By Joey Morona, cleveland.com
MALL FOOD COURTS: A TOUR
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ahh, the mall food court.
That oasis in the center of the skylight-lit retail jungle where the aroma of soft pretzels beckons and the samples are bountiful and free.
Romanticized in films such as "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and "Mallrats," the mall food court is more than a place to grab a quick bite during a respite from shopping. It's part social gathering place, part community dining room, part street food market.
While each boasts its own vibe, not to mention a Charley's Philly Steaks and at least one generically Asian place hawking "yummy yummy chicken," not all food courts are created equal.
We visited eight area food courts so you don't have to and ranked them. Here's what we found.
Photo: A look at the Parmatown food court in Oct. 2015 before its demolition
BUT FIRST, A LOOK BACK
Exploring the food courts of today made me miss the old, long forgotten food courts of my youth. At Great Northern, I could choose between a thin, cheesy New York-style slice from Capri Pizza or perhaps a hot dog and balloon from Cut the Mustard, that is, if you could pull me away from the game room. At Parmatown, it was usually a choice between two Flaming Gyros and Dragon City, both of which served food way more authentic than what passes as Greek or Chinese mall food today. For dessert, it was always a hand-dipped ice cream bar from Main Street Ice Cream.
But I digress.
THE RANKINGS
Food courts were judged on number and variety of dining establishments, seating comfort and options, decor and cleanliness.
Standalone kiosks not directly inside or adjacent to the designated food court area (AKA autonomous units for mid-mall snacking) were not considered in each food court's ranking.
8. RICHMOND TOWN CENTER
691 Richmond Rd, Richmond Heights
Line up: Asian Chao, Charley's Philly Steaks, Osaka, Subway
Vacancies: 4
Comment: From the potholes in the parking lot to the emtpy storefronts, Richmond has seen better days. The mall's struggles have also spread to the food court. While the space itself is well lit, clean and recently updated, multiple vacancies and small crowds make it a lonely place.
7. CROCKER PARK
228 Market St, Westlake
Lineup: Mikey's' Pizza, The Pasta Co-Op, Auntie Anne's, Nathan's Famous, Rocky Mountain Chocolate
Vacancies: 0
Comment: Not so much a traditional food court as a small cluster of kiosks in the Crocker Park courtyard, it warrants inclusion on this list for a.) the only Cleveland-area location of Coney Island favorite Nathan's Famous and b.) the outdoor setting with its fresh air, fountains and entertainment can't be beat during the warmer months.
6. TOWER CITY CENTER
230 W. Huron Rd, Cleveland
Lineup: Cajun Grill, Shanghai Joe, Subway, Anderson's BBQ, Sakkio, Charley's Philly Steaks, Master Wok, Tower Pizza, It's Greek To You, Auntie Anne's, Mixed Greens
Vacancies: 2
Comment: A microcosm of the rest of the mall, where more established stores have been replaced by lesser known, generic-looking ones. Anderson's BBQ and It's Greek To You give Tower City the kind of variety not seen in other food courts, but points off for having three very similar Chinese food stands. The place is hopping with office workers during lunch, but can get empty in the evening, especially when there are no events at the nearby sporting venues.
5. GREAT LAKES MALL
850 Mentor Ave, Mentor
Lineup: Dairy Queen/Orange Julius, Auntie Anne's, Charley's Philly Steaks, Asian Chao, Villa Pizza, Chick-fil-A, Subway, Sarku Japan, Fawaky Burst (under construction)
Vacancies: 1
Comment: A solid, if standard list of dining options in a large, open space with plenty of tables and comfy chairs, there is nothing wrong or particularly memorable about the Great Lakes food court.
4. SUMMIT MALL
3265 W. Market St, Fairlawn
Lineup: Mr. Hero, Subway, Asian Chao, Charley's Philly Steaks, Sbarro, TJ Sushi, Auntie Anne's, Dairy Queen/Orange Julius,
Vacancies: 1
Comment: While Summit boasts a solid lineup of full-service restaurants on the perimeter of the mall, its food court boasts a pretty standard list of tenants in a nondescript atrium that sort of resembles a high school gym. Still, any mall food court with made-to-order sushi and Mr. Hero, home of my beloved Roman Burger, is just fine in my book.
3. BEACHWOOD PLACE
26300 Cedar Rd, Beachwood
Lineup: Fresh Cafe, Auntie Anne's, Subway, Sbarro, Charley's Philly Steaks, Japan Cafe, Chick-fil-A, Pastativo, Asian Chao
Vacancies: 0
Comment: Beachwood has a solid mix of restaurants that includes Chick Fil-A and Pastativo, a Chipotle-style spot featuring make-your-own pasta bowls. Add comfy seats, a nice lounge area and the nicest food court bathrooms in the area and you've got the makings of a strong food court.
2. GREAT NORTHERN MALL
4954 Great Northern Mall, North Olmsted
Lineup: Sarku Japan, Ruby Thai, Charley's Philly Steaks, Mr. Hero, Yogurt Vi, Go Falafel, Villa Italian Kitchen, TJ's Mexican Grill, Subway, Stir Fry 88, TJ Hibachi and Sushi
Vacancies: 0
Comment: The newest and sleekest food court in the area, with high ceilings, trendy communal tables, a family dining area and modern decor. Go Falafel and TJ's Mexican Grill offer cuisine not generally available in the area's food courts, while Mr. Hero is a local favorite. Bonus points for having fro yo, too.
1. SOUTHPARK MALL
500 Southpark Center, Strongsville
Lineup: Mitchell's Ice Cream, Panera, Great Bear Mountain Pie, Subway, Taco Bell, Asian Express and Sushi, Sarku, Ruby Thai, Charley's Philly Steaks, Sbarro, Fresh Cafe, Starbucks, Dairy Queen, Lee's Chicken Strips (under construction),
Vacancies: 2
Comment: The largest mall food court of the area in terms of number of restaurants and seating capacity, it's also one of the nicest. Plenty of free samples, not to mention seating options which include a lounge area and long communal tables. It also has the only food court Starbucks in the area, plus Great Bear Mountain Pie is unlike anything you've tasted in the area. If you're there on a Saturday afternoon, you're bound to run into Jim the famous Strongsville Mall Guy. My only beef with SouthPark: the mall has three (3!!) Auntie Anne's, but, curiously, none in the food court.
Photo: Rosewood Grill in Strongsville by Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
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