By Katy Budge
In 2021, what originally seemed a pie-in-the-sky notion became a reality. We journeyed to the East Coast and back in our 20-foot R-Pod trailer. In two months and over 10,000 miles, we never ate at a national chain restaurant, opting – as we usually do – to seek out tasty local spots instead. Such a goal is pretty easy, requiring just a little advance planning and a willingness to eat outside the fast food box. (Check out some of my other “Forks in the Road” posts.) Some of the many highlights of this trip are below, except for all the barbecue joints. Those will be flavorful fodder for another post!
Utah Treats
Located in Beaver, Utah, The Creamery is a delightful dairy-filled wonderland. Operated by local dairy farmers, it offers everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to mac-n-cheese, cheese curds to cheddar cheese, chocolate milk to ice cream. (Cheese curds are highly underrated, by the way, especially when you’re on the road and want a quick, tasty protein-leaning snack.)
Driving from Utah on I-70 towards Colorado, keep your eyes peeled for Vetere’s fruit stand in Green River, Utah. I’m gonna go out on a vine and just call their Israeli melons the best in the world. These sweet and faintly peppery musk melons would be better known except they don’t age well and don’t travel well. Sigh.
Inside the Columbus North Market
Way back in 2008, San Francisco hosted a fabulous Slow Food Festival. Artisan food crafters from across the nation attended, including Jeni Britton Bauer of Jeni’s Ice Cream. At the time, her fledgling company was only in Ohio, but her unique flavors are now available nationwide and can even be delivered right to your door.
I visited Jeni’s flagship store in Columbus, situated inside the wonderful North Market, “a 145-year-old vibrant public market made up of Ohio’s best independent merchants, farmers, and makers.” In addition to Jeni’s (lavender and vanilla), I got way too many Himalayan dumplings from Momo Ghar. Oh, who am I kidding? I didn’t get nearly enough Himalayan dumplings from Momo Ghar!
Winging It!
When in Buffalo … enough said. Oh, and Niagara Falls was pretty cool too!
Must Tries in OC
Overall, Ocean City is not my thing. Too over the top. But, a friend insisted I get Thrasher’s Fries (served since 1929 with just salt and vinegar). Who am I to argue with such wisdom. Those might have been topped off with some soft serve ice cream from Dumser’s Dairyland (since 1939).
And dinner that night may have been Maryland blue crab cakes and hush puppies at Crab Alley. Blissfully located in the much calmer West Ocean City, it offered a lovely rainy day view of the harbor.
Sometimes, Medium is Best
In the land of Nashville hot chicken, there’s really only one choice if you happen to be driving through for the day – Prince’s! I will be forever grateful to the kind woman taking my order because she gently suggested that I should get the medium instead of the hot. Could have permanently lost some taste buds if not for her guidance.
Sometimes Yelp can be used for good, as was the case finding the Owl Bar in San Antonio, New Mexico. This non-descript spot has been slinging their famous green chile cheeseburgers since 1949. It’s definitely worth a stop if you find yourself on Highway 25 between Albuquerque and Las Cruces.
Chips & Salsa — Invented by a Katy?!
While spending some time in Las Cruces, New Mexico, we also got down to neighboring Mesilla. This tiny town’s main claim to fame is being where the Gadsen Purchase was celebrated, but I was more interested in La Posta de Mesilla, a New Mexican restaurant that opened in 1939 inside an old stagecoach stop. The proprietor’s name was Katy Griggs, and – according to local lore – “Katy welcomed each table with a free bowl of tostadas and chile, a tradition she started in the Mesilla Valley in 1939 and which we today refer to as ‘chips and salsa’ – a staple of the Southwestern diet.” Though other versions of who invented chips and salsa abound, I’m gonna go with someone named Katy!
