The 30 Things You Should Eat in Cleveland Before You Die

Sacchetti al Tartufo Bianco at Luca

2100 Superior Viaduct., Cleveland

This Italian spot is known for one of the best dishes in town; the Sacchetti al Tartufo Bianco which consists of fresh pasta purses stuffed with white truffle, 24-month aged pecorino Romano, 20-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano and ricotta cheeses, finished with white truffle cream sauce and aged fig balsamic. Yes, it’s as good as it sounds.

Photo via Scene Archives

Fried Chicken and Waffles at Soho Chicken + Whiskey

1889 West 25th St., Cleveland

If you want to eat the best chicken and waffles, you head straight to a Southern restaurant. Since opening, this Ohio City bistro has paired perfect fried chicken with heaven-scented waffles and some of the most addictive housemade hot sauce around to create a winner, winner chicken dinner.

Photo via Scene Archives

Omakase at Ginko

2247 Professor Ave., Cleveland

If you take a seat at the Ginko sushi bar and say “Omakase,” you will have the best sushi-eating experience available in Cleveland. Working with the highest quality of fish, the chefs there will slice and present a sparkling parade of sashimi that almost looks too good to eat.

Photo by Douglas Trattner

Barberton-Style Fried Chicken at White House Chicken

180 Wooster Rd. N., Barberton

Famous for its unique style of fried chicken, one rooted in Serbian recipes, the town of Barberton once had as many as half a dozen places all preparing similar versions of the dish. Many are long gone, but White House is still here and doing it right. The bird is never frozen and always fried in lard, producing a glistening copper crust.

Photo via Scene Archives

French Fries at Tommy’s Restaurant

1824 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights

Known for their vegetarian and healthy options, this Coventry Road staple has been serving up Clevelanders since 1972. While they had vegetarian and vegan options before those became popular, they have more than just healthy options. The thick-cut french fries are the best in town. Throw some salt and malt vinegar on and you’re good to go.

Photo via Tommy’s Restaurant/Facebook

Steve Gyro’s at the West Side Market

1979 West 25th St., Cleveland

When a gyro is featured on Food Network’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate”, you know it’s serious. A heaping pile of absolutely lamb is placed upon a fresh pita and served with lettuce, tomato and tzatziki sauce for the best gyro around.

Photo via Steve’s Gyros/Facebook

Pierogies at Sokolowski’s University Inn

1201 University Rd., Cleveland

Starch on starch can never be a bad thing, especially when it’s floating on a bed of onions in a sea of melted butter. If and when winter descends upon The Land, load up a tray full of these heartwarming Polish love letters and top them off with sour cream and grilled onions if you know what’s good for you.

Photo via Sokolowski’s University Inn/Facebook

Corned Beef Sandwich at Slyman’s

3106 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland

16 tons and what do you get? The best corned beef sandwich in Cleveland and it’s only 15 bucks. They still slice every sandwich to order, and every sandwich still towers above much of the competition. Amaze your friends by ordering in Slymaneze: a “natural” means plain; “original” comes with mustard; and “Smurf” buys you one with Swiss and mustard (which ain’t kosher, by the way).

Photo via Scene Archives

Polish Boy at Seti’s Polish Boys

All Around Town

One of the foods Cleveland can claim as its own is the Polish Boy. Rooted in our Eastern European past, the hefty kielbasa-and-fries-based fistwich is the model of economy. Rolled into one baby-size bundle are meat, veg, starch and sauce, which combine to form one of the world’s messiest and most delicious meals.

Photo via Scene Archives

Dublin Lawyer at Nighttown

12387 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights

The preeminent jazz and blues club in town also serves up some of the best high end pub fare in town, and that’s been the case since 1965. The Dublin Lawyer, their house speciality, is fresh lobster sautéed in a mild cayenne butter cream sauce, mushrooms, scallions and Irish whiskey and is served with rice pilaf and it’s worth the trip alone. This classic dish is like gold-plated comfort food, a seafood studded sauce ladled over rice.

Photo via Scene Archives