Here it is- The Grand Finale
Top 10 New Restaurants of 2012 (in order)
10. Pico De Gallo Tucson AZ 
These beefy carne asada tacos are probably some of the best I ever enjoyed. Although I was disappointed that they were out of their coctel de elote, I did finish my meal off with their refreshing namesake dessert, perfect for a blistering hot day in the desert southwest.
9. Taqueria La Huasteca San Antonio TX 
After being told by several locals to avoid the "gringos only" Taco Taco, I was directed here to
Taqueria La Huasteca, and boy, I can tell you I have no regrets. My introduction to San Antonio Puffy Tacos was a top 10 hit. I ordered two Beef Barbacoa Puffy Tacos. T- and these were warm puffy delights of smoked/shredded beef goodness. I squirted both red and green on these bad boys . I quickly fell in love.
8. Chris Madrid's San Antonio TX 
Like hotdogs, I'm always skeptical of regional variations of burgers, the Bean Burger is no exception.
When my meal arrived I could only look in amazement. This was truly one helluva superb burger. I ordered the "macho" size of course. For those who don't know what a bean burger is, it's a San Antonio Specialty loaded with cheese that envelops refried beans and tortilla chips hidden underneath. The salsa which you get at the salsa bar was the missing link to this gut busting burger.
7. Weidmann's Meridian MS 
Found in earlier
Roadfood books,
Weidmann's is under new ownership and has received many rave reviews. How can you not like a place that offers ceramic pots of peanut butter with crackers for starters?
The Fried Green Tomato appetizer served with comeback dressing offered a crunchy exterior and the interior was just bursting with flavor and the homemade comeback dressing had a serious kick- this would be my first of three opportunities to enjoy comeback dressing on this trip- and
Weidmann's was by far the best.
The main meal was Redfish Hannah with a side of creole cabbage. The sauce that accompanied the Redfish was creamy and spicy and loaded with shrimp and mushroom and did not detract from the sweet flavor of the redfish. The creole cabbage was remiscent of New Orleans. Although dessert was the weak part of the meal, the signature black bottom pie Chocolate pie with graham cracker crust dusted with cocoa was still solid.
6. Community BBQ Decatur GA 
Community BBQ was one of the bbq joints in Atlanta that Heartbreak Soup led me to ....
This is now my official "go to" bbq joint in Atlanta. Starting out the meal with homemade creamy slaw and moving on to thick, smokey, flavorful brunswick stew, the pulled pork and rib sandwich . The bbq was smoked so well it really didn't need any sauce. This was the best meal of my
Whistlin' Dixie trip.
5. Miss Myra's Pit BBQ Vestavia Hills AL 
In suburban Birmingham, when I approached the parking lot which was permeated by the sweet scent of smoke, I knew i was in for something special
Miss Myra's specializes in Northern 'Bama white sauce Q. The chicken was outstanding. Smoke permeating the taut skin into the tender meat. The white sauce had a vingegary- mayo flavor and paired well with the bbq. Even the deviled eggs and the beans were really good- These weren't bbq beans- these were mildly sweet, almost reminscent of Boston baked beans.
The nanner pudding was orgasmically amazing.
4. Ramon's Clarksdale MS 
Ramon's an Italian restaurant in the Mississippi Delta is just as much ethnic as it is Southern.
Beginning with some extraordinary crispy, handbreaded onion rings, I moved on to some of the biggest and best fried shrimp I've ever enjoyed. So good that I nearly forgot the side of spaghetti in garlic butter sauce, but considering how amazing the shrimp was, it was worth ditching the spaghetti.
3. J Mueller's BBQ Austin TX 
Who could think that such good things can come from a trailer with a smoker?. For starters, the sides at most Texas BBQ joints are really an after thought. At the fore front the smokey sausage, luscious fatty brisket and a tender beef rib is what defines Texas BBQ lore...
2. Casamentos New Orleans LA 
Although I only took a photo of the freshly shucked oysters that was waiting to be served, this gumbo was pure perfection . The oyster loaf, dressed with lettuce and tomato, adding just a touch of hot sauce put this sandwich right over the top- probably one of my favorite stops in New Orleans.
1. Smitty's Market Lockhart TX 
Smoked Meat.....Nuff said.....................
<message edited by wanderingjew on Thu, 01/31/13 7:16 PM>
