Winking Lizard Peninsula

Great local sports bar. Food was exactly what you would expect. The wings seemed pre baked then fried to order... Not my favorite but the sauce was good. Onion rings were excellent 👌

Came before a concert. Stayed to enjoy the time there. This is the very first location so lots of nostalgia. Was very clean on the inside. Some older restaurants sometimes aren’t the cleanest. Our server was excellent and even brought sauce samples to make sure we made the right choice. Would definitely recommend. Wing special was just starting at 11 am so if you want wings it’s the way to go.

Winking Lizard was solid! Didn’t realize it was a chain, but, not a bad thing. I really liked the vibe and aesthetic of the restaurant. The menu is pretty vast and includes a lot of American options. The food is solid - nothing crazy but not bad by any means. The prices were extremely affordable and you get a lot of food as well. My dinner came with two sides and bread so it’s definitely a good value. Pretty cool place. Worth checking out if you’re looking for a place to eat pretty close to Cuyahoga Valley National Park!

We ended up here on the fourth of July after a motorcycle ride. The four of us were looking for a cool place to relax and cool off. The parking lot was full but we were able to park close by. We gave our number to the hostess who would text us when our table was ready. We ordered a couple cold beers at the bar while waiting for our table. It wasn't long maybe 20 minutes before I was notified that our table was ready. The place was pretty crowded but our server Nikki assured us she would be with us soon. We had menus and drinks so we weren't in a big hurry. Right from the beginning Nikki communicated with us nicely, telling us everything we needed to know and just being friendly. Any questions we had about menu items were answered promptly. She had no problem with us separating the bill. I ordered the buffalo chicken wrap with steak fries because I have had this before and was happy. The other 3 all ordered the limited time blueberry steak salad. The wait time for the order was a little long but we had drinks and were in no hurry. My wife did ask Nikki about our order and she checked on it immediately. All our orders were brought out within minutes thanks to Nikki. As always Nikki asked us if we needed anything else. My sister discovered that her salad had slivered almonds on it and she is very allergic to them. We flagged down Nikki who was very helpful in reordering her order minus the almonds. We discovered that the almonds were listed on the menu for the specialty salad but none of us noticed it. It was no problem for our waitress Nikki, she brought out another order for my sister within minutes. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal and drinks and our visit to the Winking Lizard in Peninsula. Although they were busy we were treated like family. We will definitely make this a regular stopping spot on our future rides.

Food and service was good. The mac n cheese was not good but the baked beans and the garlic cheese bread were great. Fun atmosphere. Great location when visiting the Cuyahoga Valley National Park

This was a fun lunch stop while riding the Ohio and Erie Towpath Trail. My wife and I shared a beer and a Hanson Burger with Onion rings. It was a very busy place but there was plenty of seating and the waitress were fast and friendly. Burger was done right and the onion rings were just right. We were back on the bicycles in no time.

Went here with my family during the busy holiday season. Good food, friendly service, and a pleasant overall experience. Everything was well done, and I enjoyed my time at this restaurant. Received a pleasant added bonus after leaving the restaurant when I received a Facebook message from manager Heidi L notifying me that she had found my wallet that had fallen out of my pocket while dining in. On top of that, she was willing to ship it to me as I returned home to another state following the holidays. Would 100% recommend.

Finally got a chance to eat at a Winking Lizard Tavern. The atmosphere at the location I visited was very much the definition of a bar and tavern. The decor was fitting, and everything looked good and clean. It was decent. They have an incredible selection of craft beers, beverages and wine. I decided to try a Chicken Philly, and enjoyed a Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout while waiting for my food. I'm not sure if The Tavern knows, but the Samuel Smith oatmeal Stout is traditionally a cask condition beverage. Meaning that it's supposed to be served just under room temperature. It's a menial thing that some are not aware of. But what I'm getting at is my beer was very cold. I enjoyed it anyway. My sandwich and fries showed up, and I asked for some malt vinegar as I usually do, because I've always enjoyed malted vinegar on my fries. What I noticed was the sandwich was not actually a Philly sandwich at all. It was just a char-broiled chicken breast, with Swiss cheese, onions and mushrooms, on a less than 6 in section of garlic bread that was cut in half. I'm not saying it was a terrible sandwich, but every time I bit into it, I was expecting the flavors of an actual Philly sandwich, but was not getting that sensation at all. When I put the malted vinegar on the fries, they became very soggy because they were not exactly thoroughly cooked. Imagine eating a baked potato with salt, pepper and malt vinegar with a very slight crispiness to it. That's what was happening with the oddly cut steak fries. The meal was basic and mediocre at best. The server was amazing though. He checked on us often, and brought drinks in a timely manner. He was polite, courteous and was knowledgeable about what was available on the menu. I hope to try this place again, but I'm going to a different location to see if it's the same.

I have to admit, every Winking Lizard location I've been to, I love. Really! This is my 3rd one and the food is consistently good, as is the beer of course. The service is consistently "sturdy" as the English say. The food menu a a great pub offering of the usual fare of nachos, burgers, pizzas, wraps, wings etc. The difference is, these people are 100% consistent across all locations. That's rare to achieve. That shows good food cost control and quality control across the corporate level. It has a truly fun atmosphere and super friendly staff. I love the branding and even have a "Winking Lizard" mug that I've carried with me through St. Louis, Missouri, Chicago, IL, Cleveland, and now back to St. Louis. I shall miss coming here regularly. Every location is really exceptional. THIS is the place to keep on your "go to" list when you're not sure where you want to go, but do want consistently good pub food with friendly service. STURDY ALL THE WAY!

Yummy food! The best cheese and potato pierogies I've ever had! Our server,Victoria, was attentive and informative. Love her! Fun ambiance with a cellar and full bar. This is a definite go to place if you're ever in Peninsula, Ohio. We went after a long hike at the National Park and it was a perfect ending to a perfect day.

Always have a great time at winking lizard, we stopped in and I tried their September gyro special and it was packed with meat. My husband loved their buffalo chicken salad. We made it in time for happy hour which was a nice bonus off our drinks.

Wonderful service in a neat area. I had the Smash Burger which reminded me of the Roman Burger at Mr. Hero and it was delicious. TV scrreens all over to watch the games. Highly recommended.

Hands down one of the greatest bars / restaurants in NE Ohio. They've got it all... brews, burgers, lizard lips, wangs, and of course, a freaking adorable mascot - the all mighty beasty lizard of the north-easty. Not to mention, centrally located in one of the greatest parks in Ohio - CVNP, right of the towpath, The Wink is a must! What's better than beers & bears? Whenever I feel the desire to pause from fancy fine wining and dining, I typically crawl out of my cave, and mosey on over to the Winking Lizard. The vibes in the restaurant are immaculate - with various areas to be seated, random artwork, and TVs for days to catch the big games. There's also a popcorn machine in the lobby, so you can munch on buttery delicious popped-corns as you wait. The food always hits. I've never been disappointed with my order. They have a wide array of options on the menu, including an extensive beer and liquor menu, which changes each month according to the theme of the month! And, It's especially fun to come during their special nights, like Monday / Tuesday nights for a sale on wings and pizza. I am outrageously particular about my pizza pie, and The Winking Lizard did not disappoint, but rather I left wanting more... I should have ordered one to-go. My mouth is watering just writing about it. Gooey cheese, crisp toppings... chefs kiss. My chicken wings were also scumpdillyoucious. I could drink the Bourbon Barrel sauce out of a bucket, it's that good... like for real... can someone get me a bucket of that sauce? And there's so many other wing sauce flavors too. Even the basic BBQ flavor is so good, and they have it on the tables, so I find myself dunking my fries in the BBQ, almost as intense as LeBron dunking on Golden State in '16 during game 7. And in case you're a psychopath and enjoy pain such in the form of burning your tastebuds and insides away, they've got hot as heck sauces for you mate! Service was also good. While there were large crowds for discounted wangs and Monday night football, our server was still attentive and kind. That's all you can ask. Note parking is limited directly around the restaurant, so if you're going later in the evening, especially on a special deal night, anticipate time to drive around to find a spot. There are a few handicapped spots, right by the door, and a ramp inside to provided accessibility. Additionally, I used the bathroom and it was fine. Nothing too special, but it was clean. I wish they'd have painted a lizard mural on the wall in the restroom, but maybe next time. User preference. BUYER BEWARE: I didn't see a lizard or any reptile during my time there. I was later made aware that typically, the lizard likes to hang out in the front, in its' designated tank and it usually hides. (To be fair, I too usually hide from humans.) But, I thought maybe as the "OG Winking" they'd have lizards roaming around from time to time, similar to the way Rainforest Cafe has animated rainstorms every now and then. This idea sparked a suggestion... it could be kinda fun if they'd have "random" lizard escape parties, where the lizard would "escape" and get to roam the restaurant, just to keep guests even more entertained and thrilled. We could have played "where's the lizard?" Or "Lizard on the Loose" And been awarded prizes for finding the escaped reptile(s)... #FreeTheWinkingLizard (At least free 'em once a week?) Another suggestion, someone needs to contact the band "King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard" and coordinate a show at the Winking Lizard. It would just be totally rad. Lizard Fest?! Overall, I highly recommend and could go on and on. This is one of my fav places to grab a bite, hang with nature, and meet the broskis. You've gotta visit!

Good food and service. Next door to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and close to the falls. Parking is limited.

My salad was delicious. I wish they made this year-round! The staff were very friendly as well.

One of my favorite restaurants in Ohio! Excellent drinks selection! They were even willing to make my veggie burger with no bun for me! The wings are awesome too!

Stopped in the Lizard for the first time in about 3 years and it was just like I remembered. It was bustling at 5 pm on a Saturday. The bar was full. The beer selection is always spot on. The wings were crispy, well sauced. I recommend the Cajun (wet) and spicy garlic. My sister ordered all flats and didn't get hit with an up charge. Service was attentive despite how busy it was. The tables were clean, kid friendly environment. Nice to see this location thriving .

The Winking Lizard is a hidden gem in peninsula. The ambiance is vintage, rustic, and seasonal. The service is awesome. Everyone is super friendly. The food was exceptional. The only reason i didn't give it 5 stars is because the wings didn't have enough sauce on them.

Can't go wrong with 70 cent boneless wings on Tuesdays. Have gone now to the Fairlawn & Peninsula locations during my work trips. Both times got a 32oz beer, boneless wings, & a chicken salad. Beer prices are great. The boneless wings & salad came out quick & at the same time, which is exactly what I wanted. I cut up the boneless wings & tossed them into the salad. Ate half the salad & took the rest home for the next day's lunch. Definitely cannot go wrong with any of their salads. The prices on everything is amazing.

Have no Idea how good it is because they don't allow dogs on their patio. Tourist destination and no love for dogs. So disappointed.

Still love this place check out my other review for more info they want me to have 85 characters so check my other review

This is the best Winking Lizard! The service is top notch! From the hostess to the servers, everyone is kind and professional! And fast! The prices are amazing and the food is delicious and filling! You can't go wrong here.

Been here many times over the summer. Last trip very disappointed in service and food. Came for the clambake, they brought out clams after the main and here is what my clams looked like. They were better in the past, service not what it used to be.

Excellent service. Good food. Highly recommend. Great place for a group outing. Drinks were good too!

I was told my sandwich came with a side when I ordered. I got my bill and was charged $2.95 for it. I was told there was an upcharge for it. Unbelievabley tacky way to suck money from a customer.

Food is quite good, as is the menu selection, and the staff is friendly, however the atmosphere is compromised by the insane number of TVs in the dining area. I understand having several televisions by the bar, but in the dining rooms it is very distracting -- and nobody is watching them! They cover the entire perimeter of the wall. Totally unnecessary.

Good rib special, burgers are also Excellant. Waitrress are all Excellant as well as quick service.All of their locations are run with good management

Started off with the onion rings which were good. Especially dipped in the house bbq sauce. For lunch I got the fish sandwich and my bf got the bayou burger. Both were decent. The burger just lacked a little flavor. We didn't taste any Cajun seasoning. The haddock was decent. Nothing to make me excited to have again but worth trying once.

Ate at one in Akron. Food was not very good. Just no flavor. Gentleman we wer with got a Cajun burger, way over cooked and no Cajun flavor. Portions were large, but just not good..

Great service and great food. Great local, family feeling environment and restaurant. Grilled shrimp were absolutely delicious

Winking Lizard is always a solid spot for food and an amazing selection of beer. This location is unique, being located right off the famous Towpath Trail. A great spot to rest your weary legs and quench your hunger and thirst after riding or hiking the trail. Plenty of seating and the service is always fantastic. Typical Winking Lizard atmosphere. Cozy and comfortable.

Great spot to stop at. Food was great, doesn't seem like 'bar food' at all. We both really liked our food. They have a diverse menu that should meet anyones tastes, so good for a group. Fun, lively, atmosphere, with indoor and outdoor seating. Good music. They have a large beer and whiskey list. Staff were on point. -I had the tavern salad (has corned beef on it) and a side of Mac and cheese. -husband had the Cajun chicken wrap. Not massive, but a good lunch size. Only minor complaint. I got a cup of freshly made ranch dressing with my salad, and it was good ranch. My husband had asked for a side of ranch when he ordered, but was given a sealed cup of grocery store ranch dip (not my favorite, they always taste like sugar to me). We didn't care enough to say anything though, just a heads up I guess.

The Winking Lizard was the perfect spot for lunch close to Cuyahoga National Park! The food was awesome and the service was great as well!! We will definitely be back!

What a neat restaurant!! The food is top notch and the service is as well! My waitress was extremely friendly and informative about the menu. I got the Big Ed burger which was huge!! It was a little over cooked but they were extremely busy and i understand sometimes things get left on the grill just a little too long when it's very busy. That's okay, it was still delicious. The fries were good, and their bbq sauce is to die for! I liked it so much I bought 4 bottles to take back home to Cincinnati with me! I will definitely be back next time I'm in the area.

I always enjoy myself when I'm here. The food is good and I especially enjoy those massive burgers and salads. Their beer selection is beyond rival. This building in Peninsula speaks to me from its early days from when it was part of the Peninsula canal days. I think it's great that the Winking Lizard folks have not taken away the historical character of the old lady. I grew up in the area and recall how the building looked and even the shelf in the main bar room, that was lined with pink elephants, in the 1970s. As a young man, I drank beer in the rock hewn basement bar and love to talk about it. This is a true historical landmark and ties us back to a time when men as hard as the rocks, toiled and made their mark on our river valley. It wasn't always a park. It was, and still is, home.

Went here last night for dinner and came home with terrible food poisoning. Food tasted ok, I got the Cajun chicken salad, and everything looked fresh & cooked well. Right after we finished dinner I started to feel dizzy. I spent the rest of the night sick in the bathroom, I've never had food poisoning so terrible before. Just be warned because there are other reviews on trip advisor also complaining about food poisoning. We like the atmosphere, but unfortunately will not be back, not worth it.

My 11 year old says 16/5 this place is absolutely fire!!! Our waitress was very helpful when we asked about menu items. I had the jerk chicken sandwich and onion rings, very yummy! Hubs had Maui Maui sandwich (teriyaki) definitely delish! 11 year old had a BBQ chicken sandwich, also very yummy! We would definitely eat here again. The BBQ sauce was bomb.com!

Nice place to go , the bar has lots of room and it has a nice patio for the warmer days. The food is good but the serivce is a bit slow, always seems to be busy, with that being said the location is good being close to the National Park, but the parking around it is horrible, never any open spots, you have to park in the Park's parking lots and walk up.

Check-in with my girl Michelle - she's worked her 20 years!! and had the best recommendations for both food and drinks. We had the Cajun Chicken salad and the Teriyaki Chicken plate and both were 10/10. Also loved the Market Garden Progess Pilsner - all great. Place has a cool vibe, plenty of TV's and is located in a super cool spot downtown by the Cuyahoga railway. Great visit!

The best blue cheese dipping sauce for their wings. Chunks of blue cheese. Plus, their wing bone in and boneless ate great. My husband loves everything....including their fries and coleslaw.

It was fine! Pfred's Preferred Pfries hurt my tummy, but I don't think it was their fault (so cheesy! Dairy makes me go like). There were so many TVs that I couldn't focus on my conversation with my beloved. Made me feel like an iPad baby. Maybe would be nice if one of the TVs was playing something that wasn't a sport. Maybe a TV that just plays a nice sitcom. I like Cheers, but I'm not picky.

Capsule review: What Winking Lizard does (kid-friendly sports bar) might not really be my thing, but they're pretty good at it. Full review below. Needed a late lunch spot for six adults and six children after a few hours hiking near Brandywine Falls. Winking Lizard fits the bill for this kind of thing, and managed to get our party seated quickly while providing buy-off-your-hungry-kid essentials such as popcorn and carnival/arcade games (we adults won a thing from the claw, FWIW). The menu is pretty traditional sports bar food (I mean, it's a sports bar), but with a few nice touches for veg-oriented folk (the burger menu has both a black bean and Nestle's entry into the faux meat market). The draught selection is huge, well-chosen, and affordable. In any case, our stuff came out quickly enough that the sizable contingent of young, past-their-lunchtime children did not riot, all of the food was solid, and after a couple of big glasses of Bell's Two Hearted IPA, I was a fan. I think you might be, too. Alas, the representative caged lizard that serves as mascot to each WL was ill and at the vet. Feel better, little lizard.

Food is tasty. Service is friendly. Ambience is fairly homey. I like them especially for carry-out when I'm rushing home with no time to cook.

The Winking Lizard is a great detour stop if you're passing by on I-80. Our friend recommended the place so we decided to stop in for dinner on the way home. Its a pretty nicely laid out restaurant with a full size bar and seating area. I'm not sure how this location has been around but It has fantastic atmosphere and feels as if the place has been open for years. The staff members were all friendly and seemed genuinely happy. They have a tremendous beer list that will have something for everyone. I like sours do I went with the Key Lime Pie Nitro from Left Hand Brewing. It was fantastic. They're famous for their wings but we were craving salad. For this visit we ordered the Crispy Thai Peanut Chicken Salad and the Southwestern Egg Roll from the 'Summer' specials menu as well as the Chopped Lizard Salad. Everything was delicious. The wings looked amazing as they passed by so next visit we'll get some to start. This place is definitely recommended. Enjoy!

I don't like wings and when the hostess said wings were their speciality, I was about to turn back. But I got their wings and they were great. I like the staff. Everyone was friendly. A good vibe.

We went down to the tavern for a hamburger,, salad, and a beer today and to walk the trail, and everything was just as I remembered. We enjoyed our hamburgers, this Lizard makes a good burger. I love their blue cheese hamburger especially, and my husband likes the swiss cheese. My only complaint was they no longer serve the traditional dressing with their spinach salad which made everything taste-off putting in the salad. I tried a few other salad dressings, and nothing seemed to go well with the mix of salad ingredients they used. So, that said, we had a good time overall.

Great food & service. Wonderful bar, too. Inside & outside seating during good weather. Great family place, date night or just a relaxing time in Peninsula Ohio

First time here, KALLIE was our server, and she was fantastic. Had burgers and a French dip and Thai chicken sandwich and all were fantastic. Fun, ambience, and great food. Based on another review, we got the homemade ranch dip are fries in and it was mighty tasty . Bbq sauce lived up to the hype. We would recommend.

Ate a burger that was mediocre at best, tasted like frozen beef, unseasoned I do recommend the wings, perfectly cooked and sauced with a wide variety of flavors. The barbecue sauce is likely the best part of the place with a Smokey taste. The atmosphere is great, the workers are nice and friendly. There was a weird table next to us that was feeding a toy rat which I thought was slightly creepy but I digress

Their wings are the best around and the cocktail hour is great. Love the atmosphere and location in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

No more Bowman's steak and cheese sandwich? What a disappointment. Lots of my favorite menu items removed through the pandemic. No reason for me to go here again. Sadly.

Really the best location. Always consistent. A classic for a reason, located just off the Towpath trail in Peninsula, which is charming town situated in Ohio's only national park. I really like the cheese wedges as appetizer. Burgers are delicious; if you ask for medium, you'll get a perfectly seared patty with a pink middle. The Jerk chicken sandwich is another favorite. Their wings are pretty much always well cooked--crispy on the outside but not dry (and not overly sauced either). Even the pizzas are great if you like a thinner crust. Oh, and their barbecue sauce is seriously addictive. My only small gripe would be that I'd like to see more off-the-beaten path Ohio draft beers on the menu.

We had promoted this Winking Lizard location for years including videos. No more ... Saturday June 5, 2021 ... 2:00 PM your head of house and two other young female employees had us waiting for 15 minutes. We told her that there were several open tables by the front. She refused to look and had us waiting for over 20 minutes. We decided to leave at around 2:20 when a another female waitress approached them and summed it up really well: "three of you at the front"? The older of the three became a bit belligerent to her. We turned in our pager and as we walked around the front ... sure enough ... 3 open tables. She had lied to us that those were for others waiting. There was no one else waiting, She just decided to pick on these 3 seniors ... enjoy your Yelp review.

I come back to my roots in the Cleveland area nearly every July/August, and visit my buddy Ed Svec. He is a regular patron customer of The Winking Lizard in Peninsula, and so am I on my visits, after our biking workouts. On my most recent trip, I can count six trips to "The Lizard." Exceptionally friendly service from Justin the bartender (he makes a killer diet coke and rum), as well a long time employee Michelle. Kara also provided great service. The drinks and food are good, but you just can't beat service that makes you feel like you are at home, and most appreciated as VIP customers. I highly recommend The Winking Lizard in Peninsula - a great spot to enjoy friendship and camaraderie !!!

I love the Winking Lizard. I have been coming here with my family ever since my parents thought my brother and I were old enough to behave ourselves in a restaurant. As a child, getting to go to the place with the live, awesome-looking lizard in the terrarium was a big deal! The Winking Lizard is such a nice place for food and beverages with any fun-loving, chill group of people. You can come looking casual fancy; you can come looking sweaty in athletic wear after a walk or bike ride on the Towpath. I've even been on a first date here, after my Tinder match and I ran 10 miles! The restaurant looks great no matter where you sit: the bar, the tables around the main room with the bar, the room to the right of the doorway, the tables on the glass-windowed porch. You should also head down to the whiskey cave in the basement to check it out. The servers are always friendly and competent. The food is well-made pub fare, with a great selection of salads that are both healthy and fun to eat. There are TVs with sports in the main rooms. Prices are extremely reasonable but not too cheap that you have suspicions about the quality. What's the best part of the Lizard? THE BEER MENU. It is insanely large and awesome. Whatever style you like, you can find it here. If I lived in the area, I would totally do their beer club, the Tour of Beers. There are a ton of Winking Lizards around Northeast Ohio, including one quite close to the house in which I grew up. But we always go to the one in the Valley, so that's the one that I like best. The original Winking Lizard is in Bedford Heights. If you are a visitor to the CLE, you def need to get slizzard at the Lizard.

We went to The Winking Lizard today for lunch. We were promptly sat in the Bar area at a table in front of five televisions to catch the latest sport games. Our waitress, Katelyn was very sweet and attentive. I ordered a beer from the World Tour of Beers. Maui Brewing Company Pineapple Mana Wheat Ale. We ordered several wings: mild and spicy sesame sauces. They were crispy and meaty. Both came with creamy blue cheese dressing and celery. Right after the wings were served, our sandwiches arrived. There was no spacing between the appetizer and our entreès. I ordered a Turkey Burger. A juicy ground turkey burger served on a multi-grain roll with melted Muenster cheese, lettuce and tomato. Served with a roasted red pepper sauce on top to complement it. However, after a couple bites, I realized I had received a hamburger with swiss cheese on top. The rice pilaf was delicious. My (incorrect) burger was cooked perfect. Katelyn offered to replace it and the manager took it off our bill. They were very welcoming. The kitchen and runners need to pace the food courses and double-check the table orders.

I wouldn't take my dog to this place our meals sucked one person in our party ordered the haddock fish dinner it was very dry onion rings burned on menu was one price got bill different price waitress told us the sides but didn't say there was an up charge for onion rings.Waitress also said all burgers were $9.00 on Sunday charged us $13.00 when we asked why charged $13.00 she said $9.00 was only good till 3:00 Thanks for ripping us off . Talk to manager he said that's the way it is.Wouldn't back up bad information from waitress.Also that meals were very dry and came out on cold side. And beware if you park on the street if you don't pay for parking online you will get a ticket $25.00 we will not be traveling to peninsula Ohio again