Hecks
Why we love it: With three locations, Heck’s has become a Cleveland staple that’s classic yet trendy. The write-home-about burgers highlight an all-American menu. This original location is an open-air concept filled with plants and covered in tile. Try this: An ode to one of its other locations, The Avon Burger ($18), is a balanced taste sensation featuring balsamic candied onions, blue cheese, truffled potato sticks and baby arugula. 2927 Bridge Ave., Cleveland, 216-861-5464, heckscafe.com
Herb’n Twine Sandwich Co.
Why we love it: This gourmet to-go sandwich shop, housed in a small rustic industrial space, is so adored that it regularly sells out and the bread is made daily. Try this: This isn’t your ordinary smoked turkey club ($12). The balanced sandwich begins with house smoked turkey breast and is topped with Gouda cheese, spinach, maple smoked bacon, marinated onion, sun dried tomato and mayo. 4309 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, 216-465-9600, herbntwine.com
Johnny Mango World Cafe & Bar
Why we love it: Long-running Johnny Mango World Cafe & Bar is your go-to for casual neighborhood eats in a funky fun dining area showcasing colorful artwork and a maze of greenery. Dig into the wholesome Mexican, Asian and Caribbean-inspired food and drink, including a juice bar with fresh to order juices, sodas and shakes made with locally grown fruits and vegetables. And don’t skip the restaurant’s impressive happy hour offerings. Try this: Go for the Bangkok BBQ chicken ($20.75), four delicious (zesty) chicken thighs seared over red hot coals, then quenched with sweet garlic sauce. This one’s meant to be eaten with your fingers. 3120 Bridge Ave., Cleveland, 216-575-1919, jmango.com
Larder Delicatessen and Bakery
Why we love it:The past inspires this Hingetown deli in an 1800s-era firehouse. Glass cases display fresh meat, pickles and pastries, and an open kitchen offers new takes on sandwiches, salads and desserts. Co-owner and chef Jeremy Umansky’s biggest inspiration, though, is helping Clevelanders discover food that is truly local. Along with regional family recipes, Larder showcases the abundance of ingredients the Cleveland area has to offer. “Any story we want to tell of who was here, who is here, who will be here, we can tell through ingredients that we get locally,” he says. “We’re doubling down on who we are and the resources that we have here.” Umansky and his partner and wife Allie La Valle, who runs the bakery program, were each individually nominated for James Beard Awards in the chef and baker categories. Try this: Dishes like the pastrami sandwich ($17) — a fan-favorite evidenced by the 200 pounds of brisket the deli shreds through weekly — and the matzo ball soup ($8.50) feature ingredients sourced from the West Side Market, Port Clinton, Medina County and more. 1455 W. 29th St., Cleveland, 216-912-8203 larderdb.com
Dining and Cooking