The 17 Spiciest Dishes We Dare You to Try in Cleveland

Spices can take food to a whole new level of flavor. But depending on the heat level, spices can also leave you in tears regretting you ever ordered the meal in the first place. Fiery hot foods aren't for everyone, but for those who are up to the challenge, here are some of the best spicy dishes cooked up in Cleveland.

Spices can take food to a whole new level of flavor. But depending on the heat level, spices can also leave you in tears regretting you ever ordered the meal in the first place. Fiery hot foods aren't for everyone, but for those who are up to the challenge, here are some of the best spicy dishes cooked up in Cleveland.

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 Thai Thai
13735 Madison Ave., 216-961-9655
If you truly want to eat spicy Thai food at restaurants, you often have to ask for the "Thai spicy" preparation that doesn't come on the menu. Thankfully, the folks at Thai Thai have eliminated that need and just serve the heat. Order the som tum or pad krapow if you're looking for a truly "Thai spicy" dish.
Photo via thaithailakewood/Instagram

Thai Thai

13735 Madison Ave., 216-961-9655
If you truly want to eat spicy Thai food at restaurants, you often have to ask for the "Thai spicy" preparation that doesn't come on the menu. Thankfully, the folks at Thai Thai have eliminated that need and just serve the heat. Order the som tum or pad krapow if you're looking for a truly "Thai spicy" dish.

Photo via thaithailakewood/Instagram
 Stir Fry at Dolce Wraps
3510 Westgate Mall, 440-333-9727
Finding spicy stir fry at a place that sells wraps in the mall seems unlikely, but that's exactly what Dolce Wraps does. Order their stir fry with their house hot sauce and chiptole sauce to get your fix.
Photo via lovejoel78/Instagram

Stir Fry at Dolce Wraps

3510 Westgate Mall, 440-333-9727
Finding spicy stir fry at a place that sells wraps in the mall seems unlikely, but that's exactly what Dolce Wraps does. Order their stir fry with their house hot sauce and chiptole sauce to get your fix.

Photo via lovejoel78/Instagram
 Jalapeno Margarita at Barrio
806 Literary Rd., 216-999-7714
Most folks like to use drinks to alleviate the pain that comes from eating spicy foods. Then there are those who need more. The Jalapeno Margarita at Barrio comes with chili lime salt for a sweet and spicy taste. Maybe you'll be too buzzed to realize how much your mouth is on fire. 
Photo via Bri W./Yelp

Jalapeno Margarita at Barrio

806 Literary Rd., 216-999-7714
Most folks like to use drinks to alleviate the pain that comes from eating spicy foods. Then there are those who need more. The Jalapeno Margarita at Barrio comes with chili lime salt for a sweet and spicy taste. Maybe you'll be too buzzed to realize how much your mouth is on fire.

Photo via Bri W./Yelp
 Fire in the Hole Sauce at Winking Lizard Tavern
811 Huron Rd., 216-589-0313
At a certain point, Winking Lizard decided their hottest wing sauce was not enough for them and sought to create something spicier. Made with Trinidad Moruga Scorpion peppers, Winking Lizard let their customers name the new sauce and that's how Fire in the Hole sauce was born. On their menu, they warn to "eat at your own risk!"
Photo via Winking Lizard Tavern/Facebook

Fire in the Hole Sauce at Winking Lizard Tavern

811 Huron Rd., 216-589-0313
At a certain point, Winking Lizard decided their hottest wing sauce was not enough for them and sought to create something spicier. Made with Trinidad Moruga Scorpion peppers, Winking Lizard let their customers name the new sauce and that's how Fire in the Hole sauce was born. On their menu, they warn to "eat at your own risk!"

Photo via Winking Lizard Tavern/Facebook
 Ghost Pepper Relish at Falafel Cafe
11365 Euclid Ave., 216-229-9540
As you would expect, Falafel Cafe serves up a variety of pita sandwiches. Add their ghost pepper relish to your order for that extra kick.  
Photo via Falafel Cafe/Facebook

Ghost Pepper Relish at Falafel Cafe

11365 Euclid Ave., 216-229-9540
As you would expect, Falafel Cafe serves up a variety of pita sandwiches. Add their ghost pepper relish to your order for that extra kick.

Photo via Falafel Cafe/Facebook
 Hot Chicken at Parkview Nite Club
1261 W. 58th St., 216-961-1341
Nashville Hot Chicken has become quite a craze lately and arguably reached peak popularity when KFC rolled out their own spiceless version last year. For those in Cleveland looking to try the closest thing without making a trip to Music City, go to Parkview for their wonderful take on Tennessee's most popular dish.
Photo via  veron_says/Instagram

Hot Chicken at Parkview Nite Club

1261 W. 58th St., 216-961-1341
Nashville Hot Chicken has become quite a craze lately and arguably reached peak popularity when KFC rolled out their own spiceless version last year. For those in Cleveland looking to try the closest thing without making a trip to Music City, go to Parkview for their wonderful take on Tennessee's most popular dish.

Photo via veron_says/Instagram
 Wings with Atomic Sauce at Quaker Steak Steak & Lube 
5935 Canal Rd., Valley View, 216-986-9464
Quaker Steak & Lube rival Winking Lizard in spiciest wing category. Quaker's spiciest sauce is their triple atomic, which is measured at 500,000 Scoville heat units.
Photo via  droneohio/Instagram

Wings with Atomic Sauce at Quaker Steak Steak & Lube

5935 Canal Rd., Valley View, 216-986-9464
Quaker Steak & Lube rival Winking Lizard in spiciest wing category. Quaker's spiciest sauce is their triple atomic, which is measured at 500,000 Scoville heat units.

Photo via droneohio/Instagram
 Lamb Kebabs at Han Chinese
3710 Payne Ave. #110, 216-769-8745
Out of all of the foods on this list, kebabs don't always seem like they'd fit in with the spicy category. Lamb kebabs are a Beijing street food go-to and Han Chinese does them justice. They are "aggressively seasoned with cumin, red pepper flakes and a touch of sesame" ready to test your taste buds.
Photo via Scene Archives/Douglas Trattner

Lamb Kebabs at Han Chinese

3710 Payne Ave. #110, 216-769-8745
Out of all of the foods on this list, kebabs don't always seem like they'd fit in with the spicy category. Lamb kebabs are a Beijing street food go-to and Han Chinese does them justice. They are "aggressively seasoned with cumin, red pepper flakes and a touch of sesame" ready to test your taste buds.

Photo via Scene Archives/Douglas Trattner
 Pork Krapow at Bangkok Thai Cuisine
5359 Mayfield Rd., 440-684-1982
Some of the best food gems are often located in overlooked strip malls. Bangkok Thai, which happens to be in a strip mall, offers some great spicy dishes on a 1 to 4 stars scale. We recommend you try the pork krapow and choose whichever star level heat you can take. 
Photo via

Pork Krapow at Bangkok Thai Cuisine

5359 Mayfield Rd., 440-684-1982
Some of the best food gems are often located in overlooked strip malls. Bangkok Thai, which happens to be in a strip mall, offers some great spicy dishes on a 1 to 4 stars scale. We recommend you try the pork krapow and choose whichever star level heat you can take.

Photo via
 Crawfish Etouffee at Battiste & Dupree Cajun Grill
1992 Warrensville Center Rd., 216-381-3341
Battiste & Dupree offer a taste of New Orleans in Cleveland. One of their best and spiciest dishes is the crawfish etouffee swimming in their homemade gravy.
Photo via  cleeats/Instagram

Crawfish Etouffee at Battiste & Dupree Cajun Grill

1992 Warrensville Center Rd., 216-381-3341
Battiste & Dupree offer a taste of New Orleans in Cleveland. One of their best and spiciest dishes is the crawfish etouffee swimming in their homemade gravy.

Photo via cleeats/Instagram
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