Xiao Bao Biscuit, Charleston, SC - A renovated gas station that is now a hipster (in a good way) Asian bistro. Eat the Mapo Dou Fu, which is sichuan pork and tofu in a fiery chili oil sauce, served with rice. It was mouth-numbingly spicy, but not hurt you hot; even though you can't feel your tongue, you can still taste the sophisticated yet simple flavors.
Tony's, Cedar Key, FL - A small diner in a renovated home, famous for their clam chowder and fried seafood. The chowder is clammy and flavorful, and the fried seafood is perfectly breaded and seasoned - light and crispy.
Maine Diner, Wells, ME - Just a diner but the seafood chowder is TO DIE FOR. It was filled with large chunks of shrimp, lobsters, scallops, and clams. It's more brothy than chowdery and that broth is so tasty I wanted to just drink a cup of that; and Lobster Pie, big chunks of lovely lobster heavily topped with crumbs and baked, then you get a little cup of melted butter to pour over the top. OMG! So rich and delicious. The lobster shines through and those crispy crumbs are the perfect accent.
Black's BBQ, Lockhart, TX - A traditional Texas BBQ joint with rustic interior and create your own platter. The star is the enormous beef ribs that are falling off the bone and so decadent. You wouldn't dare sully them with sauce.
The Newport Lobster Shack, Newport, RI - A trailer on the water where you eat fried lobster bites, with a breading that is light, crispy, and a terrific complement to the sweet succulent meat.
Belmont Tavern, Belleville, NJ - An old school cool neighborhood joint where you expect Frankie and Dino to come walking in any minute. Have the Chicken Savoy, which is chicken done in garlic and red wine vinegar, with a side of spaghetti.
Tacopocalypse, Des Moines, IA - A warehouse in the hipster district with Mexican Asian fusion. Stop making that face - they do it right. Have the Meat Boat with wasabi brisket.
Primo! Ristorante, Sarasota, FL - Quaint Italian family joint. Eat the Artichoke Casanova, which is sauteed baby artichokes with garlic, butter, and cheese. And yes, it was as delicious as it sounds.
The Albany, Cheyenne, WY - A western bar with a sophisticated menu. You must eat their homemade hummus, which is served with crisp veggies, french bread, and feta dip.
Cassie's Supper Club, Cody, WY - A former wild west bordello where you expect to see John Wayne bellying up to the bar for a drink or eight or ten. Have the Elk Medallions, which are tender and savory, an appetizer that could easily be your meal.
Fort Hays Old West Town and Dinner Show, Rapid City, SD - Chuckwagon chow - a HUGE plate of food - and a country music show. The little "town" is super cute - it's where they filmed part of "Dances With Wolves" - so get there early.
La Perla Taqueria, Belton, TX - The real deal Mexican where you can get things that you can't even pronounce and it may be best not to even ask what it is. Have the carne guisada platter with a cup of bean soup. Simple and authentic.
The Tamale Place, Vicksburg, MS - Another former gas station where they give you the tamales in a paper sack and you either take them home or eat them in the parking lot. Go right before they close and ask, "How much for the rest of them?"
Prince's Hot Chicken Shack, Nashville, TN - Don't let the rundown area scare you. This is another real deal, and they are not playing when they say hot. I like spicy food and the medium was perfect. I've had the hot, which is what S&M must be like - extreme in both pleasure and pain. There are two levels of heat above that, so beware. Get extra bread and pickles.
Anna's, Williamsburg, VA - The pizza here is the best you will ever have. Like, ever. Anna's is the standard that we hold all other pizzas to.
Acme Oyster House - or any other gulf coast restaurant that serves char grilled oysters. Bluegill's in Spanish Fort, AL has good ones as well. Fresh oysters on the half shell, hit with seasoned butter and parmesan cheese, then flame grilled. Served with french bread to mop up the amazing sauce.
To be continued...
Tony's, Cedar Key, FL - A small diner in a renovated home, famous for their clam chowder and fried seafood. The chowder is clammy and flavorful, and the fried seafood is perfectly breaded and seasoned - light and crispy.
Maine Diner, Wells, ME - Just a diner but the seafood chowder is TO DIE FOR. It was filled with large chunks of shrimp, lobsters, scallops, and clams. It's more brothy than chowdery and that broth is so tasty I wanted to just drink a cup of that; and Lobster Pie, big chunks of lovely lobster heavily topped with crumbs and baked, then you get a little cup of melted butter to pour over the top. OMG! So rich and delicious. The lobster shines through and those crispy crumbs are the perfect accent.
Black's BBQ, Lockhart, TX - A traditional Texas BBQ joint with rustic interior and create your own platter. The star is the enormous beef ribs that are falling off the bone and so decadent. You wouldn't dare sully them with sauce.
The Newport Lobster Shack, Newport, RI - A trailer on the water where you eat fried lobster bites, with a breading that is light, crispy, and a terrific complement to the sweet succulent meat.
Belmont Tavern, Belleville, NJ - An old school cool neighborhood joint where you expect Frankie and Dino to come walking in any minute. Have the Chicken Savoy, which is chicken done in garlic and red wine vinegar, with a side of spaghetti.
Tacopocalypse, Des Moines, IA - A warehouse in the hipster district with Mexican Asian fusion. Stop making that face - they do it right. Have the Meat Boat with wasabi brisket.
Primo! Ristorante, Sarasota, FL - Quaint Italian family joint. Eat the Artichoke Casanova, which is sauteed baby artichokes with garlic, butter, and cheese. And yes, it was as delicious as it sounds.
The Albany, Cheyenne, WY - A western bar with a sophisticated menu. You must eat their homemade hummus, which is served with crisp veggies, french bread, and feta dip.
Cassie's Supper Club, Cody, WY - A former wild west bordello where you expect to see John Wayne bellying up to the bar for a drink or eight or ten. Have the Elk Medallions, which are tender and savory, an appetizer that could easily be your meal.
Fort Hays Old West Town and Dinner Show, Rapid City, SD - Chuckwagon chow - a HUGE plate of food - and a country music show. The little "town" is super cute - it's where they filmed part of "Dances With Wolves" - so get there early.
La Perla Taqueria, Belton, TX - The real deal Mexican where you can get things that you can't even pronounce and it may be best not to even ask what it is. Have the carne guisada platter with a cup of bean soup. Simple and authentic.
The Tamale Place, Vicksburg, MS - Another former gas station where they give you the tamales in a paper sack and you either take them home or eat them in the parking lot. Go right before they close and ask, "How much for the rest of them?"
Prince's Hot Chicken Shack, Nashville, TN - Don't let the rundown area scare you. This is another real deal, and they are not playing when they say hot. I like spicy food and the medium was perfect. I've had the hot, which is what S&M must be like - extreme in both pleasure and pain. There are two levels of heat above that, so beware. Get extra bread and pickles.
Anna's, Williamsburg, VA - The pizza here is the best you will ever have. Like, ever. Anna's is the standard that we hold all other pizzas to.
Acme Oyster House - or any other gulf coast restaurant that serves char grilled oysters. Bluegill's in Spanish Fort, AL has good ones as well. Fresh oysters on the half shell, hit with seasoned butter and parmesan cheese, then flame grilled. Served with french bread to mop up the amazing sauce.
To be continued...
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