If you’re someone who's thrilled by food, plans their day around food and for whom food is a destination, then you are a true foodie, a gastronaut, a gourmet, a food lover. It’s your entertainment, your conversation starter, your hobby, your lifestyle.
Food culture has flourished over the past decade. Little known chefs have become culinary rock stars, while tiny towns have become famous culinary hot spots. And for this, we are thankful. It gives us a chance to hit the road and sample some of the country’s best food towns and gnaw on local fare at stops along the way.
We’re headed from NorCal, south to LA, then crossing the country on I-10, with a few side trips to some of the country’s best food cities on this route.
What better way to begin your culinary road trip than in the Golden City of San Francisco. If you turn your nose up to roadside fast food, then let’s start this journey at a vibrant <a href="http://blog.tirebuyer.com/michelin-star-restaurants-guide/">Michelin-starred restaurant</a> called Lazy Bear. It’s a communal dining experience with two seatings and one menu each night. You must pre-purchase tickets for the three-hour dinner party. Upon leaving San Francisco, travel Highway 101 south.
Next stop, LA. You absolutely can't drive past Los Angeles when on a foodie road trip and not stop at one of hottest restaurants in the city. Gastronomes turn to Eater magazine to find the hippest spots for food, and this month, it’s <a href="http://la.eater.com/maps/best-new-los-angeles-restaurants-heatmap">Highland Park Bowl</a>, a refurbished, striking space with pre-Prohibition décor, brilliant cocktails, and great tunes.
Head east on I-10 across the southwestern desert; destination Mexican food, uh, I mean Phoenix. Skip Arizona's trendy places that highlight their mega-margaritas over their braised pork Carnitas. Instead, take a seat at Barrio Café — America’s best Mexican restaurant, according to Tabélog. Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza has been preparing elevated, yet authentic, Mexican American dishes for more than 14 years.
Continue on I-10 east and grab a coffee, some chile rellenos, and a car wash at H & H Café and Car Wash in El Paso.
Before you hit Austin, stop in a <a href="http://www.eater.com/2014/12/22/7434321/eater-scenes-el-paso-h-and-h#4362494">little Texas town called Marfa</a>, located south off Highway 90, best known for its contemporary art, kooky vintage scene, and gourmet food trucks. Check out Food Shark’s food truck or their Museum of Electronic Wonders and Late Night Grilled Cheese Parlour.
Skip San Antonio and instead head east on Highway 290 through Fredericksburg to Austin, known for both its awesome live music and incredible restaurants. Have gingerbread pancakes at Kerbey Lane for breakfast, a black and bleu pizza at Second Bar on Congress for lunch and dinner at Dai Due supper club. Yes, you will be staying at least one night in Austin, sampling its sophisticated food and refreshing music scene.
Lockhart
Reconnect with I-10 by taking Route 130 through Lockhart. This destination is ALL about the barbecue — arguably the best in the world. Lockhart has the <a href="http://www.texasmonthly.com/food/the-worlds-best-barbecue-is-in-taylor-texas-or-is-it-lockhart/">trifecta of BBQ restaurants</a>— Smitty’s Market, Kreuz Market and Black’s BBQ. Order brisket, sausage and ribs from each stop, set up at a roadside picnic table, dig in and get yourself dirty. You’ll be hard-pressed to pick a favorite — it’s BBQ heaven in your hands.
This road trip ends in New Orleans so we can spend some quality time in the Southern, French, Cajun, Creole-inspired city. Eat your way through the historic streets of the French Quarter as you get your fill of oysters, beignets, crawfish, southern fried chicken and po’boys at Mother’s, Café Du Monde, French Market Restaurant and Willie Mae’s Scotch House.
Happy eating, road trippers!
Anne-Marie Pritchett
Anne-Marie Pritchett: writer, editor, visionary, world traveler, outdoor enthusiast, urban bohemian, music freak, sports addict.