The best food I ate in 2023
This was a big year for food, particularly for myself. I had been reviewing places on Google Maps for a while, but really got into it a few years ago. They gamify reviewing places and uploading media, giving you digital points for each action you take and leveling you up.
This year I went forward with new places to visit, a variety of museums, cities, and restaurants.
I succeeded in reaching over 100,000 points, becoming a Level 10 Local Guide. What do I get for that? Nothing, it seems. But now that I have a big album of food and many words of reviews, I want to share them with you.
Most of these places are in New York City, but did travel to other places this year including Ireland, California, and Washington DC. If you are in any of these places you should add these to your to-visit list.
Bacon-Wrapped Chicken from Selo Restaurant
I don’t know how I found this place, but I chose to get their bacon-wrapped chicken. I came with carrots and mashed potatoes. Somehow I had room for their apple pie. European music played in the background as I ate this hearty and tasty meal.
3305 Broadway, Queens, NY 11106
Onion Pizza from DA RADDA
The service here is great and their pizzas, including this one with tons of onions, has great flavor. This is one of my top spots in the city to get pizza.
127 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009
Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich from Melt Shop
Korean fried chicken is my favorite style of fried chicken, with a refined bread and garlic sauce. This sandwich shop in Midtown offers this as a fried chicken sandwich, combining two great things together.
135 W 50th St, New York, NY 10019
Barbecue Ribs from Boots & Bones
I have found myself disappointed by the flavor each time I go to a New York barbecue place. Yet right off the PATH, across the pedestrian plaza, is a place called Boots & Bones which surprised me. For a good price you can get great ribs.
116 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Adjaruli Khachapuri from Cheeseboat
I really became enamored by this Georgian (the country) dish this year. Basically it is eggs and butter and cheese all scrambled together inside of a hollowed out piece of bread. It is the pinnacle of comfort food. Cheeseboat has a few locations around the city. You should visit one of them.
80 Berry St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Chicken Kebab from Ariana
I was not familiar with Afghan food coming into this place but I left impressed. Their chicken kebab with a rich and creamy sauce had an immense flavor and they had a large menu of teas available.
787 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Taiwanese Steak from New York Food Court
When your steak is ready, it is still cooking. The dish includes a few sides but the steak is definitely the main item, covered in a thick steak sauce which has a ton of flavor.
133–35 Roosevelt Ave, Queens, NY 11354
Jahn’s Ice Cream Sundae from Jahn’s
This sundae comes with three scoops of different flavor and a lot on top. It is definitely a challenge to eat but one that you kinda want to do because it tastes so good.
81–04 37th Ave #1, Queens, NY 11372
Meatballs from The Meatball Shop
In a place like New York, you can have a restaurant which only serves meatballs and they will be some of the best meatballs you’ll ever eat. Keep in mind how big they are, as you won’t be hungry afterwards.
798 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Guinness Stew from Thirteen on the Green
This pub in western Ireland had the most memorable meal of everything I ate there. This stew with beef, potatoes, and other herbs blended together in such a fantastic way that I really want to recreate myself at some point.
13 Eyre Square, Galway, H91 N6PF, Ireland
Angus Steak from Tin Drum
This boxed meal, with steak, fries, and rice, had fantastic flavor. Their sauces were unparalleled.
2955 Cobb Pkwy SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
Hotpot from Seapot
I was familiar with the practices of Korean steakhouses but not hotpot. When I went here with coworkers we ordered a lot of options and shared plates. If I didn’t have them with me, there was no way I could’ve eaten everything by myself.
740 E El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Pork Katsu from Kami Asian
You get a lot of fried pork in this dish, just enough to dip into your excellent dish of sauce.
385 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Nonna Burger from Cantiere Hambirreria
Rather than a standard beef patty, they cook schiacciatina patties which are like meatloaf. This new Italian hamburger joint has a gritty industrial aesthetic and deluxe meals like the one photographed above. A great alternative to the prevalent smash burger places.
41 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012
Hungry for the next year
I have a lot of restaurants and bars saved to visit next year and I’m chomping at the bit to get to them.
