Ricky Smith’s Something Good Social Kitchen Now Open in Playhouse Square

Something Good Social Kitchen, co-founded by Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere creator Ricky Smith. Credit: Mark Oprea

Compulsive kindness creator Ricky Smith has unveiled his latest project — Something Good Social Kitchen, a casual walk-up food stand, which opens today.

The operation has reactivated the kiosk in Playhouse Square Plaza last used for Dynomite Burgers. Smith consulted on the concept and menu with his friend and mentor Michael Symon.

“Everything we do is Cleveland based,” says Smith, listing local providers like Cleveland Kitchen, POP Mustard, Cleveland Ketchup, Orlando Bakery and others.

The menu features all-beef hot dogs, chopped cheese-style burgers and high-end seasonal salads. Customers can build their own dogs or order one the predesigned creations such as “The Hug,” which features POP Mustard, BBQ sauce, onion straws and bacon. The loose-meat burgers are a riff on chopped-cheese sandwiches.

Also on the streamlined menu are loaded fries and beverages.

Like all of Smith’s Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere (R.A.K.E) endeavors, this one is altruistic in nature. For every meal sold, the non-profit donates one meal to people in need or those who deserve it, such as front-line workers, school teachers or unwell children.

Smith said it bothered him to see that stand in the heart of the city vacant for so long.

“I wanted to activate that plaza more than I wanted to do the food,” he explains.

In addition to the food, he intends to host or invite events like silent discos, pop-ups and other activities that bring more energy to the area.

Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere creator Ricky Smith Credit: Mark Oprea

“Not to sound cheesy, but to me music and food and kindness are universal languages – and I always just love serving people,” Smith adds.

Smith states that Something Good Social Kitchen is more than a season-long residency; he intends to operate year-round by adjusting the menu seasonally.

Something Good is just the latest addition to Playhouse Square, which has been working “Beyond the Stage” to improve all aspects of live-work-play district. In addition to the lovingly restored theaters and top-notch performance calendar, the stewards of the nationally recognized arts district have been hard at work to elevate the hospitality offerings in the area.

In the last year or so, the district has gained The Friars’ Table, Gochujang, The Brasserie, The Bulkley Bar, Brel’s and others into the mix. Soon, Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop will serve ice cream in the Hanna Building and Encore will offer cocktails in an intimate, upscale setting located on the ground floor of The Lumen.

“It is a brilliant time to be at the Playhouse Square District — whether you are coming to see a show on one of our stages, living in the district or working at one of the many businesses in our neighborhood,” says Craig Hassall, Playhouse Square President & CEO. “With the addition of these new venues, we’ve now welcomed a total of seven new dining establishments over the past year, creating an even greater animated environment for both visitors and downtown works, residents and visitors.”

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