Roadfood: The Coast-to-Coast Guide to 800 of the Best Barbecue Joints, Lobster Shacks, Ice Cream Parlors, Highway Diners, and Much, Much More [Paperback]

Jane Stern (Author), Michael Stern (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 10, 2011

For road warriors and armchair epicures alike, the seventh edition of Roadfood is the key to finding some of the tastiest treasures in the United States. The indispensable companion for savvy travelers nationwide, Roadfood is now bigger and better than ever. Totally revised and updated, the seventh edition covers over 700 of the country’s best local eateries, including more than 200 brand new listings along with up-to-date descriptions of old favorites.

An extended tour of the most affordable, most enjoyable dining options along America’s highways and back roads, Roadfood offers enticing, satisfying meal-time alternatives for chain restaurant–weary travelers. The Sterns provide vivid descriptions and clear regional maps that direct people to the best lobster shacks on the East Coast; the ultimate barbecue joints in the South; the most sizzling steakhouses in the Midwest; and dozens of top-notch diners, hotdog stands, ice cream parlors, and other terrific spots to stop for a bite countrywide.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“[ROADFOOD] is a bible for motorists seeking mouth-watering barbecue or homemade pie.” --USA Today

About the Author

JANE and MICHAEL STERN are the authors of more than forty books, including Square Meals, Chili Nation, and six previous editions of Roadfood. They write the “Roadfood” column in Gourmet, the winner of three James Beard Awards for Best Magazine Series, and are regulars on public radio’s The Splendid Table. They host the interactive Web site, Roadfood.com, which Yahoo declared “site of the year,” and frequently contribute book reviews to the New York Times. They live in Connecticut

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Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Clarkson Potter; Rev Upd edition (May 10, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307591247
• ISBN-13: 978-0307591241
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Travel > Food, Lodging & Transportation > Dining
  • #16 in Books > Travel > Reference > General
  • #25 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Gastronomy > Essays

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Once more on the road May 18, 2011

By wogan TOP 50 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Sterns have once again come out with a book on the great local places to eat in America. They say they have edited and added 200 new eateries. There are the new places, but I found several examples of previous favorites that I have visited recently and they are still up to their old high food standards, but for some reason they were dropped from this edition - one presumes to make room for new places. As for the claim that it is bigger, it is actually 4 pages shorter than the previous guide.

Previously I have been extremely enthusiastic about these books, however I guess I was spoiled by the layout and quality of the Sterns' `500 places to Eat Before it's Too Late' in which the sections were clearly divided and easy to find.
The restaurants in this book are divided into regions and sometime as you are traveling it's confusing to try to guess where a state is considered...deep south or mid south, etc. The index also would be much easier to use if it was divided into states alphabetically instead of having to page back and forth to see what region you are in. In the old edition - at least in the index, restaurants were listed by town under the state, now they are alphabetical, which does not seem to work as well when you are in or near a town looking for a different place to eat.

These are still great road guides, especially if you are not constantly searching on a lap top as you travel. It's also still a great gift to give someone who will be traveling in order to find some casual non-chain real Americana food.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner from Jane and Michael January 10, 2012

By Dom Miliano VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I discovered these two foodies years ago and have been buying their books every time a new edition comes out. Road Food, Good Food, Road Food/Good Food and Eat Your Way Across the USA - they have all served me and my wife well. We even give copies away as gifts.

Be aware, the authors are not dieters. If you ate every day at the places they chronicle, you might not pass your next physical. But using their recommendations for insider tips when you are on a trip to a new part of this great country is perfectly OK. For example - I was in Charlotte, NC with over 5 hours until my flight home to NJ. I called my wife and she directed me, using Road Food, to Lexington, NC and a great BBQ place (Speedy's). The book has it's limitations too. Because food joints open and close frequently, you could get disappointed, chasing a place that has gone belly up (pun intended). I speak from experience when we looked for a Bratwurst place in Sheboygan, WI, only to find it boarded up. Fortunately, the book directed us to another eatery close by but the lesson learned is call first!

You have to like eating and you have to like eating in casual, "home cooking" kind of places or this book won't work for you. Don't expect recommendations for haut cuisine establishments. Think atmospheric clam shacks, locals-only hot dog stands, cool burger joints and, of course, amazing and authentic BBQ. Our favorite find is Abbott's Lobster in the Rough (I think the first entry in every book they have written). You would NEVER find this place unless someone told you or you read it in a book. Their hot lobster roll sandwich is, as then say in New Yawk - "tadiefor". And I have Jane and Michael to thank for that.

Like to eat? Like local, insider-knowledge only kind of places? And Like to meet friendly locals? Get this book and get ready to hit the road.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Food fun June 24, 2011

By Elbert W. Friday

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought the first Road Food when it first was published, and tried many of it's entries. My love of that book prompted me to buy this one. I was not disappointed! My wife and I enjoy traveling by car abound the country. This book is an essential reference for our trips.