Food, Travel and the NHL. Is there anything better? (Jared C Tilton/Getty Images)
There’s nothing like getting the best of local cuisine on the go, and when traveling to Dallas, there’s nothing like the Pecan Lodge at Deep Ellum. Yes, you’ll probably have to queue, and yes, it may take a while, but it’s 100 percent worth it.
Texas and barbecue go together so naturally, and it’s great to get it from one of the best places around. Brisket, ribs, pulled pork, smoked turkey… there’s even southern fried chicken. Quality. It’s appointment dinner.
– Joe Yerdon
As an Italian Bostonian, I will automatically disqualify the North End because that’s not fair to any other city. Let’s go ahead and cross New York City off the list for the same reason.
I’m having a hard time picking a favorite, so I’ll name a few spots. I’ve had some delicious bar meals and experiences at Wolf’s Ridge Brewing in Columbus, Ohio. I’m also obsessed with the KB&Co chain in Edmonton, and I’m not usually a plant-based girl.
– Sara Civian
It’s hard to argue against Joe’s choice of the Pecan Lodge in Dallas. It’s an excellent grill. But I’ve kept a list of my favorite foods in NHL cities for years, so here are a few more places.
Raleigh is an amazing food town and years ago a clerk took me to Beasley’s Chicken and Honey and I’ve been there several times since.
Speaking of fried chicken, when a group of media friends went to Hattie B’s in Nashville, I took a trip to Chauhan Ale and Masala House for Indian-Mexican fusion. Try the tandoori chicken poutine. You will not be disappointed.
Defense attorney Connor Carrick once suggested the Purple Pig in Chicago when my parents decided to take me away for Christmas a few years ago, and my mom still talks about how much she loved some of their vegetable dishes.
As an Italian, I can’t skip Mike’s Pastry for cannoli in Boston, and I’ve heard the owners are big hockey fans too. When I was little my grandfather made birthday candles in cannoli for my brother and I instead of cake so it’s one of my first stops every time I’m in the North End.
And of course, as a born and raised Californian, I’d be remiss not to mention a few Mexican spots in Los Angeles. El Cholo, near Crypto.com Arena, has been a local favorite since the 1920’s. You can’t go wrong with any of the taco trucks in downtown Los Angeles, and if you want to head straight out of downtown, you’ll find King Taco.
— Mastracco Abbey
