Nineteen restaurants in the Triangle area of North Carolina received Michelin recognition, boosting local tourism and sales, with the American South now included in the prestigious guide for the first time, highlighting the region's growing culinary reputation.
The MICHELIN Guide has added Texas to its list of North American destinations, highlighting the state's diverse culinary scene, including barbecue, Tex-Mex, and farm-to-table dishes. The first Texas restaurant selection will be revealed later this year, featuring eateries in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. The Guide's anonymous Inspectors are already evaluating restaurants to ensure they meet Michelin's high standards.
Portland has been ranked as the No. 10 best city in the world for food by Time Out magazine, with its pizza scene receiving high praise for quality and affordability. Local food writer Alice Reichert highlighted the city's ability to offer high-caliber food without high prices. The city also boasts notable restaurants like Gado Gado and Ki'ikibáa, the latter being named The Oregonian's 2023 Restaurant of the Year.
New York City retains the top spot on the 2024 Global Tastemakers list of the Best Cities for Food and Drinks in the United States, with newcomers Honolulu, Portland, Maine, and Washington, D.C. also gaining recognition. The list celebrates the best culinary destinations in the U.S., showcasing cities like New Orleans, Chicago, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, and Seattle, as well as the diverse and innovative dining scenes they offer.
McDonald's Hamburglar mascot is embarking on a coast-to-coast road trip in a custom 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, dubbed the "Burgercuda," and fans who spot the car can win free merchandise or hamburgers by scanning its code. Changes to McDonald's burgers, including softer buns and juicier patties, have caught the attention of the Hamburglar, and fans can enter to win free burgers for a year by visiting spothamburglar.com. The Burgercuda features the Hamburglar's signature black-and-white stripes, red detailing, and bun-like hubcaps, and fans are encouraged to join the fun in spotting the mascot on his burger-stealing spree.
Celebrity TikTok food reviewer Keith Lee cut short his highly anticipated trip to the Bay Area, citing unsafe conditions, disappointing food, and an allergic reaction. He expressed concern for the city's challenges, opted not to review six food spots due to lack of constructive feedback, and ended up hospitalized after suffering an allergic reaction to shellfish. Despite positive interactions with locals, he concluded that the Bay Area wasn't the target audience for his content.
Jared Ness from Iowa won free burritos for a year from Pancheros by completing the "Iowa queso cruise" challenge, which required visiting all 26 Pancheros locations in Iowa within 24 hours. Ness's coworker, Alex Gookin, created the challenge, and after doing the math, it was determined to be possible. Ness successfully completed the challenge and will now receive 52 free burritos, equivalent to one per week for a year.
Fukuoka, Japan's sixth-largest city, is known for its vibrant street food scene dominated by yatais, open-air food stalls that operate at night and must be dismantled by morning. Fukuoka's mayor, Sōichirō Takashima, implemented regulations to ensure the safety and quality of yatais while preserving their charm. The cleanup led to a new generation of yatai operators experimenting with new flavors and styles. These food carts, along with their unique designs, have become a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike, offering a sense of surprise and camaraderie in the bustling city.
Fruit Parlor Columbia, a hidden underground parfait parlour in Osaka, Japan, has been serving jumbo parfaits for over 40 years. Located on the second basement floor of an office building in the Sakaisuji Honmachi business district, the café offers a variety of flavors and ingredients in their parfaits, including blackcurrant, pineapple, ramune soda, and chocolate chip. The parfaits are so big that they can be shared by up to 60 people. The owners, who originally ran a coffee shop in Umeda, moved to the current location to take on the challenge of sustaining a store on the second basement floor. The café attracts both office workers during lunchtime and dessert enthusiasts on weekends, and they also offer a lunch menu.
Musician John Legend is venturing into the tech startup world with the launch of his social app called It's Good, which aims to provide users with personalized food and travel recommendations. Legend and his co-founder came up with the idea for the app four years ago.
New York City has been excluded from the top 10 list of America's best "foodie" cities, according to a new ranking by WalletHub. Orlando, Florida took the top spot, followed by Portland, Sacramento, Miami, and San Francisco. New York landed at number 20, with cities like Tampa, San Diego, Las Vegas, Austin, and Seattle ranking higher. Other northeastern cities like Boston, Providence, and New Haven also made the list, while Jersey City, Newark, and Yonkers ranked lower. The last spot went to Pearl City in Hawaii.
The Feast of San Gennaro in New York City's Little Italy offers a variety of traditional Italian foods, but it's important to choose wisely. Some standout options include the pork braciola at Johnny Fasullo's, zeppole at Sophia's, rice balls at Lucy's, St. Joseph's pastry at Ferrara, and baked clams at Umbertos Clam House. Visitors should stick to the three blocks south of Broome Street for the best food stalls, avoid pre-filled cannoli, and opt for freshly fried zeppole. It's also advised to avoid the overpriced restaurant areas and carnival games, and be cautious of pickpockets in the crowded evening hours.
Walt Disney World Resort has released a Foodie Guide for early Halloween treats, featuring a wide range of spooky-themed desserts and drinks available at various locations in Disney Springs and select Disney Resort hotels. From Jack Skellington Éclairs to Pumpkin Cheesecake Bomboloni, guests can indulge in a variety of delicious treats throughout the resort from September 1 onwards.
Alexandria is hosting a food festival called 'Travel The World In One Day' on Saturday, offering visitors the opportunity to experience global cuisine and immerse themselves in different cultures. The festival aims to provide a diverse culinary experience, with various food vendors showcasing dishes from around the world. Attendees can enjoy a wide range of international flavors and explore different cultural traditions, all in one location.
Tiana's Palace, a new restaurant opening in Disneyland's New Orleans Square, aims to challenge the notion of theme park dining by offering authentic Creole and Cajun dishes inspired by the film The Princess and the Frog. The menu includes items like house gumbo, shrimp and cheesy grits, muffalettas, and beef po'boys, showcasing the flavors and techniques of New Orleans cuisine. The restaurant's attention to detail in its decor and use of regionally sourced ingredients make it one of the most exciting new dining options at Disneyland in recent years. Tiana's Palace opens on September 7.