Community Corner
Bites Nearby: Branding Iron Cookhouse
After a decade on Market Street, this family business knows its clientele
The : Where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came.
For 10 years the restaurant owned and operated by the Lewis family has been a big part of Market Street in Mentor. Laura Lewis was a director for the Willoughby parks and recreation system and Ken was a juvenile probation officer in Lake County.
When Laura's father wanted to turn the building at 8450 Market St. into a restaurant, the Lewises, with little restaurant experience, jumped in.
Find out what's happening in Mentorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“I stay out of the kitchen, that's why we have so many customers,” Laura said. “I can only wash dishes and do some cleaning. Ken runs the back of the restaurant, and I run the front.”
Adam, 30, and Lindsay, 29, the Lewis' children, run both. Laura said supporting the community is important, and so the Cookhouse supports Mentor athletic teams.
Find out what's happening in Mentorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“We have a lot of regulars, and a lot of people know each other by name. It truly is Cheers. We try really hard to be a family business.”
The Cookhouse offers all-American foods like burgers, wings, wraps and chicken sandwiches.
A full menu is available at brandingironhouse.com with details and prices.
Laura was undecided at first when asked about the Cookhouse's signature or most popular menu item, but said Ken makes a queso sauce with white cheese, jalapeno and spinach that is worked into many of the items.
“Also the homemade chicken noodle soup, a rich and creamy soup that a lot of people like, and not just when they're sick,” Laura added.
For the July 4 weekend, the Cookhouse patio will be very popular, Laura says, a place to watch the fireworks without worrying about the traffic. It will also rent tables to provide additional seating. Of course the Cookhouse already offers a full bar and daily drink specials, like $3 for a hand-poured Long Island iced tea in a pint glass.
The patio will also host a Pug Party on August 6; what to expect at a Pug Party? Laura guesses there could be as many as 100 Pug dogs. Last year there were 48.
And the last thing the Lewises want you to know about their 10-year-old establishment is that if you have a concern — Laura initially said “bad experience” but thought that too negative — you should tell them.
“We, as a family, are open to talking.”