Dishing up time-tested classics, Cleveland’s robust roster of diners and delis — both old and new school — are the unheralded heart of the city’s dining scene. From greasy spoon breakfasts to Jewish deli classics, you can’t go wrong with these spots.

Charlie’s Dog House Diner 2102 Brookpark Rd., Cleveland The kitschy roadside attraction has been in the exact same spot since 1952, when it began life as the Dog House, part of a national chain of shops that offered walk-up service to customers who ordered hot dogs and hamburgers through a window. Neon lights promising Chicago-style Vienna hot dogs and Charlie’s original waffles attract the early morning crowd before work. The eggs Benedict and breakfast burritos are also well loved. Credit: Scene Archives
Gus’s Family Restaurant 4377 State Rd., Cleveland This all-day breakfast joint has been serving up customers in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood for over 25 years. The home fries are really the star of the show here and we love the corned beef hash. Credit: Gus's Family Restaurant/Facebook
Grumpy’s Cafe 2621 West 14th St., Cleveland If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, Grumpy’s is the most important restaurant in town. The Tremont staple, which is nicer than your typical hole-in-the-wall, is a cozier, artsier version of a greasy spoon — warm colors and local art decorate the walls of the two-room affair. Grumpy’s has several omelets and special dishes like the West 14th Special with corned beef hash, two eggs and toast. Join the crowds, who are there for a reason. Credit: Grumpy's/Facebook
George’s Kitchen 13101 Trisket Rd., Cleveland Breakfasts here are great, with a number of egg dishes served all day at this iconic Cleveland diner that’s been open for almost 40 years. For something a little more adventurous than your usual diner breakfast, try the gyro platter, which includes a mountain of golden brown potatoes, sliced gyro meat, three eggs, toast and a side of tzatziki sauce. Credit: Doug Trattner
Eat at Joe’s 1475 South Green Rd., South Euclid With both breakfast and lunch served all day, with a simple menu of diner staples listed on a table tent, Eat at Joe’s attracts customers from various generations, sandwiched in at the tables or elbow-to-elbow at the counter. A chalkboard lists daily specials like eggs benedict, turkey reubens and rice pudding. The quick, no-nonsense service and solid, filling fare make this a must-stop if you are in the area. Credit: Photo Courtesy of Lori Angelo
Michael’s Diner 13051 Shaker Blvd., Shaker Square Head to Shaker Square for the quintessential old-school diner, complete with small booths, neon lights and a checkered floor. There’s been a diner in this spot, located basically on the rapid tracks, since the 1950’s and Michael’s has operated since 1996. Credit: Michael's Diner/Facebook
Larder 1455 West 29th St., Cleveland There’s no question that this Jewish deli takes greasy spoon food to the next level. And even with the multiple James Beard Awards that the chefs/owners have been nominated for, this place still has all the heart and soul of a delicatessen. Credit: Larder/Facebook
Big Al’s Diner 12600 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland “Big Al’s Diner in Larchmere” Via SurprisedSubaru/Reddit Credit: Scene Archives
Kleifelds 4048 Erie St., Willoughby A trip to downtown Willoughby would not be complete with a morning coffee and breakfast stop at Kleifelds Restaurant. This throwback diner compliments the old school Erie Street that anchors historic Willoughby. Try the country fried steak and eggs – for $5.49, it’s a steal. Credit: Scene Archives
Joe’s Deli 11750 Madison Ave., Lakewood Joe’s is a comfortable, tidy restaurant with a large menu of homey standards, including excellent corned-beef sandwiches, homemade soups, and freshly made Middle Eastern specialties.The breakfast goes until 10:30 a.m. so get there early and try the potato pancakes. Credit: Joe's Deli/Facebook
Lucky’s Cafe 777 Starkweather Ave., Cleveland “Lucky’s Cafe is easily one of the best brunch spots in Cleveland. It is very well known, which means there will probably be a bit of a wait if you are going on the weekends, but it is so worth it. I got the Shipwreck which is, simply put, delectable. This meal was easily large enough to eat half of it and take some home after to enjoy it just as much the second time. The Caramel Creme Breve is a great choice if the taste of coffee is not your favorite. It is sweet, but has enough espresso in it to get the job done. The servers were prompt with everything that they served us with, and they work great together as a team. We had several servers check on us throughout our meal and all were nothing but friendly. I very highly recommend making a trip to Tremont to visit this fantastic place!” Mel T. on Yelp Credit: Scene Archives
The Inn On Coventry 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights The Inn has been serving breakfast and lunch to Heights locals since 1981. Comfort food at its finest is the game here. You’d be hard-pressed to find better pancakes in town but you really can’t go wrong with this throwback diner. The Inn also gears a good portion of its menu to vegetarian options. Credit: Scene Archives
West Side Market Cafe 1979 West 25th St., Cleveland For price, ambience, and first-class people-watching, no place tops the West Side Market Café in the venerable West Side Market’s southeast corner. Watching your wallet? A mere $2.25 will snag you two eggs, toast, and hash browns. Feeling flush? How about an eight-ounce strip steak, topped with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce, on an English muffin ($11)? Credit: West Side Market Cafe/Facebook
My Friends Restaurant 11616 Detroit Rd., Cleveland Ask most people and the name My Friends Restaurant is what first comes to mind for the ultimate late night breakfast eatery. This 24-hour Lakewood/Cleveland border haunt serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner all day, but the people watching is priceless after midnight. Credit: @Cle_Chi/Instagram
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 some of the best in town and their milkshakes, especially black cherry, is a must try. Credit: Scene Archives
The Place To Be 1391 Warren Rd., Lakewood Good food, great prices and a family atmosphere is the name of the game at this Lakewood greasy spoon. The menu claims that they have the “best biggest omelettes in town” and who are we to argue? Credit: Scene Archives
Southside Diner 10705 West Pleasant Valley Rd., Parma The shiny, smile-inducing red and white decor bursts with 1950s kitsch, and while they do the old-fashioned bacon, eggs and toast pristinely, it’s the modern updates like barbacoa hash, iced lemon French toast, and breakfast tacos that draw the most raves. With heaping portions of good grub and cups of bottomless coffee, this little Parma treasure is sure to be the next place where everybody knows your name. Credit: Southside Diner/Facebook
Borderline Cafe 18508 Detroit Ave., Lakewood Nothing but breakfast served sunny side up Wednesday through Sunday at this popular West End café. Huge stuffed omelets, chewy buttermilk pancakes, and breakfast burritos are freshly prepared and restorative in nature. Don’t be put off by the line out the door; it just proves that people have good taste. Credit: Scene Archives
Slyman’s 3106 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland 16 tons and what do you get? The best corned beef sandwich in Cleveland. 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). Credit: Scene Archives
Yours Truly Multiple Locations The quintessential Northeast Ohio diner. It’s been said that if you haven’t had Notso Fries from Yours Truly yet, you’re not really a Clevelander. Head to one of their nine locations around town and change that immediately if you haven’t. Everything else on the menu will remind you of home too. Credit: Scene Archives
Gus’s Diner 185 797 East 185th St., Cleveland Head to North Colinwood for the perfect comfort food/diner combination at Gus’s. They have everything you’d expect a diner to have – what are you waiting for? Credit: Gus’s Diner 185/Facebook
Jim’s Open Kitchen 33779 Aurora Rd., Solon Jim’s has been serving breakfast to Solon residents for almost 60 years. This cash-only old timey diner is known for their signature dish, the herb nelson – a mixture home fries, ham, sausage, mushrooms, bacon, eggs, onions, tomatoes and peppers all thrown together. Credit: Jim's Open Kitchen/Facebook
Corky and Lenny’s 27091 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere Village The iconic Jewish deli, known for their offerings like corned beef, matzoh ball soup and many more wonderful dishes has been going strong in the Eastern Suburbs since 1956. Modeled after famous New York delicatessens like Katz’s and the Carnegie Deli, Corky’s remains a beloved institution. Credit: Scene archives
Jack’s Deli 14490 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights Not even a month’s worth of visits would be enough to do justice to Jack’s giant menu, a killer compilation of breakfast, lunch and dinner fare that ranges from burgers and hot dogs to corned beef, matzoh ball soup, latkes and chopped liver. Almost everything is made from scratch, so get to this Jewish delicatessen to enjoy a wonderful meal. Credit: Jack's Deli/Facebook
Chicago Deli 34390 Aurora Rd., Solon Located in an unassuming strip mall in Solon, Chicago Deli may not seem like much from the outside. But inside, you’ll find a Middle Eastern accented deli with tasty items up and down the extensive menu. The reuben is great, as is the corned beef hash and pretty much anything else you can order. Credit: Chicago Deli/Facebook
Danny’s Deli 1658 St Clair Ave. NE., Cleveland Over the years, Danny’s has certainly carved out (get it) its spot amongst the contenders for best corned beef in town. And if you want a sandwich that is as big as your head, go for the Jawbreaker reuben. They dare you. Credit: Scene Archives
Mike and Dee’s Diner 629 Euclid Ave., Cleveland Except for the setting, a small interior space off the lobby of the Holiday Inn Express on Euclid, this is a classic breakfast and lunch diner. There’s room for 50 on swivel stools at a lengthy counter or at low-slung tables. In the morning, the flattop fills up with French toast, pancakes and three-egg omelets. Lunchtime is all about matzo ball soup, triple-decker Clubs and crispy fries, and griddled Reubens with corned beef, Swiss and kraut on rye. Credit: Scene Archives
Davis Bakery and Deli 28700 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere and 4572 Renaissance Pkwy., Cleveland With Wax and Mandel and Pincus bakeries closing in recent years, Davis Bakery is one of the only Jewish bakeries left in town. Davis, which opened in 1939, may have bakery in the name but has always had a deli counter with some of the best deli food in town. In recent years, they’ve expanded their space to include a dining room to enjoy their awesome sandwiches and other breakfast and lunch items. Credit: Davis Bakery/Facebook
Joe’s Deli 19215 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River Joe’s is a comfortable, tidy restaurant with a large menu of homey standards, including excellent corned-beef sandwiches, homemade soups, and freshly made Middle Eastern specialties. The breakfast goes until 10:30 a.m. so get there early and try the corned beef omelette. Credit: Joe's Fine Deli and Restaurant/Facebook
Dinerbar on Clifton 11801 Clifton Blvd., Lakewood Loyal fans of the original Diner on Clifton, which operated for 17 years just 160 meters away from the new Dinerbar on Clifton, will quickly observe how much has changed. But they will also appreciate how much has stayed the same. They’re packing them in on weekends for brunch, thanks to full bar service and reliable breakfast fare served all day. Well-made corned beef hash is delicious any time, especially when it features fat and salty chunks of meat, tender potatoes and sweet sauteed onions beneath a roof of over-easy eggs. The dish is joined by a handful of other egg dishes that can be ordered clear up till close. Items such as French toast, pancakes and eggs Benedict are reserved for mornings and weekend brunch only and all hit the spot. Credit: Dinerbar On Clifton/Facebook
Nate’s Deli & Restaurants 1923 West 25th St., Cleveland When it comes to freshly made Middle Eastern foods, Nate’s is, well, great. Especially beloved for its thick, smooth hummus, Nate’s also makes smoky baba ghannouj, crisp fried kibbeh, and tender, plump meat or spinach pies. The classic deli in Ohio City has been doing brisk lunch business for years for a very good reason. Credit: Scene archives
The Diner on 55th 1328 E. 55th St., Cleveland When this shimmering chrome diner opened at East 55th and St. Clair more than a decade ago, it literally and figuratively brightened up the entire area — and it isn’t just the flickering neon and oversized exterior clock. A classic the day it was born, this diner dishes up timeless staples all day long, starting with breakfast sandwiches, french toast, or flaky biscuits with sausage gravy and eggs. Blue Plate Specials like liver and onions come with potato, soup, salad, bread and butter. Credit: BurkleHagen

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