Alright my name is Melissa and I'm a good food junkie. I am known to travel obscene distances for decent chow, row out to commercial trawlers to negotiate for freshly bludgeoned fish, I've made my own cheese, and have travel hours twice a year to pick up truckbeds of produce from eastern Washington. In the spirit of what's your hometown famous for I thought I'd start another thread for the best food ever.

Here's the rules of the game.
1) Can't be Mama's cookin', has to be a place that is repeatable by someone else like at a restaurant, cafe, rest stop, bar, etc.

2) Must identify the food item and location.

3) Doesn't have to be super high quality food, or fancy but it can be if it's worth going to.

Best roadside homemade Ice cream with homemade waffle cone. Snowgoose Produce Conway, WA Stop at the sign that says Immodest Ice cream cones

Best french fries, unless there are two people don't order the large. Brocklesby's Port Angeles, WA

Best Giant Burger in the weirdest location ever. Fat Smitty's Discovery Bay, WA

Best Hotwings - Wingstop, South Academy Colorado Springs, CO. I had been there twice and the guy remembered my name and what I had ordered months earlier. The wings are awesome, the customer service is astounding. Cajun wings I still dream about. Don't order anything else on the menu besides wings. It's not worth it.

I'll start off with the best steak:

Ruth Chris Steakhouse
http://www.ruthschris.com/

The best steak that you'll ever have.

Best Jalepeno poppers: Der Wienerschnitzel

They're cheddary and the jalepenos are ground into the filling rather than in one giant piece. Perfect since I hate cream cheese. Not beneficial for your pt score or waist line!

Best chicken strips: ChickFilA Always fresh, hand breaded, whole breast pieces, and hot. Check out their honey mustard sauce. I have no idea why on earth but there is ANCHOVY in that sauce. Tastes good though.

Melissa, love the thread! A person after my own heart!

Best appetizer at a fine restaurant: Houston's Restaurant,Houston TX:
Smoked Salmon, "to die for" in my opinion.

Best place for lunch, dinner or just dessert "Cafe Latte" on Grand Ave., St. Paul MN, everything there is home made, fresh and soooo good. They make soups and stews, variety of fresh breads, bakery goods, best scones ever.Sandwich spreads, good healthy grain salads, fresh fruit.
Everything on the menu does not disappoint. Even their salad dressings are made from scratch.
On top of this, the best desserts and latte drinks.
The line is usually out the door every single day and night.


Best Wings: Billy's also on Grand Ave. St Paul MN.
Best Beef Tenderloin, "Capital Grill" Mpls. MN.

Best Ribs: Houston's Restaurant, Houston TX
Best Home made ice cream: Grand Old Creamery, Grand Ave, St Paul MN

Mmmm, this is making me hungry.

Best Italian - Lo Cascio Phoenix, AZ (Mom and Pop from Northern Italy) Amazing Chicken Marsala.

Best Pizza - Lou Malnatis, Suburbs of Chicago - Deep Dish at its finest. Also, Gino's East in Chicago.

Best Ribs - Carson's Ribs and Don and Charlies (Same Owners) - Chicago, Scottsdale, AZ

Best Chinese food - Mr. Chow - Los Angeles - No menu, simply amazing

Best Thai - Thai Elephant, Phoenix AZ (Best Pork Chops and Pad Thai)

Best Breakfast food - Matt's Big Breakfast - Phoenix, AZ (As seen on Diners Drive ins and Dives) huge portions and amazing tastes.

Best cupcakes - Sprinkles Los Angeles & Phoenix.

Best homestyle cooking - The Pantry - Colorado Springs, CO. Amazing Turkey and Gravy lunch.

Best quasi Italian/American/Pizza - Oreganos - Phoenix, AZ. Great Pizzas and salads. If you are ever here for spring training, expect to wait as it is favorite of the out of towners, but it is worth it.


So many more, but this is a good start...

Will has very expensive tastes!

 Quote: Jim Tompkins

Will has very expensive tastes!

He is right though. Ruth Chris makes a great steak. They also make amazing tuna. Happy hour is the key to not breaking the bank there.

 Quote: Melissa Thom

 Quote: Jim Tompkins

Will has very expensive tastes!

He is right though. Ruth Chris makes a great steak. They also make amazing tuna. Happy hour is the key to not breaking the bank there.

We must be the only two people who have had a bad experience at Ruths Chris... We were given a gift certicate a few years ago and it was one of the worst dining experiences we've ever had! Horribly, horribly slow service and two very mediocre steaks! I know it was a fluke because everything we hear is contrary to our experience.

 Quote: Barbara Schuler

 Quote: Melissa Thom

 Quote: Jim Tompkins

Will has very expensive tastes!

He is right though. Ruth Chris makes a great steak. They also make amazing tuna. Happy hour is the key to not breaking the bank there.

We must be the only two people who have had a bad experience at Ruths Chris... We were given a gift certicate a few years ago and it was one of the worst dining experiences we've ever had! Horribly, horribly slow service and two very mediocre steaks! I know it was a fluke because everything we hear is contrary to our experience.

+2, Barbara. Really disappointing experience at Ruth Chris.

Korean restaurant Huapei for hot and sour soup. Prepared by master chef Li from korea. Local to lansing,mi.Small,with old decor but very tasty meals.