Will Travel For FoodPack your bags for the best food towns in North America
LoraMa
Posted: Nov 22, 06 12:24pm There are great cities with food, and cities with great food. We've picked five of our favorite foodie towns in North America -- places you'd actually go through airport security, sit in cramped quarters, and pay hard-earned money to visit. All because of the food... New York CityTravel Gem: Any big city can do fine dining. What makes a food town truly great are the cheap eats. In that category, you can't beat NYC's street carts. Among the most well-known: the dosa cart at the southern end of Washington Square Park sells Indian-style burritos; the El Ídolo taco truck on14th Street and Eighth Avenue; and the chicken and lamb platter cart (with their famous special sauce) at 53rd Street and Avenue of the Americas. San FranciscoTravel Gem: Like New York, San Francisco is as famous for their expensive restaurants as they are for their "real food". Bring up burritos, for instance, and the locals get into heated debates on where to go. The best of the bunch: La Taqueria, Taqueria, and La Corneta. For a full history, check out Wikipedia's entry on San Francisco Burritos. ChicagoTravel Gem: Gourmet Magazine just named Chicago's Alinea the best restaurant in America. More than great food, dinner here is considered performance art (a meal can take up to four hours and the tasting menu features about a dozen dishes). Words can't effectively describe what chef Grant Achatz creates, so check out the pictures on their website. Las VegasTravel Gem: Thomas Keller's French Laundry restaurant in Yountville, California has a 6-month waiting list. But you just need to call ahead at his bistro, Bouchon, in Vegas's Venetian Hotel. And that's true for other celebrity restaurants -- Nobu Las Vegas (Hard Rock Hotel), Alain Ducasse's Mix (Mandalay), Hubert Keller's Burger Bar (Mandalay), and a dozen others make Vegas a one-stop destination to sample the food of America's best chefs. Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaTravel Gem: Before the handover of Hong Kong in 1997, some of the best chefs fled for Canada and landed in Vancouver. Walk into most noodle houses and you'll find some of the best dumplings you've ever tasted (try Congee Noodle House at 141 Broadway East). But for a truly great meal, go to Sun Sui Wah (3888 Main Street) and try their Hong Kong-style roasted squab. Remember these are our favorites. Feel free to react with much passion and vigor - just post your comments below so we can all read what you think. Have Something to Say? |
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Posted: Nov 27, 06 9:31am
Here's another Vancouver favorite - the Pink Pearl has the best dim sum I've ever had. It's in a marginal neighborhood, and lines to get in on the weekend can be long, but grab a few friends and spend the afternoon scarfing dumplings. When you're satiated, head over to Stanley Park and walk off the calories by the harbor.
Posted: Nov 27, 06 3:29pm
BurritoEater http://burritoeater.com/taquerias.php
Fun site that rates (with mustaches) San Francisco taquerias.
Posted: Nov 27, 06 6:58pm
Robin, that Burrito site is so funny. I particularly like the "Violate my health?" link that goes to the SF Health Dept.'s Food Safety rating.
Posted: Dec 2, 06 10:21am
* includes photos
Rosarito Beach
I had the best Fish Tacos in Rosarito Beach, Mexico (22 miles south of the California/Mexico border). Deep fried and totally unheathly. Saving grace? Dirt cheap and delicious. I've never been able to recreate.
Culver City, CA
Not anywhere close or related to the above mentioned Fish Tacos (in proximity or taste), but Tito's Tacos has some great lil wonders of their own.
http://bestofla.blogspot.com/2005/11/where-have-i-been-waiting-in-line-at.html
Plus, if you're still hungry, walk up the street to Johnny's Pastrami. Pastrami to kill for.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/1VXRY7euCrJNq25LQmuQvA
Posted: Jan 15, 07 10:58am
I'm going to have to go with LA., and specifically, we love going to the Sawtelle neighborhood (Sawtelle Blvd @ Olympic) in West LA. You'll feel like you just arrived in Japan. Some of our favorite restaurants on the street include:
- Hurry Curry: delish Japanese-style curries served simply over rice or potato croquets (http://www.hurrycurryoftokyo.com/)
- GR/EATS: Japanese-American comfort food... part of the growing Giant Robot chain (http://www.gr-eats.com/)
- Asahi Ramen: some of the best ramen outside Japan... they have incredible pickles (http://www.asahiramen.com/)
- and Orris: Japanese-French-style izakaya (small dishes, like tapas) that's out of this world (http://www.orrisrestaurant.com/)
All the restaurants on Sawtelle are simple in design but they have really really great food. And when you're done stuffing yourself silly, you can go to the fun Japanese clothing and art stores. It's one of our favorite destinations. (P.S. there's plenty of parking)
Posted: Jan 17, 07 6:10pm
Vij's, Indian cuisine in Vancouver, is one of my favorite places - definitely worthy of being a "travel gem" as well as Montri's, a Thai establishment.
http://www.vijs.ca/index_in.htm
Posted: Jan 20, 07 6:06pm
How can it be that my future home town and the new cool boomer retirement destination (the anti-Florida) escaped notice? New Orleans is home not only to Brennan's, Emeril's, and Commander's Palace (not actually my favorites, and way too expensive), but also to the Acme Oyster House where you can get oysters roasted on charcoal with garlic, butter and a sprinkle of parmesan, to Herbsaint, which has a carbonara made with cajun tasso and a perfectly poached deep fried egg, and Magazine Street Po-Boy shop for Oyster or soft shell crab po-boys, which might be the world's most perfect food. This other stuff sounds tasty, but in New Orleans, the food is transcendent.
Posted: Nov 8, 07 10:02pm
I have to agree about NOLA's food. I grew up in Mississippi, and loved going to New Orleans. My husband (born and reared in South Dakota and a "meat and potatoes man") and I went there on our wedding trip, and his food tastes were changed forever! We went back every chance we got, and I mastered many Creole recipes.
Three years ago, a friend from Scotland came to visit, and I took her there. She's still raving about the gumbo and the PoBoys and the mufalettas and.the raw oysters and......
Great food and great jazz. How can you beat that combination?
Posted: Jan 23, 07 12:54pm
I love steak in Chicago - Gene and Georgetti's, or really any of the old chop houses. Gotta love a town populated by people who eat red meat and drink serious cocktails. Living in SF for 15 years, I yearn to take yearly vacations away from food trends and wine...sometimes you just gotta clog the arteries a little.
Posted: Sep 24, 07 10:16am
Though on the subject of what you might traditionally presume as "cheap eats" gone upscale, Arun's Thai (http://www.arunsthai.com/) in Chicago will blow away all your assumptions about Thai food.
Posted: Nov 9, 07 1:37pm
I couldn't agree more. I have a gorgeous porterhouse steak with my name on it in my freezer. Now I'm waiting for that urge.... :)
Posted: Mar 19, 07 4:27pm
Philly for the good old Steak and Cheese, yum! SUCH west coasters on here...
Posted: Mar 20, 07 7:40am
In Philly its Jim's for my fav Cheese Steak and Susan you are right
we def. have a West Coast slant here!!
In Charleston SC there is a really great place called The Wreck http://islesea.com/charleston/wreck.htm
In Venice FL there is a little place that is all about Fla Cracker cuisine called Snook Haven--some developers were going to tear it down and the Parks and Rec bought to preserve the "Cracker Lifestyle"--Gators abound on the menu and the property! LIfe R & B and Country--GREAT PLACE
Carnegie's Deli in NYC is great fun.
I am getting hungry right now--might go to Tobacco Comp. in Richmond for Lunch.
Posted: Dec 3, 07 3:53pm
PHL has got way more going on than the cheesesteak -- 3 places you want to go: snackbar, chick's wine bar, osteria. and i could go on ..
yo, philly in the house!
Posted: Sep 24, 07 9:10pm
Pozole Alley in Zihuatanejo, Mexico for incredibly delicious food for low low prices. full dinners with tip & soft drink under $3 US
Any small town in the upper Midwest but west of the great lakes & east of Lincoln Nebraska is The Pork Tenderloin breaded sandwich served on a poppy seed bun with only yellow mustard & dill pickle slices. HEAVEN!
Posted: Sep 24, 07 9:49pm
My midwestern roots are tingling. Older, that sound delicious.
Posted: Sep 26, 07 5:46am
THe NYT on food in Portland, Oregon.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/26/dining/26port.html?th&emc=th
Posted: Sep 26, 07 6:45am
One of NYC most famous delis is about to close forever. Katz' on Houston Street, after over 100 years, is about to end their stay. If you enjoyed hot corned beef or pastrami sandwiches, they had among the best on the planet. The place wasn't fancy and the staff weren't always polite but the food was worth the small assaults to your dignity.
Oh, well, there is still Nathan's on Coney Island but they have backslid into a tourist mecca as has Carnegie Deli on 57th Street.
Philly has a place that is nearly as good as Katz'. It is Famous' Deli at 4th and Bainbridge Street, not far from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
When I am in San Francisco (at least the last time, it was there) I loved Original Joe's which I believe is on Turk Street. They make a steak that will fill you if it doesn't kill you. It is enough for your whole family ... and mine!
Posted: Sep 26, 07 7:40am
Sorry to hear about Katz's. I totally agree about Nathan's, but don't give Carnegie such a bad rap. Last time I was there, the food was still fabulous.
Posted: Nov 8, 07 6:50am
We really enjoy Katz's deli and had that on our list for our upcoming trip. Just checked their website and they appear to be open still.
Posted: Dec 3, 07 4:12pm
You all have to go to Santa Cruz, CA (Northern tip of the Monterey Bay Area) to the wharf. Best seafood around.
Posted: Dec 3, 07 5:03pm
And then go to Gayle's Bakery in Capitola.....for something sweet. Santa Cruz was my hangout during high school!
http://www.gaylesbakery.com/
Posted: Dec 3, 07 4:39pm
In Vancouver, don't miss the spectacular and subtle Indian fare at Vij's in South Granville. They don't take reservations, so go early and be prepared to wait (there's great bar food). You won't be sorry: this buzzing, cheerful restaurant deserves its international reputation. If you're in a hurry, try Vij's sister cafe next door for a more basic but still distinctively flavorful meal.
http://www.vijs.ca/index_in.htm
Posted: Dec 3, 07 7:35pm
Rona---will try it next time we go up there. We enjoy the repositioning cruises from Seattle to Vancouver, then dinner out, and Amtrak on back. Did a really great Italian place -- Villa del Lupo in a Victorian house close to Yaletown last time.
Posted: Dec 3, 07 4:59pm
Asheville, North Carolina - Bistro 1896
The absolute best Chicken Marsala I have ever had.
"Chicken slivers, mushrooms, tomatoes & spinach in a sweet Marsala cream sauce served over penne pasta."
" Innovative American cuisine with a decidedly chic twist. Menu favorites include starters such as oysters on the half shell and fried green tomato napoleon, and entrees like the cajun and polenta stack and stuffed beef tenderloin. "
http://www.bistro1896.com/
Posted: Dec 3, 07 5:49pm
Not much of a fast food person, so having to stick with my Cajun/Creole heritage, I must say "Arnaud's" in New Orleans. Excellent food..
Or, if you like steak, my favorite is Morton's Steak House.
Unfortunately, neither come at fast food prices.
Posted: Dec 3, 07 7:32pm
Not a fan of Morton's....but love the food in New Orleans.
Posted: Dec 4, 07 4:34pm
I think it depends on which Morton's you go to. I went to the one in New York. The food was pretty lousy, the waiters were rude, and it was much more costlier than the one in Michigan. Morton's in Troy, MI is absolutely superb!!
Posted: Dec 5, 07 9:41am
In Washington, D.C.:
Georgia Brown's - great down home cooking -- fried green tomatoes, catfish, southern fried chicken and Charleston Perlau
Cafe Atlantico - Vercruz red snapper, Brazilian stew, weekend brunch, appropriately called Latino dim sum
Iron Gate Restaurant - lamb shank, hummus and grape leaves, goat cheese torte with red peppers; also great ambiance - outdoor garden shaded with grapevines in the summer and crackling fireplace for colder weather
CF Folks - GREAT sandwiches and specials.
Posted: Jan 13, 08 3:50pm
Best Taco in Bay area IMO San Jose Taqueria just off Fruitvale on International Blvd $1.70
Best Carnitas The Jalisco also on International about 20th or so.
Best Burrito- La Gallo in South Hayward on Mission in the Fairview shopping center.
Posted: Mar 12, 08 4:27pm
I know this is for the best towns for food...since I couldn't one for the worst towns for food I thought I would respond here...consider yourself warned.... Georgia has got to be by far the WORST place on earth for food. We have lived here 10 years and have yet to find decent food...be it Chinese, Italian, Seafood, or the much talked about hot dog place in Atlanta. Southern fried chicken is even horrible. If I didn't hate cooking so much I would stop selling at pokemongalore and open up a restaurant or a culinary school.
Posted: Mar 26, 08 3:19pm
Best sashimi, dynamite shrimp, Pacific Rim cuisine: Sansei, Kapalua, Maui (Roy's is a close second; there's one in Kahaha (Maui) and one in Scottsdale (plus other locations)
Best fish in AZ: The Ocean Club, Scottsdale
Best dessert: Café Beignet, New Orleans (I don't like ice cream, I don't chocolate, I'm not fond of sweets, period. But, these beignet things...orgasmic!)
Best steak: Capital Grill, Washington DC (There's one in Phoenix now. I have to go down there!)
Best hot dog: Pink's in Hollywood ( I grew up in that town)
Posted: Jun 26, 08 8:25am
* includes photos
I'll go with New York, but would submit that Queens is where it's at if you like ethnic food and street food. I'm also a big Montreal fan -- most bang for the buck for sit-down restaurants. I can keep body and soul together in San Francisco, but the food biz tends to cater to the elitism and provincialism of San Francisco foodies.