Across the Nation (Best of List) - Eating The Road

Hey guys,

I've been reading RoadFood.com for a while but I haven't posted anything to the forums yet. I just got back from a rather long roadtrip and put together a compilation of the places my stomach enjoyed the most. I figured you might enjoy it too. I started a blog at www.eatingtheroad.wordpress.com for your reading pleasure (I hope). I really like the community here and would love to hear what ya'll think. Keep in mind also (before I truly offend anyone) that this is only composed of the places that I have had the pleasure to dine at so far. I plan on taking another trip using all the info I gather about where I've gone horribly wrong and which places out there will put these to shame...so speak up and let me know!

Now in no particular order:
Mom's Tamales (Tamales) - 3328 Pasadena Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90031-1936
Geno's Steaks (Cheeseteak) - 1219 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA‎ 19147-5005
Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant (Boysenberry Pie) - 8039 Beach Blvd – Buena Park, CA 90620
Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House (Clam Chowder) - 889 Oakland Beach Ave, Warwick, RI 02889-9616
Lulu's Bakery & Cafe (Chicken Fried Steak) - 918 N Main Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212-4729

1. Blue Moon Cafe - 1621 Aliceanna St, Baltimore, MD 21231-2925
2. Harry's Roadhouse - 96B Old Las Vegas Highway, Santa Fe, NM 87505-9367
3. Matt's Big Breakfast - 801 N 1st St, Phoenix, AZ 85004-2013

1. Randy's Donuts - 805 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90301
2. Round Rock Donuts - 106 W Liberty St, Round Rock, TX 78664-5122
3. Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House - 889 Oakland Beach Ave, Warwick, RI 02889-9616

1. The Varsity - 61 North Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30308-2166
2. Johnnie's Grill - 301 S Rock Island Ave, El Reno, OK 73036
3. The Big Texan Steak House - 7701 E I-40, Amarillo, TX 79121

1. Shady Maple Smorgasbord - 129 Toddy Drive, East Earl, PA 17519
2. The Lady & Sons - 102 W Congress St, Savannah, GA 31401
3. North Main BBQ - 7701 E I-40, Amarillo, TX 79121

1. Mary Mac's Tea Room - 224 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308-1938
2. The Silver Skillet - 200 14th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318-5304
3. The Joint - 801 Poland Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

1. Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream - 471 Shetucket Tpke, Voluntown, CT 06384
2. The Ice Cream Man - 417 State Route 29, Greenwich, NY 12834-4233
3. The Creole Creamery - 4924 Prytania St, New Orleans, LA 70115-4018

1. Standard Diner - 320 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102-3516
2. Hoover's Cooking & Catering - 2002 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
3. Hodad's - 5010 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107

1. Hoover's Cooking & Catering - 2002 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
2. Fuddruckers - 221 North San Fernando Blvd, Burbank, C 91502
3. Red Lion Pub - 2316 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77019-7014

1. Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles - 10 W Yuma St, Phoenix, AZ 85003
2. MaMa E's Wings & Waffles - 3838 Springlake Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73111
3. The Lady & Sons - 102 W Congress St, Savannah, GA 31401

1. The Varsity - 61 North Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30308-2166
2. Fab Hot Dogs - 6747 Tampa Ave., Reseda, CA 91355
3. Pink's Hot Dogs - 709 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

1. Juan in a Million - 2300 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
2. Fidel's Little Mexico - 749 Genevieve St, Solana Beach, CA 92075
3. El Tepeyac Cafe - 812 N Evergreen Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90063

1. Lulu's Bakery & Cafe (Mashed Potatoes) - 918 N Main Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212-4729
2. Joey K's Restaurant & Bar (Macaroni & Cheese) - 3001 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115-2232
3. Beacon Drive-In (Onion Rings) - 255 John B White Sr Blvd, Spartanburg, SC 29306

1. The Original Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana - 157 Wooster Street, New Haven, CT 06511-5709
2. Brick Oven Pizza - 800 S Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231
3. Arcaro & Genell's Restaurant - 443 S Main Street, Old Forge, PA 18518-1608

1. Penguin Drive-In (Hushpuppies) - 1921 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205-5019
2. Shield's Date Garden (Date Shake) - 80225 US Highway 111, Indio, CA 92201
3. Al's Place (Peanut Butter & Marmalade on Toast) - 13943 Main St, Walnut Grove, CA 95690

1. Polly's Pancake Parlor - 672 Sugar HIll Rd (Route 117), Sugar Hill, NH 03586
2. Harry's Roadhouse - 96B Old Las Vegas Highway, Santa Fe, N 87505
3. Kel's Kitchen - 800 N Coit Rd, Richardson, TX 75080-5408

1. The Joint - 801 Poland Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117
2. Country's BarBeQue - 1329 Broadway, Columbus, GA 31901-2102
3. North Main BBQ - 406 N Main St, Euless, TX 76039-3639

1. Mary Mac's Tea Room - 224 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308-1938
2. Hoover's Cooking & Catering - 2002 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
3. Lulu's Bakery & Cafe - 918 N Main Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212-4729

1. Kel's Kitchen - 800 N Coit Rd, Richardson, TX 75080-5408
2. Ye Olde Pancake Station - 2800 Virginia Cir # A, Amarillo, TX 79109-1604
3. Cracker Barrel - 5390 Walden Rd, Beaumont, TX 77705-4209

As they say...everyone has an opinion. Yours are as valid as others we've read. Thanks for expressing them with illustrations. A nicely done post. Welcome to Roadfood.

Eatingtheroad,

You didn't say how long this trip was, but regardless, that was a very impressive start. I like your independence. Many of those restaurants are not among the usual repeated suspects.

that made me very hungry, excellent display and info

Indeed an impressive start. I am curious as to why those select few were the "biggest letdowns". Also, I'm with you 100% on the Beacon's onion rings. Not so much with your hotdog and chili choices. Too bad you couldn't have hit Bobcat Bite in Santa Fe for a burger....maybe next time. Good job and I'm sure you'll get more constructive feedback as well as deserved praise. Welcome to Roadfood!

As the honorable mayor said, opinions are personal and based on our experiences.  After all, the reason we are all here is to share new places and get advice from others.  But you did ask for my opinion and I will share some of those as requested.  I have not been to the majority of the places you mentioned but I will comment on those that I have been to.

1. Varsity Chili.  I think I have had better chili out of a can than that stuff at the varsity.  Too thin with a mealy tasting meat.

2.  Lady and sons.  I know I might get flamed for saying this but I thought the buffet there was bad.  My wife and I went there last year over Thanksgiving weekend.  We ordered some fried green tomatoes as an appetizer that completely lacked flavor and were a soggy mess the second they were brought to our table.  Not to mention that the ham and turkey at the buffet table was obviously processed meat because the grains in the slices went every which way and you could tell it was a mish mash that was all pressed together.  It was extremely busy when we were there but that's no excuse for the poor selection of meats.  The sides were decent though in my wife's opinion but she is from the south.  I personally don't care much for fat soaked greens.

3.  Ice Cream.  Decent selections but have you ever been to Americas Dairy land (Wisconsin) ?   Try Mullens Dairy in Watertown just to mention one.  There are a ton more but they are not your commercialized Ben and Jerry type places.

4. Fuddruckers for Fish and Chips?    Please! Come to Wisconsin for a real fish fry with either cod, haddock, lake perch, lake walleye with all the fixins.  Or better yet, take a peek at Train's review of an awesome looking fish fry in Indiana...
http://www.roadfood.com/F...h-Fry-Ever-m542945.asp

5.  Varsity No.1 for hotdogs?  You should be ashamed of yourself!!!  You are right there in New York!  Enough said!

As mentioned, these are just my humble opinions.  The rest of the places you have listed I have not tried.  But the old saying goes....opinions are like a**hol*s, everybody has one.  Thanks for the writeup.

I will agree with The Virginia Diner as one of the BIGGEST LET DOWNS.
 
I too thought it was a "let down", nothing great about the place or the food.
I had the fried chicken and it was no big deal.

 

Shady Maple is an orgy of food....it would take you many ,many days of meals to try what is put out for one serving...most of the food is average quality...but the giant hotel sized place is a site to behold...and worth a trip!!!!!

NC Cheesehead


As the honorable mayor said, opinions are personal and based on our experiences.  After all, the reason we are all here is to share new places and get advice from others.  But you did ask for my opinion and I will share some of those as requested.  I have not been to the majority of the places you mentioned but I will comment on those that I have been to.

1. Varsity Chili.  I think I have had better chili out of a can than that stuff at the varsity.  Too thin with a mealy tasting meat.

2.  Lady and sons.  I know I might get flamed for saying this but I thought the buffet there was bad.  My wife and I went there last year over Thanksgiving weekend.  We ordered some fried green tomatoes as an appetizer that completely lacked flavor and were a soggy mess the second they were brought to our table.  Not to mention that the ham and turkey at the buffet table was obviously processed meat because the grains in the slices went every which way and you could tell it was a mish mash that was all pressed together.  It was extremely busy when we were there but that's no excuse for the poor selection of meats.  The sides were decent though in my wife's opinion but she is from the south.  I personally don't care much for fat soaked greens.

3.  Ice Cream.  Decent selections but have you ever been to Americas Dairy land (Wisconsin) ?   Try Mullens Dairy in Watertown just to mention one.  There are a ton more but they are not your commercialized Ben and Jerry type places.

4. Fuddruckers for Fish and Chips?    Please! Come to Wisconsin for a real fish fry with either cod, haddock, lake perch, lake walleye with all the fixins.  Or better yet, take a peek at Train's review of an awesome looking fish fry in Indiana...
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/The-Best-Lake-Perch-Fish-Fry-Ever-m542945.asp

5.  Varsity No.1 for hotdogs?  You should be ashamed of yourself!!!  You are right there in New York!  Enough said!

As mentioned, these are just my humble opinions.  The rest of the places you have listed I have not tried.  But the old saying goes....opinions are like a**hol*s, everybody has one.  Thanks for the writeup.

 
Yes, I'm one of those who thought that the buffet at Lady and Son's was superb. And I know what you're thinking- I'm from the north, what do I know? I've traveled enough to know that the buffet at Lady and Son's ran circles over the ordinary buffet at The Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle GA

I really like the way you did the layout of each, EatingTheRoad.  Very concise!

Nice job, but the Varisty is a nowhere near the top of my list for anything, other than a place to avoid. Their food stinks!

Hmmm. I had pizza from Arcaro & Genell's just Friday. I thought the red with sausage was pretty good, but the double crust white was a letdown, again, for about the 4th time in a row. You think it's good now; you should have tired it 10 years ago. Whatever small evolution took place from then until now was not for the better.

But even with the red as 'pretty good", I would think more than twice about incuding it in any list of "best pizza". Perhaps as a pizza worth noting, and distinctive.

Very impressive!

Come on guys, he didn't say these are the best places in the universe, he said they were the best of his trip.

Mosca


Hmmm. I had pizza from Arcaro & Genell's just Friday. I thought the red with sausage was pretty good, but the double crust white was a letdown, again, for about the 4th time in a row. You think it's good now; you should have tired it 10 years ago. Whatever small evolution took place from then until now was not for the better.

But even with the red as 'pretty good", I would think more than twice about incuding it in any list of "best pizza". Perhaps as a pizza worth noting, and distinctive.

4 times in a row? Now where is that icon showing a smiley face beating its head over and over with a mallet?

plb


Very impressive!

Come on guys, he didn't say these are the best places in the universe, he said they were the best of his trip.

He also asked for opinions and feedback and he is receiving same. I love the guy because he loves Beacon's onion rings, that's enough for me. Now he has to learn about hot dogs....

Davydd

Mosca


Hmmm. I had pizza from Arcaro & Genell's just Friday. I thought the red with sausage was pretty good, but the double crust white was a letdown, again, for about the 4th time in a row. You think it's good now; you should have tired it 10 years ago. Whatever small evolution took place from then until now was not for the better.

But even with the red as 'pretty good", I would think more than twice about incuding it in any list of "best pizza". Perhaps as a pizza worth noting, and distinctive.

4 times in a row? Now where is that icon showing a smiley face beating its head over and over with a mallet?

Oh, I know. It's Mrs Mosca who keeps ordering it. I even whispered to her, "Remember last time...." And just so you know, Revello's and Brutico's are directly across the street, and Ghigarelli's is directly next door. I was lobbying hard for Ghig's. But she was paying.

I visited the blog, and it's a decent start. I would imagine that you are going to fill in each segment, saying why you picked what you did, and where you ate that didn't make the grade? I think it's important to note that if you hit enough places, in many categories the 5th, 6th, and possibly even 115th place finishers (pie, anyone?) would probably be worth eating.

Davydd
You didn't say how long this trip was, but regardless, that was a very impressive start. I like your independence. Many of those restaurants are not among the usual repeated suspects.

It was about a month trip....I took my time. You know, I thought these places would be a little more known here as I'm pretty sure this is where I got most of my intel. I just loaded up my GPS with all the places in the US that I'd like to hit and if I was near one I'd try to stop.

Pancho
I am curious as to why those select few were the "biggest letdowns". Also, I'm with you 100% on the Beacon's onion rings. Not so much with your hotdog and chili choices. Too bad you couldn't have hit Bobcat Bite in Santa Fe for a burger....maybe next time.

The letdowns...I guess I was just expecting a whole heck of a lot more from them....well Backroad Pizza was a complete disgrace...I have NEVER come across a less edible item from a restaurant. This in no way resembled pizza, it was rock hard bread with a tomato wash and horrible melted crust cheese. Honestly any fast food pizza chain would be 100x better. The other two just had a lot of hype about them and I was totally underwhelmed.

NC Cheesehead
1. Varsity Chili.  I think I have had better chili out of a can than that stuff at the varsity.  Too thin with a mealy tasting meat.

2.  Lady and sons....

3.  Ice Cream.  Decent selections but have you ever been to Americas Dairy land (Wisconsin) ?   Try Mullens Dairy in Watertown just to mention one.  There are a ton more but they are not your commercialized Ben and Jerry type places.

4. Fuddruckers for Fish and Chips?

5.  Varsity No.1 for hotdogs?

I know I know, you're right. I know I have huge gaping holes...especially in the pizza and hot dog categories. There are SO many places to try and only so many hours in the day (and only so much space in my belly).

For whatever reason, and I'm not really a chili person, but I absolutely LOVED the chili at The Varsity.

I had the Sunday buffet and The Lady & Sons and I enjoyed everything mu tongue touched there. I was actually blown away that they could serve those quantities with that much care. I have heard that it's not always like that though so maybe I just got lucky.

There are so many creameries out there to try...I'll certainly get out to more of them, hopefully soon.

Fuddruckers for fish and chips, I know, what am I thinking...but they were seriously good, I was surprised.

As for the hotdogs, you're right again...I don't normally eat hot dogs. I want to get out to Nathan's and Papaya King too.

leethebard
Shady Maple is an orgy of food....it would take you many ,many days of meals to try what is put out for one serving...most of the food is average quality...but the giant hotel sized place is a site to behold...and worth a trip!!!!!

Yeah, I was absolutely blown away by the food...it was definitely good, but the experience was what got me.

Mosca
Hmmm. I had pizza from Arcaro & Genell's just Friday. I thought the red with sausage was pretty good, but the double crust white was a letdown, again, for about the 4th time in a row. You think it's good now; you should have tired it 10 years ago. Whatever small evolution took place from then until now was not for the better.

But even with the red as 'pretty good", I would think more than twice about incuding it in any list of "best pizza". Perhaps as a pizza worth noting, and distinctive.

Man, I would've loved to have tried in in the past then...and you're right, it's not the "best pizza" necessarily but I have it on there because it was a new experience for me and I was so pleasantly surprised by it. There are a million pizza places I've yet to try and I know Arcaro & Genell's will quickly fade on my list but for now I've got them up there just because of their uniqueness.

The places in general that blew me away (because I didn't realize that they were culinary gold mines) were Austin, Rhode Island in general, New Haven and  Lancaster (for it's Amish treats).

I'm really curious as to what placed you all feel like I've missed...I want to make sure and get to them next go around.

Mosca

I visited the blog, and it's a decent start. I would imagine that you are going to fill in each segment, saying why you picked what you did, and where you ate that didn't make the grade? I think it's important to note that if you hit enough places, in many categories the 5th, 6th, and possibly even 115th place finishers (pie, anyone?) would probably be worth eating.

Well said...and yes, that is exactly what I plan on doing. I went to I think well over 100 stops on this trip so there are certainly a good deal that aren't represented here. It's funny that you say that about pie because as I was compiling the Best Desserts I noticed that they were all pie....guess I love pie. On top of that I had to add Mrs. Knott's Boysenberry pie to the Best in Show because there were too many pies. Got any tips on where I can find the best pie?

Best pie? Calling BUFFETBUSTER!

My favorite locally (Delaware Water Gap, about an hour's drive for me) is Village Farmer Bakery.

I have a queston for you?  Where in New York Ste is Aburn, NY?
 
Your list is interesting,  and was fun to read  But I would have to say that The Shady Lawn buffet , in my opinion, has to be  the largest  array of mediocre food that I have ever seen.

Eating the Road---WELCOME TO ROADFOOD!!!! This must have been a GREAT trip--i cant agree with all the picks--ie the hot dog choice was weak--BUT--i sure wish i was on the trip with you! You will fit in here just fine----and---you can handle the replies you will get from this bunch!!!---Next time your go--Bobcat bites!!!!for sure --and in have some fish and chips/seafood platters in New England that will knock your socks off---so before you leave on the trip--LET US ALL KNOW!!!!! Happy Roadfooding!

EatingTheRoad,

Welcome to Roadfood.  Very interesting report that I'll have to spend more time reading.  I am guessing that you are in Auburn, NY, between Syracuse and Rochester, to answer Greymo's question.  Of course I could be completely wrong, not an unusual occurrence.

EatingTheRoad


Well said...and yes, that is exactly what I plan on doing. I went to I think well over 100 stops on this trip so there are certainly a good deal that aren't represented here. It's funny that you say that about pie because as I was compiling the Best Desserts I noticed that they were all pie....guess I love pie. On top of that I had to add Mrs. Knott's Boysenberry pie to the Best in Show because there were too many pies. Got any tips on where I can find the best pie?

Wife & I spent a couple of nights in Lanesboro, Minnesota this summer. It's a couple of hours from the Twin Cities in Southeast MN. There are about 60 miles of bike paths along the Root River. The closest destination on the path east from Lanesboro is Whalen, where there is a restaurant called "World's Best Pies" right on the bike path. There must have been 40 bikes parked outside. We had lunch and a couple of killer pies: mine was (something like) a raspberry cream pie and my wife had the most incredible chocolate cream pie ever. Fabulous! And you can immediately start riding off the calories!!

ddbmus

EatingTheRoad


Well said...and yes, that is exactly what I plan on doing. I went to I think well over 100 stops on this trip so there are certainly a good deal that aren't represented here. It's funny that you say that about pie because as I was compiling the Best Desserts I noticed that they were all pie....guess I love pie. On top of that I had to add Mrs. Knott's Boysenberry pie to the Best in Show because there were too many pies. Got any tips on where I can find the best pie?

Wife & I spent a couple of nights in Lanesboro, Minnesota this summer. It's a couple of hours from the Twin Cities in Southeast MN. There are about 60 miles of bike paths along the Root River. The closest destination on the path east from Lanesboro is Whalen, where there is a restaurant called "World's Best Pies" right on the bike path. There must have been 40 bikes parked outside. We had lunch and a couple of killer pies: mine was (something like) a raspberry cream pie and my wife had the most incredible chocolate cream pie ever. Fabulous! And you can immediately start riding off the calories!!

You may be right but I haven't been there to corroborate other than to mention you were near the heart of Minnesota's Amish area so the odds were great the pies would be good.

Minnesota's North Shore along Lake Superior is another hotbed of good pies starting with Betty's Pies that get raves and pans. I think the pans are because they've past the praise curve to where it is now fashionable to slam them. I think the pans are a snobbish thing. They still have great pies. The Rustic Inn just up the road in Castle Danger is the underrated pie that gets fewer comments but is just as good. Then there is The Pie Place Grand Marais, MN. Absolutely the best in my samplings. I have my bead on yet another pie shop on the North Shore but will withhold until I try it.

A+ on presentation. We have got to get you to some good chili if you have ranked the Varsity.

I saw you were in New Orleans--did you try the muffaletta at the Central Grocery?

Welcome!  You've found the right place!

I like where you've been and what you did with it. 

What I can't believe is I've been to several of those places!

My difference is with your donut choice.  Randy's has ordinary donuts in a fabulous building.

Keep traveling, keep eating and keep reporting!

Great job!

Nice Job!
 
I don't think you're too far from Penn State University. The Creamery at the University is the Center of the Ice Cream Universe!
 
 Be sure to put it on your list for future trips.

wanderingjew

NC Cheesehead


As the honorable mayor said, opinions are personal and based on our experiences.  After all, the reason we are all here is to share new places and get advice from others.  But you did ask for my opinion and I will share some of those as requested.  I have not been to the majority of the places you mentioned but I will comment on those that I have been to.

1. Varsity Chili.  I think I have had better chili out of a can than that stuff at the varsity.  Too thin with a mealy tasting meat.

2.  Lady and sons.  I know I might get flamed for saying this but I thought the buffet there was bad.  My wife and I went there last year over Thanksgiving weekend.  We ordered some fried green tomatoes as an appetizer that completely lacked flavor and were a soggy mess the second they were brought to our table.  Not to mention that the ham and turkey at the buffet table was obviously processed meat because the grains in the slices went every which way and you could tell it was a mish mash that was all pressed together.  It was extremely busy when we were there but that's no excuse for the poor selection of meats.  The sides were decent though in my wife's opinion but she is from the south.  I personally don't care much for fat soaked greens.

3.  Ice Cream.  Decent selections but have you ever been to Americas Dairy land (Wisconsin) ?   Try Mullens Dairy in Watertown just to mention one.  There are a ton more but they are not your commercialized Ben and Jerry type places.

4. Fuddruckers for Fish and Chips?    Please! Come to Wisconsin for a real fish fry with either cod, haddock, lake perch, lake walleye with all the fixins.  Or better yet, take a peek at Train's review of an awesome looking fish fry in Indiana...
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/The-Best-Lake-Perch-Fish-Fry-Ever-m542945.asp

5.  Varsity No.1 for hotdogs?  You should be ashamed of yourself!!!  You are right there in New York!  Enough said!

As mentioned, these are just my humble opinions.  The rest of the places you have listed I have not tried.  But the old saying goes....opinions are like a**hol*s, everybody has one.  Thanks for the writeup.

 
Yes, I'm one of those who thought that the buffet at Lady and Son's was superb. And I know what you're thinking- I'm from the north, what do I know? I've traveled enough to know that the buffet at Lady and Son's ran circles over the ordinary buffet at The Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle GA

 
Wanderingjew,

I may have had a bad experience but I need to be honest with you....I am not a big fan of buffets.  (No offense to Buffetbuster, I love his taste of great pies!)  So maybe I walked in with a skewed thought process of what to expect.  This I will say...the food was fresh.  Many other buffets that I have been to were the type where the food sat around forever under a heat lamp and it was either became soggy or dried out (depending on the dish).  Lady and sons was busy so most things never had the chance to sit around.  But I just couldn't get beyond what appeared to be processed pressed meat.  Oh and by the way, I am a full blooded Yankee.  I was born and raised in Wisconsin and lived there all my life and just moved to NC two and a half months ago which might explain my posts where I am craving supper clubs, fish fries, frozen custard, good bratwurst just to name a few.  I enjoy your posts by the way....especially your trip reports.  Keep them coming.  I use many of those to make my decisions on where to eat while traveling.  99% of the time, I agree with you.  Lady and Sons may have been the 1%

Eatingtheroad,

Keep of the great work and just because I may not think some of the  things listed were not my favorite does not mean to me that they are really bad.  They just wouldn't be at the top of my list.  Your list was well laid out.  As someone pointed out, I would love a piece of pie rated at 115th in the nation.  Especially because probably a million places serve it.