📰 54 years ago, Tommy’s changed how Cleveland eats

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: Remember “The Decision”? Turns out there may be more twists to the story. We’re reopening the case 🏀👑

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

Vegetarian and vegan options have become staples of restaurants. Fast-growing burger chain Slutty Vegan is coming to Cleveland.

Thing were very different when Tom Fello opened his pioneering new restaurant in Coventry 54 years ago.

Since 1972, Tommy’s has been ground zero for a new food movement.

“People had no idea what vegetarianism was,” says Fello. “There was one other place in the city – Genesis 1:29 -- you could call a vegetarian.”

Fello never imagined he would become a restaurant revolutionary.

He was a teenager working the soda fountain and selling pre-made burgers wrapped in cellophane at a Coventry drugstore when a light went off.

“The owner was Lebanese and his wife would bring him this great food for lunch,” says Fello. “I was like, ‘Why don’t we sell this stuff instead of these garbage burgers?’”

Boom!

The counter became a magnet hippies who were part of an ecological movement that called for the ethical treatment of animals.

“It tapped into growing dietary concerns,” says Fello. “I let customers create their own sandwiches – it was about giving them a choice.”

It was decades before build-your-own became a trend – and Tommy’s still adheres to the concept with dozens of food offerings, to go with its homemade milk shakes.

It remains one of the area’s most popular restaurants – for the food, but also because it treats customers as participants.

“So many places have come and gone,” says Fello. “I feel so lucky for our longevity and the warmth we’ve gotten from people that come here – more than customers, they’re family.”

Next week, our 216 Insider special edition newsletter will explore the rise of vegetarian and vegan culinary movements, from Tommy’s to a wave of restaurants with more diverse offerings.

LeBron’s indecision is driving fans crazy for clues.

Cleveland has the baker, who proclaimed on a sport talk show that, “LeBron James is 95% coming to Cleveland.”

LeBron’s path to Miami features a weirder turn.

The Heat’s official YouTube channel briefly listed (then deleted) a scheduled livestream titled "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference" set for July 27.

The description welcomed him back as a member of the Heat.

The team said it was merely preparing materials for a possible signing but accidentally made the placeholder public.

Screenshots spread like wildfire on X, with betting sites making the team favorites to land The King of Drama.

Then came posts that his 11-year-old daughter, Zhuri, enrolled into a Fort Lauderdale school.

LeBron loves to be in the center ring of a circus and was ‘irritated’ that he was being pressured by NBA commissioner Adam Silver to make his decision soon.

Which only brings more attention to the drama… Just what LeBron wants.

I’ve never seen so many people striking Christ-like poses.

And yet it worked: Within seconds, a crucifixion painting appeared on the screen of “Strike a Pose.”

It’s one of several immersive exhibits that use motion tracking to create playful interactions with visitors in the Cleveland Museum of Art’s reimaged ArtLens gallery.

The 10,000-square-foot space builds on Gallery One – a multimedia, interactive concept  launched in 2012.

It received international acclaim for its pioneering use of visual, auditory, tactile, and movement-based interactions.

“ArtLens Reimagined reflects the CMA’s commitment to continually finding new ways to connect people with art,” said director William M. Griswold.

Previous ArtLens iterations resulted in visitors spending more time there and looking more closely at art. It also boosted the confidence of those less familiar with art.

ArtLens uses generative AI and AI-powered voice conversations to interact with visitors.

That’s the point: To make the museum less intimidating and attract younger people.

The idea is to also make art fun — and a crowd of people laughing as they flapped their arms like birds proved the point.

FRIDAY

Kevin Nealon: The SNL alum, ‘Weeds’ actor and host of ‘Hiking With Kevin’ series brings dry wit and deadpan humor to Hilarities. 6:30 and 9:15 p.m. (Also performs Saturday-Sunday). Info.

Zeds Dead: The Toronto electronic duo that mixes dubstep, UK garage and drum and bass performs a career-spanning show at Jacobs Pavilion. 7 p.m. Info.

SATURDAY

Christmas in July: The House from ‘A Christmas Story’ hosts a themed party with tours. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Info.

A Taste of St. Casimir: Founded in 1891, the historic Polish Catholic church hosts its annual bash with pierogi, kielbasa, a beer garden and bands. 2-10 p.m. (Also 12:30-7 pm. Sunday.) Info.

SUNDAY

Opera in the Italian Garden: The Cleveland Opera & Cleveland Ballet Theater performs opera and Broadway classics in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. 6 p.m. Info.

Idina Menzel: The singer of those ‘Frozen,’ ‘Rent’ and ‘Wicked’ hits performs with the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center. 7 p.m. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

A shot of tequila, a taco, a margarita – then do it all over again. Ole, Tequila Fest Cleveland boasts 50+ tequilas, food trucks, vendors and bands. 3-9 p.m. Saturday at Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. Info.

Two more fests this weekend:

Ohio City Food Truck Festival: Two days of food trucks, entertainment, and local makers and vendors courtesy of Cleveland Bazaar. 5-9 p.m. Friday and noon-8 p.m. Saturday in Novak Park. Info.

Riverside Cemetery Music and Arts Festival: The resting place of Hannes Tiedeman -- the industrialist who built Franklin Castle -- hosts this annual bash, with music, food and vendors. Goths and history buffs love the tours. 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Info.

Central Market, 1982. Opened in 1856, the market was part of a rapid growth of public markets in the Cleveland. It was torn down to make room for what is now Progressive Field and Rocket Arena.

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop on Facebook & @scoopcle on Instagram to get your photos in the Scoop!

78 °F 🌡️ 66 °F | ⛅ (Partly Cloudy) | 3% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 10 mph ENE (≈ 9 knots)

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Away vs. Rays, 7:10 PM July 24 (Friday)

Away vs. Rays, 6:10 PM July 25 (Saturday)

Away vs. Rays, 12:15 PM July 26 (Sunday)

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