Football Fans Can Enjoy Barbecue, Beer, and Corned Beef Sandwiches in Cleveland

I grew up in Medina, Ohio, just a short drive from Cleveland, and my love for the big city’s sports runs deep. I was in grade school during the 1980 season when the Browns, known as the “Cardiac Kids,” delivered heart-stopping wins. Back then, Browns Spirit Days were a big deal at school, and there were even rumors that quarterback Brian Sipe and center Tom DeLeone lived on my street.

This fall, my husband Mike and I returned to Cleveland on a big entertainment weekend. The Guardians were hosting the Yankees, the Browns faced the Bengals, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was inducting new legends. Both teams lost, but the vibrant energy of Cleveland’s fans — and the local restaurants that fuel them — was obvious.

Here’s where to eat and drink if you’re cheering on the Browns, Guardians, or Cavs, matched with fan-like attributes that define Cleveland’s sports culture.

Great Lakes Brewing Company

Can a city call itself a great sports town without a great local beer? No, I say. That’s not a problem for Cleveland, where Great Lakes Brewing has satisfied taste buds since brothers Patrick and Daniel Conway tapped their first keg in 1988. With an eye for quality and innovation, Great Lakes remains independent and employee-owned — just like a fan base that stays true to its teams.

Great Lakes’ wide selection includes its well-loved Christmas Ale, available for only 10 weeks each year. Fans line up around the block the day of its release, inspiring the excitement of a high-stakes ballgame. Whether you prefer the cinnamon-spiced seasonal ale, the crisp Dortmunder Gold, or the low-cal Cold Rush, sampling a flight at the Ohio City brewery makes for the perfect pre- or post-game experience.

Frank's Bratwurst at West Side Market

Cleveland sports fans love their pregame munchies. For a quick nosh, it's hard to beat Frank’s Bratwurst, a beloved food stand in the historic West Side Market. Frank’s has been dishing out tasty meats since opening in 1970, providing foodies with a hearty collection of bratwurst, Italian sausage, and smoked sausage sandwiches.

“We’re third generation,” says Ryan Sheppard, who runs the stand alongside his mother, Ilse Sheppard. “We started out with chopped bratwurst, then the customers wanted it turned into a sandwich.” Frank’s mild bratwurst can be had on a hard roll or soft roll, with sauerkraut and a selection of condiments, including Ball Park Mustard.

Mitchell's Ice Cream

They say spring is a time of optimism, and Mike Mitchell would agree. The rabid Cleveland Guardians fan also loves to wax poetic about his namesake ice cream, lauded as one of Ohio’s finest. Mitchell and his brother, Pete, founded Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream a quarter century ago and in 2014 transformed a weatherbeaten theater in Ohio City into a sparkling production and retail facility. It’s one of nine Mitchell’s locations sprinkled around northeast Ohio.

The Ohio State University philosophy major brings an enlightened approach to the craft. “There’s a certain Platonic ideal for ice cream flavors, a taste image that you carry with you,” Mitchell says. “I’ve spent my adult life working on these flavors, and they’re all where I want them to be.”

The Rowley Inn

Cleveland sports fans thrive on nostalgia, cherishing memories of past victories and beloved moments. That sentiment comes alive at The Rowley Inn, located in the Tremont neighborhood, adjacent to the famous house from the movie “A Christmas Story.”

Owners Jon Oberman and Raphael Rivilla infuse every comforting dish with Cleveland pride, honoring the city’s working-class roots. “The pierogi-and-kielbasa dinner is our specialty,” says Oberman. They stuff the pierogi with potato and cheese and serve them alongside two spicy Hungarian sausages, with peppers, onions, and house slaw. With roots going back to 1906, The Rowley Inn caters to fans seeking comforting, familiar flavors before or after a big game.

Cordelia

Tucked in Cleveland’s East 4th Street entertainment district, Cordelia pays homage to proprietor Andrew Watts’ great-grandmother, Sarah Cordelia, who lived in Cleveland in the 1890s. Chef-partner Vinnie Cimino, a 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist, celebrates Northeast Ohio's agricultural roots through dishes that echo family traditions.

For instance, the “Bellie Up” tasting menu invites guests to dine as if they were sitting at grandma’s table, with surprise courses that keep coming until they’re satisfied. For a shareable favorite, try the Burger Box — Cimino’s playful take on fast-food classics. “It’s how we like to eat — just sit back, enjoy, and let us do the heavy lifting.” Cordelia makes for a heightened pre-game stop, especially before Cavs and Guardians games.

Mabel's BBQ

Cleveland fans are known for being outspoken, proudly showing their colors and supporting their teams through thick and thin. That bold spirit defines Mabel’s BBQ, opened by celebrity chef Michael Symon in 2016.

The 4th Street eatery embraces its Cleveland roots with neon signs flashing “Eat More Meat” and hearty dishes like the Polish Girl — Symon’s unique version of the traditional kielbasa sandwich. “We use kielbasa from NaKyrsie Meats, add pulled pork, coleslaw, and Cleveland-style BBQ sauce made with Bertman Ball Park mustard,” says manager Emma Janosik. Mabel’s also offers more than 300 bourbon selections, including several from River Roots Barrel Co., which Symon co-founded.

Flat Iron Cafe

The Flat Iron Cafe has withstood the test of time in Cleveland’s gritty, yet entertaining, Flats district. Established in 1910, this venerable Irish pub serves as a neighborhood anchor for Cleveland Browns football traditions.

The house specialty is a hefty platter of fried Lake Erie perch, provided by a fishmonger just across the street. “Browns Sundays are now my favorite day,” says co-owner Dave Steele. Despite the amusing irony of his surname being so close to the Browns’ bitter rivals from Pittsburgh, Steele has earned the community’s trust and affection by offering game-day brunches and free stadium shuttles.

Slyman's Restaurant

Corned beef sandwiches are a work of art at Slyman’s Restaurant, a city favorite since Joseph Slyman founded the iconic deli in 1964. Whether it’s served simply, or accompanied by kraut, cheese, and dressing in a Reuben, Slyman’s corned beef isn’t just a meal – it’s a Cleveland legend.

Fans flock to Slyman’s on many game days, willing to stand in long lines to enjoy the goodness — massive layers of corned beef on fresh rye from Orlando Baking Company, accompanied by a crisp pickle and potato salad. “The way we cook, trim, and season the corned beef keeps it tender and flavorful,” Sam Slyman, grandson of the founder, said following a recent 13-hour shift on his birthday.