July 3-10 is COSE’s annual Northeastern Ohio Buy Local Week, a cause I happily support. The goal of the week is to have as many people as possible pledge to redirect $100 to local businesses and follow through with that pledge. I’ve made my pledge and suggest you make yours because for every $100 you spend in NEO, $45 of it stays right here. You can pledge your support here and if you do you’ll get a discount card you can use at 40 local businesses.

Being a fat guy, I’d suggest you spend that $100 on Northeastern Ohio food. In addition to having some of the best chefs and restaurants in this country, there are fabulous small-scale food producers and fresh farmers markets across the area. Here’s 11 ways you can spend your $100 on local food during the week of July 3-10, feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments:

1. Grab a couple of pints of East Coast Frozen Custard.
2. Lunch at Lola.
3. Buy all of your produce at your local farmers market.
4. Mow on a Parmageddon at Melt.
5. Chill out with a 6-pack of Lake Erie Monster from Great Lakes Brewing.
6. Find your nearby Mom & Pop pizza shop, you deserve it.
7. Mounds and mounds of Greenhouse Tavern fries.
8. Pick a few pints of berries, there’s only like 100 places.
9. Find a farmer, buy whatever they got, it’s gonna be good.
10. Local goat cheese is extra creamy.
11. $100 worth of pies is a great way to end any meal.

Photo: Julia Manzerova

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So my big gringo ass walks in there looking for some limes and peppers when I see these two big pots in the middle of the store. I think nothing of them, but as I walk by I feel this heat radiating off of them.

Not seeing anyone around, I take off the lid to find this beautiful sight:

Tamales! And lots of them.

Intrigued, I opened the other pot, it too was filled with tamales, but these had green centers.

I asked the lady working the counter what exactly was in each. She came over to explain that one was pork and tomato, the other was poblano and cheese. Only $1.50 each too.

Not knowing the quality here, I picked up one of each just to try them. That was a mistake.

Surprisingly, the pork tamale was merely ok. It had a crapload of dried peppers in it and I couldn’t feel my tongue after two bites. Still good flavor though.

What’s going to have me going back next Saturday to pick up more of these where the poblano and cheese tamales. There were the best tasting tamales I’ve ever had. Bar none. And I’ve had em from the little Mexican grandma who makes them once a month. The little salty pieces of cheese cooled down the spicy poblanos, a perfect combination.

If you’re planning on making a trip for these, and I’d highly recommend that you do, do it early. From what I was told, by noon those giant pots are empty.

And you could pick up a few for me while you’re there, no?

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Ianiro’s is located in a small business plaza on Mayfield Rd. between Auburn Rd. and Ravenna Rd., with the 45 mph. speed limit chances are you’ll drive right by it. But don’t make that mistake. While Ianiro’s has all of your basic Italian deli treats like tomato sauces, salamis, pastas, and wine, they have a few items that make them a great foodie destination.

Ianiro’s offers a dozen different sandwiches and submarines with fresh bread that are the perfect grab and go meal.  My personal favorite are the mini subs with salami, ham, cheese and pepper relish which at a $1.50 are a steal.  The tangy sweetness of the relish with the salty meats and cheeses is the perfect flavor combination. If you’re more in the mood for something you can make your own Ianiro’s has a variety of homemade pastas for sale. Everything from gnocchi and ravioli to tortellini and cavatelli. It’s all made and then quickly frozen to preserve freshness, any of which make a great base for an Italian feast.

Ianiro’s Deli
11858 Mayfield Rd.
Chardon, OH 44024
440-286-3081

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