🍀 The St. Pat’s Anthem Was Born Here

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: Somewhere in Kamm’s Corners, a baked potato is living its best life. This local spot turned the humble spud into a full-blown main character and now it’s expanding 🥔

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

More than 500,000 people are expected to hit downtown Tuesday for the St. Patrick’s Day parade. It’s a day when everyone is Irish and joins together to sing "When Irish Eyes are Smiling.”

After all, the music to the 1912 standard, which has become synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day, was composed by a Clevelander, Ernest Ball. And he wasn’t even Irish. (Read more below in Vintage Cleveland.

It’s all good on St. Patrick’s Day. 

The parade, founded in 1842 and one of the oldest in the country, brings all walks to the heart of the city to celebrate tradition and ethnic diversity.

The parade kicks at the intersection of Superior Avenue and East 18th Street at 1:04 p.m. For more info, go here.

The celebration starts much earlier – 6 a.m. – at Slyman’s.

Since 1964, the classic Cleveland deli – 3106 St Clair Ave NE, Cleveland – has opened to long lines waiting for it famed corned beef sandwiches on St. Pat’s Day.

Countless bars and eateries will start early and go late. Check out our St. Patrick’s Day Guide in 216 Rundown below.

Poor potato – always sidekick to fish, burgers and steak.

Not so at Potelah Potato & Juice Bar – a hidden gem in Parma Heights that will open a second location in Kamm’s Corners this week.

The tiny eatery puts the tuberous vegetable on a pedestal to create elaborate, full-on meals by topping it with generous portions of cheeses, vegetables, proteins and sauces.

Check out the massive potato ‘Pizza Bowl,’ enough to feed two.

For dessert, there’s an elaborate dish that mixes sweet potatoes covered with chocolate, banana, strawberries and pistachios.

There’s also an array of crepes, waffles, chocolate-covered doughballs on a stick, milkshakes, smoothies and juices.

Cleveland cuisine has always been about remaking foods from the homeland.

Founded by a Jordanian family, Poteleh takes a street treat that achieved star status in Turkey and makes it local with an array an American toppings.

Gas prices have spiked more than 22% in the last month due to the U.S.-Israel war against Iran.

But there’s another jump that is endangering the rosy scenario real estate agents and mortgage brokers were cheering on just two weeks ago.

The war has pushed the 30-year fixed mortgage to its highest level since September, 6.4%.

In February, the benchmark rate fell to 5.98% -- the lowest level since September 2022.

The sharp jump will now cost a homebuyer $115 more a month for a $400,000 home with 20% down on a 30-year fixed mortgage.

It comes as the spring buying season arrives.

Surprise, surprise: The Midwest is leading the nation.

Major metros including Detroit, Cleveland, and Chicago are absorbing inventory at some of the fastest rates in the country, signaling strong buyer demand relative to supply.

While the area has been strong for two years, it remains affordable – at least compared to the rest of the country.

The income needed to afford a home ($58,528) is 42% less than the national average ($100,925).

Countless bars and eateries start early and go late on St. Patrick’s Day. And away we go…

Gormley's Pub: The small pub that feels like a piece of transplanted Ireland opens 11 a.m. with bagpipers, dancers and corned beef specials.

Flannery's Pub: The Gateway stalwart opens at 8 a.m. The Boys from the County Hell play at 1 p.m.

Pickwick and Frolic: The pre-market hang at the East Fourth restaurant starts at 11 a.m., with a themed pre-market. Pat Shepard performs 2-5 p.m. as part of a post-parade bash.

Flat Iron Café: The oldest Irish pub in the city has been celebrating since 1910. It will start 7 a.m. with an Irish Breakfast, followed by Donal O’Shaughnessy, pipers and drummers.

Hofbrauhaus Cleveland: The all-day bash starts at 8 a.m. Green bier, themed food, entertainment by Brian Panke Duo, Cleveland Memorial Firefighters Pipes & Drums, Irish Troubadours.

House of Blues: The annual bash starts at 11 a.m. Music by Boys From the County Hell and DJ Sparky B.

Stone Mad: It feels like an enchanting spot in Dublin.  Opens at 9 a.m. with an Irish menu and music by the Killroys (10 a.m.) and bagpipers all day.

The Harp: This popular pre-parade stop starts at 8 a.m., with breakfast until 10 a.m. Music by The Kilroys (2:30 p.m.) and Boys From the County Hell (7 p.m.).

Around the Corner: ATC has been doing St. Pat’s since the 1970s. Irish brunch at 8:30 a.m., music by A Green Day at 5 p.m..

Treehouse: The Tremont pub opens at 10 a.m. Music by Craic Brothers (2 p.m.).  Wednesday Hair of the Dog party at 4 p.m. with music by Mary’s Lane (6 p.m.)

Old Angle: Opens 9 a.m. with an Irish Breakfast Buffet followed by a full Irish menu, bagpipers and Whiskey Island Ramblers.

P.J. McIntyre's: Opens 7 a.m. and features pipers, dancers, food, drinks and music by Mary’s Lane ( 6p.m.)

Hooley House: Opens 8 a.m. with kegs and eggs. Live music by Morrison & McCarthy (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.).

West Park Station: The bash gets rolling at 7 a.m. Free Irish breakfasts for the first 50 through the door. Live music, pipers and dancers starting 8 a.m.

Parnell’s Pub: The downtown spot makes for a fun -parade stop. Opens 10 a.m.

Great Lakes Brewing: The party opens at 10 a.m. with music and themed food and drinks.

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It’s one of the most popular and longest-running songs in the American songbook -- and has become the unofficial anthem of St. Patrick’s Day. And the music was written by a Clevelander who wasn’t even Irish: Ernest Ball, 1912. He studied at the Cleveland Conservatory of Music (now known as the Cleveland Institute of Music) before heading out to perform and sing in Vaudeville and pen ballads with Irish themes. Ball is buried in Lake View Cemetery.

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51 °F 🌡️ 24 °F | 🌧️➡️🌨️ (Rain to Snow / Very Windy) | 85% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 25 mph (≈ 22 knots)

28 °F 🌡️ 24 °F | 🌨️ (Snow Showers / Windy & Cold) | 65% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 20 mph (≈ 17 knots)

39 °F 🌡️ 27 °F | ☁️➡️🌨️ (Cloudy / PM Snow Showers) | 50% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 15 mph (≈ 13 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

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