7 Strange Food Combinations Only People In Cleveland Will Love

Skyline chili. This dish is infamous for coming from Ohio - fortunately, it didn't come from Cleveland. Some people love it and crave it often, whereas others despise it... such a divisive food could never come from The Land, right? Well... not exactly. Cleveland has its own outlandish dishes, and many of these would boil the blood of out of towners. Don't believe us? Just check out these unusual dishes from Cleveland:

1. Polish Boy

If you respond to "hey, watcha' eatin'?" with "Polish boy" anywhere other than Cleveland, you're sure to raise a few eyebrows. This conglomerate of kielbasa, coleslaw, fries, and sauce is a classic Cleveland dish, and it's surprisingly pretty good.

2. Pizza Bagels

Once upon a time, some genius decided to combine pizza ingredients with freshly cooked bagels... and this strange combination caught on instantly. Many have claimed to have invented this unusual and ingenious dish over the years, including one bagel shop in South Euclid that's since closed. If their claims hold any truth, than Greater Cleveland just may be the source of this delicious food combination.

3. Coconut Bars

What's strange about a cake smothered in chocolate and then sprinkled with generous portions of shredded coconut? Nothing, at face value... but this surprisingly simple dessert simply can't be found anywhere outside of Cleveland. These super-sweet treats can be found in local bakeries and local markets alike, and they're a treat locals love to introduce to the next generation.

4. The Parmageddon or Parmageddonator

Clevelanders love pierogi, and one local restaurant has figured out a totally unique way to serve this beloved dish. How, you ask? By piling them (along with other delicious ingredients) on top of a grilled cheese sandwich. This delicacy can be found at a Melt Bar and Grilled location near you.

5. Pierogi Pizza

Speaking of pierogi, this delicious dish pairs perfectly with an Italian favorite: pizza! You can pick up this specialty from places like P Jay's Pizza, or you can swing by the West Side Market for ingredients to make it yourself. Either way, you're in for an absolute treat!

6. Bratwurst Sandwich

Frank’s Bratwurst at the West Side Market has been serving up bratwurst sandwiches for decades, and this trend has slowly spread throughout Cleveland. Instead of a bun, a bread roll is sliced in half and stuffed with bratwurst, sauerkraut, and mustard. Mmm!

7. Slyman's Corned Beef

According to the internet (because who actually has time to figure these things out?), the average homemade sandwich weighs about 200 grams, though it varies depending on ingredients. That's equivalent to roughly 7 ounces - which is about half the size of the average corned beef sandwich from Slyman's. Here in Cleveland, bigger is better when it comes to sandwiches. While corned beef is the primary ingredient in this stacked sandwich, the strangest thing about this dish is doubtlessly its incredible size.

Which of these strange food combinations is your favorite? Are there other odd delicacies in Cleveland that we missed? Let us know in the comments below!