Regional Eats

So far we’ve had three full meals.  One in Vermont, one in Ohio and one in Indiana.  Like any good traveler, we’ve tried to stick with regional favorites.

In White River Junction, Vermont, the cuisne was more cosmopolitan, more international than you would first imagine.  But at the very popular local eatery – China Moon Chinese Buffet – they’ve managed to offer not regional Chinese favorites – General Mao’s chicken, Schezwan Beef, Panda Express sweet and sour – but have fused it with a unique twist – Southern Fried.  Southern fried chicken wings.  Southern fried donuts.  Southern fried mystery.  Not only was it a tasty and long lasting meal, it was only $6.25 plus drink.  Our tip:  To enjoy it to its fullest, go in famished.  Not just hungry, but flew-all-night, didn’t-get-coffee, just-drove-four-more-hours hungry. 

In Ohio, we visited one of the most popular regional restaurants in the world.  Beloved by millions of travelers lucky enough to have walked through its doors and hugged by it’s warm country store.  Cracker Barrel.  And if you haven’t been lucky enough to visit a Cracker Barrel .. well, add it to the Bucket List and get out there on the road.

Today, after a rough traffic day, where else but Steak ‘n Shake.   We don’t have Steak ‘n Shake in California – much like we don’t have White Castle.  Steak ‘n Shake is our loss … it’s the midwest/southern version of In ‘n Out Burgers meets Dairy Queen.  But with really good fries.