Barbecue is a diverse dish that many different regions have claimed as their own. There's Kansas City style, Memphis style, and so on... but what does classic Cleveland barbecue look like? There's one old-school BBQ joint in Greater Cleveland that's operated for decades, and it serves up dishes that locals can't get enough of. At one time, its dishes were coveted from Cleveland to Hawaii... but now, our city is the one place you can still enjoy the beloved recipes. Here's some food that will make your mouth water:
You'll find some of the best barbecue in Greater Cleveland hiding in plain sight in Warrensville Heights.
Whitmore's BBQ may not look like much from the outside, but this quiet storefront is maintaining decades of Old Cleveland's legacy of excellence. Here, indulgent comfort food is the star of the show, and it features a Southern kick as a nod to its founder's roots.
Since 1942, Whitmore's BBQ has quietly served up the best comfort food, from fried delicacies to Polish boys and more.
This is the kind of old-school restaurant that's perfectly geared toward family dinners. You can order single meals like sandwiches and individual pieces of chicken, or you can snag a slab of ribs to share. When you're checking out its menu, don't forget to eye up the dessert options!
When founder Virgil Whitmore Sr. came to Cleveland from Texas, he immediately started selling his special recipes to Clevelanders...
According to a spotlight piece on Cleveland.com, Virgil first sold special spice mixes to locals. Eventually, that business ceased to exist, but the big-thinking businessman moved on to the next endeavor: opening the original Whitmore's at East 171st Street and Euclid Avenue.
...And the food served up at Whitmore's is so good, it was said to be enjoyed by Old Hollywood icons like the great Ella Fitzgerald.
Getting hungry? Fortunately for you, this long-standing Cleveland restaurant is available on GrubHub and UberEats too.
Today, the Whitmore family continues to operate this beloved local business... and locals couldn't be happier, because the secret really is in the sauce.
Its website offers a bit of insight into the legacy of this delightful local business, but many locals will always remember it simply as the sauce that they grew up on. For nearly eight decades, generation after generation has indulged in this classic Cleveland BBQ.
The sauce is such a hit, in fact, that you can buy it online to make your own barbecues extra special.
Never had Whitmore's before? Prepare to be blown away by the deliciousness of this sauce. Keep the link to their online store handy, because you'll absolutely want to order some for yourself. Even if you don't have a planned day to use it, it's great to have on standby!
If you're in the area and you really want to wow your friends and family, you can book Whitmore's catering for special events.
Check out the offerings on ezCater to start prepping for your big event! Nothing tempts the taste buds quite like smoky, spicy, delicious barbecue.
Of course, you can also always just snag ribs and a Polish boy for dinner, too!
This Polish boy is one of the best in the city... and it's one of the oldest, too. This offering has been around since the 1980s, and it's every bit as delicious today as it was then. Of course, the juicy, cooked-to-perfection ribs and chicken are every bit as delicious!
If you've never been to this Cleveland staple, this long-standing restaurant belongs on your bucket list immediately.
If you're a fan of classic Cleveland cookin', this old-school eatery is a treat like no other. There's something nostalgic about its recipes, even if you didn't have the pleasure of trying the food while you were growing up. There's no better time than now to try the food and start a new tradition in your own household!
Locals can't get enough of Whitmore's BBQ.
Find this Cleveland favorite at 20209 Harvard Ave, Warrensville Heights, OH 44122.
Have you ever tried this classic Cleveland barbecue? We'd love to hear about your favorite dish on their menu!
Longing for a cookout? After you order some sauce from Whitmore's, stock up on meats and more from Gibbs Butcher Block to make your next cookout unforgettable.
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