Must-see restaurants in The USA

  • Ol' D's Soda Shop

    Rio Grande Valley

    The long bar and stools are all repurposed from a now-defunct soda fountain in Raymondsville, but the vibe is authentic 1950s if you don't look too close…

  • Smoke's Poutinerie

    Berkeley

    Since California legalized recreational marijuana use, demand has only increased at this Canadian poutine shop, open till the wee hours. Get the classic…

  • Loteria Grill

    Hollywood

    Spawned from the long-running, widely loved, farmers-market taco stand of the same name, this version offers a casual-smart ambience and a ceviche bar…

  • Auction House Market

    New Orleans

    A quick food counter was needed in the Warehouse District, and along came Auction House, bringing eight such establishments. Down some frozen coffee,…

  • Al's Oasis

    South Dakota

    Let all of the billboards along I-90 lure you in to this faux frontier complex with its atmospheric restaurant full of wagon wheels and painted animal…

  • Tania's 33

    Tucson

    Stop here in the morning on your way west via Speedway Blvd from Tucson to Saguaro National Park. The breakfast burritos at this low-key Sonoran-style…

  • Medici

    Chicago

    The menu of thin-crust pizzas, sandwiches and salads draws U of C students to this colorful cafe and bakery. For breakfast, try the ‘eggs espresso,’ made…

  • Metro Diner

    Northeast Florida

    An excellent breakfast/brunch spot in Jacksonville Beach, this tried-and-true diner has been in business since 1938. These days it's usually packed,…

  • Lobster Claw

    Cape Cod

    Super family-friendly and decidedly retro, the Lobster Claw has a cute nautical interior and a menu of steamed clams, mussels and littlenecks, plus…

  • Seafood Sam's

    Cape Cod

    Opposite the Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center, Sam's is a good, simple family choice for fish and chips, fried clams and lobster rolls. The $7 kids' menu…

  • Cave

    The Interior

    Located in a strip mall, the Cave has a nice outdoor deck and a decent menu of chicken wings, prime rib steaks, salmon and pasta. It advertises itself as…

  • Lemon Leaf Cafe

    The Deserts

    This cheerful cafe has an eclectic menu that should please diverse tastes (handy if you're in a group). Pasta to pizza, salads to grilled fish and meats…

  • Grape Juice

    Hill Country

    The Honey Badger is a crazy combination of 'crack'-aroni and cheese surrounded by a moat of chili with Fritos on top. It's a somewhat undiginified dish…

  • Zen Sushi Bar & Grill

    Beacon Hill & Boston Common

    Affordable lunch specials ($10-15) make this a popular spot for State House staffers and other professional types. The minimalist decor and extensive menu…

  • Pickles Deli

    St Louis

    Top ingredients separate this slick deli from humdrum sandwich chains. Its French dip is a case in point; laden with house-roasted beef. Get your Forest…

  • Stagecoach Cafe

    New Mexico

    The Stagecoach Cafe is a decent place to eat in Ramah. It offers steaks, Mexican food and a giant selection of pies. Service is friendly. Someone was…

  • Figtree's Beach Cafe & Grill

    Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey

    The best eats on the boardwalk. Here you can munch shiitake omelets made with organic eggs, ginger noodles, or a pesto-brushed, arugula-dressed salmon…

  • Sweet Evalina's

    Connecticut

    Serving up comfort food for two decades, this roadside stand features housemade doughnuts and pies, popular pizzas (including one with clams, scallops and…

  • Miguel's Baja Grill

    Moab

    Dine on Baja fish tacos and margaritas in the sky-lit breezeway patio lined with crayon-bright walls. Though it's not a standout, fajitas, chiles rellenos…

  • Silver State Restaurant

    Northern Nevada

    Ely's favorite old-school diner is the kind where waitresses call you ‘darlin'’ and comfort food is the only thing on the menu. They do a mean chicken…

  • Lemongrass

    Las Vegas

    Visually high impact, this Thai and pan-Asian kitchen offers a satay bar and quasi-authentic soups, curries and noodle dishes, from tom kha chicken to…

  • Chaco Canyon

    Queen Anne & Lake Union

    Hearty and flavorful vegan fare is served up at this location of the popular local chain, perched on the main drag of Queen Anne proper. The menu is big…

  • Romano Cucina

    Huntington Beach

    For hearty Italian fare, follow the twinkling lights to this cozy, homey trattoria, known as much for its ripped waiters as for the thick slices of…

  • Lodgepole Market Center

    Sequoia National Park

    The park's biggest general store sells groceries, camping supplies, snacks and hot drinks. It's recently refurbished snack bar also serves various hot…

  • Rhino's Bar & Grille

    Mono Lake Region

    All-American bar with flags, patches, license plates and beer pumps decorating the walls and ceilings. Typical bar food includes breakfasts, sandwiches…

  • Spenard Food Truck Festival

    Anchorage

    If you're in town on Thursday, check out the Food Truck Festival in Spenard, in Chilkoot Charlie's parking lot. It's an eclectic mix of Asian cuisine,…

  • Brown Dog Pizza

    Telluride

    The pizza? It’s chewy and crusty, but the crowd makes the place interesting. Ten minutes after you belly up to the bar for a slice and a cheap pint of…

  • Citrus City Grille

    Orange County

    Artsy and sophisticated yet casual Cal-Mediterranean bistro. It whips up creative modern classics like wild-mushroom penne, bacon-wrapped blue-cheese…

  • Durant's

    Phoenix

    This dark and manly place is a gloriously old-school steakhouse. You will get steak. It will be big and juicy. There will be a potato. The ambience is…

  • Geyser Grill

    Yellowstone National Park

    Attached to the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, this fast-food place has breakfasts, burgers, salmon burgers and a bison-bratwurst sandwich. It's the first…

  • Cabanas

    Jersey Shore

    The surfboard marks the entrance, and vintage surf-themed bric-a-brac lines the walls. It's a huge sports bar with more TVs than Howard Hughes' bedroom,…

  • Big G's Deli

    Inland Maine

    The sandwiches here are huge and inexpensive (trust us, you only need a half-portion), making Big G's a good stop for travelers on a budget. Grab your…

  • Al's Place

    Sacramento & the Central Valley

    This landmark Locke bar is a magnet for amiable Harley crews. The draw isn’t the food so much as the ambience. Above the creaking floorboards, the ceiling…

  • Azteca Grill & Bakery

    Northern Nevada

    After the culinary rigors of Hwy 50, your palate might need a little spice. Tiny Azteca is unassuming – located in a dusty strip mall on the way out of…

  • Village Cafe

    Eastern Sierra

    Hidden in a Bishop backstreet you'll find this low-key, friendly joint serving good, inexpensive breakfasts and sandwiches (the latter comes with soup)…

  • Moonlight Diner & Grille

    The Berkshires

    This old-school diner on the east side of town dishes up all the classics at honest prices. The retro 1950s decor is fun and though the food is nothing…

  • Gene’s

    Faubourg Marigny & Bywater

    It’s hard to miss Gene’s: with its pink-and-yellow exterior, it’s one of the most vividly painted buildings on Elysian Fields Ave. The hot sausage po’boy…

  • Thrive

    Mount Desert Island

    If all that fried seafood/craft beer/blueberry pie has you craving something healthy, raw and delicious, head here. Order a zesty juice or a smoothie, a…

  • Healthy Junk

    Anaheim

    Vegan snacks like yam wedges with ranch dressing, veggie burgers, Tex-Mex and big salads are served in this fun counter service shop in a little food…

  • Tamarack Brewing Co

    Montana

    Lots of seating, lots of TVs, and lots of good brew to go with the fairly standard pub food. Even the nachos at Missoula's prime gathering hall are…

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