When I put the Trotter on the road one of my foremost goals is finding the best in local cuisine wherever I go ,not the fancy special occasion places or chains but the places where you have to stand in line because they make something so good. If they have cold cheap beer and are a real dive all the better!
I'll offer a few of my own spots.
Hometown favorites include:
Jim's Rib Heaven (Rock Island, Il) - great ribs and BBQ , bring
your own beer
Maid Rite (Quad city area) - loose ground beef sandwiches
a midwest favorite
Whitey's Ice Cream (Quad City area)- killer malts/shakes
their own icecream
In the USA:
Keys Fisheries (Marathon,Fl) Cheap, waterfront, simple good
seafood
Pierces BBQ (Williamsburg, Va) opens at 10:00a.m. and you
still wait in line
Nightengale Supper Club (Sturgeon Bay, Wi) Prime Rib they
sell 40,000 pounds a year of it
You are absolutely right, 63 AIR!!! Maid Rite is awesome!!!!!
They are just one of the things I miss from that area!! When ever
I'm in the area, t5hat's the first place I go!!
Wish we could import them here !!!
Steve
I am with you, 63air! I always plan our trips around FOOD!
The Bon Ton cafe in La Grange, TX (near Austin) was great, with WONDERFUL bread. I don't know if they are still open, though--anyone know?
The Kerby Lane Cafe in Austin (a couple locations) has AMAZING breakfast food (their pancake selection is great--gingerbread pancakes bigger than your plate are their specialty) for reasonable prices.
The Bluebonnet Cafe in Marble Falls, Texas is known for their pie and is a real Texas tradition.
Leon's in Pine Bluff, Arkansas (exit 39 off I-530) has great catfish and shrimp, with all-you-can-eat hushpuppies with cheese sauce.
McClard's BBQ in Hot Springs, Arkansas is where Clinton used to eat all the time, and apparently their BBQ is pretty darn good (I have never been but have heard lots of good things). They have developed some more healthful fare since Clinton lost weight.
Bubba's BBQ has yummy BBQ in Ennis, Texas, off I-45. I love their billboards - one says, "You never sausage a place!"
Just a few for now...
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"Despite the cost of living, have you noticed how popular it remains?"
1984 310 Limited Motor Home "The Rockin' A"
1974 31' Excella (soon-to-be carhauler)
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
Highway 50 between Sacramento and So. Lake tahoe (about 20 miles east of Placerville) is St. Pauli Inn. It is a German cruisine restaurant that has been a local and tourist favorite many years. The rapids of the American River that it's outdoor deck 'hangs' out near is spectacular. And yes they do feature St. Pauli Girl beer.
Neil and Lynn
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Neil and Lynn Holman
FreshAir #12407
When in St. Pete's Beach area last month, we tried The Wharf in Pass-a-Grille. It's been there forever, the food was v. decent when we were there (try the smoked fish dip), and the drinks were obscenely inexpensive. Atmosphere was great - loud and definitely not pretentious.
They were started in Jackson Hole, WY about 20 years ago by a 'New Yawka' and the original shop is still there, but they have expanded into Oregon in a big way.....Hood River, The Dalles, Bend, Portland, Redmond, Madras.
Still owned by the same guys and still make a great sub. They bake their own bread every day in each shop and all of the subs come hot off the grill. If ou're in the area.....stop by and try one (or two) .
If you are passing through East TN, stop off in Kingston and eat at Mama Mia's Restaurant and Pizzaria. Little german lady (82yrs old) makes her own pizza crust, sauce, and sausage. Also makes the best roast beef sandwich you have ever eaten'. She slow cooks the roast all night and makes her own french and rye bread. Try one "Italian Style". It comes with Swiss cheese, mayo or mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion, and Italian dressing! Yummy!
Also just down the road, for a great homemade hamburger try Bob's Burgers. Made with fresh hamburger meat!
A little further up in the Smokies, Bennetts BBQ and dont forget to try the fried pickles!
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John and Tammy Adams
AIR # 15902
Mineral Point, WI -- The Pointer Cafe -- (US 151 Business Route) -- they feature some of the best regional taste treats, and their Cornish Pasty is excellent!
Platteville, WI -- Eds Cafe -- (WI 80 and old US 151) -- An old-fashioned diner with home-made food with daily specials for breakfast, lunch and dinner -- just had breakfast there this morning in fact.!
Platteville, WI -- Steve's Pizza -- (North 4th Street) -- pizza with a Greek Twist -- a regular stop for me anytime I am in SW WI -- in fact, I stopped there for Pizza on Sunday evening!
Aldeo, IL -- Tastee-Freez -- (on IL 17) -- a cafe with good food and excellent ice cream -- a little off of the beaten path, but a place that I try to visit as often as possible.
Decatur, IL -- Paul's Lakeside Confectionary -- (on 22nd St. and Cantrel) -- an 85 year tradition in the neighborhood -- exellent food, specializing in home-made chili -- my regular destination when I don't want to cook a meal after work.
Decatur, IL -- Del Carmens East -- (on 22nd St) -- pizza like none that I have ever experienced outside of Decatur -- the sauce has a secret family recipe and it is delicious!
Arcola, IL -- The Dutch Kitchen -- (on Main St) -- excellent cafe food with an emphasis on Pennsylvania Dutch specialties including Dutch Sausages as well as Shoo-Fly Pie -- I stop whenever passing by Arcola on I-57 or US-45.
Jonesboro, IL -- Dixie Bar-B-Que -- (on IL 146 just West of the Square) -- some of the best hickory-smoked pork Bar-B-Que with a family secret home-made Bar-B-Que sauce that is terriffic!
Hays, KS -- The Pheasant Run -- (on Vine Street) -- a wonderful cafe that serves breakfast and lunch with great food -- featuring Horse Shoe sandwiches that equal any served in the Springfield, IL region.
Kevin Allen
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Kevin D. Allen WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC/Free Wheelers #6359 AIR #827
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400 VORTEC/4.11 Differentials)
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (8.2 Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)
Madison WI - Michaels Frozen Custard
Raleigh NC - Sullivans
Boise ID - Mai Thai
Boise ID - Mortimers
Chicago - Sing Ha
Jacksonville FL - Trents
NO - The Original Copeland's
Popes Creek MD - Crab Shack
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FordTruck
2005 F-150 5.4L Supercab 4X4 (Betsy 3)
2008 Safari 27FB SE (Arvin as in RV'ing)
2006 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic