Gravity Ohio exists to help mentor and support ambitious culinary talent to help fuel a thriving independent local food scene.
One night, while doom-scrolling, I stumbled across a review of a massive sandwich and a salad that looked too good to be true.
Turns out, the place was just blocks from my office.
I called 500 Park Ave. Cafe (yes, that’s also the address) to see if they’d let us stop by. Within minutes, I could tell I liked the owner, Vivian Evanhoe. She spoke with warmth and purpose, sharing her love for the community and her desire to feed its people well.
Vivian never planned to be a restaurant owner, or even thought of herself as much of a cook.
“I’m bad at cooking, I never cooked in my family,” she said. “I have sisters, and they are the best at cooking. And my mom, she was awesome.”
However, in 2020, when a friend suggested that she take over the location during the pandemic, she took a chance. On May 26, she celebrated five years in business, building a loyal following because of the care, consistency, and love she puts into every dish.
Miss Viv, as her regulars call her, runs the show on her own. She takes the orders, cooks everything fresh, packs it all up, and still finds time to connect with everyone who walks through the door. This isn’t just about food. It’s her art. Her favorite part is watching customers’ faces light up when she shows them the meal she just made. It brings her joy every time.
The dining area is small, just a couple of tables, so most people get their food to go. But even if you’re only inside for a few minutes, Miss Viv makes it count.
When we stopped by, I asked to try whatever she recommended. I was willing and open to her whims.
I thought I’d try a sandwich or two, but Miss Viv made me seven different dishes.
A BLT. Buffalo ranch salad. Vivian’s Specialty Sub. A towering club sandwich. Gyro-loaded fries. Fries for dunking in her secret sauce. Then, halfway through our conversation, she jumped up to fry okra on the spot, just because I’d casually mentioned I’d never tried it.
That’s Miss Viv in a nutshell: feeding you like family, whether it’s your first time through the door or your fiftieth.
The BLT was a masterclass in doing simple things right. Crispy, thick-cut bacon, tomato, and lettuce on toasted white bread. No extras, no frills — just balance and texture. A reminder that when it’s done well, a classic doesn’t need fixing.
The Buffalo ranch salad is what every soggy desk salad wishes it could be. Crisp romaine. Juicy tomatoes. Bright banana peppers. Crunchy cucumbers. Crispy chicken. And then the magic: the trifecta of her secret sauce, Buffalo, and ranch. It had acid, it had heat, it had crunch. The kind of balance that makes you forget you’re eating a salad.
Vivian’s Specialty Sub was every meat-lover’s heaven. Ham, roast beef, pastrami, turkey, salami, melty cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and more of that secret sauce. Everything a deli sandwich should be.
The club sandwich was a Scooby-Doo tower of turkey, ham, bacon, cheese, tomato, and mayo on three slices of toasted bread. It was comically tall. Miss Vivian does not skimp.
The gyro fries were crispy, thicker-cut, and blanketed in seasoned lamb, cheese, and served with a side of her homemade tzatziki, which was a bright, clean contrast to the warm savory lamb.
And speaking of sauces, her secret sauce deserves its own fan club. It was creamy, a little spicy, and good on literally everything. If she ever bottles it, I’ll take three.
Before I left, I asked Vivian if any of her recipes connected back to her roots. Her family is from Israel, and while she didn’t grow up cooking, a few dishes on the menu pull from those familiar flavors. One of them is tau wouk, a Middle Eastern chicken and rice dish with onions, green peppers, and warm, savory spices.
I didn’t have room to try it on my first visit, but I made sure to come back, and I’m so glad I did.
The tau wouk was like a warm hug. The rice, seasoned with turmeric and warm curry-style spices, was comforting without being heavy. Each element on the plate was individually seasoned: juicy chicken, tender onions and peppers, and a creamy, slightly spicy sauce on top.
Everything paired perfectly with the side salad, which was bright, acidic, and topped with feta, fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and a sprinkle of za’atar.
The house-made dressing gave it an almost Italian-style zing, sharp enough to contrast the cozy warmth of the tau wouk without clashing. If you order it spicier than I did, the salad will be your best reprieve. I’m not even a salad girlie, but this makes two now that I’d happily order again and again. Miss Viv is turning me.
And because she’s Miss Viv, and incapable of letting anyone leave underfed, she brought out a Philly cheesesteak just because she thought I should try it. And without a doubt, it’s one of the best I’ve had. Toasted bread brushed with garlic butter that soaked up all the juices without getting soggy. It was filled with tender meat, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, a swipe of mayo, and creamy cheese.
This time, while I was eating, another customer walked in, Bessie Hairston from Cleveland, and she immediately lit up talking about the food. Her go-to order is the gyro salad and the fried mushrooms.
“She’s got her own dressing and it’s just a flavor you haven’t tasted before… I came back because I told my brother and my mom about it. They like salads too, so I said, ‘Ya’ll are gonna go crazy over this salad,’” Bessie shared.
That kind of reaction isn’t rare here. Vivian takes her time, makes everything to order, and keeps it consistent. Bessie said it best: “I don’t care, I’ll wait. I’ll wait patiently for it.”
If you order on Doordash or glance at one of her printed menus, those aren’t stock photos; you’re looking at the real food she serves every day. She’s proud of that. If it’s not something she’d eat herself, it doesn’t go out the door. That kind of standard is rare, and you can taste the difference.
I enjoyed everything I tried, but what lingers most isn’t just the food, it’s Miss Viv herself. She’s warm, driven, creative, and pours care into every detail. This café isn’t just a business. It’s her art, her community, and her way of spreading joy, one meal at a time.
I left (very) full, but more than that, I left grateful. For people like her and places like this. The ones you pass a dozen times without knowing they’re about to become a new favorite.
This is exactly what I hoped for when we started Bite Club.
Thank you, Miss Viv.
Check out other reviews and maybe find your next favorite dish along the way!
👇 Let me know where to go next!