Since its inception in 1980, Lopez has made appearances in two separate Cleveland Heights addresses and, now, two separate locations in Chagrin Falls. The popular Mexican eatery founded by Craig Sumers and Brad Friedlander, and sustained by Michael Herschman, closed for good in 2020.
Or so we thought.
Friedlander, with partner Michael DuBois, revived the brand in late 2023, when he opened Lopez in the former Ponyboys space (506 E. Washington St.) in Chagrin Falls. After Flip Side closed its burger bar last summer, Friedlander announced that he was relocating Lopez to that prime property in the heart of the village. Now called Lopez 44 (44 N. Main St., 440-468-0310), this latest iteration of the enduring brand is on pace to open the week of Jan. 27. (The precise date has not been announced.)
“Lopez has had several locations over the years, and we’ve continued to iterate with every new location,” Friedlander explains. “Lopez 44 is the pinnacle of everything we’ve learned and experimented with. We’re very excited to give everyone a taste of what we’ve been working on.”
The kitchen is helmed by chef Christa Barnoski, who is behind an updated "Southwestern" themed menu. Guests can look forward to dishes such as whole fried red snapper with fire-roasted pineapple salsa and white beans, braised pork with charred salsa verde, grilled skirt steak with fried potatoes and salsa verde, and smoked baby back ribs with jicama slaw and jalapeno corn bread. For dessert, there are cinnamon sugar-dusted churros served with chocolate ganache.
For more updates about Cleveland, sign up for our Cleveland Magazine Daily newsletter, delivered to your inbox six times a week.
Cleveland Magazine is also available in print, publishing 12 times a year with immersive features, helpful guides and beautiful photography and design.
