Cleveland is home to a surprising number of barbecue restaurants. From the fancy trappings of the downtown House of Blues to local spots like Hot Sauce Williams that demand commitment to find, Cleveland may be the new best source of barbecue outside of the South. Whether taking in a show with your meal at House of Blues or getting cheap large portions of meat on flimsy plates, Cleveland is a barbecue odyssey.
Open Monday through Thursday at 10 a.m. and Friday and Saturday starting at 11 a.m., Freddie's Southern Style Rib House is one of Cleveland's "don't miss" barbecue restaurants. Esquire listed this restaurant in an article on the best insider food in the city. Though there is no fried chicken on the menu, this BBQ restaurant has favorites like the Polish Boy (bun with spicy barbecue kielbasa sausage and the usual sides of fries and coleslaw) that keep locals coming back for more. The prices are low and the restaurant, open late, also makes orders to-go.
Freddie's Southern Style Rib
1431 Saint Clair Avenue Northeast,
Cleveland, OH 44114-2001
216-575-1750
Cleveland's branch of House of Blues barbecue restaurant is located centrally downtown. Their restaurant is open at the same time as the concert hall: Tuesday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. with varying hours on Sunday and Monday. Live music plays most nights at House of Blues with acts that range from Hanson to The Black Crowes and more. Located in a historic Euclid Avenue building, the restaurant offers barbecue favorites like steak and baby back ribs as well as Southern style shrimp.
House of Blues
308 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114-2207
(216) 523-2583
houseofblues.com
Located a little outside Cleveland, this restaurant demands motivation to get to its doors. The outside is painted in bright pink and gray colors that beckon visitors inside. The portions are large for the price and the restaurant was notable enough to be included in the Cleveland segment of No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain. Though they have a fair share of barbecue, the restaurant edges more on the side of soul food with other favorites like macaroni and cheese, black eyed peas and more.
Hot Sauce Williams Barbecue
3770 Lee Road,
Cleveland, OH 44128-1410
216-921-4704
