What if you could grab a tray and slide down the buffet of your dreams, with all of your favorite iconic Cleveland eats in one place? If we could build and stock that buffet, it might include the following morsels.
Pierogi
What: Those wonderful potato-and-cheese stuffed dumplings
Why: Cleveland's Eastern European immigrants brought them generations ago, and they've been a beloved staple of the city's cuisine ever since
Where: Your first stop should be Sokolowski's University Inn, whose name has become synonymous with the dish. Also hit Parma's Perla Homemade Delight (pictured), where dozens of flavors are sold by the, well, dozen
Polish Boy
What: The glorious, messy marriage of kielbasa, cole slaw, french fries and barbecue sauce
Why: Every city has its claim to fame, and in Cleveland, our fate will forever be intertwined with the Polish Boy
Where: Add chili and cheese to your Polish Boy at the famous Seti's truck perennially parked at Dean Supply; or douse your dog with special sauce at Hot Sauce Williams
Bertman's Original Ballpark Mustard
What: The brown sauce we grew up with while watching the Tribe at Municipal Stadium, the Jake, and Progressive Field
Why: The sports-associated condiment has deep roots in Cleveland, with Bertman's battling its rival, Authentic Stadium Mustard, for fans' loyalty
Where: Find it smothered on Fat Head's Brewery's Brewben pastrami sandwich or layered on a Happy Dog hot dog topped with Spaghetti-O's as a hat tip to native son Chef Boyardee
Corned Beef
What: The sandwich stacked high on rye with mustard
Why: Nothing fuels a debate in Cleveland faster than asking which shop serves the best version of this Jewish soul food
Where: Slyman's has long been the home of Cleveland's best-loved corned beef, but Jack's Deli, Corky & Lenny's and Mr. Brisket ain't chopped liver either
Chicken Paprikash
What: The paprika-stewed Hungarian comfort food
Why: With a significant number of Hungarians settling in Cleveland during the 19th and 20th centuries, this traditional dish was a soulful inevitability
Where: Venture to the Clubhouse, a unpretentious Parma pub, for a home-style meal, or head east to Sterle's Country House (pictured) and add a side of stuffed cabbage
Bratwurst Sandwich
What: A 'sandwich' made with the perfectly spiced German-style sausage
Why: Frank's Bratwurst has been "serving the wurst since 1970," whether piled high with kraut and horseradish, or served plain with brown mustard
Where: The West Side Market used to be the only place to snag the famous Frank's, but a brat-mobile launched in 2011 has taken his famous sandwiches to the streets
Pizza Bagels
What: The doughy rolls coated in cheese and tomato sauce
Why: Cleveland's Frickaccio's was one of the earliest purveyors of the pizza bagel, tempting none other than President Obama, who stocked up on the bagels before heading back to the White House
Where: Frickaccio's has been slinging pizza bagels from the West Side Market for years, but recently expanded to a cafe in Fairview Park
Cassata
What: The decadently sweet cake that received the Cleveland treatment
Why: Cleveland pastry chefs put a local spin on this classic by swapping out ricotta and candied fruit for custard and strawberry filling
Where: Stop into Corbo's Bakery or Baraona's Bakery (pictured), where Cleveland's take on cassata is a shop specialty
Coconut Bars
What: The airy, chocolate-dipped cakes dusted in flaky coconut
Why: The sweet treats were perfected by Cleveland Jewish bakeries decades ago
Where: Peruse the glass cases of Pincus Bakery in Cleveland Heights or stop by Little Italy's bustling Presti's Bakery
Paczki
What: The deep-fried, jam-filled, doughnut-like Polish pastries
Why: The pre-Lent Paczki Day celebration is Cleveland's favorite way to exalt our temptations before we give up everything fun
Where: Visit the Slavic Village-based Seven Roses Deli (pictured) for authentic Polish fare and make plans to attend Kiedrowski's Simply Delicious Bakery's annual Paczki Ball
