The Unassuming West Side Market Stand That Has Served Bratwurst Sandwiches For Decades
By Nikki Rhoades|Published August 14, 2019
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Cleveland is a hub of culture, and it’s a bit of a melting pot in its own right. Cleveland has amassed residents from all around the world, and many of them have deposited aspects of their local culture into Cleveland’s identity. You know what else they introduced? Delightful foods! A sampling of local culture can be found at the West Side Market, but you’ll also uncover exclusively-Cleveland dishes. If your taste buds aren’t gearing up for a great time, just wait until they discover the bratwurst sandwich awaiting them at the West Side Market in Cleveland. Mmm!
As you arrive in the West Side Market, you’ll immediately find yourself greeted by a variety of sounds and smells.
This magnificent market is the oldest operating market in The Land, and it’s a charming cluster of culture. It began operating in 1840, and it has remained largely the same at its core. You’ll find a great variety of ethnic eats as well as a little taste of what Cleveland’s all about.
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There’s one stand that has been operating since 1970 that locals can’t resist, and that’s Frank’s Bratwurst!
Frank’s has been serving bratwurst for years, and they have it down to a science. They utilize a secret family recipe that’s downright delightful, and many locals have adopted it into their own family tradition!
The Ratschki family arrived in America in 1962, and they quickly found that the city had a great need for German-style dining.
Within a decade, the family opened their stand (opening day, Halloween of 1970, is pictured above) and their bratwurst gained a following. A plain bratwurst originally sold for only 45 cents, and families quickly fell in love with the availability of a quick and delicious snack while they were shopping.
Do you recognize the woman to the far right of the above photo? People from all walks of life wander into the West Side Market during stops in Cleveland, and Frank's Bratwurst is always ready to serve up a Cleveland tradition.
There's never a bad time to chow down on a world famous Frank's Bratwurst sandwich!
Connect with them on Facebook to find out when the Brat Mobile is coming to a neighborhood near you, or swing by the West Side Market and plan to indulge in a Cleveland tradition.
Address: 1979 W 25th Street, Cleveland, OH, 44113
A great sampling of local tradition can be found at the West Side Market in Cleveland, but Frank’s Bratwurst has forged a new tradition in and around the milieu of this bustling market. Do you remember the first time you tried a bratwurst sandwich?
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