast. And yes, if you're wondering, Angel Falls is the best coffee in Akron.

Blue Door is vegetarian friendly, healthier than most breakfasts, and well priced. The atmosphere is cozy and the staff is friendly.

There's absolutely nothing about the Blue Door that I don't love. Still don't believe me? Read the many reviews on Yelp.

Visit the Blue Door:
Website: bluedoorcafebakery.com
Address:
1970 State Rd
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223
Phone number: (330) 926-9774
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.