Cleveland Burger Week | July 11-17, 2022

The 10 Most Iconic Foods That Define Cleveland

By Scene Staff

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.

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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

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Polish Boy

Where: Add chili and cheese to your Polish Boy at the famous Seti's truck perennially parked at Dean Supply; Banter is another great spot for the sandwich.

Photo via Seti’s Polish Boys/Facebook

Corned Beef on Rye

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

Photo via Scene Archives

Corned Beef on Rye

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

Photo via Scene Archives

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

Photo via Samosky’s Home Bakery/Facebook

Paczki

Where: Visit the Slavic Village-based Seven Roses Deli for authentic Polish fare and make plans to attend Kiedrowski's Simply Delicious Bakery's annual Paczki Ball. There’s also Kiedrowski’s, Buettner’s, Samosky’s, Rudy’s and many more.

Photo via Rudy’s Strudel/Facebook

Pizza Bagel

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

Photo via The Pizza Bagel Lady/Facebook

Pizza Bagel

Where: Frickaccio's has been slinging pizza bagels from the West Side Market for years. Also try them from Buettner’s Bakery.

Photo via The Pizza Bagel Lady/Facebook

Bertman’s Original Ballpark Mustard/Stadium 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

Photo via Scene Archives

Bertman’s Original Ballpark Mustard/Stadium Mustard

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

Photo via Scene Archives