Gasoline Alley: Small Town Deli Serves Up Unique Cuisine

In an area where large chain restaurants dominate, it's comforting to know that there is still a place for locals who are "in the know" to hang out near Akron, Ohio. Just a short jaunt west down Market Street, and hanging a right onto Ghent Road will take the hungry to Gasoline Alley, a local diner/deli with enough character and charm to match the great-tasting menu items and the low prices of food.

Gasoline Alley, at 870 N. Cleveland Massilon Road, Akron, 44333, is just north of the Ghent Road/Cleveland Massilon split, in the heart of Bath. Across the street are quaint, local shops and a bakery. The parking lot is small, especially on Friday and Saturday nights, when parking at Gasoline Alley is in high demand.

A walk in the front door will quickly show visitors about all there is to see at Gasoline Alley: some regular tables to the left, high tables to the right and a long bar stocked with barstools. The dessert case is front and center from the door, reminding diners to save room for a treat at the end of their meal. And it's also immediately clear that the place's name is very fitting, with a decor to match the building's past life as a gas station. License plates, road signs and gasoline signs fill the walls, while bicylcles hang from the ceiling.

Regulars and newcomers pack Gasoline Alley on weekends, the regulars bellying up to the bar to say hi to a familiar waitress and order "the usual," while the newcomers stare in wonderment at the decor while waiting for one of the tables to clear up.

Gasoline Alley offers an extensive beer list, including the usual as well as some hard-to-find beers and selections from local breweries. The wine list is perfectly adequate for the non beer drinkers. As far as food goes, you name a deli dish, and Gasoline Alley's got it covered. Appetizers like fried sour kraut balls, onion rings and fries are to die for, while the sandwiches surpass expectations. My personal favorite is the Reuben, with corned beef, cheese, dressing and cole slaw on rye bread, but with over a dozen choices, even a picky eater is bound to find a sandwich they like. The resetaurant also serves fantastic entrees and pizza. You can't go wrong if you go with the daily special, which constantly changes. Vegetarian dishes are also available.

Since Gasoline Alley is rather small, it can fill quickly, resulting in a wait for a table. Stick around, the dining experience is well worth the wait. And you can always have a drink at the bar in the meantime.