The culinary scenes of Atlanta versus Miami versus Washington DC (better, America)

[MDAllstar]

Michael White Relishes Joining D.C. Dining Community : Roll Call Hill Life

[Vlajos]

None of these are particularly good. They're above average I guess.

[MiamiRob]

Originally Posted by Pete C

DC, Atlanta........................Miami. That's about how I see it.

That's funny because out of the 3 cities the Food Network is in Miami every year for the South Beach Food & Wine festival.

[OyCrumbler]

What are the regional specialties for these cities?

[tcave360]

Originally Posted by OyCrumbler

What are the regional specialties for these cities?

For DC, it's seafood (Near the Chesapeake and the Atlantic, though I think Baltimore's seafood scene is better).

For Atlanta, probably the usual Southern flair.

For Miami, obviously Caribbean.

[OyCrumbler]

Originally Posted by tcave360

For DC, it's seafood (Near the Chesapeake and the Atlantic, though I think Baltimore's seafood scene is better).

For Atlanta, probably the usual Southern flair.

For Miami, obviously Caribbean.

Are there specific dishes like in the way cincinnati has chili, new orleans has po boys, or new york and chicago have pizzas?

[pgm123]

Originally Posted by tcave360

For DC, it's seafood (Near the Chesapeake and the Atlantic, though I think Baltimore's seafood scene is better).

Don't forget Habesha.

Though, I'd say DC is starting to become known for celebrity chefs opening up restaurants after they're famous (often, but not always a steak house).

Originally Posted by OyCrumbler

Are there specific dishes like in the way cincinnati has chili, new orleans has po boys, or new york and chicago have pizzas?

People try to say half smokes for DC (or Mumbo sauce on chicken wings). I say try to say because most of the things being sold as half smokes aren't really half smokes. It's not just Ben's Chili Bowl, but that's one of the few places you can order a real one. That's what DC's known on tourism programs.

Miami has the Cubano. Less famous, but still worth getting in Miami is the Fritta Cubano or the Pan con Lechon. There are a few Chivito places springing up as well. But the Cubano is practically the city sandwich. Tampa claims it too, but they put salami and sometimes mayo on it, so that's more of a Tampa Cubano.

Btw, I've noticed quite a few places putting wrong Cubanos on their menus up here in DC.

[Trafalgar Law]

I always feel like I'm asking for too much in Washington.

I don't think a place is supposed to evoke those feelings.

[projectmaximus]

Originally Posted by grapico

My limited experience in DC was that the restaurants (setting/vibe) were nice but the food wasn't that great. Also had a big swing and wiff for Chinese there in Chinatown area.

Yikes! Yeah...there are random good Chinese establishments sprinkled here and there in the DMV area, but you'll have to go to Maryland for a good concentration of quality Chinese food. NOT Chinatown...with it's Fuddruckers and what not I think I read a few years back that only a couple stores remain from the original Chinatown.

[Mahatma X]

DC smashes ATL and MIA simply because it's northern....lite.