A humble family restaurant overlooking downtown Cleveland along the Cuyahoga River has won a won a nationwide culinary award. It has served many manner of dignitaries and local residents over the years who have dinned on its Polish cuisine and enjoyed the genuine hospitality shown by its owners who work there every day.

From the Cleveland Pain Dealer: Sokolowski’s University Inn named a James Beard Foundation ‘American Classic’ award winner

CLEVELAND, Ohio — With tens of thousands of roadhouses, barbecue spots, fried chicken joints and family restaurants across the USA, it’s a rare honor to be named among the best in the country — by the nation’s top culinary honors.

Sokolowski’s University Inn in Cleveland’s Tremont area can now make that claim. On Thursday, the James Beard Foundation named the landmark cafeteria one of its 2014 “American Classics” recipients. Only five restaurants earn the distinction each year.

“Every year, the America’s Classics Awards are a favorite part of the [Beard Awards] ceremony,” said Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation, in a press statement. “These honorees represent the unique American dream of people who have created enduring, quality restaurants and food establishments that reflect the character and hospitality of their cities and community.”

“It’s like winning the Oscar, you know?” said Mike Sokolowski, co-owner of the restaurant with brother, Mike, and sister, Mary Balbier. “You work your whole life, cleaning toilets and all the other kinds of work you do as a kid, working in your parents business and everything else, and … eventually it pays off.

“We couldn’t be happier. The whole family is so proud.”

Although the siblings were notified several weeks ago that their restaurant was under consideration, Mike Sokolowski explains, they were asked to maintain the information as confidential until a formal announcement was made. Subsequently, a camera crew from New York came in to photograph and videotape.

Each year, five food establishments in different parts of the nation receive the honor. Businesses must be in existence for at least 10 years, and be locally owned to be considered for the recognition. According to the Foundation’s Awards criteria, the American Classics prizes is “given to restaurants that have timeless appeal and are beloved for quality food that reflects the character of their community.”

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In naming the Cleveland landmark, the Foundation described the restaurant this way:

“In 1923 Victoria and Michael Sokolowski founded a Polish restaurant on a bank of the Cuyahoga in Cleveland. Today, Sokolowski’s University Inn serves edible homages to the city’s immigrant-driven industrial past, dishing sturdy comfort foods like cabbage rolls that once fueled the city’s growth.

“Pierogis, stuffed with whipped potatoes, bathed in butter, and drenched in caramelized onions, are everyday specials. The Sokolowski family does right by Midwestern dishes, too. They beer-batter and fry Lake Erie perch. They craft their own bratwurst and smoked kielbasa.

“What began as a tavern when the Tremont neighborhood was flush with blue-collar steelworkers, expanded to cafeteria-style service in the 50s, and has evolved, more recently into a touchstone restaurant for Polish families in search of their culinary roots.”

Mike Sokolowski says that it’s those customers, and tens of thousands of others over the year, who have made his family’s restaurant a timeless Cleveland landmark.

“We know we can’t please every person who walks through the line, though we try,” he says. “But we’ve been blessed by so many wonderful people who trudge through all the construction around us in Tremont and stand in line waiting for our food.”

He and his siblings will be going to New York City for the awards ceremony, which will be held during the annual James Beard Awards on Monday, May 5 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.

“We view it as a huge honor,” he said, emotion welling in his voice. “I look at my Mom and Dad and all the hard work they put in — and the morals they taught us, to do the right thing. This is a great award for them, too. I know they’re looking down and smiling.”

The James Beard Foundation Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception: The ceremony takes place Monday, May 5 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City.