9 Regional Food Favorites That Are So Worth the Trip
While you might plan a trip revolving around a particular historic spot, epic event or swanky luxury hotel, let your taste buds lead you to your next destination.
View this post on InstagramStacking tacos on #NationalTacoDay 🍴🇲🇽 (@seatownjules) #🌮
A post shared by La Taqueria (@lataqueriasf) on
View this post on InstagramTacos! Tacos! Tacos! #lataqueriasf 🍴🇲🇽 📷: @viko82
A post shared by La Taqueria (@lataqueriasf) on
1. Mission-Style Burrito in San Francisco: You can find burritos all over America, but the ones found in California reign supreme, and that’s an opinion that’s backed up by data. Statistician Nate Silver and his site FiveThirtyEight went on a search for the best burrito in America. The honor went to La Taqueria in San Francisco’s Mission District. This accolade is apparent when you head there during lunchtime and see the massive (albeit fast-moving) line.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Melissa Arellano 💫 (@missmelissaarellano) on
2. Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles: If you’re in LA, you could go to a fancy-pants eatery where the odds are high you’ll see a celeb. But they’re not as tasty as this particular old-school hot spot. Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles serves up — you guessed it — chicken and waffles. While this combination has become a trendy option for many high-end restaurants, Roscoe’s makes a substantial, no frills, delicious version. And since it’s La La Land, they do get their fair share of visits from celebs like President Barack Obama, Snoop Dogg and David Beckham.
View this post on InstagramOh fuck yea. Black Seed Bagels. #bagels #nyc #nycbagels #blackseedbagels #blackseed #heaven
A post shared by Jake Sheehan (@jakedelaselva) on
3. Bagels in New York City: Every place has bagels, but not every place has bagels as good as those found in the Big Apple. There’s something about their bagels that can’t be beat. This topic has been the source of scientific exploration with culinary investigators attempting to pinpoint their awesome factor. It seems to have something to do with the resting of the dough and the boiling process.
View this post on InstagramNeed to brighten up this gloomy day? Stop by and visit us at #GenosSteaks! (📷: @camera._.cait)
A post shared by Geno's Steaks (@genossteaks) on
4. Cheesesteak in Philadelphia: There is a fierce battle in Philly about who serves up the very best cheesesteak, which — when you think about it — is a pretty good problem to have. There are two places that have been in a friendly feud over the title of “best cheesesteak” for decades: Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s. If you’re in Philly, you can decide for yourself, since the two are across the street from each other.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on
5. Beignets in New Orleans: When you arrive in New Orleans, you must run, not walk to the world-famous Café Du Monde (even Kim Kardashian knows what’s up). At this iconic café, they pour thick chicory coffee alongside their sugary puffs of deep-fried goodness. Be warned — you will be covered in powdered sugar, but the mess is totally worth it.
View this post on InstagramHands down best lobster roll evah.
A post shared by Josh (@jb_not_fletcher) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by New England Seafoodie (@neseafoodie) on
6. Lobster Roll in Maine: When you want a fresh, succulent and totes delish lobster roll, you don’t head to Red Lobster (even though Queen B backs ‘em); you head to Maine. Throughout the state, you can grab a seat at an oceanside eatery to dive into a caught-that-day lobster roll smothered in buttery goodness.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Retrock_FI© (@retrock_visual_delights) on
7. Key Lime Pie in the Florida Keys: You can go to almost any 24-hour roadside diner to get a slice of Key Lime Pie. But odds are, this neon green slice of gooey goodness will pale in comparison to the real deal found in the Florida Keys. A genuine slice of Key Lime Pie is created from the tiny key limes that grow in the area (not just any old lime you pick up at the market), and the most traditional version has a great big meringue topping.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Things To Do In Hawaii (@thingstodoinhawaii) on
8. Shave Ice in Hawaii: Ice might not sound like a nom-able treat, but in Hawaii, they totally transform this humble tasteless substance into a delicacy. The ice is flavored with guava, pineapple, coconut cream, mango and passion fruit, among others, and is often topped off with sweetened condensed milk (sometimes called a “snow cap”). Bonus: The weather and views you experience while indulging in a shave ice ain’t too shabby.
View this post on InstagramAhhhh, Maryland! :) #crab #crabcakes #maryland #dinner #seafood
A post shared by Joshua Budich (@jbudich) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Chesapeake Crab Cakes (@chesapeakecrabcakes) on
9. Crab Cakes in Maryland: All crab cakes aren’t created equal. There are many factors, but one of the biggies is the kind of crabs that they use. In Maryland, you can feast on crab cakes made from blue crab (particularly the Chesapeake blue crab), which are so worth the trip if you take your crab cakes seriously. The focus is on the crab, not a bunch of extra flavors — it’s the crab cake in its purest form.
Which food would you most like to travel to taste? Tell us @BritandCo!
(Featured photo via Getty)
