a soft opening is like a trial run, not an official opening!

Hi Brandon, I am all for supporting new businesses over emptystore fronts anytime, anywhere. But I am also of the belief that business owners need to step up to the plate and not just present to its wanted customers a decor that is clearly dated, uninviting, and looks like something from a beer hall in Parma! I mean, this is 2012 and it is time to get a much more hipper look to restaurants in NE Ohio. B Spot has elevated the look and dining experience for these kind of places that feature similar menus. It is a shame to me that eddie n eddie has chosen a decor that I really have no interest to participate in: I don't want to share a long table with strangers, I don't want to sit on old tavern/Thonet style uncomfortable chairs, I want a lighter and less dark interior, and how about some local art on the walls by local artists - I mean call the Screw Factory and I am sure you could get a bunch of artists to share their works on your empty walls. I just think compared to Melt and Deagan, eddie and eddie has missed "the bar" for decor on almost all levels. Sorry, but Melt and B Spot will continue to get my business till eddie n eddie puts a bit more buck into a more inviting and comfortable dining experience.

Thanks for the positive comment Brandon. This family business deserves a lot of credit for entering Lakewood in this BIG way. (see my comment below, and photo posted above)

Grammar...sign....here....Mars...

Hey Faye, I think he was being ironic

I am looking forward to going and I think the place looks awesome. I am excited he picked lakewood and decided to invest his money in our wonderful city

Hi again - I am sure I will get a lot of comments on my view that the new eddie n eddie decor is really dated, unimaginative and lacks a vision/owner uniqueness, and has basically uncomfortable furniture, but please check out what is happening in most cities across the USA with similar themed menus and the same type of customers:
1. Michael Symon's B Spot restaurants are hip, attractive and fun places. Similar prices.
2. Melt has always been unique, individualist, artsy and fun. Now getting national recognition.
3. Bobby Flay's Burger Palace has super comfortable seating, really attractive colors and design.
4. Super Duper Burgers in San Francisco has a retro decor vibe, but is still inviting and unique.
I could list many more but I have been to these and in my opinion, I would prefer to spend my hard earned bucks in a restaurnant where the owners have thought about the visuals, ambience, and decor.
So eddie n eddie call the artists in Lakewood and get your place a bit more visual inviting and rethink those hard old-fashioned bar chairs, called Thonet cafe chairs in the biz, but they are outdated looking and so uncomfortable! So spend a bit more, update a bit more, and I wish you well with your new location in Lakewood!

Hey there ian. You sound like the kind of person that only Visits these places during happy hour, when the drinks are cheap and the food is free. Do you tip when you leave??? Or only when you have MONEY to spend...Stop condeming everything YOU don't like, you seem to be in the minority. World traveler with no cash...I have an island for sale just for you...

Hi James, I am all for more business anywhere in NE Ohio. But can we think outside the box a bit? I think Lakewood has more than enough go to hamburger, cheeseburger, pizza, wings, ribs, subway sandwich places now. How about a really nice Asian/Japanese restaurant downtown Lakewood? We have Middle East with Aladdin's, what about a great unique Italian place like Pepper's? Still wish we could convince PF Chang corporate to open a Pei Wei in downtown Lakewood. They have 3 in Columbus area - I mean, if Columbus can support healthy Asian, why can't Lakewood/NE Ohio? If we all call their corporate office and City Council members to encourage them to develop here, hopefully that will happen! Lets encourage a bit more diversity in our eating choice in downtown Lakewood!

Hi again - I am sure I will get a lot of comments on my view that the new eddie n eddie decor is really dated, unimaginative and lacks a vision/owner uniqueness, and has basically uncomfortable furniture, but please check out what is happening in most cities across the USA with similar themed menus and the same type of customers:
1. Michael Symon's B Spot restaurants are hip, attractive and fun places. Similar prices.
2. Melt has always been unique, individualist, artsy and fun. Now getting national recognition.
3. Bobby Flay's Burger Palace has super comfortable seating, really attractive colors and design.
4. Super Duper Burgers in San Francisco has a retro decor vibe, but is still inviting and unique.
I could list many more but I have been to these and in my opinion, I would prefer to spend my hard earned bucks in a restaurnant where the owners have thought about the visuals, ambience, and decor.
So eddie n eddie call the artists in Lakewood and get your place a bit more visual inviting and rethink those hard old-fashioned bar chairs, called Thonet cafe chairs in the biz, but they are outdated looking and so uncomfortable! So spend a bit more, update a bit more, and I wish you well with your new location in Lakewood!

Hi Pepe, I LOVE Lakewood, but it is far from perfecto and needs to improve in many areas if it is to attract younger residents who are used to living in hipper places than NE Ohio. Sounds like you may be a Tea Party type? - with your love it or leave it old world mentality. I am here to stay in Lakewood for a long time, and want it to evolve more into a 2012 mindset. Obviously you haven't been to the West Coast lately where most trends/fashions in this country are started, and where no new restaurants hardly ever look alike or dated - not at all a cookie cutter scene that you state. In fact, the dated decor of a place like eddie n eddie would be at home in the far suburbs there, not the city or inner ring suburbs. I stand by my critique that a lot of new establishments here in NE Ohio just don't meet the design or aesthetic standards of similar new restaurants, cafes, bars found across the country --- hey even in Columbus the new places are aesthetically much more up to date. It is obvious to me that the money is just not being spent on either interior designers or decor furnishings here in NE Ohio. Raising the bar/standards on anything is hard, and change is not easy, especially here in NE Ohio. But then again, I don't tell people to leave if I disagree with them (btw, is this your idea of being positive Tony?); rather I embrace discourse/difference, not discourage it under the guise of "always being positive" - whatever that means in expressing one's opinion.

Hi Peter - Are you sure you have read my other posts? Usually I strive to provide objective, well researched/documented opinion. And with a strong belief that NE Ohio can do and be better. Peter, simple gourmet test here: please compare the basic burger and fries at eddie n eddie to B Spot's and if you think that eddie n eddie is better, well, it amy all be a lost cause anyway!

Thanks Doug for having an opinion with a critical eye. It amazes me how little objective analysis and engaging discourse there is in NE Ohio. For those of us who didn't grow up here and have experienced other cities, other cultural lifestyles, as much as I love Lakewood, I see a very generic, we are just happy to have something here, noncritical attitude about any new business, etc. - despite it being not all that great (eddie n eddie) and clearly being developed on the cheap side without a lot of unique, original design or in touch with what is happening in the rest of the country with similar venues: Bobby Flay's Burger Palace and Super Duper Burgers in San Francisco. I went again - 2nd time - for my fries were limp and greasy tasty and the burger was not anywhere on a par with B Spot's burgers for half the price. But again, posters like Peter Viiberg, just can't I guess accept an opinion that isn't sugar-coated in false self-congratulating. If eddie n eddie is quality food for Lakewood, well, I guess I will be eating a lot more at B Spot at Crocker Park!

Hi Doug, the furnishings at American Greetings employee cafe are more exciting and better designed than at eddie n eddie. I think they should sue their interior designer!
AND what is with the cords of the ceiling lights just being wrapped carelessly around the light support???? I have never seen these anywhere and it looks like a contractor forgot to finish off the lighting. And same have cords that hang straight and some have cords that wrap around and some ..... well, whatever. If this passes for "new" design in Lakewood, well.... my friends from Chicago and New York will find it all rather bizarre!

Hi Jo, I guess having original thoughts and comments is exhausting - as the mind is a muscle and you do have to exercise it! If you read closely my comments, they are actually thoughtfully critical, but also positive in potential growth and change. Anyone who thinks NE Ohio is going to rebound or attract new business/talent without becoming more like most businesses that operate in 2012 - decor, ambiance, benefits, accepting difference, moving beyond a blue collar/union mindset of the employer owing you everything, etc. etc. - well, I hope Jo you can train your eye and mind to become a bit more critical: just because someone opens a business doesn't mean it is going to be a good or needed or interesting place. Again, PLEASE re-read my posts and you will see I am all pro-business anywhere in NE Ohio. BUT and a HUGE BUT, lets try to hold these new businesses to a standard that other cities have already embraced. And again, eddie n eddie just doesn't meet that standard. Sorry.