No one’s checking out novels anymore inside the 1800s-era colonial that once housed the Olmsted Falls Library. These days, it’s the reservation book that’s getting all the action — ever since Gunselman’s Steakhouse & Bar opened in July 2024 in the historic downtown building.
The owners, a group of four high school friends, considered calling their newest endeavor The Library, but they decided to stick with a name that has a history of its own. Gunselman’s Tavern has been a Fairview Park mainstay since 1936, and Gunselman’s To>Go opened in Rocky River in 2023. Though the newest addition to the Gunselman’s family of restaurants is considerably more upscale than its predecessors, the owners liked the idea of honoring the beloved brand they’ve worked so hard to build.
“We’ve had so much success with Gunselman’s, and it’s always evolving,” says co-owner David Grace. “We wanted to give the new place some instant credibility by using our name in it.”
It seems to have worked. Like its humbler Fairview Park forerunner, the steakhouse is slammed nearly every night of the week, especially on weekends. Not as fancy and highfalutin as most steakhouses, the point is accessible food in a bustling community atmosphere.
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The renovated space is unrecognizable from its library days in both appearance and noise level, buzzing with conversation, laughter and the clinking sounds of drinks being served. The decor is intentionally minimalist, aside from an accent wall made of 1800s barn doors and an ornate tin ceiling — the same one that once graced chef Michael Symon’s now-defunct Lolita.
“We were able to renovate the ceiling so that it looks brand new, which adds a lot to the dining area,” Grace says. “But in general, we believe less is more, and we didn’t want to take away from the beautiful views.”
He’s referring to the serene David Fortier Park, a five-acre green space that butts up against the back of the building, and to the historic Charles A. Harding Memorial Covered Bridge across the street, a local landmark where many a photo shoot takes place. Inside the steakhouse, picture windows on each wall frame views of the peaceful surroundings, while front and back patios provide more seating in warm weather.
Behind the scenes, chef Mario Izzo has created a traditional steakhouse menu featuring simple, straightforward fare that’s set apart by flawless execution and an ambiance that’s warmer and more inviting than your average steakhouse.
Entrees range in price from $20 for thin-sliced blackened grouper filets to $100 for a 32-ounce Angus Beef bone-in tomahawk rib-eye of epic proportions. More down-to-earth choices include a 12-ounce strip steak ($38), twin 8-ounce lamb chops ($43) and shrimp and grits with grilled scallops ($30). There are a few homages to the original Gunselman’s, too, like Irish Kevin’s Paprikash ($19), a massive, steaming bowl of homemade spaetzle with tender, fall-apart chicken thighs in a thick, paprika-spiced veggie sauce. (It’s the least expensive entree on the menu but also the one most likely to send you home with two meals worth of leftovers.)
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Most of the entrees come with two sides. Delicious as they are, though, don’t let them keep you from ordering an appetizer — especially the buttery lobster bisque ($14), with thick chunks of Maine claw and knuckle meat that bring an authentic New England taste to rival any you’ll find on the coast. The breaded calamari with banana peppers ($15) is a delight, too. Light, crispy and snackable, it’s the perfect choice to tide over the whole table while you wait on the main event.
Speaking of waiting for the main event, though, this isn’t just a steakhouse. The restaurant’s full name is Gunselman’s Steakhouse & Bar — and while there is a bar within the steakhouse itself, there’s also a full, separate pub downstairs. Because of its proximity to the steakhouse (just a short staircase away), it’s a perfect complement to your dinner reservation.
“We originally thought that some people might come in and have a burger instead of a steak,” says co-owner Joe McDonough, “but now we’re seeing people on both ends, either coming in for a drink while they’re waiting for their table upstairs or coming down for a nightcap afterward.”
The pub’s smaller, more laid-back menu is delightfully Irish, closer to those of the Fairview Park and Rocky River locations — a bowl of heart mulligan stew ($17), egg rolls filled with corned beef and sauerkraut ($13) and burgers made with a custom blend of brisket, chuck and short rib. Especially of note is the delicious Dubliner ($13), topped with Irish white cheddar cheese, crunchy bacon and signature spicy BBQ sauce.
“We almost like to think of it as the mullet of fine dining,” Grace jokes. “You know, business in the front, party downstairs.”
The buzzy din and full tables in both the steakhouse and pub make clear that the newest iteration of Gunselman’s has already firmly established itself as a place for festivities and joy — so much so that it’s hard to believe that this same building once housed the quietest of communities. Less than a year into service, it has hosted everything from rehearsal dinners and anniversary parties to celebration-of-life events after burials at nearby Holy Cross Cemetery.
But just as important are the everyday diners: couples on dates, friends catching up and families enjoying a meal together. It’s a real slice-of-life kind of spot, and Grace and McDonough say it all represents exactly what they hoped for when they decided to expand the Gunselman’s footprint.
“Our goal was to kind of create what we did at Gunselman’s but on a higher scale,” Grace says, “We’ve always thought of Gunselman’s as a public house, a place for people to meet, and we wanted the steakhouse to have that same feel. Very family-friendly, really a part of the neighborhood.”
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