| By Laura Freeman
Although I had been to Kirtland City Tavern many times over the years with my parents, usually for Friday night fish fries, it still took a note from Deb Loughner, one of the owners, to get me out to the locally-owned restaurant for a review. I don’t know what I was waiting for.
I had ended up eating there so many times over the previous few weeks I had begun to feel practically like a regular. So when I got Deb’s note I couldn’t help but wonder if she had somehow spotted me and thought I was casing the joint.
 On one of my recent visits I went with my family and about 15 of my dad’s closest friends for his 70th birthday. My dad loves burgers and this year his birthday cooperated by falling on a Monday – half-price burger day at the Tavern.
The burgers, fresh-cut fries and plenty of beer on tap (Great Lakes) made for a merry crowd at my dad’s party. The servers took all the merriment in stride and managed to keep up pretty well with frequent demands for more burgers and fries (and beer) as my dad’s friends continued to arrive.
I was there again about a week later after cross-country skiing just around the corner at Chapin Forest. The weather had been perfect – big fluffy flakes of snow fell all around us as we navigated the trails. We were starving after just an hour or so of skiing.
My friend had the tuna melt, served on grilled Texas Toast with Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato, $8. I again ordered a burger – yes, I am my father’s daughter (not half-price that day, but at a half-pound still well worth the $7).
On a couple of other recent visits, my dining partners and I tried the 40-cent wings (could have been a little crispier – try the spicy/sweet Thai—yum), the Arboretum salad (a little disappointing, and, I thought, a little overpriced at $8.50, more with meat) and the soup of the day (chicken a la king – it was really good, and chunky, but we both sent our cup back to be nuked as it wasn’t hot enough). One dining partner gave me a big thumb’s up on the pot roast sandwich. She really enjoyed the tender and tasty meat between thick slices of fresh, crusty Italian bread.
Some usual and not so usual appetizers start out the menu. Usual: wings, quesadillas (KCTillas), chicken fingers and nachos, most under $8. Unusual: sautéed shrimp with a choice of eight sauces, $9.50; pierogies, $8; and homemade potato chips, $4.
Kirtland City Tavern has received kudos for best burger, best French fries (they cut their own daily) and best desserts (all homemade) and have placed in the top five in many other categories.
In addition to the desserts, fries and potato chips, homemade items dominate the rest of the menu as well. Chili and soup are made fresh daily. Meatloaf, pot roast and Anna potatoes – layers of thinly sliced redskins and onions baked until caramelized – are other signature items. You won’t find much that isn’t homemade, in fact.
Deb says she and her partners Maureen McNiece-Hutter, Michael Hutter and Tim Painter operate the restaurant on the premise that if they give their patrons “real, homemade, fresh food” they will return again and again. (As exemplified by my recent habits.)
“In the age of chain restaurants dominating the market it is a real struggle to stay viable,” she said.
They have hung the walls with interesting old photos of the Kirtland area. A long bar stretches the length of one wall and booths along the other, with tables scattered in the middle. Nothing fancy, but despite the informal atmosphere, it’s just as suitable for a casual business lunch as it is for a night out with friends or family.
Besides the Friday night fish fry (AYCE) and half-price burger Mondays, other daily food specials include the 40-cent wings on Tuesdays, Wrap It Up Wednesdays, ribs on Thursdays and Sauté Saturdays.
While there are many fried selections, I was happy to see that there are quite a few healthier options as well, including nine salads and a choice of two vegetable sides.
On one of my future visits I’m going to have to try and save room for dessert – bread pudding (of different flavors), Susan’s chocolate cake and a daily special tempt those who somehow didn’t eat enough of their entrée.
Located on a curve at 10015 Chillicothe Road in Kirtland, the Tavern serves food from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and until 11 Fridays and Saturdays.
Remember, the Tavern accepts only cash or check, no credit or debit cards. There is an ATM machine at the end of the bar so you won’t have to wash the dishes if all you have is plastic. Reach the Tavern at 440-256-8935.
Laura Freeman is editor of the Tri County Business Journal.
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