Red Chimney — Restaurant in Cleveland

My experience at this establishment was less than stellar. I think people confuse affordable food with good food. This is not the case. I ordered an omelette with peppers onions ham and sausage with a side order of sausage and home fries. The omelette was very dry and so were the potatoes. The meal was totally inedible. There was hardly any cheese in the omelette and the potatoes tasted old like they weren't fresh. The meal just wasn't good. This being my first trip to this restaurant, I was unaware that they only accept cash. They do however have an ATM machine in the restaurant. Getting cash out of this machine costs $2.75. My meal was $10.00. Why am I paying 27.5% more when a credit card fee for most businesses is at most 5%?

I asked the owner why they didn't accept cards and he replied " Well the food is so cheap we can't afford to pay the fees..." This is hogwash and totally ridiculous. I would have glad paid an extra .50 cents rather than pay $2.75 just to eat this swill. I will never return here. It was my first and last visit. I never rate establishments at one star but this place deserves it. The food isn't that good, they don't take credit cards and they make money off of the ATM machine which is owned by the establishment. I cannot support a business in a community that does not conform to the norms of society like providing good quality food at a reasonable price and accepting more forms of payment.

I can't understand why people accept low quality food just because of the price. I tried to even give the food to my dog and even he refused to eat it. It was that bad. This place either needs a new cook or to close down. I can deal with the cash only business model but I cannot deal with the terrible customer service and TOTALLY AWFUL FOOD.

MY RECOMMENDATION IS TO STAY FAR AWAY. PAY MORE FOR BETTER FOOD OR GO TO HARVARD INN AND PAY THE SAME AMOUNT FOR BETTER...

I traveled to Cleveland to take my father to his appointment at the Mellen Center at Cleveland Clinic and on our way up, he had regaled me with tales of his days of living there, and how he and some friends and family had often visited a restaurant for fish and frog legs. In my curiosity, I asked him the name and was shocked to find that it was still where he'd described it and open. We drove there and parked. The Maitre'd, I never caught his name, but when I asked him if they were handicap-accessible, he lead me straight to the back and held the door for me as I got my father into his wheelchair and into a restaurant he had fallen in love with over 30 years prior. We were given our own small piece of the restaurant. The Red Chimney is quaint like a diner with a similar menu. With the stories told to me from my father and the atmosphere and layout of the facilities, it really does give the impression of a place out of the past. Our server, Rachel, gave us amazing service. She brought drinks quickly, gave us time to peruse the menu and was always available when needed. The Maitre'd helped my father based on his experience with a great beef stew, and I had the best country fried steak with real mashed potatoes I've ever had in a restaurant. Also, good Cole Slaw and rolls. The food came quickly, was pleasantly authentic, and shockingly large portions for the price. On top of it all, it tasted amazing. Rachel and the Maitre'd were quick and attentive to detail and gave me perhaps the best restaurant experience I've ever had, and more importantly, brought my father and I back to a time I had never experienced. When i go back to Cleveland, I hope to eat there again. I feel bad for giving the longest review I've ever given with no pictures, but I will be back. Red Chimney really is one of the best restaurants I've ever...

The Red Chimney Restaurant had been on my "to-do" list for quite a while. My visit was not a disappointment. The restaurant was very "old world" with murals of mountainous landscapes inside. The seating included counter seats, small booths, and larger booths for bigger parties. The menu included dishes like city chicken, pierogis, cabbage rolls, and kielbasa and sauer kraut. The Red Chimney is also very well known for their breakfasts, which is served all day as well as their chicken noodle soup, which may have been the best I have ever had! The owner, Pete, was very friendly and welcomed us personally to the restaurant. He took the time to talk about the building's history, the history of the restaurant, and the foods they make and serve. The liver and onions, and the veal cutlet were delicious. The sampler platter included a pierogi smothered in onions, a cabbage roll, a skewer of tender city chicken smothered in gravy, and a grilled link of kielbasa on a bed of savory sauer kraut. They also had good selection of pies and cakes. It is just a short distance down Fleet Avenue from I-77, and well worth the short detour to enjoy the old world atmosphere of the Red...