Follow Those Tourists! Popular Eateries That Are Actually Good

A new city's sights are great and all, but after a long day as a dutiful tourist, you need to refuel. Why not continue your tour at these spots that serve up an iconic taste of place so good, you'll have to fend off the locals for a table.

A visit to Fisherman's Wharf should be high up on any tourist's to-do list in the fine, foggy city of San Francisco. Situated at the Northeastern tip of San Francisco, Fisherman's Wharf is close to the Embarcadero, as well as other fun neighborhoods like Little Italy and North Beach. Before you ferry across the water for a tour of Alcatraz, fuel up with a clam chowder bread bowl at Boudin Bakery on the wharf. Yes, the bowl is actually made of the bakery's famous "San Francisco sourdough" — made with the same recipe created by the Boudin family in 1849. Before you go, pick up one of Boudin's specialty or seasonal breads to take home.
boudinbakery.com

Meg Ryan. Barbara Streisand. Bruce Willis. What do these stars have in common? They're lovers of Katz's Deli on Manhattan's Lower East Side, of course — and who could blame them? Katz's Delicatessen has been around since 1888, a long time to have withstood the ever-changing landscape of lower Manhattan. What are they doing right? Everything! By sticking to what they know and adhering to their high standards, tourists end up flocking here and locals keep on coming back for more.

Try Katz's traditional corned-beef or Reuben sandwich: "the largest and best you'll ever have," they promise. Or, try the Knoblewurst if you're feeling like a champ, and the Matzo Ball Soup if you've got a long day of exploring Manhattan ahead of you. When you're done, don't forget to "send a salami to your boy in the Army."
katzsdelicatessen.com

Between Jackson Square and The Mighty Mississip' sits Cafe du Monde, which has been serving up sweet treats and caffeine tourists and locals alike in the same location since 1862. Cafe du Monde's menu is short and sweet: square French-style doughnuts called "beignets," fried to order and mounded with powdered sugar, plus NOLA's iconic coffee and chicory (black, au lait, or iced), milk (white or chocolate), OJ, and, a few sodas. Open 24-7 (with the exception of Christmas day and hurricanes), there's no time of day that isn't packed at Cafe du Monde.
cafedumonde.com

The odds of strolling around Los Angeles if you're a tourist are slim, but La Playita Siete Mares is worth the gas money to Silver Lake. Taco trucks are in no short supply in many parts of Southern California, but La Playita makes the cut for being the go-to spot for mariscos, seafood tostadas, and ceviche. The fish tacos — much less expensive than what you might pay in other parts of Los Angeles — come with crispy battered pieces of cod, cabbage, and a generous choice of salsas. This all makes sense, of course: "Playita" means "little beach," and "mar" means "ocean" in Spanish. Find your little bit of ocean beach escape right here with all the locals (and your bowl of ceviche).

If you're visiting New York City, you're going to end up walking, so you might as well sport your sneakers and head over the Williamsburg Bridge into Brooklyn. Reward your fortitude with a steak (or burger) at Peter Luger's Steak House, near the foot of the bridge. This formal establishment has been keeping it simple since 1887, focusing primarily on beef and a few vegetable sides and it prides itself on its impeccable service. If the lunch and dinner crowds are any indication, they've definitely hit on the right formula.
peterluger.com.

Take a break from the bands in the self-proclaimed "Live Music Capital of the World" and chow down on some authentic Texas barbeque just outside of Austin in the Hill Country. There, the disciples of Thurman Roberts carry on a long-standing family tradition of cooking meat over a huge pit and coaxing out the flavors with four coats of their tomato-free barbeque sauce. After searing the meat, it's moved away from the hottest part of the fire to cook slowly, then laid out over an open fire fed by live oak wood. Now that's precision!
saltlickbbq.com

Owner of the bragging rights for #1 Sandwich in America, bestowed by the Travel Channel, Primanti Bros. has been featured on countless TV shows, including Man vs. Food, Food Paradise, and 101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown. You'll find just as many Pittsburghers as visitors at Primanti Bros. any time of day, all clamoring for a bite of their famous sammys that have fries and coleslaws stuffed right in.
www.primantibros.com

Would you wait on a queue that snakes around the block for a burger? You should. Though New Yorkers are used to crowds, no one likes to wait in long lines, but they do for a Shake Shack burger. Shake Shack opened in Manhattan in 2004 with the phrase "modern day roadside burger" in mind, using high-quality ingredients. They also offer a slew of hot dog and topping combos, frozen custards, fries, shakes, and other beverages. Let us know if you think it's worth the wait!
shakeshack.com

Inside The Ferry Building on San Francisco's Embarcadero is a cornucopia of gift shops, farmer's markets, cheese and bread shops, and cupcake spots. You might need a few more hours than you'd originally thought, but that's the fun of being a tourist — all the time in the world! Try cheese from the famous Cowgirl Creamery's Artisan Cheese Shop or buy a treat from the Acme Bread Company. If you feel like staying for a meal, find yourself in the company of loyal Bay Area residents at The Slanted Door, Charles Phan's nationally-acclaimed Vietnamese restaurant, which, as an added bonus, overlooks the San Francisco Bay. Enjoy!
www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com

When in Philly, do as the Philadelphians do, and eat a cheese steak. What better place than Pat's King of Steaks, which lays claim to inventing the iconic sandwich? This Philly hot spot has been visited by countless celebrities — even President Obama himself. Be sure to heed the ordering instructions on the building. Improper orders may be ignored!
www.patskingofsteaks.com