Classic Challenge
Known for serving its Eastern European staples cafeteria style, this Tremont treasure is the go-to for stuffed cabbages as big as your head and hand-made pierogies swimming in a rich butter bath. Two local chefs make a case for which comfort-fueled dish should wind up on your tray.
Fat Cats' Ricardo Sandoval on the stuffed cabbage, $11.99
Sokolowski's stuffed cabbage is that ultra comfort food. It's not salty. It's smothered in a sweet tomato sauce, and there is a nice mixture of rice and beef. The combination of sweet and savory hits all my taste buds. And as heavy a dish as it could be, this is light. You can eat this and not be in a food coma.
Melt Bar and Grilled's Matt Fish on the pierogies, $9.99
I grew up in Parma, so pierogies were always a staple. As a vegetarian, I always have the potato and cheese pierogi. They are velvety and buttery and made in-house, so I know they will be fresh. They're huge, but your average human can consume a couple of them. Eating one of these pierogies is like getting a big, warm hug from a Slovenian grandmother.
Sokolowski's University Inn, 1201 University Road, Cleveland, 216-771-9236, sokolowskis.com
