Many travelers want to eat local while on the road for a number of reasons but mainly, to get a sense of place. The problem is that you can’t always trust online reviews or food apps because they can be gamed. In fact, there was a story just a few months ago about how some Londoners are faking restaurant reviews to keep tourists out of their favorite restaurants.
However, one food recommendation you can trust is recipients of the James Beard Awards, which honor excellence in the culinary world. The awards were founded in 1990 and named after James Beard, a renowned American chef, cookbook author, and TV personality who played a key role in shaping American cuisine.
Yesterday, the six recipients of the 2025 America’s Classics Award were announced. The awards are “given to locally and independently owned restaurants with timeless appeal and beloved in their region for food that reflects the character and cultural traditions of its community.”
The recipients are spread out throughout the country so travelers (or locals) can experience incredible local food. Here are the winners:
America’s Classics: Great Lakes
Lem’s Bar-B-Q
Chicago, IL
“Carrying on a 70-year legacy that began with brothers Myles and Bruce Lemons in 1954, and James B. Lemons in 1968, Lem’s Bar-B-Q continues to be a cornerstone in Chicago’s culinary scene. Known for its rib tips and hot links, Lem’s keeps guests coming back for their unforgettable secret sauce. The unique flavor comes from their one-of-a-kind aquarium-style barbecue pit, where hickory wood, charcoal, and fire combine to create Chicago’s favorite barbecue spot.”
America’s Classics: Mountain
The Pioneer Saloon
Ketchum, ID
“The Pioneer Saloon, affectionately known as the “Pio,” is a celebrated destination for its delectable, locally sourced steaks paired with a massive Idaho potato. Capturing the spirit of the American West, this saloon blends rustic charm with warm hospitality, making it the perfect spot to hunker down for the night and enjoy a hearty meal. Standouts at the Pioneer Saloon include the “Jim Spud,” a baked potato heaped with teriyaki beef, a variety of toppings, and cheese; smoked Idaho trout, steamed artichoke, and shrimp cocktail; and cocktails like “Hemingway’s Margarita” and the “Wild Lupine.” Locals and visitors head to the restaurant to unwind after a day on the slopes, host family gatherings, or enjoy a romantic date night.”
America’s Classics: Northeast
Sullivan’s Castle Island
Boston, MA
“For transplants and visitors to Boston, going there has become a rite of passage. Now a seasonal spot on Castle Island with a year-round outpost in suburban Hanover, Sully’s is known for their double smash burgers with copious amounts of cheese, hot dogs, thick crinkle cut fries, lobster rolls, and locally sourced fresh seafood.”
America’s Classics: Northwest and Pacific
Lucky Wishbone
Anchorage, AK
“The fried chicken, made according to a family recipe that dates back at least 100 years, is flour-breaded, lightly seasoned, and oil-fried, offered alongside classics like burgers, BLTs, homemade malts, and fried chicken giblets in a paper-lined basket. Aside from the consistently delicious diner dishes, Lucky Wishbone is filled with regular customers, sometimes three and four generations of families sharing a meal as they have for decades, creating an atmosphere of warmth that makes you feel lucky when you discover it.”
America’s Classics: South
Dooky Chase
New Orleans, LA
“Dooky Chase restaurant has been a cornerstone of Creole cuisine and Black American culture for over eight decades. The restaurant is situated in the New Orleans neighborhood of Treme, one of the oldest Black communities in the United States.” They go on to write: “Dooky Chase became famous for its classic Creole dishes, such as gumbo, jambalaya, fried chicken, and shrimp Creole, all prepared with the rich, flavorful seasoning characteristic of New Orleans cuisine.”
America’s Classics: Texas
Gaido’s
Galveston, TX
“The restaurant’s focus is Gulf seafood—always fresh, never frozen, as the servers are quick and proud to remind you. The menu changes based on the best catch of the day. Expect classic preparations of offerings like catfish, snapper, and redfish; a bounty of crab varieties and scallops when in season; and of course, plenty of Gulf shrimp, whether cocktail, fried, grilled, blackened, in pasta, on a crostini, or on a shellfish tower. Texans and tourists alike come here for the great ocean views and warm service that makes you feel at home.”
I can’t wait to try all of these places the next time I’m in the area. Now the challenge … getting a table.
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