Favorite local restaurants

[golden eagle]

Since there's one for the chains, let's give the local guys some pub. In Jackson, there's a place called the Pizza Shack and it's really good. It's located on State Street across from Baptist Hospital. They also opened a second location in north Jackson. That was as a result of Baptist's expansion plans and may cause the original location to be shut down. We also have a burger place called Stamps. Their burgers are legendary here. I dare you to eat all of it in one sitting. The owner's son has his own spot called Cool Al's, which is where Stamps used to be located (and two blocks from my house).

In Biloxi, Mary Mahoney's on US 90 across from the Hard Rock Casino is delicious! Some of the best seafood anywhere. I was on the coast this past weekend, but didn't get a chance to eat at Mary Mahoney's though. I did find a place called the Port City Grill and they were pretty decent.

For Mexican food, I like La Cazuela's (sp?) at the corner of I-55 and Fortification. Cozumel's in Ridgeland and Los Molcajetes in nearby Flora are really good as well. 

[allniter89]

Two of my favs are Laurel Hill Grill in Laurel Hill, FL and Mary Catfish Kitchen on Eglin Pkwy, Ft Walton Beach, FL 

[nexus73]

Here is what is in the Coos Bay-North Bend area that I think is worthwhile for you US 101 Oregon Coast travelers:

Mexican: Margarita Grill...Central and 7th in CB...take the route to Charleston from 101 and follow it about 1/2 mile until you are on Central.  The building was originally a Taco Bell so it's easily spotted

Japanese: Momiji...On 101 in NB, right across from the Coquiile Indian Tribe Casino...can't miss it unless you're blind and if you are, you shouldn't be driving...LOL!  Somewhat pricey but well-done for the cooked food.  Sushi gets OK ratings.

Breakfast: Pancake Mill in NB, along 101 across and north of the casino.  Avoid the salads and burgers, stick to the breakfast stuff, which is pretty dang good.

Fine dining: Ciccarelli's in NB. on the southern edge of downtown at the intersection of Sherman (101 southbound) and Washington.  Bring lots of moolah and your appetite too.  Foodie Central!

The seafood offerings in this area are a mixed bag at best.  I don't recommend any of them highly.  The local burger joints are so-so.  There's no shortage of bad Chinese food but this area eats it up anyways.  You don't want to if you are used to good stuff, believe me!  Some places are just for dinner hours so if you are coming through in the afternoon, fuggedaboudit.  You can't get any Italian for lunch and who wants acid reflux at night, so unless you can handle the gaff, don't eat at Porta, Benetti's or Mamma Mia if you have problems in this regard since they don't realize that over here, a good amount of us eat at "old people o'clock" and don't wish to dine at 9 PM.  Local pizza is nothing special and way too high-priced for what it is.  The casino's food gets bad reviews and they have been outed on Yelp for padding the bill, then using their tribal police to chase out those who complain.

If you want lots of good food choices, go to Portland instead...LOL!  You have better odds on the casino's slots than at picking restaurants at random here and those are some tight MF'ing slots.  Read Yelp very, very carefully for this area so you know what you are getting into.

Rick

[Ian]

My favorite around here is the Flying Pig Saloon in Malvern. Probably the best grilled cheese sandwiches you'd ever eat!

[realjd]

Two of my favs are Laurel Hill Grill in Laurel Hill, FL and Mary Catfish Kitchen on Eglin Pkwy, Ft Walton Beach, FL 

Have you been to Gus's in Mary Esther? It's a bit hidden, but we always make a point to go there whenever I'm in town for work. They serve Thai, BBQ, and Cuban food. It's probably the best Thai restaurant I've ever been to. There's a place on 98 (Daddy's maybe?) with a similar Thai/BBQ concept, but the AF guys there all say that Gus's is better.

As for other local places in Florida, I'd highly recommend any of the La Carreta restaurants in Miami. It's some of the best Cuban food you can get. I usually stop at the one on SW 88th at the Turnpike whenever I'm going to/from the Keys.

I think I said this in the other thread, but one of my best strategies for finding good food somewhere (other than Yelp) is to find a local microbrewery/brewpub. Not only is the beer usually really good, I've never had a bad meal at a brewpub anywhere.

[ftballfan]

Bungalow Inn in Manistee, MI. When my parents were growing up, it was a very rough bar. Now, after a large expansion and remodel, the top two sit-down restaurants in Manistee closing within three months of each other, and the state enacting a smoking ban, it is now one of the nicest restaurants in Manistee. Its menu is large and the food is good. On most Friday and Saturday nights during the summer, groups can expect to wait 15-30 minutes or more to get a seat. Also, the parking lot is fairly small and there will sometimes be cars parking in spots that aren't parking spots.

[corco]

Okey doke.

In Boise I swear by the Hawkin's Pac-Out.

Tacoma is home of the MSM Deli, which makes absolutely the best sandwiches on the planet.
Seattle has Dick's Drive in, which for the price can't be beat (for $5 you can get 2 delicious, made fresh burgers, an order of fries, and a shake).

I was in Caddo Valley, AR a few months ago and was really impressed by Fat Boys BBQ. It's right off I-30 at the US-67 exit north of Arkadelphia, and it's really, really good.

Laramie has the Prairie Rose Cafe, which is just a greasy spoon but it's a delicious greasy spoon. If you're ever in Laramie around breakfast or lunch time, eat here. Laramie has very little going for it in the way of non-chains, but the Prairie Rose is a magical exception.

I find Nico's Tacos in Tucson to be really overrated. Eegees is decent, but it's not the MSM Deli.

[1995hoo]

Shooter McGee's in Alexandria is a local pub and a long-time favorite of ours.

Joe Theismann's in Old Town is always good, especially since the smoking ban took effect. The house beer is called Broken Leg Lager (consider whose restaurant it is).

L'Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls is a very nice place, though currently our budget can't really accommodate it. We used to go there every year at Christmastime. This year my parents took my brother, my wife, and me there in May because all our birthdays fall within nine days of each other.

King Street Blues is a local roadhouse-type chain. Good ribs there. The meat falls off the bone to the point where you can use a knife and fork if you don't want to get your hands dirty. One of the restaurants is within walking distance of our house.

Down in Charlottesville I like the Shebeen, a South African pub located downtown. Interestingly they carry a Virginia beer, St. George IPA from Hampton, on tap. The mussel appetizer at that place is one of the best I've had, even including trips to the Maritime Provinces (including PEI). Funny thing is that you'd think in a college town I'd vote for a place I loved when I was in school. But the Shebeen didn't exist back then. Charlottesville sees a fair amount of turnover in the restaurants and while some long-time standbys are still going strong, several of the places I liked best back then are now gone, and another (the Tavern, a breakfast joint) is closing at the end of this year.

When I lived in Durham I often went to a seafood place called Fishmonger's on Fridays during Lent for fried fish and to watch basketball. The place was a bit of a dump; my mother would have called it "Good seed" because the food was good but the place was run-down. Good seafood and cold draught beer were enough for me.

....

Laramie has the Prairie Rose Cafe, which is just a greasy spoon but it's a delicious greasy spoon. If you're ever in Laramie around breakfast or lunch time, eat here. Laramie has very little going for it in the way of non-chains, but the Prairie Rose is a magical exception.

....

I wish I had known of this in 2007 when we were out there for the UVA v. Wyoming football game. I did enjoy the steak I had at the brewpub in town, I believe its name was Altitude.

[hbelkins]

During the Iowa meet last year we ate a meal at Hickory Park in Ames. Good stuff.

[corco]

Altitude is good- that's the fancy restaurant in Laramie. When you go on a date, that's where you take the girl. So is their lunch restaurant Lovejoy's.

Lovejoy's/Altitude and Prairie Rose are basically the only decent non-chain, non-fast food restaurants in Laramie.

[Chicagosuburban]

Pretty much every restaurant on the Door Peninsula north of Sturgeon Bay, WI is local. My personal favorite is P.C. Junction on the corner of county E and county A

[1995hoo]

Altitude is good- that's the fancy restaurant in Laramie. When you go on a date, that's where you take the girl. So is their lunch restaurant Lovejoy's.

Lovejoy's/Altitude and Prairie Rose are basically the only decent non-chain, non-fast food restaurants in Laramie.

Yeah, I remember it being a pretty desolate place. Good trip, though, aside from the football game (we got our arse kicked). Most of the people were very nice other than a very few students who felt the need to shoot their mouths off. I think most of the Wyoming fans respected that we travelled all the way out there to watch our team play.

[Lightning Strike]

I come from South Jersey and I have to say if you want to get a good honest Philly Cheesesteak, I prefer Gino's in South Philly or even a place called People's Pizza in Cherry Hill, NJ on NJ 38. Those two places you can't go wrong with cheesesteaks.

[Alps]

I'm just glad that my life has been spent in two places with so many good local restaurants, I never had to eat at a chain: Northern NJ and Cambridge, MA. Too many places to possibly list.

[OracleUsr]

Hmmm, oh, yeah, we've got a few really good ones in middle and western NC:

Statesville has 3 of a local restaurant called Amalfi's.  Their Italian food is terrific.  Even though I can't eat pasta now, I can enjoy the other foods (and have even had a couple of dishes sans pasta).  It is not located outside of Iredell County, so I think it still counts as a local restaurant, even if it's a chain of sorts.

Asheville has a Greek restaurant called Apollo's Flame.  Anytime I'm in Asheville, I'm there.  For just under $8, not including drink or tax or tip, you can get a platter with a GIGANTIC amount of salad.  The Greek dressing is mild, not too vinegary or anything like that.

Greensboro has a place called Harpers.  There used to be one in Charlotte, but it closed down.  Great roasted chicken and a terrific balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

Burlington/Graham area has Hursey's restaurants.  The one just south of Graham has awesome barbecue, one that I would run up against Greensboro's Stamey's anyday.  No BBQ chicken, though...that sucks.  There are two others in the area, but they're not much in the way of BBQ.

Burlington also has two good restaurants as well:  First is the Grill Worx, which has good omelettes.  Second is the Blue Ribbon Diner (also located in Mebane), which is good for some good southern cooking.

[hbelkins]

In Kentucky, I always liked Claudia Sanders Dinner House near Shelbyville. She was the wife of that famous Sanders guy from Kentucky, so fried chicken was definitely on the menu, but the home cookin' was a sight to behold.

In little Irvine, where I worked for years and is only about 20 miles from me, Cedar Village is excellent. The former owner sold out, then after his non-compete agreement expired started a restaurant called Michael's in Irvine's twin city of Ravenna. I have not eaten there but it gets rave reviews as being similar to, if not better than, Cedar Village. There is also a Cedar Village off I-75 at the KY 595 exit in Berea.

Joe Bologna's in downtown Lexington near the UK campus used to have excellent Italian food back in the 1970s. I haven't eaten there since I was in high school but I hear it is still excellent.

A regional steakhouse chain that I like, with only a very few restaurants so I would still consider it local, is Reno's Roadhouse. I hosted the Somerset and Pikeville Kentucky meets at Reno's and have also eaten at the one in Hazard. It has similar fare to Logan's Roadhouse.

My hometown has the Purple Cow, which still puts out good food after having been in business for years, and a new place called Kaydee's Kitchen that everyone loves but since I don't work in the town where I live, I have never been able to try it.

[pianocello]

During the Iowa meet last year we ate a meal at Hickory Park in Ames. Good stuff.

That place is amazing. Just try to avoid the weekend (Wed-Sat) before Thanksgiving. That's the All-State Music festival and about 2000 middle-high school students will be there with their families

[US71]

Not really "local", but I like King Pizza in Fayetteville, AR.  JD China is good, but has suffered a bit the last few years. Feltner Brother's is OK, but don't go on an empty stomach.

I also liked the late, great Pizza by Stout in Joplin.

In Kansas City I like Pizza Shoppe and Gate's BBQ.

In Russellville, I prefer CJ's Burger Boy or Feltner's Whattaburger (not part of the chain)

Also AQ Chicken in Springdale or Fayetteville

[BigMattFromTexas]

American:
Underwoods Cafeteria, in Brownwood.

Mexican:
La Esperansa, here in Angelo. But sense we're in West Texas, at night, north San Angelo, along Chadbourne St (pronounced locally as Chad-burn), it all smells like Mexican food so there's plenty of Mexican food to choose from. If I get a new HD camera I'll record the road. 80% of the store signs are in Spanish. ANYWAYS, I also like Henry's Diner (even though it's really not a diner).

Chinese:
Chinese Kitchen.

German:
Altdorf's in Fredericksburg, TX.

Italian:
Joe's Italian, here in San Angelo.

BBQ: (Yes, here, BBQ is non categorized in American)
Big O's in Valera, TX. That's some amazing food. Coopers BBQ, it's a Texas chain, but close enough to local, eh?
BigMatt

[apeman33]

Not really "local", but I like King Pizza in Fayetteville, AR.  JD China is good, but has suffered a bit the last few years.

I also liked the late, great Pizza by Stout in Joplin.

As long as I've lived around here, I never ate there. I just never thought about it.

However, I've had both Chicken Annie's and Chicken Mary's and, I'm sorry, but to me, they're the same. It's chicken.

[Brandon]

A few off the top of my head.

Bell's Greek Pizza, East Lansing, MI (love the grinders)  
Golden Chopsticks, Bolingbrook, IL (best Chinese around, IMHO)  
Cemeno's Pizza (formerly Aurelio's), Joliet, IL 
Uncle Bub's BBQ, Westmont, IL 

Still have to find a good local Mexican restaurant to replace El Tapatio, Crest Hill, IL.  

Of course, there are the local chains (almost every good one in Chicago seems to become a chain at some point),
Portillo's, Girodano's, Nancy's Pizza, Home Run Inn, Aurelio's, The Patio

[Lightning Strike]

Hmm, Brandon I'll have to take a look at that Chinese place, I don't live too far away...though I've got to say my best Chinese so far is Double Li's in Chinatown, Chicago off of Cermak.

[US71]

Not really "local", but I like King Pizza in Fayetteville, AR.  JD China is good, but has suffered a bit the last few years.

I also liked the late, great Pizza by Stout in Joplin.

As long as I've lived around here, I never ate there. I just never thought about it.

It was a treat if I was in the area or headed for Kansas City. I'll miss it

However, I've had both Chicken Annie's and Chicken Mary's and, I'm sorry, but to me, they're the same. It's chicken.

A lot of it is how you cook it. If you're ever in Arkanas, try AQ

[hm insulators]

Some of my favorites in the Phoenix area: Fajardo's Cafe and La Perla, two terrific Mexican restaurants within a half mile of each other in Glendale. My favorite Chinese restaurant is Golden Buddha in the Chinese Cultural Center, although China Chile is about equally good.

For pizza, I love Red Devil down in Tempe; closer to home is Pizza Heaven just down the street from my apartment.

[berberry]

One of the finest restaurants anywhere for southern cooking is right here in Vicksburg:  Walnut Hills.  If I had to pick one restaurant as the town's absolute best, that'd be the one.

Goldie's is excellent for barbecue, but imo they're outdone by Leatha's in Hattiesburg.  The Beechwood is excellent for steaks, but the atmosphere ain't much.  El Sombrero is very good for Mexican food.

Some of the best hot tamales you'll find anywhere are at Solly's downtown and The Tamale Place on I-20 South Frontage.   

Although Rowdy's Catfish restaurant is good, for the best catfish I like Cock-of-the-Walk in Jackson.  For a long time, there were only three locations:  Natchez, Jackson and Nashville - and oddly enough all three of those cities are along the Natchez Trace Parkway.  COTW has since expanded into places like Pensacola and Memphis, but I have no idea how those locations are doing, or even if they're still there.

Amerigo's in Jackson is excellent for Italian food, but I believe it's an expansion restaurant, with the flagship location in Atlanta.

For fine dining, Nick's in Jackson is pretty good.  And for seafood, you can't go wrong with Que Sera on State Street.