10 Things You Can Only Brag About If You’re from Cleveland

We call them "po’ boys", but these decadent sandwiches are an amalgamation of juicy kielbasa, crispy french fries, spicy barbecue sauce, and cool coleslaw on a soft bun. They’re way too delicious to call any city other than Cleveland home.

While many other big cities are infamous for their excessively long commute times and frustrating traffic jams, Cleveland doesn’t have to worry about any of that. While we do see an occasional backup, our highway systems are some of the least congested in the country despite being heavily traveled.

Rated the #1 hospital in the state of Ohio and the #2 hospital in the United States, the Cleveland Clinic is right at home in its namesake city. In fact, if you’re going to have a heart attack, there’s no better place to have it than Cleveland: The Cleveland Clinic is the top cardiac hospital in the country.

The top player in the NBA calls Cleveland home. Yeah, yeah… we know he "took his talents down to Miami" back in 2010, but he’s home now where he belongs—and he’s never been a better. After all, he had a big hand in breaking Cleveland’s sports championship drought in 2016. He really is the king of Cleveland.

Cleveland is the official birthplace of the beloved American music genre, and because of this, we also get to brag about that ridiculously amazing building next to First Energy Stadium right on the lakefront: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: 1100 E. 9th St., Cleveland, OH 44114)

Cleveland is home to a live theater district that is second only to New York City’s famous Broadway: Playhouse Square. Our live theater offerings are ample and diverse, and we often run famous Broadway plays right after they finish up in the Big Apple.

Actually, if you’re from Cleveland, you probably know this Little Italy-derived staple simply as cassata cake. Truth is, though, that delicious combination of buttery cake, whipped cream, strawberries, and rich custard is a Cleveland creation, and you should probably go eat some right now.

Clevelanders know what a gem our West Side Market is, and they aren’t afraid to tell everyone about it. This nationally recognized public market is one of the oldest in the country, and the food inside is nothing short of phenomenal. Smokies in at least a dozen flavors, apple fritters the size of a newborn, Frank’s iconic brats, gyros so good they’re worth waiting in an hour-long line, and homemade pierogi are just some of the things you absolutely must brag about. (West Side Market: 1979 W. 25 St., Cleveland, OH 44113)

The Cleveland Metroparks has been rated among the best in the county, and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers breathtaking nature views. Squires Castle (pictured), the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, zoo, many public golf courses, equestrian trails, and even scenic swimming beaches are beautiful and boast-worthy.