An ode to the greasy spoon diner

You can probably make it at home, but that's not the point.

I’m a part of a rising trend. I’ve been in a “find my peace” journey in 2023. Prior to this year, dabbling in risk could’ve been my nickname. It was a necessary chess move for progress but now I’m ready to take all the lessons I’ve learned in life and start applying them. I know the irony here. In order to see the playing field, and make the right decisions for myself I need to get into a peaceful and comfortable state of mind. That’s partially the reason for Food in Cleveland. This type of thinking has segued into foods that…..well, let me not beat around the bush, I crave comfort food. The type that’s not extremely experimental or elevated or whatever other fancy adjective that have been written to describe anything different in the food scene. The type of food that comes together in less than 15 minutes. That’s the pinnacle of peace, right? I’m talking eggs and rice (more on this dish in a later writeup), western omelettes, beefy and bean-y chili, peanut butter and jelly, sometimes pop (which I have to say because this is a Midwest thing), and any and all kinds of Caribbean food. When I lived with my Grandma for my adolescent years, she always made me breakfast before I went to school. It’s might’ve simply been two eggs, a piece of meat and toast, or a bowl of oatmeal. The short order type meal was exactly what I needed to start my day.

As an adult, I’m lucky if I make myself breakfast two days out of the week. However, as a family man, breakfast is a big thing for us on the weekend. But, it’s not always cooked by me. On the days when I’m just not doing it, I’m visiting a slew of diners that Cleveland has to offer. These are establishments where truly, everyone knows your name, they might even pick back up the last convo you had, and most importantly, the food is always consistent. There’s no shortage of this list: Big Al’s, Diner on 55th, Mike & Dee’s, Westside Market Cafe, Yours Truly, the Inn on Coventry and many more. The establishments listed prioritize patron relationships. Sometimes staff members rotate in and out, while others have been there for generations. I’ve even seen a staff member serve his own family. Whether you’re getting their special dish, or your regular, the quality is consistent. It’s never mind-blowing, but that isn’t the expectation. It’s exactly what you need it to be in that moment. Comforting while bringing you back to center.