9 Legendary Family-Owned Restaurants In Cleveland You Have To Try
By Nikki Rhoades|Published December 07, 2018
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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.
There’s nothing like homemade cuisine. Warm, comforting, and rich in flavor, you can always tell when a meal is made with love. The best place to dine on delicious foods when you’re out and about is to find the yummiest family-owned restaurants in town, and Greater Cleveland has a superabundance!
1. Pepper's Italian Restaurant (12401 Detroit Ave., Lakewood)
Italian cuisine is common throughout Greater Cleveland, but Lakewood natives swear by this tasty destination. In 2019, Pepper's will celebrate two decades of delicious dining! Locals particularly love the lasagna, homemade pizza, and to-die-for dessert menu.
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2. Sokolowski's University Inn (1201 University Rd., Cleveland)
Sokolowski's is a name Clevelanders know and love - and there's a good reason for that. This incredible eatery has been serving Eastern European comfort foods since 1923 and has remained in the same family over its entire lifespan. It is now in its third generation of Sokolowski management and very little has changed over the years. If anything, this restaurant has aged like a fine wine!
3. Geraci's Restaurant (2266 Warrensville Center Rd., University Heights)
The Geraci family must have felt great pride as they opened the doors to their family restaurant in July of 1956. Now in its second generation of ownership, this Sicilian-inspired eatery is built around recipes passed from generation to generation. Over the last several decades, the restaurant has changed very little, and local are totally hooked.
4. Tommy's Restaurant on Coventry (1824 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights)
This charming destination opened as a soda shop in 1972, and it has grown even more friendly as the years have rolled by. It was once recognized as having the "Best Milkshake East of the Mississippi" by Rolling Stone, and the recipe has changed very little. If anything, Tommy's nostalgic dishes have somehow become even yummier.
Madison Avenue is an incredible district in Lakewood, and its stretch of businesses and restaurants is overflowing with surprises. You never know what you'll find, yet Yuzu fits right in. Made colorful with Asian-fusion dishes, crafted cocktails, and vegan options, there truly is something for everyone here. Their Meatless Monday deals are to-die-for!
This charming steakhouse is known for its delicious food, impeccable hospitality, and fascinating history. It all started in 1940 when Adele and Ellis Ferris opened their first restaurant on Detroit Avenue in Cleveland. Now in its third generation of Ferris family management, this warm and welcoming location continues to charm visitors with its flair for friendliness.
7. 2nd and High Poke House + Bar (2123 E 2nd St., Cleveland)
If you've never visited the first-ever poke bar in Cleveland, then your taste buds don't know what they're missing. Creative cocktails and Hawaiian cuisine delight visitors with bright colors and unique flavors. With healthy options and choices for those with special dietary restrictions, this restaurant is a must-taste destination.
This family-owned restaurant has grown immensely since it launched in 1991 and now has several locations throughout Greater Cleveland. Their specialty is gyros, of course, but the menu is vast enough to account for even the pickiest eaters. With breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials, this dining destination will fill you up and energize you throughout the whole day.
9. Fanucce's Campus Pizzeria & Pasta House (2032 Euclid Ave., Cleveland)
Fresh ingredients are the name of the game at this charming Italian eatery. For decades, this restaurant has delighted diners with made-from-scratch delicacies. The mouthwatering pizzas are the star of the show here.
There’s nothing like the warmth of a good, made-from-scratch meal. There are countless restaurants in Northeast Ohio with a family-friendly atmosphere and you can truly taste the love added into their dishes. Did your favorite make this list? Are there others you would add? Share your recommendations in the comments below!