“Places to Love” Restaurant Guide: USA Edition

I’ve gotten to eat at a lot of phenomenal places for “Places to Love,” and what I’ve really learned is that a good experience goes beyond what you’re eating or drinking. So many of the places I’ve visited have a story, and you can really tell when love and passion has been put into the menu and recipes.

Check below for every single place I’ve been in the US so far!

Everywhere I’ve Eaten for “Places to Love”: USA Edition

Williamsburg, Virginia

Masala Craft

What would you say if I told you some of the best Indian food I’ve had is right in Williamsburg, Virginia? Masala Craft is a true labor of love between parents Avinash and Neeta Arora and their daughter, Shaveta. The family came from Punjab fifteen years ago, bringing with them generations’ worth of knowledge when it comes to Indian cuisine. The menu consists of some truly mouthwatering dishes made with spices roasted straight from their herb garden.

For more of Williamsburg, VA, keep an eye out for our upcoming episode!

Route 66: California

The Formosa Café

If you love the glitz and glamour of old Hollywood, you’re going to love The Formosa Café. This was THE spot for all the classic movie stars to come and blow off some steam. Choose from a slew of Chinese dishes, and give yourself time to take in all the decor. It’s like a mini-museum of Tinseltown lore!

Mel’s Drive In

Another Hollywood gem is Mel’s Drive-In. Its Santa Monica location is one of the four official ends for Historic Route 66 and as the name suggests, it serves up all the best of American diner food.

See more of Route 66: California here

Route 66: Arizona

The Snow Cap Café

While driving through Seligman in Arizona, you don’t want to miss two places. The first is Angel and Vilma’s Original Route 66 Gift Shop. There you’ll get to see the barbershop of Angel Delgadillo, a man credited with saving Route 66 in Arizona. (You might even get to see him!) The second is right next door at The Snow Cap Café, founded by Angel’s late brother, Juan. The whole café was built using mostly scrap lumber and is a roadside attraction in and of itself! Grab a burger with a side of jokes and enjoy a spot that truly embodies the best of Mother Road.

See more of Route 66: Arizona here

Route 66: New Mexico

Earl’s Family Restaurant

Right by the Arizona – New Mexico border sits Earl’s Family Restaurant. They’ve been in business for over 75 years and have an incredible mix of American, Native, and Mexican cuisine. Just a warning – if you get the navajo taco, plan to split it with at least one other person or come very hungry!

See more of Route 66: New Mexico here

Route 66: Oklahoma – Texas

Midpoint Café

At exactly halfway on Route 66, is Midpoint Café in Adrian. It’s been around since the 1950s and the homemade pies alone are worth the stop.

The Big Texan

The Big Texan might just be the most famous steakhouse in Texas, which is saying a lot! It takes its name very seriously which means it can seat something like 452 people at once. During peak season, they see as many as 3,000+ visitors. Their big claim to fame, though, is their 72-oz steak challenge. One person has one hour to eat a 72-oz steak, shrimp cocktail, baked potato salad, and a roll with butter!

Sid’s Diner

When it comes to Oklahoma, the one thing I was most excited to try was an onion burger, sometimes known as the depression burger. Back during the Great Depression, meat was expensive so many spots stretched their ingredients by smashing thinly sliced onions on top. I got my fix at Sid’s Diner in El Reno, which was founded by Marty Hall back in 1990 and has been a mainstay on Route 66 since.

See more of Route 66: Oklahoma – Texas here

Route 66: Missouri – Oklahoma

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard

Summer in St. Louis? Cool off with a concrete shake from Ted Drewes Frozen Custard! This walk-up, window-only spot has been here since 1930, and is still in the family four generations later. I’m not kidding when I say their shakes are like concrete. You can quite literally turn your cup upside down and it won’t move.

Uranus Fudge Factory

Uranus Fudge Factory has to be the most quintessential Route 66 roadside attraction ever. Choose from 18 different fudge flavors and be prepared for some intense potty humor!

See more of Route 66: Missouri – Oklahoma here

The Black Hills of South Dakota

Wall Drug Store

I just love the genius behind Wall Drug Store. Back in the day when Ted and Dorothy Hustead founded the business, they got people to come in by advertising free ice water all up and down the highway. These days it’s still part of the Hustead family but the store itself has expanded so much you need a map just to get around. One tradition I love that they keep was free coffee and donuts to all veterans.

Palmer Gulch

Nothing says South Dakota classic like a Chuck Wagon Dinner. At Palmer Gulch, everything from the coffee to the fried potatoes to the steaks are cooked over an open fire. It’s about as close to an authentic cowboy dinner as you can get.

See more of The Black Hills of South Dakota here

Traverse City, Michigan

Cherry Republic

Traverse City is known for its cherries so naturally I had to visit Cherry Republic. Founder Bob Sutherland started the business over 25 years ago selling T-shirts from the trunk of his car and has since expanded to over 275+ cherry products. My favorite? The cherry soft serve ice cream, of course.

Farm Club Restaurant

It’s easy to create a farm-to-table menu in Traverse thanks to the plethora of farms all around the region. I loved sitting down at Farm Club Restaurant where 70-80% of its ingredients come from nearby Loma Farm. Because of this, they can get creative with the menu and utilize ingredients that might normally get scrapped.

Leelanau Cheese

You don’t need to travel all the way to the Swiss Alps in winter to enjoy incredible raclette cheese. Just pop over to Leelanau Cheese. They’ve been perfecting their cave-aging method for over 25 years.

Bonobo Winery

Bonobo Winery is a classic tale of two brothers leaving home, making it big, and coming back to create something brand new. Carter and Todd Oosterhouse grew up working on a cherry farm in Traverse City, and when they found out said farm was being sold, they came back to buy it and turn it into an eco-friendly winery. These days they offer up everything from sauvignon blanc to chardonnay!

See more of Traverse City, Michigan here

Crystal Coast, North Carolina

Oyster Carolina

You know Ryan Bethea is passionate about oysters because he somehow managed to balance teaching middle school with a return to school to study oyster aquaculture, an externship, and oyster farming until he could buy his own oyster farm. Now with Oyster Carolina, he serves up the saltiest oysters in the country and delivers them all around North Carolina for free. It’s all part of his belief that everyone in the state deserves access to healthy seafood.

Oceanana Pier House

A mainstay on the Crystal Coast’s Atlantic Beach since 1959, Oceanana Pier House is a seafood lover’s dream. Come for Chef Kevin Davis’s seafood boil and thank me later.

See more of The Crystal Coast of North Carolina here

New Orleans, Louisiana

Café Du Monde

Café du Monde is a New Orleans classic in the truest sense of the word. The beignets themselves were brought to the area by Acadians, predecessors to Louisiana’s Cajun culture. The café itself was founded by Fred Koeniger, who came up with the idea of serving beignets with his coffee. And when he wanted to retire, he wound up selling it to Honduran immigrant Hubert Fernandez, whose family still owns and runs the iconic café to this day.

Hansen’s Sno-Blitz

It does snow in Louisiana! Kind of. At least it does at Hansen’s Sno-Blitz. This is another NOLA institution that is still family owned and operated over 85 years later. Ashley Hansen’s grandparents founded the shop in 1939, and she still makes the snowcones with syrups freshly made with Louisiana king sugar every day.

Café Reconcile

Café Reconcile is a restaurant with a mission. And that mission, besides making flavor-forward meals from scratch, is to support anyone from the ages of 16-24 in both personal and workforce development. Interns here learn all sorts of skills to help give them a leg up in whichever industry they choose, and 100% of the profits go towards their stipends.

Abita Brewing Company

Get out of the city for a nice bike ride along the Tammany Trace Bike Trail and when you want a break, stop into Abita Brewing Company for a beer (or root beer!). They use water from the actual Abita springs and the result is as tasty as you’d expect.

Parkway Bakery and Tavern

What’s a trip to New Orleans without eating a po’ boy? The sandwich got its start when Martin Brothers Coffee created a “poor boy” sandwich to support railway employees on strike in 1929. Martin Brothers no longer exists but Parkway Bakery and Tavern continues the tradition and will still serve free po’ boys to strikers!

See more of New Orleans, LA here

Route 66: Illinois

Polk-A-Dot Drive In

I’ve experienced some excellent drive-ins on Route 66, and it all started with Polk-A-Dot Drive In in Braidwood. It’s a classic, family-owned 50’s diner with all the delicious grub you could want after a long drive!

Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup

Did you know Illinois is the furthest south and west  where you can make maple sirup? I stopped into Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup to sample some! The shop goes all the way back to 1891 when Arthur Funk opened up the first official commercial farm after his family had been making maple sirup for years. It’s still in the family to this day.

Cozy Dog Drive In

Another drive-in must-stop in Illinois? The Cozy Dog Drive In! It is not a corn dog. Cozy dogs are dipped in freshly made batter, not that frozen stuff. And they still use the same recipe founder Ed Waldmire developed over 75 years ago. Get it with a side of homemade chili, which is also made with a chili spice he developed.

Service Brewing, Co

When honoring your service mixes with love of brewing, it soon turns into Service Brewing Co. Everything about the brewery is inspired by founder Kevin Ryan’s time in the military whether it’s its interior decor or the fact that profits from every beer sold goes towards a specific Veteran-run charity. They also focus heavily on community with weekly events like the run I participated in! My favorite aspect has to be the “How Do You Serve” wall. It’s for everyone who serves their community.

The Wyld Dock Bar

There’s nothing quite like an old-fashioned oyster roast, and when it comes to Savannah, you just have to go to The Wyld Dock Bar. Keep an eye on their Instagram for upcoming roasts.

See more of Savannah, Georgia here

Big Sky, Montana

The Rocks Tasting Room

The Rocks Tasting Room does two things perfectly for any skiers in Big Sky. They offer up good food and good booze. Just try their pho with a side of Montana mule!

Horn & Cantle Saloon

Cozy up at Horn & Cantle Saloon, Lone Mountain Ranch’s onsite restaurant. You’ll get a cozy experience with excellent live music.

See more of Big Sky, Montana here

St. Augustine, Florida

Llama Restaurant

At Llama Restaurant, Chef Marcel Vizcarra works with his mother to put an experimental twist on the dishes he grew up with in his home country of Peru. Bonus? Vegetarians will love that they have an entirely separate menu just for them!

Asado Life

With Urban Asado, founder Nick Carrera seeks to create an experience just like the asados his father brought with him from Argentina. He started out just learning to make asado grills. That turned into a business run from his garage, which turned into demonstrations and pop-ups, which then turned into weekly celebrations, which then turned into his restaurant, Asado Life!

See more of St. Augustine, Florida here

Madison, Wisconsin

Tornado Steak House

When it comes to Wisconsin, a supper club experience is a must. They’re the unfussy version of a country club dinner where being able to meet others is just as important as the food and drink itself. I went to Tornado Steak House for my supper club experience.

Fromagination

I mean… I couldn’t go to Wisconsin and not visit somewhere focused on cheese. Fromagination takes advantage of the state’s cheesy reputation to offer up the perfect combinations for your charcuterie board. Time your visit with one of their classes.

National Mustard Museum

Right outside of Madison, the National Mustard Museum celebrates all things, well, mustard! Chief Mustard Officer, Barry Levenson, has been growing his collection since the eighties and opened this museum in 1992. His goal is to share everything he’s learned about his favorite condiment and just inject some much needed silliness into the world.

Giant Jones Brewing is an independent, woman-owned, certified organic brewery with one of the coolest tastings I’ve been to. Co-founders Erika and Jessica Jones founded the brewery to make delicious beer and to do everything as sustainably as possible. This includes reusable and returnable bottles and partnerships with local farms. Enos Farms picks up their brewer grains to use in hog feed while Harmony Valley Farm grows organic food, including hops, and Meadowlark Organics produces unmalted grains that they can use in their beers. And that tasting? Let’s just say it starts with sniffing your shirt!

See more of Madison, Wisconsin here

Cruising the Inside Passage of Alaska

Gold Creek Salmon Bake

When in Alaska, why not attend a salmon bake? Wild salmon cooked over an open fire… sign me up! We did ours with Alaska Travel Adventures.

See more of the Inside Passage of Alaska here

Boston, Massachusetts

Union Oyster House

Not only will you be dining in America’s oldest restaurant at Union Oyster House, you’ll be dining where some of the country’s most famous public figures once came. John F. Kennedy even had his own favorite booth here!

Bricco Salumeria

Boston’s North End neighborhood is known for its Italian culture, and Bricco Salumeria specifically is dedicated to founder Frank DePasquale’s childhood along the Amalfi Coast. Get a sandwich and stay for the fresh mozzarella demonstration.

Blossom Bar & Sichuan Garden

Blossom Bar & Sichuan Garden are the perfect representation of America’s melting pot nature. The Duan family first moved to the States in the nineties so Xiaoyi Duan could pursue a career in opera. Soon after they opened up Sichuan Garden to serve up authentic food from home, and it became a favorite neighborhood spot. Later their son, Ran Duan, convinced his father to let him open up Blossom Bar on the restaurant’s upper level. Ran had already built a career as a cocktail expert and his focus with the bar is Latin-American influenced cocktails.

See more of Boston, Massachusetts here

San Antonio, Texas

Carnitas Lonja

Come to the no-frills Carnitas Lonja for one thing and one thing only – carnitas. Chef Alejandro Paredes has perfected the process of creating soft and savory pulled pork!

Pharm Table

The mission with Pharm Table according to San Antonio native, Chef Elizabeth Johnson, is to treat food as medicine. This means supporting small, local businesses to keep a circular economy while creating plant-forward dishes that heal the body. Whatever you do, try the collard greens.

See more of San Antonio, Texas here

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Atrevida Beer Co.

I love absolutely everything about Jess Fiero and Atrevida Beer Co. As the first Latina brewery owner and head brewer in Colorado, she makes sure that not only are her beers good, they spark conversation. As she puts it, diversity is always on tap here.

See more of Colorado Springs, CO here

Louisville, Kentucky

Buffalo Trace Distillery

Bourbon and Kentucky go hand in hand, so why not start off at the oldest, continuously operating distillery in America? That’s right, Buffalo Trace Distillery even managed to stay open during Prohibition. Back then they were allowed to make whiskey for “medicinal purposes.”

Bardstown Bourbon Brewery

Bardstown is known as the Bourbon Capital of the World which means you can visit 11 different distilleries all within 16 miles of the small town. One of the ones I visited was Bardstown Bourbon Company. Here innovation meets tradition when it comes to both bourbon and the bourbon tasting experience.

Bourbons Bistro

And to round out my bourbon experience in Kentucky is Bourbons Bistro! This bar features 130 bourbons and is set in a historic building in Louisville’s Clifton neighborhood. Pair your bourbon with a seasonal menu designed to compliment whatever you’re drinking.

See more of Louisville, Kentucky here

Houston, Texas

Kenny and Ziggy’s

Kenny and Ziggy’s is what happens when you combine the Jewish delis of New York City with the “everything’s bigger in Texas” mentality. Founder Ziggy Grubler moved to Houston from NYC over two decades ago but even before that he comes from a long line of deli owners starting with his grandfather, Max Gruber, who immigrated to the US from Budapest in the early 1900s. Everything is really is bigger at Kenny and Ziggy’s; just ask about their skyscraper-sized sandwiches.

Blood Bros BBQ

Robin Wong, Terry Wong, and Quy Hoang kind of, accidentally opened up a super successful BBQ joint in Houston. What started out as casual backyard BBQs with friends turned into pop-ups around the city. When they developed a cult following begging for more consistent access to their menu, they opened up Blood Bros BBQ. The menu has all the Texas classics with an Asian twist. Wear stretchy pants!

See more of Houston, Texas here

The Jersey Shore

Beach Plum Farm Kitchen

While most people flock to, well, the shore when they visit the Jersey Shore, there’s a plethora of beautiful places if you just got a bit inland. Beach Plum Farm is one of them. It’s been a working farm since the 1600s and focuses heavily on regenerative agricultural practices. The whole farm feels idyllic! Stay overnight or grab a bite at their Farm Kitchen restaurant.

Source Farmhouse Brewery

When it comes to the beer at Source Farmhouse Brewery, it’s all about farm to glass. Set in a 1800s dairy barn, the team at Source focuses on their environment the way a winery would. There’s a focus on sourcing locally and seasonally while experimenting with different flavors.

See more of the Jersey Shore and More here

Asheville, North Carolina

Chai Pani

There’s a good reason why Chai Pani won a James Beard award and is often at the top of most Asheville eatery lists. Chef Meherwan Irani pulls on his unique background growing up in England and India to introduce Americans to Indian street food. He mixes familiar and unfamiliar for some truly delicious dishes, Just try the okra!

Eda Rhyne Distilling Company

Appalachia and North Carolina are at the heart of Edna Rhyne Distilling Company. Beyond the heirloom corn and grains used in their spirits, they use foraged greenery and local folk knowledge to come up with their recipes.

See more of Asheville, North Carolina here

Dutchess County, New York

McEnroe Organic Farm

One of Hudson Valley’s most iconic farms is McEnroe Organic Farm. It’s actually the largest and most diversified farm in the entire state. Once a dairy farm, Ray McEnroe turned his attention to organic produce in the eighties. It’s such a great place to come and wander around before picking up some fresh, seasonal produce. Autumn is particularly amazing with all the apple picking.

Harney & Sons

When it comes to tea, Harney & Sons has done a masterful job at creating a heritage brand in only a few decades. Their headquarters are in the small town of Millerton, and you can get lunch here before perusing their massive selection.

Considering Dutchess County is home to the Culinary Institute of America, it’s no surprise there are a lot of fantastic restaurants. I particularly loved La Cabiñita in Poughkeepsie. The focus is on Oaxacan cuisine and owner, Chef Vicky Pinelo pulls from her grandmother’s recipes.

See more of Dutchess County, New York here

Coastal Maine

Flo’s Hot Dogs

A spot near and dear to my heart. I’ve been eating at Flo’s Hot Dogs since I was a kid, and I even had them at my wedding! They’ve been in business since 1959 and are known for their steamed hot dogs. The key ingredient is Flo’s secret relish.

Tributary Brewing, Co

Tributary Brewing Co. has been a long time dream of co-founder Tod Mott. He was a master brewer for years before opening its doors in 2014. He’s since become a New England legend especially for his Harpoon IPA! All his brews are inspired by the beauty of southern Maine.

Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier

What’s a trip to Coastal Maine without lobster? I loved Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier! The pier has been in the Spinney family since the 1930s and has become a generational tradition for some. Easy, no frills – they provide the lobster, and you bring whatever else you want for your dinner.

See more of Coastal Maine here

Corning & the Southern Finger Lakes

Old World Café

Right in Corning’s Gaffer District, Old World Café is a charming spot for that perfect small town vibe. Jennifer Herman has owned the café with her husband for two decades now and the focus is on classic homemade soups, sandwiches, paninis, and salads.

Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery

In a region known for its wineries, Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery stands out. Right off Keuka Lake, the winery’s namesake emigrated here from Ukraine in the 1950s. With a Ph.D. in Viticulture from Odessa, he knew how special this land was for grape growing. He was the first to successfully plant European grapes in the Eastern US and started a Vinifera Revolution.

See more of Corning & the Southern Finger Lakes here

Phoenix, Arizona

The Farm at South Mountain

Arizona’s dry climate doesn’t exactly make you think of farmland but The Farm at South Mountain is special. It’s become a foodie destination over the last decade as the organic gardens and farm support three restaurants! I was there for dinner to enjoy Phoenix’s take on a farm-to-table experience at Quiessence.

When Martha Castillo started making tamales, she mostly wanted to connect with her childhood in Mexico City. Eventually it turned into an obsession that had her perfecting the craft and selling at farmer’s markets until she was able to open The Tamale Store in 2008. She now runs the store with her children with a family first mentality. And, let’s just say, those tamales are very popular in Phoenix!

See more of Phoenix, Arizona here

Lakes and Mountains of New Hampshire

Local Eatery

As the name suggests, Local Eatery is all about keeping things fresh and local. They work with select farms to craft the freshest menus. Even the meat comes from their own butcher shop!

Chutter’s

World’s longest candy counter – need I say more? If you love candy, just come and check out Chutter’s selection. It spans 112 feet! Oh, and the homemade fudge is sheer perfection!

Schilling Beer Co.

Located in a converted 18th century grist mill, Schilling Beer Co. is all about European-inspired brews. When the weather is warm, choose between their beer garden or riverfront deck.

See more of the Lakes and Mountains of New Hampshire here

Dallas, Texas

Pecan Lodge

Pecan Lodge is so good, sometimes there’s a line around the block as early as 10:30 am. That’s because even though they’re smoking meat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, they still manage to sell out early.

Dude, Sweet Chocolate

At Dude, Sweet Chocolate, artisan chocolates come with a side of fun and adventure. Founder and chocolatier, Katherine Clapner, treats her kitchen like a playground to try out different concoctions. Get ready to sample all sorts of intriguing mixes.

The Wild Detectives

The Wild Detectives combines a bookstore, a coffee shop, and a cocktail bar all in one location. It’s a story of friendship between Spanish civil engineers Javier García del Moral and Paco Vique who always wanted to mix their two passions in life – books and booze. Despite knowing very little about running a bookstore, a coffee shop, or a bar, they opened in 2014 and have been quite successful since!

Purépecha

If you visit Revolver Taco Lounge and continue through a narrow passage, you’ll soon find yourself in Purépecha. Chef Regina Roja created this 8-course journey through traditional Mexican dishes with his mother, Juanita. He designed it to feel as though you’re visiting his home for dinner. The small restaurant only seats 14 people and there are no menus.

See more of Dallas, Texas here

Sonoma County, California

Golden State Cider Taproom

Instead of dipping into wine when they moved to Sonoma County in 1976, Susan and Stan Devota decided to plant apple trees. They wound up planting over 80 varieties of heirloom apples and years later when their daughter joined them on the farm with her husband, they made the first batch of vintage hard cider. Farmer’s markets soon turned into their own Golden State Cider Taproom, and now you can visit their farm to try all their different ciders for yourself.

The Achadinha Cheese Company

When it comes to cheese, Achadinha Cheese Company is all about farmstead quality. This means the entire process of cheese-making is done on their property from raising cows and goats to processing and cutting themselves. Join for one of their farm tours or cheesemaking classes.

Robledo Family Winery

Of course I had to visit a winery while in Sonoma! I opted for Robledo Family Winery. The winery was founded by Reynaldo Robledo. He came to Napa from Michoacán, Mexico to work in the vineyards back in 1968 when he was only 16-years-old. After spending 30 years working in different vineyards, he launched a vineyard management company in 1996. After eight years of managing over 350 acres of vineyards, he opened Robledo in 2003 and was the first winery established by a former Mexican migrant worker. Try their Los Braceros line!

See more of Sonoma County, California here

Florida Keys

El Siboney

With such close proximity to Cuba, it only makes sense to try some Cuban cuisine (and coffee!) in Key West. El Siboney is all about offering authentic dishes at budget conscious prices and their menu is positively mouthwatering. The roast pork alone!

Sparky’s Landing

Save the ecosystem by ordering lionfish when you see it on the menu at Sparky’s Landing or really anywhere in Florida! It’s an invasive species that preys on far too many domestic fish. Sparky’s is an open-air restaurant in Marathon and perfect to take advantage of the Keys’ tropical weather.

The Blonde Giraffe

No visit to the Florida Keys is complete without sampling some key lime pie! The very best can be found at The Blond Giraffe. Founder Tania Beguinati used her grandmother’s Brazilian recipe to win the title in 1999 and is still winning awards years later. Eat your pie in their garden right behind the shop!

See more of Florida Keys and Key West here

Greater Palm Springs, California

Shields Date Farm

Enjoy everything dates at Shields Date Farm. For well over a century, they’ve been educating the public about dates and that includes eating them! Shop around all the different products and then sit down at their 1960s shake counter to order up a date shake.

See more of Greater Palm Springs, California here

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Tia Sophia’s

Tia Sophia’s has been THE place for breakfast in Santa Fe since the 1970s. With a mix of Mexican and Southwestern cuisine, this is actually where the term “Christmas” in reference to ordering both green and red chiles was coined.

Tomasita’s

For some of the best northern New Mexican cuisine, look no further than Tomasita’s. Owner Georgia Maryol’s parents immigrated to Albuquerque, so she grew up around dishes wholly unlike what she would have in Greece. On a fluke over 50 years ago, she visited a café and had some of the best bean burrito she’d had in a while. The chef in question? A woman by the name of Tomasita Leyba. Georgia fell in love with Tomasita’s cooking and when she discovered the café’s owner could no longer run the café, she offered to incur his debts and take over ownership. From there she and Tomasita developed a beautiful partnership until Tomasita’s passing, and today the restaurant runs in her honor. Get the enchiladas Christmas style!

Cowgirl BBQ

Did someone say margarita trail? Yes, there is one! But if you don’t want to traverse it, just head to Cowgirl BBQ where you can embrace your inner cowgirl and choose from 40 different tequilas!

See more of Santa Fe, New Mexico here

Lafayette and Cajun Country, Louisiana

Mrs. Rose’s Bed and Breakfast

When it comes to Cajun Country, nothing beats a crawfish boil. Join a crawfish excursion at Mrs. Rose’s Bed and Breakfast (you don’t need to be a guest). Not only will you go out to one of their crawfish ponds, you’ll have it boiled and served to you under their pavilion. Five pounds per person!

Tabasco

Did you know Tabasco was headquartered on Avery Island in Louisiana? Me neither! The company’s history goes all the way back to the 1860s when Edmund McIlhenny was given some Capsicum frutescens peppers. He planted them on Avery Island and then soon developed Tabasco’s Original Red Pepper Sauce recipe! These days you can do a factory tour of their headquarters.

See more of Lafayette and Cajun Country, Louisiana here

Naples and the Paradise Coast, Florida

Bar Tulia

Enjoy all things cozy and Italian at Bar Tulia. There are no reservations at their Fifth Avenue location and everything is meant to feel more in the moment. Enjoy craft cocktails as well as Chef Vincenzo Betulia’s from-scratch menu.

Grouper and Chips

Grouper and Chips continues my belief that some of the best food is tucked away in unassuming strip malls and shopping centers. Owner Pam Pishner developed the recipe for her fried grouper sandwich years ago and has been named Southwest Florida’s #1 spot for it. Not only is the sandwich delicious, the service here is personal and friendly.

See more of Naples and Paradise Coast, Florida here

Baltimore, Maryland

The R House

Once an auto body shop, The R House is now a food hall and community space. There are eleven different food businesses topped off with one massive bar! Right now you can find everything from Egyptian street food to Korean BBQ.

See more of Baltimore, Maryland here

Charleston, South Carolina

Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ

Can’t go to the south without getting BBQ and James Beard Award-winning pitmaster Rodney Scott knows his way around a grill. His family is a legend in the BBQ space, and he opened his namesake joint in Charleston back in 2016.

Chef Forrest Parker of Revival isn’t just a chef but a food archeologist. He crafts his menu to tell the story of South Carolina’s history from the Spanish to the English to the West Africans and the French in a modern, relaxed space.

See more of Charleston, South Carolina here

Houston, Texas

Phoenicia Specialty Foods

Phoenicia Specialty Foods started all the way back in the 1980s when Armenian couple Arpi and Zohrab Tcholakian opened up Mediterranean-style Phoenicia Deli. They soon expanded to house their imported goods and once customers started going directly to the store, they transformed into a gourmet grocery store with over 55,000 square feet of imported ingredients from 50 different countries. Come hungry!

Xochi

While Hugo’s is known for showcasing all the diverse foods of Mexico, Xochi is Chef Hugo Ortega’s love letter to his Oaxacan cuisine specifically. A particular treat is the mole tasting menu.

See more of Houston, Texas here

Brooklyn, New York

Smorgasburg Festival

Come April, Prospect Park in Brooklyn is alive every Sunday with Smorgasburg, a massive open air food market with over 100 vendors offering cuisine from around the world. It’s a great way to try some classics as well as some more experimental products. When I went for the show, I tried something called raindrop cakes!

Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain

Once a thriving neighborhood apothecary, Brooklyn Farmacy was closed for years until sibling duo Gia Giasullo and Peter Freeman decided to bring back the soda fountain in 2010. They’ve designed it to feel like a vintage soda shop, and you’ll be able to find everything from malts to sundaes to sandwiches.

See more of Brooklyn, New York here

Huntsville, Alabama

G’s Country Kitchen

G’s Country Kitchen is another strip mall gem of many I’ve discovered on my travels. Greta Russell founded the restaurant in 1996 and serves up her family’s heirloom soul food recipes. Do not come in a rush! Much of the food is made to order and it is so worth the wait.

Straight to Ale

What was once known as the gymnasium of R.L. Stone Middle School today houses Straight to Ale Brewery. They actually got their start as home brewers who wanted to Free the Hops and change some deeply out of date Prohibition Era laws. They now serve up fun craft brews and an extensive food menu with Ale’s Kitchen.

See more of Huntsville, Alabama here

Texas Hill Country

Otto’s German Bistro

The town of Fredericksburg in Texas Hill Country was founded by German immigrants in the 1840s and to this day still pays homage to its roots. No place better exemplifies that than Otto’s German Bistro. Think traditional German dishes made with local ingredients!

Pontotoc Vineyards

Coming from five generations of Texas farming, Carl and Frances Money took a chance on a historic German estate and about five acres of Tempranillo vines to create Pontotoc Vineyard. Taste their Tempranillo wines at their very cute cottage weingarten in town.

Naegelin’s Bakery

As the oldest bakery in the state of Texas, Naegelin’s Bakery has been serving up fresh baked goods of massive proportions for over 150 years. While the Granzin family owns the bakery now, they still use the Naegelin family’s recipes. Don’t miss the apple strudel; it’s made from scratch daily!

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Monterey & Big Sur, California

Pezzini Farms

Fun fact: Pezzini Farms in Castroville is the “Artichoke Capital of the World.” The Pezzini family carried a root all the way to California from Italy in 1929 and turned it into an artichoke farm. Nearly a century later, the farm is still with the Pezzinis, and their retail shop sells everything artichoke from sauces to chips to cupcakes.

Nicholson Vineyards

Right in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Nicholson Vineyards is owned by the Nicholson family. They’re ninth generation Californians so they know a thing or two about good wine and unpretentious service. Try their chardonnay and pinot noir.

The Penny Ice Creamery

The ice cream at The Penny is a mix of fresh, local ingredients and one of the smallest dairy manufacturing plants in California. All their artisanal flavors are seasonal and absolutely delicious.

See more of Monterey & Big Sur, California here

Orange County, California

Thành Mỹ Restaurant

Located in the heart of Little Saigon, Thành Mỹ Restaurant is both a restaurant and a meeting space for the local Vietnamese population. Come for the authentic Vietnamese cuisine and stay for the community.

See more of Orange County, California here

Oregon RV Trip

Kiyowaka Orchard

My favorite stop on Mt. Hood’s Fruit Loop had to be Kiyokawa Orchard. Currently run by Randy Kiyokawa, the orchard’s story goes all the way back to 1905 when his grandfather emigrated from Japan and later began farming in Hood River. Later Randy’s parents, Mamoru and Michiko, met at an internment camp before coming back to Hood River Valley and purchasing a 25-acre orchard. These days the farm has 120 varieties of apples, pears, and Asian pears! Come to pick fresh fruit and enjoy a hay ride or a picnic.

Bend Brewing Co.

Bend, Oregon is such a charming spot on the coast, and it’s become known for its brewery scene over the years. No, seriously. It has the highest concentration of breweries per capita in the country. We opted for Bend Brewing Co. It’s the second oldest brewery in town and has such a great location overlooking the Deschutes River. Come in summer to take full advantage of their beer garden!

See more of Oregon RV Trip here

In Memoriam

Just a nod to all the restaurants I had a chance to visit but are no longer in business for one reason or another:

• Sweet Buns Catering in Big Sky
• Lucky Dumpling in Colorado Springs
• White Rhino Bar & Patio in Houston
• Boriken Restaurant in Genesee River Valley
• Essie’s Restaurant in Dutchess County
• Ember Restaurant in Miami
• The Bread Box Bakery in Coastal Maine
• Betty Kay Bakeshop in the Finger Lakes
• The Breadfruit + Rum Bar in Phoenix
• Bon Gout BBQ in Miami
• Ida B’s Table in Baltimore
• The Haute Enchilada in Monterey (open for Airbnb, but no longer a restaurant)
• Anaheim Brewery in Orange County

Have you ever been to a restaurant featured on “Places to Love”? Let me know below!