Rood Food Elevates The Slider

With a 1950s-style camper serving as a bar and a brightly lit marquee emblazoned with clever messages, Lakewood’s Rood Food promises an entertaining dining experience. The eclectic, artsy atmosphere fits well with the menu’s quirky lineup of sliders and pies. “People hear the word ‘slider’ and they think White Castle,” says owner Brian Ruthsatz. But far from a fast-chain throwaway, these tiny sandwiches come deconstructed with flavor-packed ingredients such as barbecue-grilled jackfruit, whiskey flank steak, jicama slaw or crispy daikon slaw served in bowls alongside house-made curry or cardamom rolls. “You construct the sandwich yourself,” he says, noting that the approach encourages sharing and creativity. The communal aspect spills over to dessert, with sharable slices of pie such as brown butter rosemary apple. “People are not on their phones at the restaurant,” Ruthsatz says. “They are really talking about the food and the environment.” 17001 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-712-4506, roodfoodandpie.com.