SOLON, Ohio – Our brunch and breakfast series continues as we check out Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern. Here’s a look at what to expect:
Location + hours: 6025 Kruse Dr., Solon, sandwiched at the vertex of a strip mall between Jenny Craig and American Commodore Tux. Weekend hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Menu or buffet? Menu.
About the place: There are about two dozen Rusty Buckets in five states. The Columbus-based chain has 15 locations in Ohio. Sports banners and jerseys share wall space with old photos and multiple television screens. An eclectic mix of R&B and chill tunes played on our Saturday-morning visit.
About the menu: Small, with eight choices. The triple-decker breakfast sandwich comes with cheese, fried egg, bacon, tomato, scallion and mayo on Texas Toast - like a morning BLT. A four-egg omelet includes your choice of fillings; our cheese and vege mix was a hearty way to start the day. Fresh fruit is on the side. Several kids' menu items are available.
About the drinks: Full bar.
Don’t miss: Cinnamon sugar donut holes. They are like "cronuts" and have a sweet caramel sauce on the side for dipping. Very light and layered, they are like mini pull-aparts and dusted with cinnamon sugar.
Nice touch: A television in the bathroom. So you don’t miss any hoops scores.
Have a brunch spot you’ve wondered about and want us to visit? Email me.
Previous eats
Northeast Ohio breakfast-brunch spots we’ve tried:
1815 Tavern - Aurora
111 Bistro - Medina
35 Brix - Green
Adega - Cleveland (downtown)
Akron Family Restaurant - Akron
Alexandris - Medina
Alley Cat - Cleveland (Flats East Bank)
Astoria Café & Market - Cleveland (Gordon Square)
Austin’s Wood Fire Grille - Brecksville
Barrio - Cuyahoga County (multiple locations)
Bay Diner - Bay Village
Beau's on the River - Cuyahoga Falls
Big Al's Diner - Cleveland (East Side)
Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern - Twinsburg
Blue Door Cafe - Cuyahoga Falls
Bomba Tacos & Rum - Akron
Bonefish Grill – Independence
Borderline Café - Lakewood
Brim Kitchen + Brewery - Willoughby
Burntwood Tavern - Brecksville
Check Please Cafe - Grafton
Claudette's Café & Deli - Westlake
The Cheesecake Factory - Lyndhurst
The City Diner - Cleveland
City Works - Orange Village
Creekside Restaurant & Bar – Brecksville
Crop Bistro - Cleveland (Ohio City)
Deagan’s Kitchen & Bar - Lakewood
The Eye Opener – Akron
Fahrenheit - Cleveland (Tremont)
Fat Cats - Cleveland (Tremont)
Felice Urban Café - Cleveland (East Side)
Fire Food and Drink – Cleveland (Shaker Square)
First Watch - Fairlawn
Flour - Moreland Hills
Flury's Cafe - Cuyahoga Falls
Flying Fig - Cleveland (Ohio City)
Fred's Diner - Akron
Fresh Start Diner - Twinsburg
Gabe's Family Restaurant – Cleveland
Galaxy - Wadsworth
Gandalf's Pub & Restaurant - Valley City
The Girves Brown Derby - Medina
Hofbrauhaus - Cleveland (downtown)
Inn on Coventry – Cleveland Heights
Jack Flaps - Cleveland (Ohio City)
Jennifer's - Strongsville
Kelly's cafe - Brunswick
Kosta & Vic's - Parma
Lamp Post – Akron
Lucky's Cafe - Cleveland (Tremont)
Luna Bakery & Café – Cleveland Heights
Luxe Kitchen & Lounge - Cleveland (Gordon Square)
Michael's A.M. - Akron
Mike's Place - Kent
Mom's Deli & Grille - North Royalton
Mustard Seed Market & Cafe - Fairlawn
Noble Beast Brewing Co. - Cleveland (downtown)
Perk Cup Cafe & Grill – Berea
Pinstripes – Orange Village
Prosperity Social Club - Cleveland
Punch Bowl Social - Cleveland (Flats East Bank)
Red Lantern Kitchen & Bar - Cleveland (Kamm's Corners)
Rose Italian Kitchen – Solon
Rosewood Grill – Hudson
Scratch - Independence
Soho Chicken + Whiskey - Cleveland (Ohio City)
Southside Diner - Parma
Tartine Bistro - Rocky River
Toast - Cleveland (Gordon Square)
Tony's Family Restaurant - Parma
Townhall - Cleveland (Ohio City)
Touch Supper Club - Cleveland (Ohio City)
Twisted Citrus - Canton
Urban Farmer - Cleveland (downtown)
Valley Cafe - Akron
Village Diner - Orange
Wally Waffle - Akron
Yours Truly - Mentor