Must-see restaurants in The USA

  • Cleopatra's Cafe

    Santa Fe

    This simple cafe makes up for a slight deficit in ambience with taste and value: big platters of delicious kebabs, hummus, falafel and other Greek and…

  • Big Al's

    Haines

    Run by a local fisherman, this merry food truck serves seafood which is all locally caught, probably that day. There are three kinds of fish and chips:…

  • La Garita Trading Post

    Southeast Colorado

    This cash store is the closest place to stock up on supplies (gas, firewood, groceries) and get a bite to eat for breakfast or lunch. It's in La Garita …

  • Big Jake's Island B-B-Q

    South Kona Coast

    Barbecued ribs, pork and chicken are slowly cooked in the barrel smoker parked by Mile 106. Chow down at picnic tables out back, or for DIY surf-and-turf…

  • Red Moose

    Gold Country

    This rugged old-school wooden building on the main street houses a great little cafe, with an unlikely specialty in the British favorite fish and chips…

  • Coney Island Sandwich Shop

    St Petersburg

    Collectors of Americana and hot-dog fanatics: order two delicious chili dogs, slaw and a milkshake and savor the vinyl-booth charm of this authentic,…

  • Ernesto’s Taqueria

    Valdez

    Locally loved, this place serves large portions of serviceable Mexican food on the cheap – go for the blackened shrimp or halibut tacos – and has a cold…

  • J&G Grill

    Park City

    The mid-mountain St Regis setting is spectacular at this upscale resort hotel but the view comes at a high price. Popular menu items include saffron…

  • Beau Jo's

    Central Colorado

    Beau Jo's thick-crust mountain pies are far from gourmet, but if you're in need of a high-calorie meal after a hard day's play, it will certainly do you…

  • Rod’s Steak House

    Kaibab National Forest

    The cow-shaped sign and menus spell things out – if you want steak and potatoes, this has been the place to come since 1946. This is a dark and old-school…

  • Red Tavern

    Sacramento & the Central Valley

    The Red Tavern is one of Chico’s favorite fine-dining experiences, with a sophisticated menu that uses local, seasonal and organic ingredients. On Sundays…

  • High Sierra Bakery

    Mono Lake Region

    With a wooden facade that could be straight out of a Wild West town, this family-owned bakery prepares handmade donuts, croissants, scones and breads…

  • Mahi Mah's

    Virginia

    This oceanfront eatery in the Ramada Virginia Beach Oceanfront is the go-to for scrumptious seafood including sushi. It's a buzzing spot for a drink or…

  • Flippin' Good Burgers & Fries

    Las Vegas

    In Las Vegas' sea of gourmet burgers and overpriced eats, it's refreshing to find a small business that serves up a decent hamburger, cheesy chili fries…

  • 5th Street Steakhouse

    Sacramento & the Central Valley

    This is where college kids take their visiting parents. It features crisp white tablecloths, steaks tender enough to cut with a reproachful look, and…

  • New Thai Cuisine

    San Joaquin Valley

    Hardly the fanciest digs in town – just four bare walls and a few tables – but this downtown Thai restaurant makes an excellent combination pho soup,…

  • Boardwalk Fish & Chips

    Homer

    This waterfront spot is where to go for fried halibut – tempura-battered, fried and served kebab-style (its motto is ‘Where the fish comes on a stick’)…

  • Alaska Halibut House

    Valdez

    Frying up fresh local fish, this home-spun fish shack is one of Valdez' faster fast-food joints. The halibut basket headlines, closely followed by the…

  • Zak's Cafe

    Southeast Alaska

    Dyed-in-the-wool Wrangell local that looks like it hasn't had a decor rethink since 1978. On offer are diner basics: omelets, pancakes, BLTs, salads and…

  • Les Givral's Kahve

    Houston

    Banh mi, oh my! Here they keep it simple and sweet – pho, a smattering of rice and meat dishes, and the aforementioned, to-die-for Vietnamese sandwiches…

  • Reef

    Boston

    There are several options for lunch on Aquarium Plaza, including Reef. This seasonal outdoor restaurant serves lobster rolls, clam chowder and steamers …

  • Lake Yellowstone General Store

    Yellowstone National Park

    Behind Yellowstone Lake Hotel, this branch of the park's general stores dates back 90 years and has a corner soda-fountain feel, down to the period 1938…

  • Noodles

    Kodiak Island

    Cornering the market on Thai food in Kodiak, Noodles offers a nice break from the typical meals served in town. Peanut-heavy panang curry and slurp-worthy…

  • White Lion Cafe

    Everglades National Park

    There's a comfy cabin vibe to this place near downtown Homestead, with indoor and outdoor seating. The menu features American fare along the lines of…

  • Bella Brava

    St Petersburg

    Anchoring the prime waterfront intersection, Bella Brava draws a noisy crowd of young professionals with its contemporary Italian cooking, pizza menu and…

  • Green Mesquite BBQ & More

    Austin

    As its T-shirts say, Green Mesquite has been 'horrifying vegetarians since 1988.' This inexpensive, low-key spot has lots of tasty meat, pecan pie, cold…

  • Mardi Gras Zone

    Faubourg Marigny & Bywater

    This unexpectedly huge neighborhood grocery store/emporium of weird stuff – Mardi Gras beads and camping equipment – has a good hot-food stand that’s open…

  • Cyclops

    Belltown & Seattle Center

    This off-beat cafe is a neighborhood favorite and does brunchy items (burgers, breakfast burritos and big salads) throughout the day. It makes for a…

  • Mango Mango's

    St Augustine

    It's hard not to be charmed by this cheery lime-and-coral-colored beach bistro, with its menu of likable Caribbean-fusion fare – crunchy coconut shrimp,…

  • Mexican House

    Northern Colorado

    Piping hot chips and tasty, fresh cabbage pico de gallo start off every meal at this decent little Mexican joint. Try modern favorites like shrimp tacos…

  • Lotus Garden

    Princeville

    A Thai and Chinese takeout joint offering Thai-curry mahimahi, honey-orange, steamed bok choy with tofu, and all the curries, noodles and Chinese stir…

  • Cedar Oak Cafe

    Coastal Georgia

    Small cubbyhole cafe serving reasonably priced breakfasts, plus sandwiches and bagels for your Cumberland Island trip. You can't go wrong with the grilled…

  • Hurricane

    Florida Keys

    Going strong for over 50 years, the Hurricane is one of Marathon's best-known bars. Aside from live music from time to time, there's a good menu of pub…

  • Los Mariachis

    Sacramento & the Central Valley

    This bright, family-run Mexican spot overlooks the central junction of Red Bluff. It has great salsa and molcajetes (meat or seafood stew, served in a…

  • Brighter Side

    San Joaquin Valley

    An earthy little sandwich shop housed in a wood-shingled, former gas station, serves up sandwiches such as the Larry (Polish sausage, mushrooms, green…

  • Eagle’s Lighthouse Café

    Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

    Fresh and hearty sandwiches, salads and grab-and-go wraps are served out of a small kitchen fronted by picnic tables serenaded by nonstop contemporary…

  • Daytona Brickyard

    Daytona Beach

    Sit cheek by jowl with bikers and speedway fiends at this beloved grease pit, in a one-of-a-kind A-frame building jammed to the hilt with racing…

  • Roadkill Café & OK Saloon

    Arizona

    The Roadkill has a salad bar, subtle vintage decor and, among the juicy steaks and burgers, tongue-in-cheek menu items such as 'fender tenders' and …

  • Mermaid Deli

    Washington Coast

    Hot and cold sandwiches – 6in or foot-long – plus a mean clam chowder make this dependable stop-off a favorite among locals and vacationers alike. Did we…

  • La Casa del Pane

    Tampa Bay

    With proprietors hailing from Altamura, the bread capital of Italy, it's hardly surprising that this local deli dishes up the best croissants, focaccia…

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