Give us your favorite local places to eat. It's for a good cause!

I'll start this thread off. I live in So Cal and I've been here since 1987 - originally from Chicago area. We have some of the best Mexican food in the country - where I grew up, Taco Bell was considered authentic Mexican food and their Fire Sauce was ... well ... we considered it super hot. The prices are also very reasonable too - one burrito is a full meal! We also have some amazing barbecue joints, but the best are a little north of us. Here's my addition to this thread.

1. El Taco de Mexico in Oxnard, CA. I prefer the one on Saviers, but the one on 5th is great too. A hole in the wall with the best burritos and chimichangas - open late, but watch the neighborhood - and be careful if you're not accustomed to real hot sauce.

2. Pepe's in Oxnard. The best Ensenada style fish tacos! Chicken tacos really great too. And their nachos are huge and delicious! They have odd hours - great local joint in a cool part of town.

3. Burrito Express in Pasadena. Family owned and operated. Their Ross Perot has beef, pork, chicken, rice, beans, cheese, hot or mild sauce, sour cream and guacamole in one huge and heavy burrito.

4. Alberto's in Del Mar. A little shack on the way to Torrey Pines beach. Great burritos - they had a roofer's special when I lived there 20 years ago. Asada, rice, beans, cheese, hot sauce and french fries in a big burrito! It does get a little cold, because you're near the beach - you'll know the locals, because they're wearing shorts when you want to be in sweats!

5. Jocko's in Nipomo near Santa Maria. Huge slabs of filet mignon, rib eye (spencer) steaks (they have others, but those are the only ones we've tried). Cooked over oak coals for that wonderful smoky flavor. Long lines and wait times, so plan accordingly. Not fancy at all inside - feels like a lodge. But what great food. They put all sorts of food on your table as you wait for your steak to be cooked. And it ends with dessert - if you have room! Prices are in check with normal steak houses, but the cuts are much, much larger and the flavors are far better!

6. La Super Rica in Santa Barbara. A tiny walk up window with the menu on a chalk board. This is true gourmet Mexican food at reasonable prices. The lady near the stove is making tortillas. There's a guy on the grill - oooh it smells sooooo good! Most times there's a line out the door, around the corner, etc but you may get lucky and walk right up to the window. If you're in Santa Barbara, this is a must!

7. Taco's Ensenada in Sierra Madre (other locations). Tuesday is $1.25 fish taco day and they're awesome! I load up on 4-5 fish tacos and a Coke, sit on the patio and enjoy beautiful Sierra Madre. When my little dog was around, we'd walk there and have a great dinner together, then walk home. I sure miss him!

8. In N Out. If you're in So Cal, you have to go to an In N Out. Good burgers and great fries (freshly cut potatoes). I've had better burgers, but for the price and quality of service, they're a winner. And they're an icon too - I know this could never exist in Chicago, because people wouldn't wait in long lines. Talk about long lines, the double window drive thru usually blocks traffic for 1/2 block or so. All have walk up windows and many have inside dining - the one in Laguna Woods doesn't have a drive thru! Gotta do it if you're here!

9. Cafe Zack in Ventura. Sal and Hector are the owners and they're great guys. They greet you with a warm welcome - they bought the business from a couple women some 20+ years ago. The restaurant was a house - dining is inside and outside. They have a fantastic wine selection with many local wineries - and prices are reasonable. Food - oh my! It's awesome! Maytag Bleu Cheese Ribeye - my favorite. Or a glazed boar shank! They also make these baked 1/8'd gold potatoes that oozes butter - it tastes like they inject butter into the potato! Everything we've had has been perfect. Prices are fine dining level - not crazy expensive. Great experience and our go to for special occasions.

10. Chinese food in San Gabriel, Monterey Park, Alhambra area. They're everywhere and the food is better than Chinatown. From noodle houses to hot pot to Chengdu to traditional Chinese - there are hundreds and hundreds of these places. When you see lots of people speaking Chinese inside, it's a good indication that you're at the right place. Prices are reasonable too and yes, the wait staff does speak broken English.

That's it for So Cal.

I almost forgot. My better half and I are doing another cross country drive - at least we're attempting it. We're leaving sunny Los Angeles in two weeks - flying to Maine to pick up a 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV and planning to drive across country.

We love meeting people and of course eating at local restaurants. We try to go to local mom and pop places and we're open to trying the local specialties. In Maine, we have to eat Lobster - any recommendation are appreciated.

If all goes well, we'll drive thru New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Ohio, Indiana and to Chicago. Then we'll drive down the state to Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and to CA! We're going to follow route 66 as much as we can and we'd love to see local festivals, anything auto related and parks.

So, if you see a couple driving a red Alfa GTV, give us a waive!

If you are driving through the Lake Winnepesaukee area in New Hampshire, I can heartily recommend a longtime institution (est. 1954) in the Laconia/Meredith area called Hart's Turkey Farm Restaurant.

They serve over 1,600 people on Thanksgiving Day. We went with my parents once on Thanksgiving and it is amazing how many people they serve. They set up tents outside for additional seating and it is an amazing operation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hart%27s_Turkey_Farm

https://www.facebook.com/HartsTurkeyFarm/

An awesome recommendation. I just put it on our list. I have to check the map, but as long as it's not too far off our path, we're going to have some Turkey!

Thank you!

For good Chinese food,try the Grand House,in Oklahoma city.

On a back street,across from the Pyramid.

Good food good atmosphere,good service.

While in Oklahoma,take I 35 from Norman, to OKC and look for a simple sign that says STEAK in black letters vertically. A very plain looking sign,but outstanding steaks. I cannot remember the name but they used to have 2 for 1 Porterhouse steaks for the price of one on Thursday Evenings.Generous portions,very delicious.

Chinese food in Oklahoma? We're having an adventure, so its on the list.

The STEAK sign place - I hope we're there on a Thursday, because 2 for 1 Porterhouse sounds soooo good! I'm a carnivore, so steaks are definitely on the list!

Thank you!

If you are in Arlington,Texas,check out Poncho's Mexican food.

If in Germany, try Lommerzhein in Cologne.

Long lines,so arrive early.

My suggestions are from years ago,so the places may not be there now.

We love Mexican food, so Poncho's in Arlington is on the list.

Thank you!

I have no idea why anyone would willingly drive through Long Island on a road trip unless this is your destination or origin for the trip. You have to get here by ferry or drive through New York City.

With that caveat stated, one of my favorite places to eat in Port Jefferson is Grumpy Jack's. They have some of the tastiest wings I've ever tried. They're not pungent but oh so tasty.

More practical for you with your trip, stop off in Northampton Massachusetts. That town is a gorgeous oasis of arts and culture. You're bound to find something of interest, if not tasty cuisine there. Fitzwilly's restaurant in Northampton had some nice beef tips several years back but I haven't been there in a long time.

Similarly, if for some reason you ended up on Cape Cod, the best fried seafood I have ever had is at a restaurant called Seafood Sam's. Unfortunately, they are seasonal so they don't open until sometime in March or April and usually close in late October or early November. There were three locations on the Cape, but I think the Yarmouth location may be closed now. My favorite always was and is the Falmouth location. There is a location in Sandwich at the east end of the Canal and the food is just as good, but I like the atmosphere at the Falmouth location.

https://www.seafoodsams.com/

The fried seafood has a very light coating of batter and the seafood is always fresh, never frozen. You can get broiled seafood dishes as well.

The picture below was from one of my meals there, not a marketing picture. This is the Fisherman's Platter and it has whole-belly clams, scallops, shrimp, oysters and fried haddock, fries, onion rings and cole slaw. You should see the platter for TWO !!

That's a good looking snack.

I am a man of large appetites.

I love seafood,so maybe I should order a platter for 2,skip the fries, onions,just the seafood please.

Seriously,it looks Delicious!

A while back we went to Cape Cod - it was a two week east coast trip. We didn't drive a car back, we just started in New York City and headed up to Brimfield, MA - then to Boston - then to Cape Cod - then to Philly - then to Baltimore and finally to DC. On the way back, we stopped at Valley Forge, but we were in a hurry, so we didn't get to roam around like the last time.

When we were on Cape Cod, I believed we stayed in Falmouth at a bed and breakfast. We drove all the way to the end, spent some time at a beach with the white Cape Cod style fence and finished at Woods Hole. We liked Woods Hole a lot and did quite a bit of walking. We walked for a while on a beach type area (lots of rocks, not much sand) and found a Quahog the size of a hub cap! The locals were great and told us stories about building bridges. We also heard about a lady who was killed in Falmouth by someone who owned a dump. The owner of the B&B told us that his dog was from the family whose mom was killed. Sounded like a Chicago type story - don't ask questions and look the other way!

Next time we're there, I have Seafood Sam's on the list. The picture sure makes me hungry for seafood!

Thank you.

Yeah, I really like the Cape. My parents kept a boat in Quissett Harbor just around the corner from Woods Hole in Buzzards Bay from about 1970 until 2014 or so. I did a lot of sailing with them in the 70's and 80's around the Cape and the Islands. Falmouth is very nice but the Cape has become very expensive over the decades. I enjoy taking my family to the Cape. Woods Hole is very quaint and a nice place to walk around. The WHOI main campus is there and there are nice shops and restaurants. Perhaps you had coffee, pastry or a sandwich at the Pie in the Sky cafe near the top of the hill in Woods Hole? It's right next to the Post Office.

https://www.piecoffee.com/

Good place to stop if you are coming off of or going onto the Steamship ferries that sail from Woods Hole.

We ate at a restaurant in the harbor area. It was on the pricey side, but a great location. I remember seeing those glass buoy things as decorations. And some other old sea stuff too.

There was an older guy who drove a 1970's Mercedes thru town. He'd waive to you and people would waive back.

The other thing I remember is the huge outdoor fish tank. I remember watching a show with seals there. I think that must've been around 2006-2007! Wow, time sure flies.

Yep, that's the Woods Hole Aquarium run by NOAA and WHOI. It's a small aquarium but has a lot of interesting information on the waters around New England.

We didn't get to go in the aquarium - I would've liked to, but the only thing open was the outdoor show.

If you're out here in the LA area, hit the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. It's a really good one with tons of stuff to do and see. When we go, we spend the entire day there.

Will do. Appreciate the tip !

I don't think we'll be on Long Island - though we've never been before, but maybe for another trip.

Northhampton, MA - I like the sound of the town. I'll have to look it up on the map - a detour is okay for us as we're winging it! Fitzwilly's will be on our list and beef tips sounds tasty!

Thank you!

I think you would've enjoyed Northampton if you had the time. I'm glad you had a good time in upstate NY. There's lots of gorgeous country up there. Particularly the finger lake region with all of the wineries around the lakes. I've always wanted to visit the Corning glass ware museum in Corning NY. I understand they regularly have glassblowing demonstrations.

If you like glass art, there is an artist closer to you than Corning, NY. Up there in Shelburne Falls, Mass., I had made acquaintance with Josh Simpson since my wife had taken a cotton to his works and a good chunk of change as well.

http://salmonfallsgallery.com/josh-simpson.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Simpson_(glass_artist)

He does these glass globes with all sorts of features blown into the glass that is his main signature work. He generally only does glass blowing in the cooler months of the year so if you are interested in visiting his studio to see him and his apprentices doing glassblowing, fall through spring would the time to do it.

I even had the opportunity to try some glass blowing and it is hard. You have to have a diaphragm of steel to do that and I ain't no snowflake. After that brief experience, I have a profound appreciation for what those folks can do.

He has quite the studio on the same property with his private home. We stopped by when we were traveling through the area and he graciously allowed us to camp on his property with our RV.

He also has some rather large chunks of glass from Corning around his property. My wife demonstrating the parallax error below.

Thanks. There are many glass blowing artists on Long Island. Many years back the last resident scientific equipment glass blower retired from my former employer, Brookhaven National Lab. I still occasionally see him at local crafts fairs with his artistic pieces.

Corning and Steuben Glassware are both the industrial and artistic Mecca for glass and optics. Corning NY is farther than a casual daytrip for me but not by much.

There are too many places in Florida to list here(thousands and thousands)...but one experience you don't want to miss here is the orange groves and eating fresh fruit on site...

https://showcaseofcitrus.com/

https://visitindianrivercounty.com/visit-citrus-grove/

https://minnetonkaorchards.com/best-orange-groves-in-florida/

Key lime pie .....

https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/florida/articles/insider-s-guide-to-the-best-key-lime-pie-in-florida/

Seafood...

https://www.southernliving.com/travel/florida/best-seafood-restaurants-fl

https://bigseventravel.com/best-seafood-restaurants-florida/

Wow, those are some great looking recommendations. Living in CA for the last 35 years - wow, it's been that long! we have citrus here, but as a kid, I remember going on vacation to Florida and having incredible oranges and grapefruit! My mom loves Indian River grapefruit!

Key Lime Pie - from the Keys, right?

Of course, seafood in Florida!

It's been a very long time since I've been to Florida - 47 years! Another trip is in order!

Thank you!

Favorite restaurants… I don’t have just one… but to start with…

being from Wisconsin, I love the Friday night perch… good perch, and that means a good plate of perch isn’t cheap perch, that taste like fish sticks. But a good plate of perch, isn’t unreasonable either.

A good plate of perch can be had at Mariques in Green Bay, Wi.

Good Perch, good tartar sauce.

interesting history,… they were a family of fisherman that started a restaurant that specialized in…. Perch. And only perch. It was great, as history had it, other restaurants complained, that their plate only had perch,… nothing else… other restaurants said, that had no vegetables, or even bread. So they included Rye Bread and an slice of onions.., a very good combination.

they now have added items to their menu, but it is still limited… but what they have, is done right. I always order a triple order of perch, and bring home the leftovers, to eat, sometime for breakfast.

also, they always had limited hours, and days… I think because their main occupation was fishing. They started a restaurant to sell their catch.

DINE IN or CURBSIDE PICKUP
Wed
4:30pm -10:00pm
Friday
Lunch 11:00am – 1:30pm
Dinner 4:30pm -10:00pm

their business stayed strong even through COVID.

During COVID even though indoor dining was closed, the parking lot was filled, and the waitress would go out to the cars, to take your orders, and bring it back.

Fresh fish sounds wonderful! Green Bay - I don't know if we'll get that far north, but if we do, I have Mariques on my list. Also, being from Chicago, I know we'll be in town again and if not this trip, we'll be up to Green Bay - I would love to see the Packers play the Bears on a cold snowy day! That would be fun!!!

Thank you!

You could do worse than checking out the restaurants from diners drive ins and dives:

https://www.dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com/

I reckon Guy has probably got one of the best jobs in the world.

Very true! I forgot about Diners and Drive Ins! Great idea!

I’m at the PACK EXPO in Chicago… and suppliers took me out… to Smith and Wollenski… it’s a steakhouse… maybe I’ll take the wife there we we take a 4 day getaway… or maybe not… but I had the Angry Shrimp as an appetizer, and the Sea Bass… and what I like is the bartender knew how to make a brandy old fashion… a Wisconsin supper club thing… I don’t think I would have tried it, if the dinner wasn’t bought for me because of the price. I like good food… ambience, not so much anymore…

anyways, I’ve got my dinner dance card filled for the rest of the week,.. if it’s good, I’ll post it…

They opened it after I left Chicago. I heard it's really good and they have dry aged steaks! There's one on Vegas now too.

Next time you're in Chicago, make sure you get some real Chicago Pizza. Gino's, Uno's, Due's, Lou Malnotti's, Giordano's (in no particular order). Bring an appetite!

Also, try Gene and Georgetti's for steaks - they've been around for a ton of years.

There was a UNO’s in Washington DC, when we were there, my wife said to eat. It was great.

When we go on vacation, I might have a place or to to go, she does the planning.

We had two Uno's in San Diego when I lived there. One in Pacific Beach - what a great location, right on the boardwalk!

The other was in the mall near the center of town - close to the stadium.

Both are gone, which is very sad. The servers would tell us that locals don't like it, because it's too heavy and filling. They didn't understand that Chicago pizza is supposed to be that way.

If you ever visit Richland, WA, I can recommend Porter's Real Barbecue. (A year or so ago, it was featured on Guy Fieri's show.) Medium price range.

Another choice would be Mandarin House. Economical, unpretentious, and delicious.

Porter's Real BBQ - sounds delicious! And Mandarin House - I love good Chinese food!

Thanks for sharing!

Well, we had planned to leave early tomorrow morning (29th), but I got a bad call. The seller was making sure the car was good and he noticed a noise in the rear end. The wheel bearing was making noise, so he pulled the axle and attempted to change it, but there's a sleeve that holds it in place (not sure why it's needed, since the bearing is press fit. You can't cut the sleeve off, because it must be reused and it doesn't come with the bearing. He couldn't get it off, so he took it to the machine shop - they're supposed to have it ready by Monday. He took both the left and right axle - since we're driving across country, he figured it would be best to do both.

We're leaving early Monday morning. Luckily we were able to cancel the airplane, Lyft, hotel and rental car. Everything is rescheduled and I'm super excited to get away for a couple weeks and drive my new baby!