The two places that best represent your town

Lil Liza Jane-
In that case, I definitely don't want a tour of the kitchen!

quote:

Originally posted by LegalLady

OK, well, we have one restaurant that has been here the entire 35 years we have, had the same name, and about 30 different owners. Right now they have 2 fair to middling cooks who, when they are not in jail, make a mean steak.

Lol
Judge Jean

So you know them from work??

it is amazing how many cooks have some sort of record.

I'll second Faidley's for Baltimore. The crab cakes, coddies, oysters and fried fish are all great. I also love the energy at Lexington Market.

I went to McCormick and Schmidt at the Harbor for lunch yesterday, which was very pricey. I tried a bunch of things, including crab cakes and oysters. It wasn't bad, but it also wasn't great. All I could think was why didn't I go to Faidley's. The crab cakes at Faidley's blow away the expensive places at the Harbor.

My other Baltimore pick is Attman's. Get the Stu Special. It's corned beef, pastrami and cole slaw. Also, get a kosher dog wrapped in bologna. Finish up with some kugel...ask them to warm it. Wash it all down with a Dr. Brown Cherry.

Attman's, like Faidely's, has a great vibe. The chatter on the line is great. There is normally 10 or 12 sandwich makers behind the line and 40 customers in line. The give and take is great.

Both of these places are very inclusive. You'll see every age, race, and income level at these places. There are few places in Baltimore that have a customer base this diverse.

Wow, lots of responses on this topic. In Los Angeles, there are two places I would take out-of-towners who did not need fancy. I know I'm leaving out taco trucks here. First, Casa Bianca Pizza Pie, best in many of our opinions. Perfect crust, house made sausage, minimal sauce and cheese. Been around since the 1940's I think. Second, Chili John's, oldest continuously operating restaurant in Burbank. Chili unlike any I've ever seen. They shut down in the summer for a couple months. Minimal menu. Great dogs, made with their spices.

If allowed, since I'm from Dallas, I'll quickly mention Ojeda's for Tex-Mex, and Campisi's Egyptian Lounge for pizza.

-Scott Lindgren

quote:

Originally posted by lone nut

Wow, lots of responses on this topic. In Los Angeles, there are two places I would take out-of-towners who did not need fancy. I know I'm leaving out taco trucks here. First, Casa Bianca Pizza Pie, best in many of our opinions. Perfect crust, house made sausage, minimal sauce and cheese. Been around since the 1940's I think. Second, Chili John's, oldest continuously operating restaurant in Burbank. Chili unlike any I've ever seen. They shut down in the summer for a couple months. Minimal menu. Great dogs, made with their spices.

If allowed, since I'm from Dallas, I'll quickly mention Ojeda's for Tex-Mex, and Campisi's Egyptian Lounge for pizza.

-Scott Lindgren

Campisi's Egyptian Lounge. A Dallas institution for sure. And let's not forget (the original) Sonny Bryan's BBQ on Inwood.

In Fort Lauderdale - Catfish Deweys - (catfishdeweys.com)
Nothing fancy...All u can eat catfish every night. Monday & Tuesday - All u can eat shripm steamed or fries...big ones...not popcorn shrimp! Wednesday All u can eat ribs - Thursday All u can eat snow crabs - Friday All u can eat fried scallops - nice fat ones!!! Saturday - All u can eat crawfish & fried oysters. The crawfish are so so...but the oysters are worth the trip! Sunday - All u can eat Alaskan king crab!!! There is a giant shark on the stage with mardi gras beads...old frying pans and photo's on the wall. Famous local joint...that has a wait for over an hour come season...but has a bar that ppours a good drink

Anybody have any new cities or places?

When you think of Rome N.Y., you think Italian. I would say, first, The Plaza, 100 years old this year, Everything on the menu is made with Great Great Gramma's recipes from the Old Country. Everything is delicious. In my opinion, they have the best Sicilian style, Sausage and Pepper Pizza, in the country. To me, pepperoni pizza should be New York style, thin crusted and folded but for Sausage and Peppers Pizza, you want Sicilian Thick crust, to hold the weight. Another great Italian Restaurant in Rome is the Franklin Hotel (reviewed on Roadfood) cheap and more than you can eat. Great Homemade Italian Cookies too.

Don't know if anybody has chimed in for Chattanooga yet, but I'd have to say Bea's Restaurant #1 and Back Inn Cafe #2.

Jersey City, NJ

White Mana
http://www.njcu.edu/programs/jchistory/Pages/W_Pages/White_Mana_Diner.htm
serves sliders. The counter curves around and surrounds the cook. http://www.musicsyndicate.com/metal/general/whitemana.htm

And if I could nominate an entire street, Jersey City's Little India neighborhood, for snacks-- http://www.getnj.com/jerseycity/jclittleindia.shtml

If not, I'd say, 2nd Street Bakery for Sandwiches, on the fresh baked bread.

And I'd like to respond to an opinion from waaay upthread. (I realize this topic stretches back in time.)
Ahem, In Gahanna, Ohio, I'd nominate the Gahanna Grill and Massey's Pizza, which I know is an Columbus chainlet, but it serves that ohio-centric tasting pizza.

Hi. I'm new here. Not sure if anyone has spoken for Joplin, Missouri, which straddles old Route 66 a few miles from the Oklahoma line. Fred & Red's, a chili place, moved to its current spot in the 1940s. Except for the prices, little has changed. Former residents make a pilgrimage to the place and reminisce about going there when they were kids (right before the cafe closes for August, it ships chili bricks all over the country). Fred & Red's is no-nonsense and working-class like the town itself. There are no tables, only a U-shaped counter. Smoking is allowed anywhere, though few people light up. The waitresses sass their regular customers. Kind of like "Cheers" with a cholesterol problem.

I live in Traverse City, Michigan, the world's cherry capital. I would have to say the Grand Traverse Pie Company, http://gtpie.com not only for their cherry pie, but pretty much any pie. Their pie is better than what my mom makes, but please don't tell her I said so!

The second would be my favorite local restaurant, the Old Mission Tavern. http://www.oldmissiontavern.com I would choose them because the food is good, and there is an art gallery attached, which I think represents the artistic flavor of TC.

I've not been to the Old Mission Tavern but the menu looks great ... thanx for the link!

On the Old Mission Penninsula, my favorite would be Bowers Harbor Inn ... a beautiful and allegedly haunted 1880's Inn, situated in the middle of the cherry orchards, vineyards and wineries of the area.

Last time I was there (which was a few years back) I had the most wonderful Cherry Duck.
Duck roasted with a Michigan tart cherry glaze and then served with the duck breast sliced thin and fanned out along with a whole, roast leg quarter section.
The carmalized cherry glaze was spectacular. One of the best meals I've had anywhere.

I'd also like to visit Tapawingo Restaurant in Ellsworth.

Hoping to get back to the Old Mission sometime soon ... but we usually end up spending most of our time around our cottage when we're up (Crystal Lake).

I lived on the OMP for many years and loved it.

Bowers Harbor Inn is under new ownership, but I haven't been since it changed hands. Honestly, I always thought it was over rated and preferred the Bowery. Another excellent restaurant out there is the Boathouse.

Tapawingo has been rated the best restaurant in the state many times. I've never eaten there, but I have eaten at the Rowe Inn, which is also in Ellsworth and had one of the best meals of my life. You wouldn't expect to find one great restaurant in the town the size of Ellsworth, let alone two.

quote:

Originally posted by SteveInAthens

For Athens, GA I would have to say

1) The Grit - representing the hippie, vegan, oh so hip crowd, and
2) The Grill - representing the meat-eating football fans.

Pretty much on target those two picks.

For a little more upscale eating Athens offers two great local eateries:

DePalma's for great Italian and the best pizza in town, and

Harry Bissett's for a cajun flavored menu.

For Tallahassee, FL:

Food Glorious Food--a great bistro type restaurant with inside or outside seating. A perfect place for a Saturday lunch before shopping or doing errands. I always loved their grilled sirloin in blue cheese/ale sauce. They've been in business in Betton Place for easily well over twenty, going on thirty years. Get a slice of Perfect Chocolate Cake for dessert. It is aptly named.

http://www.foodgloriousfood.com/

and:

Chez Pierre--Tallahassee's great French restaurant and one that's not too snooty French either. As you'd expect their crepes--chicken or seafood--are great as is the quiche. And you can even get a hamburger if you want. Great wine selection and best dessert cart in town. Chez Pierre has been in business in Tallahassee for longer than I was in that area of North FL/South GA, for years (thirty or more)on Adams St. and now in midtown in a great old restored house on Thomasville Rd.

http://www.chezpierre.com/menus.htm

For DC I would like to say old Ebbitt, Ben's Chili Bowl, Steak & Eggs and Some new fusion place, but after a depressing drive around town this morning I would have to say Chains represent us as much as Old Ebbitt, whether in a McDonald's, Hard Rock, or Charlie Pamler level. I'll drive through Adam's Morgan tomorrow and amend my answer.

Birmingham, AL:


Browdy's Restaurant in Mt. Brook Village: The best restaurant/delicatessen in town and according to their website, for over 88 years. I've been a patron since the '60s when they had a grocery store in the front of their erstwhile location (next to Gilcrest Drugs), with the restaurant in the back. Now located in the strip mall where the Western grocery store is, they no longer have the grocery store, but still retain a meat and seafood case. Also breads. I am partial to the Browdy's Delight--love that Russian dressing and the cole slaw! But you can't go wrong ordering anything there.

http://yp.bellsouth.com/sites/browdys/index.html


Jimmy Davenport's Pizza Palace: This venerable pizza place, just a block or two away from Browdy's has been in business for over forty years in the same spot on Cahaba Rd. The pizza always was and continues to be excellent thin crust pizza and a great family or date atmosphere to boot.

I haven't lived in Birmingham in over thirty years now and, not surprisingly, so much has changed in that time, but these two stalwarts still remind me of what it was like eating out in my younger days. When they go away, I will know that the Birmingham I knew growing us is truly gone.

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2806428-jim_davenport_s_pizza_palace_birmingham-i

The Station Cafe in Bentonville is very good. They have a web site now you can download a menu and fax in the order.

Their cheeseburger is so good I refuse to put mustard, ketchup or mayo on it. The grill in the place is so old and seasoned, I doubt it could produce a bad cheeseburger. Anyone in Bentonville should stop there. It is two doors away from the Wal-Mart Visitors Center.

MONTREAL:


1. Chalet BBQ

succulent barbecued chicken that's golden brown on the outside and plump and juicy on the inside; slow roasted over hardwood charcoal in custom built brick ovens and served with brown spicy peppery sauce, finger-licking french fries, vinegary coleslaw and a toasted roll. or perhaps a hot chicken sandwich made with good ol' white bread and sweet canned peas ladled over large chunks of tender breast meat.


2. Schwartz's

black, briny, peppery and crusty - this is the legendary Montreal smoked meat! after marinating in barrels and spices for weeks to culmination, its thin sliced and cut medium so that the fat feeds the flavor. piled fist high between two pieces of rye with mustard. a side of crunchy thick french fries, and half-sours. a cott's black cherry cola and a chewy piece of karnatzel.

quote:

Originally posted by planojim

In the suburbian sprawl of Plano, TX, my two choices on most representative would be Tin Star and Poor Richards Cafe.

Tin Star is a local chain that serves good food with a southwestern lean. Always crowded, and very family freindly. A perfect restaurant for a suburb.

Poor Richards Cafe takes one back in time a little to when Plano was not the uber-suburb, but an agrarian landscape. A restaurant where locals would gather over a cup of coffee, eat breakfast, and discuss the cotton crop.

I'll second you on Poor Richards, but the Tin Star is downright awful. The only time we ate there it seemed like the cook lost the top off his saltshaker. When I complained I only got a shrug from the manager.

For us: Poor Richard's and the original Covino's - great Italian red sauce home cookin', the friendliest wait-staff in town, and only a buck to BYOB!

For my various home towns:

New Castle, PA: The Original M&P Coney Island on the Square where big-boobed Mary used to serve us beer - "if you're old enough to be drafted .." - along with the best chili dogs I ever had. (They have since relocated to a dry suburb) and the Villanova Inn which has been there so long the grease must keep it together. http://directory.vindy.com/dining/index.php?biz=754

Pittsburgh: Isaly's for chip-chop ham BBQ and the orignial Klondike Bars and Le Mont for great meals and a spectacular view. (WHAT! Pittsburgh without a mention of Primanti Bros! I was never wild about Primanti Bros., preferring the Double O on Forbes for that "cuisine").http://lemontpittsburgh.com/LeMont/index.htm http://www.isalys.com/

Washington, D.C.: Chadwick's on K St. below the Whitehurst and Johnny Mandis' Market Inn in SW. http://www.chadwicksrestaurants.com/ http://www.freshcrabcakes.com/

Dallas: Peggy Sue's BBQ in Snider Plaza and Babe's Chicken Dinner House in Carrollton. (Peggy Sue's does Que consistently better than the fabled Sonny Bryan's on Inwood). Thanks to Twinwillow, we'll be trying First Chinese BBQ soon. http://www.peggysuebbq.com/Peggy_Sue_BBQ.html http://www.babeschicken.com/ http://firstchinesebbq.com/home.html

McKinney, TX: Bill Smith's Cafe has been there forever and is pork fat central. I love it, but wife won't go. Rick's Chop House - relatively new, but EXCELLENT food, service, and ambiance. (Bob's in Legacy, Plano can stick his glazed carrot and his prices - Rick's is just plain better in each and every way). http://www.billsmithscafe.com/ http://www.rickschophouse.com/ http://www.bobs-steakandchop.com/

I need three.

http://www.versaillescuban.com/

http://www.joesstonecrab.com/

http://www.mangostropicalcafe.com/

quote:

Originally posted by mr chips

This is one of my favorite threads. I would love to hear from some of the"newbies" on this topic.

Ok...a newbie chiming in - Here are the three places that best represent Portland (IMHO)
1) The Bomber - great home style cooking, kinda quirky and definitely a local landmark. I have been told it is the best liver & onions (which I don't eat). Pretty much never had a bad meal there.
2) Produce Row - Limited menu - sandwiches & soup. This is the original McMenamins and the template for all the others that built the empire. Since you can't have a McMenamins without beer - they have over 100 beers
3) Nicholas' Restaurant Lebanese food, family restaurant now run by the children of the original owners. Homemade everything - taboulli, kafta, lahm bi ajeene (Phoenician Pizza) are my personal favorites.

9 pages is too long for me to review but I don't think I posted on this thread B4 so anywho...I think the three best places that might rep. my hometown (East Haven, CT) are Tolli's and DePalmas apizza and Smitty's Eastside cafe (not really a cafe just a bar but I guess cafe sounds better).

quote:

Originally posted by exsquidao

9 pages is too long for me to review but I don't think I posted on this thread B4 so anywho...I think the three best places that might rep. my hometown (East Haven, CT) are Tolli's and DePalmas apizza and Smitty's Eastside cafe (not really a cafe just a bar but I guess cafe sounds better).

ROFLMAO...I am so sorry, apparently I did not have to review all 9 pages as I actually did post on this thread on the PREVIOUS page, I humbly apologize for being a dope.

quote:

Originally posted by exsquidao

quote:

Originally posted by exsquidao

9 pages is too long for me to review but I don't think I posted on this thread B4 so anywho...I think the three best places that might rep. my hometown (East Haven, CT) are Tolli's and DePalmas apizza and Smitty's Eastside cafe (not really a cafe just a bar but I guess cafe sounds better).

ROFLMAO...I am so sorry, apparently I did not have to review all 9 pages as I actually did post on this thread on the PREVIOUS page, I humbly apologize for being a dope.

Yeah, but the funny thing is that the restaurants aren't the same.

exsquidao-
Thanks for the laugh! Don't feel bad, it could happen to anyone. I can't tell you how many times I've wondered whether I posted in a thread or not.

City: Atlanta
Two Restaurants:

The Varsity- Chili Chesse(pimento) Burger, Chili dog, onion rings, frosted orange or PC, and a fried pie

Thelma's- Fried Chicken and any vegetables

Also ran: Bones for Steak Kyma for seafood

This was a long ago fun topic that might be fun to revive. Today the places that best represent portland would be the very underrated Pal's Shanty and a food cart somewhere
 

Both are in the Historical District of Gilbert, AZ:
http://www.farmhouseofgilbert.com/Home.html
http://joesrealbbq.com/

In Knoxville it's pronbably McDonalds and Pizza Hut

carlton pierre


In Knoxville it's pronbably McDonalds and Pizza Hut

That's a shame. I'm glad I live in an area that takes pride in it's local cuisine even if it's "high end" Italian,  and out of date Martini Bars and Cigar Bars.
Right now I would have to say it's these two places
 
http://www.lamasseriari.com/
 
http://besoskitchenandcocktails.com/

You're right WJ.  I should have mentioned Five Guys instead of McDonalds 

Here in Batesville, I'd say Ison's Pizza ( very good thin-crust with superior quality pepperoni ) and Randy's Roadhouse ( good burgers ). There's lots of great fried chicken to be had in the area, but it's mostly found in the smaller towns and communities that surround Batesville, such as Oldenburg, Enochsburg and Penntown.
 
               Ison's Family Pizza:  www.9330333.com
 
               Randy's Roadhouse:  www.randysroadhouse.com

I can't think of two places that "represent" Los Angeles.
 
I'd like to say Phillipe's but probably 90% of the Los Angeles population never heard of it.
 
I think Mall food courts represent Los Angeles.  A little of this and that.  the fact that nothing is good there has nothing to do with it.
 
 

I'm not sure that Washington, D.C., is "my" town, but I live close to it. 
Your lists are good ones.  I'd find some place on there for Ben's Chili Bowl. 

I am also a native St. Louisian.  It is hard to narrow to two.
I like all of the ones you listed.  It's hard to pick one place for toasted ravioli.
I'd add Crown Candy Kitchen.

What I most miss about the Los Angeles/Southern California area is In N Out!

Growing up in Ypsilanti MI the best place for breakfast was and still is The Bomber.  www.thebomberrestarant.net It's located on Michigan ave. Be hungry! Kluck's drive inn is the place for a burger. Bill's Hot Dog stand still makes there own Root Beer, car service only folks

In Covington Ga.
 
1. Stalvey's which is featured on Roadfood, and is still quite good.
2. Henderson's Fine Food's which is known for catfish and hushpuppies that are very good as well as other fine Fried Southern food. It is famous for it chitterling suppers. It is about 5 miles south of Covington on Ga. Hwy 36 and still really popular with the locals as well as those visiting Jackson Lake.

I grew up in Auburn, NY, and the top two for me are probably Angelo's Pizza and Lasca's Italian restaurant. I've eaten at Angelo's since I was too short to see over the counter, and stop frequently for a slice when I'm in town. Lasca's has just been there forever, and the food is rather good. It's kind of the go-to place for special family occasions. They make a killer breaded broccoli appetizer.
 
I couldn't even venture a guess for Syracuse... most people would say Dinosaur BBQ is one, but I'm not a fan.

Without looking back I may have answered this one already. When you live in a small town with just two places the answer is easy.

I've mentioned Sugar & Spice before but the iconic restaurant around Stoughton is probably The Koffee Kup.  It's located in a building built in 1895 and it's housed some kind of restaurant since 1905.

 
I'm not sure how long the current space has been used as a restaurant but it does have a tin ceiling that was restored when the owners decided to go smoke-free back in 2008.

 
We stopped in for an early dinner a couple of Tuesdays ago.  I was surprised to learn that chicken fried steak is only offered as an occasional special so I chose the roast pork loin with homemade mashed potatoes and gravy.

 
Mrs. SC opted for the tuna melt.

 
I doubt anyone will ever comment about the menu being daring, innovative, or groundbreaking but the food here is traditional, simple, and good, and every town needs at least one place that like that.  I've heard the pie's good, too.

OK, Here are my two as there are only two in my town of 1,400 people - Tonka Bay, MN on Lake Minnetonka.
 
Joey Nova's Pizzeria
 
Hazellewood Grill and Tap Room

If I had to pick just two at this particular time in Dallas, then I guess, Lucia and, Smoke. 
http://luciadallas.com/     (4-6 week wait for a table)
http://www.smokerestaurant.com  (Always busy. Especially for brunch)

lucassal


What I most miss about the Los Angeles/Southern California area is In N Out!

 
Come visit Dallas. Were closer than California and, we've gottem all over the place now. At least six or seven at this writing.

It's difficult to narrow to two. That's a good problem to have.

For sure...Benanti's.

http://www.nj.com/enterta...ag.html?mobRedir=false

I have to consider a Diner...another fantastic Deli...and a pizza parlor.

Chicagoland here:
Harold's Chicken Shack and Al's Beef.
 
And you thought it was ging to be pizza? Pizzeria Uno would get honorable mention (or third place).

Sacramento - I will say 1. Tower Cafe adjacent to the historic Tower Theater and across the street from what used to be the original Tower Records, with it's beautiful outdoor dining garden, complete with palm trees and gurgling fountains.  Beautiful oasis on a sweltering Sacramento evening and with an eclectic, melting pot menu featuring wonderful Jerk Chicken and the famously addictive French Toast, and  2.  Chando's Tacos, a relative newcomer representative of our love of good Mexican street food.  The lines outside this little gem in the worst part of town, day and night, hot or cold is a clue to the magic ready to jump into your mouth.  Get the six buck, 3 taco and soda combo with the best textured ice ever and be prepared to come back as soon as your tummy is half empty.  If you are passing through, be prepared to extend your stay - it is that good. 

I have to give the final spot for Bayonne to...

Judicke's Bakery...since 1924.

http://www.nytimes.com/19...-you-back-in-time.html

That article was written 15 years ago..and still the same great bakery items being churned out 365 days a year...we are lucky.

Charlottesville has so many different layers.
 
On one hand, you have the hipster Eat Local movement and I think The Local does the best job with that.
 
On the other hand you have the small southern town end and I think Wayside Chicken is the answer.
 
But if I really want to splurge I drive toward the mountains and eat at Crozet Pizza.

After giving more thought to the OP's question, I'd say (now),
Babes Chicken Dinner House(s). Nine locations and counting.
http://www.babeschicken.com/
 
And, the proliferation of true ethnic "mom 'n pop" Mexico City style taco joints open and thriving all over the Dallas area. Some in strip malls, some free standing, and some, attached to gas stations.   
http://www.yelp.com/searc...=Dallas%2C+TX&ns=1

One of my favorites:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/t...:tacos%20el%20banqueta
Their suadero tacos (brisket) are incredibly good! 
 
Their main location: The name has recently changed from Taco El Guero to El Banqueta.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/t...o-dallas-3#query:tacos

 

I cant comment about Milwaukee...very diverse city when it comes to food.We have our favorites in every category.It would be a long list. When it comes to food in general, a Milwaukee Friday fish fry is tops. When it boils down to a state food, I would say brats.

For my 'hometown' 1978-2005, Arlington, VA
 
El Pollo Rico
Mario's Pizza & Subs
 
If I were allowed to pick more than two, I'd include Metro 29 Diner, Home of the Lost Dog Cafe, The Quarterdeck, Weenie-Beenie, and the late, lamented Whitey's.
 
(And, let's not forget that Five Guys' began in Arlington).

How about those hispanic guys with the pushcarts that sell popsicles? MAJOR YUM!

Living between two very small towns the two that best represent my area are 1. JB's Hot Links in Hughes Springs, Texas. They serve Pittsburg Hot Links which are a religion In this small area. They serve them on butcher paper with their hot sauce and crackers. 1a. The Wildflower Inn and Restaurant also in Hughes Springs. They have a daily lunch buffet with the best chicken fried steak in the area along with many other items. In the evenings their menu has a cheeseburger with cheese running off the sides and cooked crisp to peel and eat like potato chips. 2. Dairy Queen which is another local favorite.  2a. Five D Steak House right down road in Avinger, Tx. with great steaks. We also have a couple of great BBQ places close to us.

Big Ugly Mich


How about those hispanic guys with the pushcarts that sell popsicles? MAJOR YUM!

those are not hispanic guys, they are Mexicanos and popsicles aint the only thing they sell

sizz

Big Ugly Mich


How about those hispanic guys with the pushcarts that sell popsicles? MAJOR YUM!

those are not hispanic guys, they are Mexicanos and popsicles aint the only thing they sell

Right! I got a doobie for a buck!