food23.505 min read
Tamales Retreat From US Menus as Labor Costs Bite
18 days ago•Source: New York Post
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21.965 min•22 days ago
National Cheeseburger Day 2026: Free Burgers and Big Deals Across Major Chains
National Cheeseburger Day on Sept. 18, 2026, kicks off a wave of promotions across major chains and delivery services, including free burgers with minimum purchases, BOGO offers and discounted add-ons. Highlights include Burger King’s Royal Perks freebies (Sept. 17–20), McDonald’s MyMcD Rewards free double cheeseburger with a $1 purchase, Wendy’s Rewards’ $1.99 Dave’s Single add-on, and various promos at Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s, Five Guys, Sonic, Red Robin and others, plus Grubhub deals like no delivery fees on $50+ orders. The piece also notes cheeseburger popularity and the burger’s contested origins.
3.795 min•22 days ago
Illinois eateries crack NYT list of America’s 50 best restaurants
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Tasting Table•26 days ago
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Oreo Reigns Supreme in Store-Bought Peanut Butter Cookies
A Taste Table roundup finds Oreo Peanut Butter Cookies as the top store-bought peanut butter cookie, praised for a balanced chocolate cookie and peanut butter creme that doesn’t overpower either flavor; the Reese’s Oreo is a close alternative with a peanut butter-forward creme, while other brands pale in comparison.
Belgian Chocolate Crowned Haagen-Dazs' Global Favorite, Surpassing Vanilla and Classic Chocolate
Haagen-Dazs' top global flavor is Belgian Chocolate, a 72% cocoa dark chocolate ice cream not sold in the U.S.—where Americans get the Double Belgian Chocolate Chip. International tasters praise its rich, bittersweet depth and creamy texture, often noting it outperforms vanilla and plain chocolate in flavor rankings.
Carnegie Deli Returns to Stage Deli’s Old Turf with Classic Sandwiches
New York’s dining scene features the Carnegie Deli reopening next week in the former Stage Deli space at 834 Seventh Ave (opening Sept. 15) with corn beef, pastrami, knishes and cheesecake from original recipes and a no-reservations, waitstaff vibe. The piece also highlights Amphora’s wine-forward eatery on East 20th Street, Ferguson’s Country in Williamsburg, Rye bakery’s SoHo expansion, Wu’s Dynasty on the Upper West Side, OOL cacao bar in SoHo, and a James Beard Foundation Afro-Caribbean dinner at Pier 57 on Sept. 25.
How a Customer's Custom Order Created In-N-Out's Animal Style Burger
In-N-Out's Animal Style burger originated in the early 1960s when a customer watched an associate make a customized burger and asked for the same, giving rise to a famous off-menu item with a mustard-cooked patty, pickles, extra spread, grilled onions, lettuce and tomato. The creation helped launch a broader Not-So-Secret Menu of variations and cements the chain's culture of customizing burgers, even as the family-owned company grows to 400+ locations.
Chipotle revives Pollo Asado with citrus twist and debuts Chili Lime Chips
Chipotle brings back Pollo Asado with a fresh adobo-infused recipe featuring garlic, Mexican spices, cilantro and a bright citrus finish, and adds a new Chili Lime Chips side inspired by a fan trend; rewards members get early access to the chips (Aug. 31) ahead of a full rollout (Sept. 4), with pairing ideas like a Pollo Asado bowl with rice, beans, salsa, guac and the chips for extra crunch.
Hype Check: The Most Overrated Restaurants in Every State
A state-by-state roundup of restaurants critics and locals say are overhyped, separating ambience from substance and offering alternatives for discerning diners.
ButterBuns, Fish Fry, and Custard: The Culver’s Unwritten Rules Playbook
A guide to Culver’s culture and unwritten rules: ButterBurgers use a butter-slathered top bun with a fresh, non-frozen patty; onion rings come in large family-style portions; Culver’s cheese sauce is a key dip made with real Wisconsin cheddar; the menu offers three distinct chicken sandwiches (with optional deluxe toppings and cheese); Wisconsin fish-fry traditions are echoed in the North Atlantic Cod Dinner and Northwoods Walleye; savor Culver’s root beer and custard (order custard after the main course and know the dessert lingo); and remember tips like ordering fries extra crispy, valuing the kids’ meals, and observing polite closing-time etiquette.
Fair Frenzy 2026: Hits, Misses, and Middling Moments in State Fair Eats
A witty, totals-style verdict on 36 official new foods and eight new vendors at the 2026 Minnesota State Fair, using Scarf!, Shrug, and Skip to rank each item. Highlights include standout picks like Apple Fries from Minnesota's Original Apple Fries, the Peri-Peri Bowl from Afro Deli & Grill, and the Hmong Corndog from Union Hmong Kitchen, plus the When Pigs Fly sausage flight as top contenders; major misses include Sligo Slider Bites, the Dubai Whoopie Pie, and several overpriced or underwhelming offerings. The review notes long lines, bold flavors, gimmicks, and mixed success across fried, spicy, sweet and savory items, ending with a notorious Pickle Pie and offering a definitive guide to what’s worth chasing at the fair.
Las Vegas Michelin Return Delivers Five Stars, Sparking Debate
Michelin returns to Las Vegas as part of its Southwest guide, awarding five stars across four restaurants ( Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand with two stars; Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace, é by Jose Andres at Cosmo, and L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand each with one). That’s far fewer than the 22 stars across 17 eateries in 2009, and several former stars have closed or been downgraded (Wing Lei and Michael Mina are now on the “Recommended” list). The ceremony was held at Fontainebleau, which critics say got little recognition, highlighting a dining landscape that has shifted with more non-strip spots and Bib Gourmand picks like China Poblano, Esther’s Kitchen and Yen Viet Kitchen. The piece frames the return as a downgrade amid change, while acknowledging Las Vegas’ ongoing prominence as a top dining city and inviting reader input.
Utah’s Monte Makes Michelin History as First-Starred Local
Monte, a fine-dining restaurant in South Salt Lake, earned Utah’s first Michelin star in Michelin Guide’s Southwest edition, one of five restaurants in the region to receive a star alongside Las Vegas spots é by José Andrés and Restaurant de Joël Robuchon. The guide also awarded Bib Gourmand honors to Feldman’s Deli, Pho 777 and One More Noodle House, while five other Utah restaurants (Handle, Koyote, Matilda, Nelson Cottage and Star Of India) will join the guide without awards. Monte’s tasting menus are $120 for the short and $180 for the long; local officials celebrated the milestone as a boost to Utah’s culinary scene.