NE OH spot of the week: Playmakers Sports Grille

Ohhhh what a weekend. A wedding and tailgating! As you know my husband DJs the home games at the PIT. I did not make it at 7:30 in the morning but non the less I got there at 11:00am. I am sooooo glad I did not miss my boys play! Our first W for the season. More to come...I can feel it! Around half time we headed back home but decided to stop at Playmakers Sports Grille. 

I give this place a 3.5 star rating. 

The food was good and moderate price, the fog horn under the bar after every touchdown was great! They got really excited at one point and horn was going off for every 1st down. 

The service was good but I was surprised you needed to print the yelp deal. Side note-They don't offer the special for Sunday games. At least this was my impression.

HD TVs everywhere and more seating in the back. On Monday night they offer FREE beer until the first team scores. We will be back on Monday night football!

It is worth checking out, located in Garfield Heights right off Transportation Blvd.

http://www.playmakersportsbar.com/

CLE spot of the week: West Side Market

West Side Market

The best part of this blog is it is about living life to the fullest. Believe it or not there are people out there that live in Northeast Ohio and no nothing about it. 

The city of Cleveland is usually one that gets a bad reputation. The city has a lot to offer-great restaurants, local markets, art walks, local runs, sporting events (I know I know even if our team is not that great it is still fun), museums, historical venues and much more. 

I hope to showcase that for you every week with a new place to check out in CLE and places throughout Ohio.  

First up the West Side Market. I usually shop here every week. Here are some tips for shopping at the market and a few of my favorite vendors. 

Tips and Timing:
The market gets packed by 10am on Saturdays no matter what the weather is like. It will not slow down until after 2pm. If you want good deals go around 4pm. The vendors are trying to get rid of their products by the end of the day. Otherwise I recommend going in the morning prior to the rush. Total there are three lots you can park in. If you go at noon you are going to park on the street. 

Top Vendors:
When walking in from the main parking lot the top two vendors for produce are located right when you walk in. The first one is located on the left aisle. They will be your first vendor on the right. Everything is local and organic. Their herbs are $1 each and fresh, you can not beat that! 

If you go straight (a little to the right) the first vendor on your left has excellent pricing and local produce. Make sure no matter what stand you go to check what you are buying first. Once they get to know you they will hook you up with great deals. 

Gyro Stand

Get there before noon. I would try for 11am. I recommend trying these Gyros at least once! It is worth the early lunch. I have not been here since I moved out of Tremont but the line is always long. I assume they are just as good!

Smoothie Stand

A little on the expensive side but it is a tasty treat! All fresh and local fruits. Note:It has the ability to rejuvenate any fun you had the night before :) 

Popcorn Stand 

Over 20 flavors to choose from. Free popcorn samples (to see which one you like of course). 

There are more vendors to choose from and you will get to know your way around after a couple of visits. If you are familiar with the market share who your favorite vendor is! 

Pulled Pork Recipe

Hi friends! 

I told you I would share my pulled pork recipe, here it is!! It is a favorite and affordable. I usually spend $15.00 to feed 10-15 people with 3-4 lbs of pork shoulder.

Easy Crock-Pot Pulled Pork

Ingredients

1/2 Cup Ketchup
1/3 Cup Worcestershire
1/3 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Ground Mustard (optional)
1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Paprika
1/2 Cup Sugar/Cinnamon Mix
1/2 Teaspoon Liquid Smoke
Red Chili Pepper Flakes (add to your liking)
Little season with Salt and Pepper
1 Medium Sweet Onion, Chopped
3-4 Pounds Pork Shoulder, Trimmed of Fat.

1. Combine all ingredients except for onion and pork into crock pot. Whisk all ingredients until well blended.
2. Place pork and onions into mixture, coating both sides of meat.
3. Cook for 8 to 10 hours on low or 4-6 on high.
4. After meat is cooked, remove from slow cooker onto plate and break apart with fork. If meat has any bones, discard.
5. Place meat back into warm sauce to reheat.
6. Serve on hamburger buns or Kaiser Rolls and Sweet Baby Rays if people like more sauce.

Optional: I usually top the sandwich with coleslaw (recipe below)

This is ALWAYS a crowd favorite.


Coleslaw Dressing

Ingredients

1 c. mayonnaise
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt (or to taste)
1 tbsp. white vinegar
1 tbsp. white grated or pureed horseradish
1/4 tsp. celery seed

Blend thoroughly and chill.

Hope you enjoy!!

Bye Bye September, Hello October

Hi Friends!!

September was a busy month-fall festivities, beginning of football season and a trip Gatlienburg, TN. I have said it many times and I will say it again I absolutely love fall!! To start off the Fall season my husband and I went to a few of our local favorite places and of course the Brown's home opener. One of the places if Patterson's fruit farm. If you have not been than you must go! The apple fritters alone are worth the trip. We take our God daughter every year but we went a bit early this year so we will be making our way back this weekend. 

Feeding the goats at the Trout Club in Chardon, Ohio

As for the Browns games...we are die hard fans. We tailgate for pretty much every home game in the PIT with DJ B-low (my hubby). We are part of the greater Bacon Brown's backers-you will see a lot of these guys in the upcoming posts.

We finished up September with a trip to the Smoky Mountains. It is a great experience every time we go. Add this to your bucket list if you have not been there already!