Extraordinary from the kitchen
Delicious food from the land of unlimited possibilities
The USA is a melting pot of diverse cultures, and this is clearly reflected in the variety of food on offer. There is nothing that you can't find here, in every respect. On this page, we want to introduce you to restaurants and venues that we particularly liked for a variety of reasons.
A note on tipping in the U.S.
The service in restaurants is 99% of the time extremely friendly and attentive. Everyone goes out of their way to please the guest; even if the guest is in the wrong, they are usually still treated like a king. Waitstaff in restaurants have a very low minimum wage. That’s why a satisfied guest is now expected to leave a tip of between 18% and 30%. You should stick to this, as waitstaff rely on these tips to make a living. Taxes are also added to the restaurant bill. Since it sometimes happens that tips and other unclear additional charges are added to the bill, it’s always a good idea to check it carefully and, if necessary, ask what you’re paying for.
Steakhouses
Cattlemens Steakhouse
5012 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma, CA 94952
HOMEPAGE
Description: From the outside, the restaurant looks like a nondescript board shack. On our first visit, we weren't even sure if we were in the right place. Here on the edge of an industrial area, in this unattractive building, should be the great steakhouse? But we were right and right after you open the door it becomes clear. Inside, everything is nicely decorated in the style of an old saloon and it smells deliciously. The restaurant has an area with tables. Around there are several separated booths. The whole room is furnished in wood. The menu has everything you would expect from a good steakhouse. In addition to steaks, there are also chicken dishes and salads. When we first came here in 1998, there were three restaurants in Northern California. Now there are eight.
Our rating: Cattlemens is by far our favorite steakhouse. Unfortunately, we don't travel to Northern California very often, otherwise we would definitely visit more often. Our second visit to the restaurant in Petaluma was in September 2019, and we can say that the quality has not deteriorated in the 21 years since our first visit. In June 2023, we visited the restaurant in Selma. Here, too, the steaks and everything else we ate were exceptionally good. The authentic atmosphere, friendly service, and truly excellent food make this a great experience. If you want to eat a really good steak and are in the area, you should definitely not miss Cattlemens.
Foggy´s Steakhouse
East 7876 West M 28 Highway. Christmas, MI 49862
HOMEPAGE
Description: Foggy's Steakhouse and Lounge was established in 1982 by Floyd “Foggy” StAmour. Since its opening, Foggy's has offered a wide range of food, drinks and entertainment. The covered charcoal grill and first-class steak selection are definitely a reason to stop by. Foggy's specializes in quality steaks, but the menu offers many more choices, including fresh Lake Superior fish, burgers, and seafood.
Our rating: We visited the restaurant in October 2024. The review is a little difficult because it's somewhat divided. The most important thing is that the food tasted really good. The quality of the meat was great and the preparation in the middle of the room is something special. What we didn't like so much was the presentation and the restaurant itself. It consists of a huge room with tables. There are no tablecloths but only paper mats and cutlery wrapped in paper napkins. Drinks are served in plastic cups. The same goes for the toppings for the potatoes. The whole place had a bit of the ambience of a fast food restaurant. For a place that puts so much effort into the quality of the food, we just thought it was unfortunate that the surroundings were so poor.
Cuts Steakhouse
60 Andrew Young International Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
HOMEPAGE
Description: Cuts is a fine dining steakhouse that opened in downtown Atlanta in 2014. It offers Southern-style steaks and all the trimmings. The restaurant is centrally located one block from the Hard Rock Café. We became aware of the restaurant through the recommendation of the concierge at our hotel.
Our rating: Cuts is a great steakhouse. Maybe a little too fine for our taste. We felt a little underdressed and the atmosphere in such places is always a bit stiff.
The food, however, was first class and that's what matters in the end. It tasted extraordinarily good and therefore we can recommend the restaurant if you want to enjoy a fancy dinner once.
In terms of price, it is, as you can already imagine, rather in the higher price segment.
BBQ
Top Notch Texas BBQ
211 Ave F NE, Childress, TX 79201
HOMEPAGE
Description: On the recommendation of the reception desk at our hotel, we ended up at this self-service restaurant. It is located directly on the main road that runs through the small town of Childress in Texas. They serve various types of meat that are freshly prepared in the smoker. Typical American BBQ, in other words.
Our rating: From the outside, the restaurant looks rather uninviting, and the interior isn't much better. It feels a bit like an uncomfortable hall with chairs and tables. But more important than the ambiance is the taste of the food and that was very very good. The ribs, the pulled pork and all the side dishes we tried were super tasty. Therefore, we can recommend the restaurant to anyone who visits Childress.
Big John`s Texas Barbecue
153 S Lake Powell Blvd, Page, AZ 86040
HOMEPAGE
Description: Located right at the southern entrance to Page, Big John's is immediately noticeable as you drive into town. The large smokers and the line of people that often stand in front of the door simply stand out. The restaurant offers everything a barbecue lover could desire, from pulled pork and ribs to brisket. Everything is freshly prepared.
Our rating: Since Big John's is very popular in the region and among tourists, you almost always have to wait in line here. The atmosphere is more like fast food and not particularly inviting. However, the food tastes delicious and fresh. We can definitely recommend the restaurant. There was one thing we didn't like, though, and that was the mountains of waste that every guest produces here. All the food is served in plastic or Styrofoam, and there are only plastic cutlery and glasses.
In addition a small Update from April 2022. Even though you still produce an extremely large amount of waste when you eat here, the food was no longer wrapped in plastic but in paper containers.
Diner
Grand Canyon Brewing Company
714 N Navajo Drive, Page, AZ 86040
HOMEPAGE
Description: The Grand Canyon Brewing Company is a brewery and restaurant. It has locations in Williams, Flagstaff, and, since early 2022, Page. In Page, the brewery consists of a huge hall that is somewhat reminiscent of a beer tent. There is also an outdoor area.
Our rating: The brewery and restaurant made a friendly and inviting impression on us. When we visited in April, it was busy, which is always a good sign. In addition to numerous types of beer, there is also a fairly extensive menu that includes not only burgers, but also various salads and pizza. We really enjoyed it here. The food and beer were okay. The atmosphere and service were friendly and pleasant. We can definitely recommend a visit here.
Escalante Outfitters
310 W Main St, Escalante, UT 84726
HOMEPAGE
Description: Escalante Outfitters is located in the center of Escalante. You'll find a store with everything your outdoor heart desires, cabins for overnight stays and a restaurant that offers sandwiches, salads and pizza. You can sit in a winter garden as well as outside in the garden.
Our rating: For us, here you get one of the best pizzas you can get in the US. Well, measured from our experiences on our travels. In addition to the well-known toppings, you can also get very tasty combinations that we have never tried before. We can recommend a visit here to everyone who is traveling in and around Escalante. Because of the delicious pizza, we have not yet tried the other things, but both the sandwiches and the salads looked very tasty and appealing.
Wild Thyme Cafe
198 South 100 East On Highway 89, across from the Holiday Inn, Kanab, UT 84741
HOMEPAGE
Description: Since we didn't know the restaurant from our previous visits to Kanab, we wanted to try it out during our visit in April 2022. The menu promises fresh cuisine, which at first glance sounds American, but then on closer inspection is not your usual menu. The restaurant makes a friendly and inviting impression. In addition to two rooms inside, there is also a larger outdoor area.
Our rating: We really liked the restaurant. Not only the nice atmosphere, but the whole experience made for a very pleasant evening. The food was very good and, with its fresh herbs and side dishes, offered a pleasant change from the usual flavors. We can definitely recommend a visit here and would love to eat here again.
Bubba´s Restaurant & Bar
428 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686
HOMEPAGE
Description: Bubba's is a family diner in downtown Traverse City, Michigan. Although the restaurant specializes in burgers and sandwiches, it also serves breakfast. A regularly changing menu offers variety and always new delicious creations.
Our rating: We really enjoyed Bubba's in Traverse City. The service was very friendly and the burgers were delicious. There are always creations that you don't find everywhere.
We visited the restaurant in October 2024. Reservations are recommended.
Cowboy´s Buffet & Steak room - Ruby´s Inn
26 South Main Street, Bryce Canyon City,Utah 84764
HOMEPAGE
Description: In 1916, Reuben (Ruby) C. Syrett moved to the area to operate a ranch. Fascinated by the beauty of neighboring Bryce Canyon, he began building a lodge in 1919. With the establishment of the National Park, the Ruby`s Inn subsequently grew in importance. Within the years it was constantly renovated and expanded. Today, in addition to the lodge, there is a campground, a gas station, a store and two restaurants.
Our rating: We like Ruby's Inn. Over the years we have eaten and slept here a few times. So far we have always eaten á la carte in the restaurant. The buffet always looked like canteen food to us. However, our friends who tried the buffet in 2014 were satisfied.
We have always found the food from the menu very good. We can only recommend a visit.
Jax at the Tracks
10144 West River Street, Truckee, CA
HOMEPAGE
Description: The owner of the diner wanted to open a restaurant serving delicious food at reasonable prices in his second home, Truckee. While searching for a suitable location, he came across an old diner from 1948 that was for sale in a newspaper advertisement. He bought the diner, transported it to its current location, and invested over $1 million in restoring the old diner. It opened in December 1995 and now offers burgers, sandwiches, and everything else you would expect from a classic diner.
Our rating: Everything was just right here. The atmosphere, very friendly service, and really delicious burgers. The highlight for us was the interior design and decor. It took us back to the era of petticoats and Elvis' rock ‘n’ roll. We can definitely recommend a visit.
Don & GG's Food & Spirits
1300 E Cloverland Dr, Ironwood, MI 49938
HOMEPAGE
Description: One of the restaurants recommended to us was Don & GG's. There is a dining room and an outdoor area to enjoy the nice weather. The menu features typical American cuisine, but also dishes that you won't find on every menu.
Our rating: Basically, we liked the restaurant very much. The food was delicious and the service was friendly. Unfortunately, we had to wait almost two hours for our food. We were seated outside and had to move inside because the food took so long that it got dark and cold. This is rather unusual in the USA.
Moab Brewery
686 S Main St, Moab, UT 84532
HOMEPAGE
Description: The Moab Brewery is a restaurant and the only microbrewery in Moab. It serves mainly American cuisine such as burgers, sandwiches and steaks. There is also a large bar area and a gift store.
Our rating: After a day in nature, this is a good restaurant to recharge your batteries. You can argue about American beer, but there is delicious food in a casual atmosphere. It's always busy here and sometimes you have to wait for a table. We can recommend the Brewery.
