30 Cleveland-Based Restaurant Chains That Are Actually Good

Angie’s Soul Cafe

Multiple Locations

If you’re looking for authentic soul food, with the emphasis on the food, check out one of the locations of Angie’s Soul Cafe around Cleveland. They have four locations around town and will open a fifth soon, taking over the former Hot Sauce Williams on Carnegie. The candied yams are a must-try.

Photo via Angie’s Soul Food Cafe/Facebook

Antonio’s

Multiple Locations

Sometimes, you want a pie delivered right to your door. Skip those national chains and order from this local one and you won’t be disappointed. The Picante Pollo and Freddy’s Favorite are two of the better speciality pizzas. Bonus tip: try the fried chicken, you’ll thank us later.

Photo via Antonio’s Pizza/Facebook

Banter

Multiple Locations

Banter is the antidote to serious food in somber settings. It's county fair food with a bowtie, where fries, sausages, and hotdogs are spruced up for a clever crowd. You won't find a better corndog to drag through the mustard, and the crispy, melty fried cheese curds will vanish quicker than the Statue of Liberty at David Copperfield's abracadabra. But most folks come for the poutine, and who can blame them. In addition to their original location in Gordon Square, they’ve recently opened in the new Van Aken Food Hall in Shaker Heights.

Photo via Scene Archives

Barrio

Multiple Locations

Yeah, Barrio has blown up in recent years with locations all over town. But their expansion has just made them more beloved in the eyes of Clevelanders, because now whereever you live, you’re a stone’s throw away from some delicious and inexpensive tacos.

Photo via @Barrio_Cleveland/Instagram

Barroco Grill

Multiple Locations

If you’ve never had an arepa before, you need to head to Barroco ASAP. Arepas, from Colombia and Venezuela, are grilled white tortilla’s stuffed with a variety of ingredients. The ‘La Gringa’, stuffed with braised beef, feta cheese, avocado, chimichurri, greens and mozzarella, and the ‘Buffalo Chicken’ arepa are two of our absolute favorites. Barroco, with locations in Lakewood, Westlake and Larchmere, also has fantastic live Latin music three nights a week. And try one of the merengads for an over-the-top milkshake.

Photo via @BarrocoGrill/Instagram

Bomba Tacos And Rum

Multiple Locations

Paladar Latin Kitchen served its first mojito in Woodmere a decade ago. Since then, owner Andy Himmel has added locations in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Next up for Himmel was Bomba Tacos & Rum, which started in Rocky River and has spread to Fairlawn. Those two Latin-themed taco and rum joints was recently joined by a third in Beachwood and you really have no excuse to hit one of these up because there’s gotta be one close to you.

Photo via Scene Archives

Crust

Multiple Locations

This Tremont pizza joint got a second lease on life when they reopened in January of 2018 below Visible Voice bookstore. Expanding from their previous counter, they still have their mouthwatering pizza, but they added beer, appetizers and homemade subs to turn into a more full-service restaurant. They recently opened on the east side of town as well.

Photo via Scene Archives

Fat Head’s Brewery

Multiple Locations

With their North Olmsted and Middleburg Heights locations, the Pittsburgh-based Fat Head’s is mostly known for their delicious beers like their ‘Sunshine Daydream’ IPA and their ‘Jack Straw” pilsner. Nothing goes better with a cold brew than plump, juicy wings.

Photo via @FatHeadsBeer/Instagram

Geraci’s Restaurant

Multiple Locations

The thick-cut pepperoni (we recommend ordering double-pepperoni) on their pizzas are the stars of the show at this mom and pop Italian restaurant that’s been a family business for over 60 years, opening in 1956. Don’t let that stop you from exploring the rest of the traditional Italian menu, with other staples like spaghetti and homemade meat sauce and eggplant parmesan. Now, you can try their delicious offerings at three locations, one in Pepper Pike and one in Mayfield Heights in addition to their original home in University Heights.

Photo via Geraci’s Restaurant/Facebook

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse

Multiple Locations

What started off in 1988 as a standalone steakhouse on Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights has turned into 5 different restaurant concepts and 13 Hyde Park’s - including three around Cleveland and one in Akron. And while sometimes chains mean lower quality, this franchise has kept up the quality of their delicious steaks, which are seasoned with their special steak butter.

Photo via Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse/Facebook