50 Memorable Food and Drinks

I turn 50 today! I can tell you are thinking, “gee, I thought you were much older.”

Thanks a lot!

Since I have not yet been everywhere, tried everything, and have much more exploring (research!) to do, I cannot honestly provide a 50 best list of anything.

However, here is a sort of auto-bio list of 50 memorable food items, dishes, and drinks I have had. These are memorable to me and may not (or might) appear on any other list. Some of the places have closed or I may not remember names.

Most are from my travels in the past 20 years. I spent my first 28 years or so eating for the sake of eating. Not really a foodie, I did not start having fun with food and drink and appreciating non-chain food about 20 years ago. I have been fortunate to have my dining tips (and other travel tips) featured in USA Today and I invented a cocktail. Although I have my favorites, I have only scratched the surface of what this world has to offer.

50 Memorable Food and Drinks

In totally random order:

1. Valencia oranges and paella in Valencia, Spain
2. pork spare ribs in Mt. Dora, Florida (and from Twin Anchors in Chicago, Illinois)
3. carnitas from El Migueleño in Seaside, California
4. chocolate peanut butter cookie dough ice cream from Cherry Hill in Lunenburg, Massachusetts
5. pitcher of mojitos from Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine in Pembroke Pines, Florida
6. brisket from Central Texan BBQ in Castroville, California (now closed)
7. clam chowder in sourdough bread bowl from Vivolos in Pacific Grove, California (and from Ivar’s in Seattle, Washington—enjoyed on Bremerton ferry at night)
8. fish tacos in Half Moon Bay, California (and from The Big Owl in Graysonville, Maryland)
9. double chili cheeseburger, fries, and Ho-Hos from Original Tommy’s (must be Rampart & Beverly location)
10. pizza in Tupper Lake, New York (best NY style pizza I have had) and this from Venice, Italy

    

11. crab stuffed halibut from Double Musky in Girdwood, Alaska
12. eclairs in Emerald Isle, North Carolina (and from Donut Friar in Gatlinburg, Tennessee)
13. beignets from Cafe du Monde in New Orleans
14. donuts from The Donut Hole in Lakeway, Texas (best donuts I have had)
15. lobster roll from Jackie’s in Leominster, Massachusetts
16. carne asada at a picnic in Southern California (homemade picnic food is the best!)
17. filet mignon from Old San Francisco Steakhouse in Austin, Texas
18. Mexican chocolate ice cream in Monterey, California
19. fish and chips in Monterey, California and Penzance, England and many other places
20. omelet from First Watch in Monterey, California
21. baked lobster, chocolate soufflé from Chez Marc in Manassas Park, Virginia
22. tacos from Tacqueria Albertos in McMinnville, Tennessee (and from many places in San Pedro, Anaheim, and southern California)

    

23. cinnamon roll from Sweet Jill’s Bakery in Seal Beach, California
24. spaghetti and meatball sauce in Worcester, Massachusetts
25. blueberry pancakes in mid to late September in Maine
26. conch fritters from a shack in Florida Keys
27. chicken vindaloo in Oxford, England and Glasgow, Scotland and Victoria, Canada.
28. $3 bottles of red wine in Lagos, Portugal
29. fresh pineapple in Hawaii
30. bbq pork sandwich from James Brown in Avon Park, Florida
31. rotisserie chicken, roasted peppers in Florence, Italy
32. my brother’s Little Caesars pizza, circa 1990 (no other chain pizza compares)
33. shrimp and grits from Hominy Grill in Charleston, South Carolina
34. fresh peach cobbler from BBQ joints
35. key lime freeze from Mrs. Macs in Key Largo, Florida
36. chocolate peanut butter pie in Augusta, Georgia
37. Navajo taco on some small desert road in Arizona
38. Native American Thanksgiving dinner in Santa Fe, New Mexico
39. limeade from Rosa’s in Tucson
40. salmon, champ from Smuggler’s Inn in Bushmills, Northern Ireland
41. Cuban rice, black beans, and Ropa Vieja from Latin American Cafe in Key Biscayne, Florida
42. currywurst in Orscholz, Germany (might be only item on list I do not care to try again)
43. chicken tagine in Marrakech, Morocco
44. fruit smoothie from Casablanca, Morocco 
45. garlic fries from Gilroy, California
46. fresh sourdough bread from San Francisco
47. tamales from Mississippi
48. fresh garlic rolls, pepperoni pizza from Marcello’s in North Miami, Florida
49. watermelon from Georgia
50. beer from Hofbrauhaus in Munich, Germany (and from Church Brew Works in Pittsburgh).

Are you hungry now? Do you have a favorite item on my list?

P.S. My birthday twin, Mary-Louise Parker, also turns 50 today. If you see her, tell her Happy Birthday!

I spent my 40th birthday on a Disney Cruise in the Caribbean. Any guesses where I am spending my 50th birthday?

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