this seems like a pretty well travelled, food loving crowd. What are some of your favorite restaurants? and where are they?

One of my favorite favorites is a place we called No Name Sushi, on Church Street between 15th and 16th in San Francisco. Huge platters of sushi for, like, $20. Of course, it's been 10 years since I've gone there.

In Tucson, there was a place that sold green chili tamales that were to die for -- right near the putt-putt on one of the main drags. I can't for the life of me remember the name of the place, though we ate there nearly every night for the week we were in Tucson.

And in NYC, there was a noodle house called Dojo's on St. Mark's Place that was actually affordable, and _great_ noodles. I wonder if it's still there?

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2001

Answers

There is a crappy little diner at Tybee Beach, about 10 miles away from Savannah, GA, called The Breakfast Club. Other than having a bitchin' name, they have THE BEST omlettes ever. Sam and Omies near Nags Head, NC runs a close second.

I'm kinda embarrassed to admit it, but this Japanese restaurant in Vegas that I went to was hands-down the best I ever went to. Then again, I'm from Pittsburgh, so what do I know about Japanese food? We have like 3 Japanese people in the whole city.

In Pittsburgh, my favorite restaurants are: Il Pizziaolo, Tessaro's, and Thai Place.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2001

Believe it or not, I live within 15 miles of one of the TOP TEN places to eat in the world. This is true. They've been written up many times. It's the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Huntsville, Texas. They barbecue outside and you eat on picnic tables in a little building beside the church that's no bigger than my living room. They make, according to many publications and experts, the VERY BEST barbecue in the WORLD. Hard to believe, but not if you ever try it. I also like Joe Mamma's Crab shack on I-45 where you can eat cajun- style mudbugs 'til you stagger. (While my yankee Northern Cheyenne wife turns green.)

"Those are bugs!"

"No...they're like small, freshwater lobsters."

"Bullshit! Those are fuckin' BUGS! You're not kissing me for awhile, buster."

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2001

Ming's in Portland, Oregon. Mmmm boy. Food to rival ambrosia.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2001

Handle Bar and Grill at Downing and Alameda, Denver. The BEST nachos in the world, hands down.

Swing Thai, In Denver on Alameda east of Broadway, in a converted gas station: Jungle Fever, the hottest dish on the menu, mmmm!

The Manor House in Denver, Ken Caryl behind the hogback: for formal dressup and sitdown dinners, the food and service are impeccable.

Chinook Tavern in Denver, Cherry Creek North: A German restaurant, but you'd never know it. Funky and fun.

Too, too many others.... :-)

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2001

LA is pretty much a Culinary Wasteland (IMHO), but we've recently discovered the utter joy and delight of Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles. Oh... oh man....

Back in NYC, I was Converted by Union Square Cafe. That was one of the best meals I've ever had. I also miss REAL delis, like Carnegie and Katz's. And, while not a real restaurant, I miss the deli/grocery across the street from our old apartment, which had such good sandwiches....

Some hometown (San Diego) favorites include Leonardo's Italian Inn (it's got its bad days, but is still pretty scrummy), Los Compadres Taco Stand (open 24 hours... the best rolled tacos ever!), Etna's Pizza, and the Parkhouse Eatery. Alas, Sheng Haw Low's, a family favorite and home of the Best Chinese Food I've Ever Had, closed 7 years ago... I'm still in mourning.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

I guess that depends on what I'm in the mood for.

If I want steak I go to Ruth Chris' Steak House in Indianapolis. It is a very posh restaurant, though. I think it's an upscale franchise so there might be one near you. But don't go there unless you have money to burn because nothing on the menu is cheap. Expect to pay upwards of $30.00 for their inexpensive steaks...side dishes and drinks sold separately. But it is so good! But if I'm mostly broke I can always get a decent steak at Ryan's Steakhouse.

If I want really good hashbrowns and general breakfast items, I go to the local Waffle&Steak hands down. It's not exactly cheap but it's not all that expensive either. If you ever go to one, tell 'em to make you a double order of hashbrowns scattered and covered. DELISH!

If I want a really good baked potato, I go to Ruby Tuesdays. Those suckers are huge (one pounders). They also serve good margaritas. And their chocolate tall cake is yummy.

For ice-cream, I prefer Ivanhoes. It's a small ice-cream parlor/restaurant in Upland, Indiana (I go to school near there so that's how I know it). Their menu boasts over 200 different types of shakes and over 200 types of sundaes. And then some. Lagomarcinos in Moline, Illinois isn't half bad either; although they don't offer nearly as much, their ice cream and toppings are all made there at the shop. And then there's Bon Benire in Arcata, California. Their sodas are delicious.

Okay, that's all I can think of for now.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Oy...I forgot! Best Mexican restaurant I've ever been to: Puerto Vallarta in Muncie, Indiana. Their cheese dip is scrumptuous.

Best Asian cuisine restaurant isn't Chinese, it's Filipino (of course, since I'm filipino) and it's the Little Quiapo in Chicago, Illinois, the very north end.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Nathan and I spent a lot of time at Mr. C's in Omaha. It's a legendary place, and the food is mighty good and they serve you a ton of it. But the atmosphere is what you buy - this is the original that TGI Friday's and all the other "crap on the wall" places try to copy. Mr. C's is full of kooky shit, and crazy lighting strung up all over the place. But it comes off with class. I can't explain it, just go eat there if you get the chance, trust me.

In Houston, I will eat at any Pappas restaurant. Pappasitos (did I spell that right?) is a must do every time I'm there. I know there is better food in the city somewhere, but I don't know where it is, and I know that Pappas will do me right every time.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Okay, I was reminded of some others. For pancakes and breakfast items, The Original Pancake House. Yes, this is a semi-large-ish chain, but the two in the Denver area, both in Greenwood Village, are owned and operated by the founders' niece and former head chef and they do a top-notch job. I especially like the Dutch Baby, the 49ers and the Apple Pancake. For homemade ice cream, there's Bonnie Brae Ice Cream on University and Likety Split (now called Liks) at Washington and Vine. For great authentic French food without a prententious atmosphere, there's Le Central, on Lincoln in downtown, near 9th, I believe.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Man. I'm having a hard time with this one. I love eating out, but mostly I enjoy the dishes I choose more than the restaurants. Like Star Pizza for veggie pizza, it's the closest to Chicago style pizza that I've had and it is really good. Mole enchiladas or Sopa Azteca at La Mexicana. Chicken fajita tacos or bean and cheese tostadas at Andy's Mexican restaraunt. Fajita quesadillas from Taqueria Arandas. Portabello Mushroom sandwich or Grilled Chicken Ceasar sandwich from Butera's. Smoked Chicken tostadas from Barnaby's. Barbeque anything and a Chef salad from Pappa's BBQ. Enchiladas Guadalajara from Taqueria Guadalajara. I could go on and on, since it is close to my lunch hour, but you get my point.

But I can't leave out rice vermicelli with vegetarian eggrolls and grilled shrimp from Van Loc or Mai's.

Mmmm. Gwen and I are meeting for lunch in thirty minutes!!! Hurry, Gwen!!!

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

My word, Letty. I am leaving this place NOW and moving to houston ... you are tormenting me. Don't stop. I'd kill for mole ANYTHING right now. The best I ever had was in a tiny little dive in the DF that had aqua-blue naugahide booths and a little tiny owner who was bemused by his ravenous gringo clients. On the subject of great Mexican food -- does anyone have a good recipe for sopa de ajo? It's something that I fell in love with in Cuernavaca and have not been able to find since. Not that the Pacific NW is a hotbed of great Mexican restaurants ... if it ain't latte, they ain't doing it. (Ok, I exaggerate. But I haven't found any great Mexican restaurants here yet, and few other great restaurants that I can afford.)

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

I know what you mean Deidre. I've looked all over the NW and found nothing that could even be considered Mexican food. There is a little hole in the wall dive on the south side of the Santa Monica Civic Center that has the best taquilla mole pollo something or other that will knock you down and pick you back up. It is heaven. I drive up there just to eat. Ok I also go to Freestyle photographic to restock the darkroom but I never miss the ops to eat at this little dive. There's not a damn thing in the way of acoutrements(?) that match in this place. And the busboys are real gangbangers from the hood too. I love it. We have a little place in OB that serves exquisite central American quisine. With damn good brews too. James

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

In Boston: East Coast Grill Casablanca (oh, the scallops with basmati rice....mmmmmmmmm) Chez Henri (a French/Cuban place I adore) Oh, wait, those are all actually in Cambridge. In Boston, I like Silvertone's and Jae's.

In the Fort Worth area: La Piazza for Italian Esparza's (in Grapevine) for Tex-Mex Mr. Barbeque for barbeque (not an actual restaurant, but barbeque served out of an old bus just off the freeway) Caro's for Tex-Mex Hedary's Joe T. Garcia's

In Salt Lake City: The Training Table (the best cheesefries ever. With fry sauce. Mmmmm.) The Pie for cheese pullaparts, with ranch dressing.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

Cheese pullaparts?! With Ranch dressing?! Ohmigawd, that sounds FAB... what is it?!

And, excuse me, scrnwrt, but Mel's cheese fries just weren't good enough for you? *head toss* ;)

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001

It's like pizza bread, with cheese inside, and herby stuff on top, that you dip in ranch dressing.

Dwan, if you ever go to Salt Lake, just trust me. No cheese fries ever compare. They use grated melted cheese, instead of cheese sauce, which makes a huge difference, and the fry sauce (hickory sauce mixed with mayo) is just- trust me on this one.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001

Ranch dressing? If they use French dressing, they're called Napolean Pullaparts.

(oog, there I go again, sorry y'all)

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001

Mmmmmmmmm...foooood!!!!!! If anyone is EVER in pittsburgh go to Gulifties...Yum Yum!! the food is great, and the killer brownie...well it'll kill ya. Also the stage door on 6th st is good...both very affordable...but you can never go wrong with good ole Chi Chi's lol :)

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2001