Cleveland Rocks
When I touch down in Cleveland Hopkins International airport and arrive at the baggage claim, I’m greeted by a Superman display boasting of how the story of Superman began in Cleveland. Now the tone is set! Superman!!! Superman is definitely some big shoes to fill. He was faster than a speeding bullet, could leap tall buildings in a single bound, and more powerful than a speeding locomotive, in essence Superman is the proverbial Trump card to any Super hero from your city. He started in Cleveland. Out of the gate I know there’s a competition at play and being a true Michigander, born in Detroit, and a Black Man, I’m always up for a competition. I’ve been from Frisco to Maine, walked the Great Wall of China twice and didn’t get tired, so Cleveland would have to “bring it”! Baggage claimed, rental car secured, now let’s see what the fuss is all about.
That’s one big sandwich!
I finish the training of the new tech partner early (2 hours early), so I figure i’ll have an opportunity to perhaps do lunch in the city. My lodge brother made a suggestion that was further supported by a lovely Cleveland native couple on the incoming flight, Slyman’s!!!
Having grew up in a Jewish neighborhood, one of my first jobs was a bus boy in a Jewish deli. So I’m extremely picky when it comes to my corn beef and pastrami. Also, I’m partial to an onion roll vs rye with Russian Dressing (thousand island). It wasn’t on the menu options, but they made it happen. I got my requisite corn beef/ pastrami combo with Russian dressing/ 1000 island and swiss on a brioche roll (they didn’t have onion, they’re Catholic).
The corn beef and pastrami was just the right amount of thin to nearly melt in your mouth. I was instantly transported to 1990 at the Pickle Barrel in Lathrup Village, MI. The server came back to check on me after about 8 minutes to the realization that I had devoured the entire monstrosity. She stated “Goodness, you ate the entire sandwich. I’m impressed, I didn’t expect that”. To which I replied that “I’m a seasoned corn beef veteran”. In actuality, I was about to explode! That was way too much food to eat in one setting. But mission accomplished!
Another unique thing about the restaurant is the consistent popping sound. This place packs quickly and the only thing in more demand than a seat in the restaurant is the carry out. The cooks, runners, cashiers (damn near the entire restaurant) challenge each other to see who can pop a paper bag the loudest. It’s appears to be a tradition that has been going on for years in this Cleveland institution. It took a while for me to get used to, but ultimately I thought is was cool!
Rock ’N’ Roll Hall of Fame
Probably one of the dumbest things I have done was try to cramp a Museum of this magnitude into a lunch break. DON’T DO IT! I parked and planned to do a simple walk through, and take a few pics before heading back to do more work. By the time the meter was texting me to remind me that my hour of parking is up, I was still on the first floor! You need at least a half day for this place. If you’re a music lover like me, allow 6- 8 hours and just plan to eat at the place. The Jimi Hendrix exhibit alone took me about 40 minutes to navigate.
Cleveland has caught a bad rap over the years as much of the Mid-West has struggled with the transition from an industrial/ manufacturing based to a service oriented economy. Don’t sell the Mid-West short. Cleveland definitely has much to offer in the way of entertainment, history, and food. I’ll definitely be going back because… Cleveland ROCKS!