I just returned from a whirlwind weekend in Cleveland, Ohio. Because of our hectic touring schedule my husband and I were only able to schedule one ‘real’ meal. Most of our food was grabbed during a quick touring or driving break. We went with the recommendation of Dave (Trailhound) and dined on Saturday night at the Great Lakes Brewing Company. Did Dave lead me astray with his pick? Read on to find out…

Arriving at the Great Lakes Brewing Company
After following some complicated mapquest directions we were able to find the restaurant on a cute little side street. The GLBC is located on Market Avenue. The night we visited the brewery itself was closed for a wedding reception, but the restaurant is in a separate building. We had called ahead before arriving which I highly recommend because this is quite a hot spot. Although Great Lakes Brewing Company doesn’t actually take reservations they will put your name on the list when you call in advance. We sat in the bar and watched a football game after arriving. The wait was less than ten minutes before we were escorted to our table.

Atmosphere and Service
There are several options for dining at the Great Lakes Brewing Company. The whole facility is smoke-free which my husband greatly appreciated. The overall feel of the facility is that of a pub from the Victorian era. We were able to peek into a group of rooms off the bar which had a homey décor with a green and wood color scheme. Our table was upstairs where there are two rooms for dining. We were seated at a nice little window table for two where we could look out at the changing autumn leaves. There was a display case full of nostalgic items from the Victorian era and all the tables were sturdy wood. The room was surprisingly quiet and relaxing although several large parties were seated there during our meal.

Our server was polite and friendly. She clearly wanted to make sure we enjoyed our meal. At the same time, we didn’t feel rushed or hovered over as we dined. After a long day of touring it was great to be able to relax and have a leisurely dining experience.

The Food
Ah, the food. We declined to order an appetizer, although choices such as the Artichoke Crock and Brewer’s Barley Pretzels were very tempting. We did, however, enjoy the warm, crusty bread and butter served before our meal. A whole loaf disappeared fairly quickly and our waitress was glad to bring us more.

The food at the Great Lakes Brewing Company is inspired by Polish and German influences. For my entrée I selected the Bratwurst and Pierogi Plate. I have grown up with some fabulous Polish food, and these were some of the best pierogis I’ve ever had. They were the perfect density and the cheese was not overpowering. Definitely a notch above the Mrs. T’s pierogis I eat for lunch two to three days a week! The sausage was Dortmunder beer bratwurst which was great as well and perfectly seasoned. My husband went with the daily Prime Rib special. The dish came with arugala and potatoes. I tried the steak and it was perfectly medium-rare and very tender. My husband raved about his meal although I could tell he was jealous of mine as well. There were other entrees looked great as well, such as the Pretzel Chicken that I almost ordered. Seafood choices included Walleye and Perch.

After such great entrees we couldn’t resist dessert. The regular dessert options are the signature Bread Pudding and Edmund Fitzgerald Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream. We picked the special dessert which was a Chocolate Custard with a cookie crust and whipped cream. It very rich and delicious, and we were both relieved we decided to share.

Our entrees cost about $15.00 each and the dessert was $7.00. The total bill including beer was a very reasonable $50.00 for two people. If you are visiting the GLBC for lunch there are several smaller plates available and sandwiches and pizzas are options for a lighter meal. Prices are a little bit lower for lunch as well.

The Beer
My husband and I aren’t huge drinkers but we like to experiment with different types of beer once in a while. The GLBC takes the challenge out of choosing a beer by suggesting one for each appetizer and entrée. We both selected the recommended beers for our meals. I had the Dortmunder Gold Lager which was a great pick for my rich meal. It was very light and had bit of a lemon taste. My husband enjoyed the Elliot Fitzgerald Porter with his meal. There are nine beers on tap at all times and our server was very willing to talk about the beers available. Wine and mixed drinks as well as non-alcoholic beverages are available as well. There is a gift store attached to the brewing company where you can purchase beer to take home.

There are five beers which are always available on draft and the others are rotated seasonally. A list of the five 'regulars' is available at http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/beerOurBeersRG.php. The website is a great place to explore in preparation for a visit to this restaurant. I knew what I was going to order to eat and drink before I set foot in the front door!

Overall…
My trip to the Great Lakes Brewing Company was probably the highlight of my Cleveland visit. The food was absolutely wonderful, the beer was great, service was good, and the prices were reasonable. I loved the uniqueness of the menu as well as the nostalgic feel of the restaurant. The Great Lakes Brewing Company definitely had a lot of character which restaurants often lack. I can’t recommend this restaurant highly enough if you are looking for a unique dining experience in the Cleveland area.

*While you're in the area...
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum

Recommended: Yes

Brewery Name: Great Lakes Brewing Companyd
Tours Offered: Yes