Gasoline Alley

Gasoline Alley has to be one of my favorite "pig out" places. It is always difficult trying to decide between over stuffed sandwiches piled high with corned beef or pastrami, burgers, pizza or any of their daily specials. The sides of fries, saurkraut balls and onion rings, among others, are generous and delicious. Located in a former gas station on Cleveland Massillon Rd in Bath, it's a combination of deli/diner and bar. The decor is casual with an auto/service station motif and enough memorabilia to keep any car enthusiast happy. It's rather small so you might have to wait for a table sometimes, but you can get a drink at the bar which features a great selection of beers. If you order a sandwich and a side you will NOT leave hungry, but I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

The New Era

When we think of "comfort food" restaurants in the Akron area, The New Era is an old favorite. Located at the intersection of E. Market St. and Massillon Rd. it has been serving Old World style meals for many years. On a recent lunch trip there with Grammie(Maralyn) we enjoyed Chicken Paprikash, spicy Serbian style sausage and sauteed chicken livers. The paprikash was tender pieces of chicken in a rich, but light sauce with dense,chewy dumplings. Grammie said she likes those better than the big, puffy dumplings and I have to agree. They were delicious. Their Serbian sausage reminded Dad of the Hungarian sausage Mabel used to make. They were well spiced with just a hint of heat. Dad had the chicken livers sauteed with onions and I even tried one. I'm glad he liked it. He said I may acquire a taste for them, but I have my doubts. The meal was finished with apple strudel which comes with the paprikash. They also feature a daily special some of which are duck and meatloaf. We also appreciated the bread basket served before the meal. The thick slices of crusty bread were chewy and flavorful. This definitely calls for a return trip because I will soon be hungry, again.