Your town's favorite eating place

Every state and every town has a favorite eating place.
Name one that you frequent, the preferred specialty, what attracts you most.
Try to keep it to this format.
 
Town-
Restaurant-
Preferred meal or specialty-
Attraction- (food, prices, service, friendliness, decor, homey feeling, etc)
Or you go there only because there are no other options and don't recommend.
 
This could become a good guide to people travelling.

Here in New Paltz it would have to be P&Gs, a venerable bar/restaurant that serves a good hamburger, pretty good chili, some big over-stuffed sandwiches, very good fries, and cold fresh beer. The place is always busy and if you are local you are likely to run into friends there. However, it is not my favorite, I prefer Gadaletto's Seafood restaurant - not a hangout, rarely crowded, but excellent seafood fresh from the retail outlet that is the main part of the business. 

Cheers, John 

I figured I should stick with my actual town, since the nearest city I usually claim is HUGE and the list would go on forever just using the places I frequent.

Comstock Park, MI
Vitale's
It's a sports bar, but their specialty is pizza.    DO NOT get their ribs!  Burgers are good, as is most of their other standard bar-fare.  They have a lunchtime buffet which is not only cheap but gives a great sampling of almost everything.  They also feature Michigan-made beer on top, as well as everything else you'd expect to find.

Vitale's is technically a local chain, but all of them are run by various members of the Vitale family (they have real Italian restaurants, sports bars, and pizza places).  If you want a real Italian meal, I'd suggest their location on Leonard St. in Grand Rapids (next to one of their other sports bars, and the original location).

The one here has great daytime staff, is usually never too crowded, and features flat-screen TVs just about everywhere.  Each booth has its own, they are lined up shoulder-to-shoulder around the inside of the actual bar, and the outer walls are also lined with them.  Which  means no matter what game you're there to see, you can see it without having to arm wrestle to get it on a screen.

You are both very fortunate to have great places to go to. I have a half hour drive just to get a burg.  I like seafood but I also like burgers and fries, throw a beer in and I'm in heaven.
I hope to make a trip to Michigan with in the next month and will be juggling between Italian  and hot dogs.
What's in your town? These places are not just a in-passing review but true recommendations. I hope more people participate.

DougS,

Your list is conspicuously missing.  What's in your burg?

Jim

I live in Ontario also, I think I know what DougS is getting at.
We sit here and read about all the good food you have, it seems to be everywhere down there. Maybe that's a misconception on my part, but a good eating place up here is rare.
You might find a good burger some where but that's all they will have or good fish & chips in another place, their slaw will suck.
The restaurants up here for the most part just don't seem to care.
I was reading the menu the other day on a trailer, it must have been 20 feet long all stainless steel, can't imagine how much it would cost. The menu was, Hot Dogs, Sausages, French Fries, Burgers and drinks.
Then I see the Dr. of BBQ, ChefBuba, just to name two, there are many more and I wonder why we don't have small town food.
Funny enough, 30 years ago my small town had 3, if you stopped me on the street today and asked where you could get food that would represent our town, I would laugh and say, try the next town down the road.
Just to add to that, I would kill to find a place up here like Chewingthefats.

DougS


Every state and every town has a favorite eating place.

 
That's an incorrect assumption. Not every State or Town has a favorite eating place. Now if you asked "What is your favorite eating place in your state or town?", then that can be answered. Out here in AZ there is no one favorite place that most everyone would agree on. This question is geared more to small town America where the number of restaurants may be limited. 

DougS


Every state and every town has a favorite eating place.

Although in some cases, that place is the gas station.  (That's the case for the two towns south of me, and the town east of me doesn't actually have any restaurants or gas stations)

Lets look at it this way.
You live in a part of the country and you know doubt have a preferred place to frequent (restaurant, diner, sports bar, whatever)a place to eat at. It may not be the best in the state, but it is the place that you most likely prefer to frequent. Where, Why & What. Surely you don't go there because you like to waste your hard earned cash.
Tell us a little about your favorite. I certainly am interested.

In Belton we always go to Schoepf's BBQ for the great brisket, Taqueira El Mexicano Grill, for the great everything they make, and back in Hamilton, Ontario where I'm from, The Black Forest Inn for the great schnitzel.

I was at the Black Forest about a month ago. Well almost.
Parked my car for 3 bucks, walked around the corner and the place was closed that day. It is good for schnitzels.
My favorite road food hangout has to be Sammy's in Brantford. Tuesday and Wednesday they have what is called a Big Bloke Special. A order of chicken wings & a 20oz draft beer for $7.99. I don't get out often, but do like to meet up with buddies every two or three weeks.

EDITED...Go to www.thelocalsfavorites.com...Small world...brand new website dedicated to this topic, she is on a 2 yr. timeline, just recently started.

The link doesn't work The locals favorite try this one. It is just a shorten version of Chewingthefat's link above. Basically it is a dead site and must be a work under construction.

So Chewingthefat what good around Emmitsburg?

My "town" has a population of around one million, and I sometimes think there are almost that many places to eat around here. I can't imagine there being a favorite eating place.

My "town" has a population of around one million, and I sometimes think there are almost that many places to eat around here. I can't imagine there being a favorite eating place.

Jimmy's Grotto.
John's Root Beer Stand.
Albanese's.

DougS


The link doesn't work The locals favorite try this one. It is just a shorten version of Chewingthefat's link above. Basically it is a dead site and must be a work under construction.

So Chewingthefat what good around Emmitsburg?

We got this BBQ joint, name escapes me, but it's world class!

Michael Hoffman! out of that million eating establishments, you don't have one eating establishment that you frequent more often than another. A diner, were everyone knows your name. Pity.

A root beer stand, my kind of place, love that style of ambiance. Do they sell more than root beer?

I travel a fair bit and have been to all states from Texas north/east to Maine. I am a dual citizen; relatives in Virginia but I live in Canada. I was not attentive about where to eat until I found this site. Now I keep a list and plan on trying some of your suggestions.

chewingthefat

DougS




So Chewingthefat what good around Emmitsburg?

We got this BBQ joint, name escapes me, but it's world class!

I hope they serve Texas Red. That bowl looked fantastic.

 Up here in Wasilla, the restaurant where I work seems to be the most popular. (Matsu Family Restaurant.) We always take first place in the local news reader's polls for best breakfast and for best home style food. As I work 6 days per week, I don't get out much. That being said, I really like Krazy Moose Sub shop. 10 times better than any Subway!!! Fresher ingredients and lots of condiments that are self serve. The Chicken, Bacon, Ranch Sub is my favorite by far!! The Buffalo Chicken Sub is also great. (got a little kick!!)

  My favorite pizza stop is really a dive bar called The Mug Shot Saloon. Great bartenders and the Chicken Parm pizza is to die for. They hand toss a thin crust and then sauce it with home made garlic butter, grilled chicken, mozzarella, more garlic and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. (makes my mouth water and my tummy grumble just thinking about it.) The only problem I have with the place is that the kitchen closes at 8:00 pm. I usually stop in for lunch on my day off.

  David O.  

I edited to post a link to go to localsfavorites, see above
 

My community reaches farther than most, but I have a few favorites within the circle-

Hubers Family Farm Restaurant, Starlight IN (near Louisville,KY) Big family-oriented restaurant with lots of home-grown veggie sides focused on Fried Chicken, Ham etc.

Moonlite BBQ, Owensboro,KY- Mutton BBQ and great BBQ buffet. 99 miles from my doorstep, but a good choice for our Friday dinner.

I'll add a third one shortly..torn between a few in Louisville.

DougS


Michael Hoffman! out of that million eating establishments, you don't have one eating establishment that you frequent more often than another. A diner, were everyone knows your name. Pity.

The title of this thread is "Your town's favorite eating place," not "Your" favorite eating place. And I wouldn't patronize a place where anyone, let alone everyone, knew my name.

DougS


I was at the Black Forest about a month ago. Well almost.
Parked my car for 3 bucks, walked around the corner and the place was closed that day. It is good for schnitzels.

You must have gone on Monday, I remember that they used to be closed then.

Michael Hoffman

DougS


Michael Hoffman! out of that million eating establishments, you don't have one eating establishment that you frequent more often than another. A diner, were everyone knows your name. Pity.

The title of this thread is "Your town's favorite eating place," not "Your" favorite eating place. And I wouldn't patronize a place where anyone, let alone everyone, knew my name.

   Really, you don't want anyone to know your name when you are dining out??? Are you a restaurant critic or something? No favorite hang outs?

  What a stick in the mud, so to speak.  IMHO

  David O.

  p.s.  Mr Hoffman you are in fine form this evening I see.

I am friendly with the guy who delivers my mail. I wish all others to keep their distance. I can be quite critical of restaurants, but I do not hang out -- or in.

Now I'm confused. Do you want the most popular place in town or the place I particularly like to go?

I am more interested in what posters of this board prefer, not necessarily the town favorite. I prefer to frequent a place that has good food, good prices and the wait staff at least recognizes you with a friendly greeting.

If you don't want to be recognized, perhaps you are the Grinch, or a feature of America's Most Wanted. I don't know but a little respect goes a long way.

Mayor Al says- (Moonlite BBQ, Owensboro,KY- Mutton BBQ and great BBQ buffet. 99 miles from my doorstep, but a good choice for our Friday dinner. ) Now there is a meal, I would love to try. How far from Shipshewana would I have to drive?

harleytexas- It was a Monday. Had to take my wife to Hamilton General for ultra sound. Had not been to the Black Forest in months and it has wonderful breaded cutlets.

boyardee65- aren't you happy you live far away in Alaska?  I hear the polar bears are more friendly up there.

Well...if you wanted MY favourite eating place y'all shouldn't have asked for my TOWN'S favourite eating place.  For that, I do have to go to Grand Rapids, because I don't prefer any of the food available in my town.

Mexican - El Granjero.  Kitty-corner from my office, real Mexican food, friendly staff (at least they seem friendly, none of them speak a lick of English and I don't speak Spanish), decent prices, and always clean.  They're catering my company picnic on Monday.

BBQ - Sandmann's.  They take Southern-style cooking to a level most people in Michigan have never seen.  It's like a mini-vacation when I can't get South.  They've catered our picnic more than once.  Especially good is BBQ chicken, cornbread, and greens.  DO NOT miss out on the peach cobbler!  Be aware of your surroundings if you go after dark.

African - Little Africa.  All vegetarian and you'll never notice.  Trust me, get the combination platter and bring a couple of friends.  And the fresh papaya and mango juice are to die for.

Italian - the aforementioned Vitale's on Leonard.  Particular favourite is their seafood fettuccine.

That is great , felix4067; where ever you enjoy eating out is fine. I will probably make Grand Rapids a destination this summer and your choices sound excellent.