Best of Cleveland 2017: Build-Your-Own Bowls

To be frank, we’re over Chipotle. We’re big fans, however, of the build-your-own-bowl craze it ushered in — a trend that’s perfected at Boaz Cafe. The fast-casual sister company from local Mediterranean chain Aladdin’s Eatery has us piling up hearty meats, traditional tastes and crispy veggies without guilt. “Customers see the freshness of the ingredients right there in front of them,” says owner Paul Chamoun. For a Boaz bowl ($7) at its best, skip the lentils and rice base, though delicious, and opt for greens. The undressed spring mix provides a crunch without distracting from the flavors of other toppings such as shredded Ohio beef shawarma and pureed signature hummus. We’ll take doubles of the extra-crunchy pickled turnips and a drizzle of the fruity but tart mango-cilantro dressing atop a three-bean mix seasoned with mellow parsley and a zing of lemon juice — just because we can. “The customer can get as much as they want or go as small and simple as they want,” Chamoun says. 2549 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, 216-458-9225, boazcafe.com