Your Guide to Authentic Regional Eats
American food is so diverse that it defies logical classification. But it is a joy to appreciate the country's bounty when you organize it by good eats that are unique to a city or region. That is the goal of the Roadfood Driving Tours: to guide travelers to the very best examples of legendary local dishes. We will be adding more, and we welcome your suggestions for new and different eating tours as well as nominations of Roadfood-reviewed restaurants that ought to be included. So whether you are traveling alone or as a family or want to get together for a specialty-focused Eat and Greet, please consider these delicious destinations.
270 MILES
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4 hr 27 min
From Orlando and Winter Park down the east coast of Florida to Miami is a journey of never-ending adventure. Here you encounter brilliant sunshine, exotic wildlife, and bright urban energy, as well as an array of spectacular seafood, Latin-spiced specialties, and farm-fresh fruit. Must-eats include rock shrimp, El Cubanos, porky chicharones, and spectacular grilled cheese sandwiches.
51 MILES
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1 hr 5 min
Sweet Home Alabama! … from Selma – Queen City of the Blackbelt – to Montgomery — the Heart of Dixie — is an inspiring journey through the Deep South. Selma is all about the birth of the 20th century Civil Rights movement as well as home to some of the best BBQ in the nation. Montgomery, the state capital, was the home of both Hank Williams and Martin Luther King. The legacy of these two towering figures, so different in so many ways, defines a city with complex personality that includes a never-ending banquet of good eats, from sassy chili dogs to southern comfort food to soulful barbecue to a Gulf Coast seafood feast.
147 MILES
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3 hr 14 min
Memorable food stops with meals that are California’s alone … sophisticated wineries and wine-tasting rooms: these are the pleasures of an oceanside drive through SLO CAL, named for its easy-going pace, part of California that retains Golden State allure. Much of it is still wide-open country, with a legacy of cattle ranches as well as restaurants and taverns that reflect that heritage in great steakhouse meals and the Santa Barbara favorite, tri-tip beef.
165 MILES
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3 hr 28 min
The northern part of Michigan is known to Michiganders and Midwestern vacationers as “Up North.” It’s a natural wonderland, surrounded by Great Lakes coastline, covered with forests and farms, and dotted with convivial taverns, town cafes, and remote restaurants with ambitious chefs as well as downhome diners and old-time drive-ins. It’s cherry and apple orchard country, where just-picked fruits set the benchmark. And fresh fish from the the great lakes is beyond compare. However you travel through this beautiful land — by car, carriage, canoe, or bicycle — it’s a dreamy place to be
49 MILES
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1 hr 14 min
A jewel of a city on the Ohio River, Cincinnati once was known as the Paris of America, home of diverse culture and a thriving culinary personality. Tall sandwiches, super sweets, artisan ice cream, and old-world sausages are just a few of its culinary highlights. It’s a city of distinctive architecture and art, friendly neighborhood markets and cafes, a stunning riverfront, lively public entertainment as well as major sports teams … and more chili parlors than any other place on earth. From the Queen City, we head north through the rural landscape and visit an historic country inn (serving Shaker lemon pie) as well as the Ohio Renaissance Festival in Harveysburg.
262 MILES
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4 hr 38 min
A road trip deep in the heart of Texas is a genuine wild west expedition and a bonanza of colorful Roadfood. Whether on dusty country roads or in the gleaming cities, it’s a destination that welcomes adventurous travelers and eager appetites. Favorite Texas meals are one-of-a-kind experiences, in places radiant with character: chili parlors, honky-tonks, backroom barbecues, taco joints, old-world bakeries, and memorable steak houses.
273 MILES
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5 hr 19 min
Las Vegas, Palm Springs, and the desert between them are full of wonder, including the brightest of bright city lights as well as vast wilderness under a mantle of stars. Here, too, you find a colorful array of authentic local eats — a taste of California both simple and deluxe. Palm Springs offers an especially rich lode of good meals, from magnificent West Coast hamburgers and worldly hot dogs and milk shakes to romantic hideaways and roadside attractions from the early days of motoring.
