Trolly's (Nashville, IN)

11 Gould St E, Nashville, IN 47448, T: 812-988-8333

Trolly's is a trolley-like snack hut in the center of Nashville, a small touristic town in South Indiana. It has the usual (hot dogs, ice cream, etc.), but also it's own smoker.

I ordered the smoked bbq sandwich, which in essence is a pulled pork sandwich, not expecting too much. As was to be expected in such a touristic town, the sandwich was quite pricey ($6.95). However, it was also very tasty! The pork had a nice smoked taste to it, but was also quite juicy. There were various different bbq sauces available to spice it up a bit.

VERDICT: 87/100

Tolly's looks like your average snack hut in a touristic town, but it's pulled pork sandwich definitely goes well beyond this.

Krispy Kreme (Mishawaka, IN)

5615 North Main Street, Mishawaka, IN‎, T: 574-271-7099‎

Krispy Kreme is one of the two biggest chains of doughnut stores in the US; the other being the clearly inferior Dunkin' Donuts. Most people buy their KK donuts in supermarkets or gas stations, but anyone who has a real KK store nearby, should definitely go there... when the red light is on! As this means that the original glazed donuts are fresh!

The Mishawaka shop has a policy of giving customers a fresh original glazed for free when the red light is on. I bought another one as well as a (new) banana caramel donut ($2.01 in total). The original glazed donuts I ate directly, while still hot. It's difficult to describe the sensation... it is like sucking warm doughy sugar. Divine! The banana caramel donut was fairly crumbly and chunky.

VERDICT: 84/100 (96)

Overall, Krispy Kreme provides decent donuts, definitely better than Dunkin' Donuts. However, if you have the opportunity to buy the original glazed donuts fresh and warm, you are in for one of the best donut treats ever!

Hot Dogs Plus (Niles, MI)

2303 South 11th Street, Niles, MI‎, T: 269-684-2633‎

Hot Dogs Plus is a small hut on a busy road north of South Bend, just across the border of Michigan. It's been around for a while, and probably hasn't invested a cent in its interior since opening. This notwithstanding, it seems to be popular among the locals, as it has loyalty cards and some loyal patrons (mostly very old, rather poor, white people).

I order a Chicago style dog ($2.19), a chili dog ($1.89), French fries ($1.95), and a soft drink ($1.69). The chili dog (typical Vienna beef dog) comes on a steamed bun with chili, fresh onions and mustard. Unfortunately, the chili is not very remarkable, which makes the chili dog overall fine, but not remarkable. The Chicago dog comes on a poppy seed bun (unfortunately, not well steamed) and has on it a pickle, tomato, onions, green relish, hot peppers, and mustard. It's ok, but the bun is partly dry and old. The crinkle fries, finally, are nice and crunchy.

VERDICT: 84/100
A nice old-school hot dog place with nice fries and decent, but not remarkable, hot dogs.

De Snackbar (Curacao)

Caracasbaaiweg, Nst. Gasora, Curacao, Dutch Antilles, T: 599-9-767-6700

Small Dutch-style snack bar run by Antilleans, next to a gas station, which is mostly frequented by, it seems, expat Dutch. I ordered a frikandel speciaal (deep-fried meat), broodje kroket (meat croquette sandwich) and a frietje met (french fries with mayonnaise) for just over 16 Antillean Gulden (ca. $9).

The frikandel speciaal was delicious, made with mayo, curry ketchup and fresh onions. The broodje kroket was nice too. The fries were good, but a bit undercooked, while the mayo was nice, for Dutch standards.

VERDICT: 83/100
Not the best Dutch snack bar, but certainly one of the best outside of the Netherlands (proper).

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!