ROADFOOD: The Coast-to-Coast Guide to 500 of the Best Barbeque Joints, Lobster Shacks, Ice Cream Parlors, Highway Diners, and Much More

First published in 1977, the original Roadfood is a classic. James Beard said, "This is a book that you should carry with you, no matter where you are going in these United States. It's a treasure house of information."

Now this guide is back, in an even bigger and better edition, covering 500 of the country's best local eateries from Maine to California. With more than 250 completely new listings and thorough updates of old favorites, the new Roadfood offers an extended tour of the most affordable, most enjoyable dining options along America's highways and back roads.

Filled with enticing alternatives for chain-weary-travellers, Roadfood provides descriptions of and directions to (complete with regional maps) the best lobster shacks on the East Coast; the ultimate barbecue joints down South; the most indulgent steak houses in the Midwest; and dozens of top-notch diners, hotdog stands, ice-cream parlors, and uniquely regional finds in between. Each entry delves into the folkways of a restaurant's locale as well as the dining experience itself, and each is written in the Sterns' entertaining and colorful style. A cornucopia for road warriors and armchair epicures alike, Roadfood is a road map to some of the tastiest treasures in the United States.

$17.95 (softcover)

BLUE PLATE SPECIALS & BLUE RIBBON CHEFS: The Heart and Soul of America's Great Roadside Restaurants, Jane & Michael Stern

The Sterns packed up their bags and hit the highways again in search of the tastiest down-home dishes and most fascinating blue-collar chefs America has to offer. The result is a journey across America's heartland to eat a few unforgettable meals and delightful desserts at the coziest, friendliest, and busiest diners and roadside cafes. From the A-1 Diner in Gardiner, Maine, to Vernon's Kuntry Katfish in Conroe, Texas, the Sterns' travels left no stone unturned in the quest for the most mouthwatering meatloaf, sizzling steak and bountiful bread budding.

But the journey doesn't just begin and end with the restaurants and the foods they serve. Along the way, the Sterns meet a delightful cast of characters -- crazy chefs, speedy short-order cooks, and wistful waitresses -- that only truck stops and greasy spoons can provide. Complete with recipes, chef profiles and photographs, this is a pastiche of the heart and soul of American food culture -- a culture full of lifelong loyalties, faithful friendships, and, most important, the unbreakable bond that comes with the ceremonial breaking of bread.

$24.95 (hardcover)

I'll Have What They're Having: Legendary Local Cuisine, Linda Stradley

America has a rich history of regional cooking. From Brooklyn bialys to San Francisco cioppino to southern fried chicken, traditional food is as large a part of the local culture as the landscape and the monuments. Some dishes are so famous that they are an essential part of any trip - imagine coming to Chicago without sampling deep-dish pizza? Or going to New Orleans without trying jambalaya? Or Miami without tasting key lime pie?

Now you don't have to travel any farther than your own kitchen to enjoy these specialties. I'll Have What They're Having offers recipes for more than 130 hidden gems of regional fare - home cooking at its most creative, the kind of food that you want to bring back from your travels and make again and again. Recipes include helpful tips on appropriate eating etiquette and making each dish with authentic touches that reflect its cultural origins. In addition, you'll learn about the stories - both humorous and historical - behind these delicious and sometimes off-beat local favorites. Did you know that Hangtown fry, a mouth-watering, one-skillet meal of eggs, oysters, and bacon was originally sold to gold miners in the 1800s for $6.00 a plate - the equivalent of hundreds of dollars today?

Part cookbook, part history lesson, this engaging collection celebrates the flavors and traditions that showcase the best of American cuisine.

$18.95 (softcover)