Adam's Pick

Adam Richman has been eating his way across America, and there are more than a few famous food spots that he thinks should be at the top of your list. Here’s a taste. The White Spot Cafe, Anchorage, AK My Anchorage makeup artist Amber recommended The White Spot Cafe. In particular, "their double stacked, fried Halibut sandwich which is to die for." It's also one of the oldest restaurants in the whole state. Sidecar, Brooklyn, NY Opened by the brothers DeCoursy (of Blue Ribbon Bakery and O'Connors), this place has phenomenal food served until 4 a.m., signature drinks and what some people call the best fried chicken in NYC. I love the Brandade and the Banh Di (their version of the Vietnamese sandwich). Alchemy, Brooklyn, NY Seven words: white chocolate and sweet pea creme brulee. Plus 11 bucks gets you a great burger with fries, a small salad AND a beer! Franny's, Brooklyn, NY My friend John is the chef here. He’s taken his haute roots from Per Se and created amazing pizzas, pastas and house-cured meats. The eggs and spicy pickles and the prosciutto are not to be missed. Ask your server anything -- these guys are among the best in the city. Char No. 4, Brooklyn, NY The best bourbon selection ANYWHERE plus great pork nuggets, cheese curds, pulled pork sandwiches and BLTs. All meats are house-cured, and they have great sides like warm baby beets with bleu cheese and pecans. Press 195, Brooklyn, NY A phenomenal sandwich place that recently remodeled and came back with a vengeance with Belgian frites, homemade lemonade, a full bar and salads, plus their famous maple- syrup pesto. G&M Crabcakes, Baltimore, MD I found out about this one from one of my most reliable sources: LOCALS, bellboys, busboys and parking attendants. It’s located in Linthicum, just outside Baltimore, but they even ship their crabcakes nationwide. I like the quiche with crab in it and the more informal dining room on the right. Faidley's Crabcakes, Baltimore, MD I have to admit, I know about this place from watching HBO's "The Wire". Both the good and the bad -- both McNulty and Omar -- ate these cakes. And for me, that's all I needed to know. Best advice: go early. They get crowded, and their hours are unusual. Old Ebbitt Grill, Washington, DC Great for late night bites, half-priced oysters and a dining room that screams history. The Eastern Market, Washington, DC This historic market offers amazing softshell crab sandwiches and crafts for about a zillion square miles. It's recovering from a fire a couple of years back but is still awesome. TenPenh, Washington, DC This upscale, Southeast-Asian-inspired restaurant is sexy, expensive and totally worth it. The address is 10 Pennsylvania Ave -- hence the name. Basque Festival, Boise, ID We found this by accident, and I fantasize about this street food at least once a week. High Cotton, Charleston, SC The flagship of the Maverick restaurant group. Ordinarily, any corporately owned place makes me cringe, but High Cotton gets it right -- from decor to grits. Awesome. Taco Boy, Charleston, SC Taco Boy’s newest location in downtown Charleston (the other is on Folly Beach) still packs enormous flavor. Great drinks and a huge patio with both food and drink service -- plus free fake tattoos! Giovanni's Shrimp Truck, Kahuku, Oahu, HI There are a ton of places on the North Shore, but Kahuku has the sweet corn and fresh shrimp that are the stuff of legend. While Opal has a huge following, Giovanni's is the oldest truck, and the garlic shrimp and spicy shrimp are not to be missed. Shiao Lan Kung, Philadelphia, PA Specializing in stir-fries, steamed meats, poultry and seafood, Shiao Lan serves up amazing eats in the heart of Chinatown. Lolita, Philadelphia, PA A fun BYOB place with a distinct South American feel to its dishes. Seating is tight so try to avoid the 2-tops in the back. Instead, get a table by the wall to the left as you enter. Tu Lan, San Francisco, CA Basic, no frills, awesome Vietnamese that has been sampled by everyone from me to Julia Child. Delicious. Dain's Place, Durham, NC Dain’s was featured in our “Doughman Challenge” episode. Dain is the perfect bar owner: interested but not too in-your-face with a great menu of food that is just a slight cut above typical bar fare. Great beers, great tater tots and great service. Zankou Chicken, Los Angeles, CA So Amazing. Middle Eastern fare: the chicken shawarma platter is just perfect. Get extra garlic sauce and extra meat. Perfectly made pita, hummus and tahini. Flavorful, moist roasted chicken straight from the rotisserie. Mayflower, San Jose, CA Hidden at the back of the Milpitas Mall, delicious dim sum served from carts and times finished up right at your table. Gets crowded, so come early -- and hungry. Get the banana-leaf-wrapped chicken and any of the har gow and fried dumplings. Ted Drewes Custard, St. Louis, MO For almost 80 years, Ted Drewes Custard has been warming the hearts and freezing the brains of St. Louis natives. The specialty of the house is the “concrete” – a combination of dozens of toppings that are blended with the custard until it is so thick it will not fall out of a cup that is turned upside down. Get a pumpkin pie concrete and watch the world fall into place. Delicious, historic, and perfect for a summer day in the Gateway City. The Angus Barn, Raleigh, NC Come hungry and come often. My cousin, Keith, who went to UNC, took me there with his family. Just amazing ribs, steaks, phenomenal appetizers and desserts, plus the dining room is cozy despite its vast size. Great olives and cheeses in waiting area where you wait in plush, wing-back chairs. Isle’s Bun and Coffee Company, Minneapolis, MN Cinnamon rolls the size of a shot put, and icing so perfectly decadent that some have said it was secreted by a divine being. Delish!