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The Football Fan’s Guide to Cleveland Food
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The Football Fan’s Guide to Cleveland Food

I grew up in Medina, Ohio, just a short drive from Cleveland, and my love for big city sports runs deep. I was in elementary school during the 1980 season when the Browns, known as the “Cardiac Kids,” scored impressive victories. Back then, Browns Spirit Days were a big deal at school, and there were even rumors that quarterback Brian Sipe and running back Greg Pruitt lived on my street.

This fall, my husband Mike and I returned to Cleveland for a great weekend of entertainment. The Guardians were hosting the Yankees, the Browns were facing the Bengals, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was inducting new legends. Both teams lost, but the vibrant energy of Cleveland fans (and the local restaurants that feed them) was obvious.

This is where you can eat and drink whether you’re rooting for the Browns, Guardians or Cavs, along with the fan attributes that define Cleveland’s sports culture.

Great Lakes Brewing Company

Courtesy of Wendy Pramik


Can a city be considered a great sports city without good local beer? No, I say. That’s not a problem for Cleveland, where Brewing in the Great Lakes has been satisfying palates since brothers Patrick and Daniel Conway opened its first barrel in 1988. With an eye on quality and innovation, Great Lakes remains independent and employee-owned, as does a fan base that embraces He remains loyal to his teams.

Great Lakes’ wide selection includes their much-loved Christmas Ale, available only 10 weeks a year. Fans line the block on release day, inspiring the excitement of a high-stakes game. Whether you prefer the seasonal cinnamon-spiced beer, the crisp Dortmunder Gold, or the low-calorie Cold Rush, trying a flight at Ohio City’s brewery is the perfect pre- or post-game experience.

Frank’s Bratwurst at the West Side Market

Courtesy of Wendy Pramik


Cleveland sports fans love pregame snacks. For a quick meal, it’s hard to beat. Frank’s Bratwursta beloved food stand in the historic West Side Market. Frank’s has been serving up tasty meats since opening in 1970, offering foodies a bountiful collection of bratwurst sandwiches, Italian sausages and smoked sausages.

“We’re the third generation,” says Ryan Sheppard, who runs the stall with his mother, Ilse Sheppard. “We started with chopped sausages, then customers wanted it to be made into a sandwich.” Frank’s Soft Sausage can be had on a hard or soft bun, with sauerkraut and a choice of condiments, including Ball Park mustard.

Mitchell’s Ice Cream

Courtesy of Wendy Pramik


They say spring is a time of optimism and Mike Mitchell would agree. The rabid Cleveland Guardians fan also loves to wax poetic about his namesake ice cream, praised as one of the best in Ohio. Mitchell and his brother Pete founded Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream a quarter of a century ago and in 2014 transformed a run-down theater in Ohio City into a shiny production and retail facility. It is one of nine Mitchell locations spread across Northeast Ohio.

Ohio State University’s philosophy major brings an enlightened approach to the craft. “There’s a certain platonic ideal for ice cream flavors, an image of flavor that you carry with you,” Mitchell says. “I’ve spent my adult life working on these flavors and they’re all where I want them to be.”

The Rowley Hotel

Courtesy of Wendy Pramik


Cleveland sports fans thrive on nostalgia and cherish memories of past victories and cherished moments. That feeling comes to life in The Rowley Hotellocated in the Tremont neighborhood, next to the famous house from the movie “A Christmas Story”.

Owners Jon Oberman and Raphael Rivilla infuse each comfort dish with Cleveland pride, honoring the city’s working-class roots. “Pierogi and kielbasa dinner is our specialty,” Oberman says. They fill the pierogi with potatoes and cheese and serve it alongside two spicy Hungarian sausages, with peppers, onions and house slaw. With roots dating back to 1906, The Rowley Inn caters to fans looking for familiar, comforting flavors before or after a big game.

cordelia

Courtesy of Wendy Pramik


Located in Cleveland’s East 4th Street entertainment district, cordelia Pays tribute to owner Andrew Watts’ great-grandmother, Sarah Cordelia, who lived in Cleveland in the 1890s. Chef and partner Vinnie Cimino, a 2024 James Beard Award semi-finalist, celebrates Northeast Ohio’s agricultural roots through dishes that They echo family traditions.

For example, the “Bellie Up” tasting menu invites diners to dine as if they were sitting at grandma’s table, with surprise dishes that keep coming until they are satisfied. For a shareable favorite, try the Shareable Burger Box – Cimino’s fun take on fast food classics. “This is how we like to eat: just sit back, enjoy and let us do the heavy lifting.” Cordelia does an intense pregame stop, especially before the Cavs and Guardians games.

Mabel’s barbecue

Courtesy of Wendy Pramik


Cleveland fans are known for being outspoken, proudly displaying their colors, and supporting their teams through thick and thin. That bold spirit defines Mabel’s barbecueOpened by celebrity chef Michael Symon in 2016.

The 4th Street restaurant embraces its Cleveland roots with neon signs displaying “Eat More Meat” and hearty dishes like the Polish Girl, Symon’s unique take on the traditional kielbasa sandwich. “We use kielbasa from NaKyrsie Meats, add pulled pork, coleslaw, and Cleveland-style BBQ sauce made with Bertman Ball Park mustard,” says manager Emma Janosik. Mabel’s also offers more than 300 bourbon selections, including several from River Roots Barrel Co., co-founded by Symon.

flat iron coffee

Courtesy of Wendy Pramik


He flat iron coffee has stood the test of time in Cleveland’s gritty but entertaining Flats district. Established in 1910, this venerable Irish pub serves as the neighborhood anchor for the Cleveland Browns football traditions.

The house specialty is a hearty platter of fried Lake Erie perch, provided by a fishmonger across the street. “Browns Sundays are now my favorite day,” says co-owner Dave Steele. Despite the amusing irony of his last name being so close to the Pittsburgh Browns’ bitter rivals, Steele has earned the trust and affection of the community by offering game day lunches and free rides to the stadium.

Slyman Restaurant

Courtesy of Wendy Pramik


Corned beef sandwiches are a work of art in Slyman Restauranta hometown favorite since Joseph Slyman founded the iconic deli in 1964. Whether served plain or paired with sauerkraut, cheese and dressing in a Reuben, Slyman’s Corned Beef isn’t just a meal, He’s a Cleveland legend.

Fans flock to Slyman’s on many game days, willing to wait in long lines for the good stuff: huge layers of corned beef on fresh rye from Orlando Baking Company, accompanied by a crunchy pickle and potato salad. “The way we cook, cut and season corned beef keeps it tender and flavorful,” said Sam Slyman, the founder’s grandson, after a recent 13-hour shift on his birthday.