A year spent eating our way across America to find the chefs pushing food forward, the trends we hope become classics, and the new restaurants that we’re sure will become old favorites in due time.
It feels like you can find a real-deal authentic taco on almost every block in Los Angeles—so yeah, these six are pretty good if they stand above the rest.
Click Read more for the full list of the 50 best things to eat, scarf, sip, spread, slam, savor, scoop, dip, download (yes, download) and drink right now.
"There's gulf fish with crawfishcornbreaddressing; a pork chop as thick as a phone book, lacquered with a mojomarinade and stuffed with pepper jack; panko-fried boudin and andouille."
"Manolito is a loving tribute to legendary cantinero Julio Cabrera, featuring a bar menu of authentic Cuban daiquiris, with snacks like ropa vieja, a Spanish tortilla, and Cuban sandwiches to match."
"Murrow's turns out a fine selection of New Orleans soul food: head-on barbecue shrimp; fried oysters, catfish, shrimp and soft-shell crab piled into a tower called the "Just Watch";"
"Consider, too, Pittsburgh's sartorial advancement. Swing by Mello & Sons and take home some gear fit for a 1972 United Steelworkers Union meeting (think overalls and denimjackets)"
"Inside, the lights are red, the patrons smoke Camel straights (indoors), and the bartenders will literally kill you if you don't have your $2.75 ready when they bring you your first High Life."
"If you still don't believe us, check out the Mattress Factory, a contemporary-art space in an old factory…that produced mattresses. It's as vital an homage to Pittsburgh's prodigal son, Andy Warhol."