If you go to foxcleveland.com and locate their “hot list” of favorite small businesses, you will find Lakewood’s best kept secret, The Coffee Pot, in historic birdtown, nominated for best home fries! Now I knew this before I read the hot list, because as I was visiting a shop in Rocky River, I overheard a woman tell her friend that, “If you want the best home fries, you have to go to The Coffee Pot in Lakewood”. I knew that there was recently a new owner who bought this quaint little restaurant, but had not yet been there myself.

A week after overhearing that conversation, I stopped in and was pleasantly surprised to taste the best home fries I have ever had! They were seasoned just right, with “secret” ingredients, and not greasy but perfectly cooked! I had not been in the restaurant since the last owner, May, owned the place. A valid source tells me that Jim O’Bryan met his wife Deb at this very restaurant when she worked with May! I really liked May, and the feel of the restaurant, but was discouraged by the cigarette smoke that lingered over my food. To be able to go in now, absent the smoke, made this spot a family friendly eatery. And to top it off, the prices are unbelievably low for the value of the food!

Since my first visit, I have been there several times, and have come to know the owner Joanne (Jozi) Zingale, a warm and nurturing soul who has amazed me as I learned her background. Jozi was a communications engineer for Bell for 21 years before she opened this little mom and pop diner! She admittedly left a “cushy” job with a nice salary, to open her dream, a small restaurant in a nice community. I was also shocked to hear that she had never even worked at a restaurant before! However, while she has the business sense, her husband Donald has the restaurant experience, having cooked for 25 years in places such as Don Pomeroy’s House, the Woods, and other fine dining!

When I asked Jozi, “Why Lakewood?”, she smiled and said that she loves the people. “People here are great. I get regulars and often feel like a bartender hearing others’ problems but I love it!” I, myself, enjoyed sitting at the counter and conversing with lovely Lakewood residents. While Jozi had no former restaurant experience, she decided upon opening “just to treat people the way I like to be treated when going out to eat”.

In comparison to a corporate job, Jozi stated, “I never worked this hard in my corporate job but I would never go back. This feels personal. That is the difference”. The difference for me, in this diner, is the quality of the food combined with the quality of the atmosphere. Every time I have seen Jozi she has been smiling. A mother of six and grandmother of 14, I inadvertently learned that she also adopts two families every Christmas to shop for, as if she doesn't have enough! When I write about the heart and soul of Lakewood, every business I write about touches my soul with the heart that the owners give to our city.

While wrapping up this interview I enjoyed a breakfast of two potato pancakes, two eggs, two pieces of toast, and home fries for $4.50, amazed at the quality of the food! Everything is homemade, from the soups; to the 9 omelettes; desserts and pastries; half-pound burgers charbroiled and made with pure angus; chicken salad to die for; steaks that are hand cut, not frozen, for under $10; and several lunch and breakfast dishes! Jozi laughed when she added that her husband, quietly cooking in the background, insists on “plating” each dish professionally.

I encourage you to visit this unique restaurant, that has a total of seven tables and 7 counter stools and promise that you won’t be disappointed. Look for The Coffee Pot to be open the night of the Art Walk on Madison Friday, October 5th, 6-9 PM, with complimentary homemade pastries, original art, and a jam session with local musicians. Pick up a coffee cup at participating Art Walk businesses and bring it to Jozi for a free coffee! I think if you visit once, you will be among the several regular customers!

The Coffee Pot

12415 Madison Ave.

Lakewood, OH 44107

216-226-6443

Hours: Tues-Fri 6 AM-4 PM; Sat 6 AM-3 PM; Sun 6 AM-2 PM; closed Monday