If You Grew Up In Cleveland, You Definitely Love These 9 Classic Dishes
By Nikki Rhoades|Published August 28, 2018
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
A lot of different cultures helped shape the lovely city that we call our home. Though their influence has become less apparent over the years, it is best preserved in Cleveland’s best cuisine. But what cuisine is best associated with our city? To answer that you need to look no further than your youth. How many of these delectable treats did you grow up eating?
Somehow, nobody does mac and cheese quite like Midwesterners, and almost every Cleveland family and restaurant seems to have invented their very own spin on this American classic. With so much diversity, nothing can delight a Clevelander quite like this mac and cheese trail.
Nothing says summer quite like taking one of these bad boys hot off of the grill, but Clevelanders won't let the fun stop there. Here, we cover our hot dogs in all sorts of toppings, ranging from coleslaw to mac and cheese. The best hot dogs, of course, can be found at Cleveland's Happy Dog.
Nothing captures the flavors of Cleveland quite like pierogies. Many locals grew up in households that handmade these delicacies, allowing them a bit of versatility when it came to fillings and toppings. We love pierogies and the creativity that comes with them, meaning that a pierogi-filled road trip is a must for every Clevelander.
Ohioans grow the best sweet corn. Period. We love this dish, and we'll eat it grilled, boiled, buttered, salted, or dressed up with all sorts of fancy toppings. We Clevelanders are not a picky people when it comes to this delicacy. For some of the best spots to chow down on this local favorite, check out our recent article here.
Whether you dined in Little Italy or picked up ingredients to prepare at home, this charming Cleveland neighborhood has opened the door for all sorts of awesome recipes. Who knew homemade noodles tasted so much better than store bought?
Our Eastern European population brought a passion for comfort foods to Cleveland, and locals can't get enough of goodies like kielbasa. Whether we chow on these with pierogies or throw on them on a bun and dress them up as a Polish Boy, Clevelanders love this Polish treat.
Pączki are similar to doughnuts, and they're one of the yummiest treats that one can find in Cleveland. Paczki Day is a holiday locals love to celebrate, regardless of their heritage.
Clevelanders love corned beef, and it is available in great abundance throughout local diners and delis. Slyman's, of course, is one of the most famous destinations to get your hands on corned beef, and theirs is known as one of the best and the biggest.
Whether you picked these treats up at a local candy shop or made them at home, Buckeyes are a candy locals can't get enough of. It seems every Cleveland suburb has a shop that makes some up with their own personal flair, and we've all found one recipe that rises above the rest.
There is so much to love about Cleveland, but our local cuisine is perhaps our most glorious feature. Foodies can’t get enough of Cleveland, and it’s not hard to see – or taste – why.
What are some of your favorite classic Cleveland dishes that you loved as a child? Which dishes would you add to this list? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
