Food If you are in *insert city here*, you HAVE to try *insert restaurant here*........

These places here in Toronto Ontario that I've listed are small menu restaurants that concentrate on doing what they do very well. A couple are cash only, so be warned.

The Stockyards burgers on St. Clair at Bathurst in Toronto. I swear by the green chili pimento burger. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/783406

Silk Road on Horner Ave in Etobicoke is a hole-in-the-wall serving amazing Uyghur food. http://www.david-kilgour.com/mp/Uyghur food finally arrives.htm

Penrose Fish & Chips on Mt. Pleasant & Davisville - they have been around since the 1950's and you can understand the longevity when you get an order with a birch beer soda. http://www.toronto.com/listing/231237--penrose-fish-chips

Porchetta & Co. Porchetta sandwiches. Dundas west of Bathurst. Try the porchetta with tomato sauce, or the mushroom truffle sauce. http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/10/1568154/restaurant/Little-Italy-Portugal-Village/Porchetta-Co-Toronto

If I come up with more I'll just edit them into here.

 

Franks Diner, Spokane, WA. Only been once, for breakfast, but I was totally blown away by the Meatloaf Benedict. http://www.franksdiners.com/

Lockhart's BBQ, Royal Oak, MI Just minutes from home and just fantastic. Best newer restaurant in a town packed with great eating. You love mac and cheese, Borla? "Mac-n-Cheese Shepherd’s Pie ---- Smoked brisket with onions and a zesty sauce topped with our mac-n-cheese and baked golden brown." Pure, cheesy heaven! (Yeah, I get that "shepherd's pie" is a misnomer... it's made with beef, not lamb) I also love the Burnt Ends appetizer. http://www.lockhartsbbq.com/

Then, in Milwaukee, there's Fourth Base, right down the street from Miller Park. Disguised as your average sports bar, these guys have a gourmet chef in the kitchen turning out some classy fare. Hang onto your wallet and let Robert hook you up. The chicken marsala rocks, as does the layered cheesecake with chocolate and strawberries.

 

If you're in Charlotte, NC and looking for a good burger, swing by Nix Burger and Brew. Juicy burgers, cooked whatever way you want them, and some odd combinations of flavors/toppings on the menu you normally wouldn't think of. Great place to stop in for a quick lunch.

 

Columbia, SC

The Hunter / Gatherer - Get a couple of beers and the hummus, fruit and cheese plate. Sit upstairs and enjoy the view of the rustic interior.

Madison, VA

Bavarian Chef - The best German food anywhere near Washington, D.C. Their German Chocolate cake will make you leave your wife.

Richmond, VA

Capital Ale House - You must try the stuffed pretzel entree with a pint of Arrogant Bastard.

 

If you are in Miami don't miss Joe's Stone Crabs.
Don't be intimidated when you walk in; they are looking for a $20 handshake to get you a table right away, but just wait patiently and it won't take long.
Wonderful chilled stone crabs, excellent side dishes.
After you finish stroll up the boardwalk to the more active scene on South Beach.

 

Calgary, Alberta

The Muse, its a high-ish end food, Duck Confit is amazing....
Chicago Chophouse- best steak in town....

but they just allowed foot carts here... so there's that to look forward to...

 

And of course, when in Buffalo NY do not miss the wings at Duff's.
Best in the world.
They may have been invented at Anchor Bar but they were perfected at Duff's.

 

If you're in Vancouver, you have to try Lucy's Diner on Main St.

I got the pulled pork sandwich with mac and cheese on top, with a strawberry shake. It was devastatingly awesome.

 

Gotham City - Hospital Cafeteria... pre-joker bombing

 

In Columbus Ohio I would make sure you go to Brazenhead. Great burgers and good beer.
http://www.hdrestaurants.com/brazenhead/5thavenue/

 

Williamsport, PA - Joe's Pizza

If you're a fan of thin crust Italian pizza, swing by Joe's. Great sauce, great crust, not too thin, not too thick, and fantastic proportions of fresh toppings. I expected much, much worse out of a place on the corner that caters to college students, but to this day, it's still my favorite.

Charlotte, NC - The Flying Saucer

If you like beer, go. Over 300 different types of beer, about 100 or so of those rotating on tap. If you want seating and service, go early and avoid Friday/Saturday nights.

 

I haven't been to Brazenhead yet, so I'll have to try it, Smackre.

My finds in Columbus, OH so far:
* Betty's Fine Food and Spirits - the food is great (especially the chicken tortilla soup), the beer selection is fantastic.
* Katalina's Cafe Corner - fantastic sandwiches. Really, fantastic. I haven't tried their breakfast yet, but I'm hoping to do that in the next few weeks.

Cincinnati, OH:
* The Comet - interesting bar-ish food, great burritos, and some awesome drinks and an interesting atmosphere.

Oxford, OH:
* Kofenya - good coffee, right next to the bike shop I frequent
* Quarter Barrel - great beer selection, I hear their coffee is decent as well

 

Definitely a good choice.... use to live in Columbus....

 

In Cincy I always go to BJ's bar and grill. They are a micro brewery that has great food also.

Also In Toledo I like Fricker's. Great place to watch a game.

Canton I like Quaker Steak and Lube. Great wings!

 

Rapid City, South Dakota. you HAVE to hit up the firehouse brewery downtown. they're a microbrew with what i can tell is virtually 100% home cooking but if you really do want the honest to God 100% home cooking experience you have to hit up this place called The Colonial House. I dont think its on the way to Mt. Rushmore but its the best damn food you will ever ever have

 

Toronto:

Relish Bar & Grill: 2152 Danforth Avenue. 1 block east of Woodbine on the North side (at Cedervale).

http://www.relishbarandgrill.com/

Great tapas style restaurant - grilled calamari is great, as is the cassoulet: White bean, duck & chorizo casserole topped w/puff pastry

And TO guys, can you honestly not include the most awesome Dangerous Dan's Diner?

http://www.dangerousdansdiner.com/

The Burgers are Bigger at the Double D

with such menu options as:

Bronto Ribs Dinner
2½ Lbs. Back Beef Ribs w/ French Fries or Mashed Potatoes
For Only $ 16.45

24oz Bulls Balls Burger
Served w/ Fries and a Pop
Only $ 15.25

The Coronary Burger Special
2 8oz Patties, 4 Slices of Bacon, 2 Slices of Cheddar and a Fried Egg on top. Served w/ Fries and Gravy, Can of Pop and Mayo as a garnish for sure!
Only $ 15.25

Quadruple C
"Collosal Colon Clogger Combo"
24oz burger served with a quarter pound of cheese, a quarter pound of bacon, and 2 fried eggs. Also comes with a large shake and a small poutine.
Only $ 24.45

The "McEwan"
10oz NY steak freshly ground into a hamburger patty, mixed with beer, shitake and oyster mushrooms, camembert and brie cheese and 4oz pan fried Lobster Tail drizzled with clarified butter. Comes with Hand-made fries and a large milk shake
Only $ 38.95



Recommended for Medicinal Cannabis Users (intended as humor only)

 

near New Haven, CT:

head 10 minutes east to Guilford, and visit The Place: http://theplaceguilford.com/

The specialty is roasted lobster (boiled first, then cracked and tossed on the wood grill). The menu is quite short; BYOB, as well as any sides or desserts you might want. They just grill the appetizers and main course for you. Seating is outside on sawed-off stumps, around cheap round wooden tables. Awesome food and quite an experience.