We have tried to integrate good food on our trips, for example stopping in the Carolinas on the way to Florida for some real BBQ we don't have up north.

Does anyone have any "must eat" locations, either in the East Coast states, or within a day's drive? We'd love to coordinate site seeing and eating, but eating good food, preferably local style, is important to us.

Charleston, SC has been mentioned, that sounds like a good candidate (we may or may not go to Florida from Philly area this year). Any thoughts?

When I was in Connecticut (Niantic specifically, which isn't too far from New London and Mystic), I had clam chowder in a clear broth, which I had not seen any place else. It was quite tastey. I also had a ginder, which is the local type of sub sandwich.

Please don't say you can't get good BBQ up north. dinosaurbarbque.com
Very, very, very good bbq

Lexington, North Carolina. Go to Speedy's.

Best we can do up here unfortunately is Famous Dave's (only some, others have WAY too dry ribs). We do frequent the BBQ festivals, anyone familiar with them?

Here is a great source for BBQ info nationwide: http://roadfood.com/Forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=2

Keith

My guys go wild for Sonny's BBQ -- it is a MUST STOP when they go to Charlotte.

There are Sonny's in 9 southern states. Check out locations at
http://www.sonnysbbq.com/

I tend to agree with Keith, you will find a more concentrated supply of BBQ conniseur answers at Roadfoad than you will here.

With that said, I'm a sucker for Lexington, NC BBQ, with my favorite being Lexington #1 but several others that are about as good.

Also in NC, I've enjoyed a place called Carolina BBQ in Statesville, and another called Bridges in Shelby.

Dallas is worth a swing through just to taste the brisket BBQ. My favorite would be Sammy's.

Had to respond to comment about clam chowder. New England (white creamy) clam chowder is one of those things I HAVE to try when I see it on the menu. Don't like the red stuff though. I'd be up for a clear broth chowder, sounds good!

We also try key lime pie almost anywhere we see it; we've been shocked to find some good stuff once in an odd location (anywhere other than south Florida).

Having lived up North most of my life, I have to say that picking a random place up here seems to be much chancier than a random place south of the Mason-Dixon line. People seem to care more about food (and hospitality) in the southern US.

Clam chowder is best in newport, RI

Lobster roll on block island.

Blue Crabs in MD at Obryckis

Snow crabs in SF at Pier 39

Philly Cheese steak at Geno's in Philly

Paczki's in Hamtramak, MI

Dunkin Donuts coffee anywhere on the eastern seaboard

8-)

YOu should get a copy of John T. Edge's book Southern Belly for all kinds of southern road food and the history of the places that serve it. Fun read too. I'll take a look and try to post some other places.
But on the road from Philly, go to Goldsboro, NC and eat in BOTH the BBQ places there--Wilber's and Scott's. FULL of history. Wilber's is black owned and white folk have eaten there since the 20's. Scott's is white owned. Classic and authentic Eastern NC pulled pork with the required fiery vinegar sauce. Lexington BBQ--near Greensboro--is Western NC BBQ with a tomato based sauce.

Sonny's is a CHAIN--and while OK, not "real".
Jane and Michael Stern have taken this to a new height. They have lots of books.

Boston had a listing of best BBQ. http://boston.citysearch.com/bestof/.../barbecue_food There was one in Arlington or Cambridge that was supposed to be fantastic, but I don't recall the name so I don't know if it's on this list.

Gretchen,

How does Sonny's being a chain make it not "real" BBQ? Yes, it is a chain but it is also some of the most consistent BBQ you can get. Is it the best I ever had, no. Is it good BBQ, yes. "Real" BBQ is anything that is cooked with low smokey heat for a long time. Being a chain has nothing to do with it. My sister in law visits from Chicago all the time and Sonny's is the one place she always has to go to. Anyone who says Sonny's is not real doesn't know BBQ.

Sonny's is okay at best.

If a town has a Sonny's BBQ, it will have at least a couple of other local ones.

Sonny's is ok , not great just ok.

Had Sonny's, like a lot of chains, seems to depend on the individual restaurant. Most seemed good, but a few had very dry meat (end of the day blues perhaps?).

Was Wilber's the one with the drive thru, a bit of a ways off of 95 in the Goldsboro area? If it is, the pulled pork sandwiches were really great! We actually had to pull over and eat them since they were so enjoyable, although we were on a tight schedule and wanted to "get going" back north.

I think we were hoping for something a little more "ambience-y", not quite "road food" as much as "must eat" in Charleston or Savannah. But thanks for the references, we'll be checking them out.

While I am a purist at heart for "Que," I will eat at a Smithfield's Chicken and Barbecue under duress. (Chain.)

Here in N.C., BBQ places that aren't good to excellent don't stay around long.

I have favorites in many towns in the state. I prefer old timey places with wooden floors and linoleum lunch counters, but there are new places that use time-honored recipes that are also good.

In my mind, the church or fire station fundraisers with signs along the road announcing "Pig Pickin' - Sunday - 10 to 5 - $7.00 a plate" are my favorites.

There are three BBQ places in Savannah (probably more) that I have found -- Wall's, Angel's, and Johnny Harris'. Trip Advisor rates them in that order. Any personal recommendations?

And I think there is a BBQ place in MT. Pleasant, across from Charleston. While you get BBQ a lot of places, I don't think of Charleston as the mecca of BBQ--like really, Goldsboro is.
One time I think I google for BBQ and NC and towns and came up with some real winners. YOu might try that. But honest, look for Southern Belly--it has not just BBQ but the real deal ambience.
I think it is fine if folks like Sonny's--we eat there from time to time. Charlotte lost one its best BBQ places. But Spoon's on South Blvd. is more authentic. Even the Ole Smokehouse on Montford drive is better.
If you want my pretty-famous-on-the-internet-authentic-pulled pork recipe, I'll be glad to post.

I think there may be some good BBQ in Fayetteville, which would be on your way. And in Goldsboro, now you need to try Scott's. Again, these are the true old BBQ places from 80 years ago!!