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Gallery: You’ve Gotta Try These Scrumptious but Secret Local Food Spots

Food is a big part of the travel experience because it says a lot about a place—the ingredients from which it’s made, the climate in which they’re grown, the way people eat it and with whom. It all contributes to the culture of a region and, in the United States alone, there’s a ton of variation. So if you're a foodie thinking about a cross-country road trip, these lesser-known local favorites from bloggers might get you amped, and hungry.

Walls BBQ in Savannah, Georgia — Laurence of Finding the Universe: “Whilst popular with locals in the know, this off the beaten track BBQ down a small dirt road is otherwise both tricky to find and not exactly on the tourist trail. That needs to change because the BBQ here is fantastic, and has been served up in the same style since 1963. Clearly they’re doing something right! Favorites are of course the ribs and pulled pork—get a plate of everything and you won’t go wrong.”

Everest in Santa Clarita, California — Jennifer of The Awesome Muse: “Everest serves delicious, healthy food—fast. It's one of those places where everyone who lives here knows about it, but because it looks like a former fast food restaurant on the outside, one wouldn't think to stop in necessarily… You can find tremendous salads with generous portions. I often have enough to either share or to bring home with me to eat later. The burgers and sandwiches are fresh and delicious. And it’s not just lunch and dinner. Their breakfast burritos are about the size of my head they are so generously filled.”

Duron’s El Zarape Grill in Yuma, Arizona — Katherine of Travel the World: “While Yuma’s Mexican food runs the gamut from fast food burritos, tacos and tostadas to sit-down restaurants, Duron’s El Zarape Grill stands out because it features Sonoran cuisine using fresh, local produce, quality seafood and Certified Angus Beef. Not only is their food fresh, it is also packed with flavor. The restaurant is an unassuming, family-owned, neighborhood spot with food that culinarily transports diners across the border.”

Johnny Po Boys in New Orleans — Anthony of The Travel Tart: “One of my favorites is Johnny Po Boys in New Orleans. Good value southern fare, very tasty, very popular with locals and visitors. They even have a great business card!”

New Hong Kong Restaurant in Phoenix — Diana Brandt of AZ Foodie: “This unsuspecting local favorite, is located in a strip mall and although the building isn’t new and fancy, the food is consistent and satisfying. New Hong Kong Restaurant continues to bring us back with the promise of the crispiest chicken wings we’ve ever had! You’ll also find us ordering the clay pots, roast duck and beef and bok choy. Although there are two menus you can order off of. I highly suggest you order from the Traditional Chinese menu where pork belly and taro or anything in their XO sauce, will exhilarate your palate.”

Lisa’s Pasty Pantry in Missoula, Montana — Ryan of Travels With Knife: “Lisa’s Pasty Pantry has been serving as many as 200 pasties a day since 1996. ‘The pasty reminds you of something your mom made for you,’ says Molly (McGrath) McGill, whose mother, Lisa, opened the restaurant when Molly was eight years old. The pasty has a storied history in Montana. It was brought to the Butte copper mines by Cornish miners in the late-19th-century. Hand-sized meat-and-potato-filled pastries kept the miners full while smaller, cocktail pasties, prepared by the miners’ wives were placed in the mine-shafts as an offering to pixies to keep them safe.”

80 East Gastropub in Tybee Island, Georgia — Jessica of Independent Travel Cats: “The 80 East Gastropub on Tybee Island in Georgia definitely doesn’t look like much from the outside, given that it’s tucked away behind a gas station, and our expectations were fairly low. But this little restaurant serves up incredible comfort food in friendly surroundings, and has an excellent drinks menu to boot. You’ve got to try the fried chicken on waffles, smothered in bacon and maple syrup—although on the three nights we ate there, we didn’t go wrong once!”

Nicholas Restaurant in Portland, Oregon — Elizabeth of Temporary Provisions: “The small Lebanese restaurant was the city’s first Middle Eastern restaurant when it opened up, according to the owner. It is the most delicious restaurant in America, according to me. While the tiny, dimly-lit spot in Portland’s SE warehouse district isn’t getting a Food Network feature any time soon, it is a local favorite. They have giant, warm, made-to-order pita bread, the best hummus I have ever had, perfect falafel and tahziki, rich lamb and a dish called m’jadra (my favorite) that includes rice with slow-cooked lentils and caramelized onions.”

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