Walk up to the corner of St. Clair and you can already smell it: warm rye, peppery steam, and that unmistakable sizzle that says lunch is about to be legendary. Slyman’s Restaurant has been stacking corned beef and pastrami the old Cleveland way since 1964, and the line out the door is part of the ritual.
You get fast, friendly service, massive portions, and meat so tender it practically folds into the bread. Come hungry, bring cash or a card, and be ready to join a local tradition that earns every bit of its 4.7 star praise.
The Line-Out-The-Door Welcome
Arrive on St. Clair around 11 and you will see it right away: a snaking line, chatter in the cold, and the kind of anticipation that makes you stand taller. The wait moves fast because the crew works like a practiced orchestra, calling orders, slicing, and stacking with clockwork rhythm.
You will hear jokes from the counter, a name called, and that satisfying thump of a sandwich meeting a tray. While you inch forward, watch through the pass for a glimpse of the slicer…