Tommy's on Coventry

Tommy's on Coventry is one of the most popular restaurants on Cleveland's east side. This versatile venue is enormous, and so is its menu.

Focusing on whole, healthy foods, Tommy's offers a variety of menu items that other restaurants in the area don't. Alongside the health food, though, are a variety of American traditions like burgers, sandwiches and wraps.

Tommy's décor is colorful, natural and even a little playful. The indoor foliage reminds you a bit of an indoor playground when its contrasted with the natural wood chairs and tables and lit by the natural sunlight beaming in from the plentiful windows. And while Tommy's isn't the monkey-bars and merry-go-rounds type of playground, it certainly is a place where your taste buds can do some serious frolicking.

The menu at Tommy's is so diverse that reading through the entire thing just may leave you speechless. From vegan soups to European delights to cheesy pizzas and burgers to seafood and falafel, Tommy's truly does have it all.

For starters, try the broccoli risso, a light casserole made with crisp broccoli, mushrooms, cheese and rice and a pita bread piece for dipping. The Wellson, a sampler platter featuring falafel balls, spinach pie, homos, baba ghanouj, and a side of pita wedges, is perfect if you just can't make up your mind.

Making just a few recommendations on Tommy's menu is nearly impossible. The sheer vastness of the choices make for an almost endless amount of options when it comes to mealtime.

A huge variety of homos, baba ghanouj, falafel, seitan and other meat-free choices make appearances all over the menu. Tommy's caters to folks of all dietetic backgrounds-- from vegans to vegetarians, low-carbers to all-American burger lovers.

The Sharpy Burger-- a spicy turkey patty topped with marinara, provolone, lettuce, tomato and pickles, and the chicken salad sandwich with celery, cucumber and poppy seeds on pita bread are both light, delicious choices.

If you're really hungry, try the Big Bear sandwich. A third of a pound of corned beef in a sweet barbecue sauce meets mustard, pickles, onions and cheese. It's a bit sloppy, but oh-so-satisfying.

You can't leave Tommy's without having first tried the famous meat pie. A basic pie made with lamb meat and onions in a flaky, tender crust, Tommy's meat pie is nothing short of perfect. Order it plain or in one of Tommy's unique ways-- the Aunt Gay adds in sesame sauce, veggies and cheese; the Gordon combines corned beef, mushrooms, veggies and cheese and the PR adds in falafel, veggies, sesame sauce and melted cheese.

For vegetarians, try the spinach pie-- all the goodness of a meat pie without the, well, meat.

Many toasted cheese sandwiches also make appearances on the menu. From the RJ, with sunflower seeds and vegetables, to the Quigley, which features five kinds of cheese, there is a cheese sandwich that's sure to please you.

Reservations are not required and dress is casual.

 

- by LeeAnn Mullen, Cleveland Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

LeeAnn Mullen

LeeAnn Mullen is a freelance journalist from Cleveland, Ohio. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism is currently furthering her education by studying for an additional degree in information systems management. Mullen has written for several Cleveland-area newspapers, online publications and dozens of private clients. Her topics of specialty include health, technology and travel.