2008 was the biggest ROADFOOD year yet. It seemed like I was out of town almost every week, well, no actually that would be
Buffetbuster
, however I probably did visit more new roadfood restaurants this year than any other year.
There was the Presidents Day weekend trip in Mobile which also included me wandering around the South and meeting up with
Porkbeaks for the first time at Blue Willow Inn
Of course who can forget not one but two trips to Maine as well as my Cheesesteak Smackdown in Philly with
Cheesewit.
Then there was the the Connecticut Roadfood tour coordinated by
Ayersian which included a surprise visit by the legend himself,
Michael Stern and of course the Katz's Deli meet up with
Elise T as the "guest of honor"
and the Boston Tour led by
Cecif (by the way where has she been lately?) and speaking of
Cecif, there was also our last minute meet up at the Red Arrow Diner in Manchester NH.
This Summer included the Marathon Baseball Tour in Denver, KC, Albuquerque and Omaha which included the Motley Crew of
The Travelin Man and
Buffetbuster as well as meetups with
Biker Jim and
Blizzardstormus.
I then continued on with an impromptu weekend visit to Burlington Vermont, and didn't even bother to take photos or do a trip report.
And although we didn't actually share a meal, seeing the Nationals game in DC with
Signman was a pleasure, in fact he was the first Roadfooder I ever met!
just over 5 years ago at the Modern Diner in Pawtucket RI.
The end of summer culminated in my Great Lakes and Canadian Baseball trip with the highlights of meeting
ChiTownDiner and Buddy Road House for the first time both were great roadfood hosts and stopping at some of Chicago's best Roadfood Joints and culminated with another meet up with
Buffetbuster in Buffalo
My roadfood year ended in an unexpected work related extended trip to Cleveland which yielded a few unexpected surprises including
an impromptu trip to Louisville and a visit with
Al The Mayor Bowen as well as Nashville and Indianapolis.
This years "
best of list" is going to be a little different.
It's going to be a series of 4 lists which I will comprise over the next several days as follows
- The Top Ten Standbys- Every year I've dedicated the top 10 lists strictly to new restaurants, ignoring restaurants I previously visited. This year I am going to include these in the first list
- The Ten Runners Ups- These are new restaurants for 2008 that didn't meet the best of cut, but came close and deserve some kudos.
- The top Ten Desserts- Why not? I tend to omit roadfood joints in the top 10 list where I only had dessert only- They deserve just as much attention and will include enough pies that will make Buffetbuster proud.
- And of course The Annual Top 10 Non Local Roadfood Restaurants first visited in 2008
Here is the the first List
Top Ten Standbys of 2008 (in no particular order)
1-
82 Queen- Charleston SC First visited in 1999 and recommended by my good friend, Julianne.
This charming Low Country restaurant is probably one of my favorites of all time. I was delighted to see that the Sterns Recently
reviewed this place, deservingly so.
2-
The Coffee Cup Grill- Charlotte NC Since my first visit in 2002, there were rumors that this place was not what it used to be, I can assure you these rumors are completely false, although the old building that once housed this roadfood classic is no more, the food itself is better than ever.
3-
The Maine Diner- Wells ME Included on my top ten breakfast list since I first visited in 2004, I discovered that every meal served here is outstanding, included this delicious lobster pie.
4-
Gilbert's Chowder House- Portland ME
Any visit to Portland Maine is incomplete without a visit here. I've been going since 1995 and their chowder chockfull of shellfish is no doubt the best I've ever had.
5-
Katz's Delicatessen - New York, NY 16 years is too long an absence to visit this legendary New York Deli. This was my second visit and I can truly say it was better than my first. Sadly I forgot my camera. The following photo is courtesy of
Elise T 
6.
Stroud's- Kansas City, MO A Kansas City legend- no visit to KC is complete without a stop at Strouds and Iv'e gone every time since 2000, although the original roadhouse location is all but a memory, the place in my opinion serves up the best fried chicken that I've ever had.
7-
Second Avenue Deli- New York NY Dreams can come true. After my first visit in 2002, I thought that it would be my last visit after the Deli announced they were closing. I had to pinch my self when I found out that they were re-opening in
a new location.
8-
The New Parthenon- Detroit MI After an 8 year absence, my 3rd visit to the New Parthenon since 1998 proved to be a worthy one. Although Pastichio is no longer included in the Greek Combo, time has not altered the fantastic quality of this dish.
9-
Sokolowski's- Cleveland OH I was delighted to revisit this Polish Treasure first visited in 2003. Sokolowski's undoubtedly serves up the best pierogis I've ever had . Since I was with coworkers, I deliberately did not bring a camera, however I was glad to see that the Sterns finally completed a review of this very roadfood worthy restaurant. The following photo is courtesy of
Michael Stern.
10-
Blue Ash Chili- Cincinnati OH My favorite chili parlor in Cincinnati since first visiting in 2000. A bowl of 5 way and a couple of cheese coneys are just what the doctor ordered.
And this concludes part 1 of the the best of 2008
<message edited by wanderingjew on Sat, 12/27/08 8:57 AM>
