Long's Bakery (Indianapolis, IN)

1453 North Tremont Street, Indianapolis, IN‎ 46222, T: 317-632-3741‎

Why didn't I go here earlier? WHY??? M and I moved to Indy almost 9 months ago, and only today we made it to Long's Bakery. I can assure you the next time won't take that long. Tucked away in a poor part of the city, Long's has a huge local following. While standing in the long line, several patrons in the long line told us stories that made our mouths water.

We ordered half a dozen donuts: two yeast original glazed, their signature donuts, one cinnamon-nuts, one cinnamon-apple, one glazed chocolate cake, and one cinnamon. All together these babies only cost $3.60. The two yeast original glazed donuts were still warm and absolutely divine. The cinnamon-nuts was filled with cinnamon and had nuts on the glazed top -- a heavenly fest of sweet tastes. The other two cinnamon donuts where lighter, but almost equally sweet and tasty. The chocolate cake donut was the only one I didn't like must, but M. devoured it, just regretting that she didn't have milk to dip it in.

VERDICT: 92/100

Long's bakery is the second best donut shop I have visited in the US. It is up there with the Voodoo Doughnut in Portland, Oregon. It's yeast original glazed donuts are fantastic, and can simply be sucked when warm. Only Voodoo's maple bacon bars top them!

Crown Candy Kitchen (St. Louis, MO)

1401 Saint Louis Avenue, St Louis, MO 63106-3920, T: 314-621-9650

Crown Candy Kitchen is a tiny little place in one of the rougher areas of St. Louis. It is a local institution, founded in 1913, and famed for its candy and ice cream. However, they also have excellent sandwiches. Their home made egg salad on whole wheat sandwich is absolutely phenomenal ($4.85). M and I also truly enjoyed the chocolate banana milkshake ($4.25), which was not too sweet or too milky. We topped it all off with a Fire Chief Special ($5.75): two scoops of ice cream covered with chocolate sauce, strawberries and sliced bananas, pecans, crushed nuts and a mound of whipped cream, topped with a cherry. Scrumptious!

VERDICT: 95/100
As far as dessert places go in the US, this is one of the best I have visited. Moreover, the prices are very acceptable, the atmosphere authentic, and you even have the opportunity to eat great sandwiches. A definitely win-win!

Pappy's Smoke House (St. Louis, MO)

3106 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO, T: 314-535-4340

Pappy's Smoke House is a relatively new barbecue restaurant in St. Louis that has quickly won various awards. Located in the university area, it was packed on the sunny Saturday that M. and I came to town. You are not allowed to occupy a table before you have ordered your food, which guaranteed enough space despite the long line.

M. ordered a half slab of ribs with corn on the cob and potato salad on the side ($11.95), while I went for the sample platter with pulled pork, cole slaw and green beans ($10.99). The pulled pork was quite tender, the beans juicy, and the cole slaw very tasty. The ribs were meaty and had a sweet glaze, the corn was deep fried, and the potato salad was good. M and I had a debate about the ribs, as she loved the sweet glaze, whereas I am no fan for mixing sweet and meat. :-)

VERDICT: 88/100

Pappy's Smoke House is a good bbq place in St. Louis, but I am no fan of the sweet glaze. That said, the pulled pork was good and the cole slaw exceptional. Moreover, my wife loved the ribs!