Winking Lizard Gateway

05/12/2008 Posted by skacleve

First, let me say that this company operates a really tight ship. The system they've developed has made them highly successful in a highly competitive market. It's always crowded at lunch, but table turnover is fast. The menu is mostly sandwiches. Soup is almost always very good, although it's sometimes too salty and creamy soups get too thick later in the day. Burgers are very good. I need variety, and their weekly lunch specials add to their normal menu--some of them are hot dishes. The seasonal menu is even better, when available (pastas, jambalaya, etc.), but the downtown location does not always offer this. Their food is pretty good and fairly consistent, and service is always good and amiable. Where they fall short is in take-out orders. Although it's almost always ready when promised, a few times, the food in the boxes have been complete messes--sauces and fluids everywhere, leaking from the boxes and making sandwiches virtually inedible. They should package sauces and dressings on the side, without special requests to do so. Anything that should stay crunchy--chips or fried Chinese noodles--should be packaged separately so they stay that way after an hour or more. We had a few dinner rolls that were stale and even slightly moldy, and applesauce was slightly fermented. This can happen in a high-volume restaurant, but they should keep a closer eye on such things. They're doing a better job with the shells & cheese side dish, which once was dry with little cheese. The "cheese" sauce still needs to be cheesier. To their credit, managers are usually glad to make up for below-par food. When their prices increased, I expected more consistent quality. I'd like to see more than a just a few lunch items (not sides) under $6. Even most appetizers are over $6. Sometimes I just want a small bite or don't want to spend so much, so I'll go elsewhere. I'd also like more healthy choices: more veggies and fruits and more food baked or broiled instead of fried.

Pros: Lots of seating, fast turnover, pretty good food, very good service, close to arenas/stadiums

Cons: Smoking, loud, lines during lunch, parking expensive during games, sloppy take-out food

11/12/2007 Posted by starjacqueline

Best wings in the east!Better then the Anchor Bar in Buffalo,NY where they invented the buffalo wing!! the burger are great too.

Pros: FOOD

Cons: LOUD

09/13/2005 Posted by stevecir

While visiting Cleveland, I went to the Winking lizard and fell in love. They have hundreds of different beers and a four page food menu. If they opened one in Detroit, I would be there every night.

Pros: Beer Selection, Food Choices

Cons: Loud

11/11/2003 Posted by godlh

I've been there three straight years on the night before going to my one and only Cleveland Browns game a year (drive down from Ottawa, Canada...about 8 hours just to see my Browns!) and the place rocks! Great service, fair prices, and so many different types of beer...makes me feel like I'm back home in Canada!

08/22/2003 Posted by hnblpie

Pam & I stopped before a Tribe game and I got the chicken. It was hot, tender and very juicey. I recommend it to everyone on the east or west side and everyone in the middle. Pie

06/04/2003 Posted by graham_campbell

I was just passing through Cleveland and wanted to find a watering hole. The World Tour of beers is great fun and I wish that I could finish all 100 and get the free leather jacket. Good food, great selection of brews, and fun times all around. Highly recommend to anyone.

01/10/2003 Posted by gunners197

10 business trips to Cleveland in the past year and I visit the Lizard each time (usually more than once.) Great wings, cold beer ,friendly wait staff and plenty of TV's to watch "my" teams. Recommend the Spicy Garlic Wings - just the right temp.

10/18/2002 Posted by edgarsw

always good food, always understaffed. Granted, I usually go there when it's packed after a game. It is very loud and nearly impossible to find a seat. It took nearly an hour to get a burger last time. Huge selection of beers. All in all, it's worth the hassle, just don't go if you are in a hurry.

Pros: food, beer selection

Cons: crowds, service, noise

10/04/2002 Posted by carolinagurl

I worked in Cleveland for almost a year, I could always relax and have an ENJOYABLE time here! The staff are friendly and the atmosphere is AWESOME!

09/27/2002 Posted by BassManNYHC

There is absolutely nothing to do in Cleveland. I came across this place and found it to be very refreshing considering it had absolutely no competition. Good food, great fries and cold beer - really couldn't find anything to compare it to!

Pros: Open late, good food, nice beer selection