where to eat:
Chicago, IL
Grapevine Mediterranean Gourmet Cafe
Order the spicy sausage appetizer and vegetarian combo plate–you won’t be disappointed.
Great location and even better food. The salads, sandwiches and flatbreads are out of this world.
The goat specials change daily, but the chickpea fritters and pig face are not to be missed. Not the best destination for vegetarians, but there is something (even if something small) for everyone on this menu. Oh, and get the corny goat bread. You won’t regret it.
They serve up all sorts of dogs with a great variety of toppings and lots of specials. Also very vegetarian friendly. Their veggie dog comes highly recommended by yours truly. Try a Chicago Dog and a special dog to mix it up.
This traditional French bakery is known for their wide selection of macarons, so try a few of them and get one of the bigger desserts to share. Vegetarians beware: their ganache, marshmallow and fudge contains gelatin. Ask a salesperson what is veg/vegan safe.
Minneapolis, MN
A very cool neighborhood bar and grill with awesome potato chips (get them as an appetizer with delicious dip) and tasty sandwiches. They also have a good variety of beer, wine and cider.
This Minneapolis landmark is known for its stuffed burger, the Jucy Lucy. Order it. There’s pretty much nothing else on the menu but you will not be sorry. Go during the week so you can sit inside and enjoy this friendly dive bar.
A great place for vegetarians/vegans. They have fresh, healthy and flavorful food. Try the pizzas or a veggie burger, or really, any other dish on the menu.
Rapid City, SD
They offer up lots of bagel varieties, spreads and sandwich offerings. The perfect start to a Mt. Rushmore day.
Livingston, MT
Dine at this restaurant on locally sourced meats, cheeses and produce. An elegant, quiet environment that’s perfect for dinner with friends or date night.
Bozeman, MT
Although not a restaurant, this Whole Foods-esque market has excellent produce and groceries, wonderful prepared foods and a stellar soup and salad bar. Stop in to pick up groceries, lunch or a snack (you can also have coffee upstairs).
Spokane, WA
This old-fashioned diner inhabits an antique train car and not only offers a heavy dose of nostalgia, but also some huge meals. Breakfast is served all day, the food is hearty and comforting, and the staff is friendly. What more could one want?
Seattle, WA
Annapurna offers Indian, Tibetan and Nepalese dishes that are absolutely outstanding. From their palak paneer and other traditional Indian dishes to their house special Himalayan curry, there are so many exciting options on this menu that you’ll want to make more than one stop. Be sure to get the Spinach Momo appetizer if you want to have a uniquely Annapurna experience.
The Batali family knows what it takes to bring customers back day after day: simple, delicious food. Be sure to arrive early if you want to ensure that all menu items are available (they sell out of many items before noon). I had the salumi sandwich, but you really can’t go wrong here. They also have incredible specials that should not be overlooked.
Stop in to Beecher’s if you’re at Pike’s Place and have a hankering for cheese. They sell cheese as would any other deli, but they also offer some pretty wicked looking mac and cheese, among other enticing dishes. Try the cheese curds if you want something a little different.
This gourmet store, also located at Pike’s Place Market has everything from truffle salt to truffle oil (white and black) to truffled salami. Get the truffle info from the shop’s owner, Rei, and she might even offer you some samples that aren’t out on display. Ask about the truffle “caviar” and be sure to take home some of their 10% truffle salt to spruce up any of your own meals.
This vegetarian Thai restaurant will please herbivores and omnivores alike. They offer all of the traditional Thai favorites and some unique dishes to boot. Bonus: Ballard is a very cool area of town filled with restaurants and bars; go out for a few beers or even a gelato after you’ve visited Jhanjay to complete your night.
Portland, OR
For a uniquely Portland experience, head to Vita Cafe on the hip Alberta Street for vegan and vegetarian fare. Try the nachos or the vegan BLT…you’d be surprised at how tasty it all can be sans dairy and pork…I was.
Doug Fir offers good food and even better ambiance. Go for lunch and enjoy the patio seating and tasty sandwiches, or go for dinner for a more club-like atmosphere with your cocktails. Whatever you decide, be sure to make a trip to the restroom–it is not to be missed.
Stop in while perusing all that 23rd Street has to offer. Indulge in a chai chocolate milkshake or one of their uber-truffles; there is no wrong choice.
At this unique bakery, you can sample anything from a plain glazed donut to custard filled, to cereal-topped, to bacon-covered. There is something for everyone. But just so we’re clear, you need to get the bacon and maple log.
This restaurant was one of our favorites of the entire trip. Offering traditional (and some non-traditional) Southern food, Screen Door has incredible menu staples (the fried chicken is to die for) and seasonal, fresh vegetarian dishes (to get a full scope, order the screen door plate) that will satisfy any and everyone. Save room for dessert, and also try their highly-recommended brunch.
An excellent brunch choice, Mother’s offers delicious twists on breakfast favorites. Try the breakfast nachos or one of their incredible scrambles. They also have pierogi. Need I say more?
San Francisco, CA
Go there for brunch, with friends, and order the oyster sampler, clam chowder and grilled cheese sandwich. For drinks, go for a crisp white or a sparkling to make it a truly special meal. You will not be sorry.
I’m not a coffee person, but I hear this is the only way to drink the stuff. Located in the Ferry Market Building, the line is always long but apparently worth it.
For as many sushi bars as there are in San Francisco, this one sticks out to me for their policy more than their food. They only serve sustainably fished seafood, which gives diners the opportunity to taste lesser-used treats, albacore among them. Call ahead for a reservation, as this place only has about 12 tables.
We only sampled the shortbread with caramel and chocolate, but it was good enough to write up. Set up in the Ferry Market Building, they offer goodies and good deeds: they partner with charitable community groups and also practice sustainability.
Yank Sing was one of our favorites because it was so unique. They are a typical dim sum restaurant but they offer many vegetarian dumplings and other small bites with the assurance that diners are not eating tiny pieces of questionable meat products. We enjoyed the savory vegetable dumplings among others, and the pork soup dumpling was unique and delicious.
Santa Cruz, CA
El Palomar was a fun Mexican place in the middle of downtown Santa Cruz that offered delicious bites of authentic cuisine in an interesting venue. There were no standout dishes, but everyone left completely satisfied.
Moss Landing, CA
Although this place had a few flaws, spotty service being a big one, we enjoyed an excellent artichoke appetizer, and as one of the two restaurants in the area, we were just pleased to be sitting on hard ground eating a meal.
Los Angeles, CA
Street is chef Susan Feniger’s first solo restaurant venture and an incredible one at that. Offering up elevated versions of street food, this restaurant is ideal for parties large or small willing and eager to share. We recommend the kaya toast to start (every website will tell you that, but we must confirm its greatness). The cheese grits and sag paneer with dal were also incredible picks. Go there. Now.
Pizzeria Mozza is a restaurant that I will recommend to any and everyone. I know it might seem a tad expensive, but in my mind, this place is absolutely worth it. They serve up some incredible pizza with a myriad of toppings and a great selection of appetizers. The bone marrow and squash blossoms are both incredible if only a bit rich. The goat cheese with leeks pizza (bacon on the side), the funghi pizza, and the pizza with bagna cauda have all been sampled by yours truly with great success and I’m sure that all of the others are worth diving in to.
Located in the trendy Silver Lake area, Gingergrass is a fresh Vietnamese restaurant suitable for omnivores and herbivores alike. Their beef pho is really stellar and although the vegetarian pho got mixed reviews, the fact that they even offer it, in my mind, makes it worth trying.
If you happen to find yourself in El Segundo, Blue Butterfly is a great place to pass the time and enjoy some cafe style food and drink. We didn’t sample much, but their offerings looked tempting and we would definitely go back for another try.
Another El Segundo find, this place is great for lunch. They have lots of different menu items to satisfy all tastes and from what I hear, a pretty decent wine list.
Although they’re located in many states, In-N-Out has definitely got their stake in the LA food scene. Getting your fries animal style is a must, and while you’re at it, look up their secret menu to find offerings that suit your style.
Las Vegas
Olives is your typical Las Vegas restaurant: big, expensive, and pretty damn good. While I’d love to say that it’s worth it, I’m not sure that it is. I had an incredible scallop dish there, but the amount of money spent may or may not have been worth it. $16 for a caesar salad? Next time I’ll go to one of those Las Vegas restaurants that offers more than two dishes to pique my interest.
Kanab, UT
Rocking V Cafe is certainly a bright spot in this tiny town seemingly in the middle of nowhere. The first indication that it would be a good night was that this place was open past 8pm. The menu at Rocking V was also very exciting. They offered lots of fusion food, huge portions, decent prices, and many vegetarian options. If you find yourself near this place, it is most certainly worth a stop.
Santa Fe, NM
There is a lot of hype about Pasquals. So much that you wonder if it is actually worth it. It is one of those places that makes you wonder if it is just a tourist destination or a favorite with locals as well. Well I, for one, don’t really care because it is delicious. There was not a bite served that was not devoured by our team of two, and I am still dreaming of that BLT. When in Santa Fe, eat as the Santa Fe-ans should (if they don’t already) and make Pasqual’s a stop.
Okay, so Oleaceae is not a restaurant, but to me, it is a food destination to be sure. They offer not only high-grade olive oils and balsamics (both flavored and traditional), but more unique products as well, such as toasted acorn squash seed oil and salts from the far reaches of the earth. Check it out–the shop is full of great gift ideas.
Albuquerque, NM
I’ve never actually eaten a meal at Frontier, but in my mind it is worth the stop for one reason: tortillas. They make incredible tortillas non-stop at this college hangout and sell them at dirt-cheap prices to the masses. They’re vegetarian and delicious. Stop in for a dozen or two and be sure not to walk out without a sweet roll in tow–you won’t regret it.
Austin, TX
So good we went there twice. They have lots of vegetarian and meat-filled options, huge portions and a great, quick service staff. We sampled salads, quesadillas, breakfast and sandwiches and left happy. Oh, and did I mention that it’s open 24 hours a day? Sold!
This food truck made a cameo at Austin City Limits and I’m glad it did. They offer cheffy food at reasonable prices and use locally-sourced ingredients. We only tried their corn salad with queso fresco and a soft fried egg, but from the looks of this ever-changing menu, it is worth visiting again and again.
So simple and delicious you’ll wonder why you haven’t tried it before. Creamy, crunchy and delicious, you’ll be begging your local taco stand to start making what you had at Torchy’s. The fried avocado taco was, to put it simply, heaven in a tortilla. They balanced the flavors of this treat perfectly and made diners hungry for more. I’ve been told that they also offer such innovative dishes as their fried chicken taco, and go as simple and classic as their pork with green chile salsa. Hands down, one of the best tacos I’ve had in a long while.
Cheese sauce. The staple of any good nacho. Tim Love’s team nailed it at their Love Shack stand at ACL. Whether or not they offer it at their restaurant on a regular basis, I’m not sure, but I’d definitely go there to find out. One thing not worth visiting for: their love burger. Inexpertly cooked and covered with a glorified aioli, this is not something I’m in love with at all.
One of chef Tim Love’s other restaurant ventures was, in my eyes, much more successful for one reason and one reason alone: their truffle mac and cheese. Altogether rich and light and so craftily made with orzo, I licked the paper cup just so I could have more of the delicious and delicately truffled cheese sauce. Worth going back? Well, I had it three times, so you can be the judge.
Another popular Austin food truck, The Mighty Cone is known for their “hot and crunchy” cuisine. Essentially a taco served in a snow-cone cup, this morsel was a favorite at ACL and enjoyed by your favorite traveling duo. They also offered a fried avocado dish that was almost as good as Torchy’s. At their regular food truck they have a variety of sliders on their menu for patrons to sample.
Amy’s Ice Cream is a true Austin staple. They have locations around the city and are a mainstay at grocery stores in the area as well. While I didn’t think they were special in any way, I have to say that I greatly enjoyed their mint chocolate chip and wouldn’t hesitate to buy a pint if my local grocer offered it.
Breakfast. Tacos. Need I say more? I needn’t, but I will. Try one with black beans, papas (their version of breakfast potatoes–surprise, they’re mashed!), and cheese. Or the classic migas. I dream of these tacos. And come to think of it, maybe this is the place with the fried chicken taco?
I love fried chicken. So, so much. I hate long lines. So, so much. But when they are combined, my hatred for the latter is outweighed by my love of the former. Lucy’s was so worth the wait. Perfectly crisp and juicy, not overly greasy: don’t you want to jump on a plane to Austin now?
When compiling this list, I struggled to remember P. Terry’s. Apparently, with good reason. Our resident vegetarian tried their veggie burger which was “just ok.” Looking at their website, it is apparent that they pride themselves on their many varieties of burger, so I’d be willing to try again, but if you’re in Austin, I’d say skip the burger-licious calories and go for a taco instead.
This restaurant constantly has a line out the door and around the corner but you have to wonder why. Overpriced and just ok, I would hesitate to go back.
Making savory pies is a tricky business. They are intrinsically heavy and coming up with tasty, crowd-pleasing varieties that differ from the norm is difficult. Boomerang’s beats the odds, however, and cranks out some really yummy offerings, all without making you feel like you’ve swallowed a brick.
New Orleans, LA
I must sing the praises of this institution located in the heart of the French Quarter not only because my name is on the wall, but because they deserve it. They offer the highest-quality seafood at relatively decent prices. My suggestion: if you’re not in the mood to stuff your face with 15 dozen oysters, try a dozen raw and a dozen char-grilled to sample some of the best of what they have to offer.
I’m sure that African cuisine is not exactly what jumps to mind when one thinks of the New Orleans food scene, but maybe it should be. Bennachin, located in the French Quarter, just a few blocks away from Jackson Square, offers dishes to satisfy any taste. With a myriad of vegetarian options, I can’t wait to go back and try more of what they have to offer. My tip: get the coconut rice with whatever meal you choose–yum!
Cafe Du Monde is one of the most famous food destinations in New Orleans, and with good reason. This restaurant has been using the same recipe since their opening to make their delicious, light, and sweet beignets, and don’t forget the perfect New Orleans accompaniment: chicory coffee. It’s worth a stop at least once and so conveniently located that even if doughnuts aren’t your thing, you’ll be glad you sat down and took it all in.
The Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone
The Hotel Monteleone is one of the only hotels I know of that is still privately owned. It is chic and elegant, and a stop at their aptly named Carousel Bar is an experience in and of itself. This revolving bar offers specialty cocktails and classic drinks alike and is the perfect start or end to a night on the town.
I have great faith in Deanie’s. And I really, really wanted to like it more. A family-owned seafood restaurant, Deanie’s is known for their barbecued shrimp (which were killer) and their buckets and buckets of steamed crabs and crawfish. Since we were not in New Orleans during blue crab season or crawfish season, we were not able to sample these delicious treats and instead had some pretty regular po boys. Not the worst thing ever, but certainly not anything to write home about.
When our friend and recent New Orleans resident, Nicole, told us she had heard of a place that makes their own bagels and lox, we were thrilled beyond belief. When she told us she didn’t know where it was or the name of the establishment, we were bummed. But after hearing of this seemingly perfect breakfast spot, we were on a mission to find it. After several google searches and many phone calls, we happened upon Surrey’s Cafe and Juice Bar. Nicole was right, they make their own bagels and lox that even Amy ate–and enjoyed. With countless delicious breakfast offerings and dozens of drink options, we think you’d be pretty stupid to pass it up when you’re in the Big Easy.
Birmingham, AL
Birmingham surprised us. We were expecting a small-ish southern town with perhaps a few restaurants worth trying, all of which would surely be overpriced and stuffy. Avo proved us wrong. The upstairs, classier big sister to Dram Whiskey Bar (both restaurants serve both menus, you just have to choose your ambiance), they offered some very tasty, refined food at decent prices. Add in a good cocktail menu and a wine list with more than one option for Sauvignon Blanc and you’ve got at the makings for a fun and tasty night on the town.
Olive Branch was another great and surprising restaurant find for our trip. Located on a small side-road, they serve some really fantastic greek food. Interesting specials and appetizers make it worth a second visit, and we’re still dreaming of their falafel–delicious.
Nashville, TN
The Frothy Monkey is just what you’d expect of a Nashville coffee shop: unique, cozy and with delicious menu offerings. Located in an old house in a gorgeous neighborhood, it is the perfect place to bring your books for a study session or bring your friends for a fun and tasty breakfast.
The last place we’d expect to order trendy sushi–really tasty sushi at that–is in Nashville. But Virago delivered. They have so many options it’s hard to know where to begin. From the cocktail menu to the sushi selections to their larger plates, it’s all good. Go with a large group so you can try lots of different bites.
There’s nothing greater than a traditional New York style deli. The huge portions, the tasty food that is just so comforting, the low prices, deli’s have it all. And Noshville is no different. Though not the best meal of the trip, and not the best deli we’ve ever been to, Noshville was just what we wanted and definitely worth a visit if you’re in the mood for some comfort food.
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