Grammy on the Go
By Karen Shadrach
Riverfront dining is a summertime favorite for our grandkids. There is nothing like sitting on a sunny deck and watching the boats drift by as they make their way down the Cuyahoga River. It is so fascinating to observe the barges being slowly pushed down the river by tugboats before entering Lake Erie, as well as coming in from the lake and having to slowly maneuver the winding Cuyahoga.
Shooters on the Water has a spectacular large deck to check out all of the above. Plus, it’s also a great spot to watch the drawbridges go up and down for trains to pass over to their connecting tracks. The horn is blasted before it lowers and alerts the boats to stop and wait until they can pass through again.
Celebrating 35 years this year, Shooters is located on the West Bank of The Flats and was one of the first projects in the flats which led to the rebirth of the downtown waterfront area in 1987. The best time to go with the grandkids is for an early lunch when it is not so crowded. Shooters provides a large children’s menu and a lot of other child-friendly dishes for them to enjoy. Service is fast, but no one cared as we were all happy with the gorgeous views and watching the boats and trains pass by!
After lunch, you can take a walk along the adjacent boardwalk all the way down to the Powerhouse and Cleveland Aquarium. It’s fun for the kids to see all the different types of docked boats along the way. We even talked to a couple who was docked and buying groceries for their adventure along the Great Loop in their sailboat, hoping to complete their trip within one year. How fascinating to hear of their travels!
Margaritaville is located on the East Bank of The Flats and, although it is not directly on the river, it is only a short block away. Arrive early for lunch and the kids can sit in a pontoon boat, complete with ramps and steps which lead down to the floor “ocean.” They love to “swim” around until the food is served. Drinks are served in cups bedazzled with flashing lights which we reuse for special occasions at home. The grandkids love to watch the large swirling margarita blender and to take pictures while standing by the surfboards. You can also go up to the rooftop patio to eat. This is a great place to see the trains and boats. Or you can take a short walk down to the river along the east side of the boardwalk.
Merwin’s Wharf is on the East Bank of the Cuyahoga River at Irishtown Bend, featuring stunning views of the running water, passing boats and wildlife. It is located in Rivergate Park of the Cleveland Metroparks. Outdoor seating is available on their large patio, or eat inside and walk along the riverfront afterwards.
Merwin’s Wharf is a riverfront bar and grill offering a seasonal and locally-sourced menu. It is best to go for lunch on the weekends, as they open at noon. During the week, the Wharf only opens at 4 p.m. for their happy hour.
There is plenty of room for the kids to run around on the greenspace next to the restaurant where you can have a picnic if you want to order indoors and eat outside. A canoe/kayak landing is next to the walkway, if you wish to actually ride the river. Historical, two-hour Cuyahoga Riverboat tours are available upon reservation.
Bon appetit by the riverfront!
