22 Family-Owned Cleveland Eateries That Stand the Test of Time

By on Fri, May 4, 2018 at 3:29 pm

Most Cleveland eateries come and go, but not these classics. These family-owned restaurants, bakeries and food businesses were built to last and they survive still because of the love and dedication of their original proprietors — who either continue to own them, or have passed them down to a new generation. These are the special places that are carrying on food traditions, just the way grandma would have wanted.

Most Cleveland eateries come and go, but not these classics. These family-owned restaurants, bakeries and food businesses were built to last and they survive still because of the love and dedication of their original proprietors — who either continue to own them, or have passed them down to a new generation. These are the special places that are carrying on food traditions, just the way grandma would have wanted.

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Geraci’s 2266 Warrensville Center Rd., University Heights Frances and Michael Geraci founded this Italian joint, known for delicious pizzas, in 1956 and the restaurant is now operated by their daughter Marti and her husband Greg Spoth. Ask for a double pepperoni pizza and you won’t be disappointed. Geraci’s was featured on an episode of Guy Fieri’s "Diner’s, Drive-ins and Dives." Photo via Scene Archives

Geraci’s

2266 Warrensville Center Rd., University Heights

Frances and Michael Geraci founded this Italian joint, known for delicious pizzas, in 1956 and the restaurant is now operated by their daughter Marti and her husband Greg Spoth. Ask for a double pepperoni pizza and you won’t be disappointed. Geraci’s was featured on an episode of Guy Fieri’s "Diner’s, Drive-ins and Dives."

Photo via Scene Archives
Frank’s Bratwurst 1979 West 25th St., Cleveland Frank and Johanna Ratschki opened Frank’s Bratwurst at the West Side Market in 1970. Three generations later, Frank’s daughter, Ilse, and her sons continue to keep their family tradition alive by serving world famous bratwurst sandwiches at Frank’s, Frank’s II and Frank’s Brat Mobile. Photo via Frank’s Bratwurst/Facebook

Frank’s Bratwurst

1979 West 25th St., Cleveland

Frank and Johanna Ratschki opened Frank’s Bratwurst at the West Side Market in 1970. Three generations later, Frank’s daughter, Ilse, and her sons continue to keep their family tradition alive by serving world famous bratwurst sandwiches at Frank’s, Frank’s II and Frank’s Brat Mobile.

Photo via Frank’s Bratwurst/Facebook
Presti’s 12101 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland The Presti family has been serving up baked goods and breads to Clevelanders since 1903. Sisters Claudia and Sheila, the granddaughters of founders Rose and Charles Presti Sr., now operate the bakery and cafe, which serves pastries, breads, salads, pizza and more to Little Italy and the surrounding neighborhoods. Photo via @5CHW4R7Z/Instagram

Presti’s

12101 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland

The Presti family has been serving up baked goods and breads to Clevelanders since 1903. Sisters Claudia and Sheila, the granddaughters of founders Rose and Charles Presti Sr., now operate the bakery and cafe, which serves pastries, breads, salads, pizza and more to Little Italy and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Photo via @5CHW4R7Z/Instagram
Dohar/Lovaszy Meats 1979 West 25th St., Cleveland One of the oldest stands in the West Side Market, Dohar/Lovaszy Meats was founded by Emery Lovaszy in the late 1940s and Steve Dohar joined him in 1951. They started off by making house-cured and smoked natural meats, which they still sell today. Steve Dohar’s daughter Angela and her husband Miklos took over the stand in 1987 and still run it today. Photo via Westsidemarket.org

Dohar/Lovaszy Meats

1979 West 25th St., Cleveland

One of the oldest stands in the West Side Market, Dohar/Lovaszy Meats was founded by Emery Lovaszy in the late 1940s and Steve Dohar joined him in 1951. They started off by making house-cured and smoked natural meats, which they still sell today. Steve Dohar’s daughter Angela and her husband Miklos took over the stand in 1987 and still run it today.

Photo via Westsidemarket.org
Davis Bakery and Deli 28700 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere Founded in 1939 by the Davis Brothers, Davis Bakery has been serving baked goods and deli foods to Clevelanders for almost 80 years. Today, the second, third and fourth generations of family members are keeping the business going. Photo via Davis Bakery and Deli/Facebook

Davis Bakery and Deli

28700 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere

Founded in 1939 by the Davis Brothers, Davis Bakery has been serving baked goods and deli foods to Clevelanders for almost 80 years. Today, the second, third and fourth generations of family members are keeping the business going.

Photo via Davis Bakery and Deli/Facebook
J&J Czuchraj Meats 1979 West 25th St., Cleveland With two stands at the West Side Market - J&J Meats and Czuchraj Meats, the Czuchraj family has been serving customers since 1954. Jerry Czuchraj and his wife Jill took the business over from Jerry’s dad more than 27 years ago and their children also work there. They’ve been featured on Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” and if you haven’t had their thick smoked jerky, you’re missing out on a Cleveland staple. Photo via J&J Czuchraj Meats/Facebook

J&J Czuchraj Meats

1979 West 25th St., Cleveland

With two stands at the West Side Market - J&J Meats and Czuchraj Meats, the Czuchraj family has been serving customers since 1954. Jerry Czuchraj and his wife Jill took the business over from Jerry’s dad more than 27 years ago and their children also work there. They’ve been featured on Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” and if you haven’t had their thick smoked jerky, you’re missing out on a Cleveland staple.

Photo via J&J Czuchraj Meats/Facebook
Corbo’s Bakery 12210 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Known for their sweets, especially Italian favorites like cannolis and cassata cakes, Corbo’s has been in Little Italy since 1958. Joe Corbo, the grandson of original founders Joseph and Antoinette, and his wife Selena, recently expanded the bakery by adding a Playhouse Square location to serve downtown customers. Photo via Scene Archives

Corbo’s Bakery

12210 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland

Known for their sweets, especially Italian favorites like cannolis and cassata cakes, Corbo’s has been in Little Italy since 1958. Joe Corbo, the grandson of original founders Joseph and Antoinette, and his wife Selena, recently expanded the bakery by adding a Playhouse Square location to serve downtown customers.

Photo via Scene Archives
Kauffman Poultry 1979 West 25th St., Cleveland Although not started by the Schade family, Larry Schade’s mother was an original employee of the oldest stand at the West Side Market and eventually took it over. The poultry stand has been in business since 1932. Photo via Westsidemarket.org

Kauffman Poultry

1979 West 25th St., Cleveland

Although not started by the Schade family, Larry Schade’s mother was an original employee of the oldest stand at the West Side Market and eventually took it over. The poultry stand has been in business since 1932.

Photo via Westsidemarket.org
Balaton 13133 Shaker Square., Cleveland Balaton has been serving up Hungarian food in Cleveland since 1964. The restaurant, started by Therezia Nevery, moved to Shaker Square in 1998 and is currently run by Nevery’s son Louis Olah. Photo via @DebbieBoehmke/Instagram

Balaton

13133 Shaker Square., Cleveland

Balaton has been serving up Hungarian food in Cleveland since 1964. The restaurant, started by Therezia Nevery, moved to Shaker Square in 1998 and is currently run by Nevery’s son Louis Olah.

Photo via @DebbieBoehmke/Instagram
Thai Thai 13735 Madison Ave., Lakewood While Thai Thai may be a completely new restaurant that opened in 2017, it was the final step in a line of Thai restaurants owned by the Wongpeng family. Current owner Kiwi Wongpeng’s parents owned and operated the Thai Hut and then Asian Grille before Kiwi took over and opened her own, now flourishing Thai street food spot. Photo via Thai Thai/Facebook

Thai Thai

13735 Madison Ave., Lakewood

While Thai Thai may be a completely new restaurant that opened in 2017, it was the final step in a line of Thai restaurants owned by the Wongpeng family. Current owner Kiwi Wongpeng’s parents owned and operated the Thai Hut and then Asian Grille before Kiwi took over and opened her own, now flourishing Thai street food spot.

Photo via Thai Thai/Facebook
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