Bonnie’s celebrates 70 years in Fairview Park
By Cynthia Schuster-Eakin
Insights
Published June 17, 2009

Although a lot has changed in Fairview Park since Bonnie’s Bar and Grill opened 70 years ago, the tavern remains one of the community’s most popular gathering places.

Owners Jim and Terri Krejci are in the process of polishing up the landmark, and attracting a new generation to carry on the Bonnie’s tradition.

“We’re revitalizing the Bonnie’s name,” Jim Krejci said. “We are trying to bring the place back to what it once was.”

The Krejcis are the sixth owners. The original proprietors were Fred and Grace Bonie.

“We are going back to old-fashioned basics,” Krejci explained. “We provide good food, good service and a clean atmosphere for our customers.” The Krejcis have brightened and modernized the décor and added a new menu.  You can still order Bonnie’s famous beer-battered fish fry. But, you will find some new twists to the menu, which changes seasonally.

Krejci said they make everything on the menu from scratch. They batter and fry their own onion rings and the French fries are fresh cut. The salads are made with Romaine lettuce, not Iceberg or pre-packaged. The burgers are hand-pattied, never frozen ground beef chuck, he said.

Jumbo chicken wings ($6.19 a dozen) are tossed in your choice of house sauces, including Buffalo garlic Parmesan, dry Cajun, spicy ranch, bourbon and Caribbean jerk sauce. Bonnie’s fries are smothered with chili, melted cheese, bacon and scallions and topped with sour cream ($4.99). “Dog bites” are all-beef hot dog slices, beer-battered and fried and served with golden mustard for dipping and hand-cut fries ($6.99).

Other appetizers are deep-fried green beans served with spicy ranch dressing ($5.99) and Asian pork pot stickers ($6.99). Homemade beer-battered mushrooms are spiced up with horseradish dipping sauce ($5.99).

Bonnie’s Fiesta chicken salad tops Romaine with corn, black olives, black beans, diced tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, baked chicken breast and salsa ranch dressing ($7.99). Baby spinach is garnished with dried cranberries, Mandarin oranges, crispy fried onions and served with raspberry vinaigrette ($7.99).

The French dip sandwich is made with slow-roasted prime rib, piled on French bread with melted mozzarella cheese and au jus ($8.99), Krejci said. They roast and slice pork loin for the Cuban-style pork sandwich, which also includes ham, sliced pickles and melted Swiss cheese ($6.99). The meatballs and marinara for the meatball sub are house-made ($6.99).

Krejci said they cut their own boneless pork chops, slow-cook them and serve them with gravy, mashed potatoes and vegetables ($9.99). St. Louis-style pork ribs are served with two side dishes and garlic bread ($8.99 for a half slab, or $15.99 for a full-slab dinner). The beer-battered or breaded Lake Erie perch dinner is available in regular size ($11.99) or large size ($14.99). Potato and cheese pierogies are smothered with sautéed onions and served with sour cream and applesauce ($7.99). Fresh grouper is broiled in garlic butter and accompanied by rice, vegetable and salad ($11.99). Prime rib is available every Saturday evening.

Dessert selections vary daily. Bonnie’s also has a children’s menu. “We’re a very kid-friendly establishment,” Krejci noted.

Menu and happy hour specials are featured daily. Food is served until closing.

As part of Bonnie’s 70th birthday celebration, the tavern is featuring 70-cent drinks, dogs and sliders on the third Wednesday of every month. Stop in and introduce yourself to Jim and Terri Krejci. “We are here to greet people,”Krejci said. “We have put a lot of love into this place.”

Bonnie’s Bar and Grill is at 22811 Lorain Road. Phone (440) 734-3276.