Food & Drink
Travelling through America is like visiting many different countries — all 50 states have a unique character, and crossing their borders always leads to a new experience. One of the best ways to explore a new destination is through its cuisine, something every corner of the US takes very seriously. Here are five cities with some of the country's most iconic drinks and dishes, as well as a few suggestions of where to try them.
1.LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
WHAT: CLASSIC MARTINI
Channel your inner celeb while in Tinsletown and treat yourself to the most Hollywood of drinks, a classic martini. Your first stop should be the iconic Musso & Frank Grill on Hollywood Bvld, which has served the likes of Charlie Chaplin, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Travolta and the Rolling Stones. Move on to Happy Hour at The Normandie Club in Koreatown from 6-8pm and try their version for just US$8.
ALSO TRY: The Original Farmer's Market in Fairfax, West Hollywood is home to the city's first pizzeria - Patsy D'Amore's, Bob's Coffee & Doughnuts, and the finest example of the pastrami sandwich from Phil's Deli & Grill.
GETTING AROUND: While there is public transport, Los Angeles is still very much a car city. Rideshare apps also available.
2.NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK
WHAT: BAGELS New York City's melting pot population means you can eat amazing food from every corner of the globe, but a must-try would be bagels and lox. Russ & Daughters' original 1914 eatery at 179 East Houston St on the Lower East Side has four kinds of cured salmon and seven kinds of smoked salmon on its menu.
Also highly rated is Absolute Bagels on 108th Street on the Upper West Side.
ALSO TRY: New York-style pizza from Lombardi's, NoLita, or Grimaldi's, Brooklyn, a pastrami sandwich from Katz's Delicatessen, Lower East Side.
GETTING AROUND: The NYC subway will take you everywhere, but catch at least one yellow taxi just for the experience. You can navigate the city on foot.
3.SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
WHAT: BURRITOS You can't go wrong ordering Mexican food in San Francisco thanks to its large Hispanic population. To sample one of the city's famous burritos, visit the colourful streets of the Mission District. Among the neighborhood's most renowned taquerias serving these delicious parcels of meat, beans, rice, sour cream, vegetables and guacamole wrapped in a soft tortilla are La Taqueria, El Farolito and Taqueria Pancho Villa.
ALSO TRY: Clam chowder and Irish coffee from Buena Vista Cafe, Fisherman's Wharf.
GETTING AROUND: The Muni bus and metro system will give you access to the cable cars and F-line heritage streetcar.
4.HOUSTON, TEXAS
WHAT: BARBEQUE Texas is all about the barbecue and Houston lays claim to some of the best purveyors of smoked meats in the state. Begin your smokehouse quest at celeb favorite Killen's Barbecue, Pearland, where you'll find beef ribs, pork belly, smoked turkey and wagyu brisket. Another favorite is Roegels Barbecue Co in Tanglewood, which specializes in brisket, chicken and pulled pork.
ALSO TRY: Chicken and waffles at the Breakfast Klub, Midtown, and Tamales from Alamo Tamale & Taco.
GETTING AROUND: Buses and the MetroRail is a good option. Taxis charge a flat fee of US$6 in the downtown area. Rideshare apps also available.
5. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
WHAT: DEEP-DISH PIZZA The Windy City is known for its inchdeep pizzas which are more pie-like than we're used to in New Zealand — they're even eaten with a knife and fork. Traditionally deep-dish pizza has a buttery crust and is packed with mozzarella, onions, peppers, mushrooms and sausage, then topped with sauce made from fresh tomatoes.
Visit the city's River North district to find the most notable places serving this local delicacy including Pizzeria Uno and Lou Malnati's.
ALSO TRY: Chicago-style hot dogs at Portillo's, River North, and Italian beef sandwiches at Roma's Italian Beef & Sausage, Portage Park.
GETTING AROUND: You can get around the central city by foot, alternatively use the 'L' train, public buses or rideshare apps.
Visit Airnewzealand.co.nz to book now Air New Zealand can take you to more of the USA with its non-stop flights from Auckland to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Houston. Also from the 29th of October 2020, Air New Zealand will start flying non-stop between Auckland and New York*.
Coupled with the airline's alliance with United Airlines, there's never been an easier time to discover all that the Land of the Free has to offer - not only are the two airlines providing more flight choices to mainland USA out of New Zealand, once you're in those five port cities you'll find easy connections to over a hundred of domestic destinations.