1. White House Chicken’s Whole Wings ($6.95)
In the 1930s, immigrants from Yugoslavia brought Serbian fried chicken to Barberton. Since 1950, White House Chicken has breaded its chicken with eggs, flour and breadcrumbs, encasing its natural juices in an amber, crispy shell. Canale recommends dipping their wings in the hot sauce for a phenomenal spicy kick: “When you get the two together it’s like a marriage made in heaven. It’s just a flavor burst.” Various locations, whitehousechicken.com
2. Chicken Ranch’s Crispy Amish Chicken Thigh ($5)
Chicken Ranch opened last December, but chef and owner Demetrios Atheneos spent years perfecting its fried chicken recipe. “People are craving it,” he says. The a la carte crispy Amish chicken thigh is soaked in a garlic, chili, jalapeno and buttermilk brine, fried and topped with Chicken Ranch’s in-house seasoning. Complement its crunch with one of 16 sauces, such as Atheneos’ signature soy chile jam. 13892 Cedar Road, University Heights, 216-938-7645, theoriginalchickenranch.com
3. Chicken Run’s Chicken Breast ($5)
Soho Chicken & Whiskey’s chicken niche started as an experimental marriage between sweet chicken and savory waffles. Their signature taste persists in Soho’s takeout counterpart, Chicken Run. The a la carte breast is cooked in a unique brine of aromatic flavors, including apple cider vinegar, brown sugar and rosemary. “It’s just got that slight twist to it that’s unexpected, but welcome,” says Konkoski. 1889 W. 25th St., Cleveland, 216-298-9090, sohocleveland.com
4. Angie’s Soul Cafe’s chicken Leg ($2.05)
When Angie’s Soul Cafe opened in 1985, it was a hole in the wall, but anybody who was anybody knew where to go, says Lindsay. Angie’s fried chicken, which is served in meals or a la carte, is coated with garlic seasoning, black pepper, seasoning salt and paprika. Angie’s signature barbecue sauce creates a flavorful trip of cinnamon, crushed red peppers and honey. “People know it when they taste it,” Lindsay says. “It can’t be duplicated.” Various locations, angiessoulcafe.com
If you enjoyed this story, dig in to the rest of May's Best Restaurants issue below.
How Cleveland Is Eating Now
From fried chicken, casual pop-up options and new local chefs to watch, the Cleveland food scene is finding new ways to thrive. Plus, the up-and-coming chefs we're most excited about. Read More >>
Cleveland 10 Best New Restaurants
From pizzas to tacos, New American comfort food, tightly packed sushi and decadent multicourse meals, these restaurants have made a lasting impression over the past year. Read More >>
An Ode To 5 Restaurants We'll Miss
From iconic downtown spots to a trailblazing New American joint to family favorites, these restaurants lost during our pandemic year have forever left a mark. Read More >>
How 5 Dining Spots Expertly Pivoted During The Pandemic
By creating more diverse menus that travel well, doubling down on their communities and rebranding all together, these Northeast Ohio restaurants found new ways to do what they do best. Read More >>
How Cleveland Restaurants Have Adapted To The Demand For Casual Dining
Gusto's Seafood & Chicken, Cilantro Taqueria, Domo Yakitori & Sushi and Citizen Pie Roman Cafe are elevating quick, comfortable eats. Read More >>
Ghost Kitchens' Small Footprints And Huge Ambitions Take Cleveland By Storm
The COVID-19 pandemic jumpstarts the ghost kitchen trend in Cleveland with options such as Good Meal Jane and Amba. Read More >>
Local Restaurants Expand And Experiment With Vegan Offerings
From GoBuddhaMeals' walnut taco bowls to The Vegan Club's fettucine Alfredo, we highlight four unique vegan dishes created by local kitchens. Read More >>
Pop-Up Eateries Thrive In The COVID-19 Era
The Roaming Biscuit and FatBoy Sammies are among area pop-ups finding success. Read More >>
Chefs To Watch
Laura Jerina-Potts Takes A Detailed Approach To Desserts
Thyme Table's pastry chef has been serving up intricate delicacies and sweets for the last three years. Read More >>
Jarrett Mines Eager To Leave His Mark With Cleveland's Filter
With the opening of the new Warehouse District restaurant, the former personal chef is ready to wow the city with his interactive dishes. Read More >>
Vinnie Cimino's New Immigrant Son Brewery Menu Pays Homage To His Ancestors
The 'quasi-nomadic' chef is settling down with a new Lakewood brewery menu inspired by light, communal, immigrant-inspired fare. Read More >>
Tiwanna Scott-Williams' Homemade-Style Comfort Food Shines At Pearl's Kitchen
A former nurse, chef Tiwanna Scott-Williams tells us why she's ready to take Cleveland by storm with her homecooked, comfort-food style. Read More >>
Jose Melendez's Twisted Taino Expertly Blends Caribbean And Latin Flavors
A Sauce the City Food Hall staple, Twisted Taino is expanding to a second location in Parma that will house catering, carryout and delivery services. Read More >>
