Jack’s Deli joins the Cleveland Restaurant Management Group. Credit: Google Maps
Jack’s Deli (14490 Cedar Rd., 216-691-6837), a classic Cleveland delicatessen around since 1980, has been acquired by the Cleveland Restaurant Management Group (CRMG). The company, which has been on a restaurant-buying spree of late, is owned and operated by a contingent of area entrepreneurs, most notably Marc Glassman of Marc’s fame.

The overarching goal of the restaurant group is to preserve local independent eateries regardless of cuisine. In addition to long-standing restaurants like Jack’s, Manhattan Deli, D’Italia Foods and Eat at Joe’s, CRMG is the brawn behind newer brands such as Lopez 44, Oddfellows and Cappricio’s, which is opening soon in Solon.

Local deli fans can breathe a sigh of relief given the current state of Jewish delis across the nation. We lost Corky & Lenny’s late last year after 67 years in business. Jack’s has been around since 1980, when the Markowitz family opened it around the corner from its current location in University Heights. In addition to comfort food classics like matzo ball soup, corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, potato pancakes and blintzes, the deli has adapted to the times with lighter, leaner fare as well.

While Alvie Markowitz had retired from day-to-day operations, partner Gary Lebowitz has been maintaining standards and traditions. He will stay on in an ownership role, says CRMG reps. Diners can expect some tweaks to the menu in the future, but no major changes are planned, they pledge.

Subscribe to Cleveland Scene newsletters.

Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

This article appears in Jan 30 – Feb 12, 2025.

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.