If you know me, you know I have opinions, especially about food. And some of these opinions? Strong. Quite strong. Here are 5 spots that are guaranteed to make your trip better–and the best part? You don’t even have to listen to me talk about them.
1. De Osdorper, Amsterdam
What Makes it Great: The best bang for your buck in Amsterdam the world. For €6, you can get a large sandwich with some incredible combination of meat, cheese and veggies. I dream about the ham, cucumber, walnut and cream cheese sandwich to this day. And while your sandwich is being made, you can stare at the walls of Dutch cheese–for free!
You Must Order: A sandwich and a cookie for later.
2. Merritt’s, Chapel Hill
What Makes it Great: It’s a BLT place, but it’s transcendant. The Mona Lisa of BLTs, if you will. The stack of crispy bacon, fresh, juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce and chewy bread will send you straight to nirvana. Add in a Carolina blue sky and the small-town vibe…simply perfection.
You Must Order: Any BLT. I go for a single with chicken salad.
3. Zingerman’s, Ann Arbor
What Makes it Great: Some say its expensive; I say you’re just getting two days’ worth of lunch. Every sandwich seems like a cacophonous mountain of ingredients, yet the taste is nothing short of symphonic. Their bread and desserts are baked in-house, and the Jewish sides taste like childhood.
You Must Order: Whatever sandwich suits your fancy. You can’t go wrong with the TNT Cowboy Reuben.
4. Dishoom, London
What Makes it Great: The setting transports you from the UK straight to India. The food is a spiritual experience; every bite is an adventure of flavor, heat and texture. The energy is unmatched. Three in the afternoon on a Tuesday? Packed with conversation, laughter and family–nobody is leaving.
You Must Order: Chilli Chicken. Mango Lassi.
5. Red Iguana, Salt Lake City
What Makes it Great: The sheer chaos of the place. Walls packed with pictures and colors straight out of a Pollock painting. The parking lot is a Hunger Games-style battle for a spot. Wait staff flying around at the speed of light. And the selection of incredible mole from the traditional mole poblano to unorthodox spin offs like strawberry.
You Must Order: Mole and perhaps a tres leches cake for funsies.
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