Long gone are the days when all American cities looked the same when we’re talking dining experiences. Today, you will find innumerable unique gastro destinations in the U.S., all offering something of their own. Something delicious.

The first of these is Washington D.C. with its Capitol Hill traditional Italian and French restaurants. Then, there is the Ben’s Chili Bowl which is an place not to be missed. It’s where you can go at 3 a.m. on weekends for a much-needed chili stop.

If you are looking for traditional Texan cuisine with a twist, Austin, Texas is your best bet. Dishes like short ribs in Thai herbs and brisket tacos in adobo sauce topped with cilantro and guacamole are waiting for you in Austin. You will also find almost 1,500 mobile food places, offering a range of delicious traditional and less traditional dishes.

New Orleans, Louisiana has been famous for southern cuisine for decades, but it has grown into much more than just that. For instance, you will find some of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the Big Easy. This is not saying that you cannot find great jambalaya, gumbo or po’boys in NOLA.

If you are more of a pastries person, there is no better place for that in the U.S. than the Twin Cities, ie. Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Bakeries have been popping like mushrooms after the rain in these two cities, each better than the next one.

Portland, Oregon has become something of a healthy city and its gastro options make this very clear. It prides itself with restaurants that work only with locally grown ingredients and organic foods. Dishes like a kale omelet with smoked-salmon hash to go along with it are anywhere you look in Rose City.