With 2011 coming to an end (don’t worry this isn’t a year in review post!) – I’ve been trying to wrap up my 11 in 2011 restaurant list.

With three left and only two days remaining in the year – I don’t think I’m going to make it, but I’m going to put in a good effort.

Tuesday, I texted Suzanne “any desire to go to Sokolowski’s?” – and much to my delight – her answer was “yes”!

Sokolowski’s is a family owned restaurant that has been around since 1923.

Sokolowski’s is also the most shameful restaurant on my list. Shameful in the – I-can’t-believe-I’ve-lived-in-Cleveland-my-whole-life-and-never-been-to-this-Cleveland-staple – sort of way.

It’s surprisingly huge inside – there is a bar area as well as two large dining rooms.

One cool thing about the restaurant is that they serve all their food cafeteria style, which is a fun change of pace.

I had a really hard time deciding what I wanted because I had my heart set on stuffed cabbage but they were out – and then all of the other options looked so delicious – how was I supposed to pick just one?!

I ended up going with the pierogi dinner – which came with my choice of two sides – so I went with cabbage and noodles, and sauerkraut.

Sure – that might be a lot of beige and carbs on one single plate – but let me tell you. Every. Single. Bite. Was. PHENOMENAL!

Amazing!

Suzanne got the stuffed pepper dinner with corn and mashed potatoes – and I do believe she was also VERY pleased!

The serving size really is ridiculous. Both of these plates only cost $7.95, and while we ate lunch at noon – we were both full until well after “dinner time”!

So yeah – the final verdict is…I’m love Sokolowski’s (it totally lives up to the hype!!) and I’m very sad I wasted 29 years of my life NOT going to Sokolowski’s. Especially because it was one of my Grandpa’s favorites, and I won’t ever be able to go with him. I can’t get those years back, but I can try to make them up, moving forward.

Here’s to a 2012 full of Sokolowski’s visits.