Paddy Jack's in Sylvania

See how long they stick around. If Ken Pompora is still with this group that also owned the Big Buddha, I have my reservations

Their prices are steep for what they have. I'm all for paying that much when you get what you pay for. I'm fine that they ripped off Melt Bar & Grilled but their grilled cheeses are twice as big for the same price. Paying $15 for a grilled cheese, soda and tip isn't worth it for me. Hopefully they have lunch specials and I hope they start using Texas Toast.

The original Grilled Cheese gurus, this is what Toledo needs. Worth every penny!!!

http://meltbarandgrilled.com/

Aqua - I was just thinking that they were trying to rip off Melt. I can't imagine that it'll be on par but I'll still give it a try.

My understanding is that it is the same people that attempted Big Buddha grill in the same location, which didn't make it much more than 6 months.

My wife and I also went to Paddy Jacks. Loved it! We have been to The Melt in Cleveland and did not get the impression of it being a take off. The food was great and the staff was friendly and quick. Very good selection of beer from around world as well. We tried the portabello and the gyro melt. Both were excellent.

"Aqua - I was just thinking that they were trying to rip off Melt." ~ idinspired

looks like they are also ripping off upso's restaurant grumpy's famous garbage salad with their "Paddy's Salad" : Mixed greens, grilled chicken, bacon, onions, tomato, mushroom, raisin, provolone, mozzarella, and fresh Parmesan cheese. Served with a creamy poppyseed dressing.

for comparison the "garbage salad" includes:
mixed greens, grilled chicken, bacon, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, raisins and four cheeses, poppy seed dressing, croutons

it's a pretty unique combo of flavors not available anywhere but grumpy's until now

Pompora is involved. Just another place to launder drug money. 6 months and out.

To be fair, the garbage salad has been around everywhere in the country for a long time. For a great take on it, try Zingo's in perrysburg - one of my favorite salads of all time.

our recipe is / was unique to grumpy's
and we've been making it for well over 20 years

(zingo's salad is a "junk" salad with a completely different recipe)

that said, it's no skin off my back! :)

I have been waiting for a place to open in Sylvania with a good beer selection and this place advertises such. But with Pompora involved, I'm afraid I will never find out.

If they start selling "Kenn-wiches" we'll know something is up.

Ha!

And: i can't wait to try grumpys junk salad! my employer is moving downtown soon, so i'm psyched.

I went to this over the weekend and was pleasantly surprised. I haven't been to Melt, but I've been to Cheesie's in Chicago, and I felt that it definitely had it's merits. I could see making this an after bar stop since they are open until 2:30am.

I did, however, find the marketing very interesting. On their facebook, twitter, and website pages, they boast LOUDLY that they are something new for Sylvania, though I have yet to understand how they can ignore the fact they have a Toledo address. I feel that boasting that they are in Sylvania (which is a stretch in my opinion, albeit they are in the Township) is really counter productive to a healthy view of new Toledo businesses. But I am sure there is an inside story there that I am missing by not being any way connected to Sylvania.

Nonetheless, I think having a gastropub like environment can only be good for the area. I hope it succeeds.

It is a Toledo address but that is all. Township residents go to Sylvania schools, follow Sylvania Twsp rules when modifying their property...followed different smoking rules when Toledo started with that nonsense. It is Sylvania. Also Sylvania is for marketing purposes better than Toadville.

The Sylvania $$ Demographic is far more appealing for a place that charges $10 for a sandwich. They probably had to use the Sylvania data as supporting evidence of viability in the business plan to get financing, and that has carried over to their marketing. The place is right in the same plaza as Checkmate Games, where I spend a lot of time, so it is on my list of places to visit one day when I feel like over-paying for food.

Went last week and was also pleasantly surprised. The food was actually damn good. I will be going back.

It did have a Pompora feel, judging by the look of the waitress and 45,000 tv's in the place. But that is pretty much his calling card.

"It did have a Pompora feel, judging by the look of the waitress and 45,000 tv's in the place. But that is pretty much his calling card."

That and cocaine. Don't forget cocaine.

I feel that boasting that they are in Sylvania (which is a stretch in my opinion, albeit they are in the Township) is really counter productive to a healthy view of new Toledo businesses.

Huh?

How is it "boasting" if they are actually located in Sylvania Twp?

Residents who live nearby attend Sylvania schools, property is subject to Sylvania Twp zoning requirements, Sylvania Twp police and fire departments would service the property.

There's even a Sylvania Twp fire department station right across the road on McCord. Which probably also technically has a Toledo mailing address, but I don't think anyone would argue that they are a Toledo fire department.

Starr56, RobJeff, mom2

Thank you for clarifying to me. Like I said before, I have no real need (or desire) to be affiliated to Sylvania.

That being said, mom2, I think you're missunderstanding my tone when I use the word boasting. I actually had to look up that they were in Sylvania Township, because up until yesterday I thought St. James Square was in Toledo proper. Which was part of my confusion.

I should have been more clear. I don't disagree that they should not have the right to advertise they reside in Sylvania (Township) but the way they went about it, made me think that it was on Main St. in downtown Sylvania by Haymarket Square, rather than by McCord Rd. When I found out it was in the same plaza as Frogtown Johnnie's, I was surprised.

Even their facebook page states their address as:
6725 W Central Ave Unit A, Sylvania, OH.

I guess I had a different picture in my head of where it was going to be because I have been known to hang out in St. James, and I don't consider that Sylvania at all. Though, apparently, I should start. It's much like how I consider Springfield Township by it's location and addresses. The Township with a Holland address means a different area than one with a Toledo address.

I did look at a couple other restaurants in the area. Max & Erma's considers that venue the 'Sylvania Location' as do a couple others.

Maybe it's just me being oversensitive to marketing and it really isn't a big deal. I guess I was just more surprised no one else found this odd.

Thank you for explaining the finite details of how a conclusion was made. I consider all of these things very good reasons why it could be considered Sylvania.

My intention was never to bash the restaurant (which I actually did like), Sylvania or any of its residents, nor any of the TTers who I have grown to really respect, but instead voice a question that has been bothering me as someone who pays attention to weird details because of my OCD. :/

Next time I just might stick to my coffeeshops and the restaurants in the heart of downtown so I don't anger the suburbanites by asking questions. (I kid, mom2)

We stopped in this weekend and I echo the previous responses. The food was actually good - good enough that I'll come back despite the atmosphere. The "worldwide beer selection" was mediocre at best, but they did have 21st Amendment on tap which is a plus in my book.

The atmosphere was awful in my opinion though. The top 40 type music played at a level that made talking a little difficult. TV's everywhere. The decor was cheesy (no pun intended) and didn't fit with irish theme, with a back bar that would look more appropriate in a strip club. The owners clearly want this place to be considered a bar before a restaurant, which is unfortunate because I wouldn't come back at night.

No problem GlassPhoenix. Actually, I might have interpreted your initial post differently had I realized you were relatively new to the area. (Which I noticed after reading your post about public transit.)

There are some people who get snippy about Sylvania and other suburbs. Sometimes frustrates me, because I like downtown Toledo & always try to show enthusiasm about downtown events and businesses. Just because I don't choose to live downtown doesn't mean that I shun it entirely. :)

Well just thought I would mention that this place is awesome. My wife and I have been there several times since it opened and have managed to try all the sandwiches on the specialty section of the menu by sharing each others order and not one sandwich has disappointed. The staff and management are great. Just a fun place to go.

Great uniforms for the waitresses. A classic look that never fails to catch my attention :)

They opened a new location this weekend in downtown Sylvania, in the old Jenna's Mediterranean. I stopped by on Saturday and they were already packed by 5:30.

A little close to the other location if you ask me, but likely far enough away not to cannibalize their own business too much. Seems like it will do well.

When did Jenna's Mediterranean close up?

About two months ago, I'd say.

About two months ago, I'd say.

I would say at least two months ago. I drive by there frequently and it seemed like not long after New Year's. I was amazed they stayed open as long as they did - there was never anyone in there (at the risk of judging a business on anecdotal evidence...) when I would drive by, or the few times I ate there.

Checked out the Paddy Jack's website. Is this place just a rip-off of the Tilted Kilt?

http://www.tiltedkilt.com/

It's a bar that bases their menu on grilled cheese sandwiches and their waitresses dress like school girls. Not sure what's to rip off.

My opinion has since changed on this place after several more visits. The food has started to get more in line with other Pompora garbage. It has quickly turned into a Jersey Shore bar.

It's a common business model that continues to make money. Average food with very attractive servers, throw in beer and Bingo ! Star Diner has done it for years, Star Bar (soon to be BB419-West ?). Tilted Kilts have been expanding in surrounding areas. Paddy Jack's is capitalizing on a pretty simple thing. Guys will spend money like Pavlov's dog for a girl in a pretty skirt.

I'm not really what you'd call a grilled cheese afficianado.