Danny Boys, with a focus on the good old days of homemade comfort food goodness, is providing a sense of pre-pandemic nostalgia for so many folks
By Patricia Nugent
It’s pretty safe to say that 2020 will not go down in history as a golden age for the restaurant industry. And yet, the Grendow family, who founded Danny Boys restaurants, with locations throughout Cleveland, has one word to say about how they are feeling: lucky.
“While most places have suffered through the pandemic, we’ve held our own,” says Rob Grendow, who, along with his wife, Renee, founded the flagship restaurant over 25 years ago. They are happy to be working alongside their kids, Chase and Camden.
It’s fitting that a restaurant with a focus on the good old days—with charming décor and memorabilia paying homage to familiar faces like Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and the Rat Pack—is providing a comforting sense of pre-pandemic nostalgia for so many folks.
“We think now more than ever, people are craving things they can trust, like our pizza sauce or hand-tossed dough,” he says. “We feel blessed to have become a place that attracts such a loyal following of regulars. During the stay-at-home order, I think people got tired of cooking every night, and they considered our authentic dishes as homemade as their own, made with only the freshest ingredients.”
Renee reports that as soon as the pandemic hit, Danny Boys adapted by taking every possible Covid precaution, from constant sanitization to following the mask requirement, setting up socially distanced tables and even offering contact-free curbside pickup. They also have the restaurants treated with an electrostatic spray that lasts for 30 days.
Homemade Goodness
Camden says the Family Meal Deals have become quite popular this year, especially Chicken Parmesan, Tomato Basil Cheese Ravioli and Fettuccini Alfredo for families of four, whether for dining in, carry out or delivery.
Of course, pizza is the ultimate comfort food, and that’s always been the draw here, with 11 specialty pizzas featuring New York thin-style crust and secret recipe sauce passed down from grandma. Other tried-and-true classics include pasta dishes, calzones, ribs, wings and mouthwatering sandwiches.
But Rob hopes people will try out some of the scintillating new items on the menu that have already become bona fide hits, from sweet and spicy Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza topped with breaded chicken tenders, tomatoes, local honey, pickles and crumbled blue cheese, to the Pineapple Willie Burger featuring a grilled Black Angus patty, jalapeno, grilled pineapple, fried onion rings, barbecue sauce and mayo.
And for the ultimate comfort dish, dive into the velvety, savory wonderfulness of Steakhouse Fettuccini Alfredo, a fettuccine tossed with creamy sauce, fresh mushrooms and onions, topped with tender strip steak and served with a house salad and warm bread. Mama mia! Those looking for lighter fare will enjoy a slew of fresh, inventive salads and their scrumptious gluten-free pizza dough, topped any way you like.
“We’ve earned a reputation for serving a mix of traditional fare, but with unexpected twists,” says Rob. “As a nice complement to the menus, our happy hour specials and local brews, such as Christmas Ale from Great Lakes Brewery, are always popular.”
Taking Care of the Community
The Grendows have always taken pride in staying connected to the community, both in the good times and trying times.
“We are so thankful for the support people have given us and we want to give back,” says Camden. “It’s humbling and more than we could have ever asked for.”
He says they’ve offered giveaways and discounts for healthcare workers, first responders and displaced service workers.
Danny Boys restaurants are located in Rocky River, North Olmsted, Tallmadge, Broadview Heights, North Canton and Sandusky (on Milan Road between Kalahari Waterpark and Great Wolf Lodge). Visit DannyBoysPizza.com for menus and hours.