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Fat Cats
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
2061 W 10th StCleveland, OH 44113
(216) 579-0200
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
26 reviews for Fat Cats
Review Highlights
"Great burger, possibly the best in Tremont."
(in 10 reviews)
"The lamb and goat cheese empanadas are $3."
(in 6 reviews)
"The pork belly was super tender, flavorful, and juicy."
(in 4 reviews)
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26 reviews in English
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Review from Theresa C.
Cleveland, OH
10/27/2011
This is a nice little place in the hip Tremont neighborhood. It actually just looks like a house converted into a bar/restaurant. What really stands out is their Monday night special which is appetizer, entree, dessert for $25.
They definitely have some eccentric appetizers on the menu like a grape jelly pizza, but everything tastes pretty good. I would the two entrees I have gotten there, korean short ribs and something else I cant recall, could taste better. The desserts are also good.
I would come here again, but for the price and taste only the Monday deal seems worthwhile. -
Review from Joyce P.
Updated - 10/20/2011
Came here for lunch with some friends and had a better experience than last time.
We sat outside on the patio, enjoying a breezy fall day. I ordered the house pappardelle, which has braised lamb shank, butternut squash, mushroom confit, lamb jus. The noodles were a really, really good consistency! Knowing the portions of Fat Cats (and Felice), I was nervous about whether or not it would be filling enough, but I was pleasantly surprised at how satisfied I was at the end! I was definitely good to go.
They still give out one piece of bread at a time. The olive oil/olives spread is good as always!
Service was very friendly and helpful!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/22/2011
I wanted to like Fat Cats more because I really enjoyed Felice, but unfortunately we had a hopefully… Read more »
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Review from Rachael N.
Cleveland, OH
9/11/2011
3.5 stars. I ate here with fellow yelper Joyce P. and other non-Cleveland guests.
Fat Cats is in a cool part of Tremont. What? I almost drove by it without stopping. It looks like it's in a house! Classic of Tremont.
The bread with the balsamic and olives were indeed good- I liked it.
I ordered the rigatoni special. The noodles were done okay (a little hard) and the meat was okay...I just wanted some kick to it. Pizazz. Ba da boom. Something of that sort. It was good though...just not "omg, I'm in foodie heaven."
My other friends ordered the bouillabaise and polenta- and they weren't too happy with their dish. The guy next to me ordered duck breast- I think he liked it? And the girl next to him ordered the pork belly- and about died with the spice level.
So I think the quality of the food is okay, the menu selection is great though. I think we just had an off night....and chose way too random of dishes.
I mean, this place is a cool place. Nonetheless, I want to give it another try.... -
Review from Deb S.
Cleveland, OH
2/4/2012
Great beer selection, tasty tasty food and terrific service. Very solicitous of my picky children!
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Review from Hy D.
Chagrin Falls, OH
1/21/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Been coming here for years. Always had a good meal, decent selection and portion size. Great place for an intimate experience, but wouldn't let the group size get too big and overload the kitchen.
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Review from Bill R.
Dumfries, VA
11/12/2011
Very good. We went on a warm day and sat outside for a Sunday lunch. Very good food and service. Definitely would return when we're back in Cleveland again.
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Review from Keith Charles F.
Cleveland, OH
3/21/2011
ahhhhhhhhh......meh.
To be honest, Fat Cats probably started a little behind the eight ball due to the fact that I had really really really wanted to go to Dave and Busters to start with. But sadly the girlfriend had a headache and somehow was not in the mood to watch me get plowed on Maker's Mark and scream obscenities at the coin pushing machines.
So, since relationships are about compromise and she was a little too dolled up for skee ball we decided to cross off another place on my culinary to do list. Fat Cats had been on my list from a recommendation from a former boss. That night I learned that maybe he had better advice on big ten football wagering then grub.
Fat Cats is not bad, but it is certainly not anything great. The best part about this place is the building it is in. This restaurant is clearly an old converted Tremont home that is beyond charming. The wait staff was knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. Sadly, the part that gets washed out was the food. The little lady got the hanger steak and I the sea salt pasta. I thought my pasta was completely bland with all flavors getting muddled into a weird weak brothy taste. Her steak was okay but at the portion size and price I expected more.
The big problem with Fat Cats is relativity. When compared the other similarly priced Tremont faire, it simply does not stand up. -
Review from Carolyn L.
Palatine, IL
Yum yum yum yum yum yum. Came here on a lark last Friday (after seeing it turn up in my Yelp list for nearby restaurants). I loved the informal decor and friendly wait staff. I started out with the goat cheese and lamb empanadas. I'm not usually (read: never) a fan of lamb, but these empanadas might have made me a believer. They were cooked perfectly and just the right size. So delicious.
Next, I had one of the day's specials: Pork Belly Tacos. They were served with fennel, curry rice, sour cream, and cilantro. The pork belly was super tender, flavorful, and juicy. Kind of a pain in the ass to eat (I'm a bit OCD when it comes to food, not a big fan of messy). But in the end, my efforts paid off: I cleaned my plate.
I would definitely recommend hitting up this little Tremont gem. Looked perfect for a date spot, happy hour (full bar), brunch, etc. Wish I could have had more time to explore the area! Sounds like Cleveland's got a rockin little foodie scene! -
Review from Adam H.
4/26/2011
Pretty good food and a decent bar, I just had a hard time finding it! I liked it here and will probably be back. I was just annoyed with the goofy 3 way intersection thing they had nearby. Not cool guys...
Anyway we started off the night with the Herb Crusted Goat Cheese with tomato jam. Probably one of the better appetizers they had! Great mix of sour and sweet tastes going on there. We also got the La Caprese with fresh mozzarella. Very good but nothing extraordinary.
For my entrée I got the Pan Roasted Duck Breast with a pumpkin goat cheese tart, and braised seasonal vegetables with an orange sauce. The duck was cooked well but I had a kinda lousy piece. Another colleague of mine had a much better cut. It was tasty though. The pumpkin tart was very interesting. It looked as if it was going to be sweet but had a very mellow almost bland taste. It was quite refreshing though after digging into a juicy duck breast. I was impressed but I think next time i will be getting the Hanger steak!
Overall I had a good time and the food and service was above average. The bar had my favorite bourbon so i had no complaints there ! If you are a Clevelander, you should go here at least once. Just saying -
Review from Rachel B.
5/18/2010
Went here on Saturday night and had a really great meal! I'll start with the negative to get it out of the way. Really, the only critical thing that I can say about Fat Cats is that despite a reservation, we still had to wait 15 minutes. I guess it wouldn't have been so bad if a) we weren't starving, and b) I didn't have out-of-town in-laws that I wanted to impress.
But the experience only got better from the time we sat down. Everyone was great to us, even though it was majorly crowded at first. My mother-in-law is an extremely picky eater who really would always want to go to a chain restaurant in order to get her salad & soup combo, or something really small, or something meat-and-potatatoey that she can share with somebody. She was really happy here because of...what did she call it? The "local flavor" or something like that. She was surprised to see fare other than burgers and "sammies" on the menu.
Anyway, she was very happy with her alaskan halibut. The fact that she and my father-in-law shared it did not make the server flinch at all (unlike the way they gave them "that look" the previous night at another restaurant).
I had the spinach and leek soup, which was creamy, tasty, and filling. It came with a crostini overflowing with the same olive tapenade that they bring to the table with olive oil & vinegar for the bread. Delicious - so much so that I could hardly eat my main course, the rigatoni with olives, onions, fresh tomato sauce, and lake erie creamery feta. So good!
My husband had the arugula salad and then the duck entree, which he really enjoyed. We also shared some great egg rolls to start.
And oh, can't forget about dessert. If you come here and consider skipping it, DON'T. Get the fallen chocolate cake (served with vanilla ice cream and a port-wine sauce) or the peanut butter cheesecake (topped with grape jam and drizzled with chocolate sauce). Even my in-laws, who were gabbing about Weight Watchers all night, ate every bite.
I seem to remember the last time I came here (last summer) there wasn't a very large selection of beers on tap. Even though it's still not huge, they seem to have added a couple of good local choices.
Fat Cats is a great mix of casual atmosphere with really delicious food. Everything I had surprised me, which is always good!Listed in: Woman vs. Food, Don't Skip Dessert, Mac Daddy / Daddy Mac
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Review from HY S.
Seattle, WA
11/12/2009
Kind of empty the few times I've been here. I hope I'm just going at off times because this place is fantastic!
OMG! Best deal ever! Mondays are $25 any 3-course meal (except the cheese plate appetizer). All of our food was delicious: sweetbreads, steamed clams, and empanadas, followed by 4 excellent entrees: scallops, lamb chops, short ribs, and the hanger steak, which was outstanding. Dessert, less memorable but hey, it's only $25!
I like the Fat Cats vibe -- nice but casual, kind of bohemian and not as pretentious as some of the Tremont restaurants. Not that I don't also love pretension ( I yelp, after all), but it's nice to have options. Fat Cats is giving Monday night Wing Night at the Winking Lizard a run for it's money. -
Review from Morgan R.
12/4/2009
Fat Cats turned out to be a great place to go for lunch. The restaurant was fairly empty so we were seated quickly. The service was great; I was really pleasantly surprised with how friendly everyone was.
The sweet potato leek soup is really good, but be forewarned: you get an entire bowl, not just a cup like I expected. It didn't stop me from gulping down the entire thing. I loved the way the subtle leek flavor rounded out the slight sweetness of the sweet potato. The fried sage on top was awesome, but I am on a huge sage kick at the moment (blame Thanksgiving). My entree was the potato pancakes. Served in a stack of three, about the size of your palm, they were crispy on the outside and nice and fluffy on the inside. Topped with a delicious apple chutney and creamy goat cheese and cold smoked salmon on the side. All of the flavors meshed really well together: the saltiness of the pancake, the sweetness of the apple, the creamy tartness of the goat cheese and the smokiness of the salmon.
I'll definitely be back to try some of the other delicious looking options on the menu. Omelette with pomme frites? Yes, please! -
Review from Jon H.
Hudson, OH
4/28/2011
I really hoped I could give Fat Cats more than two stars, but unfortunately, it's not in the cards.
PROS: Great, cozy atmosphere in a converted old house in a quiet corner of Tremont. Walking in, the vibe was great and the hostess and waitstaff were nothing but pleasant and attentive. Things started off well enough and I thought this could be a repeat visit type of place. However...
CONS: The food. Ultimately, one still frequents a restaurant for its culinary output (one would assume, at least!), and Fat Cats kitchen offerings didn't complement what had been built up so far. The olive tapenade they bring out to go with bread, stingily given one slice at a time I might add, is tasty enough, but the bread itself is cold and had probably been baked quite a while earlier. I ordered the Ohio City burger and found it to be problematic. The beef was dry, along with the stale-tasting bun. Speaking of dry, what's with those pieces of pork belly thrown on top of the burger? I had hoped maybe they were made to order, but it was pretty obvious the kitchen must make a number of them when prepping earlier in the day and just ration them out from a container like they would pickles and other condiments. Way too chewy and not adding anything good flavor-wise. The blue cheese slaw tasted off, and the pickles were of the slightly sweet variety, which I can't get down with. Topping it off, the 'tomato jam' they serve with this is chunky enough that their pommes frites (aka shoestring potatoes) easily bend when you attempt to dip. I ended up having to pour the jam over the frites and use a fork, which didn't feel right, nor taste especially good.
On the bright side, my wife enjoyed her goat cheese appetizer and house salad, which leads me to believe Fat Cats strength is maybe in a quiet evening nursing a cocktail and sharing an appetizer. Too bad, really, but there are still plenty of better options in the city. -
Review from Imran Q.
1/30/2011
I know people love this place, but I don't really see why. I ordered the most basic thing on the menu - fish and chips... and they gave me, well, badly prepared finger sticks. Okay, that's a bit harsh, but really for all the hype it really wasn't worth it. The batter was bland and soggy. There was no malt vinegar (come on, its fish and chips!). it seemed like they put in some malt into the batter - not appealing. I probably won't be back. Plenty of great restaurants in Cleveland to spend my money at.
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Review from Evo T.
Tempe, AZ
1/22/2009
When I pulled up to the place -- after I found it -- I was wondering what I had gotten myself into! But the client recommended it and he's local. I gave it a shot.
Oh, happy day!
An INCREDIBLY friendly waitstaff started us off in this quirky and tiny establishment. They knew their stuff and were happy to make suggestions, yet blended in with the decor and never interrupted at odd moments.
The food was great. I had the special (I always get a special) of linguini and clams. Outstanding. And good portions, too. Not so much that you feel stuffed. And not so tiny that you feel compelled to order desert. Twice.
I'll be back! -
Review from Mark H.
Cleveland, OH
3/11/2011
I just came back from Fat Cats on a wintry March night. It was pretty quiet in there because of a snowstorm, so we were able to sit easily without the reservation I had called in. It's a pretty cool set-up -- a converted house with a bar at the front and two nice back rooms with fantastic views of downtown Cleveland that looked great at night (all the skyscrapers were lit up).
Our server was very friendly and helpful. She was definitely on top of refilling our drinks. We thought it was pretty funny, though, that they only gave us one slice of bread at a time, and then replaced it, instead of giving us a basket. It was a good thing though, because we would have eaten much more with the olive, vinegar, mushroom concoction that came with the bread, which was fantastic.
We both had the Angus burger with pommes frites. Fantastic portion and fantastic flavor. The dessert was a banana nut bread pudding with peanut butter and chocolate sauce and ice cream, and it was delectable.
Overall, between the ambience, waitstaff, and food, this is a place I'd heartily recommend. It's a tad pricier than what you might expect for American cuisine, but imo it's worth it. -
Review from Kyle W.
Lakewood, OH
12/18/2007
Can't believe I'm the first to review this place. To be honest I haven't been in one year now but it is my favorite place in Tremont...
GOOD STUFF: Trendy with good food and good service. The bartenders are really well trained here (or just nice). If you go a couple of times they'll introduce themselves and remember you when you come back in....plus they make crazy martinis with their homemade recipes..I got a pumpkin martini here that was really good.
BAD STUFF: Sometimes crowded and can be a bit loud. Small like most Tremont places but I like that...gives it a better feel. Somewhat pricey (again like most of the Tremont places).
PRICE: About 100$ with liquor for two people.
OVERALL: Great date place or special occasion dinner. Bar tenders are top notch. Not as overhyped like some of the other Tremont and Downtown locations. -
Review from Michele G.
Cleveland, OH
7/21/2008
No complaints here, except their Web site could use some work (I like to peruse the menu online before getting there to get myself pumped up). First time dining at Fat Cats and really liked the cozy atmosphere. Decor is colorful and they featured some photographs from local artists, which was cool. Snagged a parking spot right outside, although fairly early for a Saturday (6:00). Probably best to make reservations if you're thinking about eating at peak time Friday/Saturday night as the place is pretty small - it's literally an old house converted into a restaurant.
Shared a few apps amongst our group - sautéed calamari and thai chicken skewers. The sauce with those skewers was awesome - we were all trying to guess what made it sweet. Turns out some mango and coconut milk. The calamari was super tender with the right amount of spice in the sauce. Apps are a little on the pricey side considering the size, but between an app and entree, you won't leave hungry.
Got seared sea scallops for my entree. Generous portion of three giant scallops with a medley of diced veggies and potatoes - the scallops were like candy (if you like sea-flavored candy). Splurged on dessert and shared a lemon cheesecake and, get this ... walnut banana bread pudding with peanut butter sauce. Oh yeah, it was as good as it sounds!
By the way, their Web site is http://www.coolplacest.... Otherwise, if you're in the market for cat toys, then check out http://fatcats.com. -
Review from Kyle Z.
Cleveland, OH
2/2/2011
Really freaken awesome brunch with a veggie friendly bloody marry with just the right kick of horseradish. Their feature food items, I believe change weekly, but I had this awesome fried egg sandwich that seriously gave me goosebumps when I tasted it. I know that sounds freaken weird but the food is amazing.
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Review from Eileen C.
Irvine, CA
3/14/2010
Honestly, not that impressed.
Had empanadas that were not that hot or flaky. Mac and cheese was just very heavy. Fish dish was just ok as well.
Very cramped environment and small tables. Very noisy as well due to hardwood floors. -
Review from Kirsten R.
Cleveland, OH
1/7/2011
I have been here twice for lunch and the food is outstanding. The view is fantastic, and is probably even better at night, the service is great, and the ambiance is wonderful--a good neighborhood bar/place to eat. I want to go back for dinner soon.
A bonus--they always have a lot of specials. The only problem is, it's hard to choose because everything is so good.
Note: I wrote that it's wheelchair-accessible, but there are steps up to the restroom, plus I'm not sure how easy it would be for someone in a wheelchair to get into that space. -
Review from P W.
Cleveland, OH
12/2/2009
I live right across the street from Fat Cats and have only been there a handful of times. I ate there tonight for a happy hour/dinner. A great place to eat. I feel like I have been wasting my time by not coming here. The people who work there are a pleasure to talk with. The mini burgers at $4 for a pair is a deal. The lamb and goat cheese empanadas are $3. Import beers are $3, domestic $2. The ribs at happy hour are also good. I have not shelled out for a full price entree. That day is soon coming and I will report back with an update.
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Review from Gary S.
Royal Oak, MI
8/6/2010 1 photo
Next time your HOT for Cleveland - check into Fat Cats - this place rocks!
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Review from Jason C.
Shaker Heights, OH
1/22/2008
It's hard to go wrong here. Great food, a fun, funky location in Tremont, and a relaxed atmosphere.
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Review from An O.
Los Angeles, CA
5/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Quite the hidden gem!
This is a funky cool and really tasty restaurant. We visited on a weeknight, so the restaurant was only ~30% full and we were seated immediately. The atmosphere was quite cozy. It's a converted Tremont house, nice dim lighting, Cleveland skyline views, but artsy touches here and there. The waiter quickly came over, ran through the menu and explained the specials and helped us decide what to eat. We started with appetizers of calamari and mussels. The calamari were 5/5, best I've ever had, perfectly breaded and fried in a way that made them taste like well seasoned seafood and not defrosted rubber. Highly recommended! The mussels were good too, but not as good as the calamari. For entrees, we ordered the lamb, pork chop, and ribs. Mmmmmm, so good!!! The lamb was subtly seasoned, but tenderly cooked and we enjoyed it oh so much! Pork chops and ribs were also delicious, and I'd have them again, but they werent out of this world yummy like the lamb. We ended with a shared apple crumble dessert (truthfully, the desserts options werent that appealing). The apple crumble wasn't horrible, but dessert is definitely not their forte. Thant being said, we really enjoyed our experience! Great food, very attentive staff, nice cozy, yet funky, atmosphere, we'd return in a heartbeat!
Recommended for: Date night, good American food, hungry people (good portion sizes), good service
Not recommended for: dessert, larger groups -
Review from Paul D.
Cleveland, OH
9/3/2009
Best dining experience in Tremont since moving here last April. We sat out on the patio that overlooked the tallest building in the world, the Terminal Tower. Our waitress was a delight (f-i-n-e), and the food was tasty. Kudos on the portion size and presentation. Great burger, possibly the best in Tremont.
