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Places to Eat

Argentinian Grills

Argentinian BBQ is a truly up-and-coming cuisine that’s really getting people’s mouths watering. The combination of uniquely wonderful seasonings and cooking techniques mean that the food is hard to say no to, and restaurants are well and truly taking off!

We’ve done some research on the best Argentinian grills in Miami, so you can be sure to scratch that itch when it inevitably comes up. On top of that, we’ve learned a few interesting things along the way – we’re going to talk about those things too.

What makes Argentinian barbecue unique?

The thing that makes Argentinian BBQ unique is the way that the country first got access to cattle.

Image of a grill with bbq to show the best argentinian grills in Miami

Cows were introduced to the country in the 16th century by the Spanish. There weren’t many at first, as they had to be few creatures, and particularly tough to survive the long sea voyage from Spain. This meant that the cows which made it weren’t great, in terms of beef. They provided milk very well, though, which was nice for a short while.

Argentinians wasted no time in breeding better cows, making use of the import of British Angus and Shorthorn as soon as possible. Over time, tastier cows were bred, and by the eighteenth century, there were around forty million cattle in Argentina! This huge number of cattle meant that beef itself was cheap and plentiful, so any home cook could easily experiment with beef in their home.

However, it was the gauchos (the men who raised the cows) that birthed the traditions of Argentinian Asado. They barbecued beef as a social gathering, and took advantage of the entire animal, making sure to find ways to make even sweetbreads and udder delicious!

The Argentinian people, therefore, had a huge amount of control over every stage of their beef’s life. This meant that they could do everything to ensure that their beef tasted precisely how they wanted it. Before you know it, they’ve got some of the tastiest cattle in the whole world!

What are some tools that gauchos used in making BBQ?

The parrilla is the star of the show when it comes to making Argentinian BBQ. They’re typically made to an exacting standard with heat-reflective bricks that ensure the maximum possible amount of control over the heat used in the cooking process. Coals can be piled high for quickly searing meat, or they can be raked very thinly to ensure that meat cooks for a very long time at a very low temperature.

The other key feature that any good parrilla would have is a way to move the cooking surface closer to or further away from the heat source. This would allow a cook to start off a cook at a very hot temperature (the better to sear) and finish a cook at a lower temperature (the better to gently tenderize the meat). Of course, the final choice is down to the chef, and a practiced asador will surely let you know that likely smacking your hands away from the grill if you dare to come anywhere near.

Interestingly, there aren’t that many other tools used in the process of a great Argentinian BBQ. There are, of course, some cooking implements such as forks that are used to move beef around on the cooking surface in order to position it optimally. Aside from basic utensils, though, a good asador will only need a good parrilla.

Argentinian BBQ is all about maintaining the flavor of the fantastic beef that you’re using, so making sure to do that is an art form. A great parrilla makes that a lot easier, leading to the true legacy of a mouthful of Argentinian food not being the seasoning, but rather being the spectacular beef.

The Best Argentinian Grills In Miami

Fierro Argentine Grill

This wonderful fast-casual grill overs a huge array of different Argentine delicacies on offer. We love everything on the menu, but we’re especially impressed by how fresh and wonderful the meat is! So often, you can tell when a place uses budget options for their grilled meat – not here!

We also adore the fact that the entire restaurant has a really relaxed, chilled-out atmosphere. So often in grills and other fast-eating spots, the environment is chaotic in an unconscious attempt to think as fast-food stores do. That’s certainly not the case at Fierro. The food comes quickly, though you’re encouraged to sit with a beer and enjoy the calm ambiance while your food is cooked.

Learn More about Fierro Argentine Food Here

Rincon Argentino

Rincon Argentino certainly lives up to its name, providing a wonderful Argentinian corner for everyone to go for a hit of the spice, heat, and rich flavors that accompany that wonderful cuisine.

The first thing that you see upon entering Rincon is the asador. An asador is a wonderful traditional grill that is used in Argentina to combine the social and flavor elements of cooking. Different meats of every type will be cooked over the asador, leaving you drooling before you’re even seated.

We really enjoy the fact that this space makes the vast majority of its base ingredients from scratch. For example, everything from their pasta to empanadas is homemade to ensure you get the best quality possible, every single time.

Take a look at our website here

Sabores Argentinos

This is an amazing family-owned restaurant, and as such, you can be sure the food is wonderful too. Every single thing that you will be served is prepared with the utmost care and attention, from the empanadas to the pastries.

Something that we particularly adore about this restaurant is the sheer amount of food that you get for the money that you’re paying. Served on great boards and plates that would feed a small army, you’re under no illusion of whether you’re getting your money’s worth – you definitely are!

Finally, we quickly want to mention that the small size of this restaurant only serves to do it justice. They can focus on the amazing food they’re making without being overwhelmed, and that sense of quality and care truly comes through in the final meal!

Check out the Sabores Argentinos website here

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Image of SpotBie UI listing the best places to eat pizza near the user.


Find Argentinian Grills with SpotBie

SpotBie allows you to find Argentinian Grills at the touch of a button. Now that you know more about Argentinian Grills, give SpotBie a try. Read more about the SpotBie places to eat feature here.

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Image of SpotBie UI listing the best places to eat pizza near the user.


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Places to Eat

All Vegan!

Veganism is something that’s seeing more and more of a boost in popularity as time goes on, and it’s easy to see why! As chefs are now getting used to the concept of vegan food, they’re able to experiment and make truly exquisite dishes!

We’ve scoured around for some of the best vegan places in Miami, and we’re happy to say that we’ll be sharing them with you here. Without further ado, let’s talk about them!

We’re also going to speak about a couple of other things about veganism – it’s a fascinating subject, and together, we’ll learn a thing or two!

Perks of Being Vegan

Image of Vegan plate to explain the perks of being vegan.

A Boost of Certain Nutrients

Whole food diets have long been known to have a heightened level of certain nutrients in them. At the end of the day, that’s why you were always told to eat your veggies as a kid – they’re great for you!

Cutting meat out of your diet and embracing veganism can lead to greater amounts of potassium, antioxidants, and beneficial plant compounds in your diet. How handy!

Excess Weight Loss

Generally speaking, vegan diets can offer fewer calories for the same amount of food, by volume, when compared to a meat-based diet. This means that if you ate until your stomach was full on a vegan diet, you would be ingesting fewer calories!

Therefore, a vegan diet makes losing excess weight while not focussing on it a very achievable task. The one thing that we would suggest, however, is to be careful around vegan meat substitutes. They’re often quite calorie-dense, so they can negate weight loss effects.

Potential blood sugar lowering, and kidney function improvement

Scientific studies have shown that vegan diets may, to some extent, reduce the risk of type two diabetes! People that follow vegan diets generally find themselves being less insulin-resistant than meat-eaters, though more science is needed to show a definite correlation.

A vegan diet is particularly effective at reducing blood sugar levels in general. In turn, this prevents a number of further medical issues from developing, including renal issues. While it’s not a substitute for medical care, the benefits of a vegan diet cannot be understated.

3 Amazing Vegan Recipes

Vegetable Biryani

Biryani is an amazing recipe no matter what you might add to it! At the most basic level, it’s a rice dish that’s chock full of vegetables and chickpeas. It’s delightfully dense with both flavor and stodgy rice, making the perfect winter warmer!

This recipe in particular is really quick and easy – it comes together in no time at all, just how a great weeknight dinner should. We love to serve this recipe with a sauce or drizzle that’s really quite like – something like a coriander and mint chutney is a wonderful idea! It’s bright, acidic, and really tasty too.

Vegan Shepherds Pie

Shepherds pie has been the go-to in any number of homes around the world for a long, long time now. It’s about time it gets boosted into the vegan age with an amazing recipe!

This recipe is particularly tasty, as it’s made with a wonderful blend of mushrooms and root veggies that give the dish a blend of different great flavors that match up well with one another. The dish is topped with some incredible mashed potatoes, which are always something that brings joy to anyone’s soul!

Spicy Chinese Eggplant with Szechuan Sauce

Domestic plant-based products have seen a similarly astronomical rise, For a while, vegan food seemed to be the domain of simple, vegetable stews that have been supplemented with far too much heat than is good for them. This recipe is everything terrible about that inverted perfectly.

The eggplant easily and powerfully soaks up the heat of the chilies in the recipe, leading to a deeply powerful flavor that’s equally as hot as it is bassy. We love the addition of peanuts in this recipe – they make everything creamier and richer! If you’re not a fan, we’d recommend swapping out for another kind of nuts, such as cashew or almond.

Image of SpotBie UI showing the best places to eat Pizza
Image of SpotBie UI listing the best places to eat pizza near the user.


3 Best Vegan Places to Eat in Miami

1 – Planta

True food kitchen is a fantastic spot that harkens back to the time when Planta is an amazing spot with food so good that even the most determined carnivore could be swayed! The thing that truly clinches the amazing quality of the food here is that we would happily have these vegan versions of the meaty classics. For example, we could go for a plate of these cheesy nachos any day of the week!

Finally, we would be remiss not to mention the incredible veggie sushi that they serve at Planta. It’s rolled fresh for you in the dining room, and the combination of amazing produce and huge amounts of skill results in devilishly great food.

Click here to view their website!

2 – Delicious Raw

Up until quite recently, we haven’t been too in love with raw food. It’s always seemed a little unfinished, and we’ve turned away from it.

Until Delicious Raw, that is.

Delicious Raw is a California chain with a spot in Miami that is perfectly in the middle of the health-conscious Sunset Harbour neighborhood. They’ve found some incredible ways to rework vegan ingredients into copycat burgers and pad Thai, making food that’s amazing in its own right.

We love that this spot has a straightforward approach to the food it makes – take an idea, make it vegan, and then make that thing well. In our opinion, a great number of places feel entitled to be too fancy, but not delicious raw. They just make amazing food, and they do it amazingly well.

Take a look at their restaurants!

3 – Manna Life Food

Manna Life Food is a brilliantly chilled-out spot to enjoy some food at any time of the day, but there’s nothing quite like a great breakfast there! Their amazing coffee is second to none, and the menu is protein-dense in all the right meals. We’ve heard spectacular things about their arepas, so try one out next time you’re in the neighborhood!

We love that if you’re not quite sure what to order, you can feel free to ask one of the clean-eating gurus who work within the establishment. They’re happy and friendly, and always eager to help you get something that you’ll enjoy.

Visit one of the Manna Life Food Locations today

Find Places to Eat Vegan with SpotBie

SpotBie allows you to find places to eat vegan at the touch of a button. Now that you know more about vegan food, give SpotBie a try. Read more about the SpotBie places to eat feature here.

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Image of SpotBie UI listing the best places to eat pizza near the user.


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Places to Eat

Life Changes as a Vegetarian, Latest Movements, & Vegetarian in Santa Monica

We have put together an article made just for vegetarians. Learn how being a vegetarian can change your life, read about the latest vegetarian movements, and finally get to know the best places to eat vegetarian in Santa Monica.

Life changes as a Vegetarian

There are many ways that your life changes as vegetarian. The number one way that being vegetarian changes your life is through the amount of immunity you might feel in your day-to-day life. We know that sounds a little pseudo-scientific, stick with us.

Image of vegetarian plate used to explain the life changes as a vegetarian.

When you’re a vegetarian, you’re obviously eating a lot more veggies in your diet. This greatly increases the number of vitamins that you’re getting, which positively affects your immune system. The old adage about eating an orange when you have a cold isn’t a joke – vitamin C really helps!

Vitamins in general help with your immune system as well as your general digestive health. An increased amount of veggies can help with colon health, bloating, and even skin health. You’ll likely be surprised at the perks a vegetarian diet can have for you!

Next time you are wondering about the life changes as a vegetarian, remember that there are many, and that a HUGE BOOST to your immune system is one of them!

3 of The Latest Vegetarian Movements in the US

Over time, plant-based eating is skyrocketing in the US. The place where it’s most commonly seen is in restaurants – they only make money if people are eating there, so any restaurant that survives is turning a decent profit!

In 2021, plant-based food sales grew two and a half times faster than between 2018 and 2020 – veganism, vegetarianism, and general plant-based eating are truly on the rise!

Neon sign lighting up the word "GREEN" showing Latest vegetarian movements.
Neon sign lighting up the word “GREEN” showing Latest vegetarian movements.

Domestic plant-based products have seen a similarly astronomical rise, with the plant-based meat market predicted to register a compound growth rate of 18.9% by 2026.

Of the total meat market in the US, two percent was taken up by plant-based options! That might not seem like too much at first glance, but it truly is. Considering the number of people in America, and the amount of food that they eat every single day, that’s a huge number of people – around 6.7 million people!

An extremely recent food movement in the US has been the growth in the vegan egg market. There is a plant-based egg option from JUST that is made from mung beans. Per gram, it needs 83% less land and 98% less water to produce than an egg from a chicken! On top of that, the process emits 93% less carbon dioxide than chicken farming does!

This is the crux of the issue for a number of people – it’s about the environment, not just public health. People are eager to ensure that they do their bit, and if they can eat some tasty food while they’re at it, then they’ll surely be happy.

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Image of SpotBie UI listing the best places to eat pizza near the user.


Vegetarian in Santa Monica

Vegetarian food is one of the most approachable alternative diets in the modern world – simply cutting down on your meat intake is fairly easy, given that you’re perfectly allowed to keep eating butter and milk.

We’ve done some research to find the best information on vegetarianism that we can find, now here we go!

3 Best Places in Santa Monica To Obtain High-Quality Vegetarian Food

1 – True Food Kitchen

True food kitchen is a fantastic spot that harkens back to the time when food and medicine were one and the same. They believe that a good meal shouldn’t just taste good, but that it should bring something good to your body, too. Whether it heightens your immunity or helps to manage inflammation, their recipes are always spectacular!

We love the fact that they use local, in-season ingredients to cook with. That’s a bar that every restaurant should clear, but so few truly do!

Click here to view their website!

Image of True Food Kitchen in Santa Monica. Places to eat vegetarian in Santa Monica

2 – The Butcher’s Daughter

This is a wonderful spot to take anyone at all, from the most devout vegan to the most intense carnivore. They’ll have an amazing time no matter what they love to eat!

We love that this spot prides itself on its customer service, with waitstaff constantly being referred to as friendly, welcoming, and happy to help however they can. We also love seeing some mushroom calamari on the menu: it’s a personal favorite!

Take a look at their restaurants!

Image of The Butcher's Daughter restaurant. Life as a vegetarian in Santa Monica, places to eat.

3 – Flower Child

This is a wonderful spot that approaches vegetarianism in a great way. Its first question is one of flavor, not one of content – you can add some fish options to salad bowls and the like in this restaurant, and we love that! Despite the fact that it’s not veggie, it shows an appreciation of a varied and complex diet, as well as a varied and complex palette.

Visit one of the Flower Child Locations today

Image of Flower Child vegetarian restaurant website in Santa Monica.

Find Places to Eat Vegetarian with SpotBie

SpotBie allows you to find places to eat Vegetarian at the touch of a button. Now that you know more about Vegetarian, give SpotBie a try. Read more about the SpotBie places to eat feature here.

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Image of SpotBie UI listing the best places to eat pizza near the user.


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Places to Eat

All About Pizza – Places to Eat Pizza, Our favorites and a brief History

Here at SpotBie, we have put together a list of three astounding places to eat

These are some places to eat Pizza that stand out from the rest. If you are in Miami, New York City, or Santa Monica… and you are a dough lover, then you will definitely have to check these out.

Image of pizza depicting Great places to eat pizza in the United States.
Image by joshuemd from Pixabay

Mister O1 – Miami

This is a wonderfully unconventional spot – within an office building and serving strange-looking and sounding pizzas, Mister O1 serves the best pizza in Miami.

The crust is perfectly thin while also being wonderfully crunchy. The toppings, though, get a little odd! One of their pizzas, the coffee paolo, has mozzarella, gorgonzola, honey, coffee, and spicy salami – it’s an unusual combination but a winning one to be sure!

We love that this pizza place takes such an unconventional approach to things – making strange and wonderful pizzas all day, every day!

Image of MisterO1's website showing you a great place to eat Pizza in Miami
Screenshot from Mistero1’s Website. With multiple locations to eat pizza in Miami, Mister O1 makes a good experience for locals and tourists.

Read more about The Delicious Pizzas from Mister O1 Here

Lucali – New York City

Lucali is such a wonderful spot that entering makes you feel a little bit like you’re entering a church dedicated to worshipping pizza, and all that makes it a wonderful food. This is enhanced by the wood-fired oven and the fact that the dough is rolled with empty wine bottles – the vibe of the place is truly unparalleled.

The dough itself is wonderfully soft and crunchy and is only second to the masterful tomato sauce – sweet, tangy, and good enough that you want to pour it into your mouth with a ladle.

We adore that this place embraces how good pizza can be when made simply and traditionally, and we cannot wait to try this place again when we’re next in NYC.

If you want to learn more about the unique pizza from Lucali’s, click here.

Image of Lucali's website showing you a great place to eat Pizza in New York City
Above you can see a screenshot of Lucali’s Website. Go visit them at New York City and eat some delicious Pizza

Stella Barra – Santa Monica, California

Stella Barra is a wonderful spot where you can embrace pizza traditions while also getting some amazing sides and desserts. The pizza is always wonderfully fresh and flavorful – with the sauce singing with flavor and delightfully powerful.

We love that this ingredient isn’t afraid to say that it stands on the back of fresh ingredients and great chefs, who work away to make some of the most amazing pizza in the US. Next time you’re there, try out a few of the crust dipping sauces – they’re utterly amazing!

Pizza is a wonderful dish that has truly captured the hearts and minds of the entire world. It’s so good, in fact, that we’d have it for every meal.

We wanted to track down some interesting information about pizza, and we’d done a great job. Look no further, this is where you’ll hear everything you need to know about the sacred dough.

If you are in the Sanata Monica area, go give Stell Barra’s Pizza a try.

Image of Stella Barra's website showing you a great place to eat Pizza in Santa Monica
Screenshot of Stella Barra’s Website. If you are in Santa Monica, make sure you give Stella Barra a visit and fill yourselves up with some of the most delicious Pizza in the area.

Before you move on to read about People’s Favorite Pizza, I suggest you give SpotBie a try! SpotBie let’s you find places to eat around you at the tap of a button. SpotBie brings you the best places to eat Pizza within your proximity.

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Image of SpotBie UI listing the best places to eat pizza near the user.


People’s Favorite Pizza

People absolutely love pizza, but there’s always been a lot of disagreements about what the best toppings might be. Even today, there’s contention, though mostly around sweeter toppings like pineapple or honey.

There are some pizzas that stand out from the crowd, however, and we’ve tracked down the top three most popular pizzas in the US.

1 – Pepperoni

Pepperoni pizza is beloved right across the US because of its simple flavor and a wonderful balance between bassy sausage and spicy peppers. Peppers are actually where pepperoni sausage gets its name – the word ‘peperoni’ means large pepper in Italian.

Pepperoni is usually made from a mixture of pork, beef, and spices, like a number of Italian sausages and meatballs. Typically, beef pepperoni is most popular, but there are a number of different methods of preparation.

One thing’s for sure – the smoky, spicy pepperoni isn’t going anywhere!

2 – New York Style

New York-style pizza is much thinner than other pizzas that you might find around the US – it’s an evolution of the very thin and crispy Neapolitan pizzas brought to America by Italian immigrants.

A defining characteristic is that the pieces are so large and wide that though the crust is crispy, they typically must be folded to be eaten more easily. Traditionally, the toppings are some mozzarella and a heavily seasoned tomato sauce.

This is a US favorite because it’s so simple, and in that simplicity, it’s easy to make the food amazing! New York-style pizzas can be utterly delicious, as well as not taking long to cook, and being very affordable.

3 – Sicilian

Sicilian pizza is a little less conventional than our previous two entrants into the list, but it is a wonderful dish. Primarily popular in the north-eastern US, the pizza is typically rectangular, with a thick base. Usually, the cheese is placed onto the base before the sauce, making the pizza different from other options around the country.

This pizza is popular because it’s such wonderful comfort food. The thick dough, rich sauce, and red-hot cheese make for a mouthful of some of the most wonderful flavors in the world. People absolutely love it, and it’s easy to see why.

The History of Pizza

Pizza is a natural evolution of something that almost all cultures share an adoration of: great bread. Historians generally believe that the main precursor to pizza was focaccia, which is a soft, fluffy flatbread typically cooked with plenty of olive oil and garlic.

In the 18th or early 19th century, pizza was born in Naples. A story (which is tricky to confirm) is often told which recounts that Raffaele Esposito created the Pizza Margherita to honor the Queen consort of Italy – Margherita of Savoy. This pizza had tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil to represent the Italian flag’s red, white, and green.

While this is likely the origin of pizza, the truth is that a number of cultures around the world (put particularly nearby Naples) developed pizza-like dishes at once. The Pizza Margherita, though, is the most similar to modern pizza.

How Pizza Came To The US

Pizza first came to the US in the late 19th century with the arrival of large swatches of Italian immigrants. Many immigrants opened up stores that sold Neapolitan pizza, or things very similar to it. For a long time, these pizza places only served Italian immigrants and their descendants – Italians were simply the only people that really ate pizza.

In the 1940s, a number of Americans were stationed in Italy during the second world war. While there, they got a taste for the quintessentially Italian food, and this created a demand for it when they returned home. Over the coming years, pizza exploded in popularity!

Find Places to Eat Pizza with SpotBie

SpotBie allows you to find places to eat Pizza at the touch of a button. Now that you know more about Pizzas, give SpotBie a try. Read more about the SpotBie places to eat feature here.

Image of SpotBie UI showing the best places to eat Pizza
Image of SpotBie UI listing the best places to eat pizza near the user.


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Places to Eat

Who Doesn’t Love BBQ – Places to Eat BBQ

It’s that time of year again when grills are pulled out of sheds/garages, uncovered, and dusted off. That’s right – it’s barbeque season! If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out the BBQ guide below, where you’ll find places to eat, recipes, and recommended tools to prepare you for the best BBQ experience yet. Enjoy!

Image of person holding bbq tray for Places to eat BBQ
Photo by Denys Gromov from Pexels

What are the best places to eat BBQ in the US?

While the list of top places to find BBQ in the US varies slightly depending on who you ask, the consensus is that Tennessee, Texas, and Missouri offer the best BBQ meals in that order.

If you’re looking to try some different BBQ spots, head to each of these states for awesome, smoky flavors and top-notch food.

Image of BBQ on grill for places to eat BBQ in the united states
Photo by Dids from Pexels

Tennessee

This state is known for many things, including music, whiskey, and, of course, BBQ food. BBQ sauces in Tennessee offer a more sour tang as they usually include vinegar. This was an item that was more easily available in the south in the 1800s and continues to be used today.

Memphis and Nashville are both known for their BBQ offerings. Expect to find pork ribs with rubs (aka dry) and sauces (aka wet) that incorporate tomato. You’ll also see BBQ added to non-traditional foods like on top of pizza here.

Check out the below restaurants to taste Tennessee-style BBQ.

  1. Peg Leg Porker

Head here for bbq with a Memphis flair. Try the smoked meats and the dry ribs.

  1. Whitt’s Barbeque

You can grab a quick meal here without sacrificing taste. Head to the drive-thru and grab some BBQ chicken, pulled pork, and tasty sides.

Texas

Of course, you’re probably well aware of the popularity of Texas BBQ. Depending on which part of Texas you visit, you’ll find different types of barbeque. The center of the state focuses on smoking meat using wood and usually does not offer sauce at all. This is said to have originated from meat markets in Germany/Czech in the 20th century.

East Texas offers pork covered in the sauce, while the southern parts of the state provide Cowboy and Mexican style BBQ, which is usually grilled. Here are a few top restaurants in the area.

  1. The Salt Lick BBQ

Head here with your loved ones – many dishes are served family-style. This restaurant uses family recipes that have been around since the 1800s. This location offers brisket, ribs, chicken, and sausage.

  1. Franklin Barbeque

Franklin Barbeque is a must-try restaurant. It is owned and ran by Aaron Franklin, who has won multiple awards, including Bon Appetit’s Best Barbeque Joint in America. Brisket is an absolute must here – people line up to grab this tasty meat.

Missouri

The most famous spot in Missouri for places to eat BBQ is Kansas City. While other locations throughout the state offer this type of cuisine, Kansas City is a highly popular spot for BBQ. You’ll find all styles of barbeque combined here to create the ultimate BBQ style.

This city is known for developing a specific style of BBQ sauce in the early 1900s. It uses molasses and offers a thick, dark, and sweet sauce for meats. Check out the below spots for excellent Missouri barbecue selections.

  1. Arthur Bryants BBQ

Kansas City is famous for another reason – the invention of burnt ends. This dish was invented at this restaurant. Head here for a tasty treat.

  1. City Butcher and Barbecue

This restaurant promotes simple BBQ recipes by encouraging the customer to enjoy the natural flavor of the meat dishes. Only salt and pepper are used, and while there are sauces available, it’s always recommended to try the meat first.

Hunting for some BBQ Recipes?

Before you move on, I suggest you give SpotBie a try! SpotBie let’s you find place to eat around you at the tap of a button. SpotBie brings you the best places to eat BBQ within your proximity.

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If you’re looking to test your BBQing skills at home, here are some excellent recipes created by celebrity chefs. Not only are they tasty, but you can also easily impress your loved ones with these barbeque recipes.

  1. Guy Fieri’s Grilled Shrimp Tacos

You’ll likely recognize Guy Fieri from his show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives as the host who drives around the US in his convertible car. Guy Fieri has created an easy recipe for delectable shrimp tacos that can be recreated at home.

This recipe offers seasoned shrimp wrapped in corn tortillas topped with cabbage, cilantro, and fresh pico de gallo salsa.

Click here to read our awesome tacos blog post and learn more about the origin of tacos.

  1. Bobby Flay’s Perfectly Grilled Steak

This barbeque recipe from Bobby Flay assists you in creating perfectly cooked steaks every time. Plus, the seasoning is very simple – just salt and pepper. Keep it simple, or add your spices for an excellent main dish.

  1. Gordon Ramsay’s Smoky Pork Sliders

Can’t forget about Gordon Ramsay – this celebrity chef has recipes for all different types of foods. This tasty dish includes seasoned pork burgers on buns topped with homemade barbeque sauce.

If you’re looking for an impressive meal to bring to a party – this is the one.

The Best BBQ/Grilling Tools To Keep In Your Arsenal

Image of tools for grilling/bbq.

Using the proper grilling tools is imperative to have an excellent grilled meal. It may not seem like a big deal; however, using good-quality tools can take you from a meh meal to an amazing one. Plus, it will also provide the chef with a great cooking experience.

Take a look below for the best BBQ tools to use this summer.

The Grill

Starting with the most important grilling tool – your grill. Of course, a grill is essential to BBQing. You could use a smoker, but you won’t get that same crosshatch and flavor that arrives from using a great grill. This is the quintessential item for cooking your food during a BBQ.

What is a good grill versus a bad grill?

Multiple factors separate a good grill from a bad grill. Specifically, this will be for gas grills. Good grills offer heat settings, metal materials that take a long time to rust, and how much heat the grill can create.

Bad grills offer an on/off switch so the heat can not be controlled, a metal that rusts easily, and burners that don’t heat up properly or get hot enough.

While these may not seem like big issues, they can highly affect your cooking. Not adjusting heat settings for the meat you cook properly means that the food will either be burned, raw or a combination of the two. This also goes for burners that don’t properly heat up – you’ll encounter poorly cooked meat.

As for the metal rusting easily – this means the grill will need to be consistently replaced every few years, which can start burning a hole in your pocket.

Aim for grills that use long-lasting metal, has an adjustable temperature, and has a sufficient heat output. This will ensure your meat is cooked properly and comes out juicy and delicious. Here’s an example of a great/highly rate grill from Weber.

Spatula and Tongs

These are essential BBQ tools – without these, there is no burger flipping or chicken shifting. It’s crucial to have good quality tools to flip with. Otherwise, you risk either burning yourself or the tool breaking in the middle of cooking.

Some BBQ tools have metal handles which might not seem like a big deal. However, the heat from the grill can travel down to your hand and easily burn you.

On the other hand, if you have a cheap or fully plastic spatula and tongs, you risk the tools melting. First, this potentially can ruin your grill, and also, you’ll be left running into the house to grab more tools. This can lead to burned meat.

Grab this excellent set from BBQ Guys, which offers the best of both worlds. Metal for the side that will be over the flames and the perfect handles for keeping your hands protected.

Meat Thermometer

You may think you don’t need a meat thermometer if you’ve been grilling for a while. However, this tool offers a way to cook meat perfectly every time. You can avoid cutting into the meal and leaving jarring slices by using a meat thermometer instead.

No more undercooked or overcooked meat when you grill. You’ll be left with juicy meat that is cooked to the optimal temperature every time.

Check out this digital meat thermometer from Home Depot that can be set for different types of meat and even used for multiple cooking methods.

You can now declare yourself a grill master. Take a road trip and grab some tasty BBQ meals or recreate some at your home. Either way, you’ll have a belly full of yummy food and some additional BBQ knowledge so you can be the best griller possible. Looking for more places to eat BBQ near you? Take a look at our app for more BBQ places near you.

Find Places to Eat BBQ with SpotBie

SpotBie allows you to find places to eat bbq at the touch of a button. Now that you know more about bbq/grilling, give SpotBie a try. Read more about the SpotBie places to eat feature here.

Image of SpotBie UI showing the best places to eat BBQ
Image of SpotBie UI listing the best places to eat tacos near the user.


Categories
Places to Eat

Tacos, Tacos, Tacos

Tacos are a delightful food item that are beloved by many. It’s more difficult to find someone who doesn’t like tacos than someone who does. How can you blame anyone? Tacos are delicious, easy, and always hit the spot. Below you’ll find the origin of tacos, the best places to eat tacos in America along with taco recipes, and finally some hot sauces for your tacos.

Image of man eating taco. Used to depict the origin of tacos.
Photo by Vinícius Caricatte from Pexels

What is the origin of tacos?

If you’re a taco lover like most people, you may be wondering what is the origin of tacos? Did someone invent them? Well, as you may have guessed tacos have been around for a long time and the origin of tacos begins in Mexico.

The original tacos were eaten by ancient Mayans. They were consumed as a way to get enough protein and carbs into the body to provide energy. The Mayans used food that was available in the area like corn tortillas, fish, and even animal innards.

Photo by Hana Brannigan from Pexels. This picture, taken in Mexico City, depicts exactly how beautiful and tasty tacos can be. On the left, you have an assortment of sauces which will make the tacos even tastier. On the right we have our tortilla wrapper delights! And of course, a nice cervezita cannot go wrong!

Once the 1900s hit, Mexicans started moving to the United States and of course, tacos came with them. Tacos were being sold in California from carts and they were instantly loved. 1962 brought along the first Taco Bell restaurant and the rest is history.

Tacos have now evolved to include international flavors like bulgogi beef or even sushi tacos. Although tacos are still considered a Mexican food, they are eaten by many people from many different cultures.

Hopefully this has given you a little more perspective on the origin of tacos. If you still have questions or want to do a little more research on these tortilla wrapped delights, I suggest you read more on the origin of tacos here:

What are the three places to eat tacos?

Before you move on, I suggest you give SpotBie a try! SpotBie let’s you find place to eat around you at the tap of a button. SpotBie brings you the best places to eat tacos within your proximity.

Image of SpotBie UI listing the best places to eat tacos near the user.
Image of SpotBie UI listing the best places to eat tacos near the user.


Finding places to eat tacos can be tricky. There are many taco shops around the US, but not all of them offer tasty and fresh ingredients. Here are some top spots that will make you hop in your car and head there immediately.

  1. Veracruz All Natural

This spot features all natural (like the name states) Mexican food that is also authentic. Headed by two sisters who grew up learning about cooking Mexican food from their mother and grandmother. You’ll be able to taste the love in the food here.

There are multiple locations for this restaurant. Some spots serve food directly out of food trucks and some locations have a sit-down restaurant. Either way, you’ll encounter a more casual environment that is reminiscent of California – in Texas. This is ideal for people who want healthier taco options and there are even vegan offerings.

Check out the multiple Texas locations for Veracruz All Natural. When you stop at any of the locations, grab some migas tacos for a yummy meal.

  1. Nuestro Mexico Restaurant

This restaurant located in Bakersfield, California yields rave reviews online. Walking into the restaurant, expect to experience Mexican food in an elevated way. You’ll still be able to enjoy delicious typical Mexican dishes, but with fresh ingredients and beautiful plating.

Try the plaintain tacos here for a different take on typical taco filling.

  1. Taco Mamacita

You’ll find this spot located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Everything here is made from scratch and fresh. There’s nothing better than eating at a restaurant with fresh ingredients. There are even vegan, gluten free, and vegetarian options.

If you’re looking for a spot with a more relaxed atmosphere – think bar and grill, this is the spot to visit. The tacos here combine flavors from around the world. Enjoy a jerk chicken taco or even a taco with sloppy joe’s inside.

Give me some taco recipes!

If you can’t get to the above taco restaurants – understandably as they are in different states – you can of course make your own tacos at home. Here are some of the tastiest and most popular taco recipes for you to cook.

  1. Best Homemade Tacos

Craving ground beef tacos, but want more of a homemade flavor? This is an excellent recipe for you. You’ll be mixing up your own spice blend to add to the ground beef as your cooking. This allows you to adjust how much spice you want in there.

Plus, the recipe is super quick – 20 minutes total – so you can prep and eat these tacos quickly. Tomato sauce adds an extra oomph to this recipe that will have you reaching for two, three, or even four tacos. They’re also only 129 calories each so you can eat a few at a time.

  1. Mexican Street Tacos

Mexican street tacos are the tastiest kind of tacos you will ever eat. It can be difficult to find a good Mexican street taco spot – especially in certain areas. Grab yourself some soy sauce, lime juice, canola oil, fresh garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, skirt steak, flour tortillas, red onion, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges and you’re good to go.

The saltiness from the soy sauce and tanginess from the lime compliment the skirt steak and spices incredibly well. This mouth watering recipe is also easy to make – taking only 15 minutes for cook time. The longest part of the recipe is when you’re waiting for the steak to marinate. The wait is worth it though!

  1. Easy 20 Minute Chicken Tacos

This taco recipe is excellent if you’re in a time crunch. For the main portion of the meal, you’ll need chicken thighs, garlic, lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, paprika, and corn or flour tortillas.

You will need to cook the chicken in a pan with the spices and oil. Once cooked through, dice into chunks, and assemble in the tortillas. Create your own pico de gallo salsa to add on top. You’re left with an incredibly tasty, healthy, and easy chicken taco recipe that you’ll want to make every night of the week.

Orale! What are some hot sauces that I can add to my tacos?!?!

There are many available hot sauces out there. You can find them ranging from mild to extra hot. The below options are the best hot sauces that you can add to your tacos. Because tacos need that extra bit of heat.

  1. Valentina

Many people love Valentina hot sauce and for good reason. This hot sauce adds a traditional flavor to tacos that other hot sauces lack. You can find this sauce in most grocery stores and in mild heat to extra hot.

Valentina adds a slightly sweet, vinegar taste to tacos. It’s also thicker than many other hot sauces.

  1. Cholula

Cholula is also one of the best hot sauces that you can grab for your tacos. If you’ve ever been to Ihop or Cracker Barrel, you’ll be familiar with this hot sauce. It’s most often served at restaurants for customers to use.

This hot sauce has a mid-amount of heat to it. It comes in multiple flavors like chili garlic and sweet habanero. The original flavor is reminiscent of Valentina, though you can taste the chili more. Expect a tangy hot sauce.

  1. Tapatio

This is a great hot sauce if you want a small amount of heat. Or, if you’re just trying out hot sauces. Tapatio tends to run on the milder side, with just a hint of spiciness.

You can add a lot of this hot sauce to your tacos and not feel a ton of heat. This is a thinner hot sauce and it has a garlicky and vinegary taste. It does not come in multiple heat levels so you’ll just need to increase the amount to your desired heat level.

Find Places to Eat Tacos with SpotBie

SpotBie allows you to find places to eat tacos at the touch of a button. Now that you know the origin of tacos, and have a bright idea of how good these tortilla wrapped delights can taste, give SpotBie a try. Read more about the SpotBie places to eat feature here.

Image of SpotBie UI listing the best places to eat tacos near the user.
Image of SpotBie UI listing the best places to eat tacos near the user.


Well now that you know more about the origin of Tacos, along with some good taco recipes, and some hot sauces for your tacos… you are more than ready to hit the streets and get to making tacos (or buying them) . Remember these tortilla wrapped delights have the ability to brighten up anybody’s day!

Categories
Places to Eat

Burger Restaurants Around to Try Now

Burgers and Brew – One of the Interesting Burger Restaurants in America

Upon first look, you might think Burgers and Brew Restaurant is just another burger restaurant. You’d be wrong. The Burgers and Brew Restaurants have much to offer in the way of burger options and craft beers. Let’s take a peek into what makes this burger restaurant come out at the top.

Screenshot of Burgers and Brew restaurant's website located in North America.
Screenshot of Burgers and Brew restaurant’s website located in North America.

Burgers and Brew Restaurants have been around since 2007. These restaurants came to fruition after two brothers came up with an idea. They wanted a place where you could grab a craft beer, a burger made with Niman Ranch products, and other fresh ingredients.

The Burgers and Brew eateries are all located in the northern part of California, with five locations in total. When visiting a location, you can be sure to find over 50 types of craft beer, 20 different burger options, and multiple side dishes; there is sure to be something for everyone.

Of course, the first burger mentioned needs to be the White Castle burger since it is from the original burger restaurant that opened in America. These burgers offer a square patty that is steam grilled with a delightful layer of cooked onions, a pickle, and sandwiched between a bun.

Try out their lamb burger or their chorizo burger for an excellent twist on standard burgers. If you’re looking for a more traditional meal – there are also options like a hamburger or cheeseburger. You can’t go wrong with lunch or dinner at Burgers and Brew.

What are the Most Famous Burgers?

Image of burgers conveying ease of finding the Best Burger Restaurants around me using SpotBie.
Photo by Samfotograffo from Pexels

Some other notably famous burgers are the McDonald’s burger, the In-N-Out burger, and the Burger King Whopper. Below are some additional details for what is included in each burger so you can order with confidence.

The McDonald’s Burger. This burger includes a beef patty with chopped, raw onions, pickles, ketchup, and mustard stacked on a bun. Check out this recipe for an at-home version of a McDonald’s burger.

The In-N-Out Burger. With this burger, you’ll get toasted buns topped with a beef patty, fresh or grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, and the specialty sauce In-N-Out burger is known for. Try this recipe for your own In-N-Out Burger.

The Burger King Whopper. You’ll get a flame-grilled patty with mayo, lettuce, ketchup, pickles, sliced onions, and tomatoes on a sesame seed bun. This grilled burger recipe will make you feel like you’re eating a Whopper in the restaurant.

5 Great Burger Restaurants in the World

Burgers and Brew restaurant is an excellent choice in America. However, there are great burger places all around the world. Below are some of the greatest burger restaurants in the world… and if you are not satisfied with the list, you can use the SpotBie Burger Restaurants finder tool to help you find what you are looking for!

  1. Burger & Beyond. This restaurant is located in London, England, and started as a food stall before becoming a physical restaurant. You’ll find such ingredients here as crispy pancetta bacon, bone marrow mayo, and dry-aged beef. Yum!
Image of Burger & Beyond Restaurant in London, England.
Image of Burger & Beyond Burger Restaurants website in London, England.
  1. Au Cheval. This is worth mentioning as it made multiple lists for the best burger restaurants. Au Cheval has locations in Chicago and New York – with some only serving burgers. You can expect your burger to include 8 oz of beef (in the form of two patties), dijonnaise, pickles, and melty American cheese on a bun from a local bakery.
Image of Au Cheval Burger Restaurant in Chicago, US.
Image of Au Cheval Burger Restaurant website in Chicago, US.
  1. Flippin Burgers. This restaurant is set in Stockholm, Sweden, and was opened in 2012. The burgers here are created using the Michelin star Heston Blumenthal’s methods to make the perfect burgers. The patties are flattened so that you get the ideal bread to meat ratio. These delightful patties are added on top of buns that are baked daily by a well-known baker.
Image of Flippin' Burger Burger Restaurant website in Stockholm, Sweden.
Image of Flippin’ Burger Burger Restaurants website in Stockholm, Sweden.
  1. Gasoline Grill. You’ll find this restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark. You might think the name of this restaurant is a bit odd – well, the original location was opened in a still-working gas station! Try out their butter burger, which includes a square of butter right under the top bun. The cheeseburger has Gasoline sauce for some heat, pickles, and onions.
Image of Gasoline Grill Burger Restaurant website in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Image of Gasoline Grill Burger Restaurants website in Copenhagen, Denmark.
  1. Paris New York. Despite the name, there are five locations for this restaurant, all in Paris, France. You’ll find delicious brioche buns baked fresh daily here topped with high-quality beef and cheese sourced from London. A must-try if you’re in the area.
Image of PNY Burger Restaurants website in Paris, France.
Image of PNY Burger Restaurants website in Paris, France.

Try out SpotBie’s Burger Restaurants finder!

Image of SpotBie UI displaying the best Burger Restaurants around users.
Image of SpotBie UI displaying the best Burger Restaurants around users.

Try out SpotBie’s burger joint finder by clicking here. If you are looking for the best burger joints, SpotBie will pull all the available burger restaurants near you by using the YELP api. You will NOT be disappointed!


You can read more about our places to eat tool here.

Where did Burgers Originate?

Burgers are arguably the most delicious sandwich you can eat. With juicy beef patties, pickles, tomatoes, melty cheese all sitting inside a buttery toasted bun, what’s not to like? You can have burgers on any occasion, from backyard BBQs to elevated umami burgers at fine dining establishments. Burgers have been around for many years and are here to stay. But where did burgers come from? Let’s explore a brief history below.

Burgers are one of those foods that have been around for so long; it’s strange to think about someone creating the first burger. Back in 1848, a lot of people from Germany started immigrating to the United States. Of course, delicious German food followed them. Hamburg in Germany was known for transporting excellent quality beef, which caused restaurants to start offering “Hamburg-style” steak. This was the beginning of burgers.

In 1904, a similar version of what can be bought today – beef patty on a bun – was released at the St. Louis World’s Fair. After that, the first White Castle Restaurant was opened in 1921 in Kansas, featuring hamburgers.

Who Invented the Burger?

The actual inventor of burgers is unknown as the burger has evolved over the years from something similar to Salisbury steak to the burger on a bun that it is known as today. You could claim Edgar Ingram and Walter Anderson, who opened the first White Castle Restaurant, as the inventors of modern-day burgers as their restaurant inspired bigger restaurants like In-N-Out, McDonald’s, and Burger King to open their first restaurants.

Now that you know where burgers came from, what the most famous burgers are, and the best burger restaurants around the world – it’s time to start checking restaurants off on the list. Try out each one – especially Burgers and Brew – and see which burger stands out the most to you! You’re sure to find some fantastic meals and drinks along the way.

Looking for More?

Now that your belly is full, you might want to check out shopping places near you. Or if you are really in the mood to keep having fun, why not check out an event that’s happening today near you? It’s a list of endless possibilities with SpotBie. Download our mobile app… We are just getting started 🙂