A Slice Above, Cleveland, OH

If you knew me, you’d know that it pains me not to have photographic evidence of a good meal. Especially when I know that I’ll be posting about it later here on the blog. Well, it happened. I ate some coma-inducing, stomach-filling pizza and got so caught up in things that I forgot to grab the camera. That’s really saying something.

Less than 3 miles from the Cleveland airport Crowne Plaza is A Slice Above Pizza.
Yup, the name really does say it all!

Tons of unique topping combinations, five types of crust to choose from, a few different sauces, homemade ice cream, and even “take and bake” pizzas (baking tray included). Holy cow, what more could you ask for from a tiny little take-out-or-delivery pizza joint?

I took a hint from a Yelp review by Lisa S. and chose one of the staff favorites, the “Honey Bee.” With a real honey base, pieces of ham, big bacon strips (not crumbles), sharp white cheddar, and mozzarella, this pizza was finger-lickin’ good.

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Meat so soft you could drink it…

Maybe it was because I was halfway into my flight of beer samples, but when my server asked if everything tasted okay, I responded with, “Words cannot describe the happiness in my mouth right now.”

That right there should be more than enough to convince you carnivores out there to step into Champaign, IL’s Black Dog Smoke & Ale House. Not far from either Holiday Inn that we use (albeit a little farther from the Stoney Creek Inn), Black Dog is in downtown Champaign and is almost a literal hole in the wall; I drove past it twice on the first visit. It’s a barbeque joint in a small college town that can’t be missed.

• Killer barbeque that melts in your mouth? Check.
• Always packed with locals? Check.
• To-die-for cornbread? Check.
• Home-made infused tequilas? Check.
• Rotating cast of seven craft brews on tap? Check.
• A 7-sample flight of those tap beers for only $12? Check!

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