1. That You Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Trophies To Prove You Have The Best Teams In The World
With the Indians, Browns, and Cavaliers, all making Cleveland their hometown there are plenty of opportunities for a local team to bring home a championship trophy, unfortunately it hasn’t happened since 1964. Even though their teams aren’t technically the best, you’ll never convince a Clevelander of that.
Cleveland has one of the most devoted fan bases in the world, selling out 455 consecutive Indian games in the late ’90s. And you can’t forget about the “Dawg Pound,” the largest fan club in the NFL.
Hopefully the new stars in the starting lineups, as well as the return of a certain Cleveland great, will help bring the Forest City’s sports bounce back.
2. What It Really Means To Be A Winter Warrior
Around the country, everyone complains about how their weather is the worst. When Clevelanders hear this, they just chuckle. Whether you call it the lake effect, snowmeggedon, or simply January, the winter months in Cleveland are sure to bring immense amounts of fluffy snow and bitter coldness.
Clevelanders are used to it though, don’t expect snow to be an excuse for anything, be it school or work.
3. That Cleveland Puts The “C” In Classy
New York? Nah. L.A.? No Thanks. Clevelanders know their city is the classiest place to be. Home to the second largest theater complex in the country, the Playhouse Square, Cleveland puts on some of the best shows around with more than 1,000,000 visitors attending over a thousand performances per year.
Cleveland doesn’t stop with the classiness there. It’s also one of the best dressed places in the nation and home to Fashion Week Cleveland, the third largest fashion show in America.
4. That The Best Italian Food Isn’t In Italy, It’s In Cleveland
Being more than 4,500 miles from Rome doesn’t keep Cleveland from serving up some of the best Italian in the country.
Call it what you want, Little Italy, Murray Hill, or simply “The Hill,” but it’s impossible to visit this part of the city without leaving stuffed to the brim. With staples like Presti’s Bakery, Mia Bella, Valerio’s, and Angelo’s Nido Italia in its arsenal of restaurants, it can’t be beat.
The food coupled with the thriving Feast of Assumption Festival, make it a must see for visitors to the city. Anywhere that hosts an annual four-day festival where pizza is a centerpiece has me sold.
5. That Their Relationship Status With Bron Bron Is “It’s Complicated”
July 8, 2010 is a day that will forever live in Cleveland infamy, the day Lebron James announced he was leaving them for the Heat...
People stormed the streets, burning jerseys and tearing down anything that reminded them of King James.
Skip ahead to 2014, he’s coming back, leaving many Cleveland fans quite confused with regards to how they should feel. After all, to them Lebron was the scum of the earth only a few short years ago.
In a recent “VICE” interview, it was revealed that Clevelanders are living up to their friendly stereotype, mostly willing to forgive and forget. Most Clevelanders understand why he left at the time and know that having him back will be what’s best for the city. Being the dedicated fans they are, Clevelanders are able to get over the past and cheer for number 23 again.
However, it’s hard to imagine the sting will ever be completely gone.
6. That Every Clevelander Is At Least A Wee Bit Irish
Home to Ohio’s oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration, every Clevelander bleeds a little bit green.
With over 15,000 people marching in a parade that attracts over 500,000 spectators, it’s one of the best celebrations in the country. Not only does this mean that every Clevelander enjoys a good party, it also means that every Clevelander enjoys great Irish food.
A stop by Slyman’s will get you a corned beef sandwich that will make you question the legitimacy of every other sandwich you’ve had.
7. The Guiltless Pleasure Of A Chowing Down On A Polish Boy
When a Clevelander isn’t eating a ridiculously huge corned beef sandwich, there’s a good chance they’re snacking on a “Polish boy.” No, it’s not cannibalism, it’s just another crazy sandwich.
Consisting of a grilled, sometimes deep-fried, kielbasa on a toasted bun, that’s topped with fries and slaw before being drenched in barbeque sauce. A polish boy is not something to eat on the first date, unless it’s in Cleveland.
It’s surprising these bad boys haven’t worked their way to the entire country yet, as they’ve got their fair share of limelight on shows like Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” For the best in town, head to Seti’s, where chili and cheese can be added to the top of this monstrosity as well.
8. How Good It Tastes When A Sweet, Sweet Local Brew Hits Your Lips
Nothing will help you beat the cold Cleveland weather like a Christmas Ale From Great Lakes Brewing Company. With a 96 rating on Beer Advocate, there’s undisputed evidence that it’s one of the best places for craft beer in the country.
So with so many good beers in need of drinking on hand it’s also no surprise that Cleveland ranks 11th on “Business Insider’s” Most Hungover Cities list, with 5.6 bars per every 10,000 households and 18.2 percent of legal drinkers admitting to binge drinking.
At least Cleveland is drinking really good beer, right?
9. That Cleveland Really Does Frickin’ Rock
Other cities around the country can claim that they’re the true home to rock ’n’ roll music, but every Clevelander knows better.
Out-of-towners may find it strange that the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame is located in Cleveland, of all places. That is, until they hear about the birth of Rock and Roll at Cleveland’s Moondog Coronation Ball in 1952. Not only did Alan Freed coin the phrase “Rock and Roll” during his radio hour, he also helped organize some of the first rock shows.
Cleveland’s influence of rock ’n’ roll doesn’t stop there, as the city is responsible for churning out huge stars like Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, and the James Gang. Next time someone questions whether or not Cleveland deserves to house the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, know that the right has been well-earned.
10. How It Feels To Live In The Best Damn City In The World
Unfairly, but consistently overlooked in the conversation of the “Best Cities in America,” every true Clevelander understands what puts their city a cut above the rest.
There are currently huge projects underway that put money back into improving an already great city. The $16 million being spent to make Playhouse Square better is just one of many examples. Plus, with Lebron’s return estimated at bringing an additional $500 million to the local economy, there’s no sign of Cleveland slowing down anytime soon.
What was once known as the city with fiery rivers, will soon be known as a cultural mecca in the Midwest. Every Clevelander knows that their city is the best, and it’s that Cleveland pride that keeps making it a better place to be.
Feature Image Source: Flickr user Joel Bielawa
Did we miss anything? Tell us what you think is unique about Cleveland in the comments below! 
