From pizza to tacos and overstuffed grilled cheese sandwiches, there are plenty of popular chain restaurants that have Cleveland roots. And by “chain,” we mean any local restaurant with more than one location — not necessarily a big corporation or franchise situation. Just local businesses that have expanded beyond a single storefront. Here is our list of some of the best in town.
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/FacebookAntonio’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/FacebookBanter
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 ArchivesBarrio
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 Credit: Photo via @Barrio_Cleveland/InstagramBarroco 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/InstagramBomba 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 ArchivesCrust
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 ArchivesFat 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/InstagramGeraci’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/FacebookHyde 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/FacebookLindey’s Lake House
Multiple Locations
After turning Brio and Bravo into large, successful franchises, local restaurateur Rick Doody turned his sights on Cleveland by opening Cedar Creek Grille and Coastal Taco. He then decided to expand next to Cedar Creek in Beachwood by opening the first Lindey’s Lake House, a modern eatery with an appealing menu with the feel of a northern Michigan lake house. Then, Coastal Taco in the Flats turned into a second Lindey’s and a third opened recently in Lakewood.
Photo via Lindey’s Lake House/FacebookLuca
Multiple Locations
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. While that dish is a must-eat, the rest of the menu is just as good, so visit this restaurant in the Superior Viaduct or Westlake.
Photo via Scene ArchivesMelt
Multiple Locations
Known for their grilled cheese sandwiches as big as your head, Melt has made waves across Northeast Ohio (and now Columbus) since opening in Lakewood in 2006. They’ve been featured on “Man vs. Food”, “Diners, Dives and Drive-Ins” and been praised widely as one of the best sandwiches around.
Photo via @MeltBarGrilled/InstagramNoce
Multiple Locations
What started off as a mom-and-pop pizza shop out in Chardon has expanded into three locations, with the original full-service restaurant, plus to-go spots in Tremont and Beachwood. The New York style slices boast some of the best ingredients and quality of any pizza spot around.
Photo via Scene ArchivesOn The Rise
Multiple Locations
Known mostly for their artisan breads and mouth-watering pastries, we had to include this spot because it’s casual and local atmosphere is quintessential Cleveland. The sandwiches may be simple, but the freshly baked bread they come on takes them to another level. The prosciutto sandwich with honey butter and arugula is our favorite. In addition to their original location in the Heights, they’ve expanded to the recently opened Van Aken Food Hall in Shaker Heights.
Photo via Scene ArchivesOtani Noodle
Multiple Locations
Otani Noodle, from the same owners of long-standing Mayfield Heights hibachi restaurant Otani, opened their second location the heart of Downtown in addition to their University Circle home, and if you haven’t been yet, you’re missing out. The tonkotsu broth they use for their ramen is delectable.
Photo via Scene ArchivesRed, the Steakhouse
Multiple Locations
Luscious slabs of beef and creative, indulgent salads, sides and desserts make this modern American steakhouse a prime location for well-heeled meat-eaters. A well-organized wine list, gracious service and contemporary rustic decor with a Napa-like sophistication complete one of the best steakhouses in the midwest. Don’t forget the donut holes.
Photo via Scene ArchivesThe Rush Inn
Multiple Locations
The Rush Inn, with locations in Lakewood and Avon, is as no frills as they come. While we usually prefer wings drenched in sauce, dry rub is the way to go here, with the ‘Lemon Pepper Dry Rub’ being our favorite.
Photo via The Rush Inn/FacebookFlip Side
Multiple Locations
From the owners of One Red Door in Hudson, Flip Side recently expanded to Colorado, but all its beef is from Ohio (and grass-fed). This chain offers almost 20 burgers, including ones made with lamb, turkey and bison. All of them pair well with its impressive, optionally spiked milkshake menu.
Photo via @FlipSideCF/InstagramWinking Lizard
Multiple Locations
No restaurant is more synonymous with chicken wings in Northeast Ohio then Winking Lizard. With 15 locations in the area, it’d be hard to throw a stone without hitting the nearest Lizard. Our favorite wing sauce is spicy barbeque, but try the 911 if you’re feeling adventurous.
Photo via @WinkingLizardTavern/InstagramPacific East
Multiple Locations
Casual, comfortable and completely unpretentious, this popular Japanese restaurant serves some of the best sushi and sashimi in town, featuring quality ingredients, plenty of variety and wallet-friendly prices. An assortment of tempura, yakitori and teriyaki dishes serves as counterpoint. You can get sushi from Pacific East in Beachwood or Cleveland Heights.
Photo via @XiaoBaiBai1024/InstagramHeck’s Cafe
Multiple Locations
If you’re on a search for the best burgers in town, Heck’s is surely not to be overlooked. Don’t forget about their fries and the rest of the menu though. In addition to their Avon and Ohio City locations, in 2017 they opened the first Heck’s Express, located downtown.
Photo via Scene Archives
