MEDINA, Ohio - Our brunch and breakfast series continues with The Girves Brown Derby in Medina. The classic restaurant offers a limited but tasty brunch menu each Sunday. Here's a look at what to expect from Sunday brunch at the restaurant.
Where it is: The Brown Derby is at 5051 Eastpointe Dr., right off Medina Road (Ohio 18). It's at the northwest corner of Interstate 71 and Ohio 18 in Medina. The Brown Derby sits 4 miles east of Medina's square, and 8 miles west of Interstate 77.
Remembering the past: The Brown Derby's past is captured in a series of framed photographs showing various eras and restaurants. Its full name is the Girves Brown Derby, named for Gus Girves, whose first restaurant opened near Akron Goodyear Tire in 1941. He started expanding in 1957.
A 3-hour tour: The Brown Derby serves a three-hour brunch - off the menu, no buffet - each Sunday. (Regular hours: 4-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4-10:30 p.m. Friday, noon-10:30 p.m. Saturday, noon- 8 p.m. Sunday.) Coffee refills are quick. The menu is very limited but includes tasty selections. It is one of five Northeast Ohio BDs, including Middleburg Heights, Belden Village, Lyndhurst and Streetsboro.
Classic logo: The restaurant's simplistic logo of a derby, strap and monocle has been around for years.
Main brunch dishes: Breakfast burger, Derby Breakfast, Eggs Benedict and Stuffed French Toast are offered as entrees. The toast slices that came with the Derby breakfast looked as big as ping-pong paddles.
On the side: Applewood smoked bacon, breakfast sausage, rosemary and sea-salt home fries and toast from four types of bread are offered as sides, ranging from $1.99 to $3.99.
Carb heaven: The don't-miss dish is definitely the Stuffed French Toast. It's more than an inch thick, its brioche holding almond mascarpone stuffing and maple syrup with accompanying sliced fruit. If that is not enough to satiate carb lovers, it comes with a side of rosemary and sea-salt home fries.
Decor: The restaurant has an old-time, comforting feel, with nostalgic photographs, scattered wine bottles, art work and books lining built-in shelves. It has the look of a classic steakhouse, with dark wood throughout. The restaurant was started in 1941.
Bacon and eggs: What a pair! The cartoonish image of bacon and eggs on the brunch menu belies the restaurant's more staid surroundings.
Past brunches: Like brunch? Here are other restaurants I have visited: