The nostalgic interior of Danny Boys in Broadview Heights provides the comfort we’re craving and the homemade foods we can’t get enough of

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 management at 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 General Manager Elena Rego.

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,” she 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.”

Elena reports that as soon as the pandemic hit, they 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
She 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 the owner’s grandma. Other tried-and-true classics include pasta dishes, calzones, ribs, wings and mouthwatering sandwiches.

But Elena hopes people will also 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 “buzz”-worthy Honey Bee pizza, which sports five-cheese blend, pepperoni, bacon, jalapeno, ricotta cheese and a drizzle of Stein’s local honey.

New burgers to the already fabuloso lineup include the Pineapple Willie Burger with a grilled Black Angus patty, topped with jalapeno, grilled pineapple, fried onion rings, barbecue sauce and mayo; and the Hoboken Burger, grilled to perfection topped with five-cheese blend, salami, lettuce, tomato, onion and drizzle of Italian dressing.

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!

“We’ve earned a reputation for serving a mix of traditional fare, but with unexpected twists,” she says. “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
Danny Boys has always taken pride in staying connected to the community, both in the good times and the trying times.

“We are so thankful for the support people have given us, we want to give back,” says Elena. “It’s humbling and more than we could have ever asked for.”

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.