If You Haven’t Eaten These 11 Foods, You Haven’t Lived In Cleveland Long Enough
Cleveland truly is a melting pot. People have come here from all over the world, meshing the best parts of their heritage into the culture of one incredible city. From AsiaTown to Little Italy, fascinating cultural contributions come to life, particularly when it comes to culinary masterpieces. Clevelanders can’t get enough of gourmet foods, and we’ve perfected several dishes and made them our own. I hope you’re not reading this article on an empty stomach, because these delicious foods are sure to make your mouth water.
Corned beef is such a startlingly simple dish, but when you get it right... well, it's incredible. Clevelanders really know how to make delicious corned beef, and we serve it up in giant portions on sandwiches that will delight your taste buds. Sound delicious? Then you'll surely love these local dishes.
This charming bakery in Maple Heights has been serving the region since 1949. Many generations have celebrated important events gathered around a cake from Baraona's Bakery, but experts say their cassata cake is out of this world.
I once encountered a West Coast native that settled in Cleveland, and she informed me that she had never heard of a pierogi back home. This is a sad reality for many Americans, but pierogies are not a prominent dish in many states and communities. These delicious dumplings are popular all across Central and Eastern Europe, but Clevelanders have added their own flair to this dish. We produce these doughy goods in a variety of flavors, and locals really can't get enough of them. If you are a pierogi fanatic, you should definitely take a pierogi road trip.
Tommy's Restaurant on Coventry has been delighting Clevelanders since 1972. Shortly after it opened, it was recognized by Rolling Stone as having the best milkshake east of the Mississippi, much to the excitement of locals. The recipe, as you probably guessed, hasn't changed since, but vegan options are available nowadays.
It is a little unsettling at first to hear a Clevelander talking about chowing down on a Polish Boy, but the meal makes perfect sense once it is explained. Imagine a hot dog bun topped with kielbasa, french fries, sauce, and coleslaw. Did your stomach growl? Such a delightful dish is a Cleveland classic, but the modern Seti's Polish Boys food truck truly does it best.
Just a stone's throw from Cleveland is a gas station that appears to be rather mundane. They say not to judge a book by its cover, and that's definitely true when it comes to one Sunoco in Olmsted Falls. Its cafe serves up some of the yummiest hummus in the world, and it is produced with love by area resident Muntaha Dari.
Mitchell's Homemade Ice Cream is a Cleveland favorite, and each delectable batch comes out of their Ohio City kitchen. However, their ice cream flavors that feature local ingredients (like the seasonal Christmas Ale Gingersnap) are delights that locals can't get enough of.
One could rave all day about Melt Bar and Grilled's amazing tofu wings, but the star of the show is (obviously) their famous grilled cheese sandwiches. This delicious childhood snack is piled high with all sorts of delectable additions, and carnivores and vegans can peacefully coexist with their diverse menu options.
Pączki are a special type of Polish doughnut that is almost too delicious to describe. These deep-fried are filled with yummy custards and topped with icing, glaze, or powdered sugar, and they are consumed in great quantity on Fat Tuesday.
Arguably, this addition is more condiment than food, but it is a Cleveland legend nonetheless. Not only does it add a bit of flair to sauces at local restaurants, but it was born in Cleveland. Joe Bertman was a Polish immigrant that was only in his twenties when he started his company, and he was well acquainted with other famous Clevelanders like Chef Ettore Boiardi.
Have you ever come home after a long day at work and grabbed a frozen Stouffer's meal? All you had to do was preheat the oven and keep an eye on the time, and you had a no-fuss meal. You probably didn't even consider the backstory of your easy-peasy meal, but Mahala and Abraham Stouffer started serving food in 1922 at the Cleveland Arcade.
It truly is no wonder Cleveland produced well-known brands like Chef Boyardee – culinary minds are endlessly inspired by the spices and flavors of our rich communities. How many of these familiar foods have you tried?
If you thought these foods were iconic, just wait until you visit these Cleveland restaurants.
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