Eating My Way Across the Northern US

Cafe Society
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Sorry, Just. I seem to be the world’s least competent linkmaker. To make sure you get some data, it’s about Arthur Bryant’s in Kansas City.

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Arthur Bryant’s legendary Kansas City BBQ started here and continues today!

This BBQ legend was founded in the early 1920’s, by Charlie Bryant, Arthur’s older brother. When Charlie died, Arthur took over and moved the BBQ restaurant to 18th and Brooklyn, just four blocks away from Municipal stadium, the home of the Kansas City Blues, followed by the Kansas City Athletics. Municipal Stadium was also the first home of the Kansas City Chiefs.
With the move near to the ball park, it became a nationally known eatery. Major league players ate there and fans would stop in before the games to eat on the premises or take out to the ball park. The fame of Arthur Bryant’s grew. Then renowned author Calvin Trillin declared in Playboy magazine that “…the single best restaurant in the world is Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque at 18th & Brooklyn in Kansas City.”

© 2004 Arthur Bryant’s. All Rights Reserved.

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I didn’t think of ice cream. When you’re traveling through central New York, detour to Ithaca and stop at Purity Ice Cream. It’s as good as Ben&Jerry’s used to be. Try the Chocolate Bittersweet.

If you decide to also have a meal while you’re in town, try the Moosewood Restaurant - it’s a nationally famous vegetarian restaurant.

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You’ve already had suggestions for Montana, but I would suggest a steak. Yeah, it doesn’t sound all that distinctive, but trust me: Anything beef around here is much, much better than you’ll find elsewhere in the country. If that’s still not distinctive enough, though, you can also get bison meat at many places. And if you pass through Bozeman, I’d be willing to meet you for a meal (though I don’t think there are any other Dopers all that close to Bozeman).

For Philadelphia, I’ll second the recommendation of a cheesesteak, but I don’t know what pork is doing in the same sentence. And the best place to get a cheesesteak is either Pat’s or Gino’s (they’re caddy-corner across from each other, so if you’re traveling with someone, you can split a couple and get half of each).

Finally, I grew up in Cleveland, and this is the first I’ve ever heard of saurkraut balls, so they must be extremely regional (Akron seems to have quite a few such extreme regionalisms). If you’re hitting the southern part of the state, the distinctive dish would be Cincinnati chili (which is completely unlike any other dish called chili anywhere else in the country).

In Cleveland, there’s no dish that’s that distinctive: We have some pretty good ribs, and pieroghis are more common than they are most places, but neither is actually unique. We do, however, have a distinctive condiment: Cleveland stadium mustard is quite simply the best mustard in the world. Some restaurants have it, and you can also find it in grocery stores. There’s two companies that make it: The kind in the squarish bottle is better, but the kind in the tall bottle is still excellent. Either variety is God’s gift to hot dogs and similar sausages.

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Pancer’s Deli on Bathurst north of the highway in Toronto. Best pastrami anywhere – and I’ve quested across North America for the best.

The poutine stand in River Valley, Ontario. If there are bikers there, don’t go in wearing a neoprene wetsuit – just trust me on this.

Sven and Ole’s Pizza in Grand Marais, Minnesota – this North Shore institution is an example of the USA being a melting pot.

The bar in Prairie, Idaho – off the beaten path, but really nice folks and really nice scenery: South Fork Boisie River Photograph

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For Wyoming I would suggest Cowboy Fondue.

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Update:

As I’m leaving tomorrow, a friend of mine convinced me to get a blog going. Anyone who is interested in knowing where I am and what I’m doing can check out: http://vanmanstravels.blogspot.com/

Cheers
-Geek

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If you are returning via South Dakota and Iowa, you almost have to make this trip through Sioux City. If you do, stop at the Milwaukee Wiener House #1 at 4th and Pearl street in the downtown area. Order two with everything and a bowl of chili…

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As another Central Iowan, I second the recommendation to try and hit the State Fair (8/7-17). If not, I cannot second the suggestion of eating at the Machine Shed, unless you like food over sized and luke warm. In the Des Moines area, two places come to mind: Big Steer and Rubes. You can’t beat a corn fed Iowa steak, especially if you are coming from the Eastern US.

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Hey, great-looking Element…glad to see you went with the unpainted panels! Hope you don’t leave a trail of tears at the gas pumps.

Have fun; I’ll check your blog from time to time.

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[QUOTE=Chronos]
You’ve already had suggestions for Montana, but I would suggest a steak. Yeah, it doesn’t sound all that distinctive, but trust me: Anything beef around here is much, much better than you’ll find elsewhere in the country. If that’s still not distinctive enough, though, you can also get bison meat at many places.

[QUOTE]

Ditto for Wyoming. Food around my neighborhood sucks, but if your plans take you to South-western Wyoming, I’d be happy to be your tour guide (time depending).

As far as good and distinctive Wyoming food, I have two suggestions:

Try cowboy fondue in Pinedale, Wyoming. I don’t know anywhere else they have this. Also, the area around Pinedale is absolutely breathtaking. (My families elk hunting grounds is just north of there.)

Also, if you have to go near the massive tourist crap that is Jackson Hole, don’t miss The Bar J Wranglers. The food is fairly good chuckwagon fare, but the Wranglers western show that comes with the dinner is both spectacular and very representative of Wyoming.

Also, in LaBarge, Wyoming the Moondance Diner is being rebuilt there. I don’t know about the food, though, it hasn’t opened yet.

(It looks like I posted previously and forgot. ooops.)

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Only if you want a case of claustrophobia and a migraine that won’t quit. STAY AWAY.

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Well, crudmuffins. I missed this thread until now, and I’m a proud Element owner! As you’re blogging, I hope you’ll check back.

One word of advice: PACK SOME FOOD. Northern Wisconsin and the UP have terrible food. Central Iowa is a beacon of culinary light in comparison.

The Iowa State Fair… well, it is a gigantic state fair. It’s worth doing at least once. The local favorites are the giant turkey legs rather than the famous deep-fried-twinkies, but, there are a lot of options. Personally, I’m fond of the funnel cakes.

Food options… if you’re coming from the north, and going through Ames (just off I-35), Hickory Park is a famous local landmark. It’s a barbeque place and there’s a lot of options. I’d recommend this far above Machine Shed.

In Des Moines… well, I don’t eat red meat or poultry, so I’m not very knowledgeable about ‘native’ stuff. I was just talking to someone last week about Big Steer, which is over by the casino, and apparently has quite a local following.

If you’re getting bored with country fare, there are many other good restaurants here: Taki (amazing sushi - yes, in Iowa), Sam and Gabe’s Italian Bistro, Centro I hear is good as well. Centro is downtown, and there are a lot of restaurants there – Buzzard Billy’s (a Cajun place … last I checked it was closed from the flooding though), the Hessen House (German, natch… Iowa has a lot of German/Scandanavian blood), Dos Rios is a new and well-regarded upscale Mexican place… so many options!

Also, our farmer’s market is very large and has a lot of great choices, like Salvadorian papusas, awesome scones, amazing goat cheese, Amish pastries and pies, and of course local produce. Note however that Iowa trademark sweet corn is late this year and nearly impossible to find; most sweet corn available here is from out of state right now. (Roasted sweet corn is available at most outdoor events, usually.)

Oh, and the House on the Rock is amazing. Don’t miss it. There is very little to eat locally in Dodgeville however (not sure about Spring Green, I’m always heading to the state park so I don’t get that far). A&W, McDonalds, Subway, Pizza Hut Bistro. Culver’s and a Chinese place are it, I think. The park is a great place to camp; I’ve been there many, many times. Have a sticker on my Element for Wisconsin parks just to camp there, in fact. :slight_smile: It’s less than five minutes from the House on the Rock. If you’re tired of camping, try the Dairyville Motel in Mineral Point - a local place, nice people and very cheap, but nothing fancy. (Prices vary seasonally but I usually pay around $35 for a single, which is amazing for that area.)

Feel free to PM or email if you have questions about the above or any other questions about central Iowa or the Dodgeville-Madison area in Wisconsin!

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As already mentioned…

Wisconsin - do plan your trip to be here on Friday and find a local supper club for a Friday Night Perch Fry. I’d also recommend wetting your whistle with a Brandy Old Fashioned, Wisconsin’s true state drink. Not sure of the route you’re taking from the UP to MN, but you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a suitable place. You’ll be traveling through the best part of the state.

Oh, it might be a good idea to use this stop as one of your overnights if you have many of those old fashioneds :stuck_out_tongue:

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Blasphemer :stuck_out_tongue:

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Five words: Pork chop on a stick.

If you find yourself in Red Lodge, Montana–the Red Box Car has world-class onion rings.

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Another Iowa suggestion. The Hamburg Inn in Iowa City, IA, just 5 minutes off of I-80 in Eastern Iowa. It’s a fabulous local cafe and has been visited by every single politician that comes through Iowa. Their pork tenderloin is very good, and it’s right next to downtown Iowa City, which is one of my favorite places on the planet.

If you’re going to be passing through Duluth, MN, I would highly recommend Fitger’s Brewhouse. Good food, great beer, and a nice view of Lake Superior. It’s a good place.

Have fun, and drive safe!