Mi Hogar. Probably the only really good mexican food I've found on the east coast. Cheap. And you can usually hear the chef in back singing in spanish. I recommend the mole.
Augusta, GA
T-Bonz. Best steak in town several years running. My recommendation is... um, the steak.
San Angelo, TX
Mejor Que Nada. Nice little cantina. Well, not exactly little. The place can get pretty rowdy. The food's good. And it's San Angelo, so... not like there's much choice.
Reno, NV:
Rickshaw Paddy's. Talking about this place in the 'Tank inspired this thread. It's an asian (or pan-asian) bistro with a little Irish flavor (that might be an oxymoron
). Far better than PF Chang's, IMO. My recommendation is the chicken adobo.The Nugget Diner. Forget In n' Out. Go there for the Awful Awful. Go hungry, but you're still taking some with you.
Monterey, CAIncidentally, speed is another thing the diner is known for. Casino employees can order a meal and eat it at the Nugget on a 20-minute break.
The Awful Awful lives up to its name. It's awfully big, awfully good and best of all (for college kids anyway) awfully cheap.
The burger comes with all the trimmings: lettuce, tomato, onion, cheeses and thousand island dressing all on an onion bun.
When you order the half-pound of cow they throw it on the grill, flames shooting up like Old Faithful. Once cooked to your desired level of doneness, it's trimmed and set before you. The burger is juicy, very tasty and costs about the same as the flavorless flatty-patties you'll find at those cheesy, chain locales.
The fries are served in a basket, but it might as well be a feeding trough. They look like they weigh more than a half pound, and there is easily enough food for two people. The fries are seasoned with (Lawry's) Seasoning Salt and parsley flakes, but don't try this at home because it won't be the same.
The meal changes in at $3.50--a real good, real cheap meal. For fries alone, the a-la-carte menu lists them for $1.95.
Papa Chano's. They have ginormous, delicious burritos. If you eat there for lunch, be sure to set aside some personal time later in the afternoon.
Or if you're downtown during the farmer's market (Tuesday afternoons, IIRC), everything's good.
