Saturday, August 22, 2015 was the day that my sister, Randi, and I did the obstacle/zip line course at the Go Ape Treetop Adventure in Strongsville, Ohio. (You can read more about that and watch videos here.) It was also the day that we rewarded ourselves for our efforts at Heck’s Cafe in Avon, Ohio. When I say it was a reward, I mean it!
For background, Bobby and I found out about Heck’s Cafe through our newest favorite Food Network show, Burgers, Brews and ‘Que, hosted by Michael Symon. He highlighted the one in Cleveland, but we found out that there was also one in Avon. Since neither Bobby nor I enjoy driving into Cleveland and the fact that Avon is very close to State Route 83 (which also runs through Lodi and Wooster), we opted for the Avon location.
Michael Symon highlighted the Market Burger on the show, which is the burger Bobby chose. Although, if truth be told, he could have ended up with the chicken tacos, as he asked the waitress to “surprise” him. He gave her two choices: the Market Burger or the chicken tacos. She brought him the burger because it is her favorite item on the menu.
Randi got the Burger Au Cheval. This burger has bacon, cheddar cheese, sour cream and fried egg on it. Randi has studied French, so she was able to translate the name of the burger. If you want to know what it is, let me know in the comments below.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Rocky River Burger. This burger is piled high with mushrooms, bacon, swiss cheese and sour cream. Honestly, I have never thought to put sour cream on a burger. It is surprisingly refreshing. I didn’t even ask for a side of Miracle Whip, which happens to be one of my four basic food groups, so this was a remarkable feat.
The sandwich comes with a side of fresh cut fries, which are my absolute favorite kind of fries. Bobby gave me his because mine were a little too brown for me. He likes things a little more toasty than me. Partly because we had expended so much energy at the Go Ape course and partly because it was on the menu, we ordered milkshakes, too. Randi got a chocolate peanut butter shake. Bobby got a salted caramel shake (pictured below). I got a chocolate shake. (Yes, Dad, I know there are more flavors than chocolate.) While the taste of the shakes were very good, Bobby and I agreed that we like our shakes a little thicker. The presentation was great.
The most exciting menu item — and really the main purpose for me wanting to go to Heck’s — was their Sweet Burger. This “burger” is made up of two chocolate chip cookies (they serve as the bun), a brownie (the meat) and a scoop of vanilla ice cream (which I assume would be the cheese). It also comes with “fries,” which are strips of funnel cake and berry “ketchup.” This dessert was sooooo good. Bobby and I cut it in half to share. We also ordered the flourless chocolate torte to share. I ended up bringing a little bit of everything home, except, of course the shake and ice cream.
While we were eating our dessert, Amber, the manager, came by to check on the table, like all good managers do. Bobby stopped her and told her how impressed we were with everything. Bobby suggested Heck’s create a dessert with just the funnel cake fries, perhaps add chocolate and caramel sauces and something crumbled to make a take-off of chili cheese fries (that’s why I love that guy, he’s always thinking). Amber shared that Heck’s food is made from scratch, from locally sourced vendors. The meat is all local from grass-fed cows. She encouraged us to go to Heck’s in Cleveland and also check out West Side Market. As a native Clevelander, she said go on Monday, as the weekends are crazy.
Whether I go to the Heck’s in Cleveland or return to the one in Avon, one thing is sure, I will be returning. Frankly, it is worth the journey.
