Landmark Restaurants
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Ben's Chili Bowl
Don't Miss These
Open for decades (some more than a century), steeped in tradition and visited by the rich and famous, these restaurants are institutions in their respective cities. When in town, you'll want to make room on your itinerary for a visit.
Next: Boudin'sMore From Small Business:
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Alan Halprin, AOL
Boudin's
Location: San Francisco, Calif.
Opened: 1849
Specialty: San Francisco sourdough French bread
Boudin's is a San Francisco institution at Fisherman's Wharf and the longest continuously run business in the city. They are known for their sourdough bread and sourdough bread chowder bowls.More From Small Business:
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AOL CityGuide
Pink's
Location: Hollywood, Calif.
Opened: 1939
Specialty: Hot dogs
Paul Pink started with a large-wheeled pushcart and turned it into a world-famous hot dog stand where average Joe's, celebrities and dignitaries rub elbows. This Hollywood landmark hasn't changed much since 1939, except for the price. An oversized hot dog with mustard, onions and chili is just $2.95.More From Small Business:
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Getty Images
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
Location: New Haven, Conn.
Opened: 1925
Specialty: Pizza
There isn't an easy explanation for the wonder of a Frank Pepe's pie. Pepe's is perfect, yet not extraordinary. However, hours later, you'll find yourself reminiscing. If you brought a few pieces home, they'll call to you from the refrigerator until you finally give in and gobble them up. If not, the craving will build until you return, once again, to the scene of the crime. And then, of course, you will belong to Pepe.More From Small Business:
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Wilfredo Lee, AP
Joe's Stone Crab
Location: Miami Beach, Fla.
Opened: 1913
Specialty: Seafood and Key Lime Pie
When Miami Beach was a much simpler place, Joe Weiss set up a lunch counter, selling fish sandwiches and fries. Later, with the introduction of the stone crab, Joe's was well on its way to becoming a Miami Beach institution attracting a veritable who's who of the twentieth center, including Will Rogers, Amelia Earhart and Gloria Swanson.More From Small Business:
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Florida Keys News Bureau / AP
Sloppy Joe's
Location: Key West, Fla.
Opened: 1933
Specialty: Cold Beer
The dive bar, a hangar-like room where bands play and ceiling fans swat at the deep Florida heat, holds an annual look alike contest in honor of Ernest Hemingway, who famously hung out here (although he may have been the last local to do so). The beer flows freely in this party zone, and its frozen Bacardi rum runners do their damage, too.More From Small Business:
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Gene Blythe, AP
The Varsity
Location: Atlanta, Ga.
Opened: 1928
Specialty: Hot dogs
The Varsity is the world's largest drive-in and greasy spoon serving hot dogs and hamburgers to up to 30,000 people in a day. The drive-in can accommodate up to 600 cars and 800 people can be served inside. If you slow down when you're online the servers will scream "walk and talk." While we can't say the burgers will be the best you've ever tasted, the experience of being served in the 81-year-old restaurant surely will be remembered.More From Small Business:
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MCT
Pizzeria Uno
Location: Chicago, Ill.
Opened: 1943
Specialty: Chicago deep dish pizza
Before Ike Sewell opened up his restaurant, pizza was primarily a snack food. When he invented the deep dish pizza, a new dinner option was born. Diners still flock to this original location for a taste of this Chicago original.More From Small Business:
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Courtesy Gumbo Shop
Gumbo Shop
Location: New Orleans, La.
Opened: 1920's
Specialty: Gumbo
Located in New Orleans' French Quarter in one of the original 18th century buildings, the Gumbo Shop offers award-winning Creole cuisine including jambalaya, gumbo and red beans and rice.More From Small Business:
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AFP / Getty Images
Phillip's Seafood
Location: Ocean City, Md.
Opened: 1956
Specialty: Seafood
From the freshly-caught seafood to the attractive seaside decor, Phillip's is a Maryland favorite. By processing their own seafood, they cut out the middleman and bring you the freshest food possible. If you're in Ocean City, stop in and order their crab cakes.More From Small Business:
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Lisa Poole, AP
Union Oyster House
Location: Boston, Mass.
Opened: 1826
Specialty: Oysters
The Union Oyster House near Fanueil Hall in Boston is part tourist draw, part beloved landmark. The country's oldest restaurant in continuous service has seen everyone from Daniel Webster to JFK walk through the doors. It's pricey and often crowded but what makes it memorable is the raw bar serving ocean-fresh shellfish.More From Small Business:
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www.teddrewes.com
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
Location: St. Louis, Mo.
Opened: 1929
Specialty: Frozen custard
Ted Drewes began selling frozen custard right along with Christmas trees way back in 1929. The success of the custard business has lead to numerous offers to franchise over the years, but Ted said that quality should come first and always turned them down. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard is still a St. Louis favorite and their Christmas trees remain an annual tradition.More From Small Business:
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Chuck France, AP
Gates Bar-B-Q
Location: Kansas City, Mo.
Opened: 1946
Specialty: Barbecue sauce
Lip-smacking good is how we'd describe Gates Bar-B-Q. If you're in the Kansas City, Mo., area it's well worth a trip to one of its five family-run, red-roofed locations to feast on a plate of ribs. Kansas City is known for having a lot of BBQ joints, but Gates' sauce is what elevates it to the top of the heap. If you can't make it to Kansas City, Gates sauces can be found in some supermarkets or ordered online.More From Small Business:
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Courtesy White House Sub Shop
Whitehouse Subs
Location: Atlantic City, N.J.
Opened: 1946
Specialty: Sub sandwiches
The line down the block should tell you a little something about the ongoing popularity of this sub shop, where the fare is churned out by grumpy counterfolk and served on paper plates. These are special cheese steaks -- not easily duplicated out of South Jersey because of the special Italian rolls that are aptly called Atlantic City rolls, and not at all like Philly cheese steaks because of the use of provolone cheese instead of Cheez Whiz.More From Small Business:
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AFP / Getty Images
Katz's Famous Delicatessen
Location: New York, N.Y.
Opened: 1888
Specialty: Pastrami Sandwiches
Katz's was opened by a Russian immigrant family in the late 19th century and has been serving generations of immigrants and natives alike every since. It's also hosted four U.S. presidents and visiting dignitaries. The specialty is the pastrami sandwich and has been proclaimed the best on Earth. If you are in NYC, you must grab a bite at Katz's.More From Small Business:
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Geno's Steaks/Pat's King of Steaks
Location: Philadelphia, Pa.
Opened: 1966 and 1930
Specialty: Steak and Cheese Sandwiches
When you ask someone in Philly who has the best steak sandwiches, you'll get one of two answers: Geno's or Pat's. The two have been dueling steak, cheese and who did what first for decades. They're also located right across the street from one another at 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia.More From Small Business:
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Hymanseafood.com
Hyman's Seafood Co.
Location: Charleston, S.C.
Opened: 1924
Specialty: Seafood
Faced with Hyman's extensive menu, it's natural to feel a moment of anxiety. The restaurant's specialty is truly unique: a one-pound unboned flounder, scored and roasted until crispy, is served with a sweet, slightly spicy chutney. Easy to eat and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, it is the kind of dish that you will remember for the rest of your life.More From Small Business:
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Charles Dharapak, AP
The Rendezvous Restaurant
Location: Memphis, Tenn.
Opened: 1948
Specialty: Ribs
Memphis is known for its dry rub barbeque, and Rendezvous, crammed with bric-a-brac and customers alike, is a master of it. It may be found down a side alley, but it's no secret: Every visitor to town seems to stop here, from Bill Clinton to Frank Sinatra to characters in John Grisham's "The Firm."More From Small Business:
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www.casa-rio.com
Casa Rio
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Opened: 1946
Specialty: Mexican food
Casa Rio was the first business to open its doors along the River Walk, helping to establish the area as a tourist destination. The restaurant draws huge crowds and serves traditional Mexican fare.More From Small Business:
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Linda Spillers, AP
Carl's Ice Cream
Location: Fredericksburg, Va.
Opened: 1947
Specialty: Ice cream
This ice cream stand is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but Carl's is most well-known for what they serve: vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream. People flock from far and wide for cones, sundaes, shakes, malts, slushes and floats. If you're driving along 95 in Virginia, be sure to stop, but be forewarned: The line is usually long (but moves quickly) and Carl's closes for winter.More From Small Business:
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AOL CityGuide
Ben's Chili Bowl
Location: Washington, D.C.
Opened: 1958
Specialty: Chili
When President Obama stopped by for a bowl of chili in January, the media took notice, but the diner was a D.C. institution long before that. Located along U Street (known in the 1950's as "Black Broadway"), stars such as Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole and Bill Cosby visited in between shows. More than 50 years later, walking into Ben's is like taking a step back in time: same booths, stools, counter, and yes, the same secret-recipe chili.More From Small Business:
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Cassandra Hubbart, AOL
Obrycki's Crab House
Location: Baltimore, Md.
Opened: 1944
Specialty: Spiced Maryland Blue Crabs
Located at Baltimore's historic Fells Point, Obrycki's is a Baltimore staple. The warehouse-like atmosphere is perfect for large groups. If you aren't traveling to Charm City anytime soon, never fear: You can get your Obrycki's by mail order.More From Small Business:
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Recent Comments
gg7274 10:12:10 AM Aug 04 2009
GENO'S STEAKS SUK! ANYONE THAT HAS A PICTURE OF THEIR SANDWICH ON THEIR SIGN, THEY ARE DEFINITLY HIDING SOMETHING
jmorrow588 04:35:13 PM Aug 01 2009
Primanti Brothers in Pittsburgh. Nothing more needs to be said.
lcarl92338 06:20:07 PM Jul 13 2009
If ever in Chicago go to Manny's Deli. The best corn beef sandwich anywhere.
rubystone 03:06:41 PM Jul 13 2009
Louis Lunch, founded in New Haven Connecticut in 1895 is where the hamburger was INVENTED. Still fabulous, best hamburgers anywhere.
rubystone 03:04:51 PM Jul 13 2009
Louis Lunch in New Haven, CT, founded in 1895, where the hamburger was invented, still serves the most amazing hamburgers cooked in their vertical grill.
dommale52 03:01:50 PM Jul 13 2009
How long will aol run this s..t. This been going for 3 weeks
kitconsul 02:27:53 PM Jul 13 2009
YES......LEGAL SEAFOOD IN BOSTON IS PRETTY DAMNED GOOD......BUT THEN.....TO EAT THERE.....YOU GOTTA GO TO BOSTON............TO HELL WITH THAT!!!!!!
kitconsul 02:24:48 PM Jul 13 2009
HOMERUN INN PIZZA IN CHICAGO IS MADE WITH BISQUIT MIX AND COLD CUTS. THEY SELL ALOT BECAUSE A LARGE COSTS $3.
kitconsul 02:21:41 PM Jul 13 2009
CASA RIO MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN SAN ANTONIO IS A PATHETIC TOURIST TRAP THAT HAS NO BUSINESS IN THIS GROUP. THE FIRST AND MOST FAMOUS RIVERWALK MEXICAN RESTAURANT WAS CALLED "THE ORIGINAL MEXICAN RESTAURANT". .....THE BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN THE TOURIST AREAS IS "MI TIERRA" IN THE MARKET. ....CASA RIO IS NEVER ON ANY FAVORITES LISTS ANYWHERE.......EXCEPT HERE......PROOF OF AN IDIOT WRITER THAT DOESN'T DO HER HOMEWORK.
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