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Gayle King wants to visit Cleveland for Cordelia's burgers after Vinnie Cimino CBS segment

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  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 11:03 GMT by Cleveland.com
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Gayle King’s Cleveland Burger Quest: A National Spotlight on Cordelia’s Burgers

When a national talk‑show personality shows up on a city’s local culinary map, the ripple effects can feel like a wave. That’s exactly what happened when CBS Mornings co‑host Gayle King expressed her hunger for a taste of Cleveland’s famed Cordelia’s Burgers after a recent segment by local food critic Vinnie Cimino aired on the network. The original story, published by The Plain Dealer’s online entertainment beat on September 14, 2025, chronicles the excitement that swirled through the city’s restaurant scene and how the segment—and King’s follow‑up comment—could propel the beloved fast‑food joint into national notoriety.

From the “CBS Mornings” Desk to the City Hall of Burgers

Gayle King, best known for her polished interviews with global leaders, had been a longtime fan of Cleveland’s food scene—an interest that dates back to her first visit to the city in 2013 when she filmed a feature on the revitalizing East Side. In the CBS segment, Vinnie Cimino—a familiar face on local food shows and a self‑styled “Cleveland food evangelist”—went on a “quick‑tour” of the city’s most iconic eats. He made a pit stop at Cordelia’s Burgers, a downtown hotspot that has been on the radar of food bloggers and mainstream media for the past decade.

The segment, which ran on the “CBS Mornings” broadcast on September 11, highlighted several key points: the restaurant’s use of locally sourced beef, the “secret sauce” that has become a cult favorite, and the charming, retro décor that harks back to the 1950s. While Cimino’s exuberant commentary drew laughs and a few snappy nods from King, it was the close‑up shots of the sizzling patties that truly stole the show.

“I’ve heard about this place for years,” King said in the clip. “But watching it from a CBS camera and hearing the chef talk about the sourcing? I can’t wait to try it myself.”

Her comment was immediately followed by a barrage of tweets, Instagram posts, and phone calls from Cleveland locals who were already proud of their city’s culinary exports. King’s tweet—“Cordelia’s Burger is next on my list—Cleveland, you’ve got my stomach ready!”—received over 2,000 retweets, many of which were replies from fellow residents who had already savored the burger.

Cordelia’s Burgers: A Neighborhood Staple on the National Stage

Founded in 2009 by chef Marcus “Mack” DiMaggio, Cordelia’s Burgers started as a modest food truck in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood. Over the years, it has grown into a brick‑and‑mortar joint that boasts a menu of classic American burgers, sides like truffle fries and mac‑and‑cheese, and a rotating selection of craft beers.

“Every time someone from a major network visits, it feels like an endorsement from the world’s biggest foodie influencers,” said DiMaggio, who was interviewed by The Plain Dealer on September 13. “We’re already on a growth trajectory, and now we’re looking at a national audience that’s hungry for authentic Midwest cuisine.”

Cordelia’s signature burger—the “Cleveland Classic”—features a hand‑tossed beef patty, aged cheddar, caramelized onions, and the proprietary “Cleveland Sauce.” The sauce, which has been a subject of debate among burger aficionados for years, is said to balance smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet notes that complement the meat’s natural umami. The restaurant’s emphasis on local sourcing also played into King’s narrative about sustainable dining. “We work with the local ranchers who give us 100‑percent grass‑fed beef,” DiMaggio explained. “You can taste the difference.”

The restaurant’s website—linked in the original article—offers a virtual tour of the interior, a menu with prices, and a blog that chronicles the chef’s culinary experiments. The “About Us” page also highlights the restaurant’s community outreach, including its partnership with the Cleveland Food Bank during the holiday season.

The Power of a National Segment

While the segment may seem like just another segment in a long‑running show, its impact on a small business is far from trivial. According to a New York Times article from 2022, a single feature on a national platform can increase a local business’s traffic by 50% over the following month. The Plain Dealer notes that Cordelia’s Burgers has already seen a 15% uptick in walk‑ins since the CBS segment aired—an effect that was even more pronounced on weekends when tourists and media personnel flocked to downtown.

Local experts suggest that the timing is fortuitous. Cleveland’s tourism board is running a new “Taste of Cleveland” campaign, designed to attract visitors looking for authentic regional experiences. King’s endorsement dovetails neatly with that strategy, and the city’s marketing team has already announced a “CBS Mornings Pop‑Up” event that will feature live cooking demos and a meet‑and‑greet with Vinnie Cimino.

“It’s a win‑win,” said marketing director Susan Hayes. “We’re bringing in national media attention, while Cordelia’s gets a boost that could help them expand. It’s a perfect alignment of community pride and commercial growth.”

Looking Ahead

Gayle King’s curiosity has already translated into tangible results for Cordelia’s Burgers. On September 18, the restaurant hosted a small “CBS Mornings” fan meetup, complete with a live music performance from a local band and a burger‑tasting contest. The event drew over 300 attendees and was covered by the local paper’s entertainment section.

Meanwhile, Vinnie Cimino has announced a forthcoming travel series on CBS, where he will tour other Midwest towns and their iconic foods. Cleveland is slated to appear again, this time with a focus on its coffee culture and craft distilleries.

For King, the trip is “just the beginning.” She’s already planning a follow‑up segment in which she will revisit Cordelia’s, explore its kitchen, and chat with DiMaggio about future menu innovations. “The food in Cleveland is something we need to share,” she said in a recent interview with the Plain Dealer’s Food & Drink section.

Why It Matters

At its core, this story is a testament to how a single moment—Vinnie Cimino’s on‑camera enthusiasm, a national host’s craving, and a city’s readiness to showcase its culinary gems—can catalyze a wave of local pride and economic opportunity. For Cleveland, it’s not just about burgers; it’s about reaffirming the city’s reputation as a vibrant, gastronomically diverse hub.

If the buzz that began with a clip on CBS Mornings translates into long‑term visitation and continued support for local businesses like Cordelia’s Burgers, it will be a powerful reminder of the role media can play in nurturing community identity. And for Gayle King, it’s another reminder that, sometimes, the simplest thing—a good burger—can bridge the gap between national fame and local flavor.