CANTON TWP. — When selecting restaurants to review, I aim for a mix of new establishments and longtime favorites, along with a range of cuisines and menu styles.
This week, I met with foodie friend Nicole Hagy, a Jackson Township resident who works as a community outreach and grants coordinator for Akron Municipal Court.
Menu offers many choices
As a general rule, if a restaurant includes an item on its menu, it should meet a basic level of quality. That was not the case during a recent visit to Meyers Landing Bar & Grill.
The menu is extensive. It includes appetizers and shareable plates such as crab cakes and pulled pork-loaded tots; entrees such as New York strip steak and bone-in pork chops; pasta dishes; seafood options; as well as wings, wraps, pizzas, burgers and sandwiches.
Our server Grace, who was new to the restaurant but has a background in hospitality, offered suggestions on popular items.
Appetizers uneven
We started with Buckeye Bites ($8), fried pretzel bites served with nacho cheese, and Nachos & Cheese ($8).
The nachos were disappointing in both appearance and taste. The chips were covered in what appeared to be processed cheese, with little to no attention to presentation.
The pretzel bites were better. They were warm, lightly salted and enjoyable.
Salads a highlight
The house salads, included as a side option with our meals, were fresh and generously portioned, with cherry tomatoes and shredded cheddar cheese. They stood out as one of the better parts of the meal.
Entrees lack balance
After asking about popular items, I ordered the chicken parmesan pasta ($15), while Hagy chose the stuffed shells ($14).
The entrees continued the uneven experience.
Hagy said the filling in her stuffed shells was good but noted the dish had too much sauce. My chicken parmesan pasta had chunks of chicken rather than a traditional cutlet. The sauce was thick and overpowering, making the dish difficult to finish.
I ate about half before setting it aside.
Final impression
There was a modest crowd during our visit, with guests seated on the patio and at the bar.
While supporting local restaurants remains important, the food at Meyers Landing Bar & Grill did not meet expectations. Perhaps your best bet is to pop in for a beer with friends.
Bev Shaffer, Food & Drink reporter for The Canton Repository, can be reached at bshaffer@usatodayco.com or 330-580-8318.
If you go
What: Meyers Landing Bar & Grill
Where: 1326 Whipple Ave. NW in Canton Township
When: 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. daily
Phone: 330-477-0295
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Extensive menu falls short at Meyers Landing Bar & Grill
Reporting by Bev Shaffer, Canton Repository / The Repository
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