Fat Cats — Restaurant in Cleveland

I had read the reviews of this place ahead of time, and found both the good and the bad to be largely accurate.

To lead with a positive, the food was very good. Every dish was well presented, and reasonably portioned for the price. Nothing quite broke into "excellent", but nothing was mediocre or poor. Importantly, the menu had a well rounded selection. Many different pallets would find a good home on this menu, which is a mark many places tend to miss.

The service was pretty good. The staff worked well together, and even if I was looking for something to complain about, I doubt I'd have found anything.

The atmosphere was a weak point. The music was too quiet, and the place felt unenergetic and weary. Small plates dining is supposed to be an event, it's supposed to be exciting. Nothing in the vibe here was thrilling. The host stations phone is right next to the bar and the ringer is loud and frequent as well.

Additionally, they don't have printed menus, and force you onto your phone to do the QR thing, which zero humans enjoy. Even at a normal restaurant where you're only picking out one thing it's a chore to scroll around. Here, where you are building a 5 to 8 item experience for yourself it's absolutely frustrating to try and navigate this. Plus all the drinks are on different pages, so you have to keep clicking on links, and then it won't load, and then you are back to scrolling for food. You're never allowed in the moment. You have to interrupt your meal to do this all again for each subsequent round of drinks too. Guys. Print a gosh darn menu out already. Why are you setting yourselves up to make less money by creating barriers to entry to impulse sales? Why are you starting every dining experience by frustrating your customers? You don't run a hip, cool restaurant by being trapped in August of 2020.

While I would like to sample more of the food, nothing was so dynamite as to bring me back right away. And with the poor atmosphere and modest annoyances in the service I wouldn't be excited to return. I hope this place improves over time, but with as infrequently as I visit Cleveland, I'm more interested in trying many other places than I am in establishing this as a regular...

Fat Cats in Cleveland is a delightful dining destination that perfectly combines a cozy atmosphere with a mouthwatering menu. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with a lively vibe and eclectic decor that sets the stage for a memorable meal.

The menu features an impressive array of small plates that are perfect for sharing or enjoying solo. One standout dish is the Pork Banh Báo, which includes two fluffy steam buns filled with tender pork belly marinated and cooked to perfection. Each bite is succulent and rich, complemented by a refreshing blend of pickled daikon and carrots that add a crunchy contrast. The hoisin sauce enhances the flavor profile with a touch of sweetness, while slices of jalapeño and cilantro provide a hint of spice and freshness. This dish is a comforting and satisfying choice that exemplifies the restaurant's commitment to innovative flavors.

Other small plates to consider include the Fried Calamari with sweet chili sauce, and for seafood lovers, the Grilled Octopus served with preserved lemon and cashew. For vegan options, the Vegan 'Fried Calamari' made from heart of palm is a creative and tasty alternative.

If you're in the mood for something hearty, the Fried Chicken Sandwich is a must-try, featuring a buttermilk chicken breast topped with crunchy cabbage slaw and sriracha aioli, served with sweet potato fries. For burger enthusiasts, the House Burger, loaded with applewood bacon, fried egg, and cheddar, is a satisfying choice.

Don't miss out on their delicious pizzas, like the White Pizza topped with slow-roasted cherry tomatoes and gruyere, or the flavorful Tofu Noodle Salad, which offers a refreshing take with vermicelli noodles and grilled jalapeño.

The service at Fat Cats is friendly and attentive, making you feel right at home. Whether you're dining indoors or enjoying the outdoor seating, the atmosphere is perfect for a casual meal with friends or a family gathering.

Overall, Fat Cats delivers a fantastic culinary experience that combines innovative dishes with a welcoming ambiance. If you're in Cleveland, it's definitely...

September 2021: I recently read an article that listed Fat Cats as one of the 31 must-try restaurants in the Land. So I had to put my Inspector Gadget hat on and validate those claims.

I went on a weekday around 1:45pm, when things were not busy. I ordered the Fish Tacos, Poblano Escobar cocktail, and the Fallen Chocolate Cake. My first experience here was pleasant and I plan to return to try other dishes. In short, the claims were verified 👍🏽👍🏽

Pros: The ambience is super chill. They were playing jazz and chill beats. I heard a Guru Jazzmatazz track play at one point. The decor is artsy and cool. Many paintings that play on the fat cat theme. I believe that some are for sale. Cool way to slang art and feed the soul. The waitresses are friendly and attentive to the guests. I did not wait long to get a seat or to get my food. The fish tacos were good and tasty 😋, but I think that I like Fuzzy's a tad bit more. Luckily enough for Fat Cats that Fuzzy's has not made its way up north yet. The Poblano Escobar was a spicy margarita concoction that satisfies. They did not skimp on the alcohol neither. Their plates are truly diverse. I was amazed to see the Vietnamese inspired banh mi (sandwich) appear a few times on the menu. I will need to give it try.

Cons: The restaurant is kinda small and is basically a nice sized house converted into a restaurant. I think that it adds to the charm, but I can also see things being a little hectic on weekends. Suffice it to say, they offer patio seating. Parking lot is small/limited. Again, it could be a problem on the weekends when many people flock to Tremont. The cake tasted like a quick bake (microwave) cake. It was good and paired well with the ice cream. The texture seemed sponge-like. I will try the creme...