MUST try (or avoid) American foods!

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  • allaboutthecake
    allaboutthecake Posts: 1,531 Member
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    I don't think anyone who GOES to Las Vegas really EATS in Las Vegas....it's all about the booze and the shows! So while you're in Vegas, drink up & go see some shows, and drink some more! :wink:
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,326 Member
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    i forgot sophie's cuban food !! there's a a few locations but the best will probably be on south street seaport.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
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    I don't think anyone who GOES to Las Vegas really EATS in Las Vegas....it's all about the booze and the shows! So while you're in Vegas, drink up & go see some shows, and drink some more! :wink:
    The only food I remember is the 99¢ shrimp cocktail, and the cactus candy I brought back for souvenirs.

    Las Vegas is in the desert, so you'll drink lots & lots (& lots) of water.
  • civilizedworm
    civilizedworm Posts: 796 Member
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    If you are road tripping between any of those destinations, stop at any, all, and every restaurant or diner that has a large fiberglass animal.

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    Can't beat the kitsch factor!
  • AnnaVee84
    AnnaVee84 Posts: 345 Member
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    :drinker: :drinker: hoooooray, what a fun trip that will be! I live in Vegas and love it, it's got some GREAT food, both cheap and expensive, and many places are open 24/7, which makes for a great foodie town! Like another person recommended, I use the Yelp site and app a lot; it's easy to see hours, location, and get reviews and recs on what to order.

    Top recs for Vegas for new visitors:
    1. Sin City = gluttony = buffets! Best one on the Strip now (IMO) is Bacchanal Buffet at Caesar's. I've had friends who waited 2+ hours for dinner here, so crazy. One month, I had so many visitors that I went 3 times in 2 weeks. Totally worth it every time - it's got great selection, food, and desserts
    http://www.caesarspalace.com/restaurants/bacchanal-buffet.html
    pro tip: if you can get in line and pay before 3 pm, then you'll pay lunch time prices ($35 ish) but they switch over to dinner at 3 and you'll get all the dinner time items without paying the dinner price! (About $50 ish)
    Other options are Wynn or Bellagion (both high end), the Rio (just off strip) has a Seafood buffet, orrrr if you're REALLY hungry there's the Buffet of Buffet option where you pay like $60 for 24 access to several buffets haha, it's NUTS!

    2. In-n-Out burger is just off the strip on Tropicana - Classic West Coast burgers, since it's your first time out here!
    may be difficult to walk to from the Strip - I have tried once, and we didn't make it!!
    Otherwise, there's great burger joints along the strip, but this is a great value compared to them (Burger Bar, BurGR, BLT Burger)

    3. Hash House a Go Go - inside The Quad
    http://www.yelp.com/biz/hash-house-a-go-go-las-vegas-5
    huge portions. great drinks. the chicken and wafflessssss are super yum, can feed two, and that's a Classic pairing of American foods!!! haha

    Otherwise, all the casinos will have food courts and their premiere restaurants based upon their theme or clientele. Yelp can help you find good happy hours or specials as well!

    Not American foods, but more great options:
    - Tacos el Gordo - just north of Wynn, in a random strip mall
    http://www.yelp.com/biz/tacos-el-gordo-las-vegas?osq=tacos
    great late night hours, delicious mexican street style tacos in allll kinds of meat (tongue anyone? super tender!)

    - Mon Ami Gabi - great option for brunch, they have a bloody mary bar! if you can get a table out on the balcony, it's worth it for the view of the Bellagio fountains and people watching

    - Estorios Milos, inside the Cosmo, I think they still have their 3 course lunch deal, which was really good price; Greek cuisine http://www.yelp.com/biz/estiatorio-milos-las-vegas

    Beyond food, I'd also recommend to hit up Fremont Street and old town las Vegas, it's got great people watching, fun bars and restaurants and just super fun, if you want a more casual (but still Vegas) experience! Container Park just opened up out there, and Gold Spike is a fun new bar with life size jenga, corn hole, and "ice skating" on plastic in the back haha Fremont is a fun area and where the locals hang out.

    Try Tix4Tonight ticket booth for shows if you aren't too sure of what you want, they have a lot of good offerings for good prices of shows that night. Classic shows like Cirque may have deals online depending on when you visit!

    Hope you enjoy your trip, and that it's not too hot when you do visit! But we love visitors, so please come and spend money, we need it!!! :bigsmile:


    oops, edited prices and time!
  • PurringMyrrh
    PurringMyrrh Posts: 5,296 Member
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    I should clarify my other posts by saying In-N-Out is one of the only chains you shouldn't avoid.
  • pita7317
    pita7317 Posts: 1,437 Member
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    You sound like me, before a trip always trying to decide where to eat ! LOL
    Each one of those cities...oh boy the options are endless !
    Go to tripadvisor.com and check out restaurants. They are rated according to travelers reviews.
    Vegas. I live somewhat close and visit on occasion.
    Mon Ami Gabi. Paris. Patio table.
    Grand Lux Cafe Huge menu !
    Never been, but always wanted to try The Golden Steer Steakhouse.
    (Been open 55 years so they must be doing something right ?)
    Anyway that's my input. Good luck.
  • honsi
    honsi Posts: 210 Member
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    I am from Europe but live in the US now. Don't worry, you will find out very quickly by yourself :)

    Stay away of the chain...I would not call what they serve food. Maybe be fun to go to Steak'n'Shake for the 50s like ambiance but that is all.

    There are plenty of small restaurants in any city that are independant, that's what you want.
    Were the portion sizes an outrageous shocker when you came here? I've heard even our fridges are bigger than yours.
    I'm from Scotland and took my Nan to New York a few years ago and the portions are really enormous , we couldn't believe it. It was kind of obscene, we quickly learnt to just order one dish and share, and we where both big , big eaters.
  • sentaruu
    sentaruu Posts: 2,206 Member
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    when you go to ny, have a slice of pizza, a reuben sandwich from a deli and a hot dog from a street vendor(preferably one with a few people eating around it)
  • squishycatmew
    squishycatmew Posts: 151 Member
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    In SF - go to the Ferry Building and just walk around inside, especially on one of the days the farmer's market is open. Sample everything. (It's pricy but damn, the food there is good. If you can get there on a Saturday when the Roli Roti stall is there, the porchetta sandwich is divine, and the roast chicken and the rosemary potatoes are also THE BEST.)
    Burma Superstar or Mandalay in the Richmond district - not American food, but I don't know of a lot of places with Burmese food.
    In-N-Out is the only fast-food burger on the West Coast that I can stand.
    Bi-Rite Creamery next to Dolores Park for ice cream (be prepared for EPIC lines, though), or Humphrey Slocombe. Also, Eatwell Farms now has a soft-serve stall in the Second Act Marketplace on Haight St - they usually only have 4 flavors, but they are fabulous, and local. (Eatwell is where I get my CSA box-o-produce-and-eggs).
    Also, see what it playing at the Castro Theater and go see something! It's one of the few old movie theaters that's still intact and still active, and is just beautiful. You can go in and have a look most days even if there's no show, but I encourage you to buy a ticket and support them :) If you want to see what's basically the Castro on steroids, the Paramount Theater in Oakland was designed by the same architect (Timothy Pfleuger), but is about 10x the size.
    In the US, pie is also very popular, though the quality can be extremely variable. I actually don't know where to get a good one in the Bay Area, since I bake my own. Also, head out to Half Moon Bay for some really fantastic barbecue.
  • RiverMelSong
    RiverMelSong Posts: 456 Member
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    Great stuff!

    I'll be sure to avoid the chains (apart from In-N-Out burger :wink: ) as much as possible!
    Also, you should definitely have some New York-style pizza. Our favorite place was Lombardi's at 32 Spring St.
    I'll add it to the list! :)
    In New York city try Westville they have 4 different locations in lower Manhattan and it is fantastic, the market sides they are to die for! Also Shake Shake but they have insane lines but if you are going to have a junk food treat they are super good there is one in Madison Square Park and one in Tribeca. Also I would say going to Chinatown is really fun even if you don't eat there. I would say stay away from eating in Times Square it is overpriced and low quality although worth walking through they are going to try and lure you into a T.G.I Fridays it is not worth it! The Lower East Side and West Village are full of cute restaurants if you are exploring.
    Great advice (also on what to avoid)! Thank you!
    The portion sizes are insane....

    In my case, coming from France, we don't need huge fridges because we prefer take multiple trip to the shops to buy the food. As there are much less conservation agents used in food, you can't keep it as long
    Yeah I was afraid of that, we're the same over here with the multiple trips to the supermarket :) I found Australian portions to be insane also so I'm expecting something similar to that :p
    Have fun! My daughter is currently in Paris and we toured the Greek islands last summer. It is always a treat to discover culinary worlds different from our own :)
    It's amazing isn't it! My favourite part of traveling :)
    I don't think anyone who GOES to Las Vegas really EATS in Las Vegas....it's all about the booze and the shows! So while you're in Vegas, drink up & go see some shows, and drink some more! :wink:
    This sounds great if I was going with friends, but I won't be drinking as much with my dad there I'm afraid xD We'll definitely try to do a show though! We're in Vegas for 3 days :)
    If you are road tripping between any of those destinations, stop at any, all, and every restaurant or diner that has a large fiberglass animal.
    That sounds hilarious! Unfortunately we're flying everywhere because we've only got 2 weeks, but I'll definitely put it on the list for next time!
    :drinker: :drinker: hoooooray, what a fun trip that will be! I live in Vegas and love it, it's got some GREAT food, both cheap and expensive, and many places are open 24/7, which makes for a great foodie town!

    Beyond food, I'd also recommend to hit up Fremont Street and old town las Vegas, it's got great people watching, fun bars and restaurants and just super fun, if you want a more casual (but still Vegas) experience! Container Park just opened up out there, and Gold Spike is a fun new bar with life size jenga, corn hole, and "ice skating" on plastic in the back haha Fremont is a fun area and where the locals hang out.

    Try Tix4Tonight ticket booth for shows if you aren't too sure of what you want, they have a lot of good offerings for good prices of shows that night. Classic shows like Cirque may have deals online depending on when you visit!

    Hope you enjoy your trip, and that it's not too hot when you do visit! But we love visitors, so please come and spend money, we need it!!! :bigsmile:
    Haha thank you for this! I was afraid the strip might become a bit boring after a couple of days so we'll definitely try this!
    You sound like me, before a trip always trying to decide where to eat ! LOL
    Yup, I love planning ahead! :happy:



    Thank you guys so much! It's going to be the trip of a lifetime! If all Americans are as enthusiastic and helpful as you all I'm sure we'll have an amazing time!! :happy:
  • darkrose20
    darkrose20 Posts: 1,139 Member
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    deep fried butter. the hamburger made with a donught as a bun. (run like he...ll foods, btw)
  • ilfaith
    ilfaith Posts: 16,770 Member
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    You cannot visit NYC without having a bagel (with a "shmear" of cream cheese and nova lox). In midtown, I would go to Ess-a-Bagel, but Absolute Bagels (on the upper west side) and Tal Bagels (a couple of locations in Manhattan) are also excellent.
  • QuiznatoddBidness
    QuiznatoddBidness Posts: 603 Member
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    Must avoid: everything I ate today. :sick:
  • shmerek
    shmerek Posts: 963 Member
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    You cannot visit NYC without having a bagel (with a "shmear" of cream cheese and nova lox). In midtown, I would go to Ess-a-Bagel, but Absolute Bagels (on the upper west side) and Tal Bagels (a couple of locations in Manhattan) are also excellent.
    Nussbaum & Wu near Columbia Uni has an awesome cream cheese to bagel ratio. I loved the pizza by the slice too.
  • Keepcalmanddontblink
    Keepcalmanddontblink Posts: 718 Member
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    Pinks hot dogs in Los Angeles! They have lines out the door and were featured on Food Network TV.
    709 N. La Brea Ave.,
    Los Angeles, CA 90038
    Here is their website: http://www.pinkshollywood.com/

    I also second the suggestion to try Mexican food. Any hole in the wall types of places are the best, because they focus on the food, more than the surroundings. Try it when you are in California though (or maybe Vegas), I've never tried it in NY, but Chinese/Japanese food is awesome over there as is the pizza and hot dogs.

    I also agree with using Yelp and reading the reviews before trying any places just to be safe. :)
  • CharleePear
    CharleePear Posts: 1,948 Member
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    Yes these are all amazing suggestions!!
    From a foreigner that lived in the States one thing I will warn you though is that your stomach may get upset so, tread carefully, American food quite 'fake' on the whole but it is definitely something you need to experience. I suggest you try Chipotle, the Seafood Chowder at The Fisherman's Wharf, and the crazy diners they have there. Warning Sausage is not sausages lol.
  • CharleePear
    CharleePear Posts: 1,948 Member
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    I should clarify my other posts by saying In-N-Out is one of the only chains you shouldn't avoid.

    I have to really disagree with this one, but I have a lot who will disagree with me, just try it for yourself.
  • AnnaVee84
    AnnaVee84 Posts: 345 Member
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    here's some info on ordering at In-n-Out and the secret menu:

    http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2011/03/the-in-n-out-survival-guide-we-ate-every-single-item-on-the-secret-menu.html

    I actually had In-n-Out tonight, was looking forward to it all day!
    Just got a double meat (mustard fried), protein style no sauce added whole grilled onions and animal style fries! the first time getting whole onion (rather than chopped) and mustard fried patties, and they make the burger deeeelish, gonna be my new regular order!!

    Saved my carbs, cheese, and sauce for the fries, haha, oh man, what a treat! Enjoy it!!
  • Slacker16
    Slacker16 Posts: 1,184 Member
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    One thing no one has mentioned is to try a steakhouse (warning : pricey). Probably my favourite feature of US food.

    If you're in New Jersey at all, try applejack (if you can find it) and fat sandwiches. Also, get drunk and order a McGangbang.

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