LeBron James has to leave Cleveland. I’ve articulated my reasons here and here.
I agree with Jim Rome that this isn’t going to help either.
Call me a traitor to my hometown, but the man has no reason work in Cleveland other than Clevelanders will claim to love him more than anyone else, as this awful video attests. I agree with Jim Rome. The point of this video better be comedy. Mark Norton, Ted Strickland, and Big Chuck will not change LeBron’s mind, trust me.
The “Please Stay LeBron” video implies has-been half celebrities are on LeBron’s radar, that sentiment will trump business. Yeah, that isn’t happening.
What really bugs me is what defines Cleveland in “Please Stay LeBron” and on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations: its weirdos. Now, this may be realistic–but it’s exactly why this town is a joke. Harvey Pekar is a regular guy, I guess, but if he is going to define a town count me out.
What should define Cleveland?
I think that’s the wrong question to ask. Places are inanimate, except in the cosmic sense. A place can speak to you, for sure. The individual, though, must take responsibility for finding the beauty in any location.
The better question is for each individual to consider what is beautiful–and to live it each day. Certainly there’s beauty all over Cleveland. I don’t lack for wonderful people to be around, great food to eat, inspiring art and music to enjoy.
If I had to answer the question: What should define Cleveland? Here’s the first on my list, but none of these things will matter to LeBron James. It should matter to any local.
Superior Pho: 3030 Superior, Cleveland, OH 216-781-7462
My aesthetic as a foodie is to look for small portions cooked perfectly, another consideration is value. It’s rare that a small dish can be so satisfying a diner will not even want to let the law of diminishing returns become a possibility, will not want to order anything else.
The Vietnamese sandwich (Banh mi thit) at Superior Pho hits all three.
The bread is reason enough to order. Expectation is a factor in how any dish is judged. The Banh mi thit reminds me of the world’s greatest sandwich, the Darrell’s Special Po-boy in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The french bread is delicately toasted on the outside and soft on the inside. This sandwich, unlike the Darrell’s Special, is a wonderful mix of overpowering and clean tastes.
Pate, which I usually hate, is thinly spread and blends nicely with strips of cured pork and mayo. Thankfully for me the Vietnamese are not down with cheese, which would ruin flakes of mint that give the sandwich aroma. Before you take a bite, the mint gives off a pleasant gardeny feel.
From a credibility standpoint the mint says “This kitchen values freshness,” which is also true if you order a #11 Special–a Vietnamese sandwich, a large bowl of pho, and iced tea. Pho and a sandwich? It’s nearly too much, but perfect for a hedonist like me.
A little carrot and cucumber added for texture–and this $3.50 sandwich will bring back more value than what you’ll pay. That’s if you can find the place. It’s between E 30th and E 31st on the south side of Superior. Park behind the building and look for a little red awning. Enter there. You’ll be back. But LeBron won’t be.
