Future Looks Bright for ABC (the) Tavern

Fans of the West Side Market Café (1979 W. 25th St., 216.579.6800) have Randy Kelley and Linda Syrek to thank for its remarkable turnaround. Since taking over the restaurant three and a half years ago, their team has grown from four employees to nearly 20, and business has never been better. Soon, the duo will attempt to do for ABC Tavern (1872 W. 25th St., 216.861.3857) what it has accomplished for the café. Around Labor Day weekend, Kelley and Syrek will take over operations at this timeless but long-overlooked watering hole.

“Ohio City doesn’t have a true neighborhood bar anymore,” laments Kelley. He cites the loss of Ohio City Tavern and the original Fulton Bar and Grill. He enjoys Old Angle, Bier Markt and Market Avenue Wine Bar as much as the next guy, but he says they are different from what he has planned for ABC. In addition to the booze, the tavern will serve food late into the night. “I don’t want to do the typical pub grub thing,” he says. “Me and my chefs [Matthew Pell and Tim Duchnowski] are working on a short, tight bar menu with some twists on it.”

A few cosmetic alterations are planned for the bar, but don’t expect sweeping changes. “The bar has everything right there – except the people,” notes Kelley. More shocking, perhaps, is the news that after nearly a decade of engagement, Kelley and Syrek finally will be tying the knot later this month.