So is it really summer if we don’t take the patio tour for a revisit to Tinker’s Creek at some point?

Because let’s face it, patios in this area of Northeast Ohio pretty much fall into two categories: those with something that gives it a great view – Twisted Olive, Blue Heron, and pretty much any of the wineries or places situated right on Portage Lakes easily come to mind here – and those that are basically just an unused portion of the parking lot or back area that they’ve roped or fenced off and put some tables on but we’re all so desperate for outdoor dining in the ridiculously short number of nice days per year we get around here that we look past the view of a fence or someone’s Dodge Ram parked inches away and just focus on being excited to enjoy a meal outdoors.

Tinker’s Creek is definitely in the first category.

And don’t let the front of the building deter you, because as you park and approach you wouldn’t guess what’s waiting for you on the opposite side of the building.

I mean the interior of the restaurant is also nice, and there is a wall of windows on the side facing the creek so you can still have a view from those tables at least. But I honestly don’t think we’ve ever sat inside because we always save this revisit just for the patio.

For drinks Shane and I both ordered the spicy pineapple mule from the specials board, while Ted opted for a Guinness.

The drink definitely earned the “spicy” part of its name. I took one sip and my throat was on fire. But it was still delicious.

Spoiler alert, we learned when the bill arrived that these drinks were only $8.50 each. Given the large glass and the lack of pricing on the actual menu that was a pleasant surprise. Especially when we’ve also paid just as much for far less at other places (looking at you tiny tequila soda from Retz’s Laconi, or canned Surfsides at The Workz).

Shane and I got the tater kegs as an app. If it’s not obvious from the name, these are basically loaded tater tots but with everything baked inside instead of served as toppings.

They were quite good. The charred scallion dipping sauce that came with them was excellent and we both agreed we could just eat a bowl of that by itself.

Ted intended to have the fried pickle chips as an app but they ended up arriving at the same time as the rest of his meal so they became more of a side dish to his BBQ chicken meal.

The chicken meal is a whole half chicken so it does require some deconstruction in order to consume it – but Ted said it was well worth the effort. And that it ended up being a substantial amount of meat once he carved it all out. He had ordered the pickle chips thinking the meal alone might leave him hungry – carving a chicken is a workout after all – but while he did enjoy them he truly hadn’t needed them in order to be full.

He really enjoyed all of his food, particularly pointing out the butter and almond sauce that the green beans were cooked in.

It should be noted that we all at some point at least considered ordering the exact same meal if for no other reason than being assaulted with the delicious smell of BBQ from the moment we stepped out of the car.

Talk about an easy marketing campaign.

Instead Shane and I deferred to the group motto of “we like burgers and wings,” as I ordered the loaded steakburger with a side salad and Shane chose a dozen of the boneless garlic parm wings.

My burger was a little more well done than the medium I had requested. But even so it was still good. The mushrooms and onions were grilled well and I liked that it featured provolone cheese instead of the usual Swiss that you typically see paired with mushroom and onions on a burger.

Shane gave his wings a solid “OK.” He thought the value for the wings was excellent – much like last week’s visit to the Wolf Creek Tavern you definitely get a lot for your money – but his big issue was with the flavor. He had ordered garlic parm, but that was almost overpowered by a strange taste he could only describe as “fish” that seemed to be baked into the wings. Normally we get excited over unexpected extras at no additional charge – but this was decidedly unwelcome.

He speculated that they must cook the wings in the same grease the fish is prepared in as well. To which he would just advise maybe isn’t the best idea.

Our service for the evening was fine. We could’ve had someone check back in on us a little more frequently, and they probably would’ve gotten at least one more round of drinks out of us at the end of the evening if that had happened because our glasses did sit empty for a hot minute after the second round. But at least she asked us if we wanted our checks before just assuming and serving them to us in the dreaded “you don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here – even though we’re still open for another few hours” move.

See you next summer, Tinker’s Creek.

Picked by: Ted