22 Family-Owned Cleveland Eateries That Stand the Test of Time

By on Fri, May 4, 2018 at 3:29 pm

Most Cleveland eateries come and go, but not these classics. These family-owned restaurants, bakeries and food businesses were built to last and they survive still because of the love and dedication of their original proprietors — who either continue to own them, or have passed them down to a new generation. These are the special places that are carrying on food traditions, just the way grandma would have wanted.

Most Cleveland eateries come and go, but not these classics. These family-owned restaurants, bakeries and food businesses were built to last and they survive still because of the love and dedication of their original proprietors — who either continue to own them, or have passed them down to a new generation. These are the special places that are carrying on food traditions, just the way grandma would have wanted.

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Honey Hut Multiple Locations Frank and Marianne Page started Honey Hut in 1973. Today, their grandson Jonathan Rosati owns and operates their five locations and serves up delicious ice cream to Clevelanders all over town. Photo via @Honey_Hut/Instagram

Honey Hut

Multiple Locations

Frank and Marianne Page started Honey Hut in 1973. Today, their grandson Jonathan Rosati owns and operates their five locations and serves up delicious ice cream to Clevelanders all over town.

Photo via @Honey_Hut/Instagram
Slyman’s 3106 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland In 1964, Rafic Abdallah emigrated from Lebanon and opened a restaurant. A few years later, he sold it to his brother-in-law Joseph Slyman and the rest is history. Eventually, Joseph’s sons Freddie and Joe took over and still serve their signature corned beef sandwiches that are as big as your head. Photo via Scene Archives

Slyman’s

3106 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland

In 1964, Rafic Abdallah emigrated from Lebanon and opened a restaurant. A few years later, he sold it to his brother-in-law Joseph Slyman and the rest is history. Eventually, Joseph’s sons Freddie and Joe took over and still serve their signature corned beef sandwiches that are as big as your head.

Photo via Scene Archives
Aladdin’s Multiple Locations Fady Chamoun and his wife Sally opened the first Aladdin’s in Lakewood in 1994. Since then, the restaurant has expanded to close to 30 locations and their son Fares has come aboard and helped modernize the restaurants. Photo via @AladdinsEatery/Instagram

Aladdin’s

Multiple Locations

Fady Chamoun and his wife Sally opened the first Aladdin’s in Lakewood in 1994. Since then, the restaurant has expanded to close to 30 locations and their son Fares has come aboard and helped modernize the restaurants.

Photo via @AladdinsEatery/Instagram
Mediterranean Imported Foods 1979 West 25th St., Cleveland Third generation West Side Market vendors, the Kantzios and Mouginanis families, have been selling a wide variety of products to Clevelanders since 1969. They specialize in Mediterranean food, including salads, cheeses, olive oils, breads and olives. Photo via Scene Archives

Mediterranean Imported Foods

1979 West 25th St., Cleveland

Third generation West Side Market vendors, the Kantzios and Mouginanis families, have been selling a wide variety of products to Clevelanders since 1969. They specialize in Mediterranean food, including salads, cheeses, olive oils, breads and olives.

Photo via Scene Archives
Mama Santa’s 12301 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Guido and Nancy Scaffidi started this beloved Little Italy pizza joint in 1961. Their sons Anthony and Danny, who have worked at the restaurant their whole lives, took it over and have been serving award-winning pizzas and pastas since 1996. Photo via Mama Santa’s/Facebook

Mama Santa’s

12301 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland

Guido and Nancy Scaffidi started this beloved Little Italy pizza joint in 1961. Their sons Anthony and Danny, who have worked at the restaurant their whole lives, took it over and have been serving award-winning pizzas and pastas since 1996.

Photo via Mama Santa’s/Facebook
Campbell’s Sweets Multiple Locations The origins of this company come from Amos Campbell, with his Karmelkorn franchises known for candied popcorn. His son Jeff followed in his footsteps to create Campbell’s Sweets, which started as a stand at the West Side Market in 2004. Their award-winning Dichotomy Corn, a combination of caramel corn and cheesy popcorn, is a must try. Photo via @CampbellsSweets/Instagram

Campbell’s Sweets

Multiple Locations

The origins of this company come from Amos Campbell, with his Karmelkorn franchises known for candied popcorn. His son Jeff followed in his footsteps to create Campbell’s Sweets, which started as a stand at the West Side Market in 2004. Their award-winning Dichotomy Corn, a combination of caramel corn and cheesy popcorn, is a must try.

Photo via @CampbellsSweets/Instagram
Johnny’s Bar 3164 Fulton Rd., Cleveland The Santosusso has been serving up Italian fare to Clevelanders in the same location since 1920. It originally was named Louise’s Garden and became Johnny’s Bar in 1952 and was formerly a speakeasy and grocery store but it’s current iteration dates back to the 1980s. Photo via Scene Archives

Johnny’s Bar

3164 Fulton Rd., Cleveland

The Santosusso has been serving up Italian fare to Clevelanders in the same location since 1920. It originally was named Louise’s Garden and became Johnny’s Bar in 1952 and was formerly a speakeasy and grocery store but it’s current iteration dates back to the 1980s.

Photo via Scene Archives
Jack’s Deli 14490 Cedar Rd., University Heights In 1980, Jack Markowitz started Jack’s Deli with his sons Alvie and Harry, to serve up Jewish deli food to Clevelanders. Jack passed away in 2002 and Harry moved out of town but Alvie still runs the successful deli today with business partner Gary Lebowitz. Photo via Jack’s Deli and Restaurant/Facebook

Jack’s Deli

14490 Cedar Rd., University Heights

In 1980, Jack Markowitz started Jack’s Deli with his sons Alvie and Harry, to serve up Jewish deli food to Clevelanders. Jack passed away in 2002 and Harry moved out of town but Alvie still runs the successful deli today with business partner Gary Lebowitz.

Photo via Jack’s Deli and Restaurant/Facebook
Irene Dever Dairy 1979 West 25th St., Cleveland This dairy stand was started at the West Side Market in 1971 by Irene Dever. Now operated by her daughter Diane, they continue to sell delicious dairy products, including homemade hand cut butter, cheeses, dips and salads. Photo via Irene Dever Dairy/Facebook

Irene Dever Dairy

1979 West 25th St., Cleveland

This dairy stand was started at the West Side Market in 1971 by Irene Dever. Now operated by her daughter Diane, they continue to sell delicious dairy products, including homemade hand cut butter, cheeses, dips and salads.

Photo via Irene Dever Dairy/Facebook
Herb’s Tavern 19925 Detroit Ave., Rocky River Herb and Bobbie Brugh started this Rocky River tavern in 1963 and owned and operated it for 50 years. In 2014, their daughter Kim Berry took over and has been running it ever since. Photo via @Herbs_Tavern/Instagram

Herb’s Tavern

19925 Detroit Ave., Rocky River

Herb and Bobbie Brugh started this Rocky River tavern in 1963 and owned and operated it for 50 years. In 2014, their daughter Kim Berry took over and has been running it ever since.

Photo via @Herbs_Tavern/Instagram
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