Where We Eat

From the hottest restaurants to the quirkiest out-of-the-way gems, here's where you'll find the best and most interesting food spots the country, and the world, has to offer.

Jane and Michael Stern

Jane and Michael Stern write the monthly column "Two For The Road" for Gourmet magazine, an ongoing, cross-country guide dedicated to ferreting out the best in American food. The Sterns' relentless quest takes them all over the country - checking out the offbeat and often going off the beaten path to places as varied as Mom's Cafe at the crossroads in Salina, Utah, to the foremost knish palaces of New York. The Sterns are the authors of more than 20 books, including Roadfood, Two for the Road, and Chili Nation: The Ultimate Chili Cookbook with Recipes from Every State in the Nation, and also run the Web site roadfood.com.

East

Bantam,CT: Bantam Bread Company
Bridgeport, CT: Ralph 'N' Rich's
Bridgewater, CT: Bridgewater Chococlate
Fairfield, CT: Super Duper Weenie Truck
Manchester, CT: Cheeseburger Heaven
Mystic, CT: Kitchen Little
Mystic, CT: Whole-Bellied Fried Clams
New Milford, CT: Clamp's Hamburger Stand
Newton, CT: Carminuccio's
Old Saybrook, CT: Pat's Kountry Kitchen
Prospect, CT: Big Dipper Ice Cream & Yogurt Parlor
Ridgefield, CT: Old-Style Soft-Serve
Southbury, CT: Perfect Corned Beef Hash
Stratford, CT: Chili at Danny's Drive-In
Wilton, CT: Wave Hill Bakers
Smyrna, DE: Helen's Sausage House
Washington, DC: Ben's
Washington, DC: Florida Avenue Grill
Washington, DC: Sholl's Colonial Cafeteria
Eastern Seaboard: The Best Lobster Rolls
Cape Neddick (York), ME: Flo's
Falmouth, ME: Harmon's Lunch
Gardiner, ME: The A-1 Diner
Kennebunkport, ME: Mabel's Lobster Claw
Portland, ME: Molasses and Coffee
Portland, ME: Standard Baking Company
Wells, ME: Maine Diner
Wiscasset, ME: Red's Eats
Cumberland, MD: Bender's
Beverly, MA: Nick's Famous Roast Beef
Cambridge, MA: All-Star Sandwich Bar
Cape Cod, MA: Picks of the Clam Belt
Gloucester, MA: Turtle Alley Chocolates
Holyoke, MA: Nick's Nest
Wenham, MA: Wenham Tea House and Shops
Westport, MA: Marguerite's
Bath, NH: America's Oldest General Store
Sugar Hill, NH: Pankcake Picks
Atlantic City, NJ: Fralinger's Saltwater Taffy
Atlantic City, NJ: White House Sub Shop
Bloomfield, NJ: Short Stop Diner
Binghamton, NY: Spiedies at Sharkey's
Brewster, NY: Red Rooster Drive-In
Brooklyn, NY: Gargiulo's
Brooklyn, NY: Seafood Feasting at Lundy's
Brooklyn, NY: Sparky's American Food
Buffalo, NY: Beef on Weck
Candor, NY: Jim's B-B-Q Chicken
Hancock, NY: The Eel Man of the Delaware Valley
Ithaca, NY: Hot Truck
New York, NY: Chicken in a Pot
New York, NY: Jewish Home Cooking
New York, NY: Hallo Berlin
New York, NY: Manganaro's
New York, NY: Margon
New York, NY: Pastrami Picks
New York, NY: Teany
Plattsburg, NY: McSweeney's
Northeast: Clam Chowder Variations
Northeast: New England Donuts
Northeast: New England Ice Cream
Akron, PA: Stuffed Pig Stomach
Frackville, PA: Dutch Kitchen Restaurant
Philadelphia, PA: Cheese Steak
Philadelphia, PA: Tony Luke's
Pittsburgh, PA: Enrico Biscotti Company
Pittsburgh, PA: Mixed-Up Food at Primanti Brothers
Pittsburgh, PA: Enrico Biscotti Company
Pottsville, PA: Mootz Home Made Candies
Rhode Island: Jonnycakes
Cranston, RI: Italian Food at Mike's Kitchen
Providence, RI: John's New York Systems
Tiverton, RI: Gray's Ice Cream
Tiverton, RI: Evelyn's Drive-In
Bridgewater Corners, VT: Sourdough Pancakes
Dorset, VT: Dorset Inn
Quechee, VT: The Best Roasted Sweet Corn
Quechee, VT: Simon Pearce Restaurant and Glass Blowing Center
Manchester, VT: Up for Breakfast
South Royalton, VT: An Honest Square Meal
Wells River, VT: P & H Truck Stop
Wilmington, VT: Dot's Diner

South

Birmingham, AL: The Place for Vegetables
Mobile, AL: Brick Pit Barbecue
Mobile, AL: Dew Drop Inn
Mobile, AL: Fresh-Roasted Peanuts
Robertsdale, AL: Big Butts and Drunken Chicken at R Place Barbecue
De Valls Bluff, AR: Family Pie Shop
Hot Springs, AR: Arkansas BBQ
Lake Village, AR: Rhoda's Famous Hot Tamales
Key West, FL: Dennis Pharmacy Luncheonette
Key West, FL: True Florida Cuisine
Miami, FL: Cuban Food
Tampa, FL: La Teresita
Atlanta, GA: Harold's
Atlanta, GA: Silver Skillet
Conyers, GA: Mamie's Kitchen Biscuits
Savannah, GA: Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House
Key West, FL: Cuban Home Food at El Siboney
Pensacola, FL: Hopkin's Boarding House
Plant City, FL: Southern Sunday Suppers at the Branch Ranch
Mississippi & Arkansas: The Picks for Steak
Louisville, KY: Layer Cakes at the Pie Kitchen
Louisville, KY: Mike Linnig's Fish Camp
Owensboro, KY: Ham Biscuits
Owensboro, KY: George's
Owensboro, KY: A Local Favorite - Burgoo
Basile, LA: D.I.'s
Breaux Bridge, LA: Robin's Restaurant
New Orleans, LA: Café Atchafalaya
New Orleans, LA: Domilise's
New Orleans, LA: Dunbar's Creole Cooking
New Orleans, LA: Mother's
Clarksdale, MS: Hot Tamales at the Blues Crossroads
Clarksdale, MS: Ramon's
Greenwood, MS: Crystal Grill
Mendenhall, MS: Yam Heaven in Mississippi
Ayden, NC: Skylight Inn Bar-B-Q
Chapel Hill, NC: Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen
Charlotte, NC: Price's Chicken Coop
Cleveland, NC: Keaton's Barbecue
Jamesville, NC: Cypress Grill
Mount Airy, NC: Fried Pork Chop Sandwiches
Reidsville, NC: Short Sugar's
Oklahoma City, OK: Cattleman's
Stroud, OK: Rock Café
Charleston, SC: Diana's Restaurant
Johns Island, SC: Fishnet Seafood
Edisto Island, SC: George and Pink's Vegetable Stand
Mount Pleasant, SC: The Wreck
Saint George, SC: Sweatman's BBQ
Chattanooga, TN: Zarzour's
Memphis, TN: Blue Plate Café
Memphis, TN: Champion's Pharmacy and Dyer's Burgers
Memphis, TN: Cozy Corner BBQ
Memphis, TN: Dem Wangs
Memphis, TN: Ellen's Soul Food Restaurant
Nashville, TN: Breakfast at the Loveless Café
Nashville, TN: Beacon Light Tea Room
Nashville, TN: East Side Fish
Nashville, TN: Elliston Place Soda Shop
Nashville, TN: Pancake Pantry
Nashville, TN: Prince's Hot Chicken Shack
Nashville, TN: Rotier's
Nashville, TN: Southern Country Ham
Nashville, TN: Vandyland
Virginia: Peanut Soup Picks
Fairfax, VA: Chutzpah
Fulks Run, VA: A Fine Country Ham
Charleston, WV: Southern Kitchen
Clarksburg, WV: Italian Sausages at Oliverio's
New Martinsville, WV: Quinet's Court
Moundsville, WV: Hocutt's Carolina Barbecue

Midwest

Illinois and Iowa: Caramel Apples
Chicago, IL: Breaded Steak Sandwiches
Chicago, IL: Feed
Chicago, IL: Food Life at Water Tower Place
Chicago, IL: Gold Coast Dogs
Chicago, IL: Harry Caray's
Chicago, IL: Leon's Bar-B-Que
Chicago, IL: Manny's Delicatessen
Chicago, IL: Polish Funeral Food
Chicago, IL: Red Hen Bakery
Chicago, IL: The Best Hot Dog
Columbus, IN: Zaharako's
Greenwood, IN: Jonathan Byrd's Cafeteria
Hammond, IN: Michael Stern's Perch Experience
Indianapolis, IN: Mug 'N Bun
Nashville, IN: Gnaw Bone Food and Fuel
Ames, IA: Grove Café
Le Mars, IA: Archie's Waeside
Pella, IA: Bologna - "Best in the World"
Sioux City, IA: Tastee Inn & Out
Sully, IA: Coffee Cup Cafe
Kansas City, KS: Woodyard Bar-B-Que
Topeka, KS: Fabulous Chili at Porubsky's Grocery
Charlevoix, MI: Juilleret's Restaurant of Charlevoix
Beulah, MI: Michigan Cherries
Charlevoix, MI: Juilleret's
Traverse City, MI: Cousin Jenny's Gourmet Cornish Pasties
Traverse City, MI: Moomer's
Midwest: A Midwest Turtle Movement
Duluth, MN: Northern Waters Smokehaus
Edina, MN: Convention Grill
Pipestone, MN: Lange's Café
Belton, MO: Apple Cider
Kansas City, MO: Great Steak
Kansas City, MO: Niecie's
Kansas City, MO: The World's Best Fried Chicken at Stroud's
Pine Lawn, MO: Snoots and Ears
St. Louis, MO: The St. Paul Sandwich You Won't Find in St. Paul
Gering, NE: Gering Bakery
Omaha, NE: Czech Food at Bohemian Café
Scottsbluff, NE: Rosita's Mexican Restaurant
Havana, ND: The Farmers' Inn
Akron, OH: Beside the Point Café Barberton, OH: Al's Corner Restaurant Cincinnati, OH: Blue Ash Chili
Cincinnati, OH: Five-Way Chili at Camp Washington
Cleveland, OH: Balaton
Dayton, OH: The Pine Club
Yellow Springs, OH: Ohio's Oldest Grist Mill
Elk Point, SD: Edgar's Soda Fountain at Pioneer Point Drugstore
Sioux Falls, SD: Bob's Drive-In
Sioux Falls, SD: Hamburger Inn
Tea, SD: Tea Steak House
Yangton, SD: Fitzgerald
Green Bay, WI: Best Chili in the Country
Manitowoc, WI: Chocolate Hair Brushes and Angel Food Store
Milwaukee, WI: Jake's
Milwaukee, WI: Klinger's East
Milwaukee, WI: Kopp's Custard
Milwaukee, WI: Leon's
Milwaukee, WI: Frozen Custard at Leon's
Milwaukee, WI: Solly's Grille
Milwaukee, WI: Soul Food at Mr. Perkin's Family Restaurant
Milwaukee, WI: Polonez
Racine, WI: Danish Pastry Unique to Racine
Sheboygan, WI: The Ultimate Bratwurst Experience
Superior, WI: The Anchor Bar
Various Locations: Popcorn, Caramel Corn and Popcorn Balls

West

Tucson, AZ: Feig's Kosher Foods
Berkeley, CA: Bette's Oceanview Diner
Cabazon, CA: Wheel Inn
Casmalia, CA: Hitching Post
Cathedral City, CA: El Gallito
Indio, CA: Shield's Date Gardens
Julian, CA: Julian Pie Company
La Jolla, CA: Breakfast and Buttermilk Coffeecake
Los Angeles, CA: Cafeteria Recommendations
Los Angeles, CA: Clementine
Ocean Beach, CA: Hodad's
Pacific Beach, CA: Surfer's Sushi Bar
Pescadero, CA: Duarte's
Ramona, CA: Ramona Café
St. Helena, CA: Model Bakery
St. Helena, CA: Taylor's Refresher
San Diego, CA: Authentic Hawaiian at Da Kine's Plate Lunches
San Diego, CA: D.Z. Akins Deli
San Diego, CA: Fish Tacos
San Diego, CA: Hob Nob Hill
San Francisco, CA: Sam's Grill
San Francisco, CA: Swan Oyster Depot
Walnut Grove, CA: Al the Wop's
Loveland, CO: Johnson's Corner
Bonner's Ferry, ID: Authentic Mexican
Couer d' Alene, ID: Java on Sherman
Couer d' Alene, ID: Wolf Lodge Inn
Montana and Idaho: Cantonese Food
Big Timber, MT: Cole Drug
Great Falls, MT: Eddie's Supper Club
Billings, MT: Stella's Kitchen and Bakery
Billings, MT: Sarah's
Winnett, MT: Kozy Korner Café and Bar
Las Vegas, NV: Christmas in Las Vegas!
Bay City, OR: Pacific Oyster
Beaverton, OR: Reo's Ribs
Pendleton, OR: Picks for the Roundup Rodeo
Portland, OR: Fido's
Portland, OR: Fresco Caffe
Portland, OR: Otto's Sausage Kitchen and Meat Market
Portland, OR: Voodoo Donuts
Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA: Burgerville
Seaside, OR: Norma's Ocean Diner
Salina, UT: Mom's
Salt Lake City, UT: Hires Big H
Utah: Robert Redford Sightings
Seattle, WA: Mike's Chili Parlor
Seattle, WA: Turkey Sandwich Perfection
Seattle, WA: Top Pot Doughnuts
Cody, WY: Mail-Order Buffalo
Cody, WY: Noon Break
Greybull, WY: Lisa's
Sheridan, WY: Comfort Food
Sheridan, WY: Great Brisket and Old-Time Rodeo
Shoshoni, WY: Steaks and Malts

Southwest

Arizona: Truck Stops & Diners
Amado, AZ: Longhorn Grill
Sedona, AZ: Turquoise Jewelry and Picnic Food
Tombstone, AZ: Tacos in Tombstone
Tucson, AZ: Arbuckle's Coffee
Tucson, AZ: El Charro
Tucson, AZ: Gus Balon's Restaurant
Tucson, AZ: Mariscos Chihuahua
Tucson, AZ: Café Poca Cosa
New Mexico: Chiles Along Route 76
Albuquerque, NM: Frontier
Albuquerque, NM: Nachos
Albuquerque, NM: Lunch-Counter Tacos
Cerrillos, NM: San Marcos Café
Las Cruces, NM: Nellie's Café
Las Cruces, NM: Nopalito
La Mesa, NM: Chope's
Santa Fe, NM: Five & Dime General Store
Santa Fe, NM: El Farolito
Velarde, NM: Sugar's
El Reno, OK: Onion Burgers at Johnnie's Grill
Vinita, OK: Clanton's
Oklahoma City, OK: Sleepy Hollow
Perry, OK: Kumback Lunch
Shawnee, OK: Hamburger King
Tulsa, OK: White River Fish Market
Amarillo, TX: Golden Light Café
Amarillo, TX: Steak at The Big Texan
Blanco, TX: Blanco Bowling Club
Canutillo, TX: New Mexican Soul Food at Canutillo Tortilla Factory
Conroe, TX: Southern Catfish Feast!
El Paso, TX: H & H Car Wash
Forth Worth, TX: BURGERS!
Fort Worth, TX: Shopping for Spices
Houston, TX: Lankford Grocery and Market
Houston, TX: Avalon Drug Store & Diner
LaGrange, TX: Weikel's Store and Bakery
Lockhart, TX: Texas Barbecue
Tioga, TX: Barbecued Brisket at Clark's Outpost

Nationwide

Bobcat Bite
Cross-Country Comfort Food
Down-Home Comfort Food
Hamburger Honor Roll
Holiday Mail-Order Picks
Hot Turkey Sandwiches
Old-Fashioned Soda Fountains
Onion Rings
Pies, Pies, Pies!
Swinging Beef
Thanksgiving Turkey Three Ways, Three States
Waffles of Dreams

Other features

National

Pacific Crest Trail: Food and Lodging on the Pacific Crest Trail
Birmingham, AL: Highlands Bar and Grill
California: Antonia Allegra's Affordable Napa Valley Picks
California: The Getty Center
California: John Ash on Where to Eat in the Wine Country
California: Guide to Napa Valley
California: Greens Restaurant
California: Langer's Delicatessen & Restaurant
California: The Slanted Door
California: TV Dinners at The Peninsula Beverly Hills
Pacific Grove, CA: Passionfish
San Diego, CA: Japanese nouvelle at Taka
San Francisco, CA: Cheap Eats in San Francisco
San Francisco, CA: Farmerbrown Restaurant
San Francisco, CA: Lynne's Restaurant Picks in San Francisco
San Francisco, CA: The Slow Food Guide to San Francisco and the Bay Area
Washington, DC: Nora - America's First Certified Organic Restaurant
Florida: A Quick Bite at the Miami Airport
Hawaii: John Heckathorn's Honolulu Restaurant Guide
Illinois: An Eater's Guide to Chicago
Illinois: Chef Susan Goss' Native American Menu at Zinfandel
Iowa: Polehna's Meat Market
Kentucky: Extraordinary Dining with the Kentucky Department of Parks
Las Vegas: Insider's Guide to Las Vegas Restaurants
Louisiana: New Orleans Bars
Massachusetts: Italian Market Tour
Massachusetts: The Star Chef of Boston's Beacon Hill
Miami: Where and What to Eat from the Three Guys from Miami
Midwest and East: Amish and Mennonite Country
Minnesota: Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Ryback's picks in the Twin Cities
Nationwide: Best New American Restaurants of 2004: Picks from Anya Von Bremzen
Nationwide: Barbecue and Deep-Fried Food
Nationwide: America's Best Pizza
Nationwide: America's Top Chefs "Bests" List
Nationwide: Flea Market Tabletop with Rachel Ashwell
Nationwide: John Mariani's Best New Restaurants of 1997
Nationwide: Steakhouse Pick from William Rice
Nationwide: Urban Spoon
New York: Breakfast in Manhattan
New York: Burger Wars
New York: Chicken and Waffles in Harlem
New York: Christmas in New York City
New York: Classic Seafood Restaurants in Manhattan
New York: The Lower East Side's Culinary Neighborhoods
New York: Restaurant Daniel
New York: The Doughnut Plant
New York: Fried Twinkies at the Park Slope Chip Shop
New York: Tiny Hole-in-the-Wall Joints with Good Food for Little Money
New York: Hot Dogs
New York: Honmura An Soba Shop
New York: Judson Grill
New York: Katz's Delicatessen
New York: Le Bernardin
New York: Lynne's Favorite Classic Jewish Delicatessen
New York: Per Se
New York: Picnics in New York City
New York: PlayDine
New York: Prune
New York: Restaurant Amma
New York: Tapas bars, Mike Colameco's favorite picks
New York: Tea Sommelier
New York: Native Bukharan Cuisine
New York: Forage for Wild Foods with Steve Brill
New York: Addie Tomei and Savory Sojourns
New York and LA: The City Bakery
Portland, OR: Andina Restaurant
Portland, OR: Grand Central Bakery
Hershey, PA: The Spa at the Hotel Hershey
Philadelphia, PA: Morimoto
South: Inspirational Vegetable Gardens of the South
South: Not-To-Be-Missed Barbeque Joints
South Dakota: The International Vinegar Museum
Texas: Gourmet Rafting in the Santa Elena Canyon
Texas: Austin area One Tank Wonders
Utah: Lynne's Bed and Breakfast Pick in Salt Lake City
Utah: Lynne's Favorite Fish Tacos
Various Locations: Outstanding in the Field
Vermont: Farmer's Diner
Washington: Renowned Chef Tom Douglas Picks Seattle's Best Restaurants
Seattle, Washington: Adventures You Can Have on One Tank of Gas
Seattle, Washington: Grand Central Bakery
Seattle, Washington: Oyster Dating Service at Elliot's Oyster House
Seattle, Washington: Award-Winning Chef Tom Douglas' Restaurants
Seattle, Washington: Tom Douglas' Favorite Pike Place Market Vendors
Seattle, Washington: Lynne's Seattle Restaurant Picks
Washington: Lynne Loves Seattle's Sorrento Hotel
Richland Center, Wisconsin: Fox's Pizza Den

International

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