I’ve been to Cleveland a handful of times now. I don’t know, maybe it’s because it reminds me so much of home (Milwaukee, WI), but every time I go to Cleveland I have an outstanding time. I know you will too.

From world famous restauranteurs and local breweries to an amazing public market and beyond, Cleveland has an incredibly diverse “foodie” scene happening on the down low, and tons of Rock-N-Roll to satisfy almost every musical taste imaginable.

My first trip to Cleveland was in 2010. I’ll never forget it because my brother and I on a lark decided a road trip was absolutely necessary to our sanity, and when I said “hey, let’s go to Cleveland for the 2010 Berea Rib Cookoff in the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds outside of Cleveland!!!” he said “sure…”

Obviously less enthusiastic as I was, he reluctantly got in the car and we drove to Cleveland.

I got a cheap hotel on the outskirts between Cleveland and Berea and we setup camp for the weekend.

Armed only with a wanderlust for travel and an impressive appetite for good food, we got up early the next morning and made way to The Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds for the 2010 Berea BBQ Cookoff Competition.

It was clear the moment we stepped foot on the “infield” that this was going to be an epic day of carnage and gluttony. I should really write a post just about that event in and of itself because it was so epic. We ate like Vikings, we drank with no abandon, and we had a Meatloaf impersonator destroy my brand new iPhone. *Note – I was pretty upset, mainly because he wasn’t that good of a Meatloaf impersonator… but I digress*

Cleveland Rocks!

The beauty of that first trip to Cleveland was the instant I asked my brother if he wanted to go, he (although less than impressed with my destination of choice) spouted off 5 places he legit wanted to visit:

• Westside Public Market
• Michael Simon’s Restaurant Lola
• The Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame
• Great Lakes Brewery
• The Corner Alley

Boiled down, Cleveland is just a wonderful and amazing city, but I’m definitely going to write individual reviews of each of these wonderful places, so stay tuned…

Put it to you this way – every time I go back to Cleveland since my first trip in 2010, things just get better and better.

The restaurants and brew pubs are incredible. The markets (there’s more than just the Westside Public Market) are so amazing. The nightlife is enchanting. Lake Erie is just magical. And the people couldn’t be nicer. Whatever we have here in the Midwest carries over into Cleveland, and that Midwest hospitality and mentality is up front and proper.

So listen, I’ve got to cut this particular post short, but trust me – investigate and then GO to Cleveland. It’s worth it. You’ll love it. And I can’t wait to write more about it.

PS – remember back when I said Milwaukee was like Cleveland’s Sister City – well there a guy who lives by the airport in Milwaukee who has WELCOME TO CLEVELAND painted on the top of his house right in the line with the main flight plan for landing! Hilarious!!!

Cheers! ~CK