EAT LOCAL MEDIA
August 02
Jeannette and Joe Kanaan bring the life and love to Joe's. (Courtesy of Eat Local Ohio)
Joe’s, A Fine Deli & Restaurant has been a beloved fixture on the West Side for years. Whether you’re in the mood for an enormous corned beef sandwich or a deliciously grilled chicken on fresh greens, Joe’s has something to satisfy your cravings.
If you’ve ever enjoyed a meal at Joe’s, you’re undoubtedly familiar with the welcoming smiles of Joe and Jeannette Kanaan. This dynamic husband-and-wife team has created a restaurant and a beloved gathering place known for its incredible cuisine and strong sense of community. But we all have to start somewhere.
“My brother Ralph, God bless him, sacrificed so much to bring us to this beautiful country. I am forever grateful to him.” Jeannette can’t help but let a few tears fall.
Nearly 60 years ago, Ralph jokingly exclaimed, “Ya dilleh!” (A Lebanese phrase asking God to have mercy on you) when their mother told him to bring his siblings to the United States. He was thankful, though. For years, Ralph said, “I hope God opens the door for me so I can take you out of this poverty.”
“I came to this country when I was 10, on January 16th, 1965. I’m the baby of nine.” Jeannette recalls. “My family came from a little village where we had nothing, no television or anything. You come to this beautiful country, and it feels like you’re blind.”
With opportunity rampant in the United States, Jeannette was put into school while her other siblings worked alongside Ralph at a quaint restaurant called Larry’s Ham and Eggs. After taking over the shop from the previous owners, that small shop was renamed and later became the famous Slyman’s Deli on St. Clair Avenue.
“They ran the best restaurant in the city, and none of them spoke English!” Jeannette laughs. “Except for one: my brother, Ralph.”
After several years of Jeannette living in the United States, Joe arrived from Australia on July 20, 1973. Their connection was immediate, and just a week later, they became engaged. The couple married on September 16 of the same year, marking the beginning of Joe's legacy.
“There was this cute restaurant down on 1427 Euclid. It was called Monte’s.” Jeannette says. “At the time, we didn’t have any money. My dad gave us money to buy the restaurant, but it wasn’t enough for a sign. We decided to take the letters “M,’’ “N,” and “T" out, move all the letters, and buy two letters for $20. And that’s how we started Joe’s.”
It’s astonishing to realize that an iconic dining spot began from a simple, economical choice for signage. Joe and Jeannette started their ventures at their first Joe’s location, serving nearly 600 people daily during lunchtime downtown. They transformed modest earnings of $150 a day to almost $3,000, and that’s back when a grilled cheese ran you a few quarters.
The decadent mountain of deli meat aivd Joe's-goers can't get enough of. (Courtesy of Eat Local Ohio)
For the first seven years that Joe’s was open, they had secured a lease at the Euclid Ave. location. However, the remaining seven were uncertain. At any given moment, what they had built could’ve fallen apart at a moment’s notice. That didn’t discourage them, though. Monthly saving, penny-pinching, and the kind owners of the building helped the Kanaans save up to move Joe’s to its current location in Rocky River.
Moving to a new location brings a whole set of challenges, and Joe and Jeanette were well aware of that. The hustle and bustle of the downtown scene starkly contrasted with Rocky River's peaceful, quaint suburbs. So, they did what they had to and adapted.
“We knew that if we opened here for dinner, we would have to do something else. Downtown, we closed at two o’clock. You were lucky to get a sandwich!” Jeannette laughs, “But here we had breakfast, lunch, dinner. What are we going to do for dinner? That’s where a lot of that Lebanese food started.”
Having been well-acquainted with deli-style dishes thanks to Slyman’s, the menu already featured some longstanding fan favorites. There was no better addition to this successful menu than what Joe and Jeannette knew best: Lebanese cuisine.
Initially, small additions were made to test how well the Mediterranean dishes would compete with the famous corned beef and turkey sandwiches. Unsurprisingly, patrons warmly welcomed dishes like Fattoush and Lebanese Delight. The genuine essence of what the Kanaans cherished and held dear transformed these dishes into something extraordinary. Each bite was a beautiful reflection of their love and memories, enveloping the senses with warmth and nostalgia.
Need help figuring out what to order? Get some top picks from the owners themselves!
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Despite the new location and an expanded menu, the ascent to Joe’s, A Fine Deli & Restaurant becoming a local favorite wasn’t always easy. The Kanaan family attributes much of their success to God, which made it especially challenging for the devout couple to remain open on Sundays. Initially, they couldn't afford to miss that extra day of business.
“I cried every Sunday that we were open,” Jeannette says. “Sundays were 25% of our business, and we didn’t want to lay off anybody or hurt the business in any way.”
Remaining committed to their values, the Kanaans worked every Sunday until they finally reached a point of stability in the new restaurant.
“If you look at our books today, it’s like we were never, ever open Sundays.”
At Joe's, an undeniable warmth fills the dining room any day of the week. It's a place where friends and families gather for reunions, casual get-togethers, or a quick lunch with someone special. The inviting atmosphere and attentive and friendly staff create a dining experience that truly feels like home.
“Good food, cleanliness, and service,” Joe replies when asked what he believes has driven the success of Joe’s.
“When people come in, I just want them to feel welcome. I love seeing people happy, you know?” Jeannette adds.
Joe's family values stand out as truly exceptional and unique in the area. When you blend delicious, wholesome food with outstanding service and owners who treat their restaurant like a second home, you get this invaluable, remarkable experience. The Kanaans are a cornerstone of their community, consistently offering support and assistance. Whether it’s through their quality of food or their genuine kindness, they are always there to lend a helping hand to those around them.
“We get involved with our customers. It’s more of a ministry than a business, for me personally.” Jeannette adds, “When we had the bad storm, we took care of the fire and police departments and fed them those whole weeks. I love being part of the community; it’s wonderful.”
A testament to the community's love began on March 23, 2020, when Joe became one of the first individuals in Ohio to contract COVID-19, leading to the immediate closure of Joe's.
Determined to prioritize Joe's health, the Kanaan family made the difficult decision to keep the establishment closed for two months. During this time, Joe faced challenging moments that included intubation, extensive physical therapy, and long separations from his loved ones. It wasn’t Joe’s without Joe.
“I was intubated for two and a half weeks. They woke me up and asked me questions. ‘Who are you?’, ‘Where are you?’, ‘What’s the date?’. They asked me who the president of the United States was. I said, it’s supposed to be me!” Joe recalls his memories with a laugh and a big smile.
“He came back to baseline in six months.” Johnny, their son, adds. “I knew what he was thinking while he was doing the physical therapy, and that “I need to do this to get back to my restaurant.” That’s the main drive.”
Joe Kanaan (right) and his son, Johnny (left) are all smiles at the restaurant.
Despite Joe's remarkable resilience, the Kanaan family still had a long road of challenges ahead of them. Misinformation spread across Facebook, claiming that Joe had passed away due to his COVID diagnosis, which left many community members shocked and saddened. After reopening the restaurant for takeout only in May of 2020, customers flooded in, hoping to catch a glimpse of Joe to make sure he was alright.
“The staff, community, and customers were so amazing to us. The first week we did takeout, our employees got $13,000 in takeout tips.” Jeannette says.
The significance of that is undeniable. Joe’s continued as takeout only until June 7th, 2021, when the dining room reopened, thriving as a welcoming space once more. Since the onset of COVID, Joe’s has experienced significant growth in takeout orders, with the restaurant balancing around 50% dine-in and 50% takeout service.
Throughout its journey, Joe’s, A Fine Deli & Restaurant, has remained a cornerstone of the Rocky River and West Side communities. Despite the challenges and triumphs, its enduring presence has made it a beloved gathering spot for locals, and it will continue to be a vital part of the area for years to come.
“I just hope that when people talk about Joe’s Deli in Rocky River, it brings a smile, and they have good memories here. That’s all I want.” Jeanette says, teary-eyed. “We don’t take anything for granted. We’re very grateful and thankful for everything.”
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Visit Joe's, A Fine Deli & Restaurant!
19215 Hilliard Blvd, Rocky River
Are you our next featured spot? Please send all inquires, comments, and questions to mnader@eatlocalohio.com.