America's Favorite Restaurants

CASA NUEVA RESTAURANT, CANTINA, & BODEGA in Athens, Ohio
Casa, as locals call it, is a slow-food-promoting, worker-owned co-op in the heart of a college town, but it's not your average hippie hangout. For one thing, there's meat—but if you don't want the King Family Farm bacon or spicy sausage, there are plenty of meatless options, too: for brunch, fluffy, lemony cottage cheese pancakes; for dinner, huge burritos made from fresh tortillas and filled with jasmine rice and veggies. The chips and salsa—particularly the black bean version—should be ordered regardless of which meal you eat. Information: 4-6 W. State St., 740/594-8691, casanueva.com, entrées from $6. Maria Surovy, Cleveland, Ohio

NAZARETH RESTAURANT & DELI in Columbus, Ohio
Despite being in a strip mall, Nazareth is full of character, thanks to the owner, Hany Baransi, who walks around with a baseball bat asking guests how the food is. But there's nothing threatening about Hany. Anyone who's eaten at Nazareth has heard him use his catchphrase, "I love you, man." Customers often give him "I love you" souvenirs—license plates, magnets—which he displays behind the counter. The walls are painted with a scene from Israel, his home. The menu is a combination of Mediterranean and American cuisines, with gyros, French fries, chicken with rice, and more. Information: Columbus Square Shopping Center, 5663 Emporium Sq., 614/899-1177, nazarethdeli.com, gyros from $5, closed Sun. Molly Ray, Columbus, Ohio

Strip steak at Max's Wine Dive in Houston (Courtesy Max's Wine Dive) [enlarge photo] CHIME IN What local restaurant would you add to the list? • Post an article comment

OKLAHOMA

TWO FROGS GRILL in Ardmore, Okla.
Two Frogs is in Oklahoma, but it screams New Orleans. It's dark, with a funky party room and bar in the back and bands playing from time to time. Share a Fried Blossom onion to start, and then move on to the fried catfish fillets and red beans. Save room for the apple dumpling with vanilla-custard sauce—one order is enough for two. Information: 2646 W. Broadway, 580/226-3764, twofrogsgrill.com, entrées from $7. Claire Murphy, Ardmore, Okla.

OREGON

THE RESTAURANT AT KING ESTATE in Lorane, Ore.
Just as you begin to second-guess your map or the local who gave you directions, a grand building comes into view—the King Estate Winery visitors center. Many of the fruits, vegetables, and herbs on the restaurant's menu are organically grown on the 1,033-acre estate. Everything else comes from Oregonian farmers, so whether you're eating the beet-and-spinach salad or the delicious pizza with tomatoes and basil, you can rest assured that it's fresh and local. As is, of course, the wine. Information: 80854 Territorial Rd., 541/685-5189, kingestate.com, entrées from $20. Rosemary Gording, Eugene, Ore.

PENNSYLVANIA

NEW! PAMELA'S P&G DINER in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Pamela's breakfast menu breeds the kind of loyalty that sounds a little like addiction. If you're hooked, you dedicate weekend mornings to navigating the long lines and wolfing down huge, debilitating helpings of their pancakes and eggs. The restaurant's signature meal is their crepe-style pancakes, thinner and little more porous than what you see elsewhere—try the banana chocolate chip or the strawberry, both popular with the regulars. If you prefer savory to sweet, the omelets with a side of thick home fries are the best bet. Pamela's, with six branches in Pittsburgh, has little in the way of interior design or ambience, but the friendly service and the great prices (the bottomless coffee pot costs $1.75) more than make up for it. It's cash only, so stop at an ATM before you join the line, which moves mercifully fast. Information: 60 21st St., 412/281-6366. Price check: The crepe-style pancakes go for $4.25 a plate. Most omelets cost about $6.50. The bottomless pot of coffee is served in a thermos table-side for $1.75. Thanks for sharing: Reader robin first tipped us off.

TEXAS

NEW! GELATO BLU in Houston, Tex.
Up to 36 flavors are listed on the gelato and sorbetto menu at Houston's Gelato Blu, and the super-friendly staff lets you sample as many as you'd like before ordering. Homemade cones stuffed with Michelangelo gelato, a unique blend of ricotta and fig, win loyalty from more adventurous palates; others swear by the classics, such as pistachio and hazelnut. The store serves lunch fare and coffee drinks too, but most come for the ice cream—or mix their vices by ordering an affogato, a mound of sweet cream gelato with freshly pulled espresso poured over the top. Information: 5710 Memorial Dr. #B, 713/880-5900, gelatoblu.com. Price check: Small dish for $3.50; medium $4.50; large $5. Add 70¢ for a homemade waffle cone. Nine variations of their affogato drink go for $4.50 each. Thanks for sharing: Member foodie was the first to tip us off.

NEW! NIKO NIKO'S GREEK & AMERICAN CAFÉ in Houston, Tex.
Niko Niko's, by most accounts, is a Houston institution. Its brusque, no-nonsense efficiency isn't exactly charming, but it's necessary—after all, the lines get long, and you can't wait for your gyro forever. The baby lamb shank and the lemon chicken soup garner high praise, and although the portions are uniformly huge, you should save room for dessert. The homemade baklava and honey balls are terrific. Large plates and a special children's menu, with all items priced affordably, spell "family value." Information: 2520 Montrose Blvd., 713/528-4976, nikonikos.com. Price Check: A gyros sandwich goes for $8. Larger, mixed plates (assortments) average around $13. Thanks for sharing: Members TBowen, djb123, and foodie were the first to tip us off.

NEW! MAX'S WINE DIVE in Austin and Houston, Tex.
A trendy mini-chain with branches in Houston and Austin, Max's Wine Dive serves food with haute attitude, minus the fussiness. Diners describe plates like the "Texas haute" hot dog with venison chili and the fried egg sandwich with truffle oil as both drippingly messy and unforgettably delicious. Max's tries to keep things local: the chefs get ingredients such as buffalo and alligator meat, and assorted vegetables, from nearby farms. All of the wines from the titanic house list are served by the glass, with a two-glass commitment—you can split the pours with a friend to keep your tippling options open. Information: 207 San Jacinto Ave., Austin, 512/904-0106; 4720 Washington Ave., Houston, 713/880-8737; maxswinedive.com. Price check: Large plates can be expensive, but you can opt for more affordable meals. The popular fried egg sandwich entrée is served with hand-cut potato chips for $13, and a half order of the wild boar pasta is $9. Thanks for sharing: Member jbob was the first to tip us off.

NEW! PAPPASITO'S CANTINA in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas/Fort Worth, and other metropolitan areas in Texas
Several readers wrote in last year to complain about the inclusion of Tex-Mex chain Chuy's, of Texas—so we know we'll get flak for tipping our hat to another local chain, Pappasito's Cantina, this year. We're messing with Texas, and we're sorry. A Tex-Mex chain that's part of the Pappas family's restaurant empire, Pappasito's doles out huge plates of food to big, hungry crowds—and still manages to satisfy demanding palates. The fajitas, by most accounts, are the star here, with self-described Texan "fajita snobs" vouching for their tastiness. Entrées can run to the expensive side for Tex-Mex, but most portions are good for two, so you should think about splitting your plate with your favorite hombre. Information: pappasitos.com. Price check: Chicken fajitas for $15—but the menu says it serves two. A two-taco dinner served with rice and beans is $10. Thanks for sharing: Members djb123 and ask4texas were the first to tip us off.

CHUY'S in Austin, Tex.
In a town where there's Tex-Mex on almost every corner, Chuy's is the best. If you can tear yourself away from the enchiladas—blue-corn tortillas filled with chicken, cheese, and tomatillo sauce and topped with sour cream—take a moment to admire the decor: velvet Elvises, hand-carved wooden fish, vinyl chairs, tables from the 1950s, and pictures of patrons all over the world in Chuy's T-shirts. Information: 1728 Barton Springs Rd., 512/474-4452 (plus four other Austin locations), chuys.com, entrées from $6. Sara Ballon, Austin, Tex.

UTAH

NEW! BIT & SPUR RESTAURANT & SALOON in Springdale, Utah
The Bit & Spur is one of the best restaurants near Utah's Zion National Park: The locally brewed beer is top-notch, and Mexican-inspired basics like the house burrito and fresh fruit margaritas satisfy after a long hike, especially if you've snagged a patio seat. Ingredients are high-quality, and the vibe is festive and always friendly. Still, food quality can be erratic, and the prices are higher than they need to be—the seasonal menu, especially, trends towards expensive options (this spring's bistek asado dish goes for $30, and the special tamales are priced at $21). Keep it simple and you'll walk away happy, and full: Grab a good beer or a margarita, try well-regarded favorites like the tacos or burritos, and down it all on the back patio while contemplating the West Temple Mountains. That's hard to beat after an attempt at nearby Angel's Landing, a legendary hike to one of the best summit views in the National Park system. Information: 1212 Zion Park Blvd., 435/772-3498, bitandspur.com. Price check: The chicken, beef, or pork burrito goes for $12.50. Fajitas go for a pricey $18.25. A children's menu is available: The child's portion for a taco or enchilada plate is $6.25. Thanks for sharing: Reader Lois was the first to tip us off.

CROWN BURGERS in Salt Lake City, Utah
Crown Burgers has grown to include seven locations throughout the area, but there's nothing chain-like about it. For one thing, the company is run by a family, not a big corporation. For another, the owners pay special attention to the food, whether it's the popular Crown Burger—a man-size patty topped with pastrami, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and a special sauce—or the gyros, taquitos, broiled chicken, burritos, salads, fries, or shakes. Every outpost is always packed at lunch, but you never have to wait long for your order. Information: 3190 S. Highland Dr., 801/467-6633, Crown Burger from $5, closed Sun. Richard Miles, Tooele, Utah

VIRGINIA

CORNER BAR & GRILL in Richmond, Va.
Not too sweet and not too heavy, the absolutely perfect mashed sweet potatoes at the Corner Bar & Grill fall somewhere between pudding and homestyle creamy mashed potatoes. Order them as a side to any of the classic Southern dishes on the menu—delicately fried catfish, pork chops, sandwiches, fried oysters, or barbecue Jack grilled chicken. Add the restaurant's spectacular collard greens and sweet, moist cornbread, and you're all set. Information: 1301 W. Leigh St., 804/213-3046, thecornerbargrill.com, sandwiches from $7, mashed sweet potatoes $2, closed Sun. Ellen Young, Mechanicsville, Va.

WASHINGTON

YUMIKO'S TERIYAKI in Redmond, Wash.
It seems like there's a teriyaki restaurant in every Eastside strip mall, but Yumiko's teriyaki sauce, with just the right balance of savory and sweet, makes this place stand out. (The recipe has been passed down for generations and remains a family secret.) You can order steak, shrimp, or chicken, all of which are served with rice, sauce, and a little cabbage salad. Servings are generous, so you may want to go for a half portion. The dining area only seats 19. Information: 15003 NE 24th St., 425/562-8916, entrées from $6.50, closed Sun. Megan Rossman, Edmond, Okla.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

NEW! JALEO
On 7th Street, close to Chinatown and only a short walk from the National Mall and the Smithsonian Institution, the festive Spanish tapas restaurant Jaleo should be a tourist mainstay. Somehow, it's not. The abbreviated lunch menu is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; try sandwiches such as the JLT (jamón, lettuce, and tomato) and the roasted lamb for about $9 each. At night, the restaurant fills to capacity by 6:30 p.m.; if you don't arrive early or book a reservation well in advance, expect to wait 30 or 40 minutes at the bar. The paella is justly famous, but small plates like lamb chops, dates wrapped with bacon, and sautéed spinach with pine nuts are more fun to sample. If you over-order, you'll blow the bank; instead, order plates in groups of two or three, and be sure to get your fill of some of the cheaper staples, like patatas bravas ($6) and pan con tomate ($3). Information: 480 7th St., NW, 202/628-7949, jaleo.com. Price check: The tapas plate of Spanish omelet with potatoes and onions goes for $6.50. The paella with chicken and mushrooms, which serves two to four, costs $34. Thanks for sharing: Reader Valerie first tipped us off.

AMSTERDAM FALAFELSHOP
Order your falafel and then head to the toppings bar to add marinated eggplant, garlic hummus, tomatoes, cucumbers, baba ghanoush, or jalapeño-cilantro sauce. (A sign gives instructions for the best way to add toppings.) Don't forget the garlic cream sauce and tahini, the two items that the staff invites you to reapply as you work your way through the meal. The fries are prepared Dutch-style, meaning they're fried twice. There's ketchup to dip them in, but it's fun to try the more interesting options such as creamy Dutch mayo and sweet-and-spicy peanut sauce. Information: 2425 18th St. NW, 202/234-1969, falafelshop.com, from $4.50, cash only (including euros!). Laura Nixon, Alexandria, Va.

MON CHERI CAFE
Whether you're a somebody or a nobody, the guys at the counter and behind the grill only care about one thing: your order. Sure, they love to chat, and if the line isn't too long, they will. But chances are, there will be someone behind you itching to order exactly what you should be ordering—a big, fat cheeseburger with mayo, onions, mustard, and tomatoes, a side of fries, and a Coke. The bun is toasted, the lettuce is crisp, the tomatoes are red (not pink), and the burger is always perfectly cooked. Information: 3015 M St. NW, 202/338-2745, burgers from $4. Jason Carey, Charlotte, N.C.

WISCONSIN

NEW! THE OLD FASHIONED in Madison, Wis.
Much of the menu at the Old Fashioned is locally sourced or inspired. The beer-battered perch, for example, is fish pulled from local waters and then fried in a coating of breadcrumbs doused with Wisconsin brews. It's a principle that threads its way through the menu's smallest details: Even the sweet-cream butter that graces the baked potatoes is from the state. Try the fried cheese curds (Wisconsin cheese, of course) or the huge wurst platter with homemade sauerkraut and mustard—the latter is a nod to the area's German ancestry. For a nightcap, order one of the carefully crafted early-20th-century cocktails such as the sidecar or the bourbon old-fashioned. The restaurant is a calorie-counter's nightmare; try not to think about that and resolve to eat healthy tomorrow. Information: 23 N. Pinckney St., 608/310-4545, theoldfashioned.com. Price check: The slow-roasted pork shoulder sandwich goes for $8. The wurst platter is $16. Cocktails start at $4.50. Thanks for sharing: Reader alandrus was the first to tip us off.

BONA CASA FOODS in Cumberland, Wis.
Don't expect fancy waiters or sommeliers here. In fact, don't expect pretension of any kind. This restaurant is all about Midwestern friendliness. The menu is limited to "cavatills" (rolled pasta with ridges, like cavatelli), two types of ravioli (chicken or cheese and raisin), and spaghetti. Most people go for the sweet, tangy red sauce, but there's a pepper Jack cheese sauce, too. All dishes are served with meatballs or homemade Italian sausage, and a choice of salad or cottage cheese. The restaurant is popular, so you'll probably have to wait—on the lawn in summer, in your car with the heat on in winter. Information: 754 21st Ave., 715/822-8294, bonacasafoods.com, entrées from $9, closed Mon. and Tues. Liz Zappitello, Superior, Wis.

WYOMING

STONE TABLE in Jackson Hole, Wyo.
Run by Julie Zell Suclla and her Peruvian husband, Gustavo Suclla Schiaffino, this Latin-fusion tapas restaurant takes its food seriously. The cocktails and extensive wine list are reasons enough to go, but once you're there, you'd be crazy not to order, say, the potatoes. Delivered as three Gaudí-esque towers, they're served with crab and ají chili peppers and topped with avocado and garlic-lime aioli. Even the vegetarian offerings are well thought out. The yucas fritas—fried yuca root served with an aioli dipping sauce—are absolutely addictive. Information: 850 W. Broadway, 307/732-0500, stonetablejacksonhole.com, tapas from $3.50. Alisan Peters, Jackson, Wyo.