Hidden Gems for Food and Drink
 

I saw a posting on another site that I frequent, and I don't think there's anything like this already posted. We all know that there are those local places with great food that are well-known in their area, but might not be as well-known in other parts of the country.

Since most of us travel quite a bit, for work or personal reasons, I thought it'd be a good idea to share the names of some of those restaurants/diners/etc. that might not be in the guide books, but are must-visit locations.

Blue Moon Cafe in Baltimore.
Cap'n Crunch covered French Toast with in-season fruit and real whipped cream
Out of this word omlettes
VERY SMALL location that is always crowded, but worth the wait. (neighboring places often have great specials: like $3 mimosas or bloody marys or a pitcher for $5)

Ok, since I started the thread I should post a few:

Roscoe's Big Dog (Hartford) - fantastic hot dogs and fries, and their steamed burgers are very good.

Eagle's Deli (Brighton, MA) - not exactly a hidden gem, but while everyone knows them for their big cheeseburgers (including the 12 pounder), but the food isn't just plentiful, it tastes really good. Their breakfasts are artery-clogging goodness.

Abbott's in the Rough (Noank, CT) - essentially in Mystic, they serve outstanding lobster rolls, and the seating gives a nice view of the water. It's pretty cheap for good seafood, and a nice place to spend the day.

There are a bunch more I can think of, but I'll leave it at that for now...

This place was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network (Sunday or Monday night). Everything looked amazing!

If you ever find yourself in Milwaukee:

Pizza Man is to die for, especially the cajun seafood pizza.

Kopps is another local favorite, although it's not exactly hidden...Oprah featured it on her "favorite things" episode and it's received other press.

To those visiting Honolulu and the island of Oahu:

Ono Hawaiian Food

Matsumoto Shave Ice (North Shore)

Rainbow Drive-In (one of President Obama's favorites!)

Mitsu-Ken Okazu (get there early for the Breakfast Special and don't forget to order the Garlic Chicken!!!)

The food blog I posted for Mitsu-Ken covers a whole bunch of hole in the wall places not found in guidebooks or tourist info.

This is by far my favorite local food blog: The Tasty Island (WARNING: MASSIVE FOOD PORN for your viewing pleasure, lol)

Santa Cruz:

Charlie Hong Kong's on Soquel Ave. It's called Asian Street food. You get a bowl with rice/noodles and veggies and some meat/toppings. Soooo good!

Betty's Burgers on Seabright Ave (I think). I think they put crack in their patties. Nom nom nom!

I Love Sushi on Front Ave. If you ever have a group of people in SC, go there. The owner will race you on sake bombs and often gives out free booze.

Oh, and in San Jose:

La Victoria Taqueria downtown 2 places or on Almaden Expwy. Affectionately known as La Vic's, they have this amaaaazing orange sauce for their food. Decent burritos and such, but the orange sauce is what they're famous for.

In Cleveland....Nate's Deli on 25th, near the West Side Market.

You enter from the back and walk through the kitchen to get to your table. Out of this world food and it's cheap. Owners are Lebanese and their Shistawooks are to die for. Picked turnips on the tables are so good.

No web site, but you can always sit IN the window, if you are lucky. The restaurant use to be a shoe store and there are tables in the windows.

EXACTLY!!!
The bf and I were watching one night and looked at each other and said, "Let's go there tomorrow!" So we did. Amazing is NOT the word!! The food is soooooooooooo gooooooooood!!!!

Not to mention the West Side Market itself. Yum.

Adding on to the Kent list above, I would have to add Swenson's in the Kent/Akron/Canton area for their burgers and milkshakes. Plus it is a drive-in and that's just fun.

If anyone's ever in OKC, just PM me. I can give you a basically exhaustive list of what's good here (at least in the downtown/inner-city area) and I've been to 'em all.

One place we send a lot of clients is the Paseo Grille located in OKC's Paseo Arts District.

http://www.thepaseo.com/images/photos/pho_westside1.jpg

It's a neat little area right in the middle of a historic neighborhood. The architecture is sort of Santa-Fe-ish. There are a lot of art studios, a couple of restaurants, etc. I don't think any tourists really know about the area, and it's really surprising that it is where it is.

At any rate, the restaurant is amazingly good. Also, they have an excellent scotch menu.

If you're ever in Pittsburgh and looking for a good Indian restaurant, I highly suggest Taj Mahal on McKnight Road in the North Hills. Awesome awesome food.

If you're in for Italian, go to Juliano's Restaurant on Rt. 60 South just a bit away from Robinson Mall. Amazing pizza, a great calzone, and a super awesome owner who takes good care of his workers and his regulars. Oh! And ask for Tortellini with Juliano's sauce.

Thai Place in Shadyside (Walnut St.) or in Wexford is fantastic. The tofu spring rolls are the way forward. A bit on the pricey side, but absolutely absolutely worth it.

Tram's Kitchen (Vietnamese) at 4050 Penn Ave in Lawrenceville is also amazing, but the service is what does it. The owner is a one armed man with a brusque manner who barks out your order. Be sure to know when he comes to the table because he is ON.A.MISSION. The decor is corny and weird, and the tables are a bit shabby, but holy crap the food is amazing and cheap (try the tofu spring rolls). Also, beware that this is CASH ONLY.

Also: Tessaro's in Bloomfield for a burger (and sweet potato fries). 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill for coffee. Gullifty's in Squirrel Hill for deserts (HUGE cakes, pies, etc)

It really depends on what you are looking for:


Cappettos---The family is from Sicily, so they cook traditional Italian food in a more Sicilian manner.
Italian Kitchen--My mom swears by this place she LOOOVES it, and so do most people I know.
La Malinche--I just love this place. When I used to visit my parents (when i was in school) this was the place we had to stop by. You must try their red cheese enchiladas and their Milanesa--sooo good. It's a family restuarant with many different locations around the city. My favorite location is on the corner of Dyer & Hondo Pass.

**I will say though, that anyplace you go you'll get good, authentic Mexican food. Some places are pricier than others****

Pho Tre Bien--probably my favorite restaurant. It serves all Vietnamese food. I love their vietnamese eggroll plate (it comes with a little salad, peanuts, cucumbers, and vermicelli).
Rosco's Burger Inn--just some of that hole-in-the-wall type awesome burgers!! Soo great for such a great price. It is open Tuesday-Sat. and is usually packed from opening (11am) until around 2 (it closes at 5).

There are other places, can't think of them all right now. But you can always PM me for more options.

Mostly in south suburban Pittsburgh:

Ice Cream: Bruster's. I'm at the point where it's Brusters, or do without. There about 8 locations.

Chinese: Sesame Inn. It's a local chain, and people have their favorites, but it's always good, no matter where or which cuisine you prefer.

Italian AND Fish: Pasta Too. You know how every city seems to have one food that just has to be right, or you may as well close the restaurant? In the 'burgh, it's the fish sandwich. It's easily a pound of fish, with an English style batter. Their other menu items are great too (their wedding soup is to die for!) - my two complaints are that it's always crowded, and the front door is much too hard to open. It's on Library Road (Rte. 88), at South Park.

Mexican/Tex-Mex: Jose and Tony's. On McFarland Road, just off of Banksville, it's been a staple for years, and is much more authentic than the chains.

German: Max's Allegheny Tavern. They have an incredible "beer and spirits" list, to compliment a very well mixed menu of mostly German food. I never considered myself a fan of German food until I went there - now, I'm hooked! It's on Suissmon Street, on the North Side.