Bites in the Heights Pt II

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Since I really didn't feel like making the last Bites in Heights post 14 miles long, I decided to just break the thing up into two parts. I find that three is about the limit before people start to say, "You know, I'm getting tired reading this stuff, damn. How many is he going to cram in here?" So here's the smaller portion of the two part post that I think might be more interesting than the previous one.

Anybody here ever heard of a place called Melt Bar & Grilled? Oh, you have?

Did you hear they have a new location on the east side? You know that, too?

Then I don't have to tell you about the wait? Or how Guy Fieri drove the final nail in coffin?

Well, this isn't a review about all that stuff. Quite frankly, I've decided to game the system...sort of. You see, I haven't actually eaten at the east side location since it opened. I have, however, waited in line for carry-out.

For me the sandwiches are just way too much food to eat - even for dinner. I actually like the soups and vegetarian sides that Matt Fish and his staff put together. Melt does a fantastic job of providing daily updates of their specials on Facebook. They've been doing some fantastic glazes with snow peas. The servings are enough for two people.

Some have completely written off Melt, but I feel the specials are worth ordering to go (just call ahead a half hour before you plan to pick it up).

Melt Bar & Grilled
13463 Cedar Rd
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
(216) 965-0988
www.meltbarandgrilled.com




If you read this blog with any regularity, you know that I'm always looking for decent hot dog places. The Dog House over in Coventry puts out as good a Chicago dog as I've had here in Cleveland. Cooked on the flat top, these dogs are the best I've had on the east side. There's also an Italian beef sandwich that is served here that I've heard good things about, but haven't tried. I will say I'm not a fan of the fries.

The Dog House
2767 Euclid Heights Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 321-0717



I've been making regular stops at Mama Joyce's while out for lunch. The specials they offer are extremely reasonable. The fried chicken is a favorite of mine. Mama Joyce's does a lot of fried chicken and fish, but unlike Angie's, they do a very good job of ventilating their kitchen.

I will note that this is more a carry out place. I talked to Jeff their cook and he had was doing ribs on Sundays for a period of time. I've included a scan of the cards with the menu. If you're in the neighborhood you've got to give this little place try.



Mama Joyce's Soul Food Cafe
2238 Lee Road
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
(216) 371-3100

Mekong River

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Mekong River is another one of those places we've been meaning to try, but never quite made it. Last week we swung in for carryout.

The first impression is that it's your typical Asian restaurant. Nothing fancy, just a modestly furnished and decorated casual restaurant.

When you look at the menu, the first thing that jumps out at you is the variety of Cambodian and Thai dishes available. Filled with a combination of meat, shrimp, and vegetarian dishes, Mekong offers a little bit of something for everyone.

We ordered the Nam Chao (2 per order): Fresh wrapped rice paper rolls, stuffed with cucumber, cilantro, lettuce, noodles, carrots, and shrimp. Served with sweet and sour peanut sauce. The peanut sauce, while good, was not the thicker peanut sauce we are used to. The sauce wasn't that spicy, which my wife appreciated.

For dinner we shared the Mango Curry which consisted of fresh mangos, yellow squash, bell peppers, and pineapple, and shrimp. The mangos made the dish. We loved it. We also ordered a side of the Pineapple Fried Rice: Shrimp, chicken, eggs, snow peas, green peas and pineapple. Next time we're going to order separately since I have an affinity for all that is spicy and my wife does not (these were not spicy).

Specializing in Cambodian and Thai, Mekong River has a good representation of dishes from both cuisines. I think what I like the most is that the menu isn't overambitious. There aren't nine million items on the menu that are average in execution. They have a wide enough representation without being too limited. Our experience certainly warrants another visit.

Mekong River
1918 Lee Rd
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
(216) 371-9575
www.mekongriver-cleveland.com