Good grape leaves are a small test that tells you a lot about a Lebanese kitchen. When they are rolled fresh and packed with flavor, you know the rest of the menu is in good hands.
Ohio happens to be full of family-run spots that take this seriously, from Cleveland pita bakeries to a vintage diner in Cincinnati. Here are six places across the state where the grape leaves, hummus, and homemade pita earn their reputation, plus what else you should order once you sit down.
1. Assad’s Mediterranean Cuisine, Cleveland, OH
Over on Lorain Avenue, this family-run spot bakes its own pita and doubles as a small grocery, so you can grab dinner and pantry staples in one stop.
The grape leaves, called dewali here, sit at the heart of a lineup that also includes hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel, and spinach pies. If you want something a little different, ask about malfouf, a rolled cabbage version that plays in the same lane as grape leaves…