Local (non-ethnic) cuisine for Cleveland/ N Ohio?

Okay, I've found a treasure trove of tips on ethnic
food in the area. Now I'm wondering: what are the best
things outside of the "ethnic" rubric that might be
hard to find just by accident (I don't live in
Cleveland, so it's more surgical strike than
exploration...

Are there any great local joints that people know of?
I'm thinking anything from a stand that sells great
"brats" to a diner with first rate pie to a
mouth-watering hamburger joint... And maybe we could
throw in BBQ & "Chop" joints...

Thhanks, George

If you like beer, stop by Great Lakes Brewing Co at 2516 Market St. Of course, they have food, too! The beers are generally big for their style and very well constructed.

Boy George! You've placed a tall order here. I'm going
to specifically answer what you've requested within
the framework of Brats, pizza,burgers, BBq and Chop
house. I'm fairly particular so you won't see a
lenghthy list, just some brief favorites. Bratwurst;
There's a stand at the West Side Market, sorry, I
don't recall the name,(stop at Nate's Deli after?).
Pizza: I LOVE Vincenza's in Bedford Hts. on Broadway,
down from the Auto mile, thin, chewy, New York style.
I also like Mama Santa's in Little Italy though
quality varies, decent home-made pastas and dirt
cheap. Also in little Italy is Maxi's, limited choice
of thin-crust pies but I usually just have some apps
and drinks. Fun bar. BBQ: tough one since I haven't
had a thought of BBQ since I judged in a rib burn-off
early this summer, but a chain out of Memphis, Corky's
just opened in Solon and is good. I don't really love
any ribs right now. As far as steaks, I would avoid
the chains such as Ruth's Chris, Morton's or Hyde Park
and head for Lockkeeper's in the valley of Valley
view, sit in the bar for a perfect Caesar salad, steak
or lamb chops and thin, crispy onion rings. Add some
house-made steak sauce, if you like. Pricey and worth
it. If I might add,(since I am quite affiliated by
marriage), Moxie in Beachwood, has one of the best
Long-bone rib chops around town, also an amazing
burger that is far less costly at lunch than dinner.
Other good burgers: Rick's Cafe in Chagrin Falls, also
a popular watering hole with live music on weekends;
maybe Thursday too.

One more: If you can't do without New York style deli, there is Alvies -- I'm not sure exactly where it
is, but it is in the vicinity of East 14th and Euclid or Superior (they apparently also have a place at
the Jake, and one or two other places). Alvies compares favorably to the best of New York, although the
portions are a bit smaller (given the size of the sandwiches at the Carnegie and Stage Delis, that may
not be a bad thing).

On this topic, someone posted the name and address of another place some months back, but I cannot
recall any details.

This is an unbelievably small world. Alvie of "Alvies"
would have been my father-in-law had he not passed
away a few years before my marriage to his son ,(but
he always said we'd make a great couple even before we
knew it!). He was an original; very much a character
and very well liked. Not only did he create the famous
Alvies restaurant, but was one of the original
concessioneers (?) at the Cleveland Stadium and is
known for introducing Stadium Mustard to all the
Stadia nationally. I have heard many a riotous story
from my husband of the older days, growing up working
the stadium and more. After he passed, Alvies
continued to run by his ex-wife and her family, then
it was sold several years back. I can't imagine it
being the same without Alvie himself presiding.

I know its a chain - and the chains are pooh-poohed, but I'm partial to Donato's pizza. I understand McDonald's bought it. The piaaz tastes pretty much the same as when it was only a few shops in Columbus - but still a top pizza on my list. True - its not as charming - but still pizza like noone elses.

Another chain - sometimes rude and a little too politically hippie some is Dave's subs. Ive only had their vegie subs - but its good. Ive only been to the chagrin falls one.

I'll always be loyal to the subs from Grum's on Coventry (at Mayfield). A Grum's sub is one of the things that I always *must* have whenever I'm back!

I'm partial to subs made at two Italian deli/import shops; DiStefanos at 5600 Highland rd. in Highland hts. made with super-fresh yummy Italian rolls (also gotta try their large soft slices of garlicky spinach pizza), and Ferrara's on Mayfield Rd. in mayfield hts. In addition to a classic Italian meats/cheese sub have a meatloaf sub that many love, like big, tender slices of meatball. Add peppers and onions.

Well, it depends upon how far afield from Oberlin you are willing to travel. Wooster, for example, has
an absolutely superb pizza place named Coccia House (I have posted about it before but will gladly rave
again if given the chance). Perhaps with some geographical guidelines, folks can respond.

Thanks for the posts... my mouth is watering.

Could you repost the info on Coccia pizza? I'd be glad
to hear about it, esp how to get there (I have no idea
how far Wooster is).

As far as geographical range goes, I guess I mostly
thinking about places under an hour from Oberlin, but
I don't know the area well enough to set parameters.
And I'd be glad to know of any REALLY GREAT places
anywhere in the region, because I could always try to
arrange to just be passing through... So if there's
anywhere you simply love, say so. I'm sure I'm hot the
only person who would be interested...