Bites Nearby: B Spot

Usually, "Bites Nearby" highlights restaurants in or near Mentor. But while the nearest B Spot is in , chalk this one up to wishful thinking.

Michael Symon has that he is looking at Mentor as a possible location for a B Spot.

(For those wondering about a timeline, Symon has tweeted that the only B Spot opening this year will be in Crocker Park. However, people can look forward to as many as three new locations next year. Hopefully, Mentor will be among them.)

While the B Spot is usually thought of as Symon's take on the classic burger joint, the "B" also stands for big salads, bar snacks, (fried) bologna, bratwurst and bad *** shakes.

This is decidedly different fare from Symon's other restaurants, Lola and Lolita. In fact, Symon warns people on the B Spot website, "If you're reading these, making funny faces and squinching your nose ... you're too uptight! You should immediately consume bourbon, beer or your beverage of choice and relax a little!"

B Spot's decidedly unpretentious and affordable. The brats – including the Clevelander, Symon's take on the Polish Boy – cost $5 to $6.

The burgers cost from $6 for nothing-but-the-basics Plain Jane to $11 for the Double. B Spot's burgers come with creative flourishes like coleslaw and pastrami (Fat Doug,) fried bologna (Symon Says) and corned beef and sauerkraut (Breuben.)

Symon's popular Lola Burger also returns with a fried egg, bacon and pickled red onions. However, unlike at Lola, it's served on a bun and not an English muffin here.

B Spot has a craft beer list that is good enough to make us miss Bar Symon a little less. Also, if you're not a beer drinker, grown-ups can add a shot of liquor to any milkshake for an additional $3.

But the most creative thing about B Spot is its pickle bar, where guests can add all sorts of pickled condiments. Far beyond the expected relish, the bar offers pickled garlic, jalapeños and more.

So the next time you're in Beachwood, downtown Cleveland or Crocker Park, drop by B Spot. And hope that it joins us in Mentor soon.