Bananas, falafel, curry powder, sesame sauce, and cheese might sound like an unlikely combination, but they share the same spinach pie at an Ohio restaurant with a remarkable tradition. Since 1972, the owner has been naming dishes after customers whose personal creations became regular orders.
What began as a practical shortcut turned into a menu filled with first names, nicknames, and initials. One dish even carries the name IRS, not for the federal agency, but for a customer whose initials inspired it.
I love how a simple lunch order can become part of a neighborhood’s history. Generations of diners have helped shape a menu that now includes vegetarian favorites, burgers, and an impressive selection of milkshakes.
More than five decades later, those unusual names continue to tell stories about the people who made this restaurant a community fixture.
Your Order Could Someday Have Your Name On It
Most menus describe food with words like grilled or crispy. Tommy’s Restaurant in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, often uses first names instead.
You’ll spot dishes called the Jennie, the Quinn, the Lindsey, and the Quigly. There’s even a Curt burger and something called the Sharpie.
That naming habit is the heart of the place. Over the decades, some favorite custom orders became official menu items named for the people who loved them.
It sounds simple, but it says a lot. A restaurant has to really know its customers to turn their quirky combos into permanent dishes.
I like how this turns the menu into a kind of neighborhood yearbook. Every name hints at a person who kept coming back for the same plate.
Of course, there’s a small catch for first-timers. A name like the Quigly won’t tell you much about what lands on your table.
So read the ingredient lists carefully before you order. Your server can also point you toward a combo that fits your taste.
Here’s a fun way to approach it. Pick a dish named after someone who shares your name, or a name you just like the sound of.
Worst case, you try something new. Best case, you find your own forever order and start dreaming about your future menu spot.
A Coventry Story That Started Back In 1972
Back in 1972, Tommy Fello opened a small spot on Coventry Road. More than five decades later, his name still hangs over one of the best-known restaurants on Cleveland’s east side.
That’s a long run for any business. It’s an even longer run for a place that never tried to be fancy.
Tommy’s Restaurant grew right along with its neighborhood. Coventry has long been known for its quirky shops and artsy personality, and the restaurant fits that mood perfectly.
Over the years, the restaurant moved into a bigger space on the same street. The menu grew too, eventually stretching across burgers, pies, soups, sandwiches, and a serious lineup of shakes.
What stayed the same is the friendly, everybody-belongs feeling. That’s the kind of thing a restaurant can’t fake for fifty years.
Think about how many first dates, family lunches, and after-school treats have happened here. Some kids who once sipped milkshakes now bring their own kids along.
That kind of loyalty explains the customer-named dishes. When people stick with you for decades, honoring them on the menu feels natural.
So when you sit down, you’re joining a long Ohio tradition. Not bad for a meal that also comes with a milkshake option.
Save Room, Because The Shake Menu Is The Real Boss Here
Milkshakes are probably the most talked-about thing at Tommy’s Restaurant. The list is long enough to make choosing feel like homework.
Chocolate, strawberry, and plenty of other flavors fill the lineup. Malts are on the menu too, for anyone who loves that toasty, old-fashioned flavor.
Here’s a combo worth knowing. You can add banana and homemade peanut butter to a chocolate malt.
That sounds like dessert and lunch teamed up together. Honestly, it might be both.
Dairy-free guests aren’t left out either. Tommy’s offers vegan shakes, including options made with oat milk.
That’s a big deal for anyone who usually watches friends slurp shakes while sipping water. Here, everybody at the table gets the fun part.
Smoothies are available as well if you want something lighter. Still, the shakes are the headliners, and they know it.
A smart plan is to treat your shake like part of the meal. Order it with your food instead of waiting until the end.
That way, you won’t be too full to enjoy it. Trust me, nobody wants to leave a shake half finished.
And if you can’t pick a flavor, bring a friend. Two different shakes means twice the taste testing.
Vegans And Gluten-Free Eaters Finally Get The Long Menu
Long before plant-based eating went mainstream, this kitchen was already cooking for vegetarians. Today, the menu reads like a welcome sign for almost every diet.
Vegetarian and vegan choices fill big chunks of the menu. You’ll find a homemade veggie burger, a tempeh burger, falafel, and plenty of veggie-loaded pies and sandwiches.
Vegan cheese is available too. That means even cheesy dishes can work for people who skip dairy.
Tommy’s Restaurant also provides a separate gluten-sensitive menu with dishes selected for guests who avoid gluten.
The restaurant explains that it takes precautions to reduce cross-contact, including sanitizing equipment and using dedicated preparation methods. However, it does not guarantee a completely gluten-free environment.
Guests with celiac disease or serious food sensitivities should discuss their needs directly with the staff before ordering.
The gluten-free veggie burger is one popular pick. Pair it with hummus and fries for a meal that feels anything but limited.
I like how the restaurant treats these choices as real food, not afterthoughts. Nobody has to settle for a sad side salad.
So if your group includes a vegan, a gluten-free eater, and a picky kid, relax. This might be the easiest group dinner you’ll plan all year.
Burger Lovers, Relax, The Meat Is Here Too
All this talk about tempeh might make meat fans nervous. No need to worry, because the carnivore side of the menu holds its own.
Burgers are a big part of the lineup. The bacon cheeseburger is a classic, and the Curt burger is one of those famous name-tagged favorites.
Then there are the meat pies. Like the spinach versions, they come baked and folded, and they are known for being super filling.
Shawarma also makes an appearance. It’s one of the globally inspired dishes that give this menu its personality.
Hot dogs show up too, which is handy for younger eaters. Not every kid wants to experiment with curry powder at lunch.
For cold Ohio days, soups are worth a look. French onion and broccoli cheddar have both earned fans over the years.
The kitchen is also open about how food gets made. In parts of the restaurant, you can watch cooks prepare orders, which feels refreshingly honest.
My tip is to order with sharing in mind. Portions tend to be generous, so one burger and one meat pie can stretch further than you think.
That leaves space for the next important decision. Which shake goes best with a burger?
Pair Your Restaurant Visit With a Coventry Bookstore Stop
Dessert and a good book in one stop? At this restaurant, that combo is easy.
For decades, Tommy’s Restaurant and Mac’s Backs bookstore shared a doorway on Coventry Road, making them a memorable neighborhood pairing. In 2026, the independent bookstore announced a move across the street to a larger space at 1807 Coventry Road.
Visitors can still combine a restaurant meal with a bookstore stop, but they should check the shop’s reopening status before planning their visit.
Inside the restaurant, local art helps set the mood. The colorful, creative look matches the playful menu and the artsy Coventry neighborhood.
That style isn’t just decoration. It shows how closely the restaurant ties itself to the community around it.
Families and big groups fit in well here. The space is designed for lively meals, though the back can get noisy.
If you want a calmer chat, ask for a seat toward the front or middle. Your voice will thank you.
I can’t think of a better rainy-day plan. Grab a spinach pie, sip a shake, then hunt for a new paperback.
Kids might enjoy it as much as adults. A treat followed by picking out a book is a pretty great afternoon at any age.
Just try not to spill shake on the new purchase. Some lessons are learned the sticky way.
Plan Your Visit So You Get More Shake And Less Waiting
Getting here is the easy part. You’ll find the restaurant at 1824 Coventry Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118, right in the busy Coventry shopping district.
Parking won’t ruin your mood either. A free parking garage sits across the street, and some street parking is available too.
Tommy’s Restaurant is open every day from noon to 8 p.m. That steady schedule makes it a reliable pick for lunch or an early dinner.
Weekends can get crowded, especially around the lunch rush. Showing up right at opening or after the midday crowd thins out can help.
Taking food home is another option. Curbside pickup is offered for to-go orders, which is handy on busy days.
Before or after eating, wander Coventry a bit. The street is full of independent shops that match the restaurant’s quirky spirit.
Visitors from other parts of Ohio often make a day of it. A meal, a bookstore stop, and a stroll make for a relaxed outing.
Here’s my final tip. Study the menu online before you go, since the name-based dishes can take a minute to decode.
Then pick your order with confidence. Who knows, maybe it’ll be named after you fifty years from now.
