Was in the mood for something different and Bam...a grass fed beef burger landed in front of me. Poor thing ..it didn't stand a chance. Although it's moment was short lived the memories will last a lifetime. I'm hooked and there's no rehab in the world to take care of this addiction.
(5)
Tom L.
Had the dessert burger and what a bust! The cookies were stale and hard as a rock while the brownie was dried out... Nice concept but very poorly executed.
(1)
Susan D.
School sponsored dinner here--way too much food but I was not super impressed. Place: Cute place, like the patio area but the first park when you enter seems a little grungy. Has a not super clean feel. I think they could probably update their look a little. Service: Friendly, attentive, no complaints here. Food: Apps--tried the onion rings, pierogies and mussels+fries. Onion rings were generic but heavy. Pierogies were ok, I'm no expert. Mussels were probably my favorite--broth of butter/garlic and I think white wine was yum but the fries weirded me out a little. I had the ohio city burger--cooked spot on to the medium I asked for. The description of "grilled with herbs of all nations" was not exactly evident in the flavor profile--pretty average, probably some parsley, dunno where other nations really come into play. Also they really need some local beer on draft, have only some bottled selection. Finally, why does the menu on the website download as a word document--wish they would update the website as well, just display the menu on the webpage with an option to download as a pdf--is that too much to ask?! Maybe I've been spoiled. Overall, average fare, probably a little overpriced for what you get though portions are standard American huge.
(3)
Shannon C.
Initially, I was trying to go around the corner to another place. Since there was no parking and it was raining, we decided to try this place out. We went in around noon on a Sunday for brunch and we were seated right away. The place was clean, the crowd was mostly older people, but they seemed cool. I started with a pineapple and grey goose (stop judging) and my bff had the hot cocoa and whipped cream. My cocktail was actually really yummy and my bff's hot cocoa was average. I was really tempted to go with a burger, but I was in the mood for lighter fare. She went with the waffles, they had berries (just OK, not something she would order again). Although, the bacon which came with it was really delish. Stand out bacon, for sure. I went with the salmon with hollandaise sauce. It was served with scrambled eggs (for cheese-less scrambled eggs I thought they were above average). The salmon and sauce was really good, but I was really disappointed with the portion size. Maybe a 2 ounce fillet (not kidding), for $13 it could have been a little bigger. The fried potatoes were fine. Here's my complaint, first time dining somewhere in a long time where I cleaned my plate and I was still hungry when I left. Half the plate was filled with garnish (orange and cantaloupe), not cool. If I wanted fruit, I would have ordered it. All in all, $25 for one drink and a 2 ounce salmon fillet (before tip) $30 after tip. Too much? I'd say so. The service wasn't bad, but I wouldn't dine here if your in a hurry. The food wasn't bad at all, but there is a better value to be had in the area.
(3)
Lisa S.
Our party of 10 (with reservations) waited over 45 minutes for 9 entrees, one of which was wrong. By the time #10 arrived, 8 of us had finished eating. The last order was corrected over 10 minutes after that. Veggie burger was tasty, but not served on a wheat bun. Afraid to send it back and wait even longer. Side of aioli never arrived. Fries bland and unseasoned. Kitchen very disorganized. We had a server, a drink order taker, a drink runner, and several food runners. Food runners didn't seem to understand the menu or who ordered what. Example, handing off burgers describing them as chicken sandwiches. At least they took two of our orders off the bill due to the long wait. However, with all of the other options in Cleveland, we won't be back soon.
(2)
Chris R.
Amazing burgers! Enough said. Very quaint and perfect for lunch or early supper.
(5)
Dot C.
Haven't been here is years. The food was okay but that is not why people go to Heck's. It is all about memories and atmosphere. If it wasn't for that they would not have a lot of business.
(3)
M. M.
This place was a favorite restaurant of mine back when I was a teen and twentysomething, which was some years ago, okay, some decades ago, back when coming to this historic residential neighborhood to eat was a bit adventurous. "Adventurous" being code for "don't get mugged", but it is nothing like that around Heck's now. I'm happy to see that as the area has improved, Heck's has stayed in business, aged rather well and still does the burger and fries as well as it used to. (I seem to recall the fries, like my body, may have been a little skinnier back in the day, but they still have the same great taste.) They do serve various other things, but burgers and fries in my opinion were and are the main selling point. The plant-decorated Garden Room has a nice California feel, and is where you want to eat if you're not eating on the patio (not really feasible in January). The back wall has been repainted from the light color I remember to an adobe pueblo shade of orangish, making it seem a bit darker in there. It's still cozy and goes well with the tile floor. There are also several booths in the hall leading back to the dining room, The booth area could use some jazzing up - I seem to remember more Tiffany glass, and how about some art work on the wall? On a recent visit, there were quite a few tables eating even though it was (a) Super Bowl Sunday and (b) a few inches of snow were on the ground outside I had the Ohio City Burger, which is basically a half pound of meat with herbs and mozz, and my husband had the Cajun Burger because he loves cajun spiced everything. The burgers came with fries and the only minor beef I had was they didn't ask if we wanted ketchup or aioli with them, but no matter as the fries here are and have always been so good that you don't really need to dip 'em. The coffee here hasa definite cinnamon flavor. Service was just fine and best of all the restaurant had a quiet atmosphere - there was music playing in the background but very very softly, and there were no crowds of drunk people talking too loud and monkeying with their iPhones all night, or loud little kids. Price was around 20 bucks (one of us had an alcoholic drink) which to me is reasonable for a sit-down restaurant that's a leg up from a diner or a bar. Although we didn't have time to sit with a bottle of wine on this particular evening, this is a great place to do it and the wine list is nice. If you're looking for a trendy foodie hot spot with lots of crazy exciting Food Network stuff on the menu, this place is probably not going to be your bag. However, if you are instead looking for a quaint, off the beaten path (it's a ways away from the W. 25th bar and restaurant strip) place with a good long history, to eat a great burger and fries and maybe a milkshake or a beer, that is not a bar but still has a reasonably adult, "casual restaurant" atmosphere, then definitely go. I hope this place stays around for decades to come.
(5)
Jayme K.
I've been coming to Heck's for over 20 years, so I have a soft spot for it. Don't let the poor reviews fool you. This is a burger join in the historical part of Ohio City with phenomenal burgers and French Onion Soup. The place is small and romantic and semi-outdated.
(5)
Ashley C.
I was here for the first time a few days ago. The interior of the little cafe is quite charming. Very green! It's actually very relaxing. I ordered the Burger Au Poivre with a Heck's Salad instead of fries, and the plate that arrived at my table was beautiful! The burger was nicely cooked and very juicy, not to mention huge. The salad was a nice array of spring greens and the apricot dressing was delicious. Service wasn't bad. Overall great experience here. I will be back :)
(4)
Megan E.
I love Hecks, I live next door so I get to go often. The atmosphere is so calm and enjoyable. I typically get the burgers which are some of the best in the city but tonight I got chicken piccata and that was awesome great lemon flavor. I also got the sweet burger for dessert and best thing I've ever had the cookie and the brownie were so moist and gooey and the funnel cake fries were sooo good too!!
(5)
Kelly R.
My first time at Heck's, didn't know what to expect based on the reviews. A co-worker and I visited Heck's for lunch. We were immediately welcomed and seated. I know that Heck's is known for the burgers, but really wasn't in the mood for a burger so I ordered the Portabello Mushroom Gyro which came with an order of fries. My co-worker did order a burger. Our food arrived hot, fresh and quickly. My meal was on point. Generous portion of sliced, marinated, well-seasoned and grilled mushrooms on top of spring mix lettuces, drizzled with yogurt sauce and served in warm, fresh flatbread (yum!). The fries were hand cut and lightly sprinkled with coarse salt and served with a pickle and side of ketchup. My meal was tasty and well-prepared. My co-worker was equally pleased. I thought that the price point was good based on the offerings. I would definitely return.
(4)
Gabriel K.
impressively good burgers and salads + top-notch service. also got the baked brie app and it was on point
(5)
Phil T.
Ambiance: 4. A lot of hate seems to be going around on Yelp about Heck's, but they have a pretty awesome patio on a relatively quiet tree-lined street. On top of that, glancing inside it seemed rather quaint. Patio tables are relatively spaced out, which is ideal for a big group of people or when your breath smells terrible at brunch from your 2AM boondoggle on West 25th the night before. Cost: 3. This is for brunch- the cost for most items was fair, but thought appetizers and omelettes were maybe slightly high versus some comparables restaurants in the area ($1-2 premium). Food Quality: 3. So the burgers are solid and their Belgian waffle (caramelized bananas-walnuts) was a smash hit. I had the Tournedos Benedicts (their signature item) which was missing something, I'm just not sure what. Don't go out of your way to order it. Appetizers were o.k. but a lot of them are coming from a large generic supplier (I've had the exact mozzarella sticks and chicken tenders they offer at other places before), so don't think you're getting anything novel or unique in this category. Drinks- cinnamon coffee offered is excellent. Service: 4. Our service was very impressive, coffee and water refills came nonstop and service overall was very prompt. Particularly encouraging given the patio was pretty full. When to return: Weekend brunch. Summer patio spot that's not quite as jammed packed. Big group. Burger craving. Summertime.
(4)
Basil D.
I don't want to sound snotty, but maybe it's because I've become accustomed to service in a big city, or better food in a big city but this was a thoroughly disappointing experience. I remember walking by as a kid, mesmerized by the ambience and the "hipness" of it. My visit was two days after Christmas with my mom and my aunt and uncle. We usually have a great time. Jeeez....it took FOREVER to get served It was nerve racking! There was a whole lotta busy but nuttin' goin' on! THEN i realized why when I got the food! IT was so below average (yeah, we're talking about a burger here....below average...even White Castle can't screw that up!) it was an underwhelming experience. The menu itself was utterly dull, unimaginative, cliche, and boring. After dinner I was looking to see if they have a drive through window. The onion rings barely passed muster, they were either burnt or too greasy... Get with it guys! I'm really pullin' for my hometown of Cleveland...but I get thwarted at every turn! Bummer!
(2)
Laurice F.
The vibe here is a little confusing. It seems a little upper-crusty, yet not since their menu is a bit more casual. It's still a pretty restaurant and we've only heard good things about it. Ben F. ordered the Burger au Poivre - and he couldn't have ordered anything better. He raved about the flavor and although he's not a sour cream fan, he's been converted! I had the Rocky River burger and didn't enjoy it as much. I usually don't mind Swiss cheese, but it killed it for me. Sad. Glad we tried it out, but I don't think I'd return if I'm ever back in Ohio.
(3)
Lisa G.
I went to Heck's for Mother's Day with my boyfriend, his 2 brothers and their Mom. It looked like a quirky little place, which is fine with me. We were seated immediately, and our waiter was very attentive throughout our visit. I ordered the Heck's House Salad. The menu stated "mixed fresh greens" and an assortment of delicious-sounding things. Imagine my disappointment when my salad arrived and I saw my "mixed fresh greens" was really iceberg lettuce. ICEBERG LETTUCE in a $10.50 salad. I'm allergic to iceberg lettuce. Yes, it's my fault for not confirming the greens which were included in the salad, but what restaurants serve iceberg lettuce salads anymore? Well, other than cheap places. I certainly didn't expect it here. Add to that, the other items in the salad (bleu cheese, dried tart cherries, tomatoes, red onions and walnuts) were all hard to find, with the exception of the cherries. The apricot vinaigrette was very, very good (best part of my salad, without a doubt.) Honestly, I make better-looking and tastier salads at home. In light of my salad catastrophe, I had some of my boyfriend's omelet. It was absolutely delicious. His brothers had burgers which they said were good, but not as good as the burgers used to be. His Mom also had a salad, and her salad was full of iceberg lettuce as well. I can't put my finger on it, but I just didn't like this place. The decor was really neat and funky, seating options are neat and our waiter was great. Even so, I don't see myself returning to this restaurant.
Sorry, Heck's, but this is some tough love from a neighbor. I desperately want you to be successful because of your prime real estate and excellent building. You need to pay attention to what people think about your food. You seem to be stuck in 2005 or whenever it was that you last won "Best Burger." Those days are gone. Ohio City has changed, Cleveland has changed, and peoples' tastes have changed. You were once a rarity when there wasn't a burger joint on every corner, all of them serving high quality, local, grassfed beef that's cooked and seasoned properly, usually for about 10 bucks. Your restaurant is dying to be on an episode of Kitchen Nightmares. How Heck's survived the Recession Restaurant Die-Off of '08-09 is beyond me. Your prices are outrageous, especially for frozen appetizers. Come on. ABC's burger up the street is $6.75 and tastes bite for bite ten times better than anything on your menu. You need a chef. Who is your chef? Do you even have one? There isn't one listed anywhere and there seems to be no real passion or quality control in your kitchen. I'm looking at your menu right now and I swear it's virtually unchanged from the first time I came to Heck's in 2008. And speaking of the menu, your website reflects your restaurant. That's not a compliment. The only way to access your menu is a Word file. You do realize that not all people have Word, meaning they could never see your menu at home? Do you know what a PDF is? (EDIT: Thanks to the Wayback Machine website, I was able to pull up the menu from 2007. It's pretty much exactly the same as 2013. That is beyond pathetic.) web.archive.org/web/2007… The neighborhood has changed so drastically in the past few years and you're just sitting there doing nothing. This is just poor restaurant management. Off the top of my head, here's a list of places within a few blocks with better burgers than Heck's: ABC Tavern, Old Angle, Nano Brew, Black Pig, Bar Cento, Westside Market Cafe, BonBon, and maybe even Great Lakes Brewery. That last one should sting a little. Shape up or close down. You're taking up such a beautiful corner putting out subpar food. Wake up.
(1)
Chuck H.
Wife and I had burgers and tuna nachos. All were great. Good beer selection. I had the burger au chavel, wife had Ohio burger.
(5)
Carl A.
I can't wait to go back. I loved everything about my experience aside from the mimosas being rather small and overpriced. Dined here in brunch mode, but ordered two things off of their daily special menu; Bruschetta and eggplant fries. I've never had this type of bruschetta, it was a mixture of what I believed to be green and black olives, feta cheese and olive oil on thick cut French bread. I'm not even a fan of olives, but I adored this appetizer. The eggplant fries had an amazing texture with a light batter on them and marinara sauce to dip them in. I was extremely satisfied with our meal, however at the same time was so jealous of the kids next to me eating a beautiful burger and sipping on a chocolate milkshake. I'm already sold for my next visit. Also, our server was wonderful. A man who was very professional and attentive, never overbearing. The green house atmosphere put the cherry on top of my soon to be chocolate milkshake.
(5)
G G.
I just want to update my review to say that the "owner" messaged me with a generic copy/pasted message asking me to remove my negative review because it looks bad for the restaurant. I have no desire to do business with a place like this. I stand by my comments, I feel like the food is overpriced for the quality of it and there are better options in the neighborhood. This is based on several visits over a couple of years. Service has been hit and miss, unless it is atrocious, I don't fault a restaurant since servers come and go.
(1)
Chris S.
One of my favorite places to eat. The inside feels like a greenhouse, and the menu is terrific. Pretty good service, reasonably priced, and a great value.
(5)
Shana M.
I've been there twice. The first time didn't leave an impression on me one way or another, but I thought it was a little overpriced. I was certainly willing to give it another try, especially since Heck's has such a great outdoor patio. It was a mistake. I ordered a $15 salad expecting it to be, at the very least, fresh. Many of the salad leaves were turning brown and were clearly not fresh. That's completely unacceptable. No matter what, when I order a salad from any restaurant the leaves should not be even the slightest bit brown from aging, not even from a fast food joint. To pay $15 for a salad at a supposedly good restaurant and get old greens in it is a total ripoff. It wasn't because of the type of greens used in the salad. The greens didn't taste fresh, they were limp, old, and discolored. It's so simple to prepare a good salad. Use the freshest ingredients. Make sure your customers never have to cut anything. Make a good, homemade dressing with good ingredients. Come on, Heck's.
(2)
Maureen R.
Coffee Coffee Coffee Heck's is a great spot for a Sunday brunch with friends or lunch or dinner.... I was searching for brunches in the area about a year ago and stumbled on to Heck's website. And am so glad I decided to try it! First the coffee. Amazing. No additions necessary...unless you are addicted to your cream and sugar. For brunch I highly recommend the ABC Omelet. Huge and a great combination of apple, bacon and cheddar. For lunch the Ohio City Burger and the Cajun Burger are excellent and a favorite of mine is the Spring Chicken Sandwich-soooo yummy!!!! If you get fries you can't go wrong with either style tho the Cajun are pretty spicy so if that's what you like you will love! The atmosphere is cute and intimate on the inside and they have a great outdoor patio during the summer/fall. Ask for Jen. She is adorable with a great personality that will charm the pants off you! And don't forget. COFFEE!!!!
(4)
Joe B.
Heck's is a terrific burger joint. I had the Burger au poivre, and it was exactly as advertised. Juicy, with a slight peppercorn flavor, and the sour cream on top brightens the flavor just a little bit. Awesome fries, too. And Alex was very friendly and took good care of us. Our setting was the neat little greenhouse room in the back. It was a little loud, but then again, there was a large group celebrating a birthday in the room. They serve ketchup in individual, sealed mini Heinz ketchup bottles, which seems wasteful. I hope they are recycled. And the price seemed reasonable. The 4 of us had burgers, and 3 of us each had a cocktail. It came to $68, which seems pretty good for 4 people to eat and drink.
(4)
Gina C.
First time visit for dinner on Saturday before the Brite Winter Festival. I thought they might be extra busy since they were offering 20% off for festival mugs, but we were seated without a wait. I enjoyed the plant filled back room's relaxed feeling. My husband and I split the Basque and Cajun burgers. We ordered both burgers medium, but one came out rare and the other well done. It wasn't a big deal to us, and we were both pleased with the meal and the service. Both burgers had tons of cheese on them, and we thought the buns were exceptionally good.
(4)
Biljana D.
Best burgers & fries in Ohio City! Breakfast on Sunday is another must here. Salads are also very tasty. Their falafel burger is awesome. Illy is the BEST waiter in Cleveland area. Very attentive and always there when you need refill. They have their own special blend of coffee that is absolutely delicious. Love to eat there!
(5)
Erin M.
If you havent tried this place yet- YOU SHOULD! Their balsamic chicken is to die for and i have done just to get their side salad because their apricot vinaigrette is the best thing i have ever tasted! The restaurant is small and cute and the dining area feels like your eating in a greenhouse. The patio is awesome too. The staff is great and friendly. The worst thing i have ever experienced there was another couple and I were on our way late on a weeknight and they had closed an hour early because they were slow. We had to eat at great lakes and it wasnt nearly as good.
(5)
Brian G.
Supposed to be great for hamburgers - but they were dry and tasteless (5 for 5). One of my guests found several pieces of glass in his (turns out it came from the small Heinz ketchup bottle they suppy with each burger (it was broken). Very scary - they did the right thing (after he was chomping down glass) and allowed him to pick something else and deduct from the bill - but let's be more careful here. My blackened salmon was dry and tasteless too. No-one (6 of us) enjoyed a bite of their food. And why was the waitress so intent of pushing us to rush in our order? Not again!
(1)
Hector R.
This little cafe is great! The Burger selection is huge and they are delicious. I love the fact that you can actually see the ccoks cooking your food if you wanted to. The kitchen is up front and if you are picky about who's cooking your food then this is the spot. The italian-American menu is phenomenal and made with fresh ingredients. Their wine and beer selection is great and the dine-in italian setting is a great spot to take a date.
(5)
Jay S.
I had kind of forgotten about Hecks for a while until I saw that it had new management. I went in and had the tuna burger and it was excellent! I will definitely be back more often now.
(4)
Mike N.
Great restaurant that was cool before Ohio City was cool. Had not been there for years, but came back. Great burgers, good menu. Great service. Good value. Still a great location, would return.
(4)
Liz V.
I have been wanting to try this place for years. It always slipped my mind until last night but we finally got a chance to go. It was Saturday so I made a reservation for 8:30 - but it wasn't needed. It was busy by not too busy. We sat in a small room that reminded me of an Italian cafe - it was very cute. I ordered the Ohio City martini. It was supposed to be muddled strawberry, basil with a hint of balsamic. It tasted like cheap vodka and strawberry jello - the martini glass was also only filled a little more than half way so it was truly disappointing. I was out $9 on that. I was torn between a few items on the menu. The special, a black and blue filet, sounded appealing and so did the salmon. I ended up getting the sesame ahi tuna and I was NOT disappointed!! The tuna was PERFECT. It wasn't chewy or overcooked, it truly perfect. It came on top of sooba noddles with carrots and edamame tossed in sweet soy sauce. The noodles were a little saucy but they were still great. It came with a wasabi, mayo like sauce on the side. I wish it had been a little more spicy with more wasabi but it complimented the tuna. I knew going in I wanted dessert. I opted for the chocolate torte. It was supposed to come with a caramel sauce and a spicy bacon brittle (the brittle sold me in an instant). However, it came with some caramel-like chewy candy on the side. I wish it had come with the bacon brittle but the torte was AMAZING so I got over it. I don't like super rich chocolate but this was just rich enough. I will definitely be going back to try other items on the menu!
(4)
Meredith W.
Came here with my SO for an impromptu date night. It was an hour and 15 minutes before closing so the place wasn't very busy. We were seated promptly and the waitress took our orders. I got a Nutella milkshake and we each got a burger. We both like ours cooked medium and the waitress explained that they do a "true medium" meaning that the burgers will be very pink in the middle. We got different toppings to go with our burgers and the wait began. The milkshake came out almost right away. It was delicious. I could really taste the Nutella. We waited what I felt was a very reasonable time for our burgers. When they finally arrived, there were a few things wrong with our burgers. It was missing cheese and all the condiments were switched around. We decided not to be pests and just ate what was in front of us. The burgers were, indeed, a true medium which was very good. I felt that the burger size was rather small from the 1/2 pound burger that was promised. I know the listed weight refers to the precooked weight, but there's no way there was 8 ounces of beef before they cooked it (see attached pictures) After all, it wasn't a bad experience. A few hiccups here and there, but overall it was pleasant.
(3)
Rich G.
Went for lunch on a Saturday with my wife, 2 year old, and a couple friends. Sat in the greenhouse room (patio was full), cool ornate staircase. good for kid (macaroni &cheese - very plain, but great French fries & milk) . Beer selection limited, was hoping for a couple better options on tap. Nice staff. Great burger! My friends got breakfast food (looked somewhat average, They seemed content). Limited parking options. Would recommend.
(4)
Allison H.
I've been eyeballing Heck's sweet burger dessert on social media for weeks -- to the point where I was sending daily pictures of it to my friends asking them to take me. My friends were getting so annoyed with hearing about this dessert. So when my brother was in town from Michigan for one night -- it seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally try it (and relieve my friends from hearing about it). I talked it up to him the entire ride to Heck's. Yelp says Heck's closes at 9 pm -- so I called the restaurant and the woman ensured me they close at 11. I let her know that the Yelp time was wrong, and she was quite rude / confused, asking what I would like her to do about it. Well, nothing... We got there around 9:20 pm and sat outside. The server was very pleasant and accommodating. As we were ordering dinner, he said if we wanted dessert we would have to order soon because the kitchen was closing. This confused me as the woman I spoke with just told me they closed at 11. But I thought, no big deal, and we placed our dessert order with dinner. I ordered the turkey burger and my brother ordered another specialty burger. We both agreed that the burgers were great and very obviously fresh off the grill. However, as polite as the server was, he never checked back once during dinner. I tried to find some ketchup outside, but was unsuccessful. We also ran out of beverages. Not a huge deal on either. After dinner, the sweet burger dessert finally came. I was so excited. Except... the cookies were rock hard. The brownie was too! Both tasted store bought. The ice cream ratio was minuscule. The funnel cake fries were cold (not luke warm -- cold). The raspberry sauce was good, but very runny and did not stick to the fries. Maybe it was the time that we ordered dessert that caused this to be a complete miss? The one saving grace is that we requested hot fudge on the side and this was impossible to mess up. They gave us an enormous side of hot fudge that made the cookies / brownie / fries seem more edible. Still, wildly disappointed.
(2)
Ben S.
I went for brunch. Food: I ordered the veggie hash. It was packed with veggies and a good amount of potatoes too. The veggies were cooked well and on top them were two sunny side up eggs. All that was good, except there was too much oil used in the dish. It was served in a skillet, but the bottom of it was so oily all the veg and potato touching the bottom were too greasy to enjoyably eat. Drinks: The mimosas were good and so were the bloodies ($8). The menu lists a "Bloody Mary Bar," but that's a bit deceiving. The implication is a walk-up bar where you can insert your own toppings. When I read the menu online before coming in that is what I was expecting. In reality there are just four different kind on the menu to choose from. The Hail Mary one (Bacon infused vodka, house blend traditional tomato juice and spice mix) was the only one I tried and I have to say it is the only Bloody Mary I have ever liked! It was too tomato based for my friend though. The waiter explained to us that there was a really hot one (Sweaty Caesar) as well as a mild one (Cool Hand Cuke) also available. Service: The service wasn't horrible, but it wasn't good either. Our waiter never came to ask how our food was. Instead I saw him standing talking to a co-worker in the galley area nearly the entire time we ate. The place is still cool though. I love eating in the greenhouse area. Overall though I am disappointed in Heck's. I remember it being great. I've not been in awhile though and I must say my opinion has definitely changed.
(3)
Vanja K.
My first visit was last week for brunch, and I have to say I am impressed. I went on a date, and we started off with the lamb moon pies- to die for ! I love lamb ( good lamb) and I will keep going back just to eat the lamb moon pies! I ordered the BBQ burger, and my date ordered the prime rib burger. Both were very good, tasty, and full of flavor! The fries are a little weak with flavor and crispiness. NOTICE**** The temperature of the burgers were both off. Personally, medium temp for a burger is the best. I have not been to many burger places in town ( east or west) that cook your burger at the right temp ( which is quite ridiculous if you ask me). I am not sure if all these places just have a bunch of young underpaid line cooks or "chefs", but something needs to be done across the board. The only place you will get a fully medium burger so far, is at Luckys cafe in Tremont ( Luckys is a brunch breakfast place). The desert menu has some delicious options ! We choose the brownie burger, which is a brownie with vanilla ice cream, in between two huge chocolate chip cookies and waffle fries! Very Very very good stuff! also be prepared to be very full, the portion is huge! The service was good. Just nice standard service, nothing bad and nothing great.
(4)
Sarah A.
Cute little cafe with an very unique interior. I got the veggie burger during their lunch hours on a Wednesday. It wasn't crowded and we were seated quickly which was nice. Our waiter was incredibly attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. My one main complaint was my veggie patty. Though I appreciate the freshness and quality of ingredients of the patty, I found it overall to be pretty bland. Even with the avocado aioli it just didn't do much for me. It was interesting that it looked more like roughly chopped vegetables kind of compressed into patty form unlike your typical brown mush/blended patties you can buy at the store. I liked this concept but I think it needed some kind of binding agent to pull it all together. Overall it was a nice stop for lunch, though I wish I had gotten something different.
(3)
Janey S.
Beautiful lunch atrium room, tight space but bright colors and foliage. Love eating in the back room. Awesome malt vinegar aioli sauce and French fries. All the burgers are amazing. I prefer to go for lunch but I heard dinner there is good too. I also got a Bloody Mary with bacon-infused vodka... Couldn't really taste the bacon though.
(5)
Randy B.
A must if you are visiting Cleveland. The food and atmosphere are fantastic. The drinks are great as well!
(5)
Lila P.
My husband and I went here over the weekend for brunch. The service was incredibly slow and when our food arrived it was slightly undercooked. However, the waitstaff (which was very friendly) apologized profusely for these issues and comped us half our meal (which ended up being delicious, every last bite of it). Any time a restaurant actually owns up to their mistakes is big as these days the idea that the customer comes first isn't always practiced in the service industry. Despite the issues we had here the food and customer service won us over so we will definitely be back. It's a great place to hang outside for a relaxing meal and good for groups too.
(4)
Jesco D.
They are open until 10pm, not 9 like the information says. All lies! We arrived about 845 and seated right away in the really nice, open, sun dining room...or whatever it's called. To preface the service, I really don't know what it was...she seemed more focused on getting whatever closing list she has than prompt and attentive service. Took a bit to actually figure out who our server would be. Wanted to see what the burgers were all about, so we ordered two Heck Burgers both medium, and both with cheese. She explained the temp as being a true(?) medium in that it would be pink. Yeah, well, it better be then! I would have like to have seen a list of all available toppings you could add to the Heck Burger, or any other for that matter. Also tried the Nutella shake, which was pretty good and actually tasted like Nutella....unlike the shitty restaurant The Rail. So we waited, and the wait was reasonable. What was really odd was a different server brought the shake out...then that same server brought our burgers...then, when I had an issue with our order not being right we had to resort to that SAME guy server after sitting awkwardly at the table wondering when she would maybe follow up and ask how everything was so we could point things out...NOPE! At no point did our original waitress come back until after starting to eat to ask if more water was needed....no, even though our glasses are near empty and I am 1/4 done with my plate I don't see why we could need more water....ugh, geez. The issue with the order was simply not getting any cheese I had requested. Our NOT server offered to have cheese put on, but I really didn't mind it without cheese. As long as I didn't get charged then it's fine by me. So yeah, other than the no cheese the burger was ok. It was cooked perfectly, no complaints there. Seems more like a 1/3 pound as opposed to the 1/2 pound as shown on the menu. The bun was fantastic though, whatever it was. Fries were cooked great and had a nice crisp. The burgers were just OK, not the best so Scene says. Maybe I need to choose the more adventurous burger options like the cheval or something with other obscure toppings to REALLY have something to base if it comes to being considered as the best or not? Who knows. I wasn't blown away by anything, especially the service. Nice girl, just not sure if her attention was focused on a break, any closing work, or what. Hardly ever saw her other than the one water refill and receiving the check. Kind of feel bad giving her as much as I did as a tip and nothing to the NOT server who did most of the work for her. Hope they share tips....
(2)
Cami T.
It's been a while since I'd been to Hecks. I remembered it as being "okay" but not worth skipping some of the better Ohio City options to go to. I've now been corrected - especially by Brunch. They added a new side room in the last couple of years and have also since re-done their menu. I was very impressed by the local and interesting selections. We ordered the Banana foster and the Wild Things from their brunch menu. The Banana Foster was honestly, delicious. Perfectly done, sweet and banana-y with a wonderful cream cheese stuffing. It was nicely presented and could easily compete against the best brunch french toasts. For the Wild Things, I was hesitant because someone near me seemed to order the same thing and it looked from afar just like an arugula salad. It was not. On a bed of wonderfully creamy goat cheese, the vegetables, potatoes and everything mixed into a decedent meal. Then of course to finish it, we had their famous Hecks coffee and a Bloody Mary. We couldn't' have asked for a better brunch. I also really liked their new addition and think it'd be great for a birthday party/reception sort of room.
(5)
Regina S.
Disclaimer: This review is in regards to brunch only. This was my first trip to Heck's and while the overall experience was an okay one, I am giving this a two because the food was so boring and unmemorable that I would not go back to try more. We sat on the patio which was great. This place is tucked away in Ohio City on a quiet street. I only saw the inside of the place when I walked through to use the restroom and was glad we chose the outside to sit - the inside was dark and dingy in the front room. I did not get a drink but my friend got a pretty solid bloody mary (I believe it was called the Hail Mary). Pretty tasty drink, but that was about the only thing that was tasty. Both my friend and I got the short rib hash. Bland, bland, bland. No special cream or sauce. Just flecks of short rib over home fries, mixed with a few tasteless vegetables and topped with two sunny side up eggs, served with a baguette. I am pretty sure there were no spices or seasoning used in this dish. Looking back, the prices were all somewhat reasonable and now I understand why. Also, I was starving when I arrived and still hungry when I left. This should never happen! As far as service goes, I can't say anything bad about it. We were seated and served right away. I am thinking we were served so fast because there's not much to throwing a piece of meat and eggs on top of potatoes. Sad to say my review is not a great one and sad to say I will probably not be going back for brunch or any other meal :(
(2)
Gretchen B.
First let me say that I haven't been to Heck's in over 25 years. I loved Heck's back in the day. This time, just so-so. We had a larger party with a reservation. We were seated promptly and they willingly added an extra chair when we had one more show up. Wait staff was friendly and attentive for the most part. We had to wait a little longer than I would have expected to place orders but it wasn't a big deal since our party was large and having drinks. Onto the burgers... for $10+ a burger one would expect to get an amazing burger and or an amazing presentation. My Avon burger was OK, but not the best burger that I've ever had and the fries in the little stainless steel cup.... kinda cold. Menu says" The Avon Burger Balsamic candied onions, blue cheese, truffled potato sticks, baby arugula $12" I was hoping for big, overflowing with caramelized onions and bleu cheese, a mouth watering piece of grass fed beef, nodda.. nope, just another overpriced hamburger. The truffle potato sticks looked like something out of can. Nothing else to say-- it was pretty nondescript. My dining companion had the Burger Au Poivre - Worcestershire sauce, peppercorn, grilled onions, sour cream $11. It too was a bit of a disappointment. On the upside, the desserts were large and amazing. The Flour-less Chocolate Torte with Crème Anglaise, caramel sauce, spicy bacon brittle was thick and dense and chock full of chocolate deliciousness. At $8 a bit on the steep side for dessert but plant to split between two people. The other folks at the table got the Apple Cobbler and the Brownie Sundae which also were hefty portions enough for two. What a bummer. Hecks had been so good for a burger. Maybe just a dessert place now.. :-(
(3)
Sheree M.
Great food - known for their hamburgers and brunch. Wonderful ambiance for brunch or lunch. Love the decor. Sometimes the service could use a bit more friendliness to it, but always great service and food. Prices are fair. The space definitely adds to the meal.
(3)
Natalie P.
I've been to Heck's twice now, both for large events. Heck's is very accommodating to large parties with a courteous and efficient wait staff. I was unfortunately one of those annoying customers that makes a reservation for 10 people that eventually becomes 15 on the day of the event and yet, Heck's made room for us! Both times here I've ordered something other than a burger, only because the dinner entrees look too fantastic to pass up for burgers (even though I've heard the burgers really are worth trying). I've tried both the Tuna Nachos and the Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna entree. The nachos have an interesting balance of sweet, spicy, and sour on fried wonton chips that satiates any nacho ordering restaurant go'ers desire for deliciously messy finger foods. It worked well as an entree but can also easily be shared as an appetizer. Conversely, the Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna is mild, sophisticated, and just the right amount to make you feel satisfied. The tuna itself is a little bland, yet the wasabi mashed potatoes and soy reduction worked well together to make the entire dish delicious. It's simple, refreshing, and not too heavy. For dessert, I was surprised with a cookie and ice-cream treat with fried dough sticks and a raspberry sauce (it was my birthday). While I found the cookie to be a little on the crunchy side (I prefer soft warm cookies), the rest of the plate made up for it. Overall, I had a great time at Heck's and it has easily become one of my favorite spots for large parties.
(4)
Shilpi K.
Very nice, bright area in the dining room. Service was good, place was clean. However the food was ok. I had the baklava french toast- sounded great in theory but it was essentially french toast with syrup and walnuts on top- very average. Came with few pieces of french toast-- the presentation could have been better. The person I was with had the short rib hash- it was bland and very watery. We enjoyed the atmosphere but the food was average.
(3)
Erin K.
I went with my family for dinner yesterday. I ordered the seared tuna with soba noodles. The tuna was cold. The noodles were one lump of tasteless mush. It was awful tasting and it should not have been served to anyone. I told the waitress and she offered me another dish. I just wanted a side. She asked if wanted some dessert too. The side never came. Just the dessert. I've been going to Heck's since I was a child. I have been there a few times since they expanded and their food has suffered. I will not be returning.
(2)
Will C.
Always satisfied with the food from Heck's. I must say that if you come here, you have to try the milkshakes. They are amazing. I had the peanut butter chocolate milkshake and it left me wanting to order another one! (I wish I did) I also got the Cajun burger which was one of the best burgers I've had in awhile. I must say they have amazing food and the staff was very nice to us. I will be heading there again as soon as possible!
(5)
Liz C.
Heck's is and always will be at the top of my list in terms of burger spots in Cleveland. I've been going here for as long as I can remember and haven't had a disappointing meal yet. I took it upon myself to bring a friend who has lived in Cleveland his whole life to visit what I consider a Cleveland classic dining spot. Last night, I enjoyed the Ohio City burger which is topped with herbs, mozzarella, and mushrooms. It was absolutely mouth watering, and the burger was cooked exactly to my liking. I indulged in a moscow mule (or two) that was refreshing during the warm evening along with the most delicious dessert I've come across in years. My guest and I shared the sweet burger which was Heck's play on an actual burger with chocolate chip cookies playing the role as the buns and the brownie and vanilla ice cream as the burger and cheese. What really made this dessert for me were the funnel cake fries and the raspberry "ketchup". The funnel cake fries and the cookies were still fresh and hot and melted in your mouth. I'm typically not one to order dessert but our server spoke very highly of this dessert and I am so thrilled that we took her advice. Our server was also AMAZING--kind, efficient, and on top of everything. 5 stars for this experience, 5 stars for past experience, and I am sure that it'll be 5 stars in the near future.
(5)
Ashley E.
First time I came here was Sunday Evening. My pregnancy craving was French Onion Soup and my husband had always wanted to try Heck's Cafe. Wow! The soup was awesome and he loved his Avon burger! I can't wait to come back and try some of the cocktails! He had a bourbon cocktail that he raved over. Our friendly bartender was Jen and she was very patient with us and very friendly. We also had a wonderful conversation with Amber. I loved it so much that I went back last night for the soup. I got mashed potatoes as well. Once again, the service was amazing! My bartender was Rachel and she rocked! I love having servers that actually like to interact with their customers. Great Job Jen, Amber, and Rachel! You will see is back soon! Props to the kitchen staff as well, as we were leaving on Sunday they took the time to ask us what we had and how we liked it! This is probably my new favorite OHC restaurant!!
(5)
Arianna W.
Came here for Mother's Day brunch. We had reservations in the garden room and I must say, this place was really beautiful. The food was great but a little pricey. $11 for just French toast and 5 small pieces of fruit? My grandmother had the short rib hash and she felt that there was barley any short rib in it. She did say that the small piece she had was good! Everyone loved their meal though.
Cute place, awesome staff. Our waitress raced on the burgers,, so we tried them. Great taste sand huge portion. Glad she recommended it. The "heck" fries were very good. The only problem...I wish I had room for dessert.
(4)
Matthew D.
Where do I even begin? The service, despite being exceptional, was completely overshadowed by the amazing food. I ordered the market burger and it exceeded already high expectations. This is a must visit for anyone who loves a good feed
(5)
Halle W.
This place is ok. I have been here three times now and each time I leave disappointed. I do have to say the coffee is really nice with spice. My eggs for eggs Benedict were severely over cooked (almost hardboiled) last time. Today I got chicken and waffles. The chive waffle was good. The chicken itself was fine too but the fried part was more like it was just dunked in oil. My husband liked his dish of short rib hash, but it was boring. Nothing is bad here, but I just think it's too expensive to be so blah.
(3)
Laura f.
Really went down hill, were excited to come back and delighted to see the addition. We selected roasted eggplant stuffed with zatar seasoned vegetables and rice @ $16.50. Undercooked eggplant, mostly rice with two carrots, absolutely overpriced tasteless meal. Other meal was an arugula salad with cooked goat cheese, the arugula was piled high with a few tomatoes slices that were not ripe. The cheese was rubbery, this was over $10. Perhaps the owner should look to employ a real chef.
(1)
Larren B.
I, soooo strongly, do not recommend this restaurant. After THREE attempts to get TWO sandwiches i was finally able to get the wrong order again. When calling the restaurant to get the right order through. I was met with a very professional, very well trained scoffing and laughing hostess. I wasnt aware that cooking burgers, or at least getting an order down over the phone was something us plebeians would not understand. Horrible customer service, horrible kitchen staff. This place was once a great part of this neighborhood, but not anymore.
(1)
Evan F.
Some good friends decided to take me here for lunch one day recently (as I had never been here before)...what took me so long?!?!? Heck's is well known in Cleveland for the quality burgers, so of course I had to try one. I ended up with the Rogue Burger...a juicy patty topped with bacon and Roquefort cheese dressing. Can you say "yummmmmmmm"... The location of this spot is quite unassuming...you'd drive right by it if you were not looking closely enough and I hear they are making plans for expansion into the adjoining property. But the inside feel homey and comfortable, adding to the ambiance. I will definitely be back.
(4)
George M.
great Sunday brunch options and fresh ingredients and great custom blend coffee..Bloody Mary a bit on the spicy hot side but good...also great atmosphere as we sat outside.. very attentive server and will be back..
(3)
David B.
Solid three stars in my book. Atmoshphere and interior design was real nice, sat right by the spiral staircase. The coffee was superb, my gf liked her salmon. I thought the burger was pretty bland though, and the fries were just so so. Im willing to go again, very busy Saturday night so its possible they werent attentive with the seasoning. Wait staff was very friendly, overall nice evening.
(3)
sarah s.
I've been coming to heck's for 15 years, and not just once a year, monthly. Yes, the decor was a little outdated, but the service, and food was always amazing. My Mom and I went in this evening. I've been so happy they've been able to expand, and that they updated the place. I haven't been in a few months, so I was excited to see the changes. The service was good. But the menu, everything changed! I expected some updating, but even the updated food was disappointing. The classic "heck's house salad" that I used to know and love, wasn't fresh, and the greens were mediocre, and didn't have their signature house made dressings that made that salad fantastic. They left some of the old burgers, but the prices were so high, that we almost wanted to leave. It's like they took everything we loved off of the old menu off. Unfortunately my mom and I have to find our new "old faithful". We live in the area, and I really hope they find their groove again.
(2)
Kate A.
Their brunch is fantastic! I got the eggs Benedict without the Canadian bacon and it was the best I've had to date. Bloody Mary was a little too spicy, but it was fantastic as well!! I have nothing but good things to say and I've been recommending hecks to everyone!
(5)
Matt G.
I ate at Heck's on 8/9 as part of a party of 4. We arrived early from our 7pm reservations, and were seated without issue or delay. I have to say that the highlight of our visit was the waitstaff. Everyone was very courteous, (but not overly so as to suspect sarcasm or that it was ingenious.) Our waiter was attentive, quick with recommendations, and did so without being intrusive. We were the only party in the room for most of our meal, but we never felt as though the staff was hovering. Appetizers: Devils on Horseback - Tasty, well balanced, but only 3 pieces. I really would've appreciated a larger portion size, (as in, at least one per person.) However, the Pomme Frites were a standout. I'd consider getting those solely as a meal. Entrees: My wife got the bacon wrapped filet. She claimed it was good, but she's had better. Another person got the salmon, which she claimed was on the dry side, but was redeemed by some fantastic risotto. I got the Market City Burger, which was topped with incredible short ribs. Those short ribs need to be the star of their own entree. The actual burger patty was lost in the mix of that fantastic, glazed, shredded beef, which is a shame because it seemed to be of high quality. Drinks: Wine on tap is an interesting idea. I'm the only one from our party that deviated, instead opting for a Mint Julip. The drink was horribly unbalanced - I only received the taste of the bourbon. The mint wasn't so much muddled as it was fondled or fluffed. The drink came off as a glass of bourbon that just happened to have other stuff in it. I settled for a bottled beer for drink #2. Heck's would be an ideal lunch spot, but if I want a "fancypants, leave-the-kids-at-home, adults only" night then I'll go somewhere else.
(3)
John M.
Been here a few times for Sunday brunch. Enjoyed myself each time! If you want to keep it to basic stuff, they have all the brunch staples for a reasonable price. If you feel like treating yourself or getting a little fancy... they have some more unique dishes that are slightly more expensive. I've spent anywhere from $15 to $35 here on brunch. The patio is great!
(4)
Katherine A.
Stopped in on Memorial Day because everything else was closed. Come on, Cleveland. Really? It is a charming little place and the neighborhood is cute. I had the teriyaki burger and my friend had the Ohio Burger. Mine was moist and juicy, very tasty and filled me up. My friend complained that her burger was dry. It was worth the trip and helped assuage our disappointment at not getting to look inside The Christmas Story House.
(4)
KC K.
Nothing bad to say about this place except sometimes it's freezing in the dining area. Other than that this is hands down my favorite restaurant! Best burgers ever best creme brulee ever and best atmosphere! It's super cute inside and the waiting staff is always very professional and dressed well. Fine establishment you've got here.
(5)
Diane D.
Dined at Heck's for the first time this past Saturday night with five of my friends. Two of our party had lived in Cleveland at some point and I grew up there, so I'm familiar with the culinary offerings of my hometown. The only reason that this review has three stars and not four is because the service was remarkably slow. I believe the restaurant was understaffed in both servers and kitchen. It took quite a while for us to get our drinks after being seated and almost an hour to get our food. I had the pork loin special which was okay, but nothing to write home about. My friend's shrimp and grits, however, were fantastic. We ordered a bottle of an Argentinian Cabernet which was serviceable but nothing spectacular. I love the location in Ohio City and the building itself is just adorable. I'd be open to trying Heck's again but I'd be hoping for much improved service.
(3)
Harris T.
First time at Hecks last night. Our reservations were at 6:30 and we arrived a few minutes early but no problem. Seated right away. They also have complimentary valet parking which I strongly suggest using as parking can be a challenge. Service was prompt and attentive. We all ordered different burgers and all of us were wowed by them. We agreed one of he best burgers in the city. For dessert, salted caramel pretzel bread pudding. Delicious. We will definitely be back!
(4)
Lex I.
I was very impressed with Heck's Cafe. I went for brunch on a Sunday. I ordered the bacon waffle with their homemade butter; it was delicious! I will definitely be back to try their burgers; they looked delish as well. The decor was really cool and had a hipster vibe to it. I want to dine at the little table up the spiral staircase one day! Another thing I liked about Heck's was the pleasant staff. Our waitress was great and good at her job. As we were walking out to leave the chefs were super friendly and asked how everything was. It's nice when you can tell that people love their job.
(5)
Tom S.
I've been coming to Hecks for many years and have never left dissatisfied. This Cleveland tradition is even better now with the added seating and bar area. I also really enjoy their new menu items and brunch menu. There are options for everyone/every occasion from burgers and omelets to steak and seafood. They now even offer valet service which makes parking much easier.
(5)
Misty W.
amazing food and even better service from Jen. Thanks for making our night memorable
(5)
Cara L.
Bleh--update yourself, Hecks. No longer can you get away with passing off sub-par quality food for premium prices. You can tell when they're normally half empty and they used to be packed. Food quality has slipped and it shows. When restaurants around you are serving delicious, all natural, grass-fed Ohio beef burgers, what makes you think adding a bunch of toppings will help you? Disappointed. :( Also, please for the love of god hire better servers. Please. Maybe after all these years I've been missing the brunch? Ehhh... I could be totally wrong, but that's just my opinion.
(2)
Samantha H.
I really like everything about this place except the food is just so-so. The coffee was great, tasted like there was cinnamon in it. The service was good and the place itself is back off the main road. But the food wasn't really worth the prices to me. I would try it again though.
(3)
K S.
Got a table on a Friday night at about 8pm and was seated almost immediately. Waitstaff was attentive and had our first round of drinks out pretty quickly. Ordered the beet salad, lobster mac & cheese, and the shrimp and grits. The orange beet salad was a solid salad and have to admit I was very tempted to lick the plate once I was finished. The mac & cheese was, as expected, rich, gooey, decadent...everything you're looking for in a mac & cheese. The shrimp and grits were okay. I'm from the south and grits are my jam. I felt they fell a bit short but I still ate the crap out of it. I will definitely be back. With a designated driver.
(4)
J O.
I came here again bc I was dying for the tasty food again , I must say I was kinda disappointed we ordered the shrimp ceviche and it came out with literally NO shrimp so I said something then they brought another one that was just not good and didn't even have the fancy decoration it's just like they didn't care , my waiter wasn't great either. I might try them again I don't know .. I think the main chef wasn't there or something
(3)
Jen M.
Oh Heck's...I decided to give you another chance and I am sorry I did. The burger was overcooked way beyond my requested medium, the fries were tasteless, and the pulled pork had an overbearing orange zest flavor. The chocolate milkshake was very weak. How can you mess that up? Service on the patio was attentive but the food...no bueno. I'm done.
(2)
Fred W.
Nice little spot. I had the Philly Burger and everything about it was good. The patty was juicy and the vegetables didn't overpower the meat. The french fries were hot & crisp, and most importantly, tasty without the ketchup. The garden room is quaint and a great spot for a date. Staff was friendly and extremely prompt. Less than $20 total for burger, fries, and a GOOD beer. If you're looking for a quick meal and a place for good conversation, Heck's is the one.
(4)
Jillian S.
I would give it 0 stars if I could. For having "the best burgers in Cleveland", I've never had something more tasteless. I encourage the chef to google "salt and pepper". I've worked in the food industry long enough to know to never send food back unless entirely necessary. Well, needless to say I sent it back. The waitress was less than enthusiastic nor did she even care that I wasn't pleased with my meal. I feel like the owners made it priority to market to 45-60 year old women with nothing better to do than eat a crappy burger and complain about their husbands.
(1)
Rob S.
Nice place in the heart of O. City. It's definitely a "cafe" -- not a "high-class dining experience." They have burgers, beer, a fine dinner selection, and omelets that look like they took eight eggs to make. I was there with potentially picky family members (yay Thanksgiving weekend), and everyone found something to tickle their palate, from my mom, who just wants a sandwich, thank you very much, none of that fancy stuff for me, to my cousin, who says she's a vegan but whom I caught eating brie.
(4)
Christopher G.
I'm from Columbus, and had an appointment in Cleveland, so I stopped by for lunch last weekend, based on all the great burger talk. I'm sorry, I just didn't see (taste) it. Small patties, on a dry over sized non-toasted bun, with hot house tomatoes, and warm lettuce? Seriously? It taste of all bread! If this is the best burger of the north coast, you guys are missing out! Fuddruckers, Bob Evans, Five Guys, and even Wendy's has a better burger than Hecks. And if your ever in Columbus, check out Thurman's cafe...your burger bar will set to its highest level ever!
(2)
Jacquie J.
My daughter and I went to Heck's Cafe today to celebrate Mother's Day. We arrived for our 4pm reservation. The restuarant was busy but not overly crowded. We were seated in a timely manner. We ordered our soft drinks and waited just a few minutes to order our dinner selections. We ordered our food around 4:15pm. We waited and waited for our food. Our actual waiter never came back to the table. I asked a female server, if she knew how much longer we had to wait, by this time it was 4:50pm. She stated since we ordered our burgers well done, that it might take a little longer. Ok - I have heard that before (however, it is usually when steaks are ordered), but nonetheless,we continued to wait for our food and for our waiter to offer some type of explanation or even recognition. Neither of which took place. It was not until I noticed 2 different parties that came in well after my daughter and I did, had received their food, that I decided to leave. I have no idea if the waiter put our food order in excessively late or if he did not want to wait on two African American women(since we were the only black people (excluding kitchen staff) in the restuarant. He NEVER came back to the table to ask how everything was going, which most servers tend to show up at the table non stop. Nothing - the worst customer service. But one thing for sure, I will never return to this establishment AND I will make sure that my friends and collleagues are away of the service Heck's provides. This was a special day for my daughter and I. Instead allowing this situation to dampen our day, we went to another restaurant, Nighttown in Cleveland Heights. The atmospher and the customer service was excellent. I highly recommend Nighttown.
(1)
Habby H.
Every time I go to Hecks, I get the same thing... ...because it's so freakin' good. And what, pray tell, am I referring to? The fish n' chips...yah I'm kind of a fish n' chips snob. I get it everywhere I go. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's really bad. Hecks does it GREAT. The big chunks of fish are superbly battered and perfectly fried. The "chips" are large potato wedges that are super crisp on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. A couple other noteworthy items are the crab cakes, brie and burgers. I love the interior of the place. It's like eating inside of a greenhouse. Lots of flowers and plants. The outside makes for a nice place to sit as well. Hecks is in a great location. Overall, a great place for a casual meal.
(4)
Brandon I.
Three stars is generous. They're DAMN lucky they can blend up a shake. Went here with the vivacious Magic Lee Malicious on a Saturday afternoon. She suggested it, I agreed instantly as I'd heard about the excellent burgers. I'm starting to see a trend in Cleveland...perhaps it's restaurants all over, but in Cleveland joints is where I've figured this out. People are under the impression that offering a lot of different toppings and ways to eat it make it a "good" burger or a "good" hot dog. When nothing could be further from the truth. If it's a great burger or hot dog, then it will need little to be delicious. So that said, you can have your burger about 20 different ways here...I got one with grilled mushrooms and melted cheese...I forget which kind...I think it was swiss... But, the actual patty was sub-standard. It looked like it came from a box purchased down the block from the freezer of Dave's Market. Magic's salad seemed to be the same way...not that great. However, they DO have shakes, and they were awesome. That's where the third star comes in. The atmosphere kills it (kills it = good), it's really a cool looking place, with some nook and cranny booths, along with the main dining room, situated in a sort of covered porch in the back. And, in the summer they have a great outdoor patio. I'll be going there for a late shake in 80 degree weather, for sure. For the burgers? Nah. I can go across the street to Wendy's for a tastier one.
(3)
Shannon C.
Went to Heck's for Sunday brunch. The service was very slow, twice I had to track down other servers because my server was no where to be found. The meal took 40 minutes to arrive at the table. The coffee was very good, cinnamon added. Better if you can get a refill. I had the Eggs Benedict, which was very good. Overall, I would go elsewhere for comparable food and much better service.
(2)
Sarah L.
Needing a break from the food at the West Side Market and since none of the 10 restaurants on W25 are open for lunch (seriously, what the hell?) we had decided to go to Heck's. Upon entering I was thrown into a claustrophobic nightmare, smashed like a window cling against a beer cooler that's right by the entrance. Well played, Heck's, I see you have Christmas ale. The place itself is pretty tiny. I can't imagine what it is like when the entire house is full. We were seated in the back, the greenhouse room, which was nice. Myself and my dining partner each got coffee and burgers. Their signature coffee is outstanding. It was so good that I was considering spending $12 on a pound of it to take home with me. Unfortunately, by the end of the meal I was so incredibly food drunk that I was lucky I remembered where the car was. I was in shock when we got our burgers. They were massive. I think mine literally cast a shadow on the table it was so big. I got the one with bacon, egg, and a softball-sized glob of sour cream. The first bite was heaven, the last one was hell. The fries were really good, but many of them were left behind. When you're dealing with grease and egg yolk you have to make quick decisions about what gets eaten because you know it's not going to keep/be good reheated. The burgers were very delicious. My suggestion is to get the # burger instead of the 1/2#, seeing as how there's an additional one and a half pounds of toppings. If you've never experienced "meat sweats", you will if you finish a burger from this place.
(4)
Carrie K.
Great neighborhood place. Known for its burgers but we had calamari and mussels and they were both great. Kids had the chicken tenders from the appetizer menu and they were the best I have ever tasted. Service was great aa well. Very cozy atmosphere in and out.
(4)
Vanessa A.
Where do I BEGIN??? Well, let's just say by far the WORST service EVER!! I went in there to get a coffee to go, (the USED to have the BEST COFFEE ANYWHERE), WELL, let me tell you), I ordered my coffee, the HOSTESS, never bothered to ask me how many creams or sugars I wanted with my coffee "she just walked away", SO, I am thinking it's fine, she will bring me cream and sugar, LMAO, I didn't say anything, SO she came back with my coffee and gave me 2 creams on the side WITH NO SUGAR, I paid the outrageous price of 3.00, gave her the 3.00 in cash, she walked away, more like "RAN AWAY", before I can ask her for sugar, here I was standing there with my mouth OPENED by how stupid she was, how the hecks can you give someone cream without sugar for their coffee to go?? BAD SERVICE, AND I WANT MY 3.00 BACK, I would never pay 18.50 for a darn salad when, I can go and make my own for 5.00 good bye hecks and good riddence!!!!
(1)
John G.
Stopped here after work after reading several good reviews. Had a taste for a good burger and this was the top choice. The burger selection is very vast and unique burgers on the list.. Got the Rogue burger and was more than satisfied with it. Come with bacon and a rouge sause mixture of Bleu cheese and sour cream. Im not evena bleu cheese fan and this burger hit the spot. Waiter was super nice also which is always a great plus. Heck's will very much get future visits from me. They have fish and chicken options as well if you trying to avoid beef. Small and quaint as well...perfect getaway from the large chains that dominate Cleveland. Highly recommend Heck's if you live near or visiting the near west side
(5)
Critical C.
While Yelp reviewers seem to really dislike Heck's, another rating site is filled with praises for the place. I wasn't going to take a risk, but our intended other option had a long wait and burgers seem more appropriate anyway for Father's Day. I think I figured out why the rating discrepancies - expectation. If you expect the best burger you ever ate and perfect service you will HATE Heck's. If you expect a decent meal you'll really like it. I rated "meh, I've experienced better" because I have. Our family of 4 ate outside at about 1 pm. We ordered 4 burgers, one French toast and 1 iced tea. The bill after tax was $50.50. The Ohio burger had a myriad of indiscernible herbs. The Rogue burger had a sour cream topping with some blue cheese crumbled in. The other (?) burger had mushrooms & swiss. Although we ordered two medium "but please be sure there's pink in mine" and one medium well, all 3 came out the same - no red, some pink. None of us finished them. The baklava French toast was good, but doesn't live up to its name. It's French toast with sugar in the dip and a few walnut halves dropped on the plate. I had one bite that was tasty, but squishy/raw in the center. We did finish that plate, though. The fries were very similar to Five Guys, but less salt. Our water and tea ran out, and we waited inordinately long for the check even after the waiter knew we were finished. We enjoyed ourselves and ate a decent meal. Doubt we'll go back, though.
(2)
Lisa W.
Great burgers and fries! Atmosphere could use an update - rather plain and outdated!
(4)
Peter G.
Well here is a story for the ages. My flight from NJ got delayed and I finally arrived downtown at my hotel. I searched yelp and came upon Hecks and realized they were still open and relatively close. My hotel called a taxi and I thought I would be at the restaurant by 8:45. 8;45 came and my taxi was not here so I called Heck and spoke with Christina and told her my situation. I decide to order a burger not wanting to miss the 9pm kitchen closing. Christina assured me the selection of the Cajun Burger was good choice and now I waited for my cab. and waited. at 9:05 Christina - called me back on my cell phone asking what the story was. I explained I was running late - she was already trying to figure out how to get my Cajun burger to me downtown!!!!! She was funny and awesoem to deal with. Just then my cab showed up and got me to Hecks and Christina gave me my burger. Since it was now 9:30, I returned to the hotel and while a little cold from the taxi delays, this was an awesome Cajun burger. The sauteed onions really made it and the meal hit the spot. I am huge fan of Hecks and look forward to retuning and sitting proper next time with a pint of beer to enjoy my next burger. Thank Christina - nice job.
(5)
Russell W.
Great burgers. Need I say more?
(5)
Ben C.
I went to Heck's for lunch recently. The burger didn't live up to the hype. The atmosphere was good. The inside of the restaurant is very spacious with excellent natural lighting. There was also clean and well organized outdoor seating. Our server that day was courteous and efficient. I had the burger au poivre (with grilled onions, sour cream). The meat was dry, and I was underwhelmed by its flavor. For a menu item that was supposed to be adventurous, the burger was very bland. The combination of unseasoned hamburger meat and sour cream didn't taste fun or surprising. My girlfriend had the tuna steak. She thought it was meaty but didn't go with rye bread or its nondescript mayonnaise sauce. She asked for a sauce with more tang and was offered mayonnaise with horseradish, mayonnaise with cranberry, mayonnaise with ... The ketchup at Heck's was served in tiny individual glass bottles. I didn't like the rationing of condiments and thought it was a waste of glass. I did enjoy the Cajun fries. I won't be back but would recommend Heck's to someone looking for a mayonnaise based meal.
(2)
Loren D.
Super nice staff. The food was great and good prices. I went with a group of 6 and was very well taken care of. My burger arrived a little late, but they brought free soup while I was waiting. My wife had ordered hers medium and it arrived a bit more red than she expected, they brought out another one more done and let her have both. They then brought out a free carrot for dessert which we all devoured...it was great. Would highly recommend, as would many restaurant reviewing journals (they have them all posted in the entrance). A bunch of these have them listed as the best burgers.
(5)
Katelyn B.
I do some theatre at Near West, so I have been trying a lot of the local business for food around rehearsals and shows and things. I had a show on Mother's Day, and my mom HATES all those Mother's Day brunch things that all the big chainy restaurants do. Shes a kindergarten teacher and on mother's day all she wants is to be rid of small children (espcially since all her's are all grown up) We decided on Heck's for brunch and it was a great choice! My parents are not super adventurous and love a good burger, so this was a great choice. Everyone was happy, the burgers were great, and the back room is great! All in all, the prices were decent, a good family place, something for everyone on the menu. I would definatly go back here.
(4)
Jordan T.
For a $10+ burger, I expect better than a white bread bun. The perogies were delicious though. It's a very quiet atmosphere, and I frequently felt like I was making people uncomfortable with my louder than average voice.
(3)
Sarah Z.
OVER RATED! Don't believe the hype. Ok ok I shouldn't be so harsh. This place is ok. BUT it could be so so so much more. It has a great location in the heart of Ohio City, a gorgeous main dining room, and a great concept. The execution is just lacking. It is truly sad. This place could be SO MUCH MORE if they changed a few things starting with a lot of the menu (drinks and food). In general the staff is great nice and knowledgable. The drinks are not worth what they charge. The food is fairly good most of the time but in groups they tend to get cooking directions for the burgers mixed up so you can end up with a well done burger when you wanted medium rare. What I recommend The Spring Chicken Sandwich Any burger that does not include sour cream or pineapple (need an idea? I recommend the Ohio City Burger with Havarti) French fries (honestly though who doesn't like fried potatoes) The coffee Hit or Miss Groups ordering burgers The drinks Things to avoid like the plague Salads (sogginess) Grilled cheese sandwich (american and bleu and spinach yelch) Ohio City Martini (GROSS)
(2)
Christine N.
Disappointed in the french onion soup, the stock needed some flavor. the chicken paprikash soup was too thick, felt like I was eating a thick paste. The salad with ginger dressing was very nice.
(3)
David L.
The soup was cold and my salad was rotten. This place is usually great. They must have been having a bad day or something.
(3)
Cameron E.
I've been for lunch and dinner before and it has always been great food. Today I went for Sunday brunch for the first time and the food was again awesome, as was our waiter. Omelets are HUGE and come with fresh fruit and potatoes. Coffee is also extremely good and they keep it full. Definitely going back for all meals... only downside is that the bill was over thirty dollars for two... kinda pricey for a 'cafe'
(4)
Erin P.
Oh man, here goes. I'm going to be that asshole who calls out the place in Cleveland everyone loves for some reason. I've had good food here. Once. Then I have had mediocre to borderline nauseating food here.. A lot. It's close to my house, and everyone is so sure of the burgers that I keep trying again...but, alas I've come to conclusion that my friends are clueless. Or are drunk.
(2)
Sarah T.
Super cute decor, big portions, good service.
(5)
Michael W.
I think any negative reviews of Heck's are probably the product of unrealistic expectations. The burgers are awesome. One of my 2 or 3 favorite burgers in Cleveland. My wife and I were in the mood for something simple to hit the spot after happy hour a couple weeks ago and Heck's hit the spot. I had a burger, she had a chicken sandwich. I've never gotten anything but a burger, and probably wouldn't. If you're looking for fine dining, there are plenty of other restaurants in the neighborhood that will turn the trick.
(4)
Kimberly C.
After we faced locked doors at the Happy Dog, I got out my trusty Yelp app and looked for an alternative. Heck's came up and I was excited because it was another restaurant on my "to try" list. When we arrived there were about 3 tables ahead of us which is not a big deal, but the waiting area is tiny. I didn't mind that about 7 of us were snug like sardines in the little entry way, but I did mind when a old lady hit us with her cane to get us to move out of the way. Easy, grandma. About 20 minutes later we were sat at a quaint little table for two in the "atrium" area. The sun was shining in from the windows and for a moment I felt my winter blahs melt away. Our server was very prompt and efficient, but could have been a little more personable. But I guess I'll take a never-empty Diet Coke over personality. I ordered the Teriyaki burger and my fiance had the Rogue burger. We both ordered our burgers medium well and they came out over well, which was a little bit of a disappointment. I loved the pineapple and onion combo on my burger, and the juicy teriyaki sauce helped the overcooked burger not be too dry. I was surprised the burger did not come with any cheese and must have overlooked that fact on the menu. It would have given the burger that little extra oomph it needed. My fiance was happy with his choice of burger toppings, but agreed the meat was dry and lacked in flavor. The onion rings and fries were just ok and only slightly warm when we received them. I had a little bit of sticker shock when I got the bill. Dang...almost $40 for 2 hamburgers and sodas? Overall I think Heck's is pretty pricey for just an A-OK experience.
(3)
Kevin S.
I remember when Heck's was good, and I remember when Heck's was bad. When it was good, it was very very good. Ohio City, the neighborhood where Heck's is located, was just beginning to revive its fortunes when I first dined at Hecks. I remember a great meal with several friends that led to repeat visits. Hecks permanently fell from grace when I took a new beau there for dinner. The service was slapdash, the food was all messed up, but the nadir of the evening was when a cockroach the size of a large ladies' brooch crawled gingerly out of my salad. I complained, and the waiter whisked it away and brought me another salad. Yuck. No mention of comping the meal. My appetite was gone, the dinner was a disaster, and our evening sank along with it. I hope Heck's has revived itself because the atmosphere and the location were always top notch.
(3)
Rick E.
Hadn't been to Herb's in awhile but went for lunch and had a pleasant experience. The courtyard has great ambience and our sandwiches were delicious. There was a soup special advertised tomato something-or-other but it was different than expected-more a chicken broth-like base wih diced tomatoes in it. Serving was very big. Nice place and an Ohio City old timer so they must be doing something right.
(3)
Jan W.
We had a wonderful evening at Heck's Cafe. Great burgers and fries, , attentive and courteous service, good bar selections, good atmosphere... all at a price you can afford. This is restaurant I definitely will go back to.
(4)
Jason C.
Here's the deal: Hecks is a great place, but it is what it is. It is not a fancy restaurant. I consider it a casual mid-range neighborhood joint, say, a step up from Academy Tavern in Larchmere neighborhood. Personally, I never order anything but burgers here, BUT I AM OF THE OPINION THAT THEY HAVE SOME OF THE BEST BURGERS IN CLEVELAND (perhaps *the* best?). We go here all the time with another couple and all of our kids (4 adults, 4 kids in all). We always receive consistently good food and service, and they are always endlessly accommodating of our kids. I give this place 5 stars because I love this place, I keep spending money there, again and again, and it does what it does well. A Ferrari is a Ferrari. A Honda Accord is a Honda Accord.
(5)
Farah A.
After struggling to find an open place to eat on a late Sunday afternoon in Tremont, my friends and I (and our two labs) decided to try our luck in Ohio City. We ended up at Heck's. Not only was the service over-the-top friendly, but they were more than happy to accommodate our dogs who hung out with us as we sat on the patio enjoying our eggplant fries and brie. Our server even brought water in bowls for the dogs! The food wasn't spectacularly amazing, BUT it was fresh and as such, refreshing on a hot late summer day. The staff was happy to answer all of our questions about the food. The salmon was wild, not farm-raised--always a plus. The burgers are supposed to be amazing, but as a vegetarian, I did not indulge. There definitely could have been more vegetarian options, but the appetizers, salad, and portobello mushroom gryo did the trick. I would recommend heck's for a casual-but-nice-cafe-style outdoor brunch or lunch with friends.
(4)
Jim P.
What the heck... THE UP-SIDE: A nice little restaurant that's been a part of the Ohio City scene for a long time. Big selection of good burgers and a host of other, fancier selections. Quiet, pleasing atmosphere. THE DOWN-SIDE: The food is good, and the place is nice - definitely - but somehow it always feels like it doesn't quite live up to what it could be. It's like it's almost there. Almost, but not quite... THE SUM-IT-UP: Go here if you're not going to be way picky about the food and you just wanna have some good conversation with a friend.
(3)
Claire R.
Another Ohio City Treasure: The food here is great. Even the house salad makes your mouth water (definitely go for the apricot dressing with that.) Try to sit in the lovely back room; the open kitchen makes the front a little noisy. It is a tad pricey, but the food and atmosphere are well worth it. Great for a date or an opener for a night out with the girls.
(4)
Calvin H.
Came here with a large group and very high expectations, including one of the best burgers in Cleveland. I found the service to be a bit slow, although we were a big group so I won't ding them on that. My main gripe is that I ordered my burger medium rare and it came medium well if not well done. I can't really give them more than 3 stars because of that.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Drive-Thru : No Caters : No
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Rex B.
Was in the mood for something different and Bam...a grass fed beef burger landed in front of me. Poor thing ..it didn't stand a chance. Although it's moment was short lived the memories will last a lifetime. I'm hooked and there's no rehab in the world to take care of this addiction.
(5)Tom L.
Had the dessert burger and what a bust! The cookies were stale and hard as a rock while the brownie was dried out... Nice concept but very poorly executed.
(1)Susan D.
School sponsored dinner here--way too much food but I was not super impressed. Place: Cute place, like the patio area but the first park when you enter seems a little grungy. Has a not super clean feel. I think they could probably update their look a little. Service: Friendly, attentive, no complaints here. Food: Apps--tried the onion rings, pierogies and mussels+fries. Onion rings were generic but heavy. Pierogies were ok, I'm no expert. Mussels were probably my favorite--broth of butter/garlic and I think white wine was yum but the fries weirded me out a little. I had the ohio city burger--cooked spot on to the medium I asked for. The description of "grilled with herbs of all nations" was not exactly evident in the flavor profile--pretty average, probably some parsley, dunno where other nations really come into play. Also they really need some local beer on draft, have only some bottled selection. Finally, why does the menu on the website download as a word document--wish they would update the website as well, just display the menu on the webpage with an option to download as a pdf--is that too much to ask?! Maybe I've been spoiled. Overall, average fare, probably a little overpriced for what you get though portions are standard American huge.
(3)Shannon C.
Initially, I was trying to go around the corner to another place. Since there was no parking and it was raining, we decided to try this place out. We went in around noon on a Sunday for brunch and we were seated right away. The place was clean, the crowd was mostly older people, but they seemed cool. I started with a pineapple and grey goose (stop judging) and my bff had the hot cocoa and whipped cream. My cocktail was actually really yummy and my bff's hot cocoa was average. I was really tempted to go with a burger, but I was in the mood for lighter fare. She went with the waffles, they had berries (just OK, not something she would order again). Although, the bacon which came with it was really delish. Stand out bacon, for sure. I went with the salmon with hollandaise sauce. It was served with scrambled eggs (for cheese-less scrambled eggs I thought they were above average). The salmon and sauce was really good, but I was really disappointed with the portion size. Maybe a 2 ounce fillet (not kidding), for $13 it could have been a little bigger. The fried potatoes were fine. Here's my complaint, first time dining somewhere in a long time where I cleaned my plate and I was still hungry when I left. Half the plate was filled with garnish (orange and cantaloupe), not cool. If I wanted fruit, I would have ordered it. All in all, $25 for one drink and a 2 ounce salmon fillet (before tip) $30 after tip. Too much? I'd say so. The service wasn't bad, but I wouldn't dine here if your in a hurry. The food wasn't bad at all, but there is a better value to be had in the area.
(3)Lisa S.
Our party of 10 (with reservations) waited over 45 minutes for 9 entrees, one of which was wrong. By the time #10 arrived, 8 of us had finished eating. The last order was corrected over 10 minutes after that. Veggie burger was tasty, but not served on a wheat bun. Afraid to send it back and wait even longer. Side of aioli never arrived. Fries bland and unseasoned. Kitchen very disorganized. We had a server, a drink order taker, a drink runner, and several food runners. Food runners didn't seem to understand the menu or who ordered what. Example, handing off burgers describing them as chicken sandwiches. At least they took two of our orders off the bill due to the long wait. However, with all of the other options in Cleveland, we won't be back soon.
(2)Chris R.
Amazing burgers! Enough said. Very quaint and perfect for lunch or early supper.
(5)Dot C.
Haven't been here is years. The food was okay but that is not why people go to Heck's. It is all about memories and atmosphere. If it wasn't for that they would not have a lot of business.
(3)M. M.
This place was a favorite restaurant of mine back when I was a teen and twentysomething, which was some years ago, okay, some decades ago, back when coming to this historic residential neighborhood to eat was a bit adventurous. "Adventurous" being code for "don't get mugged", but it is nothing like that around Heck's now. I'm happy to see that as the area has improved, Heck's has stayed in business, aged rather well and still does the burger and fries as well as it used to. (I seem to recall the fries, like my body, may have been a little skinnier back in the day, but they still have the same great taste.) They do serve various other things, but burgers and fries in my opinion were and are the main selling point. The plant-decorated Garden Room has a nice California feel, and is where you want to eat if you're not eating on the patio (not really feasible in January). The back wall has been repainted from the light color I remember to an adobe pueblo shade of orangish, making it seem a bit darker in there. It's still cozy and goes well with the tile floor. There are also several booths in the hall leading back to the dining room, The booth area could use some jazzing up - I seem to remember more Tiffany glass, and how about some art work on the wall? On a recent visit, there were quite a few tables eating even though it was (a) Super Bowl Sunday and (b) a few inches of snow were on the ground outside I had the Ohio City Burger, which is basically a half pound of meat with herbs and mozz, and my husband had the Cajun Burger because he loves cajun spiced everything. The burgers came with fries and the only minor beef I had was they didn't ask if we wanted ketchup or aioli with them, but no matter as the fries here are and have always been so good that you don't really need to dip 'em. The coffee here hasa definite cinnamon flavor. Service was just fine and best of all the restaurant had a quiet atmosphere - there was music playing in the background but very very softly, and there were no crowds of drunk people talking too loud and monkeying with their iPhones all night, or loud little kids. Price was around 20 bucks (one of us had an alcoholic drink) which to me is reasonable for a sit-down restaurant that's a leg up from a diner or a bar. Although we didn't have time to sit with a bottle of wine on this particular evening, this is a great place to do it and the wine list is nice. If you're looking for a trendy foodie hot spot with lots of crazy exciting Food Network stuff on the menu, this place is probably not going to be your bag. However, if you are instead looking for a quaint, off the beaten path (it's a ways away from the W. 25th bar and restaurant strip) place with a good long history, to eat a great burger and fries and maybe a milkshake or a beer, that is not a bar but still has a reasonably adult, "casual restaurant" atmosphere, then definitely go. I hope this place stays around for decades to come.
(5)Jayme K.
I've been coming to Heck's for over 20 years, so I have a soft spot for it. Don't let the poor reviews fool you. This is a burger join in the historical part of Ohio City with phenomenal burgers and French Onion Soup. The place is small and romantic and semi-outdated.
(5)Ashley C.
I was here for the first time a few days ago. The interior of the little cafe is quite charming. Very green! It's actually very relaxing. I ordered the Burger Au Poivre with a Heck's Salad instead of fries, and the plate that arrived at my table was beautiful! The burger was nicely cooked and very juicy, not to mention huge. The salad was a nice array of spring greens and the apricot dressing was delicious. Service wasn't bad. Overall great experience here. I will be back :)
(4)Megan E.
I love Hecks, I live next door so I get to go often. The atmosphere is so calm and enjoyable. I typically get the burgers which are some of the best in the city but tonight I got chicken piccata and that was awesome great lemon flavor. I also got the sweet burger for dessert and best thing I've ever had the cookie and the brownie were so moist and gooey and the funnel cake fries were sooo good too!!
(5)Kelly R.
My first time at Heck's, didn't know what to expect based on the reviews. A co-worker and I visited Heck's for lunch. We were immediately welcomed and seated. I know that Heck's is known for the burgers, but really wasn't in the mood for a burger so I ordered the Portabello Mushroom Gyro which came with an order of fries. My co-worker did order a burger. Our food arrived hot, fresh and quickly. My meal was on point. Generous portion of sliced, marinated, well-seasoned and grilled mushrooms on top of spring mix lettuces, drizzled with yogurt sauce and served in warm, fresh flatbread (yum!). The fries were hand cut and lightly sprinkled with coarse salt and served with a pickle and side of ketchup. My meal was tasty and well-prepared. My co-worker was equally pleased. I thought that the price point was good based on the offerings. I would definitely return.
(4)Gabriel K.
impressively good burgers and salads + top-notch service. also got the baked brie app and it was on point
(5)Phil T.
Ambiance: 4. A lot of hate seems to be going around on Yelp about Heck's, but they have a pretty awesome patio on a relatively quiet tree-lined street. On top of that, glancing inside it seemed rather quaint. Patio tables are relatively spaced out, which is ideal for a big group of people or when your breath smells terrible at brunch from your 2AM boondoggle on West 25th the night before. Cost: 3. This is for brunch- the cost for most items was fair, but thought appetizers and omelettes were maybe slightly high versus some comparables restaurants in the area ($1-2 premium). Food Quality: 3. So the burgers are solid and their Belgian waffle (caramelized bananas-walnuts) was a smash hit. I had the Tournedos Benedicts (their signature item) which was missing something, I'm just not sure what. Don't go out of your way to order it. Appetizers were o.k. but a lot of them are coming from a large generic supplier (I've had the exact mozzarella sticks and chicken tenders they offer at other places before), so don't think you're getting anything novel or unique in this category. Drinks- cinnamon coffee offered is excellent. Service: 4. Our service was very impressive, coffee and water refills came nonstop and service overall was very prompt. Particularly encouraging given the patio was pretty full. When to return: Weekend brunch. Summer patio spot that's not quite as jammed packed. Big group. Burger craving. Summertime.
(4)Basil D.
I don't want to sound snotty, but maybe it's because I've become accustomed to service in a big city, or better food in a big city but this was a thoroughly disappointing experience. I remember walking by as a kid, mesmerized by the ambience and the "hipness" of it. My visit was two days after Christmas with my mom and my aunt and uncle. We usually have a great time. Jeeez....it took FOREVER to get served It was nerve racking! There was a whole lotta busy but nuttin' goin' on! THEN i realized why when I got the food! IT was so below average (yeah, we're talking about a burger here....below average...even White Castle can't screw that up!) it was an underwhelming experience. The menu itself was utterly dull, unimaginative, cliche, and boring. After dinner I was looking to see if they have a drive through window. The onion rings barely passed muster, they were either burnt or too greasy... Get with it guys! I'm really pullin' for my hometown of Cleveland...but I get thwarted at every turn! Bummer!
(2)Laurice F.
The vibe here is a little confusing. It seems a little upper-crusty, yet not since their menu is a bit more casual. It's still a pretty restaurant and we've only heard good things about it. Ben F. ordered the Burger au Poivre - and he couldn't have ordered anything better. He raved about the flavor and although he's not a sour cream fan, he's been converted! I had the Rocky River burger and didn't enjoy it as much. I usually don't mind Swiss cheese, but it killed it for me. Sad. Glad we tried it out, but I don't think I'd return if I'm ever back in Ohio.
(3)Lisa G.
I went to Heck's for Mother's Day with my boyfriend, his 2 brothers and their Mom. It looked like a quirky little place, which is fine with me. We were seated immediately, and our waiter was very attentive throughout our visit. I ordered the Heck's House Salad. The menu stated "mixed fresh greens" and an assortment of delicious-sounding things. Imagine my disappointment when my salad arrived and I saw my "mixed fresh greens" was really iceberg lettuce. ICEBERG LETTUCE in a $10.50 salad. I'm allergic to iceberg lettuce. Yes, it's my fault for not confirming the greens which were included in the salad, but what restaurants serve iceberg lettuce salads anymore? Well, other than cheap places. I certainly didn't expect it here. Add to that, the other items in the salad (bleu cheese, dried tart cherries, tomatoes, red onions and walnuts) were all hard to find, with the exception of the cherries. The apricot vinaigrette was very, very good (best part of my salad, without a doubt.) Honestly, I make better-looking and tastier salads at home. In light of my salad catastrophe, I had some of my boyfriend's omelet. It was absolutely delicious. His brothers had burgers which they said were good, but not as good as the burgers used to be. His Mom also had a salad, and her salad was full of iceberg lettuce as well. I can't put my finger on it, but I just didn't like this place. The decor was really neat and funky, seating options are neat and our waiter was great. Even so, I don't see myself returning to this restaurant.
(2)Sara S.
I've had breakfast, lunch, and dinner here. All were equally delicious!!! Super friendly and attentive staff. And do yourself a favor and end with a cup of their fabulous coffee and a creme brûlée !!!!
(5)Some D.
Sorry, Heck's, but this is some tough love from a neighbor. I desperately want you to be successful because of your prime real estate and excellent building. You need to pay attention to what people think about your food. You seem to be stuck in 2005 or whenever it was that you last won "Best Burger." Those days are gone. Ohio City has changed, Cleveland has changed, and peoples' tastes have changed. You were once a rarity when there wasn't a burger joint on every corner, all of them serving high quality, local, grassfed beef that's cooked and seasoned properly, usually for about 10 bucks. Your restaurant is dying to be on an episode of Kitchen Nightmares. How Heck's survived the Recession Restaurant Die-Off of '08-09 is beyond me. Your prices are outrageous, especially for frozen appetizers. Come on. ABC's burger up the street is $6.75 and tastes bite for bite ten times better than anything on your menu. You need a chef. Who is your chef? Do you even have one? There isn't one listed anywhere and there seems to be no real passion or quality control in your kitchen. I'm looking at your menu right now and I swear it's virtually unchanged from the first time I came to Heck's in 2008. And speaking of the menu, your website reflects your restaurant. That's not a compliment. The only way to access your menu is a Word file. You do realize that not all people have Word, meaning they could never see your menu at home? Do you know what a PDF is? (EDIT: Thanks to the Wayback Machine website, I was able to pull up the menu from 2007. It's pretty much exactly the same as 2013. That is beyond pathetic.) web.archive.org/web/2007… The neighborhood has changed so drastically in the past few years and you're just sitting there doing nothing. This is just poor restaurant management. Off the top of my head, here's a list of places within a few blocks with better burgers than Heck's: ABC Tavern, Old Angle, Nano Brew, Black Pig, Bar Cento, Westside Market Cafe, BonBon, and maybe even Great Lakes Brewery. That last one should sting a little. Shape up or close down. You're taking up such a beautiful corner putting out subpar food. Wake up.
(1)Chuck H.
Wife and I had burgers and tuna nachos. All were great. Good beer selection. I had the burger au chavel, wife had Ohio burger.
(5)Carl A.
I can't wait to go back. I loved everything about my experience aside from the mimosas being rather small and overpriced. Dined here in brunch mode, but ordered two things off of their daily special menu; Bruschetta and eggplant fries. I've never had this type of bruschetta, it was a mixture of what I believed to be green and black olives, feta cheese and olive oil on thick cut French bread. I'm not even a fan of olives, but I adored this appetizer. The eggplant fries had an amazing texture with a light batter on them and marinara sauce to dip them in. I was extremely satisfied with our meal, however at the same time was so jealous of the kids next to me eating a beautiful burger and sipping on a chocolate milkshake. I'm already sold for my next visit. Also, our server was wonderful. A man who was very professional and attentive, never overbearing. The green house atmosphere put the cherry on top of my soon to be chocolate milkshake.
(5)G G.
I just want to update my review to say that the "owner" messaged me with a generic copy/pasted message asking me to remove my negative review because it looks bad for the restaurant. I have no desire to do business with a place like this. I stand by my comments, I feel like the food is overpriced for the quality of it and there are better options in the neighborhood. This is based on several visits over a couple of years. Service has been hit and miss, unless it is atrocious, I don't fault a restaurant since servers come and go.
(1)Chris S.
One of my favorite places to eat. The inside feels like a greenhouse, and the menu is terrific. Pretty good service, reasonably priced, and a great value.
(5)Shana M.
I've been there twice. The first time didn't leave an impression on me one way or another, but I thought it was a little overpriced. I was certainly willing to give it another try, especially since Heck's has such a great outdoor patio. It was a mistake. I ordered a $15 salad expecting it to be, at the very least, fresh. Many of the salad leaves were turning brown and were clearly not fresh. That's completely unacceptable. No matter what, when I order a salad from any restaurant the leaves should not be even the slightest bit brown from aging, not even from a fast food joint. To pay $15 for a salad at a supposedly good restaurant and get old greens in it is a total ripoff. It wasn't because of the type of greens used in the salad. The greens didn't taste fresh, they were limp, old, and discolored. It's so simple to prepare a good salad. Use the freshest ingredients. Make sure your customers never have to cut anything. Make a good, homemade dressing with good ingredients. Come on, Heck's.
(2)Maureen R.
Coffee Coffee Coffee Heck's is a great spot for a Sunday brunch with friends or lunch or dinner.... I was searching for brunches in the area about a year ago and stumbled on to Heck's website. And am so glad I decided to try it! First the coffee. Amazing. No additions necessary...unless you are addicted to your cream and sugar. For brunch I highly recommend the ABC Omelet. Huge and a great combination of apple, bacon and cheddar. For lunch the Ohio City Burger and the Cajun Burger are excellent and a favorite of mine is the Spring Chicken Sandwich-soooo yummy!!!! If you get fries you can't go wrong with either style tho the Cajun are pretty spicy so if that's what you like you will love! The atmosphere is cute and intimate on the inside and they have a great outdoor patio during the summer/fall. Ask for Jen. She is adorable with a great personality that will charm the pants off you! And don't forget. COFFEE!!!!
(4)Joe B.
Heck's is a terrific burger joint. I had the Burger au poivre, and it was exactly as advertised. Juicy, with a slight peppercorn flavor, and the sour cream on top brightens the flavor just a little bit. Awesome fries, too. And Alex was very friendly and took good care of us. Our setting was the neat little greenhouse room in the back. It was a little loud, but then again, there was a large group celebrating a birthday in the room. They serve ketchup in individual, sealed mini Heinz ketchup bottles, which seems wasteful. I hope they are recycled. And the price seemed reasonable. The 4 of us had burgers, and 3 of us each had a cocktail. It came to $68, which seems pretty good for 4 people to eat and drink.
(4)Gina C.
First time visit for dinner on Saturday before the Brite Winter Festival. I thought they might be extra busy since they were offering 20% off for festival mugs, but we were seated without a wait. I enjoyed the plant filled back room's relaxed feeling. My husband and I split the Basque and Cajun burgers. We ordered both burgers medium, but one came out rare and the other well done. It wasn't a big deal to us, and we were both pleased with the meal and the service. Both burgers had tons of cheese on them, and we thought the buns were exceptionally good.
(4)Biljana D.
Best burgers & fries in Ohio City! Breakfast on Sunday is another must here. Salads are also very tasty. Their falafel burger is awesome. Illy is the BEST waiter in Cleveland area. Very attentive and always there when you need refill. They have their own special blend of coffee that is absolutely delicious. Love to eat there!
(5)Erin M.
If you havent tried this place yet- YOU SHOULD! Their balsamic chicken is to die for and i have done just to get their side salad because their apricot vinaigrette is the best thing i have ever tasted! The restaurant is small and cute and the dining area feels like your eating in a greenhouse. The patio is awesome too. The staff is great and friendly. The worst thing i have ever experienced there was another couple and I were on our way late on a weeknight and they had closed an hour early because they were slow. We had to eat at great lakes and it wasnt nearly as good.
(5)Brian G.
Supposed to be great for hamburgers - but they were dry and tasteless (5 for 5). One of my guests found several pieces of glass in his (turns out it came from the small Heinz ketchup bottle they suppy with each burger (it was broken). Very scary - they did the right thing (after he was chomping down glass) and allowed him to pick something else and deduct from the bill - but let's be more careful here. My blackened salmon was dry and tasteless too. No-one (6 of us) enjoyed a bite of their food. And why was the waitress so intent of pushing us to rush in our order? Not again!
(1)Hector R.
This little cafe is great! The Burger selection is huge and they are delicious. I love the fact that you can actually see the ccoks cooking your food if you wanted to. The kitchen is up front and if you are picky about who's cooking your food then this is the spot. The italian-American menu is phenomenal and made with fresh ingredients. Their wine and beer selection is great and the dine-in italian setting is a great spot to take a date.
(5)Jay S.
I had kind of forgotten about Hecks for a while until I saw that it had new management. I went in and had the tuna burger and it was excellent! I will definitely be back more often now.
(4)Mike N.
Great restaurant that was cool before Ohio City was cool. Had not been there for years, but came back. Great burgers, good menu. Great service. Good value. Still a great location, would return.
(4)Liz V.
I have been wanting to try this place for years. It always slipped my mind until last night but we finally got a chance to go. It was Saturday so I made a reservation for 8:30 - but it wasn't needed. It was busy by not too busy. We sat in a small room that reminded me of an Italian cafe - it was very cute. I ordered the Ohio City martini. It was supposed to be muddled strawberry, basil with a hint of balsamic. It tasted like cheap vodka and strawberry jello - the martini glass was also only filled a little more than half way so it was truly disappointing. I was out $9 on that. I was torn between a few items on the menu. The special, a black and blue filet, sounded appealing and so did the salmon. I ended up getting the sesame ahi tuna and I was NOT disappointed!! The tuna was PERFECT. It wasn't chewy or overcooked, it truly perfect. It came on top of sooba noddles with carrots and edamame tossed in sweet soy sauce. The noodles were a little saucy but they were still great. It came with a wasabi, mayo like sauce on the side. I wish it had been a little more spicy with more wasabi but it complimented the tuna. I knew going in I wanted dessert. I opted for the chocolate torte. It was supposed to come with a caramel sauce and a spicy bacon brittle (the brittle sold me in an instant). However, it came with some caramel-like chewy candy on the side. I wish it had come with the bacon brittle but the torte was AMAZING so I got over it. I don't like super rich chocolate but this was just rich enough. I will definitely be going back to try other items on the menu!
(4)Meredith W.
Came here with my SO for an impromptu date night. It was an hour and 15 minutes before closing so the place wasn't very busy. We were seated promptly and the waitress took our orders. I got a Nutella milkshake and we each got a burger. We both like ours cooked medium and the waitress explained that they do a "true medium" meaning that the burgers will be very pink in the middle. We got different toppings to go with our burgers and the wait began. The milkshake came out almost right away. It was delicious. I could really taste the Nutella. We waited what I felt was a very reasonable time for our burgers. When they finally arrived, there were a few things wrong with our burgers. It was missing cheese and all the condiments were switched around. We decided not to be pests and just ate what was in front of us. The burgers were, indeed, a true medium which was very good. I felt that the burger size was rather small from the 1/2 pound burger that was promised. I know the listed weight refers to the precooked weight, but there's no way there was 8 ounces of beef before they cooked it (see attached pictures) After all, it wasn't a bad experience. A few hiccups here and there, but overall it was pleasant.
(3)Rich G.
Went for lunch on a Saturday with my wife, 2 year old, and a couple friends. Sat in the greenhouse room (patio was full), cool ornate staircase. good for kid (macaroni &cheese - very plain, but great French fries & milk) . Beer selection limited, was hoping for a couple better options on tap. Nice staff. Great burger! My friends got breakfast food (looked somewhat average, They seemed content). Limited parking options. Would recommend.
(4)Allison H.
I've been eyeballing Heck's sweet burger dessert on social media for weeks -- to the point where I was sending daily pictures of it to my friends asking them to take me. My friends were getting so annoyed with hearing about this dessert. So when my brother was in town from Michigan for one night -- it seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally try it (and relieve my friends from hearing about it). I talked it up to him the entire ride to Heck's. Yelp says Heck's closes at 9 pm -- so I called the restaurant and the woman ensured me they close at 11. I let her know that the Yelp time was wrong, and she was quite rude / confused, asking what I would like her to do about it. Well, nothing... We got there around 9:20 pm and sat outside. The server was very pleasant and accommodating. As we were ordering dinner, he said if we wanted dessert we would have to order soon because the kitchen was closing. This confused me as the woman I spoke with just told me they closed at 11. But I thought, no big deal, and we placed our dessert order with dinner. I ordered the turkey burger and my brother ordered another specialty burger. We both agreed that the burgers were great and very obviously fresh off the grill. However, as polite as the server was, he never checked back once during dinner. I tried to find some ketchup outside, but was unsuccessful. We also ran out of beverages. Not a huge deal on either. After dinner, the sweet burger dessert finally came. I was so excited. Except... the cookies were rock hard. The brownie was too! Both tasted store bought. The ice cream ratio was minuscule. The funnel cake fries were cold (not luke warm -- cold). The raspberry sauce was good, but very runny and did not stick to the fries. Maybe it was the time that we ordered dessert that caused this to be a complete miss? The one saving grace is that we requested hot fudge on the side and this was impossible to mess up. They gave us an enormous side of hot fudge that made the cookies / brownie / fries seem more edible. Still, wildly disappointed.
(2)Ben S.
I went for brunch. Food: I ordered the veggie hash. It was packed with veggies and a good amount of potatoes too. The veggies were cooked well and on top them were two sunny side up eggs. All that was good, except there was too much oil used in the dish. It was served in a skillet, but the bottom of it was so oily all the veg and potato touching the bottom were too greasy to enjoyably eat. Drinks: The mimosas were good and so were the bloodies ($8). The menu lists a "Bloody Mary Bar," but that's a bit deceiving. The implication is a walk-up bar where you can insert your own toppings. When I read the menu online before coming in that is what I was expecting. In reality there are just four different kind on the menu to choose from. The Hail Mary one (Bacon infused vodka, house blend traditional tomato juice and spice mix) was the only one I tried and I have to say it is the only Bloody Mary I have ever liked! It was too tomato based for my friend though. The waiter explained to us that there was a really hot one (Sweaty Caesar) as well as a mild one (Cool Hand Cuke) also available. Service: The service wasn't horrible, but it wasn't good either. Our waiter never came to ask how our food was. Instead I saw him standing talking to a co-worker in the galley area nearly the entire time we ate. The place is still cool though. I love eating in the greenhouse area. Overall though I am disappointed in Heck's. I remember it being great. I've not been in awhile though and I must say my opinion has definitely changed.
(3)Vanja K.
My first visit was last week for brunch, and I have to say I am impressed. I went on a date, and we started off with the lamb moon pies- to die for ! I love lamb ( good lamb) and I will keep going back just to eat the lamb moon pies! I ordered the BBQ burger, and my date ordered the prime rib burger. Both were very good, tasty, and full of flavor! The fries are a little weak with flavor and crispiness. NOTICE**** The temperature of the burgers were both off. Personally, medium temp for a burger is the best. I have not been to many burger places in town ( east or west) that cook your burger at the right temp ( which is quite ridiculous if you ask me). I am not sure if all these places just have a bunch of young underpaid line cooks or "chefs", but something needs to be done across the board. The only place you will get a fully medium burger so far, is at Luckys cafe in Tremont ( Luckys is a brunch breakfast place). The desert menu has some delicious options ! We choose the brownie burger, which is a brownie with vanilla ice cream, in between two huge chocolate chip cookies and waffle fries! Very Very very good stuff! also be prepared to be very full, the portion is huge! The service was good. Just nice standard service, nothing bad and nothing great.
(4)Sarah A.
Cute little cafe with an very unique interior. I got the veggie burger during their lunch hours on a Wednesday. It wasn't crowded and we were seated quickly which was nice. Our waiter was incredibly attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. My one main complaint was my veggie patty. Though I appreciate the freshness and quality of ingredients of the patty, I found it overall to be pretty bland. Even with the avocado aioli it just didn't do much for me. It was interesting that it looked more like roughly chopped vegetables kind of compressed into patty form unlike your typical brown mush/blended patties you can buy at the store. I liked this concept but I think it needed some kind of binding agent to pull it all together. Overall it was a nice stop for lunch, though I wish I had gotten something different.
(3)Janey S.
Beautiful lunch atrium room, tight space but bright colors and foliage. Love eating in the back room. Awesome malt vinegar aioli sauce and French fries. All the burgers are amazing. I prefer to go for lunch but I heard dinner there is good too. I also got a Bloody Mary with bacon-infused vodka... Couldn't really taste the bacon though.
(5)Randy B.
A must if you are visiting Cleveland. The food and atmosphere are fantastic. The drinks are great as well!
(5)Lila P.
My husband and I went here over the weekend for brunch. The service was incredibly slow and when our food arrived it was slightly undercooked. However, the waitstaff (which was very friendly) apologized profusely for these issues and comped us half our meal (which ended up being delicious, every last bite of it). Any time a restaurant actually owns up to their mistakes is big as these days the idea that the customer comes first isn't always practiced in the service industry. Despite the issues we had here the food and customer service won us over so we will definitely be back. It's a great place to hang outside for a relaxing meal and good for groups too.
(4)Jesco D.
They are open until 10pm, not 9 like the information says. All lies! We arrived about 845 and seated right away in the really nice, open, sun dining room...or whatever it's called. To preface the service, I really don't know what it was...she seemed more focused on getting whatever closing list she has than prompt and attentive service. Took a bit to actually figure out who our server would be. Wanted to see what the burgers were all about, so we ordered two Heck Burgers both medium, and both with cheese. She explained the temp as being a true(?) medium in that it would be pink. Yeah, well, it better be then! I would have like to have seen a list of all available toppings you could add to the Heck Burger, or any other for that matter. Also tried the Nutella shake, which was pretty good and actually tasted like Nutella....unlike the shitty restaurant The Rail. So we waited, and the wait was reasonable. What was really odd was a different server brought the shake out...then that same server brought our burgers...then, when I had an issue with our order not being right we had to resort to that SAME guy server after sitting awkwardly at the table wondering when she would maybe follow up and ask how everything was so we could point things out...NOPE! At no point did our original waitress come back until after starting to eat to ask if more water was needed....no, even though our glasses are near empty and I am 1/4 done with my plate I don't see why we could need more water....ugh, geez. The issue with the order was simply not getting any cheese I had requested. Our NOT server offered to have cheese put on, but I really didn't mind it without cheese. As long as I didn't get charged then it's fine by me. So yeah, other than the no cheese the burger was ok. It was cooked perfectly, no complaints there. Seems more like a 1/3 pound as opposed to the 1/2 pound as shown on the menu. The bun was fantastic though, whatever it was. Fries were cooked great and had a nice crisp. The burgers were just OK, not the best so Scene says. Maybe I need to choose the more adventurous burger options like the cheval or something with other obscure toppings to REALLY have something to base if it comes to being considered as the best or not? Who knows. I wasn't blown away by anything, especially the service. Nice girl, just not sure if her attention was focused on a break, any closing work, or what. Hardly ever saw her other than the one water refill and receiving the check. Kind of feel bad giving her as much as I did as a tip and nothing to the NOT server who did most of the work for her. Hope they share tips....
(2)Cami T.
It's been a while since I'd been to Hecks. I remembered it as being "okay" but not worth skipping some of the better Ohio City options to go to. I've now been corrected - especially by Brunch. They added a new side room in the last couple of years and have also since re-done their menu. I was very impressed by the local and interesting selections. We ordered the Banana foster and the Wild Things from their brunch menu. The Banana Foster was honestly, delicious. Perfectly done, sweet and banana-y with a wonderful cream cheese stuffing. It was nicely presented and could easily compete against the best brunch french toasts. For the Wild Things, I was hesitant because someone near me seemed to order the same thing and it looked from afar just like an arugula salad. It was not. On a bed of wonderfully creamy goat cheese, the vegetables, potatoes and everything mixed into a decedent meal. Then of course to finish it, we had their famous Hecks coffee and a Bloody Mary. We couldn't' have asked for a better brunch. I also really liked their new addition and think it'd be great for a birthday party/reception sort of room.
(5)Regina S.
Disclaimer: This review is in regards to brunch only. This was my first trip to Heck's and while the overall experience was an okay one, I am giving this a two because the food was so boring and unmemorable that I would not go back to try more. We sat on the patio which was great. This place is tucked away in Ohio City on a quiet street. I only saw the inside of the place when I walked through to use the restroom and was glad we chose the outside to sit - the inside was dark and dingy in the front room. I did not get a drink but my friend got a pretty solid bloody mary (I believe it was called the Hail Mary). Pretty tasty drink, but that was about the only thing that was tasty. Both my friend and I got the short rib hash. Bland, bland, bland. No special cream or sauce. Just flecks of short rib over home fries, mixed with a few tasteless vegetables and topped with two sunny side up eggs, served with a baguette. I am pretty sure there were no spices or seasoning used in this dish. Looking back, the prices were all somewhat reasonable and now I understand why. Also, I was starving when I arrived and still hungry when I left. This should never happen! As far as service goes, I can't say anything bad about it. We were seated and served right away. I am thinking we were served so fast because there's not much to throwing a piece of meat and eggs on top of potatoes. Sad to say my review is not a great one and sad to say I will probably not be going back for brunch or any other meal :(
(2)Gretchen B.
First let me say that I haven't been to Heck's in over 25 years. I loved Heck's back in the day. This time, just so-so. We had a larger party with a reservation. We were seated promptly and they willingly added an extra chair when we had one more show up. Wait staff was friendly and attentive for the most part. We had to wait a little longer than I would have expected to place orders but it wasn't a big deal since our party was large and having drinks. Onto the burgers... for $10+ a burger one would expect to get an amazing burger and or an amazing presentation. My Avon burger was OK, but not the best burger that I've ever had and the fries in the little stainless steel cup.... kinda cold. Menu says" The Avon Burger Balsamic candied onions, blue cheese, truffled potato sticks, baby arugula $12" I was hoping for big, overflowing with caramelized onions and bleu cheese, a mouth watering piece of grass fed beef, nodda.. nope, just another overpriced hamburger. The truffle potato sticks looked like something out of can. Nothing else to say-- it was pretty nondescript. My dining companion had the Burger Au Poivre - Worcestershire sauce, peppercorn, grilled onions, sour cream $11. It too was a bit of a disappointment. On the upside, the desserts were large and amazing. The Flour-less Chocolate Torte with Crème Anglaise, caramel sauce, spicy bacon brittle was thick and dense and chock full of chocolate deliciousness. At $8 a bit on the steep side for dessert but plant to split between two people. The other folks at the table got the Apple Cobbler and the Brownie Sundae which also were hefty portions enough for two. What a bummer. Hecks had been so good for a burger. Maybe just a dessert place now.. :-(
(3)Sheree M.
Great food - known for their hamburgers and brunch. Wonderful ambiance for brunch or lunch. Love the decor. Sometimes the service could use a bit more friendliness to it, but always great service and food. Prices are fair. The space definitely adds to the meal.
(3)Natalie P.
I've been to Heck's twice now, both for large events. Heck's is very accommodating to large parties with a courteous and efficient wait staff. I was unfortunately one of those annoying customers that makes a reservation for 10 people that eventually becomes 15 on the day of the event and yet, Heck's made room for us! Both times here I've ordered something other than a burger, only because the dinner entrees look too fantastic to pass up for burgers (even though I've heard the burgers really are worth trying). I've tried both the Tuna Nachos and the Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna entree. The nachos have an interesting balance of sweet, spicy, and sour on fried wonton chips that satiates any nacho ordering restaurant go'ers desire for deliciously messy finger foods. It worked well as an entree but can also easily be shared as an appetizer. Conversely, the Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna is mild, sophisticated, and just the right amount to make you feel satisfied. The tuna itself is a little bland, yet the wasabi mashed potatoes and soy reduction worked well together to make the entire dish delicious. It's simple, refreshing, and not too heavy. For dessert, I was surprised with a cookie and ice-cream treat with fried dough sticks and a raspberry sauce (it was my birthday). While I found the cookie to be a little on the crunchy side (I prefer soft warm cookies), the rest of the plate made up for it. Overall, I had a great time at Heck's and it has easily become one of my favorite spots for large parties.
(4)Shilpi K.
Very nice, bright area in the dining room. Service was good, place was clean. However the food was ok. I had the baklava french toast- sounded great in theory but it was essentially french toast with syrup and walnuts on top- very average. Came with few pieces of french toast-- the presentation could have been better. The person I was with had the short rib hash- it was bland and very watery. We enjoyed the atmosphere but the food was average.
(3)Erin K.
I went with my family for dinner yesterday. I ordered the seared tuna with soba noodles. The tuna was cold. The noodles were one lump of tasteless mush. It was awful tasting and it should not have been served to anyone. I told the waitress and she offered me another dish. I just wanted a side. She asked if wanted some dessert too. The side never came. Just the dessert. I've been going to Heck's since I was a child. I have been there a few times since they expanded and their food has suffered. I will not be returning.
(2)Will C.
Always satisfied with the food from Heck's. I must say that if you come here, you have to try the milkshakes. They are amazing. I had the peanut butter chocolate milkshake and it left me wanting to order another one! (I wish I did) I also got the Cajun burger which was one of the best burgers I've had in awhile. I must say they have amazing food and the staff was very nice to us. I will be heading there again as soon as possible!
(5)Liz C.
Heck's is and always will be at the top of my list in terms of burger spots in Cleveland. I've been going here for as long as I can remember and haven't had a disappointing meal yet. I took it upon myself to bring a friend who has lived in Cleveland his whole life to visit what I consider a Cleveland classic dining spot. Last night, I enjoyed the Ohio City burger which is topped with herbs, mozzarella, and mushrooms. It was absolutely mouth watering, and the burger was cooked exactly to my liking. I indulged in a moscow mule (or two) that was refreshing during the warm evening along with the most delicious dessert I've come across in years. My guest and I shared the sweet burger which was Heck's play on an actual burger with chocolate chip cookies playing the role as the buns and the brownie and vanilla ice cream as the burger and cheese. What really made this dessert for me were the funnel cake fries and the raspberry "ketchup". The funnel cake fries and the cookies were still fresh and hot and melted in your mouth. I'm typically not one to order dessert but our server spoke very highly of this dessert and I am so thrilled that we took her advice. Our server was also AMAZING--kind, efficient, and on top of everything. 5 stars for this experience, 5 stars for past experience, and I am sure that it'll be 5 stars in the near future.
(5)Ashley E.
First time I came here was Sunday Evening. My pregnancy craving was French Onion Soup and my husband had always wanted to try Heck's Cafe. Wow! The soup was awesome and he loved his Avon burger! I can't wait to come back and try some of the cocktails! He had a bourbon cocktail that he raved over. Our friendly bartender was Jen and she was very patient with us and very friendly. We also had a wonderful conversation with Amber. I loved it so much that I went back last night for the soup. I got mashed potatoes as well. Once again, the service was amazing! My bartender was Rachel and she rocked! I love having servers that actually like to interact with their customers. Great Job Jen, Amber, and Rachel! You will see is back soon! Props to the kitchen staff as well, as we were leaving on Sunday they took the time to ask us what we had and how we liked it! This is probably my new favorite OHC restaurant!!
(5)Arianna W.
Came here for Mother's Day brunch. We had reservations in the garden room and I must say, this place was really beautiful. The food was great but a little pricey. $11 for just French toast and 5 small pieces of fruit? My grandmother had the short rib hash and she felt that there was barley any short rib in it. She did say that the small piece she had was good! Everyone loved their meal though.
(5)B T.
Great burger. Great local beer selection for a out of town visitor. And great little place in a quiet neighborhood. Was told to visit while In Cleveland. Ordered the Market Burger (topped with braised short ribs and béarnaise) cooked medium. Very good burger. Short ribs were perfect! Came with a side of fries advertised as malt vinegar fries but we're just over cooked fries. Overall, I would recommend.
(4)Greg B.
Cute place, awesome staff. Our waitress raced on the burgers,, so we tried them. Great taste sand huge portion. Glad she recommended it. The "heck" fries were very good. The only problem...I wish I had room for dessert.
(4)Matthew D.
Where do I even begin? The service, despite being exceptional, was completely overshadowed by the amazing food. I ordered the market burger and it exceeded already high expectations. This is a must visit for anyone who loves a good feed
(5)Halle W.
This place is ok. I have been here three times now and each time I leave disappointed. I do have to say the coffee is really nice with spice. My eggs for eggs Benedict were severely over cooked (almost hardboiled) last time. Today I got chicken and waffles. The chive waffle was good. The chicken itself was fine too but the fried part was more like it was just dunked in oil. My husband liked his dish of short rib hash, but it was boring. Nothing is bad here, but I just think it's too expensive to be so blah.
(3)Laura f.
Really went down hill, were excited to come back and delighted to see the addition. We selected roasted eggplant stuffed with zatar seasoned vegetables and rice @ $16.50. Undercooked eggplant, mostly rice with two carrots, absolutely overpriced tasteless meal. Other meal was an arugula salad with cooked goat cheese, the arugula was piled high with a few tomatoes slices that were not ripe. The cheese was rubbery, this was over $10. Perhaps the owner should look to employ a real chef.
(1)Larren B.
I, soooo strongly, do not recommend this restaurant. After THREE attempts to get TWO sandwiches i was finally able to get the wrong order again. When calling the restaurant to get the right order through. I was met with a very professional, very well trained scoffing and laughing hostess. I wasnt aware that cooking burgers, or at least getting an order down over the phone was something us plebeians would not understand. Horrible customer service, horrible kitchen staff. This place was once a great part of this neighborhood, but not anymore.
(1)Evan F.
Some good friends decided to take me here for lunch one day recently (as I had never been here before)...what took me so long?!?!? Heck's is well known in Cleveland for the quality burgers, so of course I had to try one. I ended up with the Rogue Burger...a juicy patty topped with bacon and Roquefort cheese dressing. Can you say "yummmmmmmm"... The location of this spot is quite unassuming...you'd drive right by it if you were not looking closely enough and I hear they are making plans for expansion into the adjoining property. But the inside feel homey and comfortable, adding to the ambiance. I will definitely be back.
(4)George M.
great Sunday brunch options and fresh ingredients and great custom blend coffee..Bloody Mary a bit on the spicy hot side but good...also great atmosphere as we sat outside.. very attentive server and will be back..
(3)David B.
Solid three stars in my book. Atmoshphere and interior design was real nice, sat right by the spiral staircase. The coffee was superb, my gf liked her salmon. I thought the burger was pretty bland though, and the fries were just so so. Im willing to go again, very busy Saturday night so its possible they werent attentive with the seasoning. Wait staff was very friendly, overall nice evening.
(3)sarah s.
I've been coming to heck's for 15 years, and not just once a year, monthly. Yes, the decor was a little outdated, but the service, and food was always amazing. My Mom and I went in this evening. I've been so happy they've been able to expand, and that they updated the place. I haven't been in a few months, so I was excited to see the changes. The service was good. But the menu, everything changed! I expected some updating, but even the updated food was disappointing. The classic "heck's house salad" that I used to know and love, wasn't fresh, and the greens were mediocre, and didn't have their signature house made dressings that made that salad fantastic. They left some of the old burgers, but the prices were so high, that we almost wanted to leave. It's like they took everything we loved off of the old menu off. Unfortunately my mom and I have to find our new "old faithful". We live in the area, and I really hope they find their groove again.
(2)Kate A.
Their brunch is fantastic! I got the eggs Benedict without the Canadian bacon and it was the best I've had to date. Bloody Mary was a little too spicy, but it was fantastic as well!! I have nothing but good things to say and I've been recommending hecks to everyone!
(5)Matt G.
I ate at Heck's on 8/9 as part of a party of 4. We arrived early from our 7pm reservations, and were seated without issue or delay. I have to say that the highlight of our visit was the waitstaff. Everyone was very courteous, (but not overly so as to suspect sarcasm or that it was ingenious.) Our waiter was attentive, quick with recommendations, and did so without being intrusive. We were the only party in the room for most of our meal, but we never felt as though the staff was hovering. Appetizers: Devils on Horseback - Tasty, well balanced, but only 3 pieces. I really would've appreciated a larger portion size, (as in, at least one per person.) However, the Pomme Frites were a standout. I'd consider getting those solely as a meal. Entrees: My wife got the bacon wrapped filet. She claimed it was good, but she's had better. Another person got the salmon, which she claimed was on the dry side, but was redeemed by some fantastic risotto. I got the Market City Burger, which was topped with incredible short ribs. Those short ribs need to be the star of their own entree. The actual burger patty was lost in the mix of that fantastic, glazed, shredded beef, which is a shame because it seemed to be of high quality. Drinks: Wine on tap is an interesting idea. I'm the only one from our party that deviated, instead opting for a Mint Julip. The drink was horribly unbalanced - I only received the taste of the bourbon. The mint wasn't so much muddled as it was fondled or fluffed. The drink came off as a glass of bourbon that just happened to have other stuff in it. I settled for a bottled beer for drink #2. Heck's would be an ideal lunch spot, but if I want a "fancypants, leave-the-kids-at-home, adults only" night then I'll go somewhere else.
(3)John M.
Been here a few times for Sunday brunch. Enjoyed myself each time! If you want to keep it to basic stuff, they have all the brunch staples for a reasonable price. If you feel like treating yourself or getting a little fancy... they have some more unique dishes that are slightly more expensive. I've spent anywhere from $15 to $35 here on brunch. The patio is great!
(4)Katherine A.
Stopped in on Memorial Day because everything else was closed. Come on, Cleveland. Really? It is a charming little place and the neighborhood is cute. I had the teriyaki burger and my friend had the Ohio Burger. Mine was moist and juicy, very tasty and filled me up. My friend complained that her burger was dry. It was worth the trip and helped assuage our disappointment at not getting to look inside The Christmas Story House.
(4)KC K.
Nothing bad to say about this place except sometimes it's freezing in the dining area. Other than that this is hands down my favorite restaurant! Best burgers ever best creme brulee ever and best atmosphere! It's super cute inside and the waiting staff is always very professional and dressed well. Fine establishment you've got here.
(5)Diane D.
Dined at Heck's for the first time this past Saturday night with five of my friends. Two of our party had lived in Cleveland at some point and I grew up there, so I'm familiar with the culinary offerings of my hometown. The only reason that this review has three stars and not four is because the service was remarkably slow. I believe the restaurant was understaffed in both servers and kitchen. It took quite a while for us to get our drinks after being seated and almost an hour to get our food. I had the pork loin special which was okay, but nothing to write home about. My friend's shrimp and grits, however, were fantastic. We ordered a bottle of an Argentinian Cabernet which was serviceable but nothing spectacular. I love the location in Ohio City and the building itself is just adorable. I'd be open to trying Heck's again but I'd be hoping for much improved service.
(3)Harris T.
First time at Hecks last night. Our reservations were at 6:30 and we arrived a few minutes early but no problem. Seated right away. They also have complimentary valet parking which I strongly suggest using as parking can be a challenge. Service was prompt and attentive. We all ordered different burgers and all of us were wowed by them. We agreed one of he best burgers in the city. For dessert, salted caramel pretzel bread pudding. Delicious. We will definitely be back!
(4)Lex I.
I was very impressed with Heck's Cafe. I went for brunch on a Sunday. I ordered the bacon waffle with their homemade butter; it was delicious! I will definitely be back to try their burgers; they looked delish as well. The decor was really cool and had a hipster vibe to it. I want to dine at the little table up the spiral staircase one day! Another thing I liked about Heck's was the pleasant staff. Our waitress was great and good at her job. As we were walking out to leave the chefs were super friendly and asked how everything was. It's nice when you can tell that people love their job.
(5)Tom S.
I've been coming to Hecks for many years and have never left dissatisfied. This Cleveland tradition is even better now with the added seating and bar area. I also really enjoy their new menu items and brunch menu. There are options for everyone/every occasion from burgers and omelets to steak and seafood. They now even offer valet service which makes parking much easier.
(5)Misty W.
amazing food and even better service from Jen. Thanks for making our night memorable
(5)Cara L.
Bleh--update yourself, Hecks. No longer can you get away with passing off sub-par quality food for premium prices. You can tell when they're normally half empty and they used to be packed. Food quality has slipped and it shows. When restaurants around you are serving delicious, all natural, grass-fed Ohio beef burgers, what makes you think adding a bunch of toppings will help you? Disappointed. :( Also, please for the love of god hire better servers. Please. Maybe after all these years I've been missing the brunch? Ehhh... I could be totally wrong, but that's just my opinion.
(2)Samantha H.
I really like everything about this place except the food is just so-so. The coffee was great, tasted like there was cinnamon in it. The service was good and the place itself is back off the main road. But the food wasn't really worth the prices to me. I would try it again though.
(3)K S.
Got a table on a Friday night at about 8pm and was seated almost immediately. Waitstaff was attentive and had our first round of drinks out pretty quickly. Ordered the beet salad, lobster mac & cheese, and the shrimp and grits. The orange beet salad was a solid salad and have to admit I was very tempted to lick the plate once I was finished. The mac & cheese was, as expected, rich, gooey, decadent...everything you're looking for in a mac & cheese. The shrimp and grits were okay. I'm from the south and grits are my jam. I felt they fell a bit short but I still ate the crap out of it. I will definitely be back. With a designated driver.
(4)J O.
I came here again bc I was dying for the tasty food again , I must say I was kinda disappointed we ordered the shrimp ceviche and it came out with literally NO shrimp so I said something then they brought another one that was just not good and didn't even have the fancy decoration it's just like they didn't care , my waiter wasn't great either. I might try them again I don't know .. I think the main chef wasn't there or something
(3)Jen M.
Oh Heck's...I decided to give you another chance and I am sorry I did. The burger was overcooked way beyond my requested medium, the fries were tasteless, and the pulled pork had an overbearing orange zest flavor. The chocolate milkshake was very weak. How can you mess that up? Service on the patio was attentive but the food...no bueno. I'm done.
(2)Fred W.
Nice little spot. I had the Philly Burger and everything about it was good. The patty was juicy and the vegetables didn't overpower the meat. The french fries were hot & crisp, and most importantly, tasty without the ketchup. The garden room is quaint and a great spot for a date. Staff was friendly and extremely prompt. Less than $20 total for burger, fries, and a GOOD beer. If you're looking for a quick meal and a place for good conversation, Heck's is the one.
(4)Jillian S.
I would give it 0 stars if I could. For having "the best burgers in Cleveland", I've never had something more tasteless. I encourage the chef to google "salt and pepper". I've worked in the food industry long enough to know to never send food back unless entirely necessary. Well, needless to say I sent it back. The waitress was less than enthusiastic nor did she even care that I wasn't pleased with my meal. I feel like the owners made it priority to market to 45-60 year old women with nothing better to do than eat a crappy burger and complain about their husbands.
(1)Rob S.
Nice place in the heart of O. City. It's definitely a "cafe" -- not a "high-class dining experience." They have burgers, beer, a fine dinner selection, and omelets that look like they took eight eggs to make. I was there with potentially picky family members (yay Thanksgiving weekend), and everyone found something to tickle their palate, from my mom, who just wants a sandwich, thank you very much, none of that fancy stuff for me, to my cousin, who says she's a vegan but whom I caught eating brie.
(4)Christopher G.
I'm from Columbus, and had an appointment in Cleveland, so I stopped by for lunch last weekend, based on all the great burger talk. I'm sorry, I just didn't see (taste) it. Small patties, on a dry over sized non-toasted bun, with hot house tomatoes, and warm lettuce? Seriously? It taste of all bread! If this is the best burger of the north coast, you guys are missing out! Fuddruckers, Bob Evans, Five Guys, and even Wendy's has a better burger than Hecks. And if your ever in Columbus, check out Thurman's cafe...your burger bar will set to its highest level ever!
(2)Jacquie J.
My daughter and I went to Heck's Cafe today to celebrate Mother's Day. We arrived for our 4pm reservation. The restuarant was busy but not overly crowded. We were seated in a timely manner. We ordered our soft drinks and waited just a few minutes to order our dinner selections. We ordered our food around 4:15pm. We waited and waited for our food. Our actual waiter never came back to the table. I asked a female server, if she knew how much longer we had to wait, by this time it was 4:50pm. She stated since we ordered our burgers well done, that it might take a little longer. Ok - I have heard that before (however, it is usually when steaks are ordered), but nonetheless,we continued to wait for our food and for our waiter to offer some type of explanation or even recognition. Neither of which took place. It was not until I noticed 2 different parties that came in well after my daughter and I did, had received their food, that I decided to leave. I have no idea if the waiter put our food order in excessively late or if he did not want to wait on two African American women(since we were the only black people (excluding kitchen staff) in the restuarant. He NEVER came back to the table to ask how everything was going, which most servers tend to show up at the table non stop. Nothing - the worst customer service. But one thing for sure, I will never return to this establishment AND I will make sure that my friends and collleagues are away of the service Heck's provides. This was a special day for my daughter and I. Instead allowing this situation to dampen our day, we went to another restaurant, Nighttown in Cleveland Heights. The atmospher and the customer service was excellent. I highly recommend Nighttown.
(1)Habby H.
Every time I go to Hecks, I get the same thing... ...because it's so freakin' good. And what, pray tell, am I referring to? The fish n' chips...yah I'm kind of a fish n' chips snob. I get it everywhere I go. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's really bad. Hecks does it GREAT. The big chunks of fish are superbly battered and perfectly fried. The "chips" are large potato wedges that are super crisp on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. A couple other noteworthy items are the crab cakes, brie and burgers. I love the interior of the place. It's like eating inside of a greenhouse. Lots of flowers and plants. The outside makes for a nice place to sit as well. Hecks is in a great location. Overall, a great place for a casual meal.
(4)Brandon I.
Three stars is generous. They're DAMN lucky they can blend up a shake. Went here with the vivacious Magic Lee Malicious on a Saturday afternoon. She suggested it, I agreed instantly as I'd heard about the excellent burgers. I'm starting to see a trend in Cleveland...perhaps it's restaurants all over, but in Cleveland joints is where I've figured this out. People are under the impression that offering a lot of different toppings and ways to eat it make it a "good" burger or a "good" hot dog. When nothing could be further from the truth. If it's a great burger or hot dog, then it will need little to be delicious. So that said, you can have your burger about 20 different ways here...I got one with grilled mushrooms and melted cheese...I forget which kind...I think it was swiss... But, the actual patty was sub-standard. It looked like it came from a box purchased down the block from the freezer of Dave's Market. Magic's salad seemed to be the same way...not that great. However, they DO have shakes, and they were awesome. That's where the third star comes in. The atmosphere kills it (kills it = good), it's really a cool looking place, with some nook and cranny booths, along with the main dining room, situated in a sort of covered porch in the back. And, in the summer they have a great outdoor patio. I'll be going there for a late shake in 80 degree weather, for sure. For the burgers? Nah. I can go across the street to Wendy's for a tastier one.
(3)Shannon C.
Went to Heck's for Sunday brunch. The service was very slow, twice I had to track down other servers because my server was no where to be found. The meal took 40 minutes to arrive at the table. The coffee was very good, cinnamon added. Better if you can get a refill. I had the Eggs Benedict, which was very good. Overall, I would go elsewhere for comparable food and much better service.
(2)Sarah L.
Needing a break from the food at the West Side Market and since none of the 10 restaurants on W25 are open for lunch (seriously, what the hell?) we had decided to go to Heck's. Upon entering I was thrown into a claustrophobic nightmare, smashed like a window cling against a beer cooler that's right by the entrance. Well played, Heck's, I see you have Christmas ale. The place itself is pretty tiny. I can't imagine what it is like when the entire house is full. We were seated in the back, the greenhouse room, which was nice. Myself and my dining partner each got coffee and burgers. Their signature coffee is outstanding. It was so good that I was considering spending $12 on a pound of it to take home with me. Unfortunately, by the end of the meal I was so incredibly food drunk that I was lucky I remembered where the car was. I was in shock when we got our burgers. They were massive. I think mine literally cast a shadow on the table it was so big. I got the one with bacon, egg, and a softball-sized glob of sour cream. The first bite was heaven, the last one was hell. The fries were really good, but many of them were left behind. When you're dealing with grease and egg yolk you have to make quick decisions about what gets eaten because you know it's not going to keep/be good reheated. The burgers were very delicious. My suggestion is to get the # burger instead of the 1/2#, seeing as how there's an additional one and a half pounds of toppings. If you've never experienced "meat sweats", you will if you finish a burger from this place.
(4)Carrie K.
Great neighborhood place. Known for its burgers but we had calamari and mussels and they were both great. Kids had the chicken tenders from the appetizer menu and they were the best I have ever tasted. Service was great aa well. Very cozy atmosphere in and out.
(4)Vanessa A.
Where do I BEGIN??? Well, let's just say by far the WORST service EVER!! I went in there to get a coffee to go, (the USED to have the BEST COFFEE ANYWHERE), WELL, let me tell you), I ordered my coffee, the HOSTESS, never bothered to ask me how many creams or sugars I wanted with my coffee "she just walked away", SO, I am thinking it's fine, she will bring me cream and sugar, LMAO, I didn't say anything, SO she came back with my coffee and gave me 2 creams on the side WITH NO SUGAR, I paid the outrageous price of 3.00, gave her the 3.00 in cash, she walked away, more like "RAN AWAY", before I can ask her for sugar, here I was standing there with my mouth OPENED by how stupid she was, how the hecks can you give someone cream without sugar for their coffee to go?? BAD SERVICE, AND I WANT MY 3.00 BACK, I would never pay 18.50 for a darn salad when, I can go and make my own for 5.00 good bye hecks and good riddence!!!!
(1)John G.
Stopped here after work after reading several good reviews. Had a taste for a good burger and this was the top choice. The burger selection is very vast and unique burgers on the list.. Got the Rogue burger and was more than satisfied with it. Come with bacon and a rouge sause mixture of Bleu cheese and sour cream. Im not evena bleu cheese fan and this burger hit the spot. Waiter was super nice also which is always a great plus. Heck's will very much get future visits from me. They have fish and chicken options as well if you trying to avoid beef. Small and quaint as well...perfect getaway from the large chains that dominate Cleveland. Highly recommend Heck's if you live near or visiting the near west side
(5)Critical C.
While Yelp reviewers seem to really dislike Heck's, another rating site is filled with praises for the place. I wasn't going to take a risk, but our intended other option had a long wait and burgers seem more appropriate anyway for Father's Day. I think I figured out why the rating discrepancies - expectation. If you expect the best burger you ever ate and perfect service you will HATE Heck's. If you expect a decent meal you'll really like it. I rated "meh, I've experienced better" because I have. Our family of 4 ate outside at about 1 pm. We ordered 4 burgers, one French toast and 1 iced tea. The bill after tax was $50.50. The Ohio burger had a myriad of indiscernible herbs. The Rogue burger had a sour cream topping with some blue cheese crumbled in. The other (?) burger had mushrooms & swiss. Although we ordered two medium "but please be sure there's pink in mine" and one medium well, all 3 came out the same - no red, some pink. None of us finished them. The baklava French toast was good, but doesn't live up to its name. It's French toast with sugar in the dip and a few walnut halves dropped on the plate. I had one bite that was tasty, but squishy/raw in the center. We did finish that plate, though. The fries were very similar to Five Guys, but less salt. Our water and tea ran out, and we waited inordinately long for the check even after the waiter knew we were finished. We enjoyed ourselves and ate a decent meal. Doubt we'll go back, though.
(2)Lisa W.
Great burgers and fries! Atmosphere could use an update - rather plain and outdated!
(4)Peter G.
Well here is a story for the ages. My flight from NJ got delayed and I finally arrived downtown at my hotel. I searched yelp and came upon Hecks and realized they were still open and relatively close. My hotel called a taxi and I thought I would be at the restaurant by 8:45. 8;45 came and my taxi was not here so I called Heck and spoke with Christina and told her my situation. I decide to order a burger not wanting to miss the 9pm kitchen closing. Christina assured me the selection of the Cajun Burger was good choice and now I waited for my cab. and waited. at 9:05 Christina - called me back on my cell phone asking what the story was. I explained I was running late - she was already trying to figure out how to get my Cajun burger to me downtown!!!!! She was funny and awesoem to deal with. Just then my cab showed up and got me to Hecks and Christina gave me my burger. Since it was now 9:30, I returned to the hotel and while a little cold from the taxi delays, this was an awesome Cajun burger. The sauteed onions really made it and the meal hit the spot. I am huge fan of Hecks and look forward to retuning and sitting proper next time with a pint of beer to enjoy my next burger. Thank Christina - nice job.
(5)Russell W.
Great burgers. Need I say more?
(5)Ben C.
I went to Heck's for lunch recently. The burger didn't live up to the hype. The atmosphere was good. The inside of the restaurant is very spacious with excellent natural lighting. There was also clean and well organized outdoor seating. Our server that day was courteous and efficient. I had the burger au poivre (with grilled onions, sour cream). The meat was dry, and I was underwhelmed by its flavor. For a menu item that was supposed to be adventurous, the burger was very bland. The combination of unseasoned hamburger meat and sour cream didn't taste fun or surprising. My girlfriend had the tuna steak. She thought it was meaty but didn't go with rye bread or its nondescript mayonnaise sauce. She asked for a sauce with more tang and was offered mayonnaise with horseradish, mayonnaise with cranberry, mayonnaise with ... The ketchup at Heck's was served in tiny individual glass bottles. I didn't like the rationing of condiments and thought it was a waste of glass. I did enjoy the Cajun fries. I won't be back but would recommend Heck's to someone looking for a mayonnaise based meal.
(2)Loren D.
Super nice staff. The food was great and good prices. I went with a group of 6 and was very well taken care of. My burger arrived a little late, but they brought free soup while I was waiting. My wife had ordered hers medium and it arrived a bit more red than she expected, they brought out another one more done and let her have both. They then brought out a free carrot for dessert which we all devoured...it was great. Would highly recommend, as would many restaurant reviewing journals (they have them all posted in the entrance). A bunch of these have them listed as the best burgers.
(5)Katelyn B.
I do some theatre at Near West, so I have been trying a lot of the local business for food around rehearsals and shows and things. I had a show on Mother's Day, and my mom HATES all those Mother's Day brunch things that all the big chainy restaurants do. Shes a kindergarten teacher and on mother's day all she wants is to be rid of small children (espcially since all her's are all grown up) We decided on Heck's for brunch and it was a great choice! My parents are not super adventurous and love a good burger, so this was a great choice. Everyone was happy, the burgers were great, and the back room is great! All in all, the prices were decent, a good family place, something for everyone on the menu. I would definatly go back here.
(4)Jordan T.
For a $10+ burger, I expect better than a white bread bun. The perogies were delicious though. It's a very quiet atmosphere, and I frequently felt like I was making people uncomfortable with my louder than average voice.
(3)Sarah Z.
OVER RATED! Don't believe the hype. Ok ok I shouldn't be so harsh. This place is ok. BUT it could be so so so much more. It has a great location in the heart of Ohio City, a gorgeous main dining room, and a great concept. The execution is just lacking. It is truly sad. This place could be SO MUCH MORE if they changed a few things starting with a lot of the menu (drinks and food). In general the staff is great nice and knowledgable. The drinks are not worth what they charge. The food is fairly good most of the time but in groups they tend to get cooking directions for the burgers mixed up so you can end up with a well done burger when you wanted medium rare. What I recommend The Spring Chicken Sandwich Any burger that does not include sour cream or pineapple (need an idea? I recommend the Ohio City Burger with Havarti) French fries (honestly though who doesn't like fried potatoes) The coffee Hit or Miss Groups ordering burgers The drinks Things to avoid like the plague Salads (sogginess) Grilled cheese sandwich (american and bleu and spinach yelch) Ohio City Martini (GROSS)
(2)Christine N.
Disappointed in the french onion soup, the stock needed some flavor. the chicken paprikash soup was too thick, felt like I was eating a thick paste. The salad with ginger dressing was very nice.
(3)David L.
The soup was cold and my salad was rotten. This place is usually great. They must have been having a bad day or something.
(3)Cameron E.
I've been for lunch and dinner before and it has always been great food. Today I went for Sunday brunch for the first time and the food was again awesome, as was our waiter. Omelets are HUGE and come with fresh fruit and potatoes. Coffee is also extremely good and they keep it full. Definitely going back for all meals... only downside is that the bill was over thirty dollars for two... kinda pricey for a 'cafe'
(4)Erin P.
Oh man, here goes. I'm going to be that asshole who calls out the place in Cleveland everyone loves for some reason. I've had good food here. Once. Then I have had mediocre to borderline nauseating food here.. A lot. It's close to my house, and everyone is so sure of the burgers that I keep trying again...but, alas I've come to conclusion that my friends are clueless. Or are drunk.
(2)Sarah T.
Super cute decor, big portions, good service.
(5)Michael W.
I think any negative reviews of Heck's are probably the product of unrealistic expectations. The burgers are awesome. One of my 2 or 3 favorite burgers in Cleveland. My wife and I were in the mood for something simple to hit the spot after happy hour a couple weeks ago and Heck's hit the spot. I had a burger, she had a chicken sandwich. I've never gotten anything but a burger, and probably wouldn't. If you're looking for fine dining, there are plenty of other restaurants in the neighborhood that will turn the trick.
(4)Kimberly C.
After we faced locked doors at the Happy Dog, I got out my trusty Yelp app and looked for an alternative. Heck's came up and I was excited because it was another restaurant on my "to try" list. When we arrived there were about 3 tables ahead of us which is not a big deal, but the waiting area is tiny. I didn't mind that about 7 of us were snug like sardines in the little entry way, but I did mind when a old lady hit us with her cane to get us to move out of the way. Easy, grandma. About 20 minutes later we were sat at a quaint little table for two in the "atrium" area. The sun was shining in from the windows and for a moment I felt my winter blahs melt away. Our server was very prompt and efficient, but could have been a little more personable. But I guess I'll take a never-empty Diet Coke over personality. I ordered the Teriyaki burger and my fiance had the Rogue burger. We both ordered our burgers medium well and they came out over well, which was a little bit of a disappointment. I loved the pineapple and onion combo on my burger, and the juicy teriyaki sauce helped the overcooked burger not be too dry. I was surprised the burger did not come with any cheese and must have overlooked that fact on the menu. It would have given the burger that little extra oomph it needed. My fiance was happy with his choice of burger toppings, but agreed the meat was dry and lacked in flavor. The onion rings and fries were just ok and only slightly warm when we received them. I had a little bit of sticker shock when I got the bill. Dang...almost $40 for 2 hamburgers and sodas? Overall I think Heck's is pretty pricey for just an A-OK experience.
(3)Kevin S.
I remember when Heck's was good, and I remember when Heck's was bad. When it was good, it was very very good. Ohio City, the neighborhood where Heck's is located, was just beginning to revive its fortunes when I first dined at Hecks. I remember a great meal with several friends that led to repeat visits. Hecks permanently fell from grace when I took a new beau there for dinner. The service was slapdash, the food was all messed up, but the nadir of the evening was when a cockroach the size of a large ladies' brooch crawled gingerly out of my salad. I complained, and the waiter whisked it away and brought me another salad. Yuck. No mention of comping the meal. My appetite was gone, the dinner was a disaster, and our evening sank along with it. I hope Heck's has revived itself because the atmosphere and the location were always top notch.
(3)Rick E.
Hadn't been to Herb's in awhile but went for lunch and had a pleasant experience. The courtyard has great ambience and our sandwiches were delicious. There was a soup special advertised tomato something-or-other but it was different than expected-more a chicken broth-like base wih diced tomatoes in it. Serving was very big. Nice place and an Ohio City old timer so they must be doing something right.
(3)Jan W.
We had a wonderful evening at Heck's Cafe. Great burgers and fries, , attentive and courteous service, good bar selections, good atmosphere... all at a price you can afford. This is restaurant I definitely will go back to.
(4)Jason C.
Here's the deal: Hecks is a great place, but it is what it is. It is not a fancy restaurant. I consider it a casual mid-range neighborhood joint, say, a step up from Academy Tavern in Larchmere neighborhood. Personally, I never order anything but burgers here, BUT I AM OF THE OPINION THAT THEY HAVE SOME OF THE BEST BURGERS IN CLEVELAND (perhaps *the* best?). We go here all the time with another couple and all of our kids (4 adults, 4 kids in all). We always receive consistently good food and service, and they are always endlessly accommodating of our kids. I give this place 5 stars because I love this place, I keep spending money there, again and again, and it does what it does well. A Ferrari is a Ferrari. A Honda Accord is a Honda Accord.
(5)Farah A.
After struggling to find an open place to eat on a late Sunday afternoon in Tremont, my friends and I (and our two labs) decided to try our luck in Ohio City. We ended up at Heck's. Not only was the service over-the-top friendly, but they were more than happy to accommodate our dogs who hung out with us as we sat on the patio enjoying our eggplant fries and brie. Our server even brought water in bowls for the dogs! The food wasn't spectacularly amazing, BUT it was fresh and as such, refreshing on a hot late summer day. The staff was happy to answer all of our questions about the food. The salmon was wild, not farm-raised--always a plus. The burgers are supposed to be amazing, but as a vegetarian, I did not indulge. There definitely could have been more vegetarian options, but the appetizers, salad, and portobello mushroom gryo did the trick. I would recommend heck's for a casual-but-nice-cafe-style outdoor brunch or lunch with friends.
(4)Jim P.
What the heck... THE UP-SIDE: A nice little restaurant that's been a part of the Ohio City scene for a long time. Big selection of good burgers and a host of other, fancier selections. Quiet, pleasing atmosphere. THE DOWN-SIDE: The food is good, and the place is nice - definitely - but somehow it always feels like it doesn't quite live up to what it could be. It's like it's almost there. Almost, but not quite... THE SUM-IT-UP: Go here if you're not going to be way picky about the food and you just wanna have some good conversation with a friend.
(3)Claire R.
Another Ohio City Treasure: The food here is great. Even the house salad makes your mouth water (definitely go for the apricot dressing with that.) Try to sit in the lovely back room; the open kitchen makes the front a little noisy. It is a tad pricey, but the food and atmosphere are well worth it. Great for a date or an opener for a night out with the girls.
(4)Calvin H.
Came here with a large group and very high expectations, including one of the best burgers in Cleveland. I found the service to be a bit slow, although we were a big group so I won't ding them on that. My main gripe is that I ordered my burger medium rare and it came medium well if not well done. I can't really give them more than 3 stars because of that.
(3)