Must-visit restaurants
We’re heading to Asheville today to spend some time at the Nature Center (they’re supposed to have a pretty cool collection of live butterflies) and walk around downtown. With a trip downtown, it’s a given that we will stop at The Chocolate Fetish for some overpriced (but fabulous) truffles.
During our travels over the years, I have begun to form a list in my head of places I must visit every time I’m in a particular city. There’s some type of magnetic pull that forces my car to drive to these establishments anytime I’m in town. Yeah, it’s kinda like a moth heading towards the hypnotic glow of the bug-zapper. There’s no denying these places will draw me in with their temptations…
- Asheville, NC – The Chocolate Fetish, as mentioned earlier.
- Elnora, IN (We actually go through here several times a year) – Graham Farms Cheese Store
- Charleston, SC area – Banana Cabanna (mmmm….buffalo shrimp) & Sticky Fingers (mmmm…ribs). I was going to add Bowen’s Island to the list, but it burned down last year. It was a sad day when I found that out. I’ll miss the wall of TVs.
- Evansville, IN – The Donut Bank. There are lots of other restaurants I enjoy eating at, but Donut Bank has kind of become the top place I must visit every time I’m in Evansville. Love their Tiger Tails!
- Johnson City, TN – Pals. Although I like Sammons tea better, everything else is better at Pals – and their tea is still quite good.
Well, that’s about it. There are lots of other places that are fabulous and I love visiting. These, however, are the establishments I associate with these towns. When we’re in that city, one of the first things I think is, “Ooh – this means I can go to _______.” I’m sure there are more to add to my list, but I can’t think of them right now. I did not include Steak N Shake because…well…it’s all over the place (except here). Ifit was just in one town, I’d definitely have this on the list.
So – what are your favorite places? What restaurants are on your must visit list when you go to certain towns?
This could be fun.
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Port townsend, Washington: Waterfront Pizza
Richmond, VA: Ukrop’s Grocery Store, home of the best salad bar in the world and my favorite breakfast cookies
Florence, OR: Mo’s seafood and BJ’s ice cream
Okay, here goes (deep breath):
Murray: Bad Bob’s (potato salad. I have been known to get a pint just for lunch.),Victor’s, Matt B’s, DQ (it has richer, thicker ice cream than others- I did a story on it in college) and the dear departed Log Cabin
Paducah: Flamingo Row
Evansville: The Black Buggy
Nashvile, Indianapolis: The Old Spaghetti Factory (technically falls under the chain category, but the Nashville and Indy ones have special memories)
Louisville: Burritos as Big as Your Head (This requires a drive-by only. If I actually went in and they sucked, I would be SO disappointed.)
Savannah: Spanky’s
Pigeon Forge: Pop’s Catfish Shack, The Old Mill
Ocracoke: Pony Island Restaurant (for Pony Potatoes), Howard’s Pub
Johnson City: Pal’s (for tea)
Kingsport: The Purple Cow
Bluff City Boondocks: Ridgewood
Chains that CANNOT be resisted: Buca di Beppo, The Cheesecake Factory, Bahama Breeze, Sticky Fingers, and Bruster’s (Ice cream that is THE BOMB!)
Re: Must-visit restaurants
Here’s some of mine…
San Diego, CA — In-N-Out (I know, it’s a west-coast chain, but since it’s not in the midwest, I’m counting it!)
Anderson, IN — The Nile
Evansville, IN — Shyler’s, GD Ritzy’s, Turoni’s
Sheridan, IN — The Red Onion (tenderloins the size of your head!)
Upland, IN — Ivanhoe’s
Westfield, IN — Jan’s Pizza
Sikeston, MO — Lambert’s Cafe
St. Louis, MO — McDonald’s on the riverboat (at least used to be, until it closed)
Cimarron, NM — Burrito Banquet, Simple Simon’s Pizza, St. James
Red River, NM — Texas Red’s
Dayton, OH — Sake
Re: Must-visit restaurants
Yeah, I meant to add Burrito Banquet and St. James. It slipped my mind, though.
Oh yeah…
And…
Anderson, IN — Zinszer’s Bakery & Cookies (mostly for the cookies!)
Lebanon, MO — Hillbilly Burger (a heart attack on a bun)
Re: Oh yeah…
Forgot about Hillbilly Burger too. How could I forget that?!?