Note: In the Pop Traveler, Pop Candy readers name their city's top pop-culture hot spots/events. Wanna write about your town? Holler at popcandy@usatoday.com.

By BIG BUSINESS, Special Correspondent for Pop Candy

Eleven ways that Cleveland rocks:

1. Michael Symon restaurants. The James Beard Award-winning chef brings a lot of pride and excitement to the restaurant landscape in Cleveland. Lola Bistro is the signature restaurant, but for a fun lunch, the B-Spot is a great place to just get a burger and fries. I love the Lola Burger at B-Spot -- fried egg on top, yum!

2. Beachland Ballroom. This concert club is a former Croatian ballroom and Cleveland landmark. The two-stage venue hosts up-and-coming local bands like The Suede Brothers, Afternoon Naps, bears and Cloud Nothings; regional performers and national acts.

I always wanted to have a story where I saw a band before they were famous. I saw Vampire Weekend before they blew up for $8 in front of 30 people at The Beachland. The menu is good, too: I like my pinto-and-cheese burrito chased with a Great Lakes Brewing Company Eliot Ness. They're also famous for their Sunday brunch!

3. The Christmas Story house. Located in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood, 'twas where they filmed the exterior and some interior shots from the holiday classic A Christmas Story. The house was restored and opened as a tourist attraction in 2006. It's hard not to want to run through the backyard shooting a BB gun when the tour is over.

4. West Side Market. You can buy small portions of items to eat while you stroll through the more than 100 vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, fine meats, seafood, baked goods, dairy and cheese.

You may have seen this place on TV, as Anthony Bourdain was here and scarfed down a gyro from Steve's Gyros. Also, Michael Symon appeared on the Food Network show The Best Thing I Ever Ate to express his love of the beef jerky from J&J Meats.

5. Big Fun. "Come shopping ... leave smiling." It's that simple at Big Fun. They strive to find the coolest toys and gifts out there, and what you'll find is a veritable cornucopia of delights like G.I. Joe, Star Wars, My Little Pony and Strawberry Shortcake. The shop prides itself on the largest selection of vintage and collectibles around. Whenever I need a unique gift, I always check Big Fun first.

6. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 'Nuff' said, unless you are VH1's Eddie Trunk!

7. Cedar Lee Theatre. This movie house boasts a cult movie series currently featuring Fletch, Trainspotting and Videodrome. Midnight showings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Room happen frequently. The concession stand at the Cedar Lee offers fresh wraps from Tommy's on Coventry, baked goods and, yes, beer and wine.

8. Burning River Roller Girls. Roller derby is a sport my wife and I can agree on. Fast paced and exciting, you have to see these girls in action. If you sit in the "suicide seats," hang onto your beer, and make sure you pay the babysitter extra and go to the fun after-party hosted by the league.

9. Chucklefck comedy nights. Hosted by Ramon Rivas, this is a great place to get your finger on the pulse of the Cleveland comedy circuit. The shows (on the east and west sides) are affordable and feature some of the hottest local comics, along with national acts like Neal Brennan, Nikki Glaser and T.J. Miller. I saw Hannibal Buress for $15 right off his appearance on national TV. If you love to laugh, you must check this out!

10. Stadium Mustard. Featured on The Drew Carey Show and Hot in Cleveland, this mustard has been a Cleveland staple for more than 50 years. It's served in over 150 stadiums across the country and has the honor of being requested on three space shuttle missions. No Cleveland hot dog is without it.

11. Machine Gun Kelly. In 2011 this Cleveland rapper announced he signed with Diddy's Bad Boy Records and Interscope. We love him for starting a flash mob in Strongsville's Southpark Mall and getting arrested/banned from ever coming back. If he stays out of jail, he'll be Cleveland's next Drew Carey!

Bonus: I love this collection of art that features 100 days in Cleveland.

BIG BUSINESS, aka Chris M., is not a storyteller, humorist, columnist, musician, satirist or radio personality. He lives in Cleveland.

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