Tony's Family Restaurant: Northeast Ohio's best weekend brunches, breakfasts

PARMA, Ohio - Our brunch and breakfast series continues as we check out Tony's Family Restaurant. Here's a look at what to expect:

Location + hours: 1515 W. Pleasant Valley Road, Parma, just to the west of Broadview Road and just past the Pleasant Valley Shopping Center. It's on a busy stretch of road less than two miles to the west of Interstate 77 and 14 miles south of downtown Cleveland. The dedicated parking lot was packed when we got there, with a few spaces remaining. It opens at 6 a.m. seven days a week and closes at 9 p.m. every day but Sunday, when it shuts its doors at 8 p.m.

Menu or buffet? Menu.

The vibe: Servers hustle, and it seemed like the hosts knew almost everyone who came in by name. They don't keep a waiting list; they simply go in the order people come in, and they keep it straight. The dining-room walls are barren and clean, so don't expect a lot of tchotchkes and pictures. A packed house is a loud one, and that's OK - the place has a nice energy.

Don't miss: In addition to the extensive menu there were more than half-dozen specials like peanut butter and banana French Toast, chocolate and peanut butter hot cakes and a waffle sandwich - scramble, pecan-smoked bacon and Provolone cheese.

The food: Cinnamon swirl French Toast was a nice twist on a classic, and the country fried steak was hearty and filling. The accompanying hash browns were some of the best we've tasted because of the butter or butter-oil they are cooked in. And the spicy sausage gravy added a nice zing with good consistency.

Something for everyone: If you have a picky eater in your party, this is the place. There's omelettes, skillets, rollups, crepes, waffles, carbs, meat dishes, sides and more.

The drinks: We were pleasantly surprised to see $5 mimosa offerings at a family restaurant. We stuck to coffee and tea, though, and the tea drinker among us was ecstatic about the constant refills of hot water - a simple thing, but you don't find it that often.

Dessert for breakfast? A banana split waffle, with drizzled chocolate sauce atop a Belgian waffle, is available.

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:

111 Bistro - Medina

Akron Family Restaurant - Akron

Alley Cat - Cleveland

Beau's on the River - Cuyahoga Falls

Big Al's Diner - Cleveland

Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern - Twinsburg

Blue Door Cafe - Cuyahoga Falls

Brim Kitchen + Brewery - Willoughby

The Eye Opener - Akron