John Cox

Blogs · @wyome

Tagged restaurants · everything

www.tastingtable.com

The 20 Best Tiki Bars In The US

Tiki bars represent a distinctly American form of escapism rooted in 19th-century fascination with the South Pacific, evolving from kitschy nautical themes at pioneer spots like Trader Vic's into dynamic contemporary establishments that blend classic cocktails with inventive riffs and immersive theming. The article profiles over 20 tiki bars across the U.S.—from Smuggler's Cove in San Francisco to Wusong Road in Boston—each offering unique interpretations of tropical escapism, from wine-based tiki cocktails in California wine country to robot-fueled tiki in Nashville. Modern tiki bars remain temples of rum and vacation fantasy while constantly adapting their aesthetics, menus, and experiences to contemporary tastes and local cultures.

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www.samjonesbbq.com

www.islands.com

Here's How Anthony Bourdain Always Found The Best Local Restaurants When Traveling

This piece offers practical strategies inspired by Anthony Bourdain for finding authentic local restaurants and avoiding tourist traps when traveling. It suggests visiting local markets, seeking advice on community boards, talking directly with locals, and being adventurous with unfamiliar dishes—while steering clear of restaurants with telltale tourist-trap signs like prominent English menus, tourist-heavy locations, and high table-to-staff ratios. The article frames these approaches as ways to eat authentically and affordably like Bourdain did throughout his travels.

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www.foodandwine.com

The Best Sandwich in Every State

David Landsel presents a state-by-state tour of America's sandwich culture, celebrating regional icons and long‑running shops. From New Orleans' [[muffuletta]] to Maine's chilled [[lobster roll]], Tampa's classic [[Cuban sandwich]] and Los Angeles' hand‑carved [[pastrami]], the piece profiles the origin stories, signature ingredients, and local rituals that make each bite worthy of pilgrimage. Landsel emphasizes enduring institutions and homegrown inventions—like Chicago's [[Italian beef]] and the Midwest [[pork tenderloin sandwich]]—while excluding burgers, hot dogs, burritos, tacos, and most barbecue to focus squarely on sandwiches proper. The tone blends history, travel dispatch, and appetite-driven reporting, offering readers a road map to favorites, recommended purveyors, and the cultural reasons these sandwiches resonate in their communities. He spotlights small family businesses, historic delis, roadside stands, and coastal shacks, connecting food, place, and memory.

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www.esquire.com

Esquire’s Best Martinis in America: 2025 Edition

Esquire's guide celebrates martinis being creatively reimagined by bartenders across America rather than treated as a sacred, untouchable classic. The piece showcases over twenty exceptional martinis from restaurants nationwide—ranging from faithful traditional versions to inventive variations featuring ingredients like za'atar, pineapple amaro, pickled okra, matcha, and even anchovy-fat-washed vodka. Rather than prescribing one correct way to make a martini, the collection demonstrates that the drink's enduring appeal lies in its flexibility as a canvas for seasonal ingredients, local flavors, and bartender creativity.

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travelcurator.com

Worth Driving For: Healdsburg, California

This travel piece champions Healdsburg as the unpretentious heart of Sonoma wine country, positioning it as a more soulful alternative to Napa, and maps out a practical itinerary spanning tasting rooms, redwood hikes, galleries, and standout restaurants like SingleThread and Dry Creek Kitchen. It also flags Charles M. Schulz Airport as an underused entry point and recommends specific hotels (Montage Healdsburg, The Madrona) for a full trip-planning reference. Worth keeping as a ready-made guide for a Sonoma visit, with concrete names rather than generic recommendations.

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noogatoday.6amcity.com

carolinas.eater.com

18 Best Restaurants in Charlotte, North Carolina

This is a curated guide to 18 restaurants across Charlotte representing various cuisines, price points, and styles, from the historic Original Chicken & Ribs (the only remaining Green Book establishment in the city) to fine dining destinations like the Michelin-starred Counter- and newly acclaimed spots like Rada and Albertine. The list reflects Charlotte's cultural growth, with additions highlighting Mediterranean, Spanish-Italian, Vietnamese, Szechuan, and high-end omakase options alongside Southern heritage cooking and wood-fired Mediterranean fare. The selection emphasizes both established neighborhood institutions and newer arrivals that signal the city's expanding culinary sophistication and economic development.

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Food Com

Houston's Best Barbecue Spots

A guide to Houston's best barbecue restaurants, featuring twelve establishments ranging from casual smokeshacks to upscale venues, each highlighted for signature dishes and distinctive approaches to Texas barbecue—from Pinkerton's jalapeno buns and Killen's pork belly burnt ends to The Pit Room's innovative barbecue tacos and Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue's unusual pairing of smoked meats with handcrafted chocolate truffles.

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