Your Favorite Local Restaurants

**The Chef** · 08-15-2009, 02:51 PM

Re: Your Favorite Local Restaurants

So much for no chains as you listed one right away and its not just a Mid-Atlantic chain either as we have 3 of them here in Oregon. If I had to chose one it would be Amalfis Pizza here in Portland as it has some of the best pizza Ive ever had and Ive been going there since I was a kid.

**ProfessaPackMan** · 08-15-2009, 04:23 PM

Re: Your Favorite Local Restaurants

Ben's Chill Bowl on U Street in Northwest DC. Best Chilli by FAR in this entire area and should be a must go whenever you're visiting the area.

**The GIGGAS** · 08-15-2009, 06:24 PM

Re: Your Favorite Local Restaurants

Originally posted by The Chef

So much for no chains as you listed one right away and its not just a Mid-Atlantic chain either as we have 3 of them here in Oregon. If I had to chose one it would be Amalfis Pizza here in Portland as it has some of the best pizza Ive ever had and Ive been going there since I was a kid.

I didn't know Five Guys was in Oregon, I thought they were from Pennsylvania to Virginia. News to me. As for the others, the only one that has a location that's not VA is Cabo Fish Taco, with one in Charlotte, I believe.

That's me showing my ignorance. Great food, tho.

**Cebby** · 08-15-2009, 06:34 PM

Re: Your Favorite Local Restaurants

Originally posted by The GIGGAS

I didn't know Five Guys was in Oregon, I thought they were from Pennsylvania to Virginia. News to me. As for the others, the only one that has a location that's not VA is Cabo Fish Taco, with one in Charlotte, I believe.

That's me showing my ignorance. Great food, tho.

To be fair, 5 Guys may have had some of the most rapid expansion ever seen. They went from DC area to mid Atlantic to national in like 3-5 years. I think it was about four years from when they opened the first one in Western Maryland to opening one in Auburn.

**Pete1210** · 08-15-2009, 06:44 PM

Re: Your Favorite Local Restaurants

Piccolos in Bellmore, NY. Great, reasonably priced Italian restaurant that has been there at least 25 years.

Adams Rib, Massapequa Park, NY. Primarily takeout, but they have a few tables to eat in.

Umbertos, New Hyde Park, NY. This is the original Umbertos that has opened some franchise pizza places that aren't nearly as good. They make the best sicilian pizza I ever tasted.

**Buckeyes_Doc** · 08-15-2009, 07:01 PM

Re: Your Favorite Local Restaurants

Skyline Chili in Cincinnati I love it, it's the first thing I get everytime I go back home.

**mkharsh33** · 08-15-2009, 07:09 PM

Re: Your Favorite Local Restaurants

Originally posted by lilbently

Skyline Chili in Cincinnati I love it, it's the first thing I get everytime I go back home.

i concur...i went to college in cincy - ate at the "original" skyline on price hill (has since been torn down and replaced). best chili you'll ever eat in your life, as well as the cheese coneys. also, loved it when cincy would play xavier in the crosstown shootout and they lowered their food prices...

**JohnnytheSkin** · 08-15-2009, 08:41 PM

Re: Your Favorite Local Restaurants

For the Twin Cities:

The Wienery, Minneapolis: Fantastic dogs, sausages, burgers, you name it. Owned by a guy and his wife, everything is cooked to order, fresh, and high quality (with straight from Chicago dogs and roast beef). The order-by-number of potatoes fry system is great, and the dive atmosphere is unbeatable.

D'Amico and Sons, various locations around the Twin Cities (and one or two in Florida, I believe: A cafe' style Italian place, with fresh, organic, and locally grown ingredients. They have a bottomless glass of Folonari house wine (Chianti and Pinot Grigio), a plate of the day for $9.95, fantastic deli salads made daily, and everything is made to order from short order cooks.

King & I Thai, Minneapolis: The best Thai food in the Cities...PERIOD! Great ambience, good prices for the food you get, and the cocktails are to die for.

Tanpopo Noodle Shop, Saint Paul: Great soba and udon for the cold Minnesota winter, and teishoku and daily sushi specials if you don't want a soup. Small, tucked in across from the Saint Paul Farmer's Market location, with minimal decor...just good, solid, authentic, Japanese food.

Little Szechuan, Saint Paul: Best Chinese food in the Cities. If you want your ****ty Americanized crap (i.e. Sesame Chicken, etc) it's there, but so is real Kung Pao, beef tripe, Cumin Lamb, true Dan Dan Noodles, and bona fide true Szechuan cuisine (they have two menus, one for "regular" Chinese food, and one that's all REAL Chinese). My favorite place for lunch, where you go in, get a special with soup and egg roll, and are out the door for ten bucks.

This topic reminds me of one of my favorite web sites as well...

http://www.yelp.com/

Real reviews by real people. It's been an invaluable resource for my wife and I.

**TarHeelMan** · 08-15-2009, 10:56 PM

Re: Your Favorite Local Restaurants

Originally posted by Pete1210

Umbertos, New Hyde Park, NY. This is the original Umbertos that has opened some franchise pizza places that aren't nearly as good. They make the best sicilian pizza I ever tasted.

I thought the original Umberto's was in Little Italy? I know that one as "Umberto's Clam House", so maybe the one in Long Island is different.

For me around here, I've always liked the Carolina Ale House, to just hang out and eat wings. There's a little greasy burger joint at a couple locations around town, called Snoopy's, that I love. Although I can't really classify it as a restaurant; it's more of a burger/dog stand than anything else.

**Cusefan** · 08-15-2009, 11:23 PM

Re: Your Favorite Local Restaurants

I got a Few in Syracuse

The Varsity up at Syracuse University. Dollar Pizza Slices and Beer, Pretty much a staple if you go to any SU game.

Stella's Diner Not a typical Diner, takes about 45 minutes to get a seat. Great food and huge portions.

Dinosaur BBQ I have been to BBQ Joints in Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, Kansas, and pretty much anywhere else known for BBQ and this place is the Best. I knows its crazy to think that such a good BBQ restaurant could be in the Middle of NY but its true. If you ever happen to pass through NY, you owe it to your belly to go to this place, just try to avoid dinner time, you will wait for awhile

**mkharsh33** · 08-16-2009, 12:00 AM

Re: Your Favorite Local Restaurants

if you're ever in sarasota, FL you've got to eat at Troyers Amish Restaurant (Bahia Vista Dr. - i think). my wife and i take our kids there (it's about an hour's drive for us) - but the food is awesome. home cooked - Amish buffet.

We went down to Long Boat Key to the beach this week and then headed over there for supper.

**Happy29** · 08-16-2009, 12:19 AM

Re: Your Favorite Local Restaurants

Being from the Bayou there is a returaunt called The Lighthouse thats serves great seafood. But their speacilality is Seafood Gumbo, Fried Mullett, Crab Omlett, and Fried Crawfish Tails, amung many others but I could eat Mullett everyday if I had it.

**DXZeke** · 08-16-2009, 12:59 AM

Re: Your Favorite Local Restaurants

Here in Raleigh, NC.

Budget Range:

Fuji Express in Apex (freshly made sushi, hibachi, teriyaki, etc)

Cook-Out (a growing NC chain of fast food with dirt cheap milkshakes offering over 30 different kinds)

Carolina Ale House (full menu until 2am - from 5pm-10pm they have a 4 star chef that cooks specials for the day).

Bojangles (Breakfast biscuits all day, cajun style chicken)

Stupid Expensive:

Ruth Chris Steakhouse (per person you are looking at around 30-50 bucks depending on the cut)

55 · 08-16-2009, 03:38 AM

Re: Your Favorite Local Restaurants

Melt: Bar & Grilled

It is literally a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich joint. It may not sound like much, but it will blow you away with how good it is and it is always packed from open to close and for a good reason.

Check out the menu, you won't believe it:

http://www.meltbarandgrilled.com/grilledcheese2.html

They have something for everyone on the menu. All sandwiches are served on real Texas Toast too! Their signature sandwich is called the Parmageddon and it has a giant potato and cheese perogie on it as well as fresh napa valley vodka kraut, sauteed onions and fresh cheddar cheese. They also have the best chili I have ever had.

Anyone from the Cleveland area that hasn't been here to eat yet needs to do so right away. I'm serious. PM me and I'll even meet you there and buy you lunch, I only live three minutes away from there. They have a great selection of imported and microbrewed beer on tap as well.

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