One of the country’s most popular celebrity couples was spotted in Northeast Ohio this week.
Cleveland Heights native Travis Kelce and his pop star girlfriend Taylor Swift were seen dining at JoJo’s Italian American Steak bar in Chagrin Falls on July 1.
According to a Kelce Brothers Instagram post, they were in town to support Kelce’s friend’s charity golf tournament earlier this week.
Since the famous pair might still be in need of restaurant suggestions, we thought we’d offer a few.
Here’s a look back at the Beacon Journal feature team’s favorite Local Flavors of 2024.
Spicy Sombreros
Menu: Mexican grill that offers a wide variety of enchiladas, burritos, tacos, house specials, chicken dishes, quesadillas, fajitas, appetizers, soups and a la carte items. There are also seafood and vegetarian options, lunch specials and a children’s menu. Beverages include daiquiris, pina coladas, Mexican and domestic beer, and handcrafted margaritas.
Location: 4976 Darrow Road, Stow
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
More info: 234-380-1024 and https://spicysombrerostogo.com/
Why was it one of your favorites?: The Cancun Pineapple at Spicy Sombreros is out of this world. It’s one of the best meals I’ve had in recent years. – Mark J. Price
Skyway Drive-In
Menu: Drive-in that offers a variety of single, double or triple hamburgers and cheeseburgers — separately or in baskets or combos with sides — and there’s even a veggie option. Other sandwiches include chicken, ham, turkey, steak, fish, toasted cheese, BLT, hot dogs and chili dogs. For sides, there are fries, sauerkraut balls, fried mushrooms, spicy mac and cheese bites, coleslaw, veggie bags and Aunt Ruth’s Famous Homemade Onion Rings. Other fare includes shrimp dinners, fish dinners, salads, soup and chili.
A children’s menu offers a junior hamburger, junior cheeseburger, toasted cheese, hot dog or chicken nuggets plus fries and a 16-ounce drink.
From the fountain, classic milkshakes such as chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and cherry while specialty milkshakes include orange, grape, root beer, butterscotch, peanut butter, hot fudge, Oreo, jamocha and coffee.
Location: 2781 W. Market St., Fairlawn
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday
More info: 330-836-2806 and https://skywayrestaurants.net
Why was it one of your favorites?: Juicy burgers, thick milkshakes and speedy carhops. I’m so glad I gave Skyway a try. (As a longtime Swensons fan). – Mark J. Price
Southern Comfort Food Kitchen Ohio
Menu: The truck serves up po’boys, including fried and grilled shrimp and a SoCo burger ($12). The menu at the brick-and-mortar restaurant is a bit more extensive and ranges from jambalaya to chicken wings.
Location: Brick-and-mortar 812 W. Market St., Akron; food truck
Hours: Monday through Thursday 4 p.m. to midnight; Friday, Saturday noon to midnight; closed Sunday
More info: 330-469-2024 and Facebook.com/SoCoCreole
Why was it one of your favorites?: I do love a good backstory and Akron’s Comfort Kitchen certainly has a good one with a Kent State standout football player and grad pursuing his dream of serving up some pretty tasty Cajun-inspired food. – Craig Webb
Guido’s Ravenna
Menu: The menu has all the classics you would expect from a family-owned Italian place, from pizza and chicken to sausage sandwiches and linguine with white or red clam sauce. About every other item was identified as “Guido’s own” or “homemade,” which made them sound even more not-to-be-missed.
Location: 214 W. Main St., Ravenna
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Monday
More info: 330-296-9009 and GuidosRavenna.com
Why was it one of your favorites?: It’s not often that I begin to scheme about going back to eat at a place within days of eating there. Guido’s in Ravenna is the bomb. The lasagna here is legit. So is adding, gasp, green beans to the house salads. – Craig Webb
Bistro on Main
Menu: Known for great happy hour offerings including BOM tacos, crispy chicken wings in different flavors, nachos, Brussels sprouts and other appetizers as well as seafood and smoked meats, like brisket and Wagyu meatloaf. There are also pizzas, salmon, pork chop, sandwiches and salads.
Location: 1313 W. Main St., Kent
Hours: Monday through Thursday 4 to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 4 to 9:30 p.m.; closed Sunday
More info: 330-673-9900 and BistroKent.com
Why was it one of your favorites?: Every element of my meal was plentiful, packed with flavor and at a price you just can’t beat. Since visiting, every time I’ve pondered where to dine on a Monday evening it has topped my list thanks to its quality, atmosphere and pricing. – Tawney Beans
Ohio Pie Co. / Donut Land
Menu: Wacky pizza flavors. There are also brunch pies (only served 9 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday) of which there are five varieties, but each is made with an “everything” crust, cream cheese-based white sauce, Ohio Pie’s cheese blend, scrambled eggs and garlic oil.
Cookie flavors include Nutter Butter Butterfinger, peanut butter cookies and cream, drumstick and Ube rainbow sugar cookies.
At Donut Land, there are blueberry fritters, peanut butter cream doughnuts and peanut butter and jelly long Johns just to name a few.
Location: 1315 Pearl Road, Brunswick
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Monday
More info: 330-741-4117 and OhioPieCo.com
Why was it one of your favorites?: Hands down the most creative pizza shop I’ve encountered, which shouldn’t be too surprising since owner Nick Robson’s considers pizza-making both a science and an art. And after finishing my pie, I can head next door for a warm apple fritter from the best 24-hour doughnut shop in the area. – Tawney Beans
Stirling
Menu: New menu monthly.
Location: 1288 Weathervane Lane, Akron
Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 4 to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 4 to 10:30 p.m.; closed Sunday and Wednesday.
More info: 330-701-9303 and stirlingakron.com
Why was it one of your favorites?: I love the comfortable elegance, exceptional food and service, and creative plating at the upscale Stirling restaurant in the Merriman Valley. I’ve enjoyed gruyere de gougeres, (cheese puffs topped with hazelnut crumb and brown butter), halibut Creole with corn spoon bread and the amazingly rich pastry pain perdu. The menu changes monthly so you can always look forward to something new. – Kerry Clawson
Good Company
Menu: Hot spot for elevated wings, burgers and milkshakes.
Location: 60 S. Maple St., Akron
Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Monday-Tuesday; closed Wednesday; 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
More info: 330-252-9099 and goodcompanyakron.com
Why was it one of your favorites?: My friend from Chicago commented that Good Company Akron is a place where you go to see and be seen, and she was right. The elevated casual food at this hot spot is fun to explore, whether you’re indulging in a delicious Good One double smash burger and shake with house-made ice cream at a gorgeous green velvet banquette or sampling a variety of marinated, braised wings and creative cocktails at the beautiful bar. – Kerry Clawson
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: What Akron-area restaurants should Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce try?
Reporting by Tawney Beans, Kerry Clawson, Mark J. Price and Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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