Bone Daddy's House of Smoke

I travel to Waco, Texas quite often for work, via DFW Airport in Fort Worth, where I drive the rest of the way. On my drive to Waco, I usually time out a lunch time arrival at Bone Daddy's House of Smoke. This place caters to men, meaning it isn't exactly family-friendly. It's like a classier version of Hooters. The food is excellent as well: Texas-style barbeque platters, sandwiches, and even salads. I wouldn't say the food is the best BBQ I have had, but it is a contender. Their pit beans are really good, as are their rolls. I haven't had a bad meat here, and their ribs are some of the better ribs I have had. I try to objectively judge the food, but I know I am biased a bit by the treatment you receive. They keep the sauce in a warmer and bring the bottle to your table warm. After your meal you get a steam towel to clean up your face and fingers. And, again, the scenery isn't bad either. There are currently four locations: Three around the Dallas/ Fort Worth area (two of which I have been to), and one in Austin (which I have been to as well). They are all equally good, but the one in Arlington is the most convenient for me during my travels. Trust me, you have to check it out (guys)!
Web site: http://www.bonedaddys.com/

French Quarter Grill

Whenever I have to go to Fort Walton Beach, Florida for work, I always make it a point at least once to head North a few miles to Niceville, where tucked away and somewhat hard to find is a Cajun place called French Quarter Grill. The prices are a bit high, dinner plates start at around $15 and up, but it is worth every penny! These dishes are loaded with flavor! My favorite is the Seafood Nantua for $18 which is "sauteed shrimp and crawfish in a creamy corn and red pepper reduction over grilled catch and a bed of rice". The flavor combinations in this dish are just right. I also like the Crawfish Etouffee a lot. You must stop here if you're in the area!
Location: 714 Howell Rd. Niceville, FL 32578  (850) 678-2604

The Angry Whopper

Burger King occasionally releases the Angry Whopper for a limited time. I am a huge fan of this burger. It is like a regular Whopper, except with the addition of "angry onions", jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, bacon, and their "angry" sauce. The commercial would make you believe that it is super-hot, but I think it's pretty mild, not very "angry" at all. My forehead barely gets wet when I eat one. It is really tasty, though... one of my favorite fast-food burgers. As with any fast-food burger, however, the real thing doesn't look anything like the advertisement picture as you can see.
Web site: http://www.bk.com/

 

Taqueria Jalisco

Clovis, New Mexico is a place I occasionally find myself in for work. Generally speaking the service at restaurants in this town is the worst you will ever experience. There are a few exceptions, though. Taqueria Jalisco is an authentic Mexican food restaurant located in downtown Clovis. I try to hit this restaurant every time I make a trip there. When the owner (I assume she is the owner) is there, the service is extraordinary. They bring you chips and some of the best salsa right away and the food is cooked fresh and very fast. I have had some lacking service when the "owner" isn't there. Every dish I have ordered there is wonderful, but especially the carnitas platter, which is fried shredded pork, served with rice, avocado, and Mexican salad. I also love the carne al pastor platter (second picture) which is similar to the carnitas platter except they marinate the carne in their red sauce, and it turns out very tasty and juicy. All their food is reasonably priced, usually platters under $10. I love this place!
Location: 217 W 7th St. Clovis, NM 88101 (575) 763-1865

Woody's Pizza

My favorite pizza in Colorado is Woody's Wood Fired Pizza. There are four locations that I know of, but they seem to be not quite the same company. They are all almost the same, though. I used to live in Fort Collins, where there was a Woody's right by CSU campus that I went to a lot. Sadly, I read that this location closed on June 25, 2011 to make space for more student housing :-( What a shame! I have been to the one in Golden, which claims to be the original, and has been voted Best Pizza in Jefferson County. I have also been to the one off Quebec and Evans in Denver. There is another one in Arvada. All of them that I have been to offer an all-day pizza buffet, as well as a salad bar. The cooks are always happy to cook whatever pizza you request. My favorite is the buffalo chicken pizza. The location in Golden, however, usually puts crumbled bleu cheese on it, though, which I don't like. I just ask them to not put that on. I also love their artichoke pizza. The photo below features their California pizza (my second favorite), pepperoni and bacon pizza, and the Buffalo Chicken pizza from the Evans location in Denver. Stop by if you're in the area!
Web site (Arvada and Denver): http://www.restaurantonline.biz/wwwroot/woodys/indexs.php
Web site (Golden): http://www.woodysgolden.com/

Helen Back

I spend a lot of time in the North-Western pan-handle of Florida for work, around Fort Walton Beach. One of my favorite places to go when I am craving pizza is a bar/restaurant called Helen Back. There are a few locations in Florida, but I have only been to the one in Fort Walton Beach. It is located right on the coast of Okaloosa Island and has a huge patio/deck dining area that overlooks the bay, as well as a bar area inside. The pizza at this place is really, really good. The sauce and toppings come almost out to the edge of the crust, and whatever seasoning they put on the crust is awesome. It is nice and salty with a hint of garlic, which I like. I usually get "everything on the top line" minus jalapenos. I have experimented with other toppings but it isn't the same experience. Try this pizza out of you're in the area!
Web site: http://www.helenbackcafe.com/

Health Camp

I have spent a lot of time in Waco, Texas for work. There aren't many good milkshake places around that I have found. There is, however, a mom-and-pop place called Health Camp (funny irony in the name) that serves good burgers, fries, and shakes. It is a legendary restaurant, has been around since the late 1940's (the condition of the building reflects that too). The shakes aren't made from real ice cream. They are the frozen-concentrate type shake, but Health Camp has many different squirt-in flavorings that make a great, unique taste. They are pretty thick too. My favorite is Cherry Chocolate Chip. The prices are reasonable, a large (32 oz) being $4.70. The burgers are really good too... similar to a Five Guys (greasy-type) burger. It's right off I-35 and Valley Mills, so if you're passing through Waco it's an easy and tasty stop.
Location: 2601 Circle Road Waco, TX 76706-3805 (254) 752-2081