Eating on the Road 
Who doesn't love to try new foods when they travel? One popular resource that my family loves to use is the book “Roadfood” by Jane & Michael Stern. I happen to have an edition that was published in 1992, although I believe the first edition was published long before that. They also have a website  which has a search feature to help you locate restaurants in a particular city or based on the type of food you are looking for. The main reason we love Roadfood is that they recommend restaurants that serve the best regional food that a city has to offer. Typically the restaurants they recommend are not too expensive, and tend to serve big portions of homemade, local food (think local diners and non-chain restaurants).   ​
Check out some of our favorite restaurants and food shops we have tried around the U.S. If you need some other ideas, follow our Pinterest Road Food board.   
  • Hill Country BBQ, Washington, DC.  If you are near the National Archives or the National Gallery of Art take the short walk up 7th street for some delicious BBQ. 
  • Coconut’s Fish Cafe, Maui, Hawaii. You don’t even have to look at the menu, just order the Fish Tacos! Even the servers will tell you to act like a local and eat them with your hands. Probably the best fish taco I have ever eaten!
  • ​Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice, Maui, Hawaii. Ignore the line, which is always there, it’s worth the wait! We tried the Sunset Beach, and a combination of pineapple and coconut. Both were amazing, and really hit the spot on a sunny Hawaiian day at the beach!
  • Duke’s Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii. It doesn’t matter what you eat for your meal, just order the famous Hula Pie for dessert! With a chocolate cookie crust, macadamia nut ice cream and topped with hot fudge, you can’t go wrong. Not to mention the restaurant is located just off famous Waikiki Beach.
  • Pop's Ice Cream & Soda Bar, Roanoke, Virginia. Next time you are heading down I81 in Virginia, make at stop at Pop's for gourmet grilled cheese, homemade soda and delicious ice cream. It's close to Salvage Dogs, a fun place to wander through. 
  • Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, Washington, DC.  Visit for doughnuts in the morning, or fried chicken for lunch.  You won't be disappointed! The DC location is convenient to Metro Center and some popular tourist attractions, and they've added another location in Falls Church, Virginia. 
  • In-N-Out Burger in California. Let’s just say that no visit to California is complete without a stop at this popular hamburger chain. Act like a local and order from the “Not-So-Secret-Menu.”
  • Pawleys Front Porch, Columbia, South Carolina. Head to Pawleys for delicious burgers like the Edisto, with grape jelly caramelized onions and goat cheese, or the Wadlamaw with chipotle barbeque sauce, fried pickle chips, applewood smoked bacon, and cheddar cheese. Pawleys can consistently be found on the top burger list in the state.
  • The Island Fish Company, Marathon Key, Florida. Next time you are in the Florida Keys, be sure to stop here for the Deep Fried Key Lime Pie! It’s the perfect dessert, with a crispy crust and then rolled in cinnamon sugar. Located on Marathon Key, it’s also known to have amazing sunset views.
  • ​​Lokal, Coconut Grove, Florida. If you are looking for a grass fed burger sandwiched between a seared glazed donut, this is your place. It’s a good stop if you are heading between Miami and the Florida Keys. As a bonus, the restaurant is dog-friendly, with a special menu just for your four-legged friend.   
  • Smoked and Stacked, Washington, DC. You might want to check out this place next time you are looking for an overstuffed pastrami sandwich. Located in the Shaw neighborhood (not far from the Convention Center) you’ll find pastrami, smoked chicken and brisket on the menu.
  • ​Old Town Pizza, Portland, Oregon. If you like your pizza with a bit of a haunted past, then head to Old Town Pizza for lunch or dinner.  Be on the alert for the 100 year old ghost of “Nina” who is said to frequent the place.  You might think twice before you head off to the restroom by yourself. 
  • Hopkins Farm Creamery, Lewes, Delaware. Winner in the “Best of Delaware” contest, if you love homemade ice cream, this is the place. It might seem a little off the beaten path but well worth it.  Be warned, however, that this is a working farm, and some people are more sensitive to the farm fresh smell!  They are open limited hours in the winter, but generally open full-time in mid March. 
Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia.
Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia
Picture
Hawaiian Favorites from Maui & Oahu
  • F & M Delicatessen in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. If you are near Exit 4 on the NJ Turnpike, you have to stop here for lunch or dinner.  Huge menu of overstuffed sandwiches, friendly staff and if you still have room after lunch, selection of bakery treats for dessert. The pastrami sandwich was one of the best in South Jersey.
  • El Charro, Tucson, Arizona.  We visited the original restaurant over 20 years ago, based on the recommendation in the Roadfood book.  To this day, my husband still talks about the USA Chimichanga and the carne seca hanging outside to dry.
  • Sears Fine Food, San Francisco, California.  On a recent trip we visited for breakfast, where my daughter had the famous 18 Swedish pancakes and my son “the best bacon ever!”
  • Parker’s Barbecue, Wilson, North Carolina.  If you are looking for the real deal barbecue and need a pit stop off of I-95 heading south through North Carolina, this is the place to stop. They have family style dining or take-out on a picnic table (great for those travelling with dogs!) with real Carolina barbecue and hush puppies.
  • Voodoo Donuts, Portland, Oregon. Just take a look at the pictures on their website – enough said!  If you are just going for the donuts and not the “standing in line” experience, try one of their secondary locations.
  • Dylan's Candy Bar, New York City. Dylan's is one of our favorite places for candy and ice cream in New York City. The whole store just makes you feel like a kid, with bright colors and over sized candy displays.  Now with a new location in Union Square. ​
  • Beal’s Lobster Pier, Southwest Harbor Pier, Maine.  If you are near the Bar Harbor area, this is a great place to go for lobster.  You get to pick your own lobster and have dinner on a working lobster pier.
  • Pat’s Café, San Francisco, California.  Awesome breakfasts with a variety of omelets and Nutella crepes!  Several years ago we had the best garlic fries with lunch. This restaurant is close to Fisherman’s Wharf in the heart of the North Beach section of town.
  • ​Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The best of Philadelphia, all in one place. From local cheesesteaks to donuts from Pennsylvania Dutch country, you are sure to find something to please everyone.  The hardest part is having to choose! 
  • Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint, Harrisonburg, Virginia. Had a chance to try a burger here while visiting James Madison University recently. The Wednesday special 'Popeye" Burger with homemade spinach-artichoke dressing was amazing. Of course, my son had to try the Fried Oreos for dessert!
  • Lou Malnati's, Chicago, Illinois. Looking for delicious deep dish pizza in Chicago? Look no further than Lou Malnati's. I don't think I've ever had a pizza with so much sausage and the sauce and crust was unbelievable. 
  • Billy Goat Tavern, Chicago, Illinois.  When I heard this place was near our hotel on a recent visit to Chicago, I knew I had to go. This is a must visit for fans of SNL who remember the famous "Cheezborger Cheezborger Cheezborger" skit! The cheeseburgers are delicious and they don't serve french fries, just chips!   
  • Broadway Bites, New York City. Check out this seasonal pop up street market with plenty of food choices.  They operate at Greeley Square from June 3rd - July 17th, then again from October 12th - November 18th. If you can't decide, order the lobster roll (see picture below)!

Next time you are hitting the road, do a little homework before you leave so you can skip the chain restaurants and fancy dining experiences for some authentic local food! 
This page contains affiliate links, which provides a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.