If there is one thing I’ve learned over the years about finding a good place to eat while on vacation, it’s that if you see a line forming out the door of any restaurant, bakery or deli, STOP and get in line.
Last week when we were in Boston, Massachusetts we kept passing people with Mike’s Pastry boxes. We walked by so many boxes that I actually started counting them.
Then it dawned on me, ASK SOMEONE where this place is. I did’t even care what they sold. All I knew was I was going to find the store and get me some of whatever they were selling, because clearly, everyone in town was getting something good there.
So I asked. And the next day my whole family marched right over to the shop {and stood in line!} and bought the best cannolis we’ve ever tasted.
We hurried over to the nearest park bench and dug in. I had a pistachio cannoli in case you were wondering. And guess what? They have an online store as well. Weeeeeee! I know what I’m asking for this Christmas.
Have you ever stood in line for some magically delicious food?
If so, what and where. I might just have to go there someday.
Eat. Good. Food.
~Mavis
Mike’s Pastry
300 Hanover Street
Boston, MA 02113
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Jo B. says
Stood in line at VooDoo Donuts in Portland, OR. Even waited while they did a wedding (this is one of the options there).
Marsha says
I’d endure a very long wait for El Meson de Pepe in Key West. The food is amazing and authentic. If you go, you have to have a mojito. I can’t have them anywhere else, they’ve spoiled me that badly. Best mojito, and their paella is wonderful.
Cate says
Yay, Mavis- glad you liked Mike’s- it’s classic! A pizza place near Mike’s, Ernesto’s has had a line almost every time I’ve been there.
Ellen says
definately VooDoo donuts inPortland. They make amazing combos that don’t sound so good but take great…like maple bars and bacon. Aslo in Portland is the Salt and Straw Ice Cream shop. They use local ingredients and have some wonderful flavors. If you are close you should try the Sea Salt and Caramel. Yummy!!!
Shereen Travels Cheap says
LOL! I live in Portland and endured standing in the Voodoo line once. That was enough for me. They are good though (and only take cash!) and half the people at the airport are leaving with pink boxes.
Of course, I went to Oahu and stood in line at Leonard’s for malasadas, so I can’t judge the people waiting in Portland for 40 minutes for a doughnut 🙂 The line was shorter and got me out walking off the rest of my delicious Hawaiian meals from my vacation.
Brantlee says
Jack’s BBQ in Nashville, TN. Best I’ve ever eaten!
Linda M says
McQuire’s Irish Pub in Pensacola, FL….great food and awesome atmosphere. Homemade on the scene root beer to die for! Great Reubens and their daily special is so affordable and always sooo yummy!
Lisa says
I too have stood in line for the delicious VooDoo Donut. Alas I cannot anymore (that whole celiac thing). I have also stood in line for breakfast at Mother’s (also in Portland), Pulled Pork Sandwiches at Maximus (the giant pig truck by Pike’s Place Market) and at Mike’s Noodle House in the International District of Seattle.
Mothers: really great breakfast, but not better than the Urban Farmer at The Nine’s Hotel in Portland
Maximus: M’kay. I wouldn’t stand in line again
Mikes: Yeah… no
I will also cop to the fact that my husband has stood in line (on more than one occasion for a Krispy Kreme Doughnut when they first opened in Washington.
LaToya says
Miss Mavis I have to tell you, we were driving around town on Saturday and there was this gigantic line of cars moving quickly in and out a big parking lot. And I just knew they were giving something away and so we flipped a b*tch and got in to that line and waited and waited to see if we were going to score some free donuts or something. All that time and come to find out it was city shred day – LOL People were bringing their papers to shred. We didn’t get nothing. Lost time and gas sitting in line. But the kids thought it was funny. So cheap entertainment, I guess.
Mavis says
Ahhhhhh Ha Ha! I LOVE it! How could there possibly be a line for shredding paper. Hilarious!
Amy says
Anytime I’m in Portland, I HAVE to stop at VooDoo for my favorite doughnuts. Close frinds and family know that they will be quickly shunned if they’ve been to Portlandia recently and don’t bring back an edible gift from VooDoo.
Angie B says
yep, mike’s has the best cannolis ever!
Beth says
I have waited in line for Voodoo Doughnuts as well- it is tradition for us now when we go to Portland- gotta go to Voodoo!
Tracy L. says
LOVE Mike’s!!! Headed to Boston in 2 weeks, can’t hardly wait to be back home and eat our way around through all the AWESOME food back there!!! And believe me cannoli is high on our priority list. That will be our first and last bites! LOOOOOOOVVVVEEEE them!! So glad you got to taste REAL cannoli Mavis!
Lise Wallace says
Dah Hubz & I got married at Voodoo Doughnuts! Yeah, there’s ALWAYS a line, 24 hours a day! It’s always worth it tho…it’s one of those “must-go” places we always take friends who visit from out of town.
Another couple good tips for finding great food: Ask a local what their favorite place to eat is. Mah Hubz swears by this method, and it’s not failed us yet!
Another tip: When we travel, we have one big rule – no chain restaurants. If we stop to eat somewhere, it have to be a “local” place. Some of our best meals have been had in lil Mom-n-Pop shops, hole-in-the-wall, crazy joints. Be willing to take the chance. And try checking Yelp! to see if they have any reviews! (psst…2 best places we’ve ever eaten so far? The Bluebird Inn in Bickleton, Washington & The Snafflebit in John Day, Oregon.)
Emily says
Mavis I am so glad you got to eat cannoli at Mike’s. I live in Rhode Island and we visit the great city of Boston often. Mike’s is always one of our stops. It’s a good thing it’s an hour away though or I would eat cannoli way too often!
Teresa says
Stood in line for po’ boys at Johnny’s in New Orleans–twice in a one-week visit! Missed the lines at Coop’s Place, but that was pure luck; the line formed after we got seated.
And when I worked near Boston’s North End, I stood in line at Mike’s many times. Favorite instance: Jewish boss and pagan me decided one Friday to go grab a cannoli, totally forgetting that Sunday was Easter and everyone in town was picking up special orders that day.
Cecily says
You should try The Buttered Biscuit in Sumner. Awesome breakfasts and hour long waits on Sundays. We try to go mid week. Be forewarned, portions are HUGE.
Martha says
There’s a little apple fritter stand at the St. Jacob’s Farmer’s Market in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. If you aren’t in line by about 8:00 on a Saturday morning, you will need to stand for a veeerrryyy looooonnnnggg time. Soooo delcious and what a treat!
Edwin J, Losiewicz says
Went to Stavin’ Mavin’s in Branson. Anyplace with all you can eat crab legs and crawfish works for me.
Barbara H says
If you have never tried a Kentucky Derby pie, they are awesome! I order one or two every year for the holidays.
http://www.atasteofkentucky.com/shop/kerns-kitchen-derby-chocolate-p-88.html?atokID=feb2c0a228e4285f08356c38190c9a17