Restaurant Review of Danny Boy’s

Jason Lowbridge

Professor Jerome M. McKeever

English 1010

25 November 2012

Word Count:  677

            Danny Boy’s restaurant held fond memories for me when I attended St. Edward’s High School in Lakewood, Ohio. After every football game, we would walk across the street and grab their famous Woogie Bear pizza rolls. If you have never been to Danny Boy’s, you are in for a big treat. Although they are considered a chain restaurant, the atmosphere at Danny Boy’s is that of a cozy, little, neighborhood eatery that has amazing service and unforgettable food.

            Danny Boy’s has since relocated from Lakewood to Detroit Avenue in Rocky River. In addition, there are now locations in Broadview Heights, Youngstown, Canton, Chesterland, and Sandusky. 

Upon entering the Rocky River restaurant, the nostalgic atmosphere embraced me. Although the space is almost too small to handle the bustling dinner crowds, it is still cozy and inviting. The memorabilia that adorns the walls and the subtle background music is a tribute to the Rat Pack and the era in which they performed. Old vinyl record covers, concert programs, and photos of Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and even the Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra paint the walls. The classic oldies pipe through the restaurant. New York, New York, That’s Amore, The Candy Man can all be heard throughout meal service. Even artists that influenced the Rat Pack like Nat King Cole and the Andrew Sisters are on the playlist. The nostalgic and charming atmosphere is perfect for both families and date night.

            The service is nothing short of amazing. Our server was attentative, yet not overbearing. It almost felt as if the servers were part of the ambiance that Danny Boy’s wants to create. From the minute I walked in the door, I felt like I was walking into the home of an old family friend. It felt like I had been dining there for years and everybody knew who I was. There is that sense of familiarity.

            Danny Boy’s is known for their award winning pizza. They have won numerous local and national pizza contests. Even with all their accolades, the selections at Danny Boy’s will not cost you a lot of dough.  The menu is so vast that it was difficult to decide what to order. The menu, like the Rat Pack, is star-studded and diverse. Appetizers ranged from Killian’s red chili to Italian pigs in a blanket. We chose the homemade bread sticks, which were shaped like a classic bowtie. They were fresh and warm and sprinkled with garlic and cheese.  Of course, I could not forget about the Woggie Bear pizza rolls that I so fondly remembered. The pizza roll is a calzone, stuffed with Ricotta cheese, sauce, and pepperoni.  They were as amazing as I remembered them to be. Although the menu offers a number of delicious sounding entries like sandwiches, salads, and pasta dishes, we chose to have one of their “main event pies.” We chose the Cleveland Pie which is described as “a little upside down, built a little backwards and kinda right in the middle of Chicago and New York.” It uses a New York style crust with cheese and pepperoni and topped off Chicago style with sauce and cheese. It was delightful and delicious. The only disappointing part of the menu was there was no dessert menu.  Despite that, the food was cooked to perfection, had amazing flavor, and was presented beautifully. That’s amore!!

            To quote Dean Martin, “How lucky can one guy be?” My visit to Danny Boy’s restaurant left me wondering when I can return for more and what I will order next time. I may just have to try that pierogi pizza I saw on the menu. I loved Danny Boy’s. Although I did not grow up in that era, I am a fan of that generation. Danny Boy’s is a tribute to the greatest generation. The nostalgia, service, and food deserve a standing ovation and my taste buds would love an encore.