You’re driving through East Cleveland, or maybe you’re scrolling through a delivery app in Chandler, Arizona, and you see it. Taste of Life Restaurant. It sounds like the kind of name a marketing committee would dream up to sound vaguely "wholesome," but the reality is way more interesting—and a bit more confusing—than that.
Honestly, if you search for this place, you're going to find three different things. There isn't just one "Taste of Life." It’s actually a handful of completely unrelated spots that happen to share a name, but they couldn't be more different if they tried. You’ve got a soul food powerhouse in Ohio, a health-conscious prepared meal market in Colorado, and a Caribbean-fusion spot in Milwaukee.
Which one are you actually looking for? Because walking into the Cleveland location expecting a keto-friendly salad and getting a plate of Rasta Pasta is a very specific kind of surprise.
The Cleveland Scene: Soul Food and Rasta Pasta
If you’re at the Taste of Life Restaurant on Euclid Avenue in East Cleveland, you aren’t there for a light snack. You’re there for the kind of food that requires a nap afterward. This is the heavy hitter.
People talk about the Rasta Pasta here like it’s a religious experience. It’s $15.95, and it’s basically a massive pile of jerk-seasoned creaminess. You can get it with chicken, salmon, or steak. It’s loud, it’s spicy, and it’s usually packed.
Then there’s the daily specials. Monday is for the $5 Polish Boy—a Cleveland staple that’s basically a kielbasa, cole slaw, and fries all shoved into a bun and drenched in BBQ sauce. It’s chaotic. It’s messy. It’s exactly what soul food should be.
What to actually order in Cleveland:
- Whole Wing Wednesday: They do $1 wings. In 2026, finding a dollar wing that doesn’t taste like cardboard is a miracle.
- Soul Rolls: Think egg rolls, but stuffed with soul food staples. The steak ones are $14, which sounds steep until you actually see how big they are.
- The Catfish Dinner: It’s $17.95, fried hard, and served with sides like candy yams or mac and cheese that actually tastes like someone’s grandma made it.
The vibe is no-frills. You’re going to wait. The phone might ring off the hook. But the food? It’s consistent.
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The Colorado Pivot: When "Taste of Life" Means Health
Now, if you’re in Monument, Colorado, the Taste of Life there is a totally different animal. This isn't a sit-down restaurant with grease on the windows. It’s a natural food market and a prepared meal powerhouse run by the Poelstra family.
They started by selling chicken out of their garage back in the 90s. Now? They’ve got a "secret" location on Base Camp Road where you literally enter through the west side of a kitchen facility. It feels like a speakeasy for people who are really into gluten-free lasagna.
They focus on "clean" foods. No nitrates. No preservatives. It’s the kind of place where the owner, Donna, is likely the one answering your emails.
The Colorado Menu Highlights:
- Beef Shepherd’s Pie: This is one of their heavy sellers. It’s naturally gluten-free and actually has flavor, which isn't always a given in the "healthy" world.
- Keto-Friendly Options: They have a whole section of the menu dedicated to low-carb living, including "Cabbage Roll in a Bowl."
- The Gluten-Free Bakery: Their daughter, Annie, runs this side of things. The scones and pies are legitimate.
It’s basically a lifesaver for busy families who want to eat at the dinner table but don't have three hours to roast a chicken from scratch.
Milwaukee's Fusion Twist
Just to keep things confusing, Milwaukee has its own Taste of Life Soul Food on Layton Blvd. This one is a wild mix of Jamaican, Mexican, and Soul food.
It’s small. It’s local. But it hits a very specific niche. Where else are you going to find jerk chicken and tacos under the same roof that actually taste authentic? It’s a neighborhood spot through and through.
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Why Do People Keep Getting These Mixed Up?
It’s the name. "Taste of Life" is a generic phrase that means nothing and everything at the same time. Google’s algorithms struggle with it. You might be looking for a menu in Ohio and end up looking at a gluten-free muffin in Colorado.
Pro Tip: Always check the area code.
- 216 is Cleveland.
- 719 is Colorado.
- 414 is Milwaukee.
If the menu mentions "Rasta Pasta," you’re likely in Ohio. If it mentions "Nitrate-free poultry," you’re definitely in Colorado.
Is It Actually Worth the Hype?
Look, food is subjective. But if we’re talking about the Cleveland Taste of Life Restaurant, the "hype" is built on the fact that they don't skimp on portions. In a world of "shrinkflation," getting a dinner plate that feels like it weighs three pounds is a rarity.
The Colorado location wins on transparency. They tell you exactly where the meat comes from. They tell you it's small-batch. For people with Celiac disease or severe allergies, that kind of trust is worth more than a fancy dining room.
Real Talk on the Downside
- Cleveland: The wait times can be brutal. Don't go if you're "starving right now." Go if you're "hungry in forty-five minutes."
- Colorado: It’s not a restaurant in the traditional sense. You can’t go there for a romantic date night. It’s a grab-and-go or a "stock your freezer" situation.
- Milwaukee: It’s a small operation. If they run out of jerk chicken, they run out.
Actionable Steps for Your First Visit
If you’re planning to check out any version of Taste of Life, here is how you should handle it to avoid disappointment:
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1. Call Ahead. Especially for the Cleveland spot. Their hours can be quirky, and they sometimes close early if they sell out of specific items (like those Wednesday wings).
2. Check the Dietary Labels.
If you’re at the Colorado market, read the "Best By" dates. Since they don't use the heavy preservatives that big grocery chains use, the shelf life is shorter. That’s a good thing, but it means you need to eat it or freeze it.
3. Embrace the "Hole in the Wall" Nature.
The best food often comes from the places that don't spend money on fancy signage. Whether it's the Euclid Ave soul food or the Monument "garage-turned-kitchen," the quality is in the pot, not the decor.
4. Try the Specialties First.
Don't go to a soul food joint and order a plain salad. Get the Rasta Pasta. Don't go to a natural market and buy a soda. Get the homemade peach cobbler or the local honey.
Life is too short for mediocre food. Whether you want the spice of a Cleveland kitchen or the clean ingredients of a Colorado market, these spots offer a literal "taste of life" that you just won't find at a national chain. Just make sure you're at the right one before you try to order the catfish.