If you want to experience a true Pittsburgh institution, the original Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar in the Strip District is the place to start. Tucked into one of the city’s most historic and hardworking neighborhoods, this no-frills sandwich shop has been serving up its signature creations since 1933 — and it still feels proudly rooted in its blue-collar beginnings.
Walking inside, you’re greeted by walls murals on the wall of famous people that have contributed to Pittsburgh’s history, from Mr. Rogers to “Mean” Joe Green all the way to Terry Bradshaw.
The sandwiches are the real attraction — The Pitts-burger & Cheese, a burger stacked high with cheese, fresh-cut fries, vinegar-based coleslaw, and tomato, all pressed between thick slices of Italian bread. It’s a bold combination that somehow works perfectly, delivering crunch, salt, tang, and comfort in every bite. And oh so messy!
Dining here isn’t about fancy presentation or quiet ambiance — it’s about history, heart, and a sandwich that’s become a symbol of the city itself. One bite, and you understand why this spot remains a Pittsburgh classic.
There’s something about a true seafood feast that feels both indulgent and unforgettable — and when the craving hits, there’s one place that immediately comes to mind, Mr. & Mrs, Crab, in Lakeland, Florida. This local favorite serves up fresh catches drenched in perfectly seasoned sauces, piled high and ready to dig into.
From the moment I walked in, I could tell this wasn’t just dinner — it was an experience. This spot promises messy hands, full tables, and flavors that would keep me coming back for more.
I had to start with a cup of lobster bisque. There’s something undeniably comforting about a cup of lobster bisque. From the very first spoonful, the delicate sweetness of the lobster blends beautifully with the smooth cream base, creating a flavor that feels both elegant and soothing. A cup of lobster bisque isn’t just soup — it’s comfort, and the perfect way to start a meal.
There are meals you eat — and then there are meals you experience. The Shrimp & Crawfish Boil is served in a steaming, oversized bag is definitely the latter. From the moment it hits the table, I knew this was something special. The bag was puffed with heat, the aroma of the Mr & Mrs Crab Special Sauce spilled out the second the bag opened —a bold blend of Cajun spice, zesty lemon pepper, and rich garlic butter instantly made my mouth water.
Inside, bright red crawfish and perfectly cooked shrimp are tossed generously in that signature sauce, soaking up every bit of flavor. The shrimp are tender and juicy with just the right snap, while the crawfish are sweet and delicate, practically begging to be peeled and savored. Nestled among them are golden corn on the cob and fork-tender potatoes, both fully coated in the sauce and bursting with seasoned goodness in every bite.
There’s something irresistibly comforting about a Clam & Mussel Boil done right — especially when it’s served piping hot in a steamy bag of garlic butter goodness. The moment the bag is opened you can smell the rich aroma of melted butter and fresh garlic.
Inside, tender clams and plump mussels are perfectly cooked, their natural brininess beautifully complemented by the silky, savory sauce. The garlic butter enhances the seafood without overpowering it.
Digging into a traditional Crawfish Boil, especially when it arrives piping hot in a steamy bag is good any day of the week. Packed with vibrant crawfish, hearty potatoes, and sweet corn on the cob, this dish delivers comfort and bold flavor in every handful.
Ordering it with just the Cajun sauce ties it all together — a savory blend of spices with just the right kick of heat. As you pour everything out onto the tray, you will notice the potatoes and corn are perfectly infused, and the crawfish are tender and full of character. It’s casual, a little messy, and absolutely delicious.
Tucked into the heart of the Eau Gallie Arts District, FM Pizza Oven has carved out a name for itself as a go-to spot for authentic wood-fired pizza along Florida’s Space Coast. What began as a mobile pizza operation has grown into a charming brick-and-mortar restaurant, now housed in a beautifully restored historic bank building that adds character the moment you walk in.
The Pepperoni Woodfire Pizza is simplicity done spectacularly well. It comes straight from the roaring wood-fired oven with a crust that’s tender and slightly charred — smoky, airy, and perfectly textured. Each slice balances rich tomato sauce, gooey melted cheese, and spicy pepperoni in a way that feels both timeless and deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of pizza that grabs your attention from the first bite and keeps you coming back for more.
The Meatball Burrata Pizza takes comfort to another level. Juicy, flavorful meatballs are spread across the pie, baked until perfectly tender, then finished with fresh, creamy burrata that melts slightly into the warm surface. A bright marinara ties it all together, adding just the right touch of acidity to complement the richness of the cheese and meat. It’s hearty yet refined — a pizza that feels both rustic and elevated at the same time.
While the pizzas are the main attraction at FM Pizza Oven, the wood-fired tapas deserve just as much attention. These shareable plates bring the same smoky depth and comforting flavors, making it nearly impossible to order just one.
The mac and cheese comes bubbling hot with a beautifully crisped top layer that gives way to a creamy, cheesy center. That contrast — golden and slightly crunchy on the outside, rich and velvety underneath — makes every bite incredibly satisfying.
The meatballs are another standout, baked in a vibrant red sauce and topped with melted mozzarella that stretches with every forkful. The sauce is bold and savory, clinging to each tender meatball, while the cheese adds that extra layer of indulgence.
And then there are the garlic knots — soft, fluffy, and brushed generously with garlic butter before being finished with gooey, melted cheese. Warm, pull-apart, and packed with flavor, they’re the kind of appetizer that disappears from the table in minutes.
Whether you’re meeting friends for dinner or looking for a casual yet memorable night out, FM Pizza Oven delivers a warm, inviting setting with flavors that speak for themselves.
It’s been a few years since I’ve been to the famous Loveless Café just outside of Nashville, Tennessee.
The last time I was here it was for breakfast. This time I was there for lunch.
You can’t come to Loveless Café, and not order their homemade Buttermilk Biscuits. It doesn’t matter what time of day you visit, they serve these warm morsels with a selection of homemade jellies. These will be some of the best biscuits you will ever try. They are extremely light and fluffy.
The Hot Chicken was spectacular. It was crunchy and juicy. The spice was not overwhelming. You can pick two sides to enjoy with the chicken. The mac & cheese was rich and creamy. The cheesy grits were delicious. The cheese made the grits savory. Who says grits are just for breakfast.
The Pulled Pork Barbecue Sandwich was large. The smoky taste from the pork shined through. The barbecue sauce added sweetness. The sandwich came with French fries.
You can’t come to a southern restaurant without trying the classic Fried Chicken. This classic, southern staple was crispy and juicy with each bite. The two sides with this dish were green beans slow cooked with bacon to add a great smoky taste. The mashed potatoes were immensely creamy and the gravy that came on the side was very savory. It paired wonderfully with the mashed potatoes
The food at Loveless Café is made with such heart. You will enjoy each and every bite.
I was in Jacksonville, and I remembered there was a great diner I had been to before.
Metro Diner was also featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives which has helped this restaurant expand to other locations.
It was breakfast time so I was ready to enjoy their Classic Breakfast. It was simple, scrambled eggs, grits, and toast. There was a lot of food on the plate. The eggs were fresh. The grits had a great creamy and salty taste once I added some butter.
Another Classic Breakfast was ordered. This one had eggs over medium, and it came with bacon, homestyle potatoes, and fresh biscuits. It was extremely hearty.
A side of Pancakes were ordered. This buttermilk batter had great taste. It was perfect to share with the classic breakfast.
Biscuits and Gravy was a larger breakfast than I was expecting. The two biscuits were smothered with creamy pepper country gravy, hashbrowns, and scrambled eggs. There was also extra country gravy on the plate which tasted perfect with the eggs and hashbrowns. I would recommend getting a side of the gravy to eat with a homestyle potatoes.
If you want a great place to go for breakfast, Metro Diner should be on your list. Just keep in mind, they are popular so there could be a small wait.
There was a cute little shop that opened on the east side of Nashville called Fatbelly Pretzel. They have a selection of pretzels, unique pastries, like pretzel danishes, along with sandwiches and salads.
I love pretzels, especially fresh made pretzels. I ordered the Classic Salted Pretzel. The dough was slightly sweet. The salt on the pretzel complemented the taste. It was soft and warm.
I wanted something a little more so I ordered a side of their Sesame Krab Noodles. This was a cold noodle, like a pasta salad. It was tossed in a soy sauce dressing with a rich, sesame taste. It was slightly salty with a great nutty flavor. The krab added nice texture to the soft noodles.
The 5 Points area of Nashville has a great selection of bars and restaurants. It was the weekend, and we were looking for a place to go for brunch. 5 Points Diner looked like a great spot.
The place was packed. There were no tables available, but we were able to get spots at the bar. We decided to get a brunch cocktail. We had great service at the bar from some of the friendliest bartenders.
It’s brunch time so a Bloody Mary was definitely ordered. It was their house bloody mix blended with Deep Eddy Vodka, lime juice, and hot sauce. It was tangy with just the right amount of heat.
The Let’s Have A Kiki was like a cherry limeade just for adults. They used Deep Eddy Lime Vodka, Sprite, and grenadine. It was not too sweet and had the right amount of cherry taste.
The Ain’t Easy Being Squeezy was a refreshing cocktail with lots of citrus flavor. They blended Absolute Citrone vodka with sugar, lime juice, and topped it off with soda.
The last cocktail ordered was the Yes We Do. This is their espresso martini. Clearly they get asked about this drink a lot so they named it for their answer. They use Borghetti, Tito’s vodka and a local coffee shop’s coffee. The shop is called Bongo check them out.
I am glad we got a chance to visit 5 Points Diner. Unfortunately they are now closed but hopefully they open somewhere else in the future.
There is a classic diner, called Blueberry Hill, that is perfect for breakfast. It has been serving Las Vegas since 1987.
I was really hungry when I got there. I had just flown in from the East Coast and was ready to chow down.
I ordered the Crêpe Dealer. This breakfast came out on two plates. The three eggs I got over-medium. They were perfectly cooked. I was able to get bacon and sausage on the side.
The main reason I ordered this dish was because of the crêpes. I got two crêpes, but I did not want any filling. I just wanted to taste this sweet crêpe itself. They accented it with whipped cream and fresh strawberries on top. Now if you want filling in your crêpes, you have the choice of a four cheese blend or homemade fruit compote.
The Corned Beef Hash Omelet was also ordered. This was an interesting omelet. It’s huge. It’s a half pound of eggs, corned beef, sautéed tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and cheddar cheese. It took up almost the whole plate. There were even hashbrowns on the side and they were cooked crispy. This omelet could easily be shared by two people.
If you are an early riser or out late at the casinos, and you need a bite to eat, check out Blueberry Hill. They have a few locations around Vegas, so check out their website to find one near you.
There is a wonderful rooftop restaurant at the Reunion Resort called Eleven. I got to go there for an event, and I was excited to get to be wined and dined.
This rooftop bar/restaurant has great views. There’s a pool you can lounge in if you want. You can see all of the theme parks in the distance. It’s cool at night because you can see all the fireworks.
We started the event off with some cocktails as we socialize with other guests.
The appetizer table was set up outside so we could enjoy the views. The spread was nice. We had an array of options:
– Caesar salad
– Two different kinds of Hummus
– The Charcuterie Board was beautifully arranged with cured meats and artisan cheeses. There were sauces of jalapeño hatch peppers, and honey.
For dinner, it was served family style at each of the tables. The food just kept coming out. There was something for everyone to enjoy.
The Spinach Artichoke Dip was extremely creamy. It was a blend of Fontina and Manchego cheese. They served colorful tortilla chips on the side.
Meatballs came out and these were lamb meatballs with basil, a peanut crumble and saffron aioli. They had a slight gamey taste, but the saffron aioli helped hide that.
The Flatbed Pizza came out and everyone got excited. It was a Margarita Pizza. The dough had great flavor. There was a lot of melted cheese that normally a margarita pizza does not have. I love this because the cheese is sometimes the best part of the pizza.
There were beautiful Beef Steak Skewers that were on top of the bed of Couscous. The steak was tender and had a great pepper taste.
The Shrimp and Grits were amazing. There was so much on the plate. The grits were creamy and cheesy, the best I’ve ever had. The shrimp was tender, but not the star of the dish.
One of the side dishes was Broccolini. They sautéed this with butter and garlic. It was also cooked with raisins. This added a spectacular sweetness to the broccolini, which can sometimes be bitter.
Salmon was the fish for the night. This was a pan seared perfectly. It was flaky and fresh.
The Mac & Cheese came out last and now I know why. Because I would’ve eaten the entire bowl myself and would not have had room to try any of the other dishes. This mac & cheese was made with Fontina Mornay cheese. It was so creamy. Total comfort food.
It was time for dessert. They set the dessert tables up back outside. We got to enjoy:
– Key Lime Cheesecake. It was both sweet and tangy.
– Layered Cake Cups – there was chocolate, strawberry and vanilla icing available
This was the best way to experience Eleven. If you were in the area or staying at the Reunion Resort, you must check them out.
The Boyne River Inn has been a beloved place since 1893. Visitors can enjoy a wonderful meal at BRI.
We were greeted as soon as we walked in. The Midwestern hospitality was on full display.
We sat outside overlooking the river. It was a beautiful view. Plus is was a great day to be outside; the temperature was fantastic.
We started with the Stuffed Dates. These were a unique appetizer that are not normally on menus. They baked Medjool dates that were stuffed with goat cheese. Then they were wrapped in bacon and covered with a balsamic glaze.
There was a wonderful blend of sweet, tart, and salty. The date was creamy and sweet. The tartness came from the goat cheese. The bacon added the saltiness, with a little crunch.
They have a giant Woodfire oven inside the restaurant.
Naturally, we had to try the Meat Pizza. This included ham, pepperoni, bacon, and Italian sausage. They gave a generous portion of all the meat. The dough was sweet and had a nice crunch from being cooked in the oven.
The BRI Burger was a classic cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and onion. It was cooked to a perfect medium, and the American cheese was melted all over the patty. It was very juicy and the seasoning was great. The burger also came with a side of French fries.
The Fish Sandwich was huge. It was almost too big to be a sandwich. The beer battered, fresh cod was deep-fried until crispy. There was lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce on the bun, but the fish tasted so good on its own that the condiments were not necessary.
A visit to Boyne City would not be complete unless you visited BRI for something to eat.
