If you’re looking for Americana in restaurant form, its the diner or deli you’re looking for. Places that are so entrenched in communities that they’re just a part of the landscape at this point. And luckily for Clevelanders, we have a ton of great ones around town. Unfortunately, we lost an institution recently with the closing of The Big Egg. While that beloved greasy spoon closed, we rounded up the rest of our favorite ones around in case you’re jonesing for some diner grub.
Big Al’s Diner
12600 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland
If you miss Mom’s cooking, this is the place to get your fix. Big Al’s has all the comforting favorites, like thick, steaming soups, homemade mashed potatoes with gravy, open-faced roast beef sandwiches and chocolate cake for dessert. Breakfast is served until the diner’s late-afternoon closing time. But the corned beef hash is the star of the show – it was featured on the Food Network’s Best Thing I Ever Ate by Michael Symon.
Photo via @JamesBXXL/InstagramMike 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.
Photo via Scene ArchivesYours 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.
Photo via Scene ArchivesKleifelds
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.
Photo via @Kleifelds/InstagramJack’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.
Photo via @LuckysCafe/InstagramGrumpy’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.
Photo via Scene ArchivesThe Diner on 55th
1328 E. 55th St., Cleveland
When this shimmering chrome diner opened at East 55th and St. Clair 15 years 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.
Photo via BurklehagenChicago 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.
Photo via Chicago Deli/FacebookCorky 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.
Photo via Scene ArchivesSouthside 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.
Photo via South Side Diner/FacebookJim’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.
Photo via Jim’s Open Kitchen/FacebookLarder
1455 West 29th St., Cleveland
At its heart, Larder, which was recently nominated for a James Beard award, is a Jewish deli, with matzo ball soup, thick pastrami sandwiches, and flaky fruit-filled rugelach. But there’s so much more going on here than that. Chef-owner Jeremy Umansky utilizes techniques like koji (a Japanese mold) curing, foraging for wild edibles, cold and hot smoking, and fermentation and pickling to produce an ever-shifting roster of seasonal plates. Yes, it’s new, but it’s authentic and unique and Cleveland to its core.
Photo via @LarderB/InstagramMy 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.
Photo via @Cle_Chi/InstagramNick’s Diner
4116 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
We love this funky Ohio City diner. The skillets are the real draw here, but don’t sleep on the pork chop and eggs, because, well, you’ve probably never had that before.
Photo via @Icinchic/InstagramMichael’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.
Photo via Scene ArchivesJoe’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.
Photo via Joe’s Deli Lakewood/FacebookThe 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.
Photo via @Eddie_Torial/InstagramEat 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.
Photo via @SallyAccorti/InstagramDavis Bakery and Deli
28700 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere and 4572 Renaissance Pkwy., Cleveland
“I think I found my favorite deli. It is old school where the deli meats are on point and they are tasty. The staff is old school but give you that hurry up and order vibe but they love their good food and service is on point. My hot pastrami sandwich is the best I have had since moving to the Midwest,” Frank S. on Yelp
Photo via Davis Bakery/FacebookBorderline 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.
Photo via Borderline Cafe/FacebookDanny’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.
Photo via Scene ArchivesJoe’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.
Photo via Scene ArchivesGus’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?
Photo via Gus’s Diner 185/FacebookGeorge’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 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.
Photo by Douglas TrattnerThe 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?
Photo via The Place To Be/FacebookDinerbar 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.
Photo via Scene ArchivesSlyman’s
3106 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland
Slyman’s has been serving up corned beef sandwiches as big as your head since 1965. In recent years, they expanded their concept to the burbs of Orange Village, Mentor and Independence with their Slyman’s Tavern concept. But there’s nothing like the original St. Clair location.
Photo via @AGirlAboutChicago/Instagram
