Are you tired of watching Guy Fieri’s spiky blond hair on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives as he travels across American cities feasting on mouth-watering meaty delicacies? Save yourself the mental anguish and come over to the United States yourself.
However, before you pack your luggage (and what shiny silverware you have), if you are a citizen one of the Visa waiver countries, ensure you apply for a US Esta visa form from www.esta-visa.ie. It’s the only way to get you to your own episode of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
Here are 4 cities to traverse with your food map:
Chicago
Or Chi-town as its urban residents fondly call it. Chicago can boast of having some of the best American “street foods” such as piping-hot hot dogs “dragged through the garden” and garnished with chilli sauce. The Windy City is renowned for its innovation and accessibility when it comes to fine dining. You will not be disappointed.
Chi-town hosts notable chefs like Rick Bayless who sets that bar for Mexican standards in the country. Grant Achatz of Alinea, one of the first-class restaurants serves fruit-flavoured balloons for dessert. It also has a lovely new restaurant by the interesting moniker, Fat Rice, dedicated to Macau foods. Look out for its trademark Jasmine rice and Portuguese Chicken thighs.
New Orleans
New Orleans may be a small city, but it has got outsize appetites. I think that’s an understatement. The city has a larger than life charisma and a love for its homely traditions everywhere you go; beware, it’s infectious too! If you enjoy cayenne-spiked pork chops, look no further than Guy’s restaurant.
Take an empty belly with you to Galatoire’s and enjoy some of the finest lunch you will ever have. Dishes garnished with red beans and rice in sweetened sauces is one of New Orleans signature foods. And there’s the popular food museum that allows its visitors sip alcohol during the tour. Need I say more?
Atlanta
Whatever you do, don’t miss Atlanta. It may be designated the fast food capital of the world, but don’t let that fool you. The Empire City of the South has its fair share of gourmet eats. From the original Southern barbecue to Lobster fried rice, you’ll definitely be going back home with tales of food.
In Atlanta, you can challenge yourself to the ginormous sized Bocado burger in a real Man vs Food challenge at Bocado. If you have never tried oysters before, The Optimist is a great place to start slurping. Wash down with their tea-infused fish house punch.
New York
No foodie worth his salt will leave out New York. The Big Apple’s multi-cultural heritage makes it a melting pot of the finest dishes from around the world. From Italian thick crust Pizza topped with sweet marinara sauce, to General Tso’s Chicken, and Romanian goose pastrami on rye, the city is a hub of foodie delicacies.
The fine restaurants may come a little pricey but it’s worth the treat. At Eleven Madison Park, one of the most interesting sights of the evening is watching a sommelier open a unique bottle of wine with hot forceps.
Don’t forget to take your high-res camera, this is one vacation you will want to remember for a long time.
