Stark Bites: New diner joining Belden Village restaurant scene Oct. 17
A new restaurant will open Oct. 17 in the old Cici’s Pizza space on Belden Village Street NW in Jackson Township.
Shirley’s Diner will open seven days per week, serving lunch and dinner.
Owners have been chronicling on Facebook the process of revamping the restaurant after taking it down to the studs. Along the way, Facebook followers have seen the walls painted a combination of a bright blue with a crisp red. Booth seating will have the same colors.
The restaurant is a ‘50s style diner boasting a menu with smash and half-pound burgers, corn dogs, fried green tomatoes and a variety of ice cream treats.
Shirley’s still is hiring staff, listing on Facebook it needs full- and part-time kitchen managers, cooks, servers, hosts, dishwashers and prep cooks. Wages are listed as $13 to $17 per hour.
The restaurant will be open 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays; 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; and 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.
Owners posted on Facebook a desire to be involved in the community, especially local schools: “Grandma Shirley was very involved with her church and the community she lived in. As a small and locally owned business in Stark County, we also believe in supporting the community. That’s why we decided to sell merchandise! We will have koozies, swirlpops, bottle openers and more.
"We will be donating 100% of our profits from these items to local schools in the area to help pay down student lunch debt. Kids in school shouldn’t have to worry about not getting school food because of an accrued lunch debt. Sometimes families just need help and that’s what we will do! We will work with the schools who have the highest lunch debts and donate our merchandise profits towards that mission.”
Carroll Meadows restaurant to close
A Carrollton restaurant will close its doors Oct. 15 at Carroll Meadows Golf Course.
The owners of Knickers Bar & Grill posted a farewell notice Sept. 25 on the restaurant’s Facebook page:
“With heavy hearts, we are announcing the closure of Knickers Bar & Grill. After 23 incredible years, it's a bittersweet moment as we reflect on the memories and the legacy left by our founder Emil Pozderac, the true heart and soul of this place. On our last day of operation, Sunday, Oct. 15, we invite you to join us in celebrating the remarkable journey we've had. Let's raise a glass to the customers, employees, and community that made it all possible.”
The restaurant remains in full operation during its remaining weeks, posting dinner specials and events on the Facebook page.
The restaurant made a point of saying the golf course will remain open. The restaurant had a large patio that overlooked the course.
Akron's Brew at the Zoo is Oct. 7
Akron Zoo’s Brew at the Zoo returns at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The event is themed for Halloween, and guests are encouraged to dress up in costume and participate in a costume contest.
Local breweries and wineries — including one from Jackson Township — will be there offering tastings. Tickets include eight tastings. Live music will be performed by The Scenic Route and animals will be in their habitats.
Vendors include Bent Ladder Cider and Winery of Doylestown, Blue Monkey Brewing Co. of North Royalton, Codex Brewing of Jackson Township, Collision Bend Brewery in Cleveland, Eighty-Three Brewery of Akron, Hoppin' Frog Brewery of Akron, Ignite Brewing Co. of Barberton, Lincoln Way Vineyards of Wooster, Market Garden Brewery of Cleveland, McArthur's Brew House of Cuyahoga Falls, Nauti Vine Winery of Akron, Platform Brewery, R. Shea Brewing of Akron, Schnitz Ale Brewery of Parma, Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. of Akron, and Working Class Brewery of Cleveland.
Food trucks — Cheezylicious, Sassy Dog and Swensons — will be on-site.
Sir Troy’s Toy Kingdom will also be on-site with a special station for designated drivers to sample flavored sodas.
Tickets are available at akronzoo.org/brew-at-the-zoo. Ticket prices are $35 for Akron Zoo members and $40 for non-members. Designated driver tickets are $25 for members and $30 for non-members.
Brew at the Zoo is a 21-and-older only event, including designated drivers. Infants and children will not be admitted.
CurderBurger returns to Culver’s menu
Culver’s Restaurant has announced that it has brought back its popular CurderBurger this month.
The burger is made using Culver’s Deluxe ButterBurger and topping it with a blend of yellow and white cheddar cheese curds in crispy, seasoned breadcrumbs.
It’s the burger’s third appearance on Culver’s menu, after it originated in 2021 as an April Fools joke. It then had an extended run in 2022.
The burger chain said it is bringing it back due to public demand. It will be on the menu through Oct. 31.
“The enthusiasm we’ve seen since the CurderBurger’s inception continues to amaze us,” said Quinn Adkins, Culver’s director of menu development. “We can’t wait to bring it back for a third year, and we hope this only-at-Culver’s delight continues to bring smiles to our guests’ faces as it has since it debuted two years ago.”
The return to the menu coincides with National Cheese Curd Day on Oct. 15, a holiday Culver’s invented in 2015.
New sauces unveiled at McDonald’s
McDonald’s restaurants will add two limited-time sauces to its menu on Oct. 9.
The sauces are Sweet & Spicy Jam and Mambo Sauce.
The Sweet & Spicy Jam is a red pepper dipping sauce with a tongue-numbing Szechuan peppercorn kick and extra heat from cayenne pepper. It finishes with apple cider vinegar.
McDonald’s Mambo Sauce is a tomato-based, sweet, spicy and vinegary sauce inspired by the regional Washington, D.C.-area sauce staple.
Olive Garden renews its pasta bowl deal
Olive Garden has brought back its popular Never Ending Pasta Bowl offer.
The national chain says the special deal will be available only for a limited time. Diners will pay $13.99 for the deal, which includes a choice of pasta and sauce. The meal also includes Olive Garden’s never-ending first course of soup or salad and breadsticks.
The nearest Olive Garden to Canton-area residents is at 4810 Dressler Road in Jackson Township. Others are available at 480 Howe Ave. in Cuyahoga Falls and at 3924 Medina Road in Fairlawn. Olive Garden restaurants also are in Boardman and Niles.
Send restaurant news or other food-related items to laura.kessel@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Stark Bites: Shirley's Diner to open, Knickers Bar closing
