Unique Eats

We feature restaurants who are pushing the envelope on some of America's beloved comfort foods. Plan Check in Los Angeles, CA offers the most indulgent burgers, fried chicken, and pastrami sandwiches, plus a unique towering donut dessert. A food truck in Nashville, TN uses big fat biscuits for hearty sweet and savory sandwiches. Cold fried chicken and baked potatoes are transformed into imaginative pizzas at Pete Zaaz in Brooklyn, NY. And in Atlanta, GA guilty pleasures can be found in creative hot dogs, sausages and fries at HD1.

Yardbird in Miami gives a taste of the true south with its unique fried chicken and fried green tomatoes. Dinic's in Philadelphia's Reading Terminal has been serving up some of the best old school sandwiches to crowds for decades. In New York, old school meats new school at Quality Meats steakhouse, and La Camaronera in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami honors a family seafood tradition.

Atlanta is a hotbed for unique eats. Heirloom Market BBQ brings together Korean and American barbecue in a quirky roadside eatery. Seafood dishes are brought to delicious new heights at swank newcomer The Optimist. Cozy corner restaurant One Eared Stag serves edgy American food. And Abattoir adds global touches to Southern dishes.

Americans continues to pine over all things swine. Korean restaurant Palsaik in Los Angeles serves bacon in eight different flavors. Martin's Bar-B-Q in Nashville smokes whole hog right in the center of their dining room. At Cemitas Puebla in Chicago, diners sink their teeth on quesadillas stuffed with chicharones or their signature Mexican sandwich stuffed with sliced deli ham, fried pork and grilled pork. NYC's The Cannibal celebrates nose-to-tail eating with their whole slow-roasted half pig's head, whipped lardo toast and boudin noir sausages.

Chicago continues to draw hungry foodies from all corners of the country with their innovative restaurants. Publican Quality Meats sells farm-raised meats and housemade charcuterie from their butcher counter, but the real draw is the hearty, meat-filled sandwiches. Yusho creates a buzz with their creative Asian-inspired street food. Antique Taco in Wicker Park offers authentic Mexican tacos and classic American comforts foods with a Mexican twist. Familiar brunch dishes get a fine-dining makeover at the Trenchermen.

In Austin, chef Paul Qui is keeping it weird and uniquely delicious at East Side King. In New York City's Atera, chef Matt Lightner and his kitchen are the stars of this jewel-like culinary theater. In Philadelphia, a well known innovator keeps it kosher while wowing the crowds, and in Los Angeles, a couple has gone from illegal dinners in their apartment, to a full-fledged restaurant serving irresistible pan-Asian fare.

Parm in New York City's Little Italy dishes out classic Italian-American sandwiches and bring out the kid in all of us with their colorful ice cream sandwich cake. Italian comfort food is paired with beer at gastropub Alla Spina in Philadelphia. Superba Snack Bar in Venice, CA crafts their own fresh and dried pastas using unusual ingredients and cooking techniques. City House in Nashville puts a Southern twist on Italian sausages and seafood and uses leftover pizza dough to create bread dumpling-like gnocchi.

We all love classic dishes but they are all the more special when thoughtful chefs rethink and reinvent them into something completely new and unique. The Wakin' and Bakin' Brunch at Miami's Eating House has something new and interesting for both savory and sweet lovers. Lucy's Fried Chicken in Austin spruces up the traditional fried chicken dinner with lots of creative fixings and sides. Josh's Deli in Surfside Florida brings the traditional Jewish deli to a whole new level, reinventing the ubiquitous matzoh ball into gnocchi. And Easy Tiger in Austin combines an artisanal bakery with a beer hall.

In Austin, Texas an authentic ramen house is taking classic broths and adding intense flavors that Texans will enjoy. At Pubbelly in Miami the pig is big and served at this gastropub in unique Asian-inspired ways. Traditional Thai food has reached the people of Austin and they couldn't be happier with Sway. And in Brooklyn, Dassara is transforming brunch favorites like bagels and lox into an Asian noodle dish.

Why not sample everything on the menu when it comes in the form of small bites. My Ceviche in Miami Beach keeps it light with the freshest local fish and zesty dressings that define the traditionally Latin-American ceviche dishes. Barley Swine in Austin features 13-15 small plates a day, each one highlighting a few specific ingredients bought at the local farmer's market. Amis in Philadelphia puts a twist on classic Roman trattoria food where diners are encouraged to order several dishes to share. Momo Sushi Shack in Bushwick Brooklyn serves sushi and dumplings that have Manhattanites crawling through the tunnel to try.

The lunch hour just got a little longer because the dishes at these restaurants are meant to be savored. Perla in New York City's West Village serves rich Italian sandwiches and delicious pizzas. It's all about the unique "baco" sandwich served daily at Baco Mercat in downtown Los Angeles. At Local Three Kitchen and Bar, diners order fast food classics without the guilt because only fresh, top-quality ingredients are used. Merchants Restaurant in downtown Nashville is a quiet retreat from bustling Broadway and serves elegant Southern food.

Authentic global flavors can be savored right here in America. Folks craving Mediterranean and Israeli food flock to charming Balaboosta in New York City. Popular Nashville food truck Riff's Fine Street Food marries Caribbean and Asian flavors. At Cook's Torta in Los Angeles, there's always a crowd for their Latin-style sandwiches. Pecking Order in Chicago serves Filipino-style chicken that comes roasted, grilled or fried.