As 2024 fades in the rearview I marvel that my best bites of the year took me to New Orleans, Hawaii, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and of course Austin plus some extensive traveling in Texas.
I kept the top bites to just nine selects and made geography and variety important elements in the list. I’d also add honorable mentions to Bambino in Austin, Andiron in Houston, Au Cheval in Chicago, Maragume Udon in Honolulu – hell I could go on but it’s time to move into the best bites of 2024.
The Vitals:
the spot:Turkey and The Wolf 739 Jackson Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130
the eats: Collard Greens Melt, Wedge Salad
the bucks: $$
the full nelson: the most dinner worthy sandwiches ever
I’ve never had a sandwich so worthy of dinner like Turkey and the Wolf. It’s a magical combination of imagination and decadence that makes a Collard Greens Melt into a sandwich as decadent as a Pastrami Reuben or a Patty Melt. I had been hearing about this place since 2017 and boy did it live up to the hype.
The Vitals:
the spot: Hamura Saimin 2956 Kress St, Lihue, HI 96766
the eats: Specialty Saimin, chicken and beef skewers, fried dumplings
the bucks: $
the full nelson: Cheap Eats Kauai staple
The name of the game Hamura Saimin is Saimin: a Hawaiian noodle soup with serious ramen vibes. I got the special Saimin which adds, ham, egg, veggies, fish cake, wontons and roast pork into the mix.
This place is equal parts classic Cheap Eats and legendary local restaurant(they have a James Beard Award for “America’s Classics) and should be on every foodie’s list.
The Vitals:
the spot: Poeta 1123 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
the eats: Pork Chop, Goat Cheese Cheesecake, all the pastas, beet salad
the bucks: $$$
the full nelson: all day Italian with New Orleans vibes in East Austin
In 2024, there might be a new G.O.A.T. and that would be the goat cheese cheesecake at Poeta. Of course the carnivore in me swoons about their epic pork chop or the lamb confit gnocchi but . . . that goat cheese cheesecake. I could make the G.O.A.T. joke again but the point has been made.
The Vitals:
the spot: Dizengoff 1625 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
the eats: Turkish Hummus
the bucks: $$$
the full nelson: Casual version of the iconic Zahav: ground breaking Israeli fine dining restaurant
Zahav was the restaurant that made Michael Solomonov a pioneer in Israeli fine dining and his hummus dishes were part of how he solidified that position.
But the best hummus I’ve had from Solomonov was in fact at Dizengoff, a more casual easier to get into sibling. This hummus made the roast chicken look like an average side dish. Butter as all get out, I’d put this dish on my menu for last meal on Earth.
The Vitals:
the spot: Cullum’s Attaboy 111 Kings Ct, San Antonio, TX 78212
the eats: Attaboy Burger with Glacé
the bucks: $16 + $5 for the glacé poured tableside
the full nelson: the most decadent burger I’ve had in 20 years
It was the most decadent burger I’ve had in 20 years. ‘Nuff said folks. Chris Cullum is many things, James Beard Finalist for best Chef Texas, a man who was born into the restaurant business and thrives in it and a guy who is a true burger freak.
Don’t think Cullum’s Attaboy is a burger joint either, it’s in fact a brunch spot. But if you don’t get a burger for breakfast there, you did it all wrong.
The Vitals:
the spot:Ben’s Chili Bowl multiple locations in Washington D.C.
the eats: A half smoke with chili
the bucks: $8.50
the full nelson: a Washington DC food icon ain’t your average chili dog
The fact that Ben’s Chili Bowl even happened, let alone make it on this list was dumb luck that turned into pure destiny. I’ve heard about the legendary chili dog place in Washington DC for years but well, assumed it was just a chili dog joint to be had in when moments of guilty pleasure take control.
Here’s the thing: it’s much better than you might think. In nine years of living in Texas in the midst of a BBQ renaissance, I know what a good smoked sausage should taste like and Ben’s is a solid offering. I snuck this bad boy in during a National’s game and it may well have been the best ballpark meal of my life.
The Vitals:
the spot: Knuckle Sandwich 440 E St Elmo Rd, Austin, TX 78745
the eats: All the sandwiches
the bucks: $17
the full nelson: best italian sandwich I’ve ever had
I’m the first guy to say a $17 cold cut sandwich is freaking absurd. But considering what some joints charge in Austin, it is sadly a reality one faces in 2024. Being someone who get to the East Coast frequently, I know what a good cold cut sandwich should be and Knuckle Sandwich is . . . beyond.
The bread and meats are impeccably sources and the sandwich is dressed in a custom housemade aioli with pickled mango. This all might sound obnoxious but it all works for a perfect bite. It’s best cold cut sandwich I’ve ever had and worthy every penny of the $17 they charge. Also you can split it but you might not want to.
The Vitals:
the spot: Jim’s South Street 400 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
the eats: Cheesesteak
the bucks: $13.49 (cash only)
the full nelson: a quintessential late night Philly cheesesteak experience
Meanwhile in Philly you can get a reasonable priced sandwich though this one falls in different spectrum of deliciousness. Late night, cash only Jim’s on South Street brings a different vibe to the Philly Cheesesteak experience.
What really shook me was the combo of cheese whiz and American. Extra gooey with a added punch of salt, this is a true late night cheesesteak experience. It’s perfect at midnight just make sure you have cash or be prepared for the fees from the ATM located inside.
The Vitals:
the spot: Jimenez y Friends Barbecue and Taqueria 4606 34th St, Lubbock, TX 79410
the eats: Concha with sliced meats, Guisadas, Breakfast tacosm BBQ by the pound
the bucks: $-$$
the full nelson: tacos + texas bbq= whats’s not to love
I went to Jimenez y Friends in Lubbock TX in early November as a part of my BBQ series for Pitmaster Collective(watch the videos here). Jimenez was one of six excellent stops but I keep thinking back to their unsual BBQ sandwich: A Concha with sliced meats.
Chef and Pitmaster Michael Flores suggested I try his juicy sliced turkey and the subtle sweetness of the icing in the Concha(made in house) shocking worked well. I thought I was eating something for likes and clicks but in fact it was just creative and delicious.
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