Let’s Road Trip!

I’m planning the Los Angeles ——> New Orleans road trip and I need your help!

I think you know exactly where I should eat pizza, where I will find the best road trip snacks, and where I should drink coffee.  I’m also open early morning diners options, and odd roadside attractions.  I’ve got 1909 miles to go over 30 hours (3 days really…).  I’m going to need to supplement my diet of gummy bears and flammin’ hot cheetos with something reasonable and caffeinated.

If you have any suggestions between Los Angeles ——> Phoenix/Tucson please leave a comment below with the name of hotspot and why it’s so great!

If you have any suggestions between Tucson/Ciudad Juarez ——> San Antonio please leave a comment below with the name of the hotspot and why it’s so dang cool!

If you have any suggestions between San Antonio ——> New Orleans please leave a comment below with the name of the hotspot and why it’s rad.

I’ll update this post as your comments and quotes come in so we can all share in the good.

I appreciate you in advance.  I can only eat so many gummy bears… (cry for help).

(Your suggestions after the click-through)

The road to beignets is paved with tacos, barbecue, and good intentions.

Your Phoenix/Tucson/New Mexico recommendations:

+  “Lunch at little Cafe Poca Cosa, or dinner at Cafe Poca Cosa– this is not the “Mexican” food you’ll be expecting, but it’s amazing.  Get the plato and try three things!” -Gina

+ “You must stop at Irma’s Mexican Restaurant, it is true New Mexican food in a great place with great owners. Everything is good but the Chile Colorado and Sopapillas are amazing. My mom grew up in Silver City, NM and on all my many visits to NM, this is my favorite place. I know everyone raves about NM green chiles, but my mom and her family grew up on New Mexican Red Chiles and Irma’s is perfect place for it!” -Michele

+ “Cup Cafe in the Hotel Congress, opens at 7 am. Everything’s good. The bar is great at night too.” -Alex M.

+ “When you pass through Tucson hit up Time Market for great sandwiches on homemade bread, pizza, coffee, etc. Added bonus: it’s not too far off the I-10!” -Elizabeth

+ “Tucson and San Antonio both have Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, which is the BEST pizza. It’s my favorite place to eat in NYC (the original one was under the Brooklyn Bridge!) and they’ve branched out to other places. The down side is that they don’t sell by the slice. You have to get an entire pizza. The up side is that you’ll WANT the entire pizza, because it is THAT good!” -Lindsay

+ “Pizzeria Bianco for pizza. Their sister Pane Bianco has lovely sandwiches, and lux next door for coffee is delightful. Also good for pizza–Pomo, the Parlor.” -Meleyna

+ “For the best specialty coffee in Phoenix, come to Cartel Coffee Lab at 1st st and Washington. I’ll be working Wednesday and Thursday if you want to come say hi. If it’s too far out of your way, the other locations of Cartel are delicious as well.” -Amanda

+ “In Tucson: the best croissant I’ve ever had was at this little market next to the Amtrak station.” -Eva

Your Texas/San Antonio recommendations:  

+  “While in SA, I would suggest doing breakfast at Mad Hatter’s, a quirky little tea shop in the King William District.” -Katie M.

+ “Check out Goode Company Seafood just off the I-10 and Gressner in Houston.  They have wonderful Fresh Gulf Coast seafood.  Don’t miss the Campechana – it may change your life.” -Pam

+ “You’d be making a huge mistake if you didn’t stop at Chris Madrid’s in San Antonio. It’s a dive-ish place that serves some of the best, cheesiest burgers ever.” -Elisa

+ “Do yourself a culinary favor and stop at Dough in San Antonio. Their Neapolitan pizza is Delicious. Everything my husband & I ordered was a sea of wonderful favors… A Must on your road trip!” -Alissa, Molly, and Pam

+ “I would highly recommend that you go to The Granary at the Pearl Brewery. The food is AMAZING. Depending on the day, you may get good ole Texas BBQ that you order by the pound. Other days the menu is more upscale with a nod to TX BBQ. It’s also close to the famed Riverwalk area of San Antonio, but it’s a less cheesy, more lovely landscaped area. You can ride on a river taxi to the touristy part of the Riverwalk and the Alamo. Just bring cash ($20-30) for the boat! I don’t think it’s that expensive for one ticket, but I can’t remember.” -Kim

+ “If you stop in Houston, pay Kenny and Ziggy’s near the Galleria a visit. It’s an authentic New York deli with a huge menu and the best chicken salad sandwich and chicken matzo ball soup in the world. Check it out! Besides, you may need a break from tacos and BBQ.” -Shannon L.

+ “Lockhart is a just a brief jaunt out of your way on highway 10 between San Antonio and Houston. It’s famous for it’s bbq. Even less out of your way is City Market in Luling. Check out tEXAS Monthly’s review of the 50 best bbq joints, and hit them all on your way through our great state.” -Anne

+ “Definitely stop at Buc-ee’s in Luling, TX on I-10! They have a huge variety of canned jellies, salsas, butters, etc, as well as tons of jerky and kolaches. While you are driving through TX you MUST get some kolaches (it’s a Texas thing, and so delicious!). Buc-ee’s is also very proud of their nice restrooms.” -Shannon L., Emily Jean, and Heidi

+ “In San Antonio I highly recommend El Mirador for really authentic and delicious Tex Mex. I’ve eaten Tex Mex all over Texas and I think it is by far the best spot!” -Olivia

+ “Taco taco or rolandos super taco for breakfast tacos in san Antonio. The missions a bit outside the city are also pretty cool.” -Maddie

+ “Billy’s Boudin and Cracklins and Best Stop Supermarket, both in Scott, are probably my favorite places to stop but Don’s Specialty Meats works too. You can put it off until you’re settled in but once you want to go see gators I always use Cajun Pride in La Place, La. Real Cajun captains. See if you can get on a boat with Captain Tom.” -Matt

Thank you all for offering us such delicious road trip suggestions! I’ve added several of your suggestions above, but for a complete list please dive into the comment section below!