I just found out I'll be headed to Phoenix tomorrow for work. I'll be staying at the Hotel Palomar. I've never visited Phoenix and don't know the lay of the land. From a quick look at a map it seems I'll be downtown. I'll probably only have an opportunity for a quick breakfast or lunch getaway.

I'm looking for working class grub, nothing fancy. Maybe some diner style mex or the like. Breakfast or lunch. I don't have a lot of time for research but I did a little reading here and found recs for Carolina's Mex and Rito's (mixed reviews). I also founds this link on Serious Eats but its a little old and following up on a couple of the recs yielded mix results here. Also only a few seem to be near my hotel.

http://www.seriouseats.com/2007/10/be...

I'd appreciate any recs for hole in the wall places within quick striking distance of the Hotel Palomar.

Thanks in advance!

Looking for suggestions for eats for a MASS MoCA road trip. Stops along the way are especially welcome. We're thinking of taking Massachusetts Route 2 going one direction. Not looking for anything fancy. Mostly looking for interesting road food. Thanks in advance.

I'm looking for the Hanoi lunch favorite - Bun Cha. Any suggestions for a place in Boston? I tried Pho 2000 but the grilled meatball Bun on their menu definitely isn't it. I'm looking for the classic BBQ/chargrilled minced pork balls with bun. Thanks.

Grass Fed has been packed every time I've driven past. Anyone had a chance to check it out?

I just realized I can't watch the LSU/Bama game b/c I don't have cable TV. I think I'm panicking and drawing a blank on ideas of where to go. I'd like a comfortable place with above average food. The key is they need to have the sound on. Ideally it would not be a sports bar. Suggestions are welcome. JP area would be great but I can travel. Thanks in advance.

Ko is definitely a great option. I have a date that is more than a week away so I'm going to be trying for a reservation but I'd like to consider other places.

I'm looking for a Sunday evening so it looks like Roberta's is out. I was definitely considering WD-50. I read a few critical reviews recently and wasn't sure if it was still worth it.

Thanks for this suggestion. I'd overlooked this option.

We have a foodie friend coming to town. We're looking for a place that has an excellent tasting menu in the $100-200/person range. We'd like somewhere nice with excellent food but not stuffy. We're more downtown/brooklyn than uptown. That being said we're open on location. Basically looking for upscale tasting menu in a fun atmosphere. We like adventurous food. Modernist is great.

Trying to get off the beaten path with a couple of guests coming into town. I'd like to show them some of old school Boston. Looking for recs for old school/divey/gritty Boston spots. They don't have to be divey or gritty, really looking for a strong sense of place that might make up for shortcomings (if any) in the food. The two places I have on the tentative list are Rinos and Bell Isle Seafood. Thanks in advance.

Gotta get some Island Creeks. I go often and used always try to include several varieties but the Island Creeks are so good I feel it's just a waste to try anything else. The tuna tartare and the fluke tartare apps are excellent however the tuna wasn't on the menu this Wednesday. The scallops are always excellent.

I also used bulli@elbulli.com. In my email I simply gave a few details about both of us, where we where from, etc, I just made an effort to put a person with the name. Nothing long or desperate. I think we just got lucky.

Just wanted to thank everyone here for advice, especially Beleac. 5 days ago I was preparing for a next day departure to Barcelona. I was interested in dining at El Bulli but had written it off as impossible. After reading this thread, I sent a nice personal email with info about myself and wife and requested a reservation if there were any cancelations during the next 5 days. To my surprise I received a personal email back telling me that they would let me know if something came up. A few days later, Sunday, I arrived at my hotel from a day of sight seeing and was handed a envelope from the desk - inside was a telephone message from El Bulli. I quickly check my email and found a message confirming my reservation for Tuesday night!!! We rented a car, booked a hotel in Roses and headed out on Tuesday morning. The meal was amazing. So thanks again! And to anyone else who's interested, it is possible. I'll follow up with additional info on the meal.

Not technically the right board but I thought it may be the best place for an answer. Looking for a casual oyster bar in the Oyster Bay area. Having trouble with searches b/c of the name issue. Fresh oysters and laid back atmosphere is what I'd like. Thanks!

looking for a casual oyster bar in the Oyster Bay area. Having trouble with searches b/c of the name issue. Fresh oysters and laid back atmosphere is what I'd like. Thanks!

Planning a last minute weekend trip north from Boston toward Camden. Looking for recommendations for very casual spots for oysters on the southern to mid Maine coast.

Based on an article in the NYTimes - a stop at Glidden Point Oyster Sea Farm seems fun. They also suggest Damariscotta River Grill and King Eider’s Pub in the Damariscotta area.

We're very interested in suggestions for other places up the coast - toward Rockland, Camden, Belfast.

Any recommendations for casual fare would be appreciated. A shellfish allergy means no lobster so mollusks and fish are the order of the day.

Thanks.

I’m a fairly recent immigrant to the Boston area and New England in general. I have a couple of friends coming in for a visit from Houston and I’m looking for some recommendations. They’re foodies and particularly enjoy downscale local places that have a lot of atmosphere. Definitely nothing fancy. Places with a lot of history are great but local ethnic spots that are simple and real are also in order. Anthony Bourdain “No Reservations” type places, etc.

Two places that I’m thinking of so far (that I’ve found on Chowhound) are Floating Rock and Daily Catch in the North End. If what I’m talking about makes any sense and you get what I’m talking about, I’d really appreciate a recommendation or two. Thanks.

Rather than start a new thread I'll ask here... Where are the recommended places to buy fresh unshucked oysters for preparation at home? I know you can get them at Pike Market. Are there any other places? I'll be staying in Ballard and am also planning lots of day trips so I'm willing to go out of the way. I'd love to find a local source!

My husband and I are in Cape Cod just for one day tomorrow. We're going to drive around and explore between Hyannis and Provincetown. Primarily, we're looking for a local (not fancy) bar, ideally on the seaside (but I know the two don't always go together) that has fresh oysters.

Any other great local, affordable recommendations would be amazing. Great ice cream would be nice. I saw that Sundae School Ice Cream is recommended...any others in other towns?

Drove in to Hyannis this afternoon to meet my father-in-law who is here for a conference. We're eating at the Naked Oyster tonight but got here early to beat the traffic. Heading out to walk around and we're wondering if any can give a last second rec for a place to get a good cocktail and people watch. Thanks.

First summer living in Boston and my wife and I are planning a road trip up to Montreal. We're headed North with our car, tent and bicycles. The route isn’t set and I’m looking for help. I've posted on the New England thread but I thought it would be great to get a perspective from the other direction. Recommendations to any place along the way including Montreal and Quebec City are welcome.

We’re open to all suggestions but we are NOT looking for high end dining - great deals are good, inexpensive is great. We’re open to anything – we especially enjoy the outdoors (outside dining on picnic tables!), off-the-beaten-path, the weird and the unusual. Not looking for anything fancy, in fact just the opposite. Think Anthony Bourdain type of local spots - places that might have one great item on the menu and a lot of local flavor – local ethnic food, great dive bars, etc. Although I'll be touring, we don't feel like we have to do all the Montreal institutions. We'd rather enjoy a neighborhood eatery or bar. I'm a big fan of restaurants/bars with outdoor areas with games - pétanque anyone?

Suggestions on places to visit, places to stay, and places car camp are more than welcome (great secluded car camping spots would be especially helpful). Links to other threads are also helpful. I’m just starting my research so I’m sure I’ll find lots of good threads (this is my first visit to the Quebec Board and I've already seen a couple of very informative ones on) to help but I thought I’d get this one out there. Thank you in advance.

First summer living in Boston and my wife and I are planning a road trip up to Montreal – New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine are all on the table. The route isn’t set and I’m looking for help. Recommendations to any place along the way including Montreal are welcome.

We’re open to all suggestions but we are NOT looking for high end dining - great deals are good, inexpensive is great. Let's put the Chow back in Chowhound. We’re open to anything – we especially enjoy the outdoors (outside dining on picnic tables!), off-the-beaten-path, the weird and the unusual. Not looking for anything fancy, in fact just the opposite. Think Anthony Bourdain type of local spots that might have one great item on the menu and a lot of local flavor – run down seafood shacks, great dive bars, etc.

Suggestions on places to visit, places to stay, and places car camp are more than welcome (great secluded car camping spots would be especially helpful). Links to other threads are also helpful. I’m just starting my research so I’m sure I’ll find lots of good theads to help but I thought I’d get this one out there. Thank you in advance.

The banh mi at Super 88 is ok but doesn't touch Ban Mi Saigon. Lets keep things real.

wish I would have known before I moved here. lame!

I'm looking for suggestions on Boston area beer gardens / patio bars. Something like Zeitgeist in San Francisco - picnic tables in a back yard kind of thing, NOT upscale, NOT streetside, something with a relatively large space would be ideal. Searching around, I've seen Charlie's Kitchen as a possibility but the outdoor area seems pretty small.

Also wondering about any bars with outdoor games - horse shoes, bocce / pétanque, or the like.

Cheers

What I think he means are American made craft beers that are pushing the boundaries - high alcohol (9-12%), double/triple IPAs, imperial stouts, unusual ingredients, etc.

You should definitely consider Publick House. One advantage is that two other places run by the same owner are near by - Publick House Provisions (excellent beer selection focused on Belgians ...if you want to buy some beer to take home) and the Road House. The Road House is a BBQ joint that has had some real problems with their food but they have an excellent selection of very high quality American craft beers on draft.

I'm planning on making another trip to Taiwan Cafe and I'm looking for dish suggestions. I'm going with a small group so we can try more things.

I found one recommendation for the Beef with Horn Peppers in the boards. I really enjoyed the Squid with Basil (Three Cups Squid?).

Any other suggestions from Taiwan Cafe fans?

Any more specifics on the type of places you're looking for?

Neptune: gorgeous place without being stuffy with excellent food.
Eastern Standard: Skip it. Good food but not great and not a particularly interesting place.

O Ya: if your looking to have an amazing experience and are willing to blow a lot of cash.

Daily Catch in the North End is another fun and delicious place without being formal.

Butcher Shop is a nice wine bar with small plates if you want to see the South End. I often combine a visit to the Butcher Shop with B&G Oyster across the street (B&G is very similar to Neptune but not as good.)

These two threads are excellent places to get some ideas...
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/506024
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/582364

Many thanks for the suggestions. Here's what I'm thinking right now.

Daily Catch - North End
Taiwan Cafe - Chinatown
Deluxe Town Diner - Watertown

Maybe...
Union Oyster House or Durgin Park
Pico or Joe V's (I live in the South End)
Pizzeria Regina

Suggestions for any other "atmosphere-heavy" places that aren't total tourist traps would be great.

Several members of my family (3 adults and 2 children – ages 5 & 7) are coming to Boston for a visit. I haven’t been in the city for very long so I’m looking for a few recommendations. I’d like to err on the side of a fun/interesting atmosphere rather than the absolute best food if that choice must be made. They’re all from small town Louisiana, so I’d like to take them to lively places that aren’t stuffy.

Something in the North End (with pizza as an option for the kids), a seafood place, and Chinatown are all on the list. I recently went to Taiwan Café and loved it so I’m planning a family style dinner there for one evening. Any recommendations for the North End? Looking for causal places with lots of “Boston” atmosphere…

Suggestions are much appreciated.