Where to Pull Up a Chair

Where to Pull Up a Chair (Places to Eat)

(Click here to read my recommendations of books, resources and other stuff I use.)

Regionally listed, here are some of our favorite eateries. Nothing is listed simply because we were there (we’ve traveled a little more broadly than this), but because we really do recommend the food experience. These restaurants vary all over the price spectrum, but are mostly very affordable (that’s how we roll). We enjoy trying new things and hopefully you will be able to enjoy some of these places, too.

This list is vanity if done apart from God. Food and fellowship are gifts from God, to be used rightly, to enjoy heartily. Redeem the experiences in joy and thankfulness. Hot dogs can be excellent and so can lobster, each in their season. Even the power to enjoy these tastes is a gift of grace from God. Rightly done, there is nothing better. For more information, see Ecclesiastes.

An “*” denotes a restaurant that is a chain of five or more stores (roughly), but we/I have only been to this one store and decided to not list it under chain.

New England

Bertucci’s* – Shelton, CT

Unique and tasty pizzas. Then visit Fanny Crosby’s grave in the morning.

Clam Box – Ipswich, MA

The building is shaped like it’s name. Great fried seafoods. Cash only. Closed on Tuesdays.

Foodees Great Pizza Crust Co. – Concord, NH (now closed)

Well, I liked it! (stomps foot). Next door to the Capitol.

John Harvard’s Brew House – Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA

Fantastic burgers and fries in a very cool, sub-street-level location.

Legal Seafood* – Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA

There are many locations down the eastern seaboard. Chrissy and I both had the best meal of our lives at this restaurant.

The Lobster Hut - Plymouth, MA

I don’t recommend the lobster roll here, but everything else I’ve had is delicious.

Mike’s Pastry – Boston, MA

Holy cannoli! Your trip to Boston is wasted if you don’t stop here. Wasted.

Newport Creamery – Newport, RI

Good mood food. What a fun place to eat! Pull up a seat at the counter. You must try the Awful Awful!

Panini Grill – Newport, RI

My first panini was a great one. In a great shopping district. Then go visit The Breakers.

Portsmouth Gas Light Co. – Portsmouth, NH

Christie and I ate here on our honeymoon. It’s a neat place in a historic, small, town.

Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie – Salem, MA

America’s oldest candy company. Since 1806. Right across the street from the House of Seven Gables.

Ye Olde Union Oyster House – Boston, MA

America’s Oldest Restaurant. One of my favorites restaurants in the world. History, taste, ambiance combined. Daniel Webster and JFK were regulars.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania

Junior’s Most Fabulous Cheesecake and Desserts – NYC (Times Square location)

Really, it is.

Rosa’s Pizza – Empire State Building, NYC

By the slice, classic, New York-style, goodness

Johnny Carino’s* – Clifton, NJ

A little different than any other Italian place. Try the Fire Sticks.

Stop a vendor, trade him cash for a hotdog (with onions and red sauce), eat the dog, smile – NYC

City Tavern – Philadelphia, PA

Historic setting, dress and menu!

Reading Terminal Market – Philadelphia, PA

A whole “underground” city block of tasty treats, produce, shops, etc. Be sure to visit Rick’s for his steaks wit’ (cheesesteak with onions). [Update: As of 10/08, Ricks has moved to a new location a few blocks away.]

Dobbin House Tavern – Gettysburg, PA

Very neat experience in Gettysburg’s oldest house. We ate in the Tavern in the basement.

Sesame Inn Chinese Restaurant – Pittsburgh, PA

Found this place on accident when I was trying to avoid the Melting Pot. Amazing sesame beef.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Michigan

Clara’s On the River – Battle Creek

Even though I used to live there, I have only been a few times. Enormous menu. Housed in a beautiful train station. The food is better than their website would suggest.

Horn’s Gaslight – Mackinac Island

Good times with good friends. Southwestern fare.

Kazoopy’s – Portage

A selection of 40 grinders. Their Portage location closed apparently. Now only open in Mattawan.

Old Peninsula Brew Pub – Kalamazoo

Wonderful burgers and fries, hand-crafted root beer and orange soda.

The Pizza Parlor – Battle Creek

Gold standard wet burrito. An enjoyable part of my caloric history.

Samuel Mancinos Italian Eatery* – Primarily a Michigan institution, but now spreading rapidly

Excellent grinders.

Sweetwater’s Donut Mill – Kalamazoo/Battle Creek

I am dead to all other donuts. Try the Apple Crumb. If they are out, stand in line until the morning.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Tennessee (Nashville Area)

Center Point Pit Barbeque – Hendersonville

My favorite bbq in TN, so far.

Chuy’s* – Franklin

Christie’s favorite chips on planet earth are at this Tex-Mex hotspot. This is their only location outside of Texas.

Dog of Nashville – Near Vandy

Try the slaw dog. It’s alot of fun.

El Rey Azteca -Whites Creek

Very close to home. Maybe our favorite Mexican restaurant? I speak their language.

Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Que* – Charlotte Pike

We’ve only eaten here once, but we all loved it. Maybe a few more tries would make it my favorite bbq chain.

Loveless Cafe – Southwest of the city

Small place. Big reputation. Great biscuits and other southern comforts.

Maggiano’s Little Italy* – West End

Maybe our overall favorite restaurant. Glad it’s so expensive that we only come here rarely (and only with gift cards). Our kids will likely never see this place…poor things.

Mellow Mushroom* – Downtown Franklin

Fun and groovy. We like taking guests to this laid back location.

Naticakes – Downtown Franklin

Right across the street from Mellow Mushroom. Great place for dessert, if you like gourmet cupcakes…like we do. (This store changed names and ownership around 8/09 and we haven’t been there since to try it).

Neely’s Bar-B-Que – Nashville

I don’t love the feel of the restaurant, but they have good eats, a good view and good service. Food Network family.

Pei Wei Asian Diner* – Green Hills

P.F. Changs little brother.

Pie in the Sky Pizza – Cool Springs

Upscale, uptaste. Very good.

Pied Piper Eatery – East Side

Family-friendly diner with fun menu.

Trowbridge Ice Cream Bar – Florence, AL (no other good place to put this)

Very notable. Since before you were born.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

South Carolina

The Beacon Drive-In – Spartanburg, SC

What a pit! But the line is crazy long, the food is super-greasy, the tea is extra-sweet. It’s a cultural institution. Your mouth will thank you. Your stomach might not.

Charleston Crab House – Mount Pleasant, SC

Where I learned to really like grits. Enjoyable experience.

Hyman’s Seafood – Charleston, SC

The line out front says it all.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

West of the Mississipi

Beau Jo’s – Idaho Springs, CO

It’s been a long time, but I remember loving it. Pizza by the pound?

Casa Bonita – Denver, CO

Mexican food and cliff divers in one place? I’m there! It’s where I first learned to love guac.

Patty’s Taco House – San Antonio, TX

We had breakfast here twice. Well worth mentioning.

Tower of the Americas – San Antonio, TX

There’s a restaurant on top. It’s got cheesecake that tastes very good when it’s your birthday.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Non-Domestic

Cromer, Norfolk, England

Buy some fish and chips at a shop on Church St., walk down to the Esplanade and eat in a pavilion and watch the sunset on the North Sea. No really, it’s cool.

Jenny’s Burgers – London, England

In the shopping centre across the street from Metropolitan Tabernacle. Corner of Elephant and Castle. My introduction to putting eggs on burgers. Magnifico!

Bazaar Cafe – Paris, France

When you put an over-easy egg on top of a pizza, brilliant things happen in your mouth!

Eiffel Tower – Paris, France

On the northwest side of the Eiffel Tower, between the Tower and the Seine, there is a handcart that carries some very notable pistachio ice cream.

Lessons for eating in England and Paris:

In England, beware the mustard. English mustard is potent stuff. A little dab will do ya. (We are used to the French-style of mustard.)

In Paris, beware the bakeries, the pastries will delight you to fatness.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Chains

Carrabba’s Italian Grill – Portage, MI

Three words: Pollo Rosa Maria. I have been here 10-20 times (never once had to pay for it either) and have only been able to muster those three words. Never had an ounce of regret about it either.

Culvers – The Cheese State and beyond

I’m a little hesitant to put Culvers on here. When you live near a Culvers, it becomes common and not much of a big deal. I wouldn’t look forward to going there as much as the other places, but if your choices are limited, Culvers is a good bet. You have to try the cheese curds, and the ice cream mixes are nothing to pooh-pooh. It’s the brightest and shiniest of my recommendations, hence I hesitate.

Five Guys – Alexandria (VA) and Nashville

Wowwhattaburger!

Famous Dave’s – Grand Rapids, Flint, South Bend

Lots of good times here. It just makes me happy.

Red Robin – Portage, MI/Hendersonville, TN/Clifton, NJ

I’ve never left here sad.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse – Boston, Troy (MI), Hartford, Chicago

They say, “If you’ve ever had steak this good, welcome back.” I say, the steak is pretty good, but I love the lobster bisque.

Sticky Fingers – Greenville, SC/Charleston, SC

Huge hickory-smoked chicken wings…among other things

An “*” denotes a restaurant that is a chain of five or more stores (roughly), but we/I have only been to this one store and decided to not list it under chain.