1. Swan Oyster Depot — San Francisco, Nob Hill
Why: For some of the best and most affordable seafood in San Francisco, this is the place. They've been around over a hundred years, so they're doing something right.
Try: A dozen-oyster assortment and the combo salad.
Where: Bordering Huntington Park, Nob Hill is home to many of San Francisco's landmarks and lavish hotels you have to see to believe.
2. Mr. Holmes Bakehouse — San Francisco, Lower Nob Hill
Why: Because people in the U.S. love making hybrid pastries, and this place makes some of the best.
Try: The cruffin, which is a hybrid between a croissant and muffin.
Where: At the bottom of Nob Hill is Lower Nob Hill. This area is a break from the swanky nature of Nob Hill and oozing with plenty of great restaurants and bars.
3. Dragon Beaux — San Francisco, Outer Richmond
Why: Not only do they serve some of the best and most diverse dumplings, they go the extra mile with great presentation.
Try: Try a little bit of everything, you can't go wrong here. The hot pot options are incredible, the squid ink dumplings are top notch, and their abalone tarts are dreamy.
Where: Everywhere you look in Outer Richmond you'll see water. This also means a beautiful but mysterious fog frequently fills the area.
4. La Taqueria — San Francisco, Mission District
Why: Many people would argue they have the best tacos and burritos, so why not come to this spot in the Mission District and find out for yourself.
Try: The carne asada super burrito and a heaping portion of guac.
Where: The Mission District is crawling with great taquerias like this one, plenty of bars, and a young, hip crowd.
5. Live Sushi Bar — San Francisco, Potreo Hill
Why: You have to have sushi when visiting San Francisco, and Live Sushi is one of the best in the Bay Area.
Try: You really can't go wrong, but you can't leave without trying the fresh maguro sashimi or the DJ roll.
Where: Potreo Hill has incredible views of the San Francisco Bay and the city skyline.
6. Pizzanista — Los Angeles, Arts District
Why: For pizza with an edge, all-natural ingredients, and some incredible flavor.
Try: The spicy soppressata and mushroom pizza.
Where: The Arts District may not look the best, but this area is filled with galleries, coffeeshops, art, and graffiti at every turn.
7. Canter's Deli — Los Angeles, Beverly Grove
Why: They have some of the best pastrami sandwiches in L.A., and it's right by the famous Grove.
Try: The hot pastrami sandwich with thick-cut steak fries.
Where: The Grove in central L.A. has been featured in numerous films and boasts an impressive amount of high-end shops.
8. Kogi Korean BBQ Truck — Los Angeles, Moving + Downtown
Why: This is the place that inspired the whole food truck craze in the United States.
Try: The kimchi and blackjack quesadilla — they're delicious.
Where: This truck serves the greater downtown L.A. area but has recently opened counters in places like Chego and Alibi Room.
9. Eggslut — Los Angeles, Moving + Downtown
Why: Amazing brunch and insane dish names. Also the Grand Central Market location is prime.
Try: You can't go wrong here. Keep it classic with a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich.
Where: This food truck is mobile, serving the greater L.A. area. They also have a location in Grand Central Market.
10. Gilbert's El Indio — Santa Monica, California
Why: Low key classic California mexican food, massive platters, and margarita pitchers.
Try: Anything featuring their carne asada.
Where: This city by the beach is thriving with sunlight, great food, and good vibes.
11. Smoke — Dallas, North Oak Cliff
Why: Incredible smoked Texas BBQ with stunning views of downtown Dallas.
Try: The bigger-than-your-head Big Rib and the handcrafted Bloody Mary.
Where: Right off the highway into downtown Dallas is the area of Oak Cliff. This restaurant's location is atop a hill at the Belmont Hotel and offers incredible views of the city.
12. Rodeo Goat — Fort Worth, West 7th
13. Steel City Pops — Dallas, Lower Greenville
Why: Because nothing helps beat the Texas heat like a cool, delicious popsicle. Plus, they're made from all-natural ingredients, so they taste that much better.
Try: The pineapple jalapeño, if you like fruity flavors. For creamy, the toasted marshmallow or avocado is your best bet.
Where: Lower Greenville is one of the hip bustling areas of Dallas oozing with great shops and awesome local eats.
14. Remedy — Dallas, Lower Greenville
Why: Back in the '50s and '60s, soda shops and diners were the best thing around town. At this modern take on the soda shop, you can enjoy a slice of classic United States dining with a new twist.
Try: The fried bologna sandwich and a handcrafted soda or the hot chicken and waffles pictured above.
Where: In addition to great food and shops, the streets of lower Greenville are lined with music venues and art around every corner.
15. Joe T. Garcia's — Fort Worth, Northeast
Why: This local favorite has incredible outdoor dining and family-style dishes that are perfect for big groups.
Try: The enchiladas, and you don't want to skip out on their margaritas either.
Where: Right outside the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, the starting place of the cattle trade in Texas, lies this Hispanic oasis.
16. Babe's Chicken Dinner House — Arlington, Downtown
Why: Family-style country cooking with unlimited portions of creamed corn, green beans, mashed potatoes, and biscuits. Plus, with a name like Babe's Chicken, you can bet the chicken is on point.
Try: The fried chicken, of course, but save room for the chocolate meringue pie.
Where: Downtown Arlington is just a few blocks from the AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Park, and the first Six Flags location.
17. Jacob's Pickles — New York, Upper West Side
Why: Pickles. That is why. Oh, and the biscuits and massive portions of comfort food and awesome cocktails and— OK, you get it.
Try: A pickle sampler (special sours, if you want to keep it classic), but the thyme jalapeño is bliss. Their chicken and pancakes is a must-try too.
Where: The Upper West Side is home to the American Museum of Natural History, only a few blocks from this restaurant.
18. Burger Joint — New York, Midtown West
Why: This no-frills burger joint is tucked away inside a hotel lobby. They keep the options simple and the burger superb.
Try: A burger and fries, because that's all they've got, and that's all ya need.
Where: Midtown West is situated between Times Square and Central Park and is just a walk away from great shopping on 5th Ave.
19. Cull & Pistol — New York, Chelsea
Why: Chelsea Market is a foodie heaven, offering just about every food option imaginable. C&P is a delectable seafood restaurant nestled inside that serves a great oyster happy hour.
Try: Some local East Coast oysters, and you'll be dreaming of their pistols on horseback for a while.
Where: Just outside of Chelsea Market is the High Line, a popular destination to walk above the city and take it all in.
20. St. Anselm — Brooklyn, Williamsburg
Why: One of the best steaks in New York that won't leave you totally broke.
Try: The butcher steak will melt in your mouth, and you'll be dreaming of the pan-fried mashed potatoes for years.
Where: The thriving neighborhood of Williamsburg — just a stone's throw from Manhattan — boasts some of the best music, art, food, and culture that the city has to offer.
21. Dough — Brooklyn, Bed-Stuy
Why: For a fresh, delicious take on doughnuts with a lot of flavor and awesome texture.
Try: The mocha-almond crunch, which is insane, but so are all the other flavors.
Where: Bed-Stuy is an authentic taste of the real Brooklyn with great restaurants and cafés.
22. Clinton St. Baking Company — New York, Lower East Side
Why: The pancakes and the shakes are some of the best in the city.
Try: Keep it simple with the pancakes with warm maple butter.
Where: The Lower East Side is rife with music venues, bars, clubs, and graffiti.
Explore the different culinary regions of the USA flying Qantas, your best connection to the USA.
