Cleveland-Ohio Tremont Neighborhood Tavern Celebrates 85th Anniversary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) January 25, 2004 -- Cleveland, Ohio- (January 25, 2004)- Where �good friends meet� has been the motto of Hotz Caf� in Cleveland�s Tremont neighborhood since John Hotz�s grandfather bought and opened the caf� in February 1919. John Hotz became the third generation of his family to run the little neighborhood bar, when he took it over in 1997.

It not only drew the local railroad and steel workers, but celebrities like Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Rocky Colavito and various prize fighters and others through the years. "Babe Ruth came in here and bought a round for everyone. He wrote out a check," John Hotz said. "My grandfather said that was one check he would never cash. We still have it."

Andrew J. Hotz Sr., John's father, took over the tavern and ran it for 50 years. He ran a "tight ship" and didn't allow any problems to even materialize inside, John said. That was well documented when some of the cast and crew of the 1978 movie "The Deer Hunter" stopped by Hotz Cafe. Various Tremont locations were used in the film. "Robert DeNiro, Meryl Streep and others from the movie stopped in here one day after filming," Hotz said. "My dad refused to serve them. He told them to take it somewhere else "My dad threw out Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep!"



Last month, John Hotz and business partner Mike Genco opened Big Guys Pizza located at 2539 West Tenth Street (216-436-8888) next-door to Hotz Caf�.



Big Guys Pizza is a carryout only restaurant, but customers are welcome to take their food next door to eat at Hotz Caf�. Mike Genco recommends the Pierogi Pizza. The crust is layered with butter, onions, potato, and cheese, topped with sauerkraut, and finished with kielbasa.

Ready-to-bake pizzas are available for those who want the taste of freshly baked pizza in the comfort of their own kitchen.



"Our goal at Hotz Caf� and Big Guys Pizza is to treat everyone who enters our doors as though they were guests at our homes. Ultimately, both businesses reflect Hotz and Genco's personalities, and that's why people feel so comfortable here," says Hotz.

"We never let an anniversary go by without a proper celebration," said Betty Hotz, John�s mother. "Many things have changed over the past 85 years, but there is one thing that hasn't -- our friendly service." Betty Hotz, still lives in the family's home above the tavern.



During the month of February and March, Hotz Caf� will celebrate with a few �85th Anniversary� promotions by offering very special prices on some of its delicious foods and beverages. A few of the featured items include pizza by the slice at .85 cents or with a select beverage at Hotz�s for only $1.85.



Hotz Caf� is open 4 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday.



Big Guys Pizza is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.