Max Yum

Another road trip means new culinary explorations!

Today we are in the small Midwest town of Salina, Kansas visiting Martinell's Little Italy. I must say, I had low expectations. Last time I was in Salina you pretty much had Perkin's and Dairy Queen as your top restaurant choices. (Granted, that was 1991...)

Martinelli's, however, far exceeded my expectations. Beautiful setting in old downtown, checkerboard tablecloths and Frank Sinatra playing in the background, and the absolutely gorgeous Watson Stiefel Theater out the front window. Fresh baked bread with oil and balsamic vinegar, of course. I chose the Chicken Marsala with some amount of trepidation, as it seems dry and bland at so many restaurants. Not here! It was absolutely wonderful! The linguini with Marsala cream sauce accompanied it, and I added an order of Parmesan fries. Every bit of it was fantastic! And priced very reasonably too, my total dinner was under $20!

If you happen to be traveling across Kansas and get hungry mid-state, Martinelli's is absolutely worth a small detour!

This place is simply amazing! If you are ANYWHERE NEAR Duluth GA at meal time, I can't recommend it enough. HONEY PIG FTMFW!

Had Lupi's Pizza last night. Frankly, it kinda sucked. It looked nothing like this photo from their website. It was mostly flat and lifeless and bland and overhyped and overpriced.

What's up with that? Everyone raves about them. WTF?

Today we are visiting Sugar's Ribs on the side of Missionary Ridge here in Chattanooga. Everything here is quite good- best BBQ ribs you'll find just about anywhere- but my absolute favorite thing is their BBQ tacos. The Spicy Pork Butt Tacos (pictured here) are a phenomenal experience. Add a little of Sugar's homemade salsa on top, and a bit of Hot Lips sauce if you like some kick, best thing I've had in my mouth in awhile! And the Brisket Tacos are ahhhh-mazing as well. Paired with crispy potatoes that are so nice and crisp on the outside and so pillowy soft inside!

Quick lunch today at Doc Holidays Bar & Grill - Chattanooga on Ashland Terrance. This is one of the most underrated burgers in Chattanooga! Hand pattied fresh beef and a very nicely toasted bakery bun. Hand cut fries too. Belly up to the bar and grab a burger and a brew!

Argue all you want, but I stand by my statement; Buc'ees Brisket and Egg Taco with salsa verde is possibly the most perfect portable breakfast thing that mankind has yet to invent.

Good Food Alert! For my hometown friends in the Chattanooga/N GA area; Eric Harris , the man behind Farm to Fork restaurant, and more recently the quickly growing Baby Hughy's restaurants in Tunnel Hill and Trenton, has brought a food truck and a HUGE mobile wood fired pizza oven to the very edge of Chattanooga. Much closer access to the deliciousness he serves! Stop in at 2192 Cloud Springs Rd and check out their menu items and daily specials!

The best roadtrips call for a fun car and great road food! Hard to beat a stick shift V8 M3 and a quick stop at Jiffy Burger in Manchester TN. This place has been here for since 1965 serving some awesome breakfast, lunch and dinner. Why settle for chain restaurants when there's so many good local options just off the beaten path!

Those who travel to Atlanta often (like us!) may find this very relevant. Happy eating!

The 10 Best Burgers In Atlanta, Ranked We went all around town trying everything from smashburgers with crispy edges to $30 burgers with fresh beef and housemade bread, to find the best burgers in Atlanta.

Max Yum, Vacation Edition: Last night we visited Carmine's La Trattoria Restaurant in Palm Beach Gardens FL. What a wonderful dining experience! They have a full gourmet market next door so they are able to offer about the largest menu of any Italian restaurant we have ever experienced, and everything is prepared fresh and to the highest standards. Angie had the BB & Gorgonzola Salad, while I had a dinner special grilled pork chop stuffed with apple, cranberry, walnut, breading, and love, served with sautéed vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes that were so fluffy they nearly floated up off the plate. I'm still in post-dinner ecstasy the next morning.

Max Yum, Vacation Edition:

Tonight we visited City Pizza & Italian Cuisine in West Palm Beach. Some incredible pizzas here, but the real standout was Angie's Gorgonzola Chicken Pasta. HFS that was an INCREDIBLE dish! Reasonable prices too.