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Your state's best hole-in-the-wall restaurant

Fabulous no-frills spots
Alabama: Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, Decatur
Alaska: Pho’ Vietnam, Anchorage
Arizona: Kiss Pollos Estilo Sinaloa, Phoenix
Arkansas: Pig Trail Bypass Country Cafe, Elkins
California: Hodad's Ocean Beach, San Diego
California: La Taqueria, San Francisco
California: Sierra Subs and Salads, Three Rivers
Colorado: Grinder Sandwich Company, Colorado Springs
Connecticut: Louis’ Lunch, New Haven
Delaware: El Diablo Burritos, Newark and Wilmington
Florida: El Carajo, Miami
Florida: Mimi's Kitchen, Orlando
Florida: Star Fish Company Market & Restaurant, Cortez
Georgia: Southern Soul Barbeque, St Simons Island
Hawaii: Porky’s Kauai, Koloa
Idaho: The Rusty Lantern Diner, Ucon
Illinois: Fontano’s, Chicago
Indiana: Oasis Diner, Plainfield
Iowa: La Regia Taqueria, Iowa City
Kansas: Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Kansas City
Kentucky: Dad's Favorites Deli, Lexington
Louisiana: Billeaud’s Meat & Grocery, Broussard and New Iberia
Maine: Palace Diner, Biddeford
Maryland: Tortilleria Sinaloa, Baltimore
Massachusetts: Miss Worcester Diner, Worcester
Michigan: Mr. Kabob, various locations
Minnesota: Al's Breakfast, Minneapolis
Mississippi: Big Apple Inn, Jackson
Missouri: Broadway Diner, Columbia
Montana: The Pickle Barrel, various locations
Nebraska: Hi-Way Diner, Lincoln
Nevada: Little A’Le’Inn, Rachel
New Hampshire: Lexie’s, various locations
New Jersey: American Melts, Kenilworth
New Mexico: El Modelo Mexican Foods, Albuquerque
New York: Famous Lunch, Troy
New York: Zaragoza Mexican Deli & Grocery, New York City
North Carolina: Country Deli, Kill Devil Hills
North Dakota: Darcy’s Cafe, Grand Forks
Ohio: Brown Bag Deli, Columbus
Oklahoma: Tarahumara’s Mexican Café & Cantina, Norman
Oregon: Waffle Window, Portland
Pennsylvania: John’s Roast Pork, Philadelphia
Rhode Island: Dee’s Deli, Cranston
South Carolina: Dave's Carry Out, Charleston
South Dakota: Leo's Good Food, Redfield
Tennessee: The Loveless Cafe, Nashville
Texas: Gino’s Deli Stop N Buy, San Antonio
Texas: Little Czech Bakery, West
Utah: Five Sushi Brothers, Provo
Vermont: Handy’s Lunch, Burlington
Virginia: Gringo's Taqueria, Virginia Beach
Washington: Hole in the Wall BBQ, Seattle
West Virginia: Hermosilla's Deli Market, Fairmont
Wisconsin: Al's Hamburger Shop, Green Bay
Wyoming: Luxury Diner, Cheyenne
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Improbcat, CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Fabulous no-frills spots

A decent meal doesn't always mean a fancy restaurant and a huge check – it’s often the hidden local gems that dish up the best food around. Here, we’ve rounded up the best basic eateries across the US, from historic spots that started out as literal holes in the wall to classic diners offering warm welcomes and wonderful plates of food. 

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover where to find the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in every state.

Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.

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Ella Buchan

04 March 2025

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