Traveling to iconic destinations around the world would be nothing if eating didn’t play a part in your trips. Food is an important and entertaining part of life, especially when it’s savory and delicious. Here’s a look at some of America’s top five iconic food places where you can learn a little history while filling your stomach with exquisite flavors.
Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks, Philadelphia, PA
Joey Vento took one of the biggest chances of a lifetime when he started Geno’s Steaks in 1966. With only $6 in his pocket and a few steaks at hand, Vento took a risky chance when he decided to open his restaurant across the street from an older cheesesteak restaurant called Pat’s King of Steaks. Since then the two cheesesteak spots have been rivals. Both are very historic and popular places in the City of Brotherly Love. The cheesesteak ingredients include melted cheese, rib-eye steaks, and grilled onion, but they both claim to prepare each and every cheesesteak with tender, love, and care. Both businesses have been in operation across from each other for over 50 years, and both claim to make the best cheesesteak. When you visit Philly you’ll have to try both cheesesteaks and decide for yourself which one is better.
Voodoo Doughnut, Portland
You haven’t tried exotic doughnuts until you’ve visited Voodoo Doughnut. The doughnut shop offers far more than just unusual doughnuts, though—they offer a mouthful experience of a lifetime. Voodoo Doughnut sells doughnuts based on the most unusual flavors you can imagine. At one point the shop sold Nyquil glazed and Pepto Bismol covered doughnuts until the heath department cracked down. They also have doughnuts inspired by all kinds of things, such as “Marshall Matters,” a doughnut inspired by the rapper Eminem. The shop also offers a doughnut challenge, which involves a doughnut six times the size of a normal sized one.
Piroshky Piroshky, Seattle, WA
Located in the heart of Seattle in Pike Place Market, you’ll find one of Seattle’s most famous bakeries. Alla Lyublin opened the Piroshky Piroshky bakery in 1992. The bakery specializes in piroshki, which are Russia’s version of an empanada. These bakery items are filled with anything from mushrooms, potatoes, and cheeses, to fruits, herbs, and spices. These pastries will warm your heart and soul, even on a cold, wet day in the city.
Kat’z Delicatessen, New York, NY
Since 1888, this family-owned restaurant has operated in NYC. The Delicatessen first became famous in the Yiddish Theatre era, where it was a popular spot for actors, dancers, and comedians. During World War II, the owners came up with their current slogan, “Send A Salami To Your Boy In The Army,” by literally sending salami to their three boys who were in the army at the time. Today, the restaurant offers a variety of meat delicacies to choose from. They are famous for their slow and healthier process of meat curing, and the restaurant strives to provide the best quality meats to its customers.
Union Oyster House, Boston, MA
The Union Oyster House was established in 1826, but the building it calls home is one of the oldest buildings in Boston. Throughout the years it has been restored many times. Famous celebrities routinely visit the restaurant. When you visit you can expect to enjoy history lessons in great detail while also enjoying Boston’s famous oysters and other seafood.
