If there is one thing travelers have in common, it is enjoying good food, 24/7. Granted, the term “good” can have different meanings across the spectrum of food connoisseurs. The following locations have a common theme; they are fun experiences, with food which will not disappoint. The food selections range across the culture of America. And there are no McDonald’s, Taco Bell, or Subway locations listed.

There are too many great food destinations to include in one document. No doubt favorite places you have come across in your travels are not listed. But maybe some of the below you have experienced. Be sure to keep a log of your personal preferences. And if you have not partaken of the listed establishments, be sure to add them to future itineraries as you continue your travels across this great land.

State/City                     Establishment Food Specialty                             

Alabama

Birmingham______ Niki’s West Southern cafeteria… try the banana pudding (3 miles to Civil Rights NMon)

Tuscaloosa_______Waysider Streak 0’ Lean

Tuskegee________ Blue Seas 2 Soul Food (near Tuskegee Institute NHS and Airmen NHS)

Alaska

Anchorage_______Hokes Quarter Grill Hoke Chicken

Anchorage_______Turnagin Arm Pit BBQ Boar Tide Sandwich (brisket + bacon)

Brooks Camp_____ Brooks Lodge Pork loin with mushrooms (in Katmai National Park)

Fairbanks________Big Daddy’s BBQ award winning barbeque

Kennecott_______ Kennecott Glacier Lodge excellent food at all meals

Kennecott_______ Meatza Wagon Salmon BLT (in Kennecott, in Wrangell - St. Elias NP)

Sitka___________ Ashmo’s Salmon Burger (a few blocks from Sitka NHP)

Sitka___________ Sitka Pel’Meni Russian Dumplings (potato or beef… near Sitka NHP)

American Samoa

Pago-Pago______Sadies by the Bay best restaurant on island

Arizona

Flagstaff________Satchmo’s Barbeque Sandwiches

Kayenta________ Amigo Cafe Navajo Taco… * top-100 restaurant in AZ (near Navajo NMon)

Kingman________Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner Hamburger and Fries (famous 1950’s diner on old Route 66)

Mesa__________ Mangos Cafe and Mexican Bakery Chimichangas

Seligman_______ The Roadkill Cafe - OK Saloon Cream Pies (on Historic Route 66… a definite stop)

Sierra Vista______ The German Cafe Reuben (near Coronado NMem)

Tuscon_________ El Charro Café Carne Seca

Tuscon_________ El Torero Restaurant Carne Seca

Tuscon_________ Gus Balon’s Cinnamon Roll

Tuscon_________ El Guero Canelo Sonoran Hot Dog

Arkansas

Hope___________Tailgaters Burger Company Hamburgers (3 blocks from Clinton Birthplace NHS)

Hot Springs______ McClard's Bbque Ribs and French Fries (iconic travel spot… near Hot Springs NP)

Lake Village______Rhoda's Famous Hot Tamales Tamales

Little Rock_______ The Root Cafe Pimento Burger (near Little Rock Central H/S NHS)

California

Dunsmuir_______ Yaks of the 5 Garlic Burger

Mammoth Lakes__ Mammoth Lakes Brewing Company Rootbeer (NPTC suggstion… near Devil’s Postpile NMon)

Oakland________ Fenton's Creamery Jersey Sauce (shakes)

Ocean Beach____ Hodad’s Bacon Cheeseburger (using a patty of bacon)

Pacifica________ Gorilla BBQ Three Meat Combo (seen on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives)

San Francisco____ Boudin Bakery Baguette Burger

San Jose________The Funny Farm Monte Cristo Reelo (as seen on Man vs. Food)

Tehachapi_______Redhouse BBQ Native BBQ dishes (near Chavez NMon)

Yucca Valley_____ John’s Place Fried Steak… comfort food (near Joshua Tree NP west entrance)

Colorado

Bailey____________ Coney Island Hot Dog Stand Coney Island

Denver___________ Cherry Cricket Cricket Burger

Denver___________ Duffeyroll Cafe Elegant Cinnamon Rolls

Grand Junction_____ Enstron’s Chocolate Almond Butter Toffee (near Colorado NMon)

Johnson’s Corner___ Johnson’s Corner Truck Stop Cinnamon Roll (famous food item… on way to Rocky Mtn NP)               

Connecticut

Danbury_________Karl Ehmer Summer Sausage Sandwich

Hartford_________ Polish National Home Polish Dinner (get the dumplings)                    

Meredin_________ Ted’s Steamed Cheeseburger

Delaware

Dover___________ Countrie Eatery Scrapple, etc.

Hockessin________ Woodside Farm Creamery Ice Cream

Middletown_______ Marlena’s Deli Chicken Shawarma

Wilmington_______ Mrs. Robinos every Italian dish (near First State NHP)  

Florida

Key West_________ Blue Heaven Pancakes

Key West_________ Louie's Backyard Key Lime Pie (where else to get real Key Lime Pie?)

Pensacola________ Peg Leg Pete’s Grilled fish and oysters (next to Fort Pickens of Gulf Shores NS)

St Augustine______ Catch 27 Rustic Fish (fresh catch of the day)

St Augustine______ Schooner's Seafood House Perloo

Georgia

Atlanta___________Bobby and June's Kountry Kitchen Streak O'lean

Atlanta___________The Varsity Dixie Dogs and Shakes

Macon___________ Famous Mike’s Hamburgers and Brisket (5 minutes from Ocmulgee Mounds NHP)

Savannah________ Zunzi’s Meat Sandwiches

Tucker___________ Mathew’s Cafeteria the entire cafe line (since 1955… many awards)

Guam

Hagatna__________Meskla Chamoru Fusion Bistro Any local Chamoru dish

Hawaii

Hilo______________Kuhio Grille One-Pound LauLau (40 minutes to Volcanoes NP)

Honolulu__________Aloha Kitchen Souffle Pancakes

Honolulu__________Dukes and Kimos Hula Pie (landmark food item in Hawaii)

Honolulu__________Leonard’s Bakery Malasadas (best Portuguese fried dough)

Kahului, Maui______ Brigit & Bernard’s Garden Cafe Zueri Gschnetzlets (near Maui airport)

Kona____________ Nephi’s Smokehouse Kalbi (minutes from the three National Park sites on west side of island)

Maui____________ Mama’s Fish House Fish

Idaho

Idaho Falls________ Arugula Deli Chicken Patacone

Lewiston__________Waffles N More Waffles (near Nez Perce NHP)

Sandpoint_________Dub’s Drive-in Huckleberry Sundaes

Illinois

Chicago__________ Al’s Italian Beef Italian Roast Beef Sandwich

Chicago__________ Old Fashioned Donuts Apple Fritter

Chicago__________ Superdawg Drive-in Hot Dogs

Springfield_________Cozy Dog Drive In Cozy Dog (invented corn dog on a stick)

Springfield_________D&J Café Horseshoe (near Lincoln Home NHS)

Springfield_________Ritz's Café Horseshoe (near Lincoln Home NHS)

Wilmette__________Original Pancake House Pancakes

Indiana

Fort Wayne________ FW's Famous Coney Island Dog Coney Dog

Indianapolis_______ St. Elmos Shrimp Cocktail (and steaks)

Indianapolis_______ Shapiro’s Delicatessen Deli Sandwiches (a Diners, Drive-in, and Dives location)

Merrillville_________ Sophi’s Famous Pancakes Pancakes and Blintzes (25 minutes from Indiana Dunes NP)

Porter____________Wagner’s Ribs St. Louis-style Ribs (NPTC suggestion… near Indiana Dunes NP)

Iowa

Atlantic___________Farmer's Kitchen Sour Cream Raisin Pie

Davenport________ Machine Shed Pork Chops and Cinnamon Rolls (Travel Channel - best breakfast)

Des Moines________Smokey D’s BBQ any of their barbeque items

Des Moines________Zombie Burger + Drink Lab Hamburger

Sioux City_________ Palmer Candy Shop Bing Candy

Kansas

Cottonwood Falls____Grand Central Hotel and Grill Steaks (6 miles from Tallgrass Prairie NPres)

Salina____________ Cozy Inn Hamburgers

Topeka___________ Lonnie Q's Bbque Barbeque (near Brown vs Board of Education NHS)

Kentucky

Hodgenville________ Joel Ray’s Lincoln Jamboree the Family-style dinners

Horse Cave________ Farmwald’s Restaurant Italian Meatball Supreme (on I-65, 10 miles from Mammoth Cave NP)

Lexington__________Red State BBQ Double-Smoked Brisket

Louisville__________ Brown Hotel Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich

Louisville__________ Homemade IC and Pie Kitchen Red Velvet Cake (and all pies and cakes)

Louisville__________ Mark’s Feed Store Burgoo

Louisiana

Baton Rouge_______ Jerry Lee's Kwik Stop Boudin Sausage Balls

Natchitoches_______Lasoyne's Meat Pie Restaurant Louisiana Meat Pie

New Orleans_______ Cafe du Monde Beignets

New Orleans_______ Central Grocery Muffaletta

New Orleans_______ Mother’s Cafeteria Debris

Maine

Bar Harbor________ Thirsty Whale Tavern Blackened Fish and Chips

Kennebunkport_____The Landing Store Whoopie Pie (unofficial state dessert of Maine)

Kittery____________Bob’s Clam Hut Fresh Fish and Fish Rolls

Portland__________ Colucci's Hilltop Superette Real Italian (sandwich)

Maryland

Baltimore_________ Faidleys Crab Cake

Baltimore_________ Chap’s Pit Beef Sandwiches

Baltimore_________ Vaccaro’s Italian Bakery Amaretti Cookies

Cambridge________Cindy’s Kitchen Shepard’s Pie… “Cindy’s Way” (near Harriet Tubman UGRR National Historical Park)

Glen Burnie________ Seaside Restaurant and Crab Crab Feast

Sharpsburg________Nutters Ice Cream Ice Cream (down the street from Antietam NB)

Massachusetts

Boston___________ Union Oyster House Bivalves (oldest continuously operated restaurant in the country)

Brookline__________Cutty’s Bbque Ranch Fried Chicken (seen on Triple D… minutes from JFK home)

Salem____________The Lobster Shanty Bbque Sandwich (as well as seafood… near Salem Maritime NHS)

Saugus___________ Kane's Donuts Cinnamon-frosted Coffee Roll (and donuts… * only blocks from Saugus NHS)

Somerville_________ R.F. O’Sullivan & Son Hamburger

Springfield_________Nosh Restaurant and Cafe Roast Beef Sandwich, Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake (1/2-mile to Springfield NHS)

Michigan

Houghton_________ Chicago Beefs Chicago Beef San”g”wich… Italian Beef (near Keweenaw NHP)

Munising__________ Miner’s Pasty Kitchen Pasty (at western entrance to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore)

Traverse City_______ Cousin Jenny's Gourmet Cornish Pasty

Minnesota

Duluth____________ Hell's Kitchen Mahnomin Porridge

Pipestone__________Lange's Café Sour Cream Raisen Pie

Two Harbors________Betty's Pies Pasty and Pie Shake (banana cream)

Mississippi

Jackson___________Elite Restaurant Chess Pie

Jackson___________Two Sisters Kitchen Banana Pudding

Natchez___________Slick Rick’s Foods Burger of the Month (5 minutes from Natchez NHP and the Trace Parkway)

Tupelo____________ Neon Pig The Smash Burger

Vicksburg__________Solley's Hot Tamales Tamales

Missouri

Kansas City________ Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que Barbeque

Kansas City________ Stroud’s Pan-fried chicken dinner                                          

St. Louis___________ Ted Drews Frozen Custard a “Concrete”      (on historic route US 66)

St. Louis___________ Gus’ Pretzel Shop Pretzels

St. Louis___________ Park Avenue Coffee Shop Gooey Butter Cake

Sikeston___________Lambert’s Cafe Rolls (thrown across the restaurant)                         

Montana

Billings____________Stella’s Kitchen and Bakery Pancakes, Cinnamon Roll

Butte_____________ Pork Chop John's Pork Chop Sandwich

Livingston__________Mint Bar and Grill The Cowboy Burger

Nebraska

Scottsbluff_________ Gering Bakery Cabbage Burger (near Scottsbluff NMon)

Scottsbluff_________ Taco Town Plains Mexican

Nevada

Boulder City________ Fox Smokehouse Bbque Sloppy Fox… * Traver’s Choice 2022 (near Lake Mead NRA)

Reno_____________ Louis’ Basque Corner Basque Dinner

New Hampshire

Sugar Hill__________ Polly’s Pancake Parlor Maple Hurricane Sauce

New Jersey

Hackensack________ B&W Bakery Crumb Cake

Paterson___________Libby’s Lunch Deep Fried Dog (near Paterson Great Falls NHP)

Rocky Hill___________Rocky Hill Inn and Tavern Fried Green Tomato Burger (seen on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives)

Vincentown_________Vincentown Diner Mile High Meatloaf (since 1953… seen on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives)

West Orange________Jimmy Buff’s Italian Hot Dogs Hot Dogs (around the corner from Edison NHS)

New Mexico

Albuquerque_______ Frontier Restaurant Huevos Rancheros

El Rito_____________El Farolito Frito Pie

Las Cruces_________ Las Trancas Sopaipillas

Sante Fe___________Plaza Café Sopaipillas

Sante Fe___________Five and Dime Store Frito Pie

Silver City__________Blake’s Lotaburger “New Mexico Style” LOTA Burger (near Gila Cliff Dwellings NMon)

New York

Buffalo____________Parkside Candy Candy (Sponge Candy and Charlie Chaplin)

New York City_______ Katz’s Delicatessen Pastrami on Rye

New York City_______ Shake Shack Hamburger

Rochester__________Nick Tahou Hots Garbage Plate

Sea Breeze_________ Don’s Original White Hots

Utica_____________ Kookies Q & Creamery 32 oz milk shakes

West Seneca________Schwabi’s Beef on Weck

North Carolina

Buxton____________ Orange Blossom Cafe Apple Fritter (near Cape Hatteras lighthouse)

Cary______________Once in a Blue Moon Cafe Chess Pie

Chapel Hill_________ Mama Dip’s Kitchen Chicken with Dumplings

Cherokee__________ Peter’s Pancakes and Waffles Pancakes and waffles, of course (US 441 at Great Smokey NP entrance)

Greensboro________ Stamey’s Barbequed Cole Slaw

Hendersonville ______ Mike’s on Main Old Fashioned Soda Shop (4 miles from Carl Sandburg NHS)

Lexington__________ Bar-B-Q Center Lexington Barbeque

Morehead City_______Sanitary Fish Market & Restaurant Bluefish, Flounder, and famous Hush Puppies (near Cape Lookout NS… seen on Triple D)

North Dakota

Fargo______________BernBaum’s Blintzes

Ohio

Cleveland___________Seti’s Polish Boys Polish Boy

Cincinnati___________Arnold’s Bar and Grill Greek Spaghetti (150+ years old… near Taft NHS)

Cincinnati___________Camp Washington Chili 5-way Chili

Cuyahoga Falls_______Blue Door Cafe and Bakery any brunch item (near Cuyahoga Valley NP)

Girard______________Jib Jab Hot Dog Shoppe Hot Dogs (since 1946)

North Canton________ Johnnies Bakery Blueberry Fritter (near First Ladies NHS)

Springfield__________ Schuler’s Bakery Flavored Donuts

Oklahoma

El Reno____________ Johnnie’s Grill Onion-fried Hamburger

Meers_____________ Meers Store and Restaurant Bbque, and the Meers Burger

Shawnee___________ Hamburger King Hamburgers

Oregon

Cannon Beach_______ Ecola Seafoods Market Salmon

Portland____________ Halibut's Clam Chowder (near Ft Vancouver NHS)

Portland____________ Voodoo Doughnut Doughnuts (near Ft Vancouver NHS)

Seaside____________ Norma’s Ocean Diner Crab Louis and Clam Chowder

Yachats____________ Green Salmon Tumbling Triple Berry Toast

Pennsylvania

Clearfield___________ Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub Hamburger

Frackville____________Dutch Kitchen Jewish Apple Cake

Johnstown__________ Coney Island Hotdogs Coney Island (near Johnstown Flood NMem)

Laughlintown________ Original Pie Shoppe any bakery item

Philadelphia_________ Jim’s Steaks Philly Cheesesteak

Philadelphia_________ Tony Lukes Roast Pork & Brocolli Rabe

Pittsburgh___________Essie’s Original Hot Dog Shop French Fries

Pittsburgh___________Primanti Brothers The Primanti Sandwich

Saint Peters Village____ St. Peters Bakery Black Gran Torte, and bars (3 miles from Hopewell Furnace NHS)

Scranton____________Glide Diner Porketta (near Steamtown NHP)

Puerto Rico

Rhode Island

Middletown__________Flo’s Clam Shack Stuffie

Providence__________ Angelo’s Angelo’s Meatballs (original from 1924)… Reader’s Choice every year

Providence__________ Olneyville New York System New York System (weiners)

Tiverton_____________Evelyn’s Drive Inn Clam Chowder

South Carolina

Beaufort____________ Dockside Restaurant Frogmore Stew (near Reconstruction Era NHP)

Beaufort____________ Fishcamp on 11th Street Crab Soup (NPTC suggestion… near Reconstruction Era NHP)

Charleston__________ Bessingers BBQ Barbeque (famous mustard-based bbque sauce)

Charleston__________ Husk Fried Chicken

Colombia___________ Little Pig Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwich (near Congaree National Park)

Mt Pleasant__________ Gullah Cuisine Perloo

Mt. Pleasant__________ H&R Sweet Shop Lima Beans (w/ pork)

Spartanburg__________The Beacon Drive-In Chili-Cheese A-Plenty Burger (since 1946… near Cowpens NB)

South Dakota

Custer_____________ Bulgin’ Bull Chislic Buffalo Bites

Pierre______________ Cattleman’s Steakhouse Myril’s Prime Rib

Rapid City___________Delmonico Grill Steak

Rapid City___________Juniper Salmon

Tennessee

Chattanooga_________The City Cafe Any of their wonderful cakes or cheesecakes

Gatlinburg___________ Pancake Pantry Pancakes, Crepes (near Great Smokey Mtns NP)

Germantown_________ Germantown Commissary Barbeque Ribs

Memphis____________ Corky’s BBQ Barbeque

Memphis____________ Leonard’s Pit Barbeque Barbeque Pork Sandwich

Memphis____________ Marlow’s Ribs Bbque Ribs (a Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives location)

Nashville_____________Pancake Pantry Pancakes (Nashville iconic restaurant)

Nashville____________ The Loveless Café Biscuits (iconic travel stop… near start of Natchez Trace Parkway)

Nashville_____________multiple locations “Meat and Three”

Texas

Amarillo_____________Golden Light Cafe Hamburger (wrapped in tortilla)

Driftwood____________The Salt Lick Barbeque (w/ Salt Lick sauce)

Johnson City_________ Hill Country Cupboard Chicken Fried Steak (near LBJ Ranch NHP)

Lexington____________Snow’s BBQ Pork Ribs, Brisket (opened only SATs, long line… best BBQ in the state)

West_______________ Village Bakery Kolache (old world danish)

Utah

Brigham City_________ Idle Isle Café Idleberry Pie

Moab______________ Jailhouse Cafe Eggs Benedict, Breakfast (best in Moab, in 1800’s courthouse)

Sandy______________Johanna's Kitchen Scone

Tropic______________ i.d.k. Barbeque Pulled Pork and baked beans

Vermont

Bridgewater__________Drewski’s on the River Pancakes

Windsor_____________Windsor Diner Old fashion diner (near St. Gaudens NHS)

Virgin Islands

Christiansted_________Cafe Fresco Quiche, Breakfast (near Buck Island Reef and Christiansted NHS)

St. Croix_____________Blues’ Backyard BBQ Barbeque Meats, Hamburger (near Salt River Bay NHP)

Virginia

Fredericksburg_______ Allman’s Bar-B-Que Pulled Pork Sandwich

Fredericksburg_______ Carl’s Frozen Custard Custard

Galax______________The Galax Smokehouse Banana Pudding

Marion_____________ Dip Dog Dip Dog

Natural Bridge________The Pink Cadillac Diner She-Crab Soup (near Blue Ridge Parkway)

New Market__________The Southern Kitchen Peanut Soup

Roanoke____________The Roanoker Restaurant Virginia Ham

Washington

Seattle______________ Piroshky Piroshky Piroshky (located in Pike Place Fish Market)

Seattle______________ Trophy Cupcake Any flavor of cupcake

Walla Walla__________ The Maple Counter Cafe Blueberry Granola French Toast (near Whitman Mission NHS)

Washington, D.C.

The District___________ Bub’s and Pop’s The Philly Special (made for Guy Fieri)

The District___________ Ben's Chili Bowl Half Smoke

The District___________ Copycat Asian Fusion

West Virginia

Huntington___________ Frostop Drive Inn Dixie Dog

Princeton____________ Dolly’s Diner Hoagie Plates and Lemon Lush

Webster Springs_______ Custard Stand Dixie Dog

Wisconsin

Bayfield______________Maggie's Whitefish

Kenosha_____________ Frank’s Diner The “Garbage Plate” (breakfast)

Racine______________ Bendtsen’s Bakery Kringles

Wyoming

Jackson_____________ Gum Barrel Restaurant Wild Game Sampler (NPTC suggestion… near Grand Teton NP)

Shoshoni_____________ Yellowstone Drug Store Huckleberry Milk Shake