Some of the best food can be found where you least expect it. Sure, we love to eat at big ticket places – but stumbling across unexpected greatness? Unbeatable. Tucked away behind unassuming storefronts, based in the middle of nowhere, or frequented only by lucky locals, we’ve found the best under-the-radar spots in every state.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
Though generations of kids took their lessons here between 1856-1920, these days Mossy Grove Schoolhouse is a thriving restaurant slinging out good, honest Southern dishes. Two miles south of Highway 231, it boasts buckets of historical charm; think stripped wooden walls, old tables, and a blackboard still at the front. The food is great, too. Our advice? Order the fried catfish, don’t skimp on the homemade sides, and leave room for a slice of Key lime pie.
Decidedly off the beaten track, this local favorite is one to add to your list if you ever stop in at Chichagof Island on a cruise, or visit for a hit of natural beauty. Sitting pretty amongst jaw-dropping mountains and forest, the fish restaurant serves produce that’s locally caught, brilliantly fresh, and expertly treated. Everything here is good, but the blackened halibut and salmon tacos, served with zingy slaw and side salads, are particularly swoon-worthy.
Specializing in southern Baja cuisine, this beloved Mexican restaurant is almost too good to share. Family owned and operated on Benson’s Main Street, the menu’s chock full of authentic dishes handed down and perfected through the generations. Honestly? It’s some of the best (if not the best) Mexican food in Arizona. Everything’s fresh, homemade, and full of flavor.
Incredible food on a dusty back road? This little gas-station-stroke-café is serving up some of the best all-American comfort food you can get: hamburgers, tater tots, grilled cheese, biscuits and gravy and more. For the full experience, make sure you order their famous Hooshburger, which comes laced with Iranian kebab spices and served with house pickles. Sure, you can get a burger and fries just about anywhere in this country, but not like you can at Pig Trail Bypass Country Café.
A firm favorite amongst the Bangladeshi community in LA, this market on the edge of Koreatown is a fantastic place to stock up on Bengali spices and groceries. While you’re there it would be remiss not to settle in for an authentic, home-cooked feast; think fresh paratha breads, tender meats, and curries golden with turmeric. This is a no-frills, salt-of-the-earth kind of place that dishes up food with unbelievable flavor.
The vibe at this family-run Italian joint, going strong since 1959, is appropriately old-school. This is the kind of neighborhood Italian your grandma (or nonna) would’ve dined at. The pasta is homemade, the lasagne slices are thick, the walls are decorated with black-and-white family photos, and the regulars are greeted by name. What do we recommend? Everything; this place is all about the comfort food.
This cozy local favorite is everything you want a New England restaurant to be. Serving comforting, farm-to-table foods like clam chowder, apple galettes, onion soup, and squash salad, Elizabeth’s Farmhouse has a cute, rustic interior that gets decked out according to the season. Service is always friendly and everything on the menu is good – what else do you need? We also love that the place’s first customer was owner Heidi Bouchard's first grade teacher, pictured.
Angelo’s is an old-school neighborhood joint that's been slinging out great breakfast sandwiches and pancake stacks since 1968. This place is all about simple diner fare – nothing too fancy; just comforting stuff served at affordable prices. It’s a great place to try scrapple if you’re visiting Delaware, or to just tuck into diner favorites served with a smile.
Located on an old fish camp road connecting Fernandina Beach and Jacksonville, this place isn’t much to look at from the outside. Step inside, though, and you’ll find a homey seafood shack serving a ton of top-quality food. The name of the game here is locally caught fish, whether that be in the eponymous red chowder, fried flounder sandwiches, or huge piles of perfectly seasoned crawfish. It’s all good, even the really simple stuff.
Though it’s tucked away on a golf course, you don’t have to be a club member to eat at this excellent fine dining restaurant, and locals take full advantage of that fact. Alongside sweeping views of the course, Aubri Lane’s serves classic Southern fare with a contemporary twist; think crab bisque, pecan-crusted trout, and braised short rib. The atmosphere is fancy without feeling stuffy, and the cocktails are amazing to boot.
If you’re after real Hawaiian food at good prices, this unassuming-looking market in Kapaa is the place. Established in 1968 and still family-run, Pono Market has a range of vendors selling groceries and dishes in little tubs; no-frills for sure, but off-the-charts delicious. Pick up a serving of poke, mac salad, or chicken lau lau, and enjoy it as takeout on the beach. Unsurprisingly, the place is popular with locals, so beware of the lunchtime rush.
Anytime you’re driving from Glacier or Yellowstone National Park to Seattle, this locally-owned café and restaurant in leafy, sleepy Wallace should be your go-to for a pitstop. Not only is the food great (grilled sandwiches and burgers at lunch, more sophisticated small plates and Italian classics at dinner), but there’s a connected bookstore and clothes store, too. The atmosphere is delightfully buzzy and friendly, with a changing array of art drawn on the blackboard wall.
Slap-bang in what feels like the middle of nowhere, The Longbranch is the only business in its tiny hamlet, and looks out over miles of farm country. Although you’re sure to find home comforts on offer here (including bacon-wrapped meatloaf, German chocolate cake, and mozzarella sticks), this is no simple country diner. Both chefs trained at Le Cordon Bleu, and it shows. Expect specials like whitefish in Champagne sauce, and pan-seared garlic pork chop.
This little buffet restaurant packs a big punch when it comes to flavor. Offering a range of North Indian curries, samosas, biryanis, and desserts, Maple Indian Cuisine is a real local favorite. Since the food of North India has a big emphasis on vegetarianism, there’s a variety of delicious plant-based options, as well as plenty of succulent meat curries, too.
This old-style Midwestern supper club isn’t trying to be anything fancy, but its down-to-earth vibe is the perfect setting for good, honest food at good, honest prices. Out in the middle of nowhere, Hale Tap offers a long list of beers and a different special each day: hot beef sandwiches on a Tuesday, barbecue ribs on a Wednesday, and so on, all served with homemade salads. Regulars will drive from all over just to get their fix of proper food in a cozy atmosphere.
Though it only opened in 2008, this burger joint feels delightfully old-fashioned. We’re talking huge portions of fresh-cut fries served piping hot and salty and plenty of juicy, sloppy, handheld burgers to chow down on. Add in the fast service and the fact that there are more sides on offer here than anywhere else in the area, and you’ve got a winner of a spot.
This bustling restaurant and bar does German pretzels and sausages like you wouldn’t believe (the huge sharing pretzel is worth a visit alone). Though it only has five tables and 10 bar seats inside, what it lacks in size it makes up for in beer selection, food quality, and atmosphere. The frequent live music and great weekly trivia night mean the mood is buzzy and fun, too.
This family-owned soul food restaurant wins hearts and bellies with its combination of insanely good fried chicken and homely charm. Even though it’s drive-thru only since Covid, Mama Reta herself will regularly come out to greet customers or insist someone take home a portion of peach cobbler. The food here is all fried to order and just really, really good: the seasoning is perfect, the meat is tender, and the sides are stars in their own right (we're looking at you, braised red beans).
Think you can’t find good Mexican food so far north? Think again. Based in a converted barn and run by a husband-and-wife team, this San Fran-style Mexican restaurant combines eastern Maine’s finest local ingredients with traditional Mexican street food recipes. The entire menu is made from scratch every day, and with the majority of the seating outside (there are only nine seats indoors), the atmosphere on a summer’s evening is truly something else.
This old-fashioned local restaurant based in a former gas station serves up homestyle cooking to a dedicated clutch of regulars. The place is small and cozy, with antique tools hanging on the walls and a real community feel. Though most of the customers seem to know each other, it’s totally welcoming to strangers, too. Head here for a real comfort food hit: classic breakfasts with proper hash browns, perfect portions of shepherd’s pie, Maryland crab soup, and more.
Hidden away in a residential neighborhood, this pub-style restaurant is well worth seeking out. Serving a solid menu of New England dishes, the vibe here is friendly and refreshingly family-orientated, with great service that doesn’t feel fussy. Thanks to a real fire and dark wood furnishings it’s a great place to hunker down in winter, but there are also tables outside for long summer evenings. The food, in particular the seafood, is really good. Our advice? Don’t miss the stuffed lobster.
This quaint farmhouse-turned-chicken restaurant has been serving its signature dish for 85 years and counting. Originally set up in 1938 to feed the oil rig workers renting rooms in the house, Iva’s now provides delicious chicken dinners to locals and folks off the expressway alike. You won’t find anyone trying to reinvent the wheel here, and thank goodness for it – this is basic food prepared to a sky-high standard. Perfect chicken with proper mashed potatoes, biscuits, and gravy? Yes please.
Originally a 1930s logging camp, this welcoming lodge is hidden away down the 57 mile stretch of Gunflint Trail. Today it’s a hotel and restaurant that – given the remote location – could easily get away with serving subpar food. And yet breakfast, lunch, and dinner here are all worth the 30 mile drive from downtown Grand Marais. Consisting of familiar American classics, the menu really comes into its own at breakfast time, and the size of the house pancakes has to be seen to be believed.
Tucked away down a set of steep stairs, this hidden eatery quietly serves made-from-scratch Cajun-American cuisine, away from the hubbub of overground life. The unassuming basement decor here totally belies the quality of the food, with big portions of great burgers, fried green tomatoes, gumbo, and shrimp and grits on the menu. It can get a little busy, but that’s no surprise given how good everything is.
This family-run barbecue joint in the tiny town of Palmyra is definitely one to know about. With a proper smoker chugging away out front on the street, every item on the menu is made fresh daily. The place is famous for its pulled pork, but you’d be hard-pressed to find anything bad on offer here: brisket, ribs, potato salad, coleslaw – it’s all great. There’s also a very reasonable lunch buffet, which fits well with the casual, friendly atmosphere of the place.
This no-frills, mom-and-pop Mexican eatery has got to serve some of the finest Mexican food in Montana. Attached to a barber shop, with no inside seating and open for lunch service only most days, it could easily be overlooked. But it’s not for nothing that this place often has a line stretching out to the street (luckily, the line moves fast, and it’s definitely worth the wait). Tacos, burritos, quesadillas… everything’s fresh, well-seasoned, and generously portioned.
Small on decor but big on personality, this neighborhood Persian restaurant has a rotating menu of mouth-watering dishes and desserts from across the Mediterranean and Middle East. The food packs a huge flavor punch (you have to try the pomegranate walnut chicken), but the real star is the owner, Narges. Greeting every customer like a long-lost grandchild, she happily provides samples to make sure you order something you’ll love and just generally ensures the restaurant has a wonderfully endearing, friendly feel.
This rustic, family-run restaurant located off the beaten tourist path does modern American food at a high standard. Depending on the weather, customers can either bask on the sun-drenched patio (lit up by twinkling lights at night) or settle by the fireplace in the elegant dining room. A step up from casual, this isn’t quite fine dining; rather, it's a friendly, well-styled establishment with very good food, blissfully free from crowds.
Despite the name, this brightly decorated Nepalese restaurant is actually located in a basement, rather than at the foot of a mountain. The interiors are delightfully atmospheric, though: strung with red decorations and full of photos. Not familiar with the food of Nepal? You’ll to want to be: everything here is fresh and richly spiced, with meat that melts in your mouth. The momos (dumplings) are standout, but all the curries, including plenty of vegetarian options, are great.
Run by a chef couple, this quietly amazing neighborhood bistro based in a strip mall produces gourmet-style New American dishes. The inside feels luxe and classy – all white tablecloths and styled lighting – and the food is high-end, well-balanced fare. Do they make all their pasta fresh in house? You bet they do. A mile-and-a-half from the New York ferry, this is an under-the-radar spot well worth celebrating.
You only have to idly scroll through the rave reviews of Casa Chimayo Restaurant to realize it must be among Santa Fe’s best. It started as a mom-and-pop place dishing up family recipes. The food remains appealingly homestyle: a type of New Mexican that leans further into Meso-American roots. From the moment you try the complimentary chips and salsa, you’ll know that you’re in for a great meal.
Roughly a 15-minute walk from the last stop on the number 7 train, you’ll find the oldest Hindu temple in North America. Follow the signs to the Temple Canteen and you’ll stumble upon staggeringly good, vegetarian South Indian fare, with giant dosas, sambars, and samosas served at low prices. The canteen design feels a bit like a high school cafeteria, and that’s part of the charm. Though word’s spread about this gem, the vibe is still totally authentic.
A gas station like no other, the Saxapahaw General Store will sell you gas, motor oil, snacks, fresh produce, and some of the best farm-to-table restaurant food you’ll ever eat. We’re talking gourmet stuff: steamed mussels in a white wine sauce, coconut milk braised pork shoulder, really good homemade pizza, and freshly prepared sandwiches. Brilliantly, the vibe is still 100% gas station, albeit one that believes in sustainable farming and community-first business.
This quaint museum café happens to be run by a chef who trained at Le Cordon Bleu. Accordingly, the menu of soups, salads, and sandwiches changes frequently, is made from scratch every day and leans heavily on fresh, high-quality ingredients. Head on in and grab yourself a delicious, creative lunch along the lines of a prime rib and horseradish aioli sandwiche, curried cauliflower stew, or seared summer corn salad.
On a well-hidden residential block in Oakley is this Italian takeout restaurant, where a former personal chef with experience working in Manhattan and San Francisco restaurants, is quietly cooking up knockout dishes made entirely from scratch. Amazing focaccia sandwiches, handmade pasta dishes to take home, and tubs of tiramisu are all made from locally sourced produce, and totally divine. Oh, and you’ll want to keep an eye out for The Wheel’s regular pizza nights, or even book yourself in for a private party.
Established in 1979, The Greek House is a no-frills restaurant close to the University of Oklahoma that sells sensational gyros and other traditional Greek dishes at affordable prices. The tzatziki is fresh, the fries are crispy, the baklava is syrupy… it’s no wonder this place is a favorite among students and older folk alike. It’s a cash-only affair, with old-school checkered tablecloths and huge portions adding to the charm.
Why this Swiss restaurant isn’t more talked about when it comes to Portland’s best eats is beyond us. Inspired by owner Jennie Wyss’s Swiss father – who for years ran a beloved Swiss restaurant in Hawaii – Swiss Hibiscus has amazing made-to-order comfort fare (schnitzel, fondue, and rosti included). Dishes are made from fresh, high-quality ingredients and served in an intimate, perpetually packed little restaurant. It’s no wonder the reviews are rave.
A true retro hot dog joint, The Squeeze In has been selling really good, really affordable dogs to the people of Sunbury since 1945. A big part of the charm here is the size of the place: a slip of a store squeezed between two others, with hot dogs sold out of the window and a grand total of five counter seats available inside. Our go-to order? A hot dog with chili, half hot and half sweet.
Fancy some fish? Amaral’s Fish and Chips is the place to go. Family-owned and 40 years old, this nostalgic fast food joint serves knockout fried seafood, chowders, sandwiches, sides, and more. What’s great about Amaral’s is that it lets the quality ingredients shine; the incredibly fresh fish is simply handled and tastes all the better for it. It will come as no surprise then that the place is always busy, particularly so on a Friday.
Billing itself as serving “the only real Chinese food in Charleston”, Old Li’s Restaurant offers a long menu of authentic Chinese dishes, made fast but totally fresh to order. Although there are a few Westernized dishes available, you’ll want to skip right over these; instead go for the crispy Peking duck, dong po pork, oyster pancakes, or squirrel fish. For the best experience, go with a group and order a bunch of dishes for the table. Oh, and BYOB, for the win.
Cowboy Corner may look like an average gas station convenience store, and might be in the middle of nowhere (just south of Badlands National Park), but your nose isn’t deceiving you: there’s some out-of-this-world cooking going on inside. The charming owner, Sue, whips up a rotating menu of delicious lunch and dinner specials Monday through Saturday, with the big hitters being her famous chicken-fried steak and prime rib. Served with all the fixin's and a big smile, this is cooking done right.
This unassuming Vietnamese restaurant opened more than 30 years ago and is still owned and staffed by the same family. Compact and not at all fancy, the place churns out exceptional Vietnamese food. Think you’ve had good pho? Not like this. Though orders can take a while, it’s well worth the wait and is a sign of the authentic, from-scratch quality – even the hot sauce is made in-house.
Based in the grounds of a heritage village and recreated lumber town (complete with museum and hiking trails), it’s no surprise that The Pickett House Restaurant feels straight out of a history book. Eating here has you seated at long tables with other customers and served family style: platters of fried chicken, dumplings, greens, and cornbread are set down in the center. But don’t go thinking this is just a gimmick; the main meals are delicious, particularly when followed by a portion of peach cobbler.
This small, family-owned and run Ethiopian restaurant delivers a delightful dose of East African culture. With colorful art on the wood-paneled walls and traditional cooking baskets on display, the place feels vibrant, authentic and lively. The food is excellent: an array of curries and stews, served on and eaten with injera (East African fermented flatbread). A platter (ultimate or vegetarian) is a great shout if you want to sample a little bit of everything.
With six tables and five bar stools, The Silver Fork is a tiny whirlwind of a gourmet restaurant. Every element is a knockout: service, atmosphere, and, of course, food. Run by a married couple, the menu is international, eclectic, delicious, and frequently changing; dishes like mushroom strudel, escargot en croute, and creole shrimp mofongo all feature.
Hidden above a Japanese takeout store, Edo’s Squid is a surprising oasis of a restaurant – cozy and classic, with white tablecloths and brick-lined walls. The food is bold, rustic Italian: not red-sauce American style, but proper classic dishes like squid with white beans and arugula. Everything’s good here, especially the pasta and seafood. The place is small and almost always busy (no surprise), so there can be a bit of bumping elbows with other tables, but that’s part of the charm.
There’s always a line for this family-owned food truck turned taco joint, and you only have to sniff the surrounding air to figure out why. Serving superb tacos, burritos, and more, with a modern twist and at an affordable price, these folks know what they’re doing. Visit and you can look forward to out-of-this-world flavor, in-jokes with returning customers, and a selection of from-scratch sauce choices (pineapple salsa is the crowd favorite). There’s even a discounted menu especially for the nearby high school, which is a nice touch.
The Pizzas & Cream story in a sentence? Basically, a family built a brick oven in their rural backyard, and now they sell made-from-scratch pizza to hungry crowds. Free-range chickens cluck and scratch about underfoot, while a few picnic tables are dotted around a fire pit. Oh, and the pizza is incredible: puffy, lightly charred, and with a range of topping options. This place does great ice cream, too, in a range of flavors (our pick’s the butter pecan). Call and order ahead of time to skip a wait.
This cute family-owned café, now in its third generation, has been serving diner food and Cornish classics for 50 years. It has a pleasingly nostalgic interior (think jaunty floral wallpaper) and a changing selection of food specials, but baking is where it really shines. Locals swear they serve the best Cornish pasty in Wisconsin, and the counter’s always flush with homemade tarts and pies. Don’t miss the figgy hobbin, a Cornish dessert made from pastry and raisins, served with whipped cream.
Promising food ‘for the homesick vegetarian’, Sweet Melissa’s arguably undersells itself. Just a quick glance at the glowing reviews from self-professed, formerly skeptical carnivores is enough to prove that this food is delicious enough to win anyone over. This is comfort food that’ll satisfy anyone; dishes like chili and cornbread, seitan banh mi, lasagna, and General Tso’s cauliflower are all cooked with care and flavor. Always popular, the atmosphere is accordingly fun and buzzy.