Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

In San Diego, an all-day breakfast spot serving crème brulee French toast, in Portland, corned beef hash and chipped beef, in San Francisco, lamb merquez dog.

In Portland, Ore., a chef who butchers, cures, preserves and smokes everything in-house, in San Carlos, Calif., a neighbourhood spot featuring burgers, cheese steaks and signature sandwiches.

Braised beef short ribs and spicy shrimp and gravy, chicken noodle with matzo ball soup and potato latkes, pork belly and short rib kojas.

In Portland, Oregon, shrimp fritters and a unique chicken salad, in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, cannoli and kraut burgers, in San Francisco, adobo buffalo wings and pork tacos.

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, blue corn enchiladas with red chile sauce and chile en nogada, in Portland, Oregon, won ton soup, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, beef cheek manicotti and squid ink black pasta with calamari.

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, ma hi ma hi and Caribbean goat stew, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, turkey avocado with green apple chili chutney and a Duke City Reuben.

A bakery in Albuquerque, N.M. crafts a unique take on the Thanksgiving bird, turkey wild rice soup and pumpkin pie in Santa Fe, N.M., smoked turkey and beans in Kansas City, Mo.

In Portland, Ore., a cafe cranking out comfort foods like the heartless artichoke sandwich and a curried lentil dish, in Albuquerque, N.M., soul food with a New Mexico twist, in Kansas City, Mo., a barbecue and blues joint.

A neighbourhood favourite in Kansas City, Mo., serving pork hash with black beans; in Kansas City, authentic homemade pastas; in Albuquerque, N.M., smoked barbecue chicken and speciality hot dogs.

In Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, a taco joint turns out fresh octopus tacos; stuffed fish with lobster sauce; taquito trifecta and sushi with a Mexican flair.