The khao soi at Las Vegas’s Lotus of Siam is ridiculous.

A running list of great restaurants, cafes, and hole-in-the-wall joints

Go to these places. Now.

Washington, D.C.

• Elle (Expensive yet worth it coffee, bagels, sandwiches, desserts, etc. The brisket on the breakfast sandwich will make you forget about how much you spent on it.)
• Thip Khao (Get the khao poon. Sometimes hard to get seating, so sit at the bar.)
• Beau Thai (Solid thai food if none of the other options pan out.)
• Potter’s House (Decent coffee and snacks but great books and atmosphere.)

Baltimore, Maryland

• Ekiben (Get the neighborhood bird, a Taiwanese curry fried chicken thigh with pickled vegetables — or the tofu dish.)
• Harmony Bakery (Take one of their gluten-free treats for a walk in Wyman Park.)
• Grano (Get anything. Simple yet rich flavors in a cute atmosphere.)
• Jerk Taco (Get the Jamaican curry chicken burrito with plantains.)
• Bmore Licks (You must try the birthday cake ice cream.)
• Paulie Gee’s (Get a large pizza. Make sure it is large.)

Chicago, Illinois

• La Esperanza (This hole-in-the-wall joint in the really cool Pilsen neighborhood is authentic and good. And they have vegan options.)

Maine

• The Lookout Inn (This place is so hidden they don’t give you a key to keep your cabin locked at night.)

Las Vegas, Nevada

• Lotus of Siam (Get the khao soi and lose your mind.)
• Tacos El Gordo (Cheap and better than any tacos the east coast has to offer.)
• Vegenation (Dope vegan food.)

Albuquerque, New Mexico

• El Paisa (Great cheap tacos, especially the asada.)

Sante Fe, New Mexico

• Rancho Gallina (Mindblowing home-cooked meals at a rural bed and breakfast retreat center.)

New York City

• Hao Noodle (Dim sum and noodle dishes. A friend who was eating with me had spent time in China and approved.)
• Bricolage (Great vibe, great cocktails, even greater boneless ribeye. Enough said.)

San Juan, Puerto Rico

• Lote 23 (Food truck lot in Santurce loaded with tasty surprises. The best taco I’ve ever had was the lamb taco from a truck called “Sr. Bigotes.”)

Northern Virginia

• Taqueria El Poblano (French-inspired Mexican. What could go wrong? Get a margarita and the L.A.-style tacos, especially the vegetarian, or the tacos al carbon.)
• Chennai Express (Great for a pre- or post-Dulles flight. Get anything and everything.)

Lewisburg, West Virginia

• The French Goat (Best burger I’ve ever had, by far.)