Admittedly we are fans of Bruce and Tracy Saba’s culinary exploits; their restaurants have provided pleasant memories and good food over the course of decades. They ran the Charcoal House on Talmadge Road for 20 years before it closed in the early 2000s and then have undertaken projects in Sylvania (Kokomo‘s and Saba’s Chop-house) as well as stints at the Erie Street market (TJ‘s Deli) and the Toledo Yacht Club Dock-side Grill, Bistro 1705 (inside the Holiday Inn off Reynolds Road) and now Saba’s Uncommon Bar & Grill, in the shopping center at the confluence of Heatherdowns, Manley and Perrysburg- Holland Roads, next to the space formerly occupied by the Kazmaier’s grocery store.
Welcoming comfort
The interior is updated, cozy and welcoming with an open floor plan and a bar along one wall. Accented with dark wood tables and chairs, ceiling fans provide rhythm and movement while stirring the air, as the black ceiling appears to fade into the sky.
The full bar includes a nice selection of beers on tap, both those from mega breweries as well as the craft brews that have become so popular, along with a full complement of liquors and a short but ample wine selection to choose from.
The dining room is fitted with high top and lower tables in the center of the space ringed by booths, all surrounding a prep station which extends into the dining area. Spanning a whole wall, the bar contains 15 seats with plenty of televisions to watch ‘the game’. All menu items under $20, and most under $15 – “uncommon” indeed!
Uncommon, along with more common, menu items
We started with the coconut shrimp, which came with a piña colada sauce which really tied the dish together. Some in our group thought that the sauce might have a bit of a kick to it, perhaps with horseradish or hot sauce — that’s for you to determine The uncommon egg rolls are a modified rendition of the expected appetizer with the addition of sausage and spices, sufficiently “uncommonizing” them. The guacamole balls, spheres of fresh guacamole — coated and then deep fried — supply a combination of flavors, which hit with the guacamole lovers in our party.
The exceptionally creamy lobster bisque was buttery with plenty of lobster flavor beneath a dusting of paprika. The Smashburger, highly touted on the menu, is recommended for the flavor of quality beef, available with a variety of toppings ($15). Heartier appetites will be satiated with the Mains, including fish and chips, beef and noodles, meatloaf, the grilled steak sandwich or salmon ($15-20). Along with other sandwiches (grilled bologna or chicken, a reuben, French dip and a Club, priced up to $16) and salads (a Chef, Caesar and ‘the kitchen sink’ ($10- 15), the Sabas truly offer something for everyone here.
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We capped our meal with the house- made bread pudding and carrot cake, saving the brownie sundae for another visit. With ample portions and continual attention to preparation, the desserts provided a sweet ending to our dining experience.
Toledo restaurant royalty
The Sabas are Toledo restaurant royalty, and attesting to that is a framed
mirror which hangs in the back of the dining area that was presented to Tracy’s father, Frank Unkle, the former proprietor of the eponymous Frank Unkle’s on Broadway across from the Zoo, with a plaque identifying it as a gift from Toledo restaurant legend, George Mancy.
This is truly a great place for a group to gather with ample bar space and solidly good food. The uncommon characteristics of this grill are its reasonable prices, the quality of the ingredients and the Saba family’s hospitality, too often lacking in chains or non-locally owned entities. What will not be uncommon is our visits to this place, which will be made regularly in the future.
6023 Manley Rd., Maumee
(corner of Perrysburg-Holland,
Heatherdowns and Manley Roads)
(567) 742-7176, sabasuncommon.com
Tues-Fri 11:30am-10pm, Sat 3pm-10pm
Closed Sun and Mon
