Isaly's II - Stow

 Isaly's is hidden away behind CVS on 59 in Stow. It is not huge inside, but is bigger than a lot of breakfast places around here.  The kitchen is open so you can watch your food being made.  The atmosphere is average, I like the open kitchen and the old knick-knacks, but some could use dusted.  The black and white tile floor makes it feel a littly like a 50's diner. The coffee is very good, they have a grinder sitting next to the coffee maker behind the counter.  I ordered the breakfast sandwich, one of my own staples to make at home.  This bagel was perfectly cooked and did not have the waxy texture some bagels have on the top.  The bacon was cooked perfect, not chewy or too crispy.  The egg probably could have been runnier, but all in all I was impressed with the sandwich.  TBG got an omelet with hashbrowns and sausage gravy.  The hashbrowns were good.  TBG said it would be good after a night of drinking.  The service was great, but they were not busy.  The prices are reasonable.  The food is good quality.  I would recommend going if you live close.

Service____ 6 Chipps

Food____6 Chipps

Atmosphere____6 Chipps

Beer List____0 Chipps

Wine List____0 Chipps

Value____7 Chipps

The Blue Door Bakery and Cafe - Revisit

The Blue Door Bakery and Cafe used to be Golden Goose - original post here.  The outside still looks the same except for the blue front door.  The inside got a fresh coat of white paint, new bakery area, and new advertisement tables.  You can see parts of the table under these pics even though I cropped portions out.  I am not crazy about the tables, but it is better than the worn out tables cloths they had before. I am happy to say the bakery is still great.  There is a specials board in the front of the restaurant and I would recommend getting something from it if eating in.  I ordered the stuffed french toast and it was wonderful.  Creamy inside, fresh raspberries on top with slivered almonds throughout on nice thick pieces of fresh bread.  TBG ordered the western omelet.  It had ham, Chihuahua cheese, and peppers with a spicy sauce on top.  He also enjoyed his breakfast, said everything tasted fresh.  The omelet came with a fresh english muffin as well.  They serve wonderful Angel Falls Coffee.  The staff seemed a little confused with the reopen and the owner was seating people instead of in the kitchen.  The restaurant was full when we were there but not overly busy.  I would recommend coming here if you are looking for fresh local food or a good fresh bakery.  The homemade granola I have yet to try is beckoning me to come back soon!

Service____ 6 Chipps

Food____8 Chipps

Atmosphere____6 Chipps

Beer List____0 Chipps

Wine List____0 Chipps

Value____6 Chipps

Valley Cafe - Akron

Also known as V-Caf the Valley Cafe is located in the Merriman Valley in front of all the bars.  As soon as you walk in you feel like you are in your mothers kitchen.  Flowery wall paper and table cloths overwhelm, but are clean.  There is a coffee bar on the side that offers different kinds of coffee.  The staff was very friendly and timely.  The menu was average breakfast offerings and the prices were about the same.  I definately did not mind paying the prices but I would not say it was cheap.  The breakfast sandwich was good, you pick your cheese, bread, and meat.  The country fried steak was tender but tasted frozen, and the gravy was definitely not homemade.  The hash browns were good, would order crispy next time.  The eggs benedict was a last minute decision for us.  It was good but not the best.  The hollandaise was thin and needed more flavor.  The eggs were poached nicely though.

Service____ 8 Chipps

Food____6 Chipps

Atmosphere____7 Chipps

Beer List____0 Chipps

Wine List____0 Chipps

Value____7 Chipps

Flury's - Cuyahoga Falls

Located amongst houses on a side street in Cuyahoga Falls you have to know this place is there to find it. When we walked in I noticed it was a hole in the wall as was expected.  Now, when I say "hole in the wall" it's generally a good thing, usually greasy, but still good.  This place was different.  After we sat there for a couple minutes I felt like I was in my friends mother's kitchens.  ( I say friends mother's because MY mother's kitchen is much louder!)  TBG really liked the coffee mugs because they were short and squat, not the typical white boring cafe mug.  The menu is a typical breakfast menu.  I did notice they had specialty pancakes which I wish I tried, but that morning I was jonesing for some fattening benedict.  Also on the menu is the fact that they only take cash.  TBG got country fried steak with sausage gravy biscuits and 2 fried eggs.  The steak was very good.  TBG loved it, I normally don't eat that sort of thing, but the breading was flavorful and the steak tender.  Both meals came with hashbrowns which were perfectly cooked.  I like mine crispy, not soggy.  The buiscuits looked hommade and TBG enjoyed watching her make the sausage gravy when he ordered.  Later in the meal we watched her hand press sausage patties in a metal press.  My eggs benedict were actually dissapointing.  The hollendaise was bland and the eggs were overcooked.  I was looking forward to breaking into the eggs and having that gooey yolk spill out over the rest of the plate.  The yolks were more like a hard boiled egg.  The ham (not canadian bacon) was really well cooked.  I enjoyed it and the saltiness it added to the meal.  I do not normally like ham because it gets slimy.  This was not slimy, and perfectly seared.  The english muffins were a nice texture.  Even though I did not like my meal that much, I would go back and try some of the other things on the menu.  The service was great.  In the small area it was easy to see when we needed something but she also could have gotten caught up cleaning up the small space.  The picture below shows the entire kitchen. The prices were slightly more than other places, but I was happy to pay.  There is a room seperate from the kitchen if you do not wish to sit in the same room they are cooking.  It was not hot in there despite sitting near the griddle.  They are only open for breakfast and lunch Mon-Sat so get up and get there!

Not a lot of room, but they use it well





Service____ 8 Chipps

Food____7 Chipps

Atmosphere____7 Chipps

Beer List____0 Chipps

Wine List____0 Chipps

Value____6 Chipps









Michael's AM - Akron

For something new TBG and I decided to try Michael's AM in the Merriman Valley.  The inside is a sea of green vinyl and wallpaper.  The menu was everything I would expect from a breakfast place along with a few specials.  TBG went with the french toast since that is what he was craving anyway.  I got the buckwheat pancake special and we also got a side of corned beef hash.  The french toast was bland even with tons of butter and syrup.  I thought the buckwheat pancakes we good but filling.  TBG didn't care for them.  The corned beef hash was average.  The service was good, but the prices seemed a little much for the average experience we had.  I would not go back due to the number of good breakfast places closer to my house.

Service____ 7 Chipps

Food____5 Chipps

Atmosphere____5 Chipps

Beer List____0 Chipps

Wine List____0 Chipps

Value____4 Chipps

Golden Goose - Cuyahoga Falls

**UPDATE:  Golden Goose is now Blue Door Bakery and Cafe.  Revist here**
This bakery restaurant is only open for breakfast and lunch.  I have passed it many times after work and always thought it was out of business.  I was very wrong.  We decided to try it out for breakfast and it was good.  There was no wait on a saturday morning.  The decor is a little tired.  We couldn't decide what to get so we got a few things and split them all.  First is the eggs benedict with hash browns.  It is also available in half size.  Not very much hollandaise sauce, eggs were a little too well done, but man did the english muffin make up for all that.  Homemade in their bakery, it was by far the best english muffin I have ever had.  Full of taste, large size, and great toasted texture.  We decided that we were going to have to start coming here and buying muffins and other bakery items to go.  The bakery is open till 5.  The hash browns were average.  I like mine crispier so I didn't eat them.  Next we got a side of corned beef hash.  This again, I prefer crispier.  The taste was ok and the potatoes were soft but it was not the best I have ever had.  Lastly we got the challah french toast.  This was good, I like mine soaked in more of the egg mixture, more soggy, but TBG loved it.  All in all we decided there were better places to go for breakfast, but we will definitely be back for the bakery!

Service____ 7 Chipps

Food____6.5 Chipps

Atmosphere____6 Chipps

Beer List____0 Chipps

Wine List____0 Chipps

Value____6 Chipps

Corned Beef Hash