What are the top Midwest "Foodie" Cities outside of Chicago? (neighborhood, restaurants)

[costello_musicman]

Simple question.

Criteria could include:

1) Top chefs
2) Top restaurants
3) Best Indoor/Outdoor Markets
4) Ethnic Food quality and options
5) Regional specialties
6) Best casual dining
7) Best fine dining

[west336]

I chose:

Minneapolis
Detroit
Cleveland

St. Louis with honorable mention.

[Tex?Il?]

I LOVE Cincinnatis local grub. (skyline chili, graeters ice cream, Montgomery Inn ribs, also German food). So it wins for regional specialties.

Detroit has the most diversified food scene though. (as it is the second largest and second most diverse metro area). It would win for ethnic food quality options, and maybe even fine dining possibly. Although local grub is less varied.

[Townes Van Zandt]

Hah, CM, you only created this thread because you wanted to hear the answer:


Cleveland, baby!

[tpk-nyc]

The Twin Cities have some great restaurants that do very well in national rankings and awards. If you’re looking at top chefs and restaurants, they win.

Regional specialties is anther issue. The regional specialties in Minnesota are pretty dreadful.

[costello_musicman]

Originally Posted by ksu sucks

Hah, CM, you only created this thread because you wanted to hear the answer:


Cleveland, baby!

No, not quite . But I was interested in nationwide perception.

I did vote for Cleveland and Minneapolis though.

And I see St. Louis is spiking, which is what I wanted to see--a new city to try out food during travel!

[usaf_1832]

I voted Cleveland and St. Louis.

I enjoyed myself food-wise in those two cities the most.

[knrstz]

Wichita is a national testing ground for many restaurants. So for a smaller city, there is a good selection other than normal chains. However I still don't think it can compare to the larger cities in the poll.

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by costello_musicman

And I see St. Louis is spiking, which is what I wanted to see--a new city to try out food during travel!

Go check out the STL forum....theres a wonderful food scene happening in the Lou!

[moorlander]

I'm not sure how the St. Louis food scene compares nationally, but I'll tell you there is no shortage of really great local restaurants in the city and inner ring burbs. We're very devoid of national chains compared to other cities and I'm very proud of that. Our restaurants have character and soul baby.

You probably don't come to St. Louis for super high end French cuisine but If you like italian food prepared by 2nd generation italian immigrants, The Hill neighborhood is your spot.