COVID-19 has destroyed the restaurant industry in Northeast Ohio. We gotta patronize the places that are still open in order to keep them open. At the beginning of November, we decided to highlight 25 local restaurants each week during the pandemic. Here’s the 25 for this week.

The Rib Cage 2214 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights and 1830 West 25th St., Cleveland This barbecue joint serves some of the meatiest wings around. Go for the ‘Carolina Mustard Vinegar’ for one of the most unique and delicious flavors in town. They’ve been open in the Heights since 2012 and expanded to West 25th in 2018. Photo via The Rib Cage Smokehouse/Facebook
Sabor Miami Cafe and Gallery 4848 Broadview Rd., Cleveland This adorable little cafe and art gallery is reminiscent of the Cuban joints you’ll find all over south Florida. You can’t go wrong with a Cuban sandwich here, but the empanadas are just as good. And the drinks like horchata and café con leche are a perfect complement to your meal. Photo via Sabor Miami Cafe and Gallery/Facebook
Si Señor Multiple Locations With three locations around town, including Kamm’s Corner, Seven Hills and Westlake, Si Señor serves up delicious burros to many around Cleveland. Their enchilada trio is a great way to taste a bit of everything. And pair whatever food you get with one of their delicious margaritas. Photo via Si Señor Kamm’s Corner/Facebook
Tony K’s Bar & Grille 841 West Bagley Rd., Berea “This is my absolute favorite place to get hummus and tabouleh from. I also recently tried the stuffed grape leaves and they are WONDERFUL! I live 45 minutes from this restaurant but it is worth every minute of the drive to get their delicious food. Dining in is great but we’ve also picked it up for takeout and have been just as satisfied. Don’t be thrown off because it doesn’t “look” Mediterranean from the outside – this place serves some of the best Greek food around. Highly recommend!” Chris R. on Yelp Photo Provided by Restaurant
Guarino’s 12309 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Established in 1918, Guarino’s in Little Italy is Cleveland’s oldest restaurants and is still a family operation. The patio’s intimate and the kitchen’s pasta, veal and seafood dishes are all very Italian. Photo via Guarino’s/Facebook
Minh Anh 5482 Detroit Rd., Cleveland Small, casual and friendly, this family-owned Vietnamese restaurant serves cinnamon-scented pho, colossal crêpes and an assortment of tasty noodle bowls, along with plenty of vegetarian options. Photo via Minh Anh/Facebook
Siam Cafe 3951 St Clair Ave. NE, Cleveland Fish dishes are supposed to bring in prosperity during the New Year, so it’s the perfect time to try one of Siam Cafe’s several signature seafood dishes. Photo via tksnow14/Instagram
Taco Tontos 13321 Madison Ave., Lakewood What started out in Kent in 1972 expanded to Lakewood in 2012 and they brought their delicious tacos with them. Photo via Taco Tontos/Facebook
Wild Mango 25385 Cedar Rd., Lyndhurst Jia Wei opened his first restaurant, Weia Teia, in Oberlin back in 1997. He followed that successful venture up with Wild Mango, which he opened three years later at Great Northern Mall in North Olmsted. And in 2019, the most recent restaurant was opened at Legacy Village. Wild Mango has earned a reputation for its distinctive cuisine, a blend of Asian, European and Latin flavors. Photo via Scene Archives
The Big Egg 5107 Detroit Rd., Cleveland Classic American-style diner food is the star at Big Egg. The restaurant opened as the Egg Palace in 1952 and was changed to The Big Egg in 1970. After closing in 2002, the restaurant re-opened in 2009 in the same Ohio City location. Photo via The Big Egg/Facebook
Pearl Asian Kitchen 20060 Van Aken Blvd., Shaker Heights “This is hands-down one of our favorite restaurants in Shaker. The little old lady that owns this restaurant is darling! The food at the restaurant is always on par, yummy and quick to come out. Regardless if it’s dine-in or take out the service is fast and very professional. The restaurant is clean and offers great cocktails along with an assortment of beers and tea. I love getting the soups, noodles, and street tacos. There isn’t one thing on the menu I wouldn’t recommend and the menu is extensive!” Amanda L. on Yelp Photo via Pearl Asian Kitchen/Facebook
UJerk Caribbean Eatery 850 Euclid Ave., Cleveland A little taste of Jamaica recently made its way downtown thanks to UJerk Caribbean Eatery, which opened in the former Cleveland Pickle/Hatfield’s Goode Grub space in the City Club Building. The fast-casual restaurant specializes in jerk chicken in various forms and is a fresh new concept with nothing like it around. Photo courtesy Scene Archives
Umami 42 North Main St., Chagrin Falls A decade ago we stumbled into an impossibly small bistro in Chagrin Falls, where we were blown away by the progressive Pan-Asian fare emanating from the equally small kitchen. True to its billing, Umami trafficked in foods redolent of racy flavors like tamari, dashi, ponzu, ginger and galangal. Back then, the swank but conservative village was awash in burgers, meatballs, steaks and ribs, and dishes such as seared albacore with ponzu sauce, coconut curry-spiked mussels and wasabi-crusted halibut proved a refreshing, even exciting, departure. The decade may have changed, but Umami thankfully has not. Photo via Scene Archives
Ohio City Burrito Multiple Locations Ohio City Burrito is best known for its Mission-style burritos, those tightly constructed torpedoes filled with meat, rice, beans, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, lettuce and salsa. Cleveland’s answer to Chipotle might have Ohio City in its name, but they’re also in Lakewood and Downtown. Photo via Scene Archives
Biga Wood Fired Pizza 9145 Chillcothe Rd., Kirtland You might call Kirtland’s Biga’s pizza style neo-Neapolitan. While the restaurant doesn’t adhere to the strict rules of the Vera Pizza Napoletana, they do their own version and knock it out of the park. The homemade desserts are also worth the trip. Credit: Scene Archives
Kensington Pub 2260 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights It’s truly astonishing what a little light can do. By installing a wall of new glass along the southern expanse, the owners of the Kensington Pub have done more than simply flood the room with natural light; they’ve filled it with optimism. Despite the new management, new name, new look and new menu, Kensington Pub feels like an old friend who just moved back to town. After a few awkward moments, you pick up right where you left off. Photo by Emanuel Wallace
The Woods 21919 Center Ridge Rd., Rocky River In Rocky River, this Italian restaurant is one of a number of places offering family style takeout meals. These family style dinners for four include your choice of spaghetti and meatballs for $45, lasagna (meat or veggie) for $55 or chicken parmigana and fettuccine marinara for $65. All meals come with salad and bread and garlic butter. Photo via
Dreamz Cafe 4912 Pearl Rd., Cleveland Looking for some of the most delicious chicken wings in town? This Old Brooklyn spot is the place to try. Photo via Dreamz Cafe/Facebook
Munch 28500 Miles Rd., Solon “I want to give an immense amount of praise to Munch, one of my favorite eateries in Northeast Ohio. They are still open for takeout and delivery and doing an amazing job adapting to this pandemic. I ordered dinner for my family and it was still the amazing, fresh, healthy quality I’ve come to always get from Munch. My favorite item is always the Simon’s Chicken Salad melt, which comes with oven-roasted chicken breast, cilantro, carrots, celery, honey, cheese and mayo. But make no mistake, this is a healthy melt that isn’t greasy or ruining the quality of the vegetables into a soggy state,” Lauren K. on Yelp. Photo via Munch/Facebook
Boiled Seafood at Boiling Seafood Crawfish 2201 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights Boiling Seafood Crawfish is a place for those who like to revel in spiciness. Be prepared to make a mess, it’s completely unavoidable. Expect spicy boiled seafood you have to eat with your hands. Thin plastic gloves, a bib and as many paper towels as you need are provided. Photo by Emanuel Wallace
Nate’s Deli 1923 West 25th St., Cleveland Before West 25th became the West 25th that it is today, there was Nate’s Deli. While the neighborhood grows and changes, this family institution remains an enduring fixture. With such a devoted following for both the American deli and the Middle Eastern classics sides of its menu, how could this venerable urban lunch spot not keep the flame burning brightly? King-sized pastrami sandwiches, heaping plates of schwarma and stuffed pita rolls are all filling takeaways while on a work break or before or after trips to the West Side Market. Photo via Nate’s Deli/Facebook
Rosewood Grill Multiple Locations Hudson, Strongsville and Westlake is where you can find this local chain from the Hospitality Restaurants group. They operate high-end restaurants like Blue Point Grille and The Cabin Club, so you know you’re in good hands. Photo via @TheMiddletonLife/Instagram
Neechi’s Pizza 37190 Colorado Ave., Avon “We have tried other pizza places in the area, but now we found our go to. Neechi’s is family owned and you know that from the moment you walk in the door. They only have pick up or delivery but you feel so welcomed when you walk up to the counter. Amazing customer service. We ordered two medium pizzas each with two toppings and a small dessert pizza. Total was $26. A great deal compared to others in the area, and the great price was not at the expense of quality. Lots of topping, perfect amount of cheese, and fresh made dough and sauce!” Kale B. on Yelp Photo via Neechi’s Pizza/Facebook

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