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He gives a failing grade to the sub/pizza shops of Cleveland Circle
By adamg on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 9:05am
And Eagle's is the worst of them all, new Cleveland Circle denizen Martin Lierbaman writes:
... Either the B.C. kids have really low standards for good food, or these places just aren't even trying. How I long for the days when I could get off the T on my way home and eat at T. Anthony's, a real pizza place, and a real good one at that.
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Comments
T. Anthony's? Seriously?
If thinks that is a good pizza place, I know why he doesn't like Pino's or Presto. T. Anthony's is fine pizza. Its a better than average option. You could do much worse. But its not good pizza. Never mind that his complaint about Pino's/Presto's/Eagle's is that they don't provide a good Chicken Cutlet sub. I don't get why we look for pizza parlors to make subs. I get why they do it, of course, but it still disappoints me. These are spots the excel in not subs. Whether it be pizza and the two P's or burgers at Eagle's. Maybe T. Anthony's does do a bang-up chicken parm sub, but that hardly strikes me as the food product to use as a basis to judge a burger joint and two pizza parlors.
I'm not defending Roggies, though. I never much cared for them. I don't like the Greek-style crust there.
He doesn't like the chicken
He doesn't like the chicken cutlet or chicken parm subs/sandwiches. what about everything else those places have to offer? it's a bit of an overgeneralization, huh?
try the pizza at presto's or pino's. if he has, what do you think? I personally love presto's and hate pino's, but I know some foolish people who feel the same way.
i will agree that eagle's deli isnt as good as it used to be, but try a burger there, that's what they are known for.
roggies... well i think that's particularly good for the happy hour crowd. though i do like their nachos and roggie's crown burger. but they are usually best with a bunch of beer.
I was pissed that Best Buy wouldn't sell me good printer paper
Oh, right, then I realized I should have been going to Staples. Sure, Best Buy *sells* paper, but that's not their reason for existing.
Who goes into Eagle's and complains that they don't sell good chicken parm?? The only chicken they serve at Eagle's is for the girlfriends who get dragged along but don't eat red meat.
Next time he should get a 3.5 lb bacon cheeseburger and 2 lunch trays of fries and enjoy.
Good places to eat in Cleveland Circle
Presto is better than Pino's by a longshot, but yes, both suck. Pino's tastes like spaghetti-o's.
Cityside has good pizza, and pretty much good everything. Spinach and artichoke dip, nachos, pastas, sandwiches, just all-around goodness. It probably falls into the category of upscaleish bar food, much like Beer Works or similar. Definitely a notch above Roggie's. Also they have a full bar. I think they're the only place in Cleveland Circle that does (Roggie's has a cordial license).
The Thai place is awesome too (OMG drunken noodles), and you can't go wrong with Boloco for cheap quick food that's made out of food.
I will defend Pinos against
I will defend Pinos against this onslaught! I like their food better than Prestos
Cityside's no good
I have to disagree with eeka; Cityside is awful.
Two years ago, my girlfriend nearly broke her tooth on a bit of bacon there while eating a cob salad (no lie!), it was stale and hard as a rock. I have to walk by there every day on my way home from work and i'll tell you, when it's hot out (like it's been this summer), and they leave the screen door to the kitchen open, it's not entirely unusual to see a rat or two scampering in and out.
When I first moved to Cleveland Circle, I thought Cityside could be my neighborhood hangout, but I ate there several times (before seeing the rats in the back, of course) and was never satisfied. It's definitely not upscale pub fair. Our House West has way better food, and that place is a dive too! (but i'm biased, OHW is my favorite dive in Boston, other than Foley's off Summer).
As Usual, Contrary Opinion
I like Pino's. Good crispy crust, just the right blend of cheese and sauce.
I have never tried the other places, so perhaps my palate is just immature :-)
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
They both have their merits
I think a lot of people feel pressure to pick one or the other, but I think both Pino's and Presto's are exceptional and are both genuinely different takes on the classic pizza. I've found Presto's to be maybe a little oily, but with a heartier crust and more savory sauce. Pino's on the other hand has quality cheese that always pops. I don't know if its the blend or just good product, but I'm recalling their cheese being a good stand-out with their sweet sauce and thinner crust. I like them both a lot. In college I tended towards Pino's, but since then I've been fonder of Presto.
Everyone knows MaryAnn's has
Everyone knows MaryAnn's has the best food in Cleveland Circle. That snakes machine with stuff from 3 years ago is money.
While a snakes machine would
While a snakes machine would be amazing, I of course meant snacks ha.
Response to Martin
I e-mailed this to his facebook and posted it on his blog, but saw the discussion carried over here and wanted to repost it.
I’m Sean and I’ve been the owner of Eagle’s since May 2006, I came across your blog about Cleveland circle and wanted to clear a few things up.
1) We don’t sell subs; it’s actually a violation of our lease. We have sub rolls for sausages, kielbasa and 1/2lb and 1lb hotdogs, but even if requested by a customer we can’t do a chicken cutlet or any other type of “sub”.
2) We don’t do chicken parm, and you’ll notice very few items we have and our neighbor pinos has cross over, it’s a working relationship we share not to try and compete on items with each other. The closest you’ll find is an occasional American chop suey special during the winter.
3) I did find it interesting that you didn’t like our chicken cutlet and did like T. Anthony’s. I’ve long known the family that runs T. Anthony’s and I’ve always enjoyed their food, but what I find interesting is I know for a fact we both use the EXACT same chicken cutlet, cook it the same way and last I check I think we even use the same fryer oil (or very close) and we even get our bread (bulkie’s, subs, rye, bagels) from the same baker.
4) I apologize for the polar case being empty, there was supposed to be a delivery that Monday and polar (Nantucket nectar, Snapple, orangina) had shipping issues and didn’t deliver until Friday, and the fountain ginger ale has had an “out” sign for 2 weeks as we await coca cola to come out and clean the line and bring new signage as we add Blue PowerAde to the fountain (multiple customer requests) in replace of fountain ginger ale (the slowest seller)
5) As for the prices you won’t find us the cheapest, the quality and potions combined with the cost of rent for this area is what sets the prices, rent goes down, food cost goes down (neither of which I see even happening) then I’ll be the first to lower prices!
That being said, I’m always disappointed when a customer doesn’t have a good time at Eagle’s, the previous owner/management in their last few years run the place down, it was dirty, unfriendly and quality was not a top concern and I have worked very hard over the 26months to change that image, new staff, new layout, better cleaning policies/staff, some product upgrades/new items and even going back to a deli basic of cooking our own corned beef.
So, I’d like to offer you a $20.00 gift card so you can give us another try, it will be at the register, just ask the cashier and if they’re unaware of it just ask for the manager. If you don’t enjoy your second experience I’d hope for you to contact me directly and express your displeasures so I can address them for you. As many have stated we’re known for our burgers, we probably provide the best breakfast/value you’ll find in the area (especially or weekday breakfast specials) and as stated we cook our own corned beef, we do use a double brisket so it won’t be extra lean if that’s a preference, but most people find it rather tasty.
If I can be of any further assistance please feel free to contact me directly [email protected]
subs are a violation of your lease?
that's strange
subs
not really, it's a non-compete issues, in most cases where there is more then one location on a block under a landlord there is some type of non-compete.
Eagle's can't sell subs or pizza and presto can't sell french fry's.
Dear Sean
That was an awesome post! It's great to see that you went out of your way to come here as well as at the original blog to let us know your response to the original complaint.
I'm sure you know this by just talking to most of your customers, but you guys do a great burger at Eagle's and I've always been happy to be a customer there. I think Martin is the exception rather than the rule. I've been in Brighton near Cleveland Circle for 8 years now and for the past 2 years, your deli has been improving when I've been in. I didn't realize it was due to a change in management/ownership, but I'm glad to see you're keeping the place moving forward. I'm sure it's hard when you get a place with a history and have to play to both the past and your own wants for the future. Glad to see you doing just that and even getting in touch with the community when you see stuff like this too!
thank you
Kaz that you for you're post and I'm glad you enjoy Eagle's and hope you continue to for another 8 years+!
Customer service at its best
I wrote back to Sean privately, but since he's gone out of his way to reply to my post at multiple places, I figured it was worth a public reply to give him kudos for his customer service. Not too many stores or companies would bother replying like he has, so I said I'd gladly give Eagle's a second chance — if only to have one of the burgers I've heard so much about in recent weeks since my original post went up. Thanks again, Sean.