Ep 9. Cleveland: Meals as Big as the Heartland

In Episode 9 of Season 2 of Ginormous Food, host Josh Denny heads to the heart of the Midwest: Cleveland, Ohio. Known for their hearty and delicious cuisine, Cleveland is home to some of the biggest and most indulgent meals in America.

The episode begins with Josh visiting the West Side Market, where he meets up with Chef Jim Blevins of Melt Bar and Grilled, a local hotspot known for their massive grilled cheese sandwiches. Chef Jim shows Josh how to make the Ultimate Porky Melt, a behemoth sandwich that features pulled pork, thick-cut bacon, and four different kinds of cheese. Josh is blown away by the sandwich's size and flavor, declaring it the king of all grilled cheese sandwiches.

Next, Josh heads to Brew Garden, a sports bar known for their oversized pub food. He meets up with Chef JC Perez, who shows him how to make the Big Softie Burger. This burger is not for the faint of heart, featuring two pounds of ground beef, cheddar cheese, onion rings, and a hot dog on top. Josh is skeptical at first, but after taking a few bites, he can't get enough of the juicy and flavorful burger.

After lunch, Josh takes a trip to Sokolowski's University Inn, a family-owned restaurant that has been serving up hearty Polish cuisine for over 90 years. He meets with Mary Balbier, the restaurant's owner, who shows him how to make their famous Pierogi Platter. This platter of fresh-made pierogis is served with kielbasa, sauerkraut, and a house-made gravy. Josh is amazed at the amount of food he is served, but he can't resist the savory and comforting flavors of the pierogis.

For his final stop, Josh visits Geraci's, a local pizza joint that has been in business since the 1950s. Owner John Geraci shows Josh how to make the ultimate Cleveland-style pizza, which is loaded with cheese, toppings, and sauce. But the true star of the show is Geraci's famous Pepperoni Roll, a massive appetizer that features layers of pepperoni, cheese, and bread. Josh is floored by the size and flavor of the roll, declaring it one of the best things he has ever eaten on the show.

Throughout the episode, Josh is blown away by the size and flavor of Cleveland's cuisine. From oversized burgers to massive grilled cheese sandwiches, Cleveland knows how to do comfort food right. As Josh says, "Everything is bigger in Cleveland, and that includes the flavors!"