I’ve been to Tufano’s in Chicago, but it was many years ago when I worked at UIC. The shells and broccoli were good, but other than that, it’s main point of attraction was that it was convenient. It was hardly worth crossing town for.
I’ve been through The Mad Greek drive thru in Baker- it was a decent gyro- the really great thing about it was that I purchased it at 6 a.m in the morning on my way to San Diego. Made a tasty breakfast!
I’ve been to the Mad Greek in Baker. I wasn’t terribly impressed. It was okay, but nothing special at all.
Afraid so. Yes, they did make a decent burger. It’s now a Bob’s Big Boy. The world’s tallest thermometer is still there though!
My list:
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Louie Mueller BBQ, Taylor, TX (Good Texas-style barbecue, and the place is quite gritty. Taylor Cafe, a block away, is even more “authentic”, with cigarette-smoking waitresses.)
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Magnolia Cafe, Austin, TX (It’s allright; a decent-enough 24 hour place. I’m a Kerbey Lane Grill person, though.)
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Lake Effect Diner, Buffalo, NY (Pretty good diner; a nice change from the Greek joints that dominate the Buffalo diner scene.)
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Geraci’s Restaurant, Cleveland, OH (Really in University Heights. Supposedly the East Side’s best pizza. It’s pretty good, but being raised on Buffalo-style, I wasn’t floored.)
It seems like Guy really likes Minneapolis, Omaha and Santa Fe a lot.
I’ve eaten at the Red Iguana in Salt Lake City. They have a wide variety of mole, but I’m not a big fan of mole. They did have some nice dishes, though. It’s sort of a cross between authentic Mexican and Americanized Tex-Mex.
Marietta Diner is exactly what I expected from the show. Better than average Greek food with a huge menu. Certainly not the best food in Atlanta (not even the best diner), but worth a recommendation. I go there frequently.
The Highlander was a disappointment. I’ve only been once, but the food was not tasty at all. The atmosphere is great and all I expected was good pub fare, but they didn’t deliver. I think I should try it again because many Atlantans love it.
Silver Skillet is terrible, IMHO. It’s always voted one of the best breakfasts in Atlanta, but it is at the bottom of my list. Even the scrambled eggs were bad.
Lake Effect Diner in Buffalo is awesome. They have the best fried bologna sandwich I’ve ever had. I go back every time I’m in Buffalo. Great atmosphere too. Highly recommended.
I’ve been to Duarte’s in Pescadero, though only once about 10 years ago. It probably is the best place around for quite some distance, but I wouldn’t make a point of going out there just for them.
I’ve seen the Gorilla BBQ several times but never thought to try and eat there. I’m not much of a BBQ fan so I wasn’t likely to try it. Maybe if I go back up there I might.
20 years ago, the Red Iguana was really something; huge plates of excellent food for incredibly low prices, all served in a funky space (with the coolest jukebox in the world, filled the the most eclectic stuff anywhere) by a funky staff made up of Mormon-hipster wierdos and old Mexican juicers…
Eventually, the word got out and it became THE hip spot in all of Utah to see and be seen, and so naturally the prices tripled, portion sizes were cut in half and now you have to wait (outside, as they have no bar area) for two hours for a table.
No thanks!!!
Adios, Red Iguana
I’ve been to the Penguin in Charlotte, N.C. The burgers were good, but probably no better than what you’d get at a thousand similar greasy spoon joints across the country. They have a nice, funky atmosphere though.
I’ve actually had a lot of luck with Rachel Ray’s places. My wife and I have been to several that were featured on $40 a Day, and for the most part they’ve been excellent. My favorite would probably be Gus’ Fried Chicken in Memphis.
Yes, one each in San Francisco, San Jose, and San Diego, and they were all very good.
I have been to the Rivershack Tavern just outside of New Orleans. I went there all the time in college. It was outstanding and very quirky. Even though it is only a few miles outside of the city proper, it seems like you are in middle of cajun country right next to the Mississippi River and looks pretty rural. It isn’t very big and really rustic but the food is to die for, especially the seafood Po’boys including alligator. The live music is really good too and their bar stools had legs in costumes hanging down from them. I am surprised that it got mentioned. That place was always my little secret that I only shared with a few people. Hardly anyone else knew about it.
Only:
Kelly’s Diner - Sommerville, MA
(Why this one and not the S&S, or the late, lamented Tasty?)
Grinder’s in Kansas City, MO
(Nothing special)
39th Street Mama’s in Kansas City, MO
(It’s loved only because of how much better it is than the same location under different owners).
Tre Kronor in Chicago
(my neighborhood - but I much prefer Charcoal Delights, just down the street)
I really need to get out more. Not driving probably has a lot to do with it though.
I’ve been to Schooner Or Later in Long Beach, CA a few times for breakfast. Good place, though I don’t know from outstanding. Indoor tables as well as an outdoor patio, right next to the marina.
They’ve got a breakfast item called “Schutzie’s Mess”; green peppers, ham, hash browns, and eggs scrambled together - quite good, and as advised on the menu, the half-order is really what one person can reasonably eat for one meal.
I have been to Victor’s 1959 Cafe, Bryant Lake Bowl, Psycho Suzie’s and the Town Talk Diner, all in Minneapolis, and all very good.
I have also been to Al’s Breakfast and The Wienery (again in Minneapolis), but years ago, when I was a grad student.
I would recommend all of them, but particularly Victor’s 1959 Cafe, for their Cuban breakfasts.
I’ve eaten more than once at the Red Arrow in Manchester NH; it’s not bad as diner food goes, but I haven’t eaten anything there that would make me recommend going out of your way for.
I tried to get out there on one of my annual trips to Chicago back when I lived in DC, but didn’t manage it. Is the place any good, despite it not being one of your preferences?
The ex and I looked up Baby Blues BBQ and found they were about 5 minutes away. Good food, generous portions. There’s usually a line, so I make it a point to go during off-peak hours.
Website: Baby Blues BBQ – LA's Finest BBQ
Caution, autoplaying music.
Fred’s Texas, Fort Worth. Been eating there for years. Awsome burgers, but I cant get near the place on a weekend night anymore.
I wish the list was arranged geographically instead of by episode. I did a text search for the two states I’ve lived in. I could think of some places he should have gone that weren’t on the list.
Looks like the only place on the list I’ve been to is Bartley’s Burger Cottage in Cambridge. Nice little joint, just few blocks from Harvard Square, and with a definite student vibe; good burgers, fast, cheek-by-jowl seating and the decor looks like P.J. O’Rourke’s dorm room exploded.
Haven’t seen the show; don’t know what the host thought of it.
I used to hang out at Doumars in Norfolk when we lived there. I really liked their limeades, but wasn’t over fond of the burgers, though they had decent fries, and in their defense, they made killer ice cream. They claim to have invented the ice cream cone… I would say my favorite meal was the rib eye sandwich, fries and a limeade.
Caveat - this was 20 years ago, I have no idea if they are any good any longer…eat at your own risk =)
I found 4:
Dottie’s in San Francisco: A fun, crowded, bustling, and colorful joint. Had breakfast there and I remember large helpings and big fluffy pancakes. Food was good, but the atmosphere made it a special and memorable experience.
White Palace Grill, Chicago: Once for lunch, about 7 or 8 years ago. It’s a cool old-fashioned diner, but unfortunately I remember nothing about the food or even what I ordered, so obviously it didn’t make that big an impression on me to the good or bad.
Del Rhea’s Chicken Basket, Willowbrook, IL: I used to work right down the street from here. We ordered fried chicken for lunch a couple of times, and it tasted OK, but it was the greasiest chicken I have ever eaten, which turned me right off. But I stopped by after work once in a while for their wings, which are delicious – especially with a few cold beers.
Doumar’s, Norfolk, VA: Stopped there on a road trip in '99. I remember a pretty good BBQ pork sandwich, though nothing to rave about. But, oh, that waffle ice cream cone! They make the cones right there by the front door and they’re still warm when you get 'em. Mmmmm!!