Barrister's Catering — Restaurant in Cleveland

WOW!!! Voted one of the Top 10 diners in the state of Ohio. Let me tell you why I think this is so. Hospitality. Friendliness. Delicious Food. and so much more. I was in Cleveland for a conference and when it came time to leave, my car was kaput. The shop where my car ended up for repairs recommended Barrister's Deli as a place for me to get something to eat while I waited. Well, technically they were closed when I arrived yet Mary and Nick took me in and took all my cares away. Mary let me sit while they were prepping to open. She offered to make me a breakfast sandwich and then offered me the menu. So much deliciousness to choose from. I chose one of the best salads I've ever had. No canned chick peas here, Nick soaks them! Delicious! I wanted to taste all the goodness. I ordered a turkey sandwich for the road along with homemade cole slaw and a brownie and chocolate chip cookies. What joy when I found a wrapped pickle at the bottom of the bag. Everything was delicious. I only wish I'd found them earlier in my trip. By the time I left, I was taking photos with my new found family. If ever I am in Cleveland again, I am definitely stopping at Barrister's for as many meals as possible as long as Nick and Mary are there. Do yourself a favor and get there as...

I wasn’t super thrilled when my husband wanted our first stop in Cleveland to be a deli— BOY, was I mistaken. Barrister’s is a GEM! Don’t walk, RUN.

I ordered a corned beef reuben, which came with a pickle and a side of fries. Hand to God, it was the BEST. REUBEN. EVER.

Buttered, grilled toast A tower of flavorful, lightly shaved corned beef Thousand Island dressing on the side (so you can add as much or as little as you like) Delicious sauerkraut with a perfect crunch, sandwiched between the corned beef

The serving size is more than enough for the hungriest appetites. I couldn’t finish the fries, but as big as the sandwich was, it wasn’t too dense or heavy.

Not only was the food amazing, but the service was immaculate. We were greeted warmly and promptly, sat at the bar, and the food came out within minutes.

The price was certainly reasonable. My meal was on the pricier end at $15 and I couldn’t finish it all.

If you’re in Cleveland, definitely give this place a visit! My husband and I will definitely be back— probably again...

I have been coming to Barristers for over a decade, and it is truly a hidden gem in downtown Cleveland. The menu is primarily standard deli fare, but Barristers shines in its execution. The soup is always homemade, hearty, and flavorful. Portions are large, but this does not cause them to compromise on the quality of their ingredients. I can say without equivocation that Barristers is the best lunch in downtown Cleveland.

And all this while maintaining a welcoming and friendly environment with a staff that genuinely cares about the quality of their product. You can expect to be asked how your meal was by at least one staff member on every visit, and the question is one of genuine concern, not simply a throwaway.

In sum, places like Barristers are disappearing from midsized cities like Cleveland, and before we fully cede lunch time to the Panera Bread and Au Bon Pains of the world, we should take a moment for the classic lunch counter. We should grab a sandwich...