The Meatiest Top 25: College football teams ranked by nearby cuisine (2024)

Editor’s note: In an effort to support local businesses that are being threatened by the devastating effects of the coronavirus, The Athletic is publishing an ongoing series of stories to highlight our treasured communities. #supportlocal. Thisstory originally was published as part ofThe Athletic’s Sept. 2019 buffet of stories on food and college football, The Spread.

I’ve always been honest with my employers, and The Athletic is no different. I write about college football for two reasons.

• It’s my favorite sport.

• Writing about college football allows me to travel around the country and eat.

Basically, I’m using this job to get my own show on The Food Network. My stomach has been putting in its 10,000 hours while the rest of me has been writing about your favorite coaches and players. I know if I keep on eating, I’m going to get the call someday. And when that day comes, I’m gone on the first thing smoking. (If that thing is smoking ribs, even better.)

But until that happens, it seems like a waste to not share all I’ve learned. So today, I’m going to give you the real top 25. I voted in The Associated Press poll for five years, and I can assure you that my mouth never watered while trying to decide where to rank Iowa in relation to Mississippi State. And while those rankings certainly generated some robust discussion, I doubt they’ll be anywhere near as controversial as these …

1. Alabama

There might be a sentimental tinge to Alabama’s placement here because Archibald’s BBQin Northport, Ala., was the first true restaurant secret I learned during my travels for work. The people of the greater Tuscaloosa area don’t want you to know about Archibald’s, which would look like any other house in its neighborhood if not for the black ash caked on the walls from decades of smoke. The locals don’t want you to find this house, because they worry you might eat all the ribs.

My colleague Aaron Suttles has written a piece about the friendly competition between Archibald’s and Dreamland in the greater Tuscaloosa area, but the truth is there is no competition. Archibald’s makes perfect ribs, every time. They’re smoky and juicy and need none of the thin sauce that serves better as a dipping pool for the slices of white bread that accompany each rack. Archibald’s doesn’t have bad days. When Archibald’s runs out of ribs, you come back in a few hours and hope they’ve made some more. If they don’t, you try again tomorrow.

If a local is quoted in Aaron’s story touting Dreamland over Archibald’s and that person doesn’t have a financial stake in Dreamland, you can assume it’s a ruse. This person wants you to go to Dreamland to keep the length of the line down at Archibald’s — where they’re laughing at all the suckers going to the place that needs billboards to advertise.

Archibald’s isn’t the only place you need to visit, though. Have some beautiful tiny biscuits at the Waysider, where Coach Bryant liked to eat breakfast. Build your own burger and suck down a salted caramel shake with bourbon at Dotson’s Burger Spot. If you want to soak in the scene, hit the bar at Chuck’s Fishand then stay for dinner.

2. Texas

Yes, the line at Austin’s Franklin Barbecue is worth it. You’ll wait more than four hours, and then you’ll be rewarded with the best brisket on earth. Do this once, and then spend the rest of your time sampling all one of America’s great eating towns has to offer. You’ll find much shorter lines for almost as good barbecue at la Barbecue, Stiles Switch BBQ and LeRoy and Lewis(which tends to stray from the Texas trinity of brisket, spare ribs and sausage with dazzling results).

Brisket influences almost everything here, and the best brisket-adjacent dish is the brisket ramen at Ramen Tatsu-Yaand Kemuri Tatsu-Ya. Visit Ramen Tatsu-Ya if you just want the rich, savory ramen. Visit its swankier cousin if you want the ramen along with smoked fish collar and chili cheese octopus fritters. Eat Bahn Mi tacos and drink habanero-infused margaritas at The Peached Tortilla. The fried wonton chips with Thai green salsa at Loromight be the best chip-and-dip dish available right now. Austin also spawned beloved regional chains JuiceLand and Torchy’s Tacos. If they haven’t made it to your town yet, they’re new to you. And if you’re lucky, Amy’s Ice Creamswill have Shiner Bock — not on tap, but in scoopable form.

3. Tulane

Former Florida linebacker James Bates, who knew me when I was 18, pointed out Thursday night that Tulane punter Ryan Wright looks an awful lot like I did in a football uniform at that age.

¿@Andy_Staples? pic.twitter.com/CsRHRaKZgn

— James Bates (@jb8sy) September 20, 2019

Wright weighs 255 pounds. Had I had gone to Tulane, I would have weighed at least 400. The place is surrounded by some of the most decadent food known to man, and I’m not sure how I would have controlled myself. It’s only a few miles from my two favorite non-burger sandwiches — the fried bologna at Turkey And The Wolfand the pork belly at Cochon Butcher. Meanwhile, Tulane is only one mile from Jacques-Imo’s. Jacques-Imo’s is one of those places where you leave thrilled with what you ate and crushed that you couldn’t try everything else on the menu. The shrimp and alligator sausage cheesecake is a must. So is the duck and andouille gumbo. Then you’ll have to decide between paneed rabbit, blackened redfish or pan-fried drum with pecan meuniere.

It’s New Orleans, so there is no shortage of great options. But the other place that would really get me in trouble is Galliano, which features a prime rib for two that I tend to eat by myself. (Once, I did it twice in three nights.) Tulane wouldn’t have had a jersey big enough for me.

4. Georgia

When you get to Athens, the first thing you need is a Knuckle Sandwich. No, this isn’t what happens when you tick off a Georgia offensive lineman. It’s knuckle ham (also called ham hock, this is essentially the meat from around the pig’s ankle) with egg, cheddar cheese and apple butter on a fresh-baked biscuit at Mama’s Boy. While you’re there — and they’ve now opened a second location so the wait isn’t so interminably long — order a cinnamon roll. They’re the size of footballs, and they’re perfect for splitting four ways over a leisurely brunch. (Or for me to eat by myself with breakfast after a particularly hard workout. Not saying that happened last week, but it might have happened last week.)

Few towns pack so many great restaurants into such a small area. Get the Redneck Reuben or more standard barbecue fare at Pulaski Heights. Get drunk on Tango Whiskey Foxtrots (whiskey, lemon, maraschino liqueur and ginger alein a glass rimmed with Tang powder) and then chase them with a chicken and waffle club (fried chicken between two waffles with bourbon maple butter and hot sauce) and fried pickled okra at The World Famous. After polishing off The Gravy Train (a fried chicken biscuit smothered in gravy) at The Farm Cart, walk next door to Home.Madeand cool off with the green tomato crisp (baked green tomato with streusel topping over grits ice cream). Or, if you’re going for a heavy lunch, try the meatloaf sandwich at Last Resort Grill.

5. Wisconsin

On Bret Bielema’s first day working at Wisconsin, then-Badgers coach Barry Alvarez took Bielema to Mickie’s Dairy Bar. After his first exposure to a Scrambler — a plate filled with eggs, “yanks” (fried potatoes), your choice of meat and veggies that is then covered in melted cheese — Bielema worried he might succumb to the urge to take a nap and get himself fired. He did not. He got promoted to head coach. But beware. A Scrambler and a chocolate shake (which you’ll want to order) is a heavy way to start the day.

They do heavy very well in Madison. At Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry, get greasy double bacon cheeseburgers and fried cheese curds and wash them down with Spotted Cow by New Glarus Brewing. If it’s a Tuesday, walk across the street to Wando’s for free bacon. If it’s not Tuesday, just go drink at Wando’s and imagine how much better it would be with free bacon.

Closer to the capitol, rub shoulders with Wisconsin’s political elite — and the people who happen to be visiting the university at the flagship location of the Great Dane. If you’re out late on the weekend, satisfy your late-night cravings with Russian dumplings from Paul’s Pel’meni.

6. LSU

No LSU game weekend is complete without a trip to Ruffino’s. Run by former Tigers lineman Ruffin Rodrigue, Ruffino’s is the place where the party buses gather early in the night and sometimes never leave. If you’re lucky, they’ll have the 64-ounce bone-in ribeye as a special. But if they don’t, they make great gumbo, barbecue shrimp and braised pork cheeks. Before you get to Ruffino’s, stop by Pimanyoli’s Smokehouse Cafe to pick up a few dozen pork and beef hot tamales.

Within walking distance of Tiger Stadium is Walk-On’s, a sports bar started by former LSU basketball walk-ons that has grown into an empire. There is a reason they’ve expanded so quickly; the original is the best sports bar in America. Get the Devils On Horseback (fried shrimp stuffed with cream cheese and jalapeño and wrapped in bacon). For a throwback pizza night, visit Fleur de Lis Pizza. The menu is simple, but the pies have been great since 1946.

If you’re looking for lunch, get the pork belly hoagie at City Pork Deli and Charcuterie. If you’re looking for a heavy lunch, add the pork nachos, which feature pulled pork on housemade potato chips.

7. Vanderbilt

Nashville has a great new restaurant opening seemingly every day, but the most iconic place in town is Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack. It took the rest of the country about 90 years to discover the majesty of fried chicken rubbed in a fiery pepper paste, but we’re all now on board. This is the place where it started. I have survived the extra-extra-extra hot, and so can you.

For a little tamer — but still innovative — fare, visit Smokin’ Thighs. They smoke chicken here. You can get it still on the bone in wing form (out of a Tonka dump truck if you choose) or off the bone in the form of chopped thigh meat. Smoked wings are superior to fried wings, but few people have figured that out. Smokin’ Thighs built an entire restaurant around that fact.

If you’re drinking, head to Rosemaryfor an old fashioned made with Nashville’s own Belle Meade bourbon. Or stick within walking distance of Vandy and hit The Red Door Saloon. After a few beers, you’ll want to look through that hole in the floorboards …

8. Houston

Former Houston basketball player Nakia Price is the wife in the husband-and-wife team that opened The Turkey Leg Hut two miles from the Houston campus. The concept is brilliant, and the Alfredo shrimp stuffed leg is mind-blowing. It’s a smoked leg stuffed with dirty rice and shrimp and then covered in Alfredo sauce. It might be the most comforting comfort food in America.

Also near campus is CarniceriaAguascalientes. This slim lunch counter inside a Mexican grocery store serves overstuffed Gorditas for a pittance. Unlike the Taco Bell version most of us grew up eating, a real Gordita starts with what is essentially a cornmeal pita. Cooks then shave al pastor or carnitas or carne asada off spits rotating on the back counter and cram them into the shells before sprinkling in cheese that will soon melt and form a gooey bond with the meat. The al pastor costs $3.50. I am the person who ate the steak you saw in the LSU section in one sitting, and two of these Gorditas are more than enough to fill me up.

For your barbecue fix, drive a few minutes past downtown to Pinkerton’s. Owner Grant Pinkerton is a huge Texas fan, but he’s happy to serve brisket, candy-paint ribs and duck-sausage jambalaya to fans of every stripe.

9. Arizona State

Make sure you’re ready to order when your time comes at Tempe institution The Chuckbox, because the people in line behind you are ravenous thanks to the smell of all those burgers on that giant flat top grill. Get The Great Big One with bacon and jalapeño cheese. The fries are good, but don’t sleep on the fried mushrooms or the fried zucchini.

Eight miles from campus is Tacos Chiwas, a converted fast-food burger joint that serves some of the best tacos in metro Phoenix. Be adventurous, get a tripe taco and a tongue taco to go with your carne asada and barbacoa. The Sun Devils also aren’t far from Little Miss BBQ, which serves the best barbecue west of the Rockies. You will wait in line, but you won’t regret it when you bite into that juicy brisket or those expertly rubbed pork ribs.

If you drive north instead of west from campus, you’ll wind up in Scottsdale at Starlite BBQ. The place isn’t really a traditional barbecue joint, and that’s fine. Because regardless of what genre the Can Can Pork Steak fits into, it’s delicious. It’s a center-cut pork chop surrounded by a giant hunk of pork belly. You’ll probably need two people to eat it. You’ll both be full.

10. Georgia Tech

America’s best fajita plate is at Atlanta’s Superica. Most mixed plates include chicken, steak and pork. Most places don’t use such high-quality steak, and no one else uses pork belly. Everyone at the table will say “oooooh” when this is set down sizzling.

B’s Cracklin’ Barbecue burned down in March, but pit master Bryan Furman isn’t going to let the people of Atlanta go without pulled pork, ribs and cracklin’ cornbread. Next month, one of the nation’s best barbecue joints will reopen inside a Kroger supermarket on Ponce De Leon Avenue. Furman is still working on rebuilding the standalone location, but now he’ll have a chance to be open consistently again instead of only in a series of pop-ups.

No mention of Georgia Tech and food would be complete without pointing out that chili dogs and chili burgers from The Varsityand beautiful biscuits from The Silver Skillet are within walking distance of campus. But a short bike or Uber ride will take you to Antico, home of Atlanta’s best pizza. Get the Diavola (spicy soppressata, pepperonata and buffalo mozzarella) and marvel at the crispy-yet-soft-and-bubbly crust that comes out of the ovens that came across the Atlantic from Italy.

11. Michigan State

Few dishes have whipped me, but the Boss Logg at Meat in Lansing made me tap out with plenty left on the plate. This mountain of a sandwich packs pork, brisket, two burger patties, bacon a sunny-side-up egg and multiple layers of fries, gravy, cheddar, American cheese, pepper jack, hot garlic sauce and jalapeños between two overmatched buns. If you don’t feel like getting humbled by your food, order the excellent smoked wings.

While we’re discussing the least healthy options, Joe’s Gizzard City is only a 19-minute drive from Michigan State’s campus. They’ll deep fry anything at Joe’s. Yes. Anything. When I visited, I asked them to deep fry a double bacon cheeseburger. A few minutes later, I was presented with a deep-fried double bacon cheeseburger. It was marvelous. The combo of burger, bacon and cheese was even juicier, and the breading tasted like an unglazed doughnut.

And because you haven’t consumed enough calories, head back to East Lansing and visit the MSU Dairy Store for a few scoops of Dantonio’s Double Fudge Fake.

12. Washington

Don’t assume that everyone in the Pacific Northwest is a vegetarian. At Seattle’s Jack’s BBQ, they smoke something called Billionaire Beef Bacon. And you will feel like Bill Gates when you bite into those giant hunks of smoky, savory cured beef.

While you’re there, prepare to hunt. There is an incredible Japanese restaurant downtown, but it doesn’t have a sign. They take reservations over the phone, but they don’t always answer the phone. I found it by finding the two addresses that would be on either side of the space — because it didn’t have any visible numbers outside — and waited outside until one seat opened. It was worth the search. (Lowers voice to a whisper) Tsukushinbo is excellent. Try to get a seat at the sushi bar. Then eat everything the chef wants to make for you.

For dessert, head to one of Cupcake Royale’s three locations for a Blueberry Brown Betty cupcake and/or a scoop of red velvet cupcake ice cream.

13. SMU

I’m going to explain the rules of Pecan Lodge now. If you don’t listen and wind up waiting in line for several hours, you have only yourself to blame. Should you decide to eat the best barbecue in Dallas, you have two expedient options. You can eat at the bar if there’s an available seat. Or you can bring a friend and head to the express line. In the express line, you must either order at least five pounds of meat or The Trough, a platter that includes brisket, pork, spare ribs, a beef rib and sausage. Even if there are only two of you, get The Trough. You’ll take home what you don’t finish, but you’ll finish more than you expect.

If you’re looking for a luxurious dinner, get the chicken-fried ribeye at Pink Magnolia. If you want to feel like a big, swinging Southwest Conference booster trying to figure out who should get a shiny new Camaro, head to the University Park location of Campisi’s. The menu is classic Italian, and legend has it that some of the bigger supporters of the schools in the SWC used to meet there to set the market for recruits.

14. Ohio State

Though The Thurmanator has a more intimidating name than Lansing’s Boss Logg, I had no trouble polishing off this monster burger at The Thurman Cafe in Columbus. It’s 24 ounces of juicy beef bolstered by bacon, ham, American cheese and — in a really nice touch — banana peppers. Every bite was a pleasure.

If you’re hung over on High Street, head to Philco Bar + Diner. You can get an incredible breakfast biscuit (featuring chorizo, chevre, shallot preserves and a fried egg) that will soak up those evil spirits. Then you can order some finely crafted co*cktails for the classiest hair of the dog you’ve ever consumed.

15. USC

Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolis with a seemingly endless array of food options, but sometimes you get lucky and the best option comes to you. For example, this Tuesday, Kogi BBQ’s Verde truck will be parked near USC from 10-11 pm Pacific. If you happen to be in the vicinity, follow these instructions carefully. Find the truck. Go to the window. Order all of the short rib tacos. Eat all of the short rib tacos. If they were holding out on you and still have short rib tacos, repeat.

16. Oklahoma

I can’t explain why Tarahumara’s Mexican Cafe and Cantina is one of the best Tex-Mex spots in the country. Nothing about the menu at this Norman institution seems spectacular. Unlike the Superica fajita plate I praised above, there are no unusual meats available. But once you’ve eaten there, you’ll understand. Everything tastes perfect, from the fresh salsa to the free queso* to the hot tortillas to the chicken and steak combo. That’s why there is almost always a line out the door.

If you had too many margaritas at Tarahumara’s the previous night, you’ll probably need to recharge in the morning at Ozzie’s Diner. Ozzie’s is the restaurant inside the tiny airport in Norman, and it offers one of the best breakfast deals anywhere. For $6.99, Ozzie’s offers all you care to eat of the following:

• Pancakes

• Grits

• Toast

• Biscuits

• Gravy

• Eggs

• Home fries

• Hashbrowns

• Ham

• Bacon

• Sausage

So embrace your inner Ron Swanson.

* No one from the area has been able to adequately explain this phenomenon, but queso is usually free at restaurants in the greater Oklahoma City area. If you opened a restaurant there and charged for queso, you’d probably go out of business. This makes for some rude awakenings when people raised near OKC venture out into the wider world.

17. Tennessee

The football Vols aren’t going to appear on one of these lists for a while, but fortunately the Knoxville food scene has recruited much better.

Head to Stock and Barrel for The Big Nasty, which might be my favorite burger. Two giant patties mingle with cheddar and a double portion of Benton’s bacon. Pair that with duck fat fries and something from the well-stocked bourbon wall, and you’ll forget all about losing to Georgia State.

Those looking for barbecue should try the ribs at Sweet P’s or the pulled pork and Mac and cheese sandwich at Dead End BBQ. If the meat sweats kick in, stop by a Petro’s Chili and Chips for a giant Hint Of Orange iced tea.

Once you’ve cooled off, head to Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop for some I-40 pie. Buttermilk Sky has expanded down I-40 and beyond to 24 locations, but the first I-40 (pecans, chocolate chips, toasted coconut and pecan pie filling in a shortbread crust) was baked in Knoxville’s Bearden neighborhood.

18. Minnesota

You definitely should try a Juicy Lucy — a local delicacy featuring molten cheese cooked into a burger patty — at your restaurant of choice, but try something a little classier for your next meal. You’re going to Butcher & The Boar for a smoked beef long rib. A massive slab of beef clings to a bone big enough to later serve as a weapon if necessary. That rib has been salt and sugar cured, and it has been smoked for 14 hours. It is garnished with Tabasco and molasses. You’ll dream about this one.

If you’d like to feel lighter while still consuming an abundance of calories the next morning, head to Hell’s Kitchen for the lemon-ricotta pancakes.

19. Florida

When you go to Satchel’s Pizza, don’t cop out and get the thin crust. Yes, the deep dish takes nearly an hour to cook (and you probably should call ahead just to see if they have any shells to make them). Yes, you may have to wait an hour for a table before that. But get a beer, peruse the junk shop and play some bocce. When you get to your table, order a giant salad for everyone to share. You’ll be so lost in the apples, almond slivers and addictive vinaigrette that the time will fly by. Then you’ll have a giant, thick, buttery pie with pepperoni, meatball and bacon before you. The sauce will be spicier than you think you can handle. But you can handle it. For two slices. Maybe three, tops.

If the wait is too long at Satchel’s, head to The Top for a burger and a co*cktail or Dragonfly for sushi. Looking for a quick lunch? Get roast pork and plantains or a Cuban sandwich at Mi Apa Latin Cafe.

20. Northwestern

Only four miles south of Evanston is Dak, a tiny Korean wing shop that delivers huge flavor. The giant wings are double fried and tossed in a soy-garlic sauce that will make you want to lick every drop from your fingers. The frying process makes the skin extra crispy but keeps the meat perfectly tender.

Because Northwestern claims itself as Chicagoland’s Big Ten team, we’ll give the Wildcats partial credit for the bounty of incredible eateries in the metro area. (The traffic getting from Evanston to most of these places results in a rankings drop, because on its own Chicago is a top-five eating town.) One trek into the city should include a visit to The Purple Pig, a nose-to-tail place where I once ate pig ears and tail. The current menu features pork jowl, and you can’t go wrong with that.

The good news is Evanston has its own Lou Malnati’s. Let Giordano’s and Geno’s East fight for the hearts and minds of the other tourists. You are an educated tourist, so you are getting pizza from Lou Malnati’s. Unless you want to make the short drive to Morton Grove, where the only Pequod’s outside of the Chicago location dishes out thick pies with a caramelized crust that eschew the sauce on top that defines the generally accepted version of Chicago-style deep dish.

21. ASA College-Brooklyn

I promise this isn’t an elaborate setup Brooklyn barbecue joke. A junior college that supplies players to programs across the country grows in Brooklyn, and it is stationed between two phenomenal pizza spots.

North in Greenpoint is Paulie Gee’s, home to the Hellboy. This magnificent beast includes fresh mozzarella, Berkshire soppressata picante, Parmigiano Reggiano, andMike’s Hot Honey. The interplay between the saltiness of the soppressata and the sweetness and spice of the honey makes it one of the best pies in any borough.

To the south in Carroll Gardens is Lucali, a more classical Neapolitan pizza spot that creates an impossibly bubbly crust with an oven that gets hotter than the fires of hell. You come before 5 p.m. and put your name on the list. Then you walk to a bar and tip one back. Eventually, they’ll call and tell you to come. Get your pizza decorated with pepperoni and fresh basil and enjoy the buzz produced by the wait.

22. Auburn

For the longest time, Auburn was a pretty boring place to eat. But in the past 10 years, several great spots have popped up.

Acre is a farm-to-table restaurant with a constantly evolving menu. On my first visit, I thought this meant I had missed out on the opportunity to try a ribeye cooked in bacon fat. But even though it wasn’t on the menu that night, the staff cooked it for me anyway. I also had a softshell crab cooked in the style of Nashville hot chicken on that visit. That isn’t currently on the menu, but I imagine chef David Bancroft has plenty of great ideas to come.

The Hound, meanwhile, is the type of place every small college town needs. It’s a little too upscale for most undergraduates, but it isn’t fancy or stuffy. It’s a place where the grown-ups in town can gather and relax. The bourbon selection is tremendous. Mama Sue’s Pepper Jelly (jalapeno jelly and cream cheese with Ritz crackers for spreading) might be the ideal Happy Hour snack. Get a bacon flight for the table. Or maybe just get one for yourself. Then go ahead and get the Big Fat Ribeye with bone gravy and garlic-herb butter.

23. East Carolina

Eastern North Carolina style may be the most specific subgenre of barbecue, and it also might have the most fanatical adherents. Whole hogs are smoked low and slow, and then the meat is chopped and doused in a vinegar-based sauce. After a taste of the best of this version, it’s tough to argue with the vinegar-soaked zealots.

Fortunately for the students at East Carolina, they have two temples of ENC in their backyard. B’s Barbecue is the institution right in Greenville. It has satisfied the locals for decades.

Eleven miles from East Carolina’s campus, in Ayden, N.C., is The Skylight Inn. This is probably the more famous of the two. It opened in 1947, and it remains the standard for ENC barbecue. You walk in to what sounds like a drum solo. It’s the cleaver flying through pork and hitting a cutting board that has a rounded divot worn into it. That pork will be piled onto plates alongside cornbread that was cooked in pork fat. Pile the meat on the bread. Sprinkle a little of that vinegary sauce if you’d like. Then enjoy a few moments in heaven.

24. Nebraska

The staff at Lincoln’s Leadbelly originally created The Full Leaded Jacket as a joke. It was a riff on the classic Nebraska school lunch combo of cinnamon rolls and chili. Why not shove a burger inside a cinnamon roll and then cover all of it in chili? It would be good for a laugh. It ended up becoming one of the most popular items on the menu. It sounds as if it should taste terrible. It tastes wonderful. Obviously, the chili pairs beautifully with the burger. But the sweetness of the cinnamon roll actually winds up enhancing the flavor instead of detracting. The Full Leaded Jacket winds up hitting every flavor center, and that’s probably why it stopped being a joke.

For another twisted burger, head to one of several Honest Abe’s locations in Lincoln. The selections rotate regularly; the most intriguing one at the moment is The Nero (peanut butter, honey barbecue sauce, sriracha, bacon and cheddar). Make sure to grab a shake, too. The Bananarama (ice cream, banana pudding mix and vanilla wafer) would complement any burger.

For something more traditional, hit Phat Jack’s for barbecue. If you get there early enough, you might have a shot at the burnt ends.

25. Utah

When I stumbled upon Curry Fried Chicken during a visit to Salt Lake City earlier this year, I figured there had to be a similar place in every big city in the country. Frying chicken with curry seemed like such a brilliant idea that someone else had to have also thought of it. But while my search turned up a few recipes, it didn’t turn up any places like this quaint spot that serves up juicy chicken with crispy, curry-coated skin. So consider yourselves lucky, Utes. You’re a few miles from a place we’d all love to have in our town.

We all can get meatball subs in our towns, but they just aren’t as good as the ones at Moochie’s Meatballs and More. Get the Atomic Meatball rather than the standard meatball sub. The jalapeño sauce kicks up the marinara sauce, and the feta cheese cools you back down — until the next bite.

(Top photo of Lawanda Ryans receiving a plate of ribs from John Williams at Archibald’s: Jake Arthur for The Athletic)