From the east end to the west end and back, Lakewood invites exploration. With its multitude of small businesses, it’s scarcely an exaggeration to say that there is something interesting, including eateries, shops and entertainment venues, around every corner. Making a day of visiting Lakewood’s myriad attractions is easy — just choose your own adventure from this itinerary — it’s a mere slice of what the city has to offer.
BREAKFAST
Borderline Cafe
Starting days off right is a family affair at Borderline Cafe, where sisters Kelly and Carrie Wright have been dishing up a breakfast fiesta for 30 years. The pair even took inspiration for the cafe’s Southwest-accented menu from close to home.
“My aunt Jean had this awesome recipe for salsa that she always served us when we were at her house, with eggs and black beans,” Kelly says. “Now, you can get a breakfast burrito everywhere, but 30 years ago, (Southwestern cuisine) really wasn’t part of the makeup of the restaurant scene around here. We thought we’d fill that little gap.”
These days, the menu includes three different varieties of huevos rancheros and a fan favorite bacon-avocado Benedict, alongside traditional morning fare.
“We make every single thing there from scratch — every salsa, every sauce, every filling,” Kelly says. “If you order an egg, we’re going to crack it right before you eat.”
TRY IT:
Chorizo Tacos. Crispy corn shells are stuffed with savory chorizo, scrambled eggs and sharp cheddar and topped off with housemade taco sauce, roasted corn jalapeno relish and cilantro lime sour cream.
18508 Detroit Ave., borderlinelakewood.com
Dinerbar on Clifton
Visitors to Dinerbar on Clifton will find no shortage of breakfast delights like hefty omelets, pancakes and corned beef hash. Morning-appropriate libations are also on hand at all hours. Belly up to the retro-modern diner’s stainless steel-trimmed bar for a Bloody Mary or mimosa — the guiding principle here is that it doesn’t have to be Sunday to brunch it up.
TRY IT:
Dana’s Egg White Scramble. Turkey, spinach, onion, feta and mushrooms are served up with with crispy home fries and your choice of toast.
11801 Clifton Blvd., dinerbaronclifton.com
SHOPPING
Once you’ve filled up, it’s time to start exploring. With so many quirky boutiques and independent retailers lining Lakewood’s avenues, it’s easy to stroll from shop to shop, picking up unique finds.
CouCou Sentiment
Need to make someone’s day, or maybe just your own? Pop into CouCou Sentiment for “snarky-sassy” (as Owner Danielle Zann puts it) greeting cards, gifts and party supplies.
“Cou cou” is informal French for “hey there, hello,” and Zann says the phrase reflects the inspiration that led her to open the shop.
“Whenever I was invited to something, I would always need these little last-minute things; I was always searching for something that would make the person feel special,” she says. “The goal with the shop is to be the easy, one-stop shop to find a couple of things to really send the message — that’s where you get the sentiment part.”
17409 Detroit Ave., coucousentiment.com
Lion and Blue
Another destination for great gifts, Lion and Blue is packed with whimsical, hippie-boho apparel and decor, candles, sterling silver jewelry and Birkenstock footwear, perfect for feet tired from roaming the city streets.
15106 Detroit Ave., lionandblue.com
Geiger’s
Got the urge to get outdoors, but missing the gear? Go to Geiger’s.
Four generations of the Geiger family have been outfitting Lakewood with sporting and outdoor goods since 1932. Co-owner Gordon Geiger credits that longevity to service and willingness to change with the times.
“We adapt. Obviously, there wasn’t pickleball 80 years ago,” Geiger says. “You have to listen to your customers, and you have to take care of your customers. We still provide a high, high level of service, helping people figure out what they need and want.”
14710 Detroit Ave., shopgeigers.com
Eclectic Cleveland
“Our tagline is a kitschy, fun shopping experience,” says Susan Augustine, owner of Eclectic Cleveland, a boutique that gives equal space to vintage goods and handmade items from local makers.
“We just wanted to have a communal feel to it — something different,” she says. “It’s going to be things that your neighbors made, unexpected items.”
18115 Detroit Ave., eclecticcleveland.com
Beat Cycles
Getting around town by bike? If you feel like accessorizing your wheels, or even upgrading to a fresh ride, Beat Cycles has you covered. Specializing in commuter and mountain bikes, the shop’s staff will get you pedaling the city or whizzing down the trails with expert guidance.
15608 Detroit Ave., beatcycles.com
Spin Bike Shop
This shop has everything for tooling around on two wheels, whether you’re riding for fun, fitness or competition. Spin is a licensed dealer of many popular brands, including Specialized and Cannondale.
14515 Madison Ave., spinbikeshop.com
LUNCH
Angelo’s Pizza
When lunchtime rolls around, aim for Angelo’s. This mainstay has been dishing its distinctive pies since 1981.
Angelo’s pizza stands out with a crust that “fries” to a crispy finish in well-oiled pans.
Aside from the pizzas, which consistently top local popularity polls, families flock to Angelo’s for its appetizers, salads with housemade dressings and generous portions of pasta.
TRY IT:
Philly Cheesesteak Pizza. This pie features homemade traditional pizza sauce, provolone, onions, green peppers, mushrooms and U.S. Choice slow-roasted ribeye steak.
13715 Madison Ave., angeloslakewood.com
Hola Tacos
Reclining in a patio chair at Hola Tacos, you could be forgiven for forgetting you’re in Ohio — or anywhere north of the border. A converted ice cream stand, Hola’s laid back, Latin American vibe wouldn’t be out of place in a town square in Oaxaca or on a Baja beach.
The menu is compact by design, says Owner/Operator Juan Vergara, but big on flavor.
“Every single sauce we make in-house with fresh chiles and spices,” he says. “Every single meat is braised in-house as well. Everything is made fresh — that’s why it’s a small menu.”
All tacos come on preservative- and GMO-free corn tortillas. The same tortillas, fried up whole, serve as the chips that accompany Hola’s chile morita salsa, guacamole and queso. Wash it all down with a Jarritos fruit soda or Mexican Coke.
TRY IT:
Tacos Al Pastor. These tacos are filled with delicious chile-marinated pork and fresh-cut pineapple, topped with cilantro and onions.
12102 Madison Ave., hola-tacos.com
Cleveland Vegan
Curious about a plant-based diet? You don’t have to be a dedicated herbivore to enjoy lunch at Cleveland Vegan.
“Although we are an all-vegan establishment, our food is familiar to all, and anyone can find items that they will enjoy,” says Co-owner Laura Ross. “We have items from a fried ‘chicken’ sandwich, Thai noodle bowl, biscuits and gravy, buffalo cauliflower dip, classic gyro and much more.”
TRY IT:
Classic Gyro. This favorite features house seitan, lettuce, tzatziki sauce, tomato and onion on flatbread. Add pickles for some extra zest.
17112 Detroit Ave., clevelandvegan.com
FUN AND RELAXATION
Mahall’s
No matter what time of day you roll into Mahall’s, you’ll find countless forms of fun. This multifaceted, nearly 100-year-old venue hosts dance parties and live music in its main floor music hall and third floor, and soon, in The Roxy — a new 800-person event space being developed on the second level.
“(It) will host a variety of concerts, weddings and special events,” Owner/Operator Cory Hajde says. “It’s a transformation of our upstairs bowling lanes to a blast from the past, where The Roxy Dance Hall hosted events back in the ’20s and ’30s.”
On Mahall’s lower levels, you’ll find a mid-century bowling alley and Pins and Needles, a kitschy, 1970s-themed cocktail lounge.
13200 Madison Ave., mahalls20lanes.com
Holistic Lakewood
If stress has you aching, Holistic Lakewood will get your kinks out. Owner Paulette Simonetta emphasizes that her space is not a fancy spa — she and her staff of licensed medical massage therapists provide skilled body work in a comfortable atmosphere.
“We are all very good at what we do, and we offer those services in an atmosphere that’s inclusive of people of all walks of life,” she says.
15217 Madison Ave., holisticlakewood.com
DINNER
Voodoo Tuna
No day on the town is complete without a delicious dinner, and Voodoo Tuna has the flavor. The eight-year-old eatery creatively fuses Asian cuisine with elements from all over the globe — think sushi rolls including everything from traditional raw fish to Jamaican jerk bacon or Cajun crab dip.
“We have something to offer everyone with our unique twists on sushi,” says Owner Joe Koskovics.
TRY IT:
Lakewood Roll. This deep-fried roll includes crab stick, wasabi cream cheese and avocado, topped with spicy mayo.
15326 Detroit Ave., voodootuna.com
Salt+
For sophisticated, small plates from around the world in a space that’s anything but stuck up, step into Salt+.
Chef/Owner Jill Vedaa crafts a menu that Co-owner Jessica Parkison describes as “micro-seasonal” in an atmosphere that feels elevated, without being special occasion fancy.
“We change our menu every 10 weeks, so recently we put out our 34th menu,” Parkison says. “We like to have a lot of fun with our cocktails, and those bar menus also change with the food menus.”
TRY IT:
Ye Old Man’s Old Fashioned. This twist on the classic cocktail features Old Grand Dad 100 proof, Ohio maple syrup, muddled orange and bitters.
17625 Detroit Ave., saltcleveland.com
