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Slyman's has been in business for 50 years. The secret? None -- just the best corned beef sandwich anywhere.

(John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer)

'A-LIST' DINING GUIDE: 2014

Northeast Ohio's dynamic dining scene continues to unfold as one of America's best. Our fifth annual "A-List Dining Guide" featuring the area's Top 100 restaurants will be unveiled Friday -- online on cleveland.com's Top Restaurants channel and in print in The Plain Dealer's Friday magazine.

We're also serving up a few "A-List" side dishes this year, including mini guides to the area's bets bets in various categories.

Today, we're whetting your appetite with Cleveland freelance writer Peter Chakerian's guide to the area's best delis and sandwich shops.

Look for more posts and mini-guides this week, leading up to Friday's "A List" unveiling. Follow on Twitter, too, via

Northeast Ohio Media Group Restaurants & Dining Editor Joe Crea

There are some truly brilliant deli and sandwich stops in the Greater Cleveland area, where amazingly artful (not to mention thoughtfully affordable) delectables can be found. Once upon a time, sandwiches were mere protein forged between sliced granary--working-class finger food, a cheap meal within a digestable vessel. The purveyors of deli and sandwich shops you'll find below have elevated this creation into a gastronomic art form. – Peter Chakerian, Special to cleveland.com

TJ's Butcher Block (14415 Detroit Ave., Lakewood; 216-521-3303, www.tjsbutcherblock.com). In the biz for 30+ years, TJ's is the unsung, family-owned hero (literally) of this list. Plenty of great Dagwoods to choose from (Meatloaf, Lakewood, and Hello Chicago), yet the Southwestern Turkey borders on sublime: hot bacon, guacamole, LTO, and stacked with astoundingly moist smoked turkey. (PC)

Cleveland Pickle (Cleveland and Lakewood locations; www.clevelandpickle.com). Relative newcomer, this gourmet shop has can't-miss Cle-themed sandwiches like the Italian-inspired East-Sider and West-Sider "nu skool" subs, and a Blazin' River chicken salad. But their Cardiac Kid with rich peanut butter, honey, banana, pancetta, Nutella and pickle chips will prove (once and for all) if Elvis is dead or alive. (PC)

Corky & Lenny's (Beachwood and Cleveland locations; www.corkyandlennys.com). Plenty of well-crafted, reliable sandwiches here. Their hot Roast Brisket sandwich is a comfort food personified and the Sammy Kay—which may or may not be named for late Cleveland big band director Sammy Kaye—is the standout, piled with hot corned beef and pastrami, Muenster and thousand island on rye. (PC)

Jack's Deli (2175 S. Green Rd., Cleveland Heights; 216-382-5350, www.jacksdeliandrestaurant.com). You can go "N.S.H." (not so hungry) on portion size if you're watching, but going big on savory turkey-off-the-bone, pickled tongue and their salacious corned beef Reuben is absolutely the way to go. Don't leave without matzo ball soup and a chocolate phosphate, or your Jack's experience is incomplete. (PC)

On the Rise (3471 Fairmount Blvd., Shaker Heights; 216-320-9923, www.ontheriseartisanbreads.com). A bit of a moving target, On the Rise's sandwich board changes with the seasons. Banh Mi is one of the area's best, but the Nduja (pronounced "en-doo-ya") is the rock star—spicy, spreadable salami layered with pickled fennel, bright citrus, greens, and a sweetened soy dressing. Outstandingly toothsome. (PC)

Tommy's twist on the classic grilled cheese is made with pita bread, munster cheese, lettuce and tomato.

Tommy's Restaurant (1824 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights; 216-321-7757, www.tommyscoventrycleveland.com). Sum up a ridiculously good, veg/vegan-friendly Heights institution in two sentences? Good luck with that. Gads of hand-crafted sammies with flair, falafel, deli grinders—too many to name. Accompanying fries and shakes (subliminal message: get the black cherry yogurt) that are to die for. Consistently crazy-good. (PC)

Joe's Deli (19215 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River; 440-333-7890, www.myjoesdeli.com). Great sandwich combo plates and appetizers, remarkable corned beef on latkes (homemade potato pancakes) and a flavorful turkey Reuben with sauerkraut on grilled rye bread that just won't quit. But the coup de grace at Joe's is Pastrami Joe's: illustrious grilled pastrami on French with Dusseldorf mustard. (PC)

Slyman's Restaurant (3106 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland; 216-621-3760, www.slymans.com). Slyman's is the watermark for corned beef and pastrami in Cleveland, with sandwiches that border on obscene in size and stature. But there's an equally enormous taste to match, which matters in the deli world. Pssst, here's a little secret: you can get a pretty darn good patty melt here. (PC)

Tal's Bakery and Deli (5747 Ridge Rd., Parma; 440-885-0905, www.talsbeverageanddeli.com). Corned beef, a zesty Italian sub and "Broasted" chicken with all the fixings are all outstanding here. But with an in-house bakery and hand-cut deli meats that are paper-thin, a corned beef sandwich there is like falling squarely into a New York deli. Be sure to hit the Olive Bar inside before you leave. (PC)

Barle Soup and Sandwich, Cleveland Heights (2483 Lee Blvd., Cleveland Heights; 216-371-3050, www.barlesoupandsandwich.com). The Mediterranean Wrap (feta, artichoke, hummus, roasted peppers) and robust Turkey Pretzel Melt (roasted turkey, red onion, honey mustard and melty cheddar) are fantastic go-to's. But you can also "Build Your Own" at Barle. With 40+ components, there are endless possibilities. (PC)

Koko Bakery (3710 Payne Ave., Cleveland; 216-881-7600, www.kokobakery.i8.com). Homemade ramen, Pork Sung rice rolls (think giant sushi roll with ample rousing), curried beef "donuts," traditional pork buns (also known as cha siu bao/manapua). All of this and more at prices that only make this stop sweeter. Grab a boba (what locals often refer to as a "bubble tea") while you're here. (PC)

Seven Roses Polish Deli (6301 Fleet Ave., Cleveland; 216-641-5789)

. A comfort food bastion full of Old World charm. Who in Cleveland doesn't love this kind of confluence? So much of what Seven Roses does is delicious—house-made sausages, latkes, otherworldly stuffed cabbage, sandwiches and amazing baked goods—but when it can be had, the pork schnitzel is staggeringly good. (PC)

What's the best deli in Cleveland? What's missing from our list?

Tell us what you think in the comments section below.