Summer at Station 43 Tavern
By Laura Briedis
Celebrating summer’s bounty, the new menu items at Station 43 Tavern are bursting with fresh herbs, tomatoes and lots of flavor.
The Chicken Caprese is smothered with freshly picked tomatoes and sprinkled with fresh basil, and you’ll even find fresh mint in the Mojito cocktail.
With a wrap-around porch for alfresco dining, reserved parking spots for motorcycles and Tribe games on TV, there is no denying it is summertime at one of Solon’s most popular eateries.
“We are rolling out our summer menu this month with a dozen brand-new items,” says Lisa Randazzo-Ross, managing owner. “The menu is a collaboration among the chef, staff and owners. And we also get input from our customers—because if they don’t like it, it is not on the menu.”
The tasty new entrees include Chicken Caprese, Lamb Sliders and Cavatelli topped with Bolognese sauce.
“I will also be grilling chicken brats infused with beer, bacon and Swiss cheese,” says Chef Brian Swaney. “And for that something different, we are making grilled lamb sliders, served on a brioche bun and topped with tomato, red onion and homemade tzatziki sauce.”
For appetizers, try the Duck Pot Stickers, Fried Pickle Spear, Hushpuppy Shrimp or freshly baked soft Bavarian pretzel served on a hanger, along with beer cheese sauce for dipping.
“The Duck Pot Stickers are an inventive, delicious twist on the regular pork version,” says Anthony Fiorelli, managing owner. “And the Hushpuppy Shrimp, which is lightly coated in a fluffy cornmeal breading, adds some southern flair to our menu.”
In addition to the new summer fare, restaurant favorites like steak, ribs, burgers, wings and homemade stuffed peppers are on the menu year-round.
And for health-conscious diners, there are veggie wraps and fresh salads.
“Our SOM Center Salad features spring mix lettuce grown hydroponically,” says Chef Brian. “The lettuce comes to us still attached to the root ball. That’s how fresh it is. We hand tear it and top the salad with red onions, dried cherries and pecans.”
Opened in 2006, the firehouse-themed restaurant’s walls are adorned with fire and police patches from nearby cities like Macedonia and Mentor and as far away as Alaska and Germany. In conjunction with the Solon Historical Society, photos of the city’s past are present everywhere.
At Station 43, a casual, fun atmosphere flourishes throughout the restaurant—whether you’re eating in the dining room, enjoying a cold one at the bar or relaxing on the patio.
“We have a big baseball crowd that dines here,” says Anthony. “We always have the Tribe games on our TVs, even outside on the patio. And during the game, we have $2 Miller Lite 16-ounce cans on special.”
Station 43 Tavern is located at 39910 Aurora Road, in Solon. Dining hours are Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Call ahead for seating or reservations at 440-836-0043. Check out the dining and catering menu at Station43Tavern.com. The restaurant offers a free dinner entrée for anyone turning 43 with a valid I.D.