re: thanks jane and michael---all time top ten!

quote:

Originally posted by cecif

CLAM BOX "warning"...
A little RF clam get-together might be in order before closing... cider donuts at Russell Orchards & clams at TCB. (I know Chris is listening here... WJ??)

That's a possibility- My schedule is extremly hectic through November
Please keep me informed

WJ, do you have "best" or "worst" days?? (i.e. only available on a weekend or do you have a different schedule?)

quote:

Originally posted by cecif

WJ, do you have "best" or "worst" days?? (i.e. only available on a weekend or do you have a different schedule?)

I'm usually available on weekends but I am just so booked up all through November.

I guess it could be an "end of season get 'em while you can" deal... first weekend in December, before TCB closes?? I wonder if Russell's is still open for cider donuts then, usually they are. I'll check. Actually this could coincide with the Crane Estate's Christmas opening which is a fantastic thing to see!!!

It's been six years since my original post.   This internet thing may be catching on after all?  :) 

Buffetbuster and I were chatting about this last week---and with 200 restaurants experienced, it's time for a new list.
 
As I revise---the Eddie's (New Orleans) experience is still a favorite, but I'll eliminate, since they have been closed for some time.
 
So...here's A DOZEN (in alphabetical order---from places reviewed by Jane and Michael or at least by someone in full on this site):
 
 
Allie's Donuts, North Kingstown, RI
Blue Heaven, Key West, FL
Cafe Du Monde, New Orleans, LA
Clam Shack, Kennebunkport, ME
Duran Central Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM
Four Seas Ice Cream, Centerville, MA
Mother's, New Orleans, LA
Nick Tahou Hots, Rochester, NY
Snappy Lunch, Mount Airy, NC
Swan Oyster Depot, San Francisco, CA
Tony's Diner, Kingston, PA
Tony Luke's, Philadelphia, PA

I guess I'll go ahead and list my current Top Ten, although next month's roadtrip down to New Orleans may render this list obsolete: The Beacon, Spartanburg SC - great chili-cheeseburger and o-rings; The Ridgewood, Bluff City TN - my alltime favorite Q; Snappy Lunch, Mount Airy NC - since Pappy was from Mt. Airy, I've known about this little gem since I was a kid; Bob Sykes, Bessemer AL - love those ribs!; Mr. Beef, Chicago IL - the best italian beef there is; Keaton's, Cleveland NC - one-of-a-kind BBQ chicken; Arthur Bryant's, Kansas City MO - wonderful brisket; Loveless Cafe, Nashville TN - country ham and biscuits to die for; Stroud's, Kansas City MO - superior fried chicken; and Doe's Eat Place, Greenville MS - my #1!!...huge steaks and hand-cut fries that you just won't believe. Some other favorites: Al's Italian Beef, Chicago IL; Lexington #1, Lexington NC; Manny's Deli, Chicago; Superdawg, Chicago; George's BBQ, Owensboro KY; and Skyline Chili ( gasp! - a chain! ), Cincinnati OH. Next month I'm hitting McClard's and Dreamland, so this list might be a-changin'.
 

Here's my Top Ten List in no particular order:

Millers Pub - Chicago - Baby Back Ribs
www.millerspub.com

Gene & Georgetti - Chicago - Steaks
http://www.geneandgeorgetti.com/

Pegleg Petes - Pensacola Beach - Oysters
http://www.peglegpetes.com/

Durgin Park - Boston - Prime Rib
http://www.durgin-park.com/

Pascal's Manale - NOLA - BBQ Shrimp
http://www.pascalsmanale.com/
Wentzells Oyster House - Mobile - Oysters
http://www.wintzellsoysterhouse.com/

Grand Central Oyster Bar -NYC - Oyster Stew
http://www.oysterbarny.com/

Carnegie Deli - NYC - Everything!
http://www.carnegiedeli.com/  

Carolina's - Phoenix - Mexican - Machaca Beef & Tortillas
http://www.carolinasmex.com/  

Rotier's -- Nashville -  AMERICAN - Burgers
http://www.rotiers.com/

stanpnepa-
Excellent list!  Thanks for bringing this thread back up.  Us speaking about it at Tony's Restaurant got me thinking that it was time for a new list, too.  I will have to look it over and get something posted later today.

nocarolina-
I'm honored that I sat next to you at your #1 place!

Thank you, buffetbuster; the feeling is mutual.

 

Since it has been three years to the day since my last list, it is time for a new one.
 
1) Bobcat Bite - Santa Fe, NM.  This place is # 1 and honestly, nothing else comes close.  My cousin Johnny and I were so blown away by our green chile cheeseburgers during our vist here in June, we came back again two days later, just to make sure we weren't hallucinating.  The flavor of the beef and green chile combination, while juices runs down your arm?  Roadfood heaven!  Here is a thread with some photos:
 
http://www.roadfood.com/F...nta-Fe-NM-m520346.aspx
 
and the Stern's review: 
 
http://www.roadfood.com/R.../1385-1385/bobcat-bite
 
All the rest are in alphabetical order.
 
2) Bon Ton Mini Mart - Henderson, KY.  Ate here for the first time just this past Spring with Louis and Cecif.  The fried chicken is everything you could want, crispy, delicous golden skin with tender, juicy inside meat.  Great country atmosphere and very friendly service, too.  But what caught me of guard was the best chess pie I have ever had.
 
http://www.roadfood.com/R...-343/bon-ton-mini-mart
 
3) Charlie's Pool Room - Alpha, NJ.  Being impatient by nature, usually when I eat in a restaurant, I want to leave as soon as I get done eating.  Here at CPR, I would gladly hang out all day with the wonderful Fencz brothers.  And those mealies are positively addictive.
 
http://www.roadfood.com/R...997/charlies-pool-room
 
4) Dinner Bell - McComb, MS.  My favorite type of Roadfood restaurants are Southern boardinghouses.  Throw in a lazy susan and I'm in love!  Excellent Southern food, all you can eat and you sit with strangers, who are usually just as excited to eating at such a wonderful place, too.  Spinning that table to bring the fried eggplant to your side of the table is just part of the fun.
 
http://www.roadfood.com/R...ew/648-648/dinner-bell
 
5) Family Pie Shop - Bruce Bilmes once mentioned to me in an email that no place screams buffetbuster like this place and he is 100% right.   This place would get bonus points for atmosphere (a little shop, part of the owner's house, in a little town in the middle of nowhere) , but the chocolate pie I had there on the last visit was pie perfection!
 
http://www.roadfood.com/R...16-316/family-pie-shop
 
6) Gray Brothers Cafeteria - Mooresville, IN.  Have visited here six or seven times now and it still hasn't lost its thrill.  The pies, the mac and cheese, even the deviled eggs are something special.  When I was driving my girlfriend here about a month ago, I described it as Disneyland for people like me. 
 
http://www.roadfood.com/R...ray-brothers-cafeteria
 
7) Hob Nob Hill - San Diego, CA.  Another place that combines great (coffee shop) atmosphere with excellent food.  The daily homemade muffins and coffee cakes are what I go here for.
 
http://www.roadfood.com/R...1935-2006/hob-nob-hill
 
8) Red's Eats - Wiscasset, ME.  All I had was the lobster roll, but it was amazing enough to put Red's on this list. 
 
 http://www.roadfood.com/R...ew/2959-2938/reds-eats
 
9) Stroud's - Kansas City, MO.  The fried chicken, which just may be the best anywhere, would be enough to place it on the list.  Then you have the incredible cinnamon rolls, the mashed potatoes, the chicken soup.....
 
http://www.roadfood.com/R...Review/189-189/strouds
 
10) Tony Luke's - Philadelphia, PA.  As a resident of western PA, it pains me to admit the best Roadfood restaurant in my home state is in Philadelphia.  The roast pork Italian w/ broccoli rabe is my favorite Roadfood sandwich.
 
http://www.roadfood.com/R...w/1232-1232/tony-lukes
 
Just missing the cut are Lexington #1 (NC), Robin's (LA), Doe's Eat Place (MS) and Pancake Pantry (TN).
 
And a special memorial for Uglesich's (LA), Mendenhall Hotel Revolving Tables Restaurant (MS) and Hocutt's (WV), three great Roadfood restaurants that are gone that had they still been open would easily place them on this list.

Every so often I dream of their wonderful beignets  and chicory coffee.

NYPIzzaNut


Every so often I dream of their wonderful beignets  and chicory coffee.

 Who are you referring to???

You have to ask??????????

Look at item 6 on post # 1.