Must-Eat, Can't Miss Restaurants/Diners/Dives

[Jackdog]

Re: Must-Eat, Can't Miss Restaurants/Diners/Dives

Columbus, OH

Starliner Diner - not been there yet but have heard great things about it.

Mellow Mushroom - this is a chain, and if it's like I think it is, then it's just marginal pizza.

Rofini's Pizza - never heard of this place, want to go but Westerville is far away.

Carfagna's Kitchen - co-sign, this place is awesome.

El Vaquero - co-sign again. Really good Mexican with copious amounts of food and chips. I recommend the #141, chicken in ranchero sauce with cheese, rice and refried beans with tortillas to place it all on. Yummy.

Tommy's Pizza - hands down my favorite pizza in Columbus. And a bonus, their Dublin location delivers to where I live.



ODogg, I have been to Schmidts and Thurmans, still need to try the Ohio Deli. Schmidts is just incredible if you like German food. Just about anything on the menu is great, make sure to get the sauerkraut balls for an appetizer. As for Thurmans, bring your appetite. Even the smallest burgers are huge. Here's a pic I found (but did not take) of one of their sandwiches:



Also, you want a tip for a dive that's got great burgers? Try Johnnie's Tavern aka Johnnie's on the tracks, located on Trabue Road. It's called that because it's literally next to railroad tracks. You walk in and the place is a ****-hole but trust me their burgers are incredible. I go there at least once a month and it would be more often if I didn't live so far away.

I got to add two.
One for pizza. Rubino's in Bexley http://rubinos5.food.officelive.com/default.aspx
One for Burgers. The Beanie Burger at the Gahanna Grill. http://www.gahannagrill.com/Files/Full_Menu.pdf

I clogged my arteries at both places when I lived in C-bus.

[jeremym480]

Re: Must-Eat, Can't Miss Restaurants/Diners/Dives

Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston, MO
The portions are huge and if you are not careful you will get popped in the head with a roll.

I love Lambert's. I've been to the one in Foley, AL plenty of times. It's very good especially if you like old-fashion county cooking. Unlimited fried okra, black-eyed peas and hot rolls FTW.

http://www.throwedrolls.com/default.asp

Other places I suggest:
The Fish House- Pensacola, FL.

http://fishhouse.goodgrits.com/menus-1

My favorite there are the Grits-a-Ya Ya. Although, everything that I've tried there is very good.

Spoiler

The Scenic 90 Cafe- Pensacola, FL.

http://www.scenic90cafe.com/

Easily the best pancakes I have ever had. If you're ever in the area then you must stop in and try them. The Blueberry Pancakes are off the chain.


Moe's Orginal BBQ- Birmingham, AL.

http://www.moesoriginalbbq.com/

I've only ate there once. However, I sample a little bit off of some odnf my friends plates and everything I tasted (Pulled Pork Sandwich, Ribs, Wings) was great. The one thing that I say you must try is the Redneck Nachos

Spoiler

The Loveless Cafe- Nashville, TN.

http://www.lovelesscafe.com/

This cafe is the King of Country Breakfast as far as I'm concerned. Just awesome, awesome food. It also as an online store. I would suggest you order some biscuit mix and preserves. I promise you won't be disappointed.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Must-Eat, Can't Miss Restaurants/Diners/Dives

This might be the stupidest question I've ever asked but what is a "Hot Roll"? Am I over-analyzing it? Is it a warm piece of bread like I think it is? LOL.

[canes6812]

Re: Must-Eat, Can't Miss Restaurants/Diners/Dives

This might be the stupidest question I've ever asked but what is a "Hot Roll"? Am I over-analyzing it? Is it a warm piece of bread like I think it is? LOL.

basically yes. Lambert's will have someone walk around with a tray and when you stick your hand up they will throw you a roll. They also have several people walking around with buckets of free okra, corn, and green beans just to name a few.

[ODogg]

Re: Must-Eat, Can't Miss Restaurants/Diners/Dives

Thanks Jackdog, I'm going to see if my g/f wants to go to Gahanna Grill and get a Beanie Burger Thursday night.

[chilli311]

Re: Must-Eat, Can't Miss Restaurants/Diners/Dives

One place I forgot:

Macky's Shrimp Truck
On North Shore Oahu, it's just a little bus parked in front of a 7/11 that serves the best shrimp you'll ever taste (if you don't mind having to peel them yourself).

[The Gravy Train]

Re: Must-Eat, Can't Miss Restaurants/Diners/Dives

Zoey's is the best pizza I have ever had... and I've had a lot of pizza from all over the country. And, they're just as well-known for their "Zookie", which is a chocolate chip cookie served in a pizza pan and covered with ice cream and sundae toppings. Probably the best meal you can get in Iowa, and one of the best in the Midwest.

Some other places in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area (maybe if you're around for a Hawkeye game or pass through on I-80):

The Irish Democrat has some of the best burgers you can get, period, at very reasonable prices. And right across the street from it is... The Starlite Room, which is literally tied with it in terms of burger quality. The Starlite Room is a little more lowbrow, but just as good quality. Also, I know this is now becoming a semi-national chain, but Panchero's was created in Iowa City and to this date I have never had a better burrito than from Panchero's. Fresh pressed tortillas and the best queso sauce you'll ever have.

I'm on a vacation to Cedar Rapids and thought I'd try Zoey's thanks to you fine people. And good God that pizza is amazing! The best pizza I have ever had by far. Had the New York thin crust and Chicago deep dish. Both were incredible. They put so much cheese on the pizza, and it is so tasty.

I was a little surprised at how small the place was. Just a tiny room with 4 booths and I think 4 tables, but the food is outstanding.

Also tried the Zookie. Might be the best dessert I've ever dessert I've ever had as well.

I think I'm gonna try the Irish Democrat or Starlite Room tomarrow. And I gotta say, there are so many places to eat all around Cedar Rapids. It's a really awesome town.

[TheGamingChef]

Re: Must-Eat, Can't Miss Restaurants/Diners/Dives

I'm on a vacation to Cedar Rapids and thought I'd try Zoey's thanks to you fine people. And good God that pizza is amazing! The best pizza I have ever had by far. Had the New York thin crust and Chicago deep dish. Both were incredible. They put so much cheese on the pizza, and it is so tasty.

I was a little surprised at how small the place was. Just a tiny room with 4 booths and I think 4 tables, but the food is outstanding.

Also tried the Zookie. Might be the best dessert I've ever dessert I've ever had as well.

I think I'm gonna try the Irish Democrat or Starlite Room tomarrow. And I gotta say, there are so many places to eat all around Cedar Rapids. It's a really awesome town.

I forgot one more. If you're on the west side, hit up Leonardo's. Pretty good place, cool decor. Not as good as those other two options. You can't go wrong with either one.

Zoey's is a hidden national treasure

[RAZRr1275]

Re: Must-Eat, Can't Miss Restaurants/Diners/Dives

Omaha Nebraska

Big Mama's

http://www.bigmamaskitchen.com/page/1h0l9/Home.html

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: Must-Eat, Can't Miss Restaurants/Diners/Dives

So another well known place (but new to me) that I found in Saint Paul:

The Nook (Randolph and Hamline) - while not home to the ORIGINAL "juicy lucy" (a cheese stuffed burger), arguably home to the BEST "juicy lucy" (known as the "juicy nookie" here). While I ordered the Paul Molitor (stuffed with pepperjack) my wife and the regular and loved it. The cheese is just hot, gooey, and when you sop up the rest with the house cut fries, it's heaven. I also had a Triple B (bacon, barbecue, with smoked cheddar) and that was phenomenal. The fried green beans also come with some heavenly vinegar-sweet chili dipping sauce which is to die for. I went twice in three days last week and will probably hit them up again, and if not, surely their sister restaurant, Shamrock's, which is further east on Randolph.

[The Gravy Train]

Re: Must-Eat, Can't Miss Restaurants/Diners/Dives

I tried the Irish Democrat today in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The burger was good, but it wasn't anything special. Not really a must eat at place if you are ever in Cedar Rapids, but it was decent.

[Jackdog]

Re: Must-Eat, Can't Miss Restaurants/Diners/Dives

So another well known place (but new to me) that I found in Saint Paul:

The Nook (Randolph and Hamline) - while not home to the ORIGINAL "juicy lucy" (a cheese stuffed burger), arguably home to the BEST "juicy lucy" (known as the "juicy nookie" here). While I ordered the Paul Molitor (stuffed with pepperjack) my wife and the regular and loved it. The cheese is just hot, gooey, and when you sop up the rest with the house cut fries, it's heaven. I also had a Triple B (bacon, barbecue, with smoked cheddar) and that was phenomenal. The fried green beans also come with some heavenly vinegar-sweet chili dipping sauce which is to die for. I went twice in three days last week and will probably hit them up again, and if not, surely their sister restaurant, Shamrock's, which is further east on Randolph.

My son and I hit the Shamrock a couple of times a week. I go with the Nookie Supreme and couple of Ice cold Grain Belts. He loves the W 7th burger. Maybe we'll see ya there.

[Jackdog]

Re: Must-Eat, Can't Miss Restaurants/Diners/Dives

Thanks Jackdog, I'm going to see if my g/f wants to go to Gahanna Grill and get a Beanie Burger Thursday night.

Did you give it a try ODogg?

[randombrother]

Re: Must-Eat, Can't Miss Restaurants/Diners/Dives

Haven't tried any of the BBQs down in Time Square, but had Dinosaur BBQ when I was out at my sister's apartment in Rochester. Damn, damn good.

Dinosaur BBQ in Harlem(the good side), Easily as good of BBQ you will find in NYC. The one in Syracuse(the Original) is the best but the NYC location is still great.

My wife brings this home occasionally from the city. While the ribs are cooked right the flavor isn't all that too me. Not horrible but I'm not crazy about them.

Legal Sea Foods

WAAAAY over priced and nowhere near the quality you can get from local seafood joints IF you live anywhere near where they can get good seafood. I really don't understand how they stayed in business all these years. I first ate there back in 1991 or 2 in Boston and was totally unimpressed. Next day found a local spot LESS than half the price and extremely more tasty. Tried them again a few years ago and still wasn't impressed. There's one in Short Hills NJ, when I take the wife to the mall in a few days I'll try them this one last time. If they fail it's 3 strikes you're out. They seem like an expensive Red Lobster without that much of an improvement on the food.


NOW for my contribution. I'll start off slow, if you want the best hot wings ever to be made on the planet earth this IS the spot:

Pipper's Kilt: Bronx NY
You wont find better. Get a pitcher of beer, a couple of plates of wings, try to get one of the booth seats (only 3 next to the door) and have a good time. It's more like a sports bar.

[ODogg]

Re: Must-Eat, Can't Miss Restaurants/Diners/Dives

Jackdog - she vetoed the idea. We ended up going somewhere else. I still have the place in my wallet though and plan to try again next week.