post off: what's your favorite destination food?
I spent this past weekend in Philadelphia. Before we left town, we made a pit-stop at the famous Philly landmark Jim’s Steaks for a cheesesteak. The line was long and the service was surly, but my food was just what I had hoped for. I feel the same way about eating lobster when in Maine, cheese while in Wisconsin, and so on and so on. What are your favorite destination foods? Do you chow on etoufee while in New Orleans? Do you insist on a slice of deep dish pizza when vacationing in Chicago? –Erica P.
Photo by jcyoung
Hey Erica, I’d love to hear any other Wisconsin recs if you’ve got ‘em! (My in-laws are there and I’m headed up next week).
When I go back home to Florida, I always have to stop for some Puerto Rican mofongo or some authentic Cuban. Yum!
When I head home to Georgia I always guzzle sweet tea!!
Mmmm… seafood when I’m at the coast.
A corned beed sandwhich at Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor and a pound of the stuff wrapped well to bring home to Portland!
Whenever I head home to Virginia, I’ve got to make a trip to Ukrops, the local grocery chain. Their fried chicken, duchess potatos, White House rolls, broccoli slaw, … is just the best and tastes like home. :) I also usually pick up a few cases of Yuengling, the PA-based brew that is only available on the east coast. And a jar or three of Mrs. Duke’s mayo, something I can never find in Chicago.
Where in Wisconsin are you going to be? I could come up with some recs for ya.
When I go home to Wisconsin I have to have deep fried cheese curds. They are delicious. Most any bar has them. When it’s warm, I have to stop by the Memorial Union for Babcock Hall ice cream. Who am I kidding? I’ll still eat ice cream even if it’s cold out!
When I fly into San Francisco I have to head to Mi Fune in Japantown. If in Oakland I gotta hit the Vulcan Thai Cafe.
When I go home to Los Angeles I usually have to do a breakfast at the old Farmer’s Market on 3rd and Fairfax before the place gets too crowded and the stores at the Grove open up.
Beef on Weck and Wings or Mighty Taco in Buffalo
Garbage Plate in Rochester
Poutine in Toronto
Lobster Roll and Grilled Trout for breakfast in Maine
West Coast fish tacos
I need a DC thing, crab is OK, any other recommendations?
Richmond, va. Comfort restaurant on broad at. Be sure to save room for the bannana pudding. Yummy.
Whenever I go back to Austin, Chuy’s (for their chips and salsa) and Z Tejas (for their chips and queso) are a must.
Wisconsin! I’ll be in Milwaukee and central WI (in the general vicinity of Stevens Point). We may get a day in Madison too.
Oh, yes, cheese curds ;)
Strangely, though, the first thing that popped to my head was a place called michelbobs we used to eat ribs at during vacations to Florida. It’s not exactly traditional local cuisine, but dang were they good ribs.
mmmm, cheese curds… fried or otherwise, divine! Don’t forget authentic brats while you’re in Whizconsin!
Chad, I’ll have to check out Comfort next week! It opened right before I left Richmond and I’ve not had a chance to visit.
Yuengling is available in Tennessee and Florida, and other places now. Unfortunately not in Cincinnati yet.
Must eat boiled crawfish in season in Louisiana. (Now there is a place Louisville that serves them too.) Fresh seafood of any kind on the FL coast – especially blue crab. Crab in Baltimore – the only place to get really genuine crabcakes.
Some people who visit California make a point of stopping at In-N-Out Burger when they arrive or just before they leave. They have restaurants outside California, too.
I have to have French Onion Soup everywhere I go when I’m in Paris. I’m always there when its a bit chilly, so it is perfect after a day of walking around. Oh and of course fois gras!
Buffalo chicken wings… in where else? Buffalo!
New York – thin crust pizza. Just keep trying places until you find your favorite. Cheesecake – try S&S which is up the BX at 238th on the 1 line.
Philly in the summer – water ice. Again, walk around South Philly until you find the perfect one. Rita’s is fine but the smaller places sometimes are incredibly good.
Western MA – cider donuts and cider without preservatives. I’ve always liked Atkin’s in Amherst, MA. But they’re getting to big and the quality of the donuts has suffered.
Bay area – sour dough bread.
Lancaster county PA – PA Dutch pretzels. Martin’s pretzels are pretty darn good with that Yuengling lager you guys keep talking about.
Paris – tarte au citron or leek quiche. My favorite tarte au citron was from a patisserie at the bottom of the Rue Mouffetard – it came with meringue and a pecan and had the right ratio of sweet to sour. But this was 10 years ago, so who knows. A place further up the street had really good croissant aux amandes.
Chicago – deep dish pizza. I’ve it from a few places but I’d have to try them all again for a real comparison.