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.
When you think about Cleveland, what comes to mind first? Those iconic skyline images where our most impressive skyscrapers peek over the horizon, or is it visions of our incredible (or our not-so-incredible) sports teams? For some, the unique flavor of a city is best captured in its flood, and a bit of Cleveland’s story is captured in every bite of these goodies.
This liquid treat is as good as gold. Malley's has been serving their delectable chocolates to Clevelanders since the Great Depression, when inspired chocolatier Albert "Mike" Malley opened his first chocolate shop in Lakewood in 1935.
Pierogies are a staple of Cleveland life. Our city has long-entertained immigrants from Eastern European countries, flooding the area with handcrafted cultural cuisine. In Cleveland, pierogies can be purchased anywhere from the West Side Market to high-end restaurants.
Whether it's on a sandwich or taking center stage as the main entree, Slyman's Restaurant is known for making the best in Cleveland. Their restaurant at 3106 St. Clair Ave. has become a local icon thanks to this dish, having attracted the attention of former presidents, famous chefs, and musicians.
Once upon a time, our shores entertained visitors at the Euclid Beach Amusement Park. It was here that Dudley Sherman Humphrey II, who had invented a popper that actually seasoned popcorn as it burst, first sold his iconic popcorn balls in 1901. Over 100 years later, kids still love biting into these goodies like apples.
There are Honey Huts sprinkled all throughout Greater Cleveland, and their treats are sweeter than honey. No Cleveland summer is complete without a visit to one of these super cool ice cream shops.
The Happy Dog is a neighborhood corner bar where your craziest food fantasies come to life. These delicious dogs are accented by any and every topping you think is palatable, and creations can range from tame to grotesque. For more on this must-visit destination, click here.
Melt is known for its larger than life grilled cheese sandwiches, but nothing says "I'm from Cleveland" like slapping a pierogi on there. This concoction, as you may imagine, is delicious and super filling.
Nothing is as enthralling as driving home with a dozen of these ginormous donuts. Each one is rich and filling, but you'll be surprised by how quickly that dozen donuts disappears.
Nothing fuels up Clevelanders quite like Po Boys. These concoctions center around a kielbasa on a bun, which sounds kind of tame until you encounter one of these bad boys in person. Piled high with coleslaw, French fries, cheese, or any other number of special toppings, these humongous dogs are truly a decadent Cleveland classic.
There’s a lot of flavor here in Cleveland, but these foods capture a tiny piece of our identity. They celebrate the unique influences that have shaped Cleveland, and each has resulted in a bit of a tradition as locals share these delicacies with inexperienced taste buds. Nothing brings people together quite like food… what local dishes would you recommend we try next?
