On the road againnnnn 🎶🚗🗺🧭

Lands, it has been awhile since I’ve posted on here. My husband got out of the Navy after a decade of service and we moved back west to Washington. We had fallen in love with it during his first duty station here and have been longing to go back. We might have been raised in the south but the PAC Nor-west has become our home.

We knew it was doubtful we would ever travel cross country again so we decided to make a whole sight seeing excursion out of the drive back! We’re major foodies and most of the stops had to do with FOOD 😋 I thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite food stops along the way, in case you ever find yourself in any of these towns!

First stop, New Orleans!

We spent our first day eating lunch at the famous Court of Two Sisters! We chose to partake in the buffet which was absolutely incredible. They had an impressive selection and the food tasted delicious. The dining room looks out onto the courtyard with the magical looking fountains and foliage. You feel like your in a southern fairy tale! I highly recommend.

Later we got frozen cafe au laits and beignets at the Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter. I had never had a frozen cafe au lait before and it was so refreshing! New Orleans in August can be STIFLING and it made me almost forget the humidity! The beignets were delicious as well and if you find yourself sightseeing or generally wandering the French quarter, its a quaint and lovely place to pop in for a snack.

SECOND STOP! AUSTIN, TX!

The call of the cicadas on the warm breeze was hypnotic and the swamp girl in me was raving about how, despite the 109 degree heat index, it felt “phenomenal” without any humidity. We were sooo excited to come to Austin because my hubby is seriously into grilling and smoking meat, and he has watched the Franklin Master Class about a thousand times at this point.

Our favorite stop of the entire trip had to be Franklin’s BBQ in Austin, Texas, HANDS DOWN! We’re already planning a trip there again.

We ended up getting several lbs of meat including pulled pork and brisket and sides of macs and cheese, and of course, their personal sized mini pies.

The pulled pork was incredible. The brisket was smokey and so soft. Their little personal sized pies were a revelation, if you go, you HAVE to try the Ruby’s Dang Good Pie. It’s pineapple and coconut and absolutely to die for. The wait starts up in the wee hours of the morning and they stay open until they sell out! We dropped my hubby off at 7 am and there was already a line of several people! Get there early folks, and bring a lawn chair! But everyone in line is so friendly and a really sweet camaraderie develops . ]

FOOD. AMBIENCE. AWSOME WAIT STAFF.

What more could you want?

Next awesome stop! Paige, Arizona!

Grand Canyon Brewery~ now this place is a chain, but I have to say, they made one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. They have a “beast” burger which has a mix of game like venison, and i think bison and elk, and it was amazing. Very lean and clean tasting meat, not gamey at all.

THIRD STOP! Brookings, Oregon!

Prior to hiking down to see this stunning view, we decided we needed the proper fortitude and therefore stuffed our faces at Mattie’s Pancake House! It was my first time getting a Monte Cristo but I’ve had multiple since then, trying to achieve that same euphoria as I had with Mattie’s Monte Cristo. Sadly I haven’t been able to find one nearly as delicious. If a salty sweet combo is to your taste, I highly suggest the monte cristo, but either way, Mattie’s makes an amazing breakfast for whatever suits your fancy!

We’ve spent the last several years in and around Charleston, Sc so I hope to write another post soon about all of our favorite restaurants from that area. There is so much amazing food there, though, I thought it deserved a post of its own!

Bon Appetit!!! 🍔 🍝 🥤