Newly opened Cool Cat's Counter has a fun vibe and food to match

Bev Shaffer, Canton Repository
·4 min read

JACKSON TWP. - Cool Cat’s Counter, located at 4404 Belden Village St. NW, now occupies the space that formerly was home to Shirley’s Diner.

“We’ve been open just a few weeks, and business is definitely growing as more people find out about us,” co-owner Callie Tootle-Cramer told me on a recent visit.

Look for a new sign on Belden Village Street NW in Jackson Township advertising the newly opened Cool Cat's Counter.
Look for a new sign on Belden Village Street NW in Jackson Township advertising the newly opened Cool Cat's Counter.

Callie Tootle-Cramer and partner Rae Tootle-Cramer also own Sunrise Café in Plain Township, and are planning upgrades to the fast-casual Belden Village site.

“We’re in the process of creating a section at the back of the restaurant for customers to enjoy older, classic games, and our juke box will be installed soon,” said Callie Tootle-Cramer.

While I was there, I ordered some classic diner fare. Hot dogs and sliders are ordered in sets of two, four or six. I was able to mix and match my hot dogs, trying a sauerkraut dog ($5.75 for two) and a PDQ Coney dog with cheese ($7 for two). Both tasted freshly made. The sauerkraut on the hotdog was crisp and generous, and the PDQ Coney sauce topped with cheese was a challenge to eat but I managed. Because both were made to order, neither bun was soggy.

A sauerkraut hotdog with mustard and a PDQ coney dog with cheese were my messy and delicious hotdog duo at Cool Cat's Counter.
A sauerkraut hotdog with mustard and a PDQ coney dog with cheese were my messy and delicious hotdog duo at Cool Cat's Counter.

The varied selection of sliders on the menu (also sold as two, four or six) make choosing difficult. There are four slider categories that include beef, chicken, seafood or vegetarian, clearly something for everyone. The beef category includes classic hamburger or cheeseburger sliders, along with bacon and cheese, Reuben burger or mushroom and Swiss. Chicken sliders list grilled such as BBQ and Buffalo ranch, while the seafood fans can choose battered cod or tuna salad.

My root beer float, made with a generous amount of vanilla ice cream, was made quickly at Cool Cat's Counter.
My root beer float, made with a generous amount of vanilla ice cream, was made quickly at Cool Cat's Counter.

It’s always impressive to see a fast-casual restaurant recognize the needs of all diners, and there are three vegetarian versions – grilled cheese, fajita black bean or Impossible − on the menu. Callie Tootle-Cramer said she is a vegetarian, while partner Rae is vegan. They wanted to recognize these dining choices and offer some tasty options while being mindful of food waste. As customers request and order more vegetarian or vegan options, the offerings will grow.

Specials are offered daily, and Monday is wing day with wings priced at 50 cents, dine-in only. The gentleman at the table next to mine was enjoying his six wings, too busy indulging to share his name.

There’s also a Kittens section (children ages 11 and younger) on the menu – everything from hot dogs and burgers to breaded chicken things with fries, with all options including a drink and a scoop of ice cream at prices ranging from $7 to $8.50.

A refreshing root beer float is my go-to beverage when enjoying diner-style foods. The one at Cool Cat's Counter features a generous serving of ice cream.
A refreshing root beer float is my go-to beverage when enjoying diner-style foods. The one at Cool Cat's Counter features a generous serving of ice cream.

Back to my lunch. A section of the menu is devoted to shareables, and the Onion Petals ($7.50) were definitely more than enough to share. They were a creative offering of small onion petals that were breaded, fried and served with a side of house sauce. My go-to diner beverage is a root beer float ($6), and mine included a 12-ounce bottle of IBC root beer and a generous amount of vanilla ice cream in a cup. It’s worth noting that the ice cream was so generous my root beer pour over was gone long before the ice cream, which then served as my dessert.

This basket of onion petals with house sauce is on the Shareables menu at Cool Cat's Counter.
This basket of onion petals with house sauce is on the Shareables menu at Cool Cat's Counter.

Before leaving, I chatted with a table of three folks who were finishing up their meal. Kayla Keister, who works at Froggy’s Car Wash, said she enjoyed her cheeseburger sliders, and Cody Smith, employed by Natural Gas Equipment Services, told me he liked his Reuben sliders. The third diner said he enjoys coming in on Mondays for the wings and fries.

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There’s a good variety of options on the menu, and all reasonably priced. When one of the owners is there working the lunch service, helping front-end staff explain the menu options to new customers, and checking in on diners, you know they’re committed to succeeding.

Reach Bev at bshaffer@gannett.com or 330-580-8318.

Co-owner Callie Tootle-Cramer helps facilitate lunch service at the newly opened Cool Cat's Counter on Belden Village St. NW in Jackson Township.
Co-owner Callie Tootle-Cramer helps facilitate lunch service at the newly opened Cool Cat's Counter on Belden Village St. NW in Jackson Township.

If you go

WHAT – Cool Cat’s Counter

WHERE – 4404 Belden Village St. NW, Jackson Township

PHONE – 330-639-1005

HOURS – 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Cool Cat's Counter features diner-style foods with a taste for everyone.