Restaurant Reviews

Steuben’s Uptown: Brunch in Denver, Colorado

The colorful Monte Cristo

Steuben’s Uptown has long been at the top of my must-eat restaurants in Denver for quite a while now. This retro American diner is well known for its regional American classics ranging from Maine lobster rolls to chicken & waffles. Established in 2006, Steuben’s now has two locations in Denver, one in Uptown and another in the northwest in Arvada. On this trip, I visited the Steuben’s Uptown location. Because I failed to plan, I arrived at Steuben’s Uptown on …

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Saddle Mountain Brewing Company in Goodyear, Arizona

Overflowing meat

Saddle Mountain Brewing Company is a craft brewery and restaurant located in a strip mall in Goodyear, Arizona, just west of downtown Phoenix. The brewery was founded by Jacob and Laura Hansen, a local couple who had a passion for brewing their own beer at home. They took this passion and love for craft beer and eventually opened a craft brewery in the West Valley, which was in need of good craft beer. The name Saddle Mountain comes from the …

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Creekside American Bistro: Breakfast with views in Sedona, Arizona

Shrimp & Grits

Creekside American Bistro located in Sedona, Arizona is a popular restaurant overlooking Sedona’s Oak Creek and famous red rocks. The restaurant is well known with both locals and tourists for its unique and seasonally changing menu featuring locally sourced ingredients. Weather you visit for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you will find a unique and delicious dish on the menu. What I enjoy about my visits to Creekside American Bistro is that it feels trendy and upscale without being pretentious. It’s …

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Coffee Pot Restaurant in Sedona: Serving breakfast for over 30 years

The massive Huevos Rancheros, Coffee Pot Restaurant, Sedona, Arizona

The Coffee Pot Restaurant, located in Sedona, Arizona, is a family-owned restaurant with a 30 year history of serving its community. This institution of Sedona, and local favorite, is today not only popular with locals but with tourists looking for a delicious yet inexpensive breakfast or lunch option. This is especially true in a city as expensive as Sedona. Thanks to its extensive menu, including its absurd selection of 101 different omelettes, the Coffee Pot Restaurant has been written about …

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Milkbar Tomasza: Modern Polish Milk Bar in Kraków, Poland

If you are hungry, go for the Irish Breakfast

Located in the heart of Kraków’s Old Town is Milkbar Tomasza, a modern interpretation of a Soviet-style milk bar. A milk bar or bar mleczny is a Polish cafeteria ubiquitous across Poland. The main purpose of a milk bar was to serve cheap meals to poor citizens. Dishes included dairy products, traditional Polish dishes, and pierogi (dumplings). After World War I, these self-service milk bars started to pop up all across the country. Many opened after World War 2 and …

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Blue Nysa Van (Kiełbaski z Niebieskiej Nyski) in Kraków, Poland

The iconic Blue Nysa Van (Kiełbaski z Niebieskiej Nyski) in Kraków, Poland

For over 25 years, the Blue Nysa Van (Kiełbaski z Niebieskiej Nyski) has been serving the best kielbasa in Kraków, Poland. This street food institution of Kraków, operated by two gentlemen dressed in white coats, has been serving wood-fired Polish sausages (kielbasa) out of their iconic PRL-era blue Nysa van parked in front of Unitarg Market Hall (Unitarg Hala Targowa). In recent years, food trucks have become popular in Kraków. These food trucks, which serve a wide variety of delicious …

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Tek Sen Restaurant: Best Chinese food in Penang, Malaysia

An order of the Stir-Fried Kang Kung with Sambal Sauce and Prawns

Since opening in 1965, Tek Sen Restaurant has evolved into one of the best Chinese restaurants in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. George Town, an UNESCO Historic Site, is a must visit destination located 180 miles (289 kilometers) northwest of Kuala Lumpur. If you love food, Penang is a must. For over 50 years, Tek Sen Restaurant has been serving a wide variety of authentic Chinese dishes including Cantonese, Teochew, Hakka, and Peranakan. When Tek Sen Restaurant first opened back in …

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Nando’s PERi-PERi: Best flame grilled chicken in Baltimore, Maryland

The Half Chicken Combo with PERi Chips

Nando’s PERi-PERi, with a location in Baltimore, is part of a South African restaurant chain famous for their peri-peri style chicken dishes. Nando’s, which was founded in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1987, now has over 1,000 locations in 35 countries. So what is PERi-PERi? PERi-PERi, or piri piri, is a type of chili pepper known as the African Bird’s Eye Chili. Nando’s sources their peppers from Southern Africa, including Mozambique. These peppers are the key to Nando’s fire grilled PERi-PERi …

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Faidley's Seafood: Crabcakes at Lexington Market in Baltimore

The specialty of the house, the Jumbo Lump Crabcake Platter

Faidley’s Seafood, located inside historic Lexington Market, is a Baltimore institution famous for their jumbo lump crabcakes and fresh seafood. Faidley’s Seafood, which was founded all the way back in 1886, is one of the most well known purveyors of fresh seafood in the Chesapeake Bay region. Crabcakes, which are a symbol of Baltimore cuisine, are balls of crab which are deep fried until golden brown. If Faidley’s Seafood is known for one dish, it would have to be their …

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Mediterranean Halal Food Cart in Baltimore, Maryland

The massive Combo Rice Platter, Mediterranean Halal Food, Baltimore, Maryland

On my trip to Baltimore, I visited the Mediterranean Halal Food Cart, a halal food cart selling rice plates and wraps with chicken and lamb. I only stumbled upon this hidden gem because of its location on the corner of Baltimore Street and Hopkins Plaza, directly across the street from my hotel. There were a few things that stood out about this food cart. First, everyone ordering food from the cart appeared local, including students and workers from downtown businesses. …

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