Friday, April 10, 2015

Foods of Cleveland

Good Morning Ya'll
It is a beautiful morning here in the Carolinas. This is my favorite time of year here, not to hot,just the right breezes making it feel almost tropical . And I can work in the yard without almost to death :)

Okay, so onto my post about Cleveland Food. Cleveland is a large city with many small pockets of neighborhoods. You have "Little Italy" to the East which is largley populated Italian negihborhood. You have "Slavic Village" where the Polish immigrated to and on the West side where I grew up we had a mix of Eastern Europeans. Hungarians, Germans, Polish, Greeks, Irish and Italians. So when my mom cooked you never knew what was going to be for dinner she got recipes from all the neighborhood ladies.

The food scene in Cleveland,particularly in the Downtown area has really evolved. There are some amazing restaurants that are being owned and operated by top notch chefs. Chefs who moved to places like NYC and beyond, but came back home to open up their own kitchens. I am really proud of Cleveland. This city has come along way, sure they still need work but it was so great to be there during the NCAA Champinships and see the many people enjoying my city and taking in all this great place has to offer.

Here's a fun little link about the different neighborhoods where most of these immigrants settled. some of these places are no longer aound but a few of the businesses hang on.
Cleveland's Ethnic Heritage

So two of my favorite places are not 5 star restaurants or multiple winners of some fancy awards, but they are known for their amazing food and great service.

First up is Slymans home to what I think is the BEST corned beef sandwich around. The lines for breakfast and lunch at this place are sometimes wrapped around the corner. But if go it is worth the wait. Best sandwich HANDS DOWN

Next up is Sokolowskis Unnivesity Inn Sokolwskis Unniverty Inn just across the river from Downtown. In the Tremont Neighborhood. This is a neighborhood I grew up in. I use to take the Rapid down with my girlfriend and stay at her Grandmas house. This restaurant has been around since 1923 and this was my FIRST time eating here... How did I not come here sooner?? Good home cooking run by the family who were there dishing out the food, it is a cafeteria style place, slide your plate down and tell them what you want. You will NOT, i say NOT leave hungry. the portions are HUGE.
Which by the way did win a prestigious award. The James Beard Awrd Awarded to American Classic Restaurants that have been around longer than ten years and are locally owned.

Another hometown Celebrity who has had success in other cities, but being a Clevelander came back home to open up restaurants. Is Iron Chef American, Star on The Chew and owns many restaurants in the Cleveland area. Michael Symon, my father in Law loves this guy LOL

View of the front with the Downtown skyline reflected in the window.

This is what we ate

Perogies, Stuffed Cabbage, the size of a softball, chicken paprikash, just the way my Mom made it. It was SOOOO Good my mouth is watering for those perogies!!!!

Okay, So now that I am starving as I re-read this I best go make some breakfast. But what I would not give to have a big plate of perogies right about now LOL
I hope you all enjoyed this post....
Wishing everyone a wonderful day because guess what?? IT'S FRIDAY :D
Natasha

6 comments:

  1. Looks yummy! The little local places are usually the best to eat at. Hidden gems.

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  2. Michael Symon...love him myself! And that sandwich..for a woman on a diet sans dairy, bread and sugar of any kind all I can say is: I WANT IT!!

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  3. Looks so yummy! I love food posts. lol!

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  4. OH MY GOSH! The picture of the corned beef sandwich made my moth water. I WANT ONE!!!
    xxx

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  5. Oh, everything looks and sounds so yummy, Natasha. We really should take a weekend trip up to Cleveland and try some of those foods for ourselves some day. We only live 2 hours away!

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