Nashville Hot Chicken
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, Nashville
I’m obsessed with the hot chicken at Hattie B’s. The kitchen has figured out the unicorn of this iconic dish. It’s hot enough to make you sweat but not cry, and the meat is always succulent and not dry. I order it with medium heat; the “get the cluck out” version is too hot. I finally figured out the exact time to go to the location that will be the least crowded.
Pork and Lemongrass
King Market Cafe, Nashville
At this hole-in-the-wall dive in Nashville’s Asian food market, I always order the pork and lemongrass dish. It’s flavored just right with Thai spices and is not only delicious, it’s a great value at around $8.
Soup Dumplings
Joe’s Shanghai, New York City
This place in Chinatown has the most amazing soup dumplings. They’re freshly made to order and arrive at the table in bamboo steamers. I’m impressed by how meaty the broth is inside the dumpling—it has a depth of flavor missing in other versions of this dish.