☕ Hidden BBQ Gem Worth the Smoke

North Ridgeville’s Scavenger Hunt Surprise | Your Weekend Starts With The Buzz

Happy (early) Father’s Day to all the Westside Dads out there! Welcome to The Westside Buzz.

Think of us as the newsletter version of summer hours—something you look forward to, and feel a heck of a lot better after reading.

Here’s what we’re buzzing about this weekend:

  • 🍗 A Strongsville hidden gem

  • 🌕 What’s a Strawberry moon, anyway?

  •  🎫 A ton of Westside Father’s Day Weekend events

Let’s make it a great day,

—The Briggses

HIDDEN GEM

Alison’s Super Q: Worth the wait | Strongsville

This place is the epitome of a hidden gem. No website. No internet presence. You’re lucky if someone even picks up the phone because they’re too busy serving up smoked magic to bother. And trust me, once you taste it, you’ll be glad they’re focused on the food, not the hashtags.

I made the rookie mistake of asking for a menu. The man inside the truck raised an eyebrow and gave me the classic “You must be new here” look. He pointed to a whiteboard and said, “It changes daily.” That’s when I knew—I was in for something real. No frills, no filler, just whatever’s fresh, smoking, and sizzling that day.

Not only is Alison’s Super Q tasty, but it is unreasonably affordable. It makes you feel like you are doing something wrong. Like ringing up regular celery at self-checkout when you know you grabbed the organic.

Now let’s talk turkey. The smoked chicken platter? A mountain of tender meat, gooey mac and cheese, and the kind of cornbread that crumbles just enough to make you close your eyes—all for $12.95. The ribs? Fall-off-the-bone, glazed in tangy housemade sauce, and deeply satisfying. A full rack will run you $19.95, but the flavor hits like it should cost double.

If you are driving on 82 near Webster Road, and you see a line forming, do yourself a favor and safely or abruptly stop to pull off and check this place out. Alison’s Super Q is the kind of spot you tell your friends about like a secret you’re almost reluctant to share.

FEEDBACK

Recently, we ran a poll asking Buzz Nation if you would ever consider moving back to Downtown Cleveland. The poll results were extremely interesting.

Results of the poll, “Would you ever consider moving back to Cleveland City?”

About 65% of respondents said that they would potentially move back Downtown at some point. I think most Clevelanders have daydreamed about moving back to the heart of it all, close to the action.

Here is some of the intriguing feedback we received.

Has anyone heard any news about downtown housing geared toward those 55 and up?

We love Rocky River because we can get downtown in 13 minutes

I need to hear about your first Cleveland Winter experience. Welcome!

And yes, taxes were a hot topic for many of you.

Thank you all for participating in the polls! We appreciate the feedback and read every single one of them. It’s what makes The Westside Buzz so fun for us.

EXPLORE

Discover this westside city and win prizes | North Ridgeville

The Heart and Sole Community Scavenger Hunt is transforming North Ridgeville into a treasure map through June 28th, with teams of 2-5 explorers solving clues that lead to local businesses, hidden trails, and gems you never knew existed.

Heart & Sole's clever creation blends community connection with wellness, turning everyday locations into discovery destinations where participants uncover magic hiding in plain sight. With $400 in local gift certificates for grand prize winners and registration still open, this is your invitation to fall in love with your city all over again. Gather your crew, register now, and discover North Ridgeville's greatest adventure.

NEW BUSINESS

The Lock Lounge: Where Luxury Meets Light | Lakewood

Nestled in the heart of Lakewood, Ohio, The Lock Lounge is the vibrant next chapter in Ashlin Bacik’s dream to blend warmth with sophistication. What began in 2018 as The Lock Loft has evolved into a haven for modern beauty, where each snip and shade is a carefully crafted expression.

Now just down the street from its original home, The Lock Lounge at 18255 Detroit Ave welcomes guests into an atmosphere of effortless elegance, where every detail is designed to elevate the salon experience into something truly memorable.

Step inside and you're transported to what feels like a curated retreat in a chic downtown apartment bathed in golden natural light. The space unfolds with generous openness, plush seating, and thoughtful touches, such as artisanal snacks and beverages, inviting you to relax while their experts work their magic.

The Lock Lounge is more than a place to get your hair done. It’s where transformations happen, wrapped in the feeling of luxury that’s never out of reach.

WESTSIDE POUR OVER

What else is brewing?

🍎 Westlake: After 49 years in the same elementary classroom, Debbie Cinchar is finally hanging up her safety scissors and Elmer’s glue. Congratulations on inspiring countless Westsiders, including 19 students from families where she taught both parent and child! (Cleveland.com)

🏫 Lakewood: From its humble beginnings as a four-room schoolhouse in 1907 to its final chapter as Franklin School of Opportunity, this century-old educational cornerstone will close its doors for good as the district prepares to auction the building on June 23rd. (Lakewood Observer)

📸 @THEWESTSIDEBUZZ

The Strawberry Moon we witnessed on Wednesday night is special for two reasons:

  1. June’s full moon marks the start of Summer and coincides with the beginning of the strawberry harvest.

  2. The lunistice, or major lunar standstill, is the lowest that a full moon will hang in the sky until the year 2043. (Insert your own joke here about things hanging lower with age...)

🧠 TRIVIA

Following up from last Friday, the correct answer was 30 minutes. As in how long it took Brewnuts to sell out on their first National Donut Day when they were a wee pop-up in Tremont. Oh, how far they have come!

Congrats to ntb*****@msn.com on being randomly chosen as the winner! We have contacted you via email so you can receive your Brewnuts Prize.

Today is Friday the 13th so here is some spooky trivia. One of Cleveland's most haunted landmarks, Franklin Castle, was built in the 1880s by Hannes Tiedemann. He experienced many tragedies in the Victorian estate, where he saw everyone he loved die.

Ownership of the house changed hands several times since Tiedemann, including to Michael DeVinko. Who was DeVinko most notably married to?

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The Buzz Strip

For more of Patrick’s work, check out GeyserArt.com and follow him on Instagram: @GeyserArt.

WHAT’S HAPPENING, WESTSIDERS?

The Taste of River isn't just a food festival—it's the culinary event of the summer where acclaimed kitchens like Gather, Artis, and Char bring their signature flavors directly to your taste buds.

With live music going, and plenty of activities for the kids, families will feast on lip-smacking bites and refreshing drinks while discovering why over 6,000 Westsiders made this their can't-miss event last year.

Want to feature an event with a custom poster in front of 16,750 Westsiders? Let’s talk! hello (at) thewestsidebuzz.com


👨‍👩‍👧‍👦=Family Friendly

Friday, June 13th

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Lakewood Front Porch Concert Series
Lakewood Public Library, Lakewood | 7 PM

Chloe & the Steel Strings is a husband and wife duo who will be bringing their cosmic Americana to the stage.

Walkabout Tremont
Professor Ave, Tremont | 5 - 10 PM

Feed your creative side and Walkabout on the Wild Side to discover local artists and hang with cool people in Cleveland’s most hip neighborhood.

Bier & Brats
Donauschwaben's German-American Cultural Center, Olmsted Falls | 5 - 10 PM

Grab a pint from the full bar with an impressive array of imported beers that will have you saying, eins, zwei, g'suffa. Pröst!

Roast Battle Cleveland
Forest City Brewery, Cleveland | 9 - 11 PM

16 of Cleveland's best and meanest comedians compete to be named Roast Battle Cleveland Champion.... It’s Fight Club, but funnier and less Brad Pitt. Tickets

What’s Your Aura? Aura Photos & Readings
Brewnuts, Gordon Square | 5 - 8 PM

The Auracle creates aura portraits that visually capture your energy while offering thoughtful, culturally respectful insights into your personal strengths and energetic patterns through color interpretation and holistic analysis. Event information

Saturday, June 14th

All-Levels Patio Pilates 
BrewDog CLE, The Flats | 10 AM

Start your Saturday with a core-strengthening pilates session on the patio, no experience needed! Just bring your mat and your motivation, then stick around after for brunch and brews. Sign up here

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Goldens for Good Meet Up
Crocker Park, Westlake | 10 AM

Calling all golden lovers! Come meet friendly retrievers, snap adorable pics, and support Golden Retrievers In Need (GRIN). Goldens only, but humans of all kinds are welcome! Learn more

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Hooley on Kamm’s Corners 2025
Kamm’s Corners, Westpark | 12 PM - 7 PM

This West Park street fest packs in Irish flair, local eats, two stages of live music, family fun, vendors, and a beer garden. It’s a celebration of community and culture that turns Lorain Avenue into the best kind of neighborhood block party. Event information

Sora Sushi School
Sora, E 4th | 12 -2 PM

Roll into the weekend with a hands-on sushi class led by Sora’s Executive Sushi Chef. Learn to make three classic rolls, enjoy a welcome mimosa, and take home tools and treats to keep the skills (and sushi) flowing. Tickets

Rose Petals and Prosecco
Wyne Tasting & Cocktail Bar, Gordon Square | 1:45 - 4 PM

Sip a glass of bubbly and let your creativity bloom with a hands-on floral arranging session featuring fresh, seasonal flowers hosted by Divine Bloom. Sign up

SNL 50 Exhibit
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Downtown | 6:30 PM

Live from Cleveland, it’s the newest Rock Hall exhibit! Celebrate five decades of Saturday Night Live with iconic memorabilia, rare footage, and legendary laughs. Ticket info

Another Cleveland Sausage Festival
Der Braumeister, Cleveland | 1 - 6 PM

It starts with sausages and a dream. Der Braumeister kicks off this meaty movement with grilled links, cold beer, and live tunes. Think Oktoberfest’s wilder cousin! Tickets

Sunday, June 15th

Yoga on the Patio
Flight Cleveland, Gordon Square | 1 PM

Ease into your Sunday with an all-levels yoga session on Flight’s cozy patio. After the stretch, enjoy a well-earned glass of wine as part of your ticket. Sign up

Summer Yoga on the Lake with Yoga Sweetness
Veterans’ Memorial Park, Avon Lake | 8 AM

Watch the sun rise over Lake Erie as you stretch, breathe, and move with Michele from Yoga Sweetness. This free, donation-based class welcomes all levels, just bring a mat!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Fathers Day Cornhole Tournament
BrewDog CLE, The Flats | 3:30 PM

Bags fly at 3:30 in this blind draw cornhole tourney hosted by Cleveland Cornhole. $5 secures your spot, and winners walk away with $50 BrewDog gift cards (plus eternal backyard bragging rights).

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Tabletop Game Day
Bookhouse Brewing, Ohio City | 2 - 6 PM

Grab your favorite board games or try one from the taproom’s stash during this laid-back monthly gathering. All ages welcome, no ticket needed.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Lakewood Community Market: Fathers Day Market
17100 Madison Ave, Lakewood | 11 AM - 7 PM

Celebrate Father’s Day with 20+ local vendors offering art, home goods, vintage finds, and more at this free, community-driven market. Hosted at the corner of Madison & Cordova, it's the perfect place to find something special for Dad and shop small.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Westlake's Summer Concerts in the Park: The Heat
Westlake Recreation Center | 6:30 PM

Get ready to dance as The Heat brings high-energy hits to Westlake’s free summer concert series. Pack a chair or blanket and enjoy the music under the evening sky.

🎷 Live Entertainment

Friday

JET NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2025 with Band Of Skulls | House of Blues, Cleveland 7 PM

Halsey: For My Last Trick | Blossom, Cuyahoga Falls 7 PM

Bruce in the USA | Music Box CH, Flats 7:30 PM

Pete Francis of Dispatch & C-Level single release party | The Winchester, Lakewood 8 PM

Santigold | Globe Iron, Flats 8 PM

Sammy Deleon y su Orquesta | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 8 PM

Flatliners | Backstage Bar, West Park 8:30 PM

Grunge DNA | Time Warp Bar, Westlake 9 PM

Live & Local Music featuring Erin Nicole Neal & The Chill Factors  | House of Blues, Cleveland 9 PM

Gas Station Lullabies x Rylee Bapst Band x Jaime Berland | Coda, Tremont 9 PM

Saturday

GOYA & BRONCO | The Winchester, Lakewood 7 PM

AH Events Presents: A Tribute to the Music of Roy Ayers | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 8 PM

Megan Moroney | Jacob’s Pavilion, Flats 8 PM

Colin Dussault’s Blues Project | Backstage Bar, West Park 8:30 PM

Live & Local Music featuring Dan Pyne  | House of Blues, Cleveland 9 PM 

Tarp | Time Warp Bar, Westlake 9 PM 

DJ After Hours | Coda, Tremont 10 PM

Sunday

Elvis Brunch with Johnny Elvis & The Crown Electrics | Music Box SC, Flats 12 PM

Father’s Day Beatles Brunch with The Sunrise Jones | Music Box CH, Flats 12 PM

Reggae Sundays: The Tom Batchelor Band | Music Box SC, Flats 12 PM

SEX N' THE CITY A (super unauthorized) Musical Parody | Hanna Theatre, Playhouse 7 PM

Weather

Friday

75 🌡️ 63 | 🌦 | 50% | 💨 NE 7-9 mph 🌊 2 to 4 feet

Saturday

73 🌡️ 64 | ⛈ | 60% | 💨 NE 7-11 mph 🌊 1 to 3 feet

Sunday

75 🌡️ 64 | ⛈ | 40% | 💨 NE 7 mph

Monday

76 🌡️ 64 | 🌦 | 30% | 💨 NE 7 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 62ºF

That’s it for today, Westsiders.

Have a great weekend,

—The Briggses

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