If I had a sudden influx of cash, I would rent an RV and hit the road in pursuit of delicious food destinations around the US. 💸🚃🗺 I would pack up my toddler, pup and mother in law as fellow foodie companions. Buffalo bleu cheese combos and bold Chex mix will serve as my sustenance between stops. I’ve already done my research on each region’s cuisine and tourist attractions. I may enlist Yelp and TripAdvisor for local suggestions along the way. However, this trip is about food and fun so some spontaneity will be in order.🕶🧳👧🧸🐶🦴

Being from the South, our journey will begin in Savannah, GA. I will promptly source shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes and peach cobbler. 🍤🍑 We will hop on a trolley and stop along the riverfront area to peruse quaint antique shops.🚞 We shall visit a cemetery to pay respect to the infamous Savannah ghosts but only during the day. 👻☀️We could even park and stay in a cute little B & B in an antebellum home. For breakfast, we’ll eat pillowy buttermilk biscuits with sawmill gravy. On the way out of town, we’ll catch a farmers market in Forsyth park for some take along goodies.🍓🍌🥝🍪🍯

Then it’s on to Savannah’s sister city, Charleston, South Carolina. My to do list includes finding a bowl of she-crab soup, a low country boil and some Carolina style barbeque. We will go on a Charleston boat tour and take a bunch of cute selfies.🚤📸 Afterwards, maybe we’ll take in an art walk and then cruise along Folly Beach to build sand castles.🏖 We must embark on a breakfast crawl the next morning to enjoy fried chicken biscuits, country ham and eggs and French toast sandwiches. I’ll also need a virgin Bloody Mary to wash all of that down. Please lord let us run into at least one person from Southern Charm.🙏👗👒 

After having our fill of the south, we are headed north to Brooklyn, New York.🗽 My mission is to find an old world Italian spot. I’m picturing myself twirling a forkful of Spaghetti alla Bolognese while Sinatra tunes play in the background.🍝🎙🎵 At some point, we will wander into a random pizzaria and grab a few slices to go. I also want to stroll around Coney Island with my little and take a spin on the famous Ferris wheel.🎡 Afterwards, we will share a Nathan’s hot dog and salt water taffy for dessert.🌭🍬The following day’s lunch agenda is finding a pastrami sandwich with a side of Reuben to reenergize for the road.🥪😋

We might as well head to Mystic, Connecticut since we’re in the neighborhood and all. I want to pay homage to Mystic Pizza. Yes, it really does exist!👍 I want the house special that the food critic ordered in the movie.🍕🎞 😋 Another foodie must is to try a lobster roll. 🦞🥖Afterwards, we’ll scoop some ice cream downtown, park on a bench and people watch.🍨 Then we will stop by the aquarium and visit the local sea life.🐳🐬🐠🐙🦀 Sadly, we must now bid adiue to our friends of the sea because home is calling for a rest and refuel.📞⛽️😴 

I rally up the food crew and drive west to NOLA after finding a big bag of money by the train tracks.🚂🛤💰Once there, we’ll start off light with a shrimp po’boy and beignets. Then it’s on to the heavier stuff such as gumbo, muffuletta and bread pudding. We’ll be sure to hit a jazz spot in the afternoon to kick back and lounge a bit.🎺🎷🎹 We’re going to need the rest for the next leg of our trip because we are ready to get weird.🥴😜

First, we head to Austin, TX. I’m in search of smoked meat and Tex mex cuisine. I hope to catch a random indie band playing somewhere downtown or maybe attend a taping of Austin City Limits Live.🎸🥁 Next up is Portland, OR, aka, food cart central. I want to visit several different pods and sample as much diverse cuisine as my belly will allow.🌏 I also plan to locate a hipster brunch spot and eclectic bookstore as if I were stepping right into an episode of Portlandia.🥞🥓📖

On the way back down, I would like to try some cool Cali cuisine. I’m craving a burrito and bowls of avocado.🌯🥣🥑 First, I will reward myself for all of that driving with a little wine tasting in Napa while the MIL entertains my tyke. I plan to partake in a fancy cheese plate to compliment the wine.🧀🍇🍷Chicken and waffles are on the menu after a good night’s rest. Then we will cruise along the pacific coast highway, stopping periodically to capture roadside ocean view pics.📱🌊🍓We’ll eventually pull of the road and grab some fish tacos to hopefully savor with our toes in the water.🦶🚨 We will check Twitter to locate a Kogi BBQ truck in LA for our last stop in the golden state. Now back to home sweet home!🏡

I’m planning one more food trip after hitting a small jackpot playing slots at the casino. 🎲🎰 We’re headed down to Miami for all things Cuban! We’re going to Little Havana and taking a culinary tour to munch on empanadas, a Cuban sandwich and pastries. I’ll need some assistance from a cafe cubana to keep from slipping into a food coma. 🥟🥮☕️ Maybe later we’ll happen upon a Cuban street party and momma can sip on a virgin mojito. 

The next day, we will park at a restaurant and undo the top button of our pants in preparation for a major foodie fiesta.👖To start, we’ll have Yuca fries, croquettes and papas rellenas. Then we’ll move on to picadillo, Ropa Vieja, plantains and black beans and rice. For dessert, we’ll order both flan and churros.🍮 Perhaps we’ll sign up for a salsa lesson to work off some of those calories.💃 With no more room in my pants or wallet, we are homeward bound.🚐  Catch you on the next trip!🤚🚍🤙

Thanks for reading and indulging in my food Mecca fantasy. 🕋 Maybe it will happen one day! A gourmand’s gotta dream, right? Where would you want to go?🤞💜🍴

Categories: Uncategorized

Tagged as: Food foodblog regional cuisine road trip Travel

Mood Ring Kitchen

I’m a self teaching home cook and aspiring foodie entrepreneur. I enjoy coming up with creative ways to prepare flavorful food such as snacks, desserts and everything in between. Cooking is a way for me to challenge myself and satisfy curiosities about different ingredients.

The hope is to produce something thoughtful, memorable or every once in a while maybe even wonderful. I enjoy following my “gut” and exploring new recipes that can be comforting, exciting and nourishing. Above all else, I enjoy exploring the emotions surrounding food and writing about those experiences. 😝👩‍🍳👩‍💻