City Barbeque in Dayton is known for its competition-quality smoked meats served in a fast-casual setting that’s both approachable and consistent. The restaurant has a classic, laid-back BBQ joint feel—clean and welcoming, with counter service and plenty of seating. The pulled pork is tender and flavorful, while the smoked sausage has a satisfying snap and deep, smoky flavor. The soft, buttery bread is a great complement to the meats, and the green beans are seasoned well with a hint of bacon. The corn pudding is sweet, custardy, and a standout side, while the potato salad is cool and tangy with just the right amount of tang. The hushpuppies are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and make a great savory snack to round out the meal. Portions are generous, making it easy to share or take leftovers home. The variety of sauces lets you customize each bite, from sweet and tangy to bold and spicy. Have you been? Grade: B

Karen’s Kuchens is a small-batch bakery based in Larimore, North Dakota, where Karen Schwandt handcrafts German-Russian style kuchens from a family recipe.

I ordered through Goldbelly, which states: "Somewhere between a cake, pie, and custard, Kuchens came to North Dakota via Germans from Russia and are 100% better when made by a grandma."

Each kuchen features a tender, buttery yeast crust topped with a rich custard and fillings that range from classics like apple, peach, and prune to creative twists like almond crème and cotton candy. I had to try the juneberry, which was all-aroumd unique.

Oishii Hibachi in Charleston started as a popular food truck in Kanawha City, where it built a loyal following serving up fresh hibachi and sushi from a Piggly Wiggly parking lot. In 2024, it made the leap to a permanent brick-and-mortar location on MacCorkle Avenue in the former Pita Pit space, right next to Horace Mann Middle School. The new space has a simple, dimly lit interior with a dozen or so tables and booths, a small sushi counter, and colorful hanging lanterns that give it a relaxed, slightly tucked-away feel. The menu is a mix of hibachi-style entrees, sushi rolls, appetizers, and bento boxes. Appetizers include items like spring rolls, gyoza, and crab rangoons. Hibachi meals can be ordered with steak, chicken, shrimp, salmon, scallops, crab, or vegetables, and they come with your choice of fried rice or noodles. Bento boxes offer a little bit of everything—rice or noodles, a main dish, salad or soup, and a sushi roll or dumpling. Sushi lovers will find nearly 20 roll options ranging from classics like spicy tuna and shrimp tempura to deep-fried rolls filled with crab, avocado, and cream cheese. The hibachi steak with noodles is filling and generously portioned, though the steak was hit or miss -- sometimes a bit tough and overcooked. Noodles were fine. The crab rangoon, however, was hot, crisp, and well-stuffed, with the triangular folded shape giving it an extra edge. Service is generally quick and friendly, carrying over the approachable vibe from Oishii’s food truck days. It’s a solid spot for an easy lunch or dinner, especially if you’re craving comfort hibachi or a satisfying sushi roll. Not too bad. A solid option in town. Have you been? Grade: B

River Street Sweets is a classic stop in Savannah, Georgia -- part candy shop, part Southern tradition.



The minute you walk in, the smell of warm pralines hits you, and staff are usually handing out free samples hot off the marble slab.



Their World Famous Pralines are buttery, nutty, and melt-in-your-mouth good. "Made with butter, sugar, cream, and Georgia-grown pecans, they deliver the perfect balance of crunch and sweetness in every bite," reads the website.



The bear claw -- which others may call turtles -- is smooth chocolate and sumptuous homemade caramel combined atop a bed of crunchy pecan pieces. Bear Claws are the #1 chocolate confection in the shop.



Milk Chocolate Bear Claws® were the very first chocolate product sold in the original River Street Sweets® store; the white chocolate ones are just as tasty.



Grade: A

Lizard’s Thicket is a classic Southern meat-and-three chain rooted in Columbia, South Carolina, known for comforting, down-home cooking served with no frills.



The mac & cheese is creamy and comforting, with elbow noodles nestled in a thick, cheesy sauce that leans more homestyle than sharp or gourmet - think baked casserole-style with a slightly firm top. The candied yams are soft and syrupy, almost dessert-like, coated in a brown sugar glaze that soaks through each bite. Together, they make the kind of sweet-and-savory pairing that feels like Sunday dinner at someone’s church-going aunt’s house.



Grade: B