Nosh News

Appetizing bites about Jewish chefs, restaurateurs and community staples

By Becky Raspe

Kosher barbecue spot coming to Shaker Heights

Mendel’s Kansas City BBQ is planning a late summer or early fall opening at the former Lucy’s Sweet Surrender bakery building at 20314 Chagrin Blvd. in Shaker Heights.

Its namesake, Mendel Segal, told the Cleveland Jewish News he was attracted to the area because his wife has family in Cleveland. Another iteration of the concept is based in Miami, Fla., called Mendel’s Backyard Barbecue, which has been open for ve years.

“I did some research on the community and saw the Jewish community is growing like crazy,” Segal says. “I think it’s right for the business. And the Shaker Heights area too is growing, and it’s become a real food destination.”

The restaurant will be a full-service kosher operation, specializing in dishes like brisket, smoked pastrami, beef ribs, beef back ribs, smoked veal brisket, lamb ribs, smoked turkey, burnt ends and smoked chicken. A full craft beer menu and liquor license is also planned. Other menu items will include soups, salads, wings, burgers, sh and steak.

“I don’t just want to sell good kosher barbecue – I want to sell good barbecue, period,” Segal says. “It’s exciting stu .”

More details will come as the shop readies to open. Visit cjn.org for updates.

Crumbl Cookies sweetens Beachwood shopping center

Crumbl Cookies is open at Pavilion Shopping Center in Beachwood, bringing a bit of sweetness to the community.

At 23435 Chagrin Blvd., the location is owned by a Utah-based couple, Ian and Katie Robertson, and locally managed and operated by their business partner, Alyssa Schlegel of Westlake.

Originally set to be managed by Schlegel’s friend, the COVID-19 pandemic had other plans when the rst proposed location was put on hold. Her friend was no longer interested when the idea resurfaced, Schlegel told the Cleveland Jewish News.

This isn’t Schlegel’s rst foray into the food industry. She’s worked with Driftwood Restaurant Group and at catering events with chef Zack Bruell. Growing up in Sagamore Hills, she is also aptly versed in all things Beachwood, she says.

“It’s always been a great retail destination and the community has always been top-notch,” Schlegel says. “The community has always been so supportive and excited about businesses, especially food-based ones. It was a no-brainer that way.”

A Crumbl fan herself, Schlegel says she’s excited for guests to stop in and try the cookies, which she referred to as “tiny little art pieces.”

“I love the experience of it all,” she says, adding her favorite is the wa e cookie that comes with a butter cream butter pad and syrup cup.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and from 8 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The store is closed Sundays so sta can prepare the week’s menu – which is always di erent, but milk chocolate chip is always available as the bakery’s rst cookie.

Crumbl Cookies has a weekly rotating menu of cookie o erings. Photo / Crumbl Cookies

Mitchell’s Ice Cream counter now open at downtown Heinen’s

Ice cream lovers can now enjoy Mitchell’s Ice Cream while shopping at Heinen’s in downtown Cleveland.

The small stand at 900 Euclid Ave. opened May 23, announced by the grocery store on Twitter. The location o ers many of the scoop shop’s most popular avors, including black raspberry chocolate chunk, caramel fudge brownie, chocolate peanut butter and wildberry crumble. Vegan customers have a number of options as well, like buckeye, chocolate and salted caramel pecan.

Heinen’s previously only sold the ice creams by the pint.

Mitchell’s Ice Cream is owned by brothers Pete and Mike Mitchell and will be celebrating its 23rd year of business this fall. The brothers opened the rst location in October 1999 in Westlake.

Mitchell’s currently has locations in Beachwood, Solon, Shaker Heights, Cleveland’s Uptown neighborhood, Westlake, Rocky River, Strongsville, Avon and its agship kitchen and shop in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood.