50 Places in 50 States

Not sure if this had been posted yet.  Most of the places look really good.
 
http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2011/05/51_foodie_destinations.html

I'll wait for someone to publish that list.  I hate #$^#ing slide shows.

The Wisconsin entry mentions Baumgartner's in Monroe but leaves out the most important part about a visit: the Limburger sandwich!
 
Brad

WJ will be very happy with the restaurants for Rhode Island (Twin Oaks) and South Carolina (82 Queen).

Don't any of you pack up and go to the McCarthy Lodge in Alaska!  Suffice it to say you've been warned.

lleechef


Don't any of you pack up and go to the McCarthy Lodge in Alaska!  Suffice it to say you've been warned.

 
Alaska ain't exactly easy for us southern boys to visit although I have been there several times but it is doubtful that I will ever get there againj.
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN 

lleechef; Where is your restruant in Anchorage? I have a friend who is planning a tour of Alaska and is ending in Anchorage. Only spending one night and would like a good dinner.

Can't give much weight to a list that picks Woodyard BBQ as #1 for Kansas.

Are you saying that there is bbq in Alaska...???

there was no bbq in Alaska when i lived there. atleast not any good.

This is a nice slideshow, but if their idea of a great dinner in Minnesota is the Spam Museum, then I think I'll stick to my usual sources for recommendations.  Ditto for the Utz factory in PA. 
 
EDIT: I just noticed Lambert's as a food destination.  This list is officially crapola: case closed. 

@ Pigiron....I don't think that they're telling you that you should get dinner at the SPAM Museum, but rather that it is a "foodie" destination, which I suppose we could all debate THAT definition.  While I didn't get anything to eat there, I have been to the SPAM Museum, it is absolutely worth the trip (if you happen to be in/near MPLS and want to drive a couple of hours to look at SPAM-related memorabilia).  
 
Lambert's is, of course, crap.  But, I can't count how many times I get asked if I've been there when people find out that I travel a lot and go to restaurants all over the country.  Then again, many of these same people get excited about the new Five Guys opening nearby ("They have the BEST burger I've ever had!"  Ugh!).

@TTM: I'm going to be in Minneapolis this weekend, and I have enjoyed Spam (particularly when eaten on the Hawaiian Islands).  Does the museum have a restaurant serving all kinds of Spam concoctions? THAT would be a destination.  If not, I just don't foresee driving out of my way to the Spam museum.    I just don't see the appeal.
 
Regarding 5 Guys, I don't recall any chain exploding as fast as this one.  A few years ago, no one outside of Virginia/DC had ever heard of them.  Now, there's over 750 locations.  I give them credit for keeping up the quality with the expansion, but I still think that the food is just average for the price.  I mean, the food is fine, but I will ALWAYS choose a local pub or tavern for a burger over 5 Guys (or any other chain). 

I went during my first trip to Minneapolis.  I was dating a girl who knew I loved wacky roadside attractions (I developed that love long before my love for Roadfood).  She wanted me to go to MPLS because she had a friend who was appearing at the Guthrie Theater as the female lead in Sweeny Todd.  Knowing that there was no way that she would get me to Minneapolis with the only lure being a dark musical, she set out to find things that would keep my attention for a whole weekend.  We did a Twins game at the old warehouse....and the SPAM Museum.  Seriously, it was fun.....but, you'd have to plan your eating schedule around.
 
I think the issue with Five Guys is more about what/who their competition is.  Are they better than McDonald's?  Yep.  Are they better than Wendy's?  Yep.  Are they better than Peter Luger (or, from your example of the average local pub or tavern)?  Nope.   It's perspective.  If the only burger you've ever known is Steak 'n Shake, then Five Guys might be the best burger you've ever had.

I have lived in Minnesota 41 years and I have never been to the Spam Museum.
 
It is located in a part of Minnesota I would never travel to but only pass by heading elsewhere. I suppose some day if timing and opportunity presents itself I might visit but I am not making it a point to. This is coming from a guy who has been to Avery Island in Louisiana and sampled the numerous Tabasco sauces.

Davydd - I lived in NY for the first 18 years of my life and never went to the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Ellis Island or the Brooklyn Bridge.  Sometimes, one just don't go do the "touristy" things nearby because they feel that they will always be there and they have other things to do instead.  I don't know that it means that these places aren't worth going to.

How long have you been back, lleechef?

Living in Athens, I'm ok with the Georgia pick. The University has a lot of funky little places around it. Just don't let our secrets out to everyone. The Grill is great at 3:00 a.m. after a large night.