The difference between Fat Head's locations

@RayOhioFelton or @end_27 may be able to help out more than me, but you basically have it. More food choices and beers at the big restaurant. Less beers, a couple of guest taps but beers to go at the brewery. I think both have the smokehouse wings, which you HAVE to get. They're amazing. I did both back in January and both were worthwhile stops for sure.

 

The non-taphouse location has some of the most "Americanized" portion sizes I've ever seen and definitely worth hitting up if you find yourself in/around North Olmsted. I can't comment on the taphouse location, as I never saw a need to go there (growler fills were always more than sufficient for me and the NO location was much closer to home).

One gripe with the restaurant, however, is don't go during high-traffic times. Parking is a nightmare. And I know more than one person that accidentally turned into the Dairy Queen instead of the parking lot.

 

The brewpub/restaurant in North Olmstead has more food choices and different/more beers + guest taps. No bottle sales to go since the bottled beer isn't brewed there and it gets REALLY busy especially on the weekends.

The Taphouse/brewery in Middleburg has fewer food choices due to a much smaller kitchen but tasty grub, including their awesome smokehouse wings and great pizza. It sells bottles to go. Fewer taps but you're in a much more chill (in terms of number of people) and cool (IMO) environment - an active production brewery.

I'd check the two tap lists online and, unless you really want a headwich or guest tap, I'd head to the production brewery.

 

So the tap room.
Smaller setting but you can check out the brewery facility and they have tours at certain times.
Bottles and growler fills for sale.
Less taps but I find them to have more small batch stuff than the smoke house.
Smaller menu but smokehouse wings and pulled pork are still served there.

Restaurant in North Olmsted.
Huge menu. Amazing sandwiches. I suggest the fat Italian.
More taps and guest taps.
Probably a longer wait for a table depending in time of day.
Way better hours. The tap house is only open 4 - 9pm some days.

 

Go to both of them...

 

Tap House wins for me 9 out of 10 times as it's much less crowded and I don't like FH's food much anyway. Only drawback is a more limited set of beers, and they don't change often. BTW, Tap House opens at Noon on Sat and Sun.

 

Just wondering how you are coming into Cleveland. If via I-90 then the brewpub in North Olmsted will be closer to your freeway travels. If you come across I-80 then the brewery will be closer to your travels. Be aware that I-90 breaks off of I-80 before it becomes an issue.

Like others have said before. What's your motivation?
* Travel Time
* Food choices
* Beer choices
* Beer to go
* Crowds

Once your rank these you will know which is better for you.

i.e. I-90 (North Olmsted brewpub) = less travel time, more food choices, more beer choices, beer to go via growlers only, and more crowds overall (depending on time of day)
I-80 (Middleburg brewery) = less travel time, less food choices, less beer choices, beer via to go growlers and 4/6 packs, and less crowds overall in a cooler setting

Make no mistake about it. Living here I much prefer the brewery for myself because I'm usually going just for the beer. If I am taking the family out to dinner it HAS to be the brewpub in North Olmsted because the brewery is 21 and over.

 

Pretty sure that's not the case - it's all ages welcome, they even have a high chair for very little ones!

 

Yeah I've seen kids in there for sure.

I'm a bit partial to the brewpub purely based on how much closer it is to where I live, but I rarely go when it's crazy busy. They're both really cool places to check out for different reasons.

 

The Fat Head's in Pittsburgh is flat out awesome - 10 of their beers on draft (including Hop JuJu), more than 20 guest taps, good food, & great atmosphere. If you are ever in Pittsburgh, it's a must!

 

So to tack on to the OP's poster, I am also headed to Cleveland next week. Will be staying out in Twinsburg, actually. I've never been to Cleveland and will be going along with my wife and two kids. Anyone have a recommendation on which of the two locations would be better?

Side note: I also have the intention of hitting Hoppin' Frog down in Akron. I know that's 21+ only, but if I just had to choose one place, either Hoppin' Frog or one of the Fathead's location, which would you go to?
Ideally I would go to both, but when travelling with the family, sometimes it's not all possible...

 

It's no contest, Fat Heads hands down.

480 runs right through Twinsburg and both Fat Heads locations are relatively close, moreso North Olmsted. I would go there since it's more kid friendly and there are more beer options. If you are going solo I'd say the brewery as you'll probably appreciate it a little more since the bar area/taproom is in the middle of the brewery.

 

I didn't realize that. Thanks for posting. I've always avoiding taking the family there b/c I thought it was 21+. With the choice I'd still take my family to the North Olmsted location. Just think its more family friendly overall. And that's strictly my opinion. It's still good to know though.

 

I feel like it's story time...

Glad you at least had a good time at the taproom!

 

I've only been to Fat Heads in Pittsburgh but if you have time to go to both places in Cleveland I recommend making your second trip to Brew Kettle. Or at least buying a shit load of White (and Black if it's out) Rajah. It's my only must buy when I'm in Ohio.

 

I'm going to be in Cleveland all next week for a trade show and am looking for some nice places to beer & dine some customers at.

Between Great Lakes and Market Garden, which one would you recommend?
Ideally I'd like to do both, but just in case I can only make one, I might as well get it narrowed down.