New Restaurant Partners Starting September 1, 2026

Angel’s Icehouse

Spicewood, TX

A Texas Hill Country icehouse on Highway 71 with a huge patio, a kids’ playscape, and a live music stage that books acts most weekends. The Akaushi Wagyu Burger is $17 and worth the drive from Austin. Taco Tuesdays, Wine Down Wednesdays, and UT football watch parties keep the calendar full. Dogs welcome, happy hour runs weekdays 3 to 6 p.m., and the 10-oz grilled Angus ribeye is $30 at 21815 State Highway 71.

Blue Light

San Francisco, CA

Boz Scaggs owned this Marina District bar back in 1978. Johnny “Love” Metheny took over in 1991 and it’s been the neighborhood’s sports-and-dance spot since. Nineteen TVs, $1 oysters, 50-cent wings on Wednesdays, and the “Wet Woody” — a cocktail they claim you can’t get anywhere else outside Tahoe. Friday and Saturday nights turn into a DJ dance party. Monday Night Football means free appetizers and pizza at 1979 Union Street.

Bonrue Bakery

St. George, UT (3 locations)

Three former Las Vegas chefs — Chris Connors, Li Hsun Sun, and the late Chris Herrin, who cooked at The French Laundry under Thomas Keller — opened this European-style bakery in 2021. The croissants are the draw. Three locations now: St. George, Hurricane, and Springdale right outside Zion National Park, all open by 6 or 7 a.m. A northern Utah expansion is coming in 2026. The name comes from the French words for “good” and “street.”

Buena Vida Cantina

San Francisco, CA (2 locations)

Yucatan-inspired cantina with two SF locations — one on Folsom Street steps from Moscone Center, the other on Belden Place near Union Square. The SoMa spot handles private events up to 300 standing with a heated outdoor deck, mural-wrapped walls, and papel picado strung overhead. Handmade tortillas, slow-braised meats, fresh ceviche, and a deep tequila and mezcal selection. Belden Place stays open late and runs Taco Tuesdays.

Butcher’s House Brasserie

Costa Mesa, CA

Chef Jeoffrey Offer grew up in a butcher’s home in Toulouse, and his Costa Mesa brasserie runs on that background — wood-fire grilling, French classics, every sauce made in-house. The 40-day dry-aged bone-in ribeye is market price and you split it. Onglet à l’Échalotte (hanger steak, shallot sauce, fries) is $46. The Butcher’s Burger uses 8-oz dry-aged Black Angus with Lyonnaise onion and raclette for $30. Lunch Friday through Sunday, dinner every night at 3321 Hyland Avenue.

Cafe Rosetta

Portland, OR

Italian-inspired cafe in Portland’s Boise District, open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The focaccia is baked in-house and goes into panini like the Italiano Classico (salami, mortadella, provolone, olive salad, $9.50) and the Meatball (crushed meatballs, marinara, basil, mozzarella, $9.50). The espresso drink list runs deep — Orange-Rose-Pistachio Latte, Anisette Cookie Latte, Chai Italiano. Portland regulars call the Chai Italiano their favorite chai in the city. Located at 912 N Fremont Street.

Cafe Yumm

OR/WA/ID (22 locations)

Founded in Eugene, Oregon in 1997 and now running 22 locations across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. The whole menu revolves around Yumm! Bowls — organic brown rice, black beans, avocado, salsa, cilantro, cheese, tomato, olives, and their proprietary Yumm! Sauce, which they also sell in grocery stores. Bowls come in ten-plus varieties including Spicy Teriyaki, Kimchi Crunch, and Mezze. Fresh guacamole made daily. Some locations have drive-throughs.

Cellar7

Houston, TX

Wine bar and bistro at 610 Main Street in downtown Houston, part of the District 7 restaurant family run by Babak and Shelley Elham. Floor-to-ceiling front windows look out onto Main Street. The oyster bar does grilled dozens with bacon jam, buffalo sauce, or lemon garlic. Braised beef mac ‘n’ cheese, lump crab cake, and hand-tossed pizzas with shiitake mushrooms round out a menu that runs from lunch through late dinner. Weekend brunch Friday through Sunday starting at 10:30 a.m.

Charming Magnolia Eatery

Lexington, KY

Becky and Bryan Lunsford opened this 32-seat spot inside Greyline Station on Lexington’s Northside in July 2025. Bryan does the cooking. Their Magnolia Benny — homemade biscuit, poached eggs, sausage gravy, sprinkled bacon — is the signature, around $11. Becky’s quote about why she married him: “He’s made the best biscuits and gravy I’ve ever had in my life.” House-smoked meats come off an outside smoker. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

District 7 Grill

Houston, TX (4 locations)

Babak and Shelley Elham have been running this Houston comfort-food staple since 2003 — brunch, burgers, seafood, cocktails across four locations in EaDo, Midtown, Memorial, and the Downtown Tunnel. The Midtown spot serves brunch all day, every day. EaDo hosts soccer watch parties. All four share the Savor 7 Catering arm with sister restaurants Cellar7, District 7 Pizzeria, and District 7 Restaurant & Market.

District 7 Pizzeria

Houston, TX

New York-style hand-tossed pies with parmesan tossed onto the edges, sharing a building with District 7 Grill’s EaDo location at 1508 Hutchins Street. The PizzaBirria ($17) comes with consomme for dipping. They also do a Wagyu Beef Burger with truffle tarragon aioli for $16 and Lamb Chops with truffle risotto for $29. Comfort bowls — shrimp carbonara, short rib pappardelle, braised mac ‘n’ cheese — are all $16. Part of the District 7 family.

District 7 Restaurant & Market

Houston, TX

The grab-and-go arm of the District 7 family, at 610 Main Street downtown (same building as Cellar7). Rotisserie chicken, deli sandwiches, freshly baked Polish dogs, a coffee bar, plus wine, beer, and cocktails. The outdoor patio is a highlight. They also do brunch and run a full dinner menu alongside the market concept. Catering through Savor 7.

Ditto’s Grill

Louisville, KY

Frank Yang and Dominic Serratore met cooking at an upscale restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island, then bought a building on Bardstown Road that used to house a garage called Ditto’s & Hartzell. The name stuck. Thirty-plus years later the menu runs from Thai Wings to a KY Proud pork-and-bison meatloaf ($16) to Four Cheese Chicken Parmesan ($24). The award-winning house salad has bacon, toasted almonds, gouda, avocado, and boiled egg. Sunday brunch brings prime rib with Yorkshire pudding. Located at 1114 Bardstown Road in the Highlands.

Doreen’s Pizzeria

Chicago, IL / Dyer, IN (2 locations)

Family-owned since 1986 in Chicago’s Hegewisch neighborhood, with a second location in Dyer, Indiana since 2006. Real Chicago-style pizza — stuffed, thin, double crust — with premium low-fat mozzarella (no imitation), fresh sauce made without concentrate, and zero trans-fat frying oil. Daily deals include $15 Monday Mediums and a Saturday Family Night bundle: 16-inch cheese pizza, 12 wings, and a 2-liter. Vienna Beef hot dogs charcoal-grilled. They support local schools and run a loyalty rewards program called Doreen’s Dollars.

Einstein Bros. Bagels

NC (national chain)

Twenty-plus bagel varieties baked fresh before sunrise every day — classics, signatures like Asiago Cheese, and gourmet hole-less options like Cheesy Hash Brown and Six-Cheese. The $8 Breakfast & Brew deal pairs a sandwich with coffee. Shmear is their word for double-whipped cream cheese, and the Jalapeno Salsa version is worth trying. Baker’s Dozen boxes for the office. Rewards members get a free bagel and shmear with their first purchase.

Elevation 486

Twin Falls, ID

Named for sitting 486 feet above the Snake River Canyon, and every seat has the view to prove it. The menu is Northwestern — Idaho ruby red trout ($31.95), fire-grilled quail ($29.95), a 12-oz prime rib for $43 — plus an “I’m Your Huckleberry” Mojito for $14 and several Idaho wines on the list. The Locally-Smoked Idaho Trout appetizer is $16.95. Lunch, dinner, and a cocktail menu that includes a $200 pour of Macallan… wait, no, that’s somewhere else. Kids eat for $6 to $8. Located at 195 River Vista Place in Twin Falls.

Firehouse Subs

AL/WA (national chain)

Founded in 1994 in Jacksonville, Florida by brothers Robin and Chris Sorensen, both former firefighters. The Hook & Ladder (smoked turkey, Virginia honey ham, Monterey Jack) and the Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket are the signatures, served on their private-recipe toasted sub rolls. Over 1,200 locations nationwide. Their Public Safety Foundation has donated millions to first-responder organizations.

Frankie’s Kitchen & Cocktails

Sisters, OR

Owner Eryn took over this downtown Sisters spot in 2020 — ran it as Sisters Depot for five years, then rebranded to Frankie’s in 2025, named after her father and her French Bulldog. Mediterranean-inspired, scratch-made, mostly gluten-free. House-made falafel, hummus, gyro, chicken marsala. Three bars on-site, hand-crafted cocktails plus NA options, and a beautiful dog-friendly covered courtyard. “Frankie’s Upstairs” hosts live music and listening-room shows. The building’s been part of Sisters for 45-plus years.

Game On Bar & Grill

Peotone, IL

Sports bar in Peotone, Illinois at 115 N. 2nd Street — internet dartboards, six adult gaming machines, free Buzztime trivia, and a back patio. The burgers are made to order and they’re upfront about it: “Our food is awesome. Awesome means it’s freshly made to order. That means you might have to wait.” Free bingo every Monday at 7 p.m. with guaranteed cash winners. Karaoke, live bands, and DJs rotate through the schedule. Open since 2017.

Graze Craze

WA (national franchise)

Handcrafted charcuterie boards, boxes, and grazing tables built by staff they call “Grazologists.” Locations across the U.S., Canada, France, and Australia. The lineup runs from Char-Cutie-Cups (individual servings) to Picnic Boxes (meal for two or snack for four) to Large Boards feeding up to 20. They also do diet-focused and dessert boards. No cooking, no cleanup — everything arrives styled and ready. Good for corporate meetings, team lunches, or gifting.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar

TX

Austin-born burger chain, 15-plus years running. Brioche buns baked fresh and toasted to exactly 135 degrees. Patties grilled to order — never pre-cooked, never held — with heritage, wagyu, or grass-fed beef options. Fries are Chipperbec potatoes, hand-cut daily and fried twice. The Burger of the Month program has a Hall of Fame that includes Truffle Mac, Birria Burger, and Ahi Tuna. Full bar with cold schooners and margaritas.

Il Punto Ristorante

New York, NY

Owner Antonino Pecora opened this Hell’s Kitchen Italian spot in 2004 at 507 9th Avenue, corner of 38th Street. House-made pastas, baked breads, and a Ravioli di Formaggio with vodka sauce, burrata, and lobster meat for $32. The Insalata Gelato — homemade red onion gelato with grilled shrimp, $24 — is one you won’t see on many other menus. Pre-theatre dinner is timed for Broadway curtain. They also host pasta-making classes for corporate groups. A second location just opened in Flushing, Queens in August 2026.

Illegal Pete’s

AZ/CO (14 locations)

Pete Turner opened the first one on The Hill in Boulder in August 1995, named after his father — “a good-natured hell-raiser who once drove a car into a swimming pool.” Fourteen locations now across Colorado and Tucson, 400 employees, 90 million possible burrito combinations, and 613,518 margaritas served in 2025. Mission-style burritos, tacos, bowls. Every location has local Loteria murals. They pay a living wage with health benefits and 401K for all staff, and run a “Starving Artists” program supporting musicians and comedians.

iniburger

CA (5 Bay Area locations)

100% halal-certified burger chain across five Bay Area locations — Campbell, Berkeley, Fremont, Pleasanton, Santa Clara — with San Jose opening soon. USDA Choice Black Angus patties, all-natural antibiotic-free chicken, buns baked fresh with no trans fats, and everything fried in non-GMO rice bran oil. Four house sauces: iniSauce, iniSpicy, iniDrip, and Boom Sauce. The M’ini Burgers let you mix and match in two-packs or three-packs. Wings are brined in a proprietary recipe and lightly breaded. Over 2,000 Google reviews at 4.5 stars.

Mainline Bar & Grill

Barnesville, MN

Bar and grill in Barnesville, Minnesota — a small town about 25 miles southeast of Fargo. A local spot for drinks and pub food in the heart of the community.

Manalu Italian Restaurant

Frederick, MD

Chef Marco named the place after his family — MA for Marco, NA for Naomi, LU for Lucia. He’s from Naples, and his childhood dream was to open an authentic Italian restaurant in the U.S. The brick-oven Pizza Napoletana starts at $12.50 for a Margherita with imported bufala mozzarella. The Manalu pizza ($23.75) piles on shrimp, clams, mussels, crab meat, and garlic. OpenTable Diners’ Choice winner 2024 and 2025. Brunch goes for $32.99 per person or $54.99 with bottomless mimosas at 5227 Presidents Court in Frederick.

Matsunoki Ramen

Portland, OR (2 locations)

“Matsunoki” means pine tree in Japanese. Two Portland locations — one downtown inside Pine Street Market, one on North Fremont in the Mississippi neighborhood. Slow-simmered tonkotsu broths and handmade noodles crafted from scratch: thin for ramen, thick for mazemen (brothless ramen). The Spicy Garlic Ramen gets the most love in reviews — one regular said it “tastes exactly like ramen in Japan.” Four dedicated vegan bowls on the menu. Open seven days at both spots.

Mezeh Mediterranean Grill

East Coast (54 locations)

Saleh Mohamadi (former Moe’s/Five Guys franchisee), chef Steve Walker (ex-Lettuce Entertain You), and Tai Chiao founded this in 2012. All 54 locations are company-owned, no franchising. Chipotle-style line — bowls, wraps, pita pockets — with 56.6 million possible combinations. Every recipe made from scratch on-site daily: falafel and hummus from soaked chickpeas, fresh-baked pita, 100% extra virgin olive oil, all proteins halal. Chicken shawarma is the bestseller. Cava sued them twice; a federal judge threw it out in 2017. Free delivery on every order through the end of 2026.

New York Pizza Patrol

Draper, UT

Leo and Carrie moved from Brazil to Utah in 2015 and took over a small Draper shop in 2016. Now it’s a full New York-style and Brazilian pizza operation — maybe the only place in Utah where you can get an 18-inch Calabresa (smoked sausage, onions, kalamatas, $31) next to a Frango Catupiry (chicken with Brazilian catupiry cheese, $33) next to a Romeu e Julieta dessert pizza with mozzarella and guava paste ($25). Feijoada — Brazil’s national dish, stewed black beans with beef, pork ribs, and sausage — is $40. Garlic knots start at $5 and regulars say they’re the best thing on the menu. Daily special: $10 large cheese or pepperoni Monday through Thursday.

Notte Divino

Sausalito, CA

Southern Italian restaurant and cocktail bar on Caledonia Street in Sausalito that turns into a jazz lounge as the night goes on. Candlelit dining room, live jazz, open until midnight. The owner lives above the restaurant and walked past the building every day before buying it. Filetto Mignon is $52, Carbonara is $28, and the Sgroppino — lemon sorbeto with prosecco — is $13. The wine list is all-Italian, and they sell their own branded extra virgin olive oil for $35. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Over Easy

AZ (3 locations)

Chef Aaron May started this in Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood in 2008. Now there are 20 locations across Arizona and South Dakota, with Idaho coming in 2027. Guy Fieri featured the Banana Nut French Toast and Chicken-Fried Steak on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. TLC called the Chicken & Waffle “Best Food Ever.” The Loko Moko — sunny-side-up egg, two smash patties, mushroom gravy over sticky rice — is a sleeper hit. Mimosa flights run $18 for four flavors. Open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., no reservations, walk-in or waitlist only.

P.F. Chang’s

Nationwide (200 locations)

Philip Chiang and Paul Fleming (the P.F.) started this with a handshake in 1993. Three hundred-plus restaurants now in 20-plus countries. The Chang’s Lettuce Wraps are still the most-ordered dish — minced chicken, mushrooms, water chestnuts, crispy rice sticks. The Chef’s Feast is a 3-course meal starting at $19.99 per person for groups of two or more. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday, 3 to 6 p.m., with $5.99 beers and half-priced appetizers. Wine Wednesdays: half-price bottles all day.

Pagliacci’s Restaurant

Plainville, CT

Michele “Mike” Capobianco came from Teggiano, Italy to Canada at 20, then moved to Connecticut and opened a string of Italian restaurants. This one’s in Plainville. Pasta, dough, and bread are made fresh from scratch every morning. The house signature is Chicken Pagliacci — broccoli rabe, long hot peppers, garlic and oil, $27. Reviewers compare eating here to “dinner at my Nonna’s house.” Homemade bread and butter come out before your meal. Zuppa di Pesce at $39 is the priciest thing on the menu. Located at 333 East Street.

Piada Italian Street Food

TX (national chain, 62 locations)

Chris Doody (co-founder of Bravo Brio, which he took public) sketched this concept on a cocktail napkin in Rimini, Italy after watching street vendors roll fresh piadas — thin Italian flatbreads made from wheat flour, sea salt, water, and EVOO, baked on a stone grill. Sixty-two locations now across seven states. Every location is run by a chef, not a manager. Hand-rolled piadas, chopped salads, tossed pastas. The Burrata Marinara pasta launched in February 2026. Grass-fed meatballs and a Lobster Bisque on the sides menu. Ten-plus Texas locations between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.

Pizzana

TX (3 locations)

Candace Nelson (Sprinkles Cupcakes), Chris and Caroline O’Donnell (yes, the actor), and Neapolitan pizzaiolo Daniele Uditi opened the first one in Brentwood, LA in 2017. Chef Daniele’s “slow dough” ferments for two days — light, easy to digest, sturdy enough to pick up with one hand. The Cacio e Pepe Pizza ($26) sparked what the LA Times called a nationwide cacio e pepe renaissance. The Diavola won Pizza of the Year 2022 from 50 Top Pizza. Three Texas locations now: Knox Street and Preston Hollow in Dallas, River Oaks in Houston. All pizzas $26. They even bake pup pizzas for dogs.

Pleasantville Tavern

Pleasantville, NY

Modern neighborhood tavern at 446 Bedford Road, near the Jacob Burns Film Center. Eleven TVs, open daily until 2 a.m., happy hour 3:30 to 6 every day. The burgers are 8-oz USDA Prime — the Cowboy Burger ($20) comes with bourbon BBQ, onion ring, and bacon. Tavern Meatballs ($18) are pork, veal, and beef in sugo San Marzano. Penne Alla Cognac ($21) is their twist on vodka sauce, deglazed with Cognac. The back bar fits 50 for private events. Lunch specials are all $15.95.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop

GA/MD/OH/VA (national chain)

Started in 1977 when Peter Hastings made toasted sandwiches in his Chicago antique shop using a potbelly stove. Bryant Keil bought it in 1996 and scaled it to 450-plus locations — it went public in 2013 and sold to RaceTrac for $566 million in 2025. Two bread options only (multigrain wheat or regular, from the same Turano bakery since day one). A Wreck — turkey, ham, roast beef, salami, Swiss — is the signature at $9.49. Hand-dipped milkshakes, fresh-baked cookies, and a secret Underground Menu on the app.

Puttshack

MN/OH (2 locations)

Upscale mini golf with a tech twist — every ball has a mini-computer inside (they call it Trackaball) that tracks your strokes, hazards, and bonus points automatically. No pencils, no scorecards, scores emailed after your round. Nine holes runs $14 per adult. Twenty-one U.S. locations including Edina and Minneapolis in Minnesota and Columbus in Ohio. The food is better than you’d expect: Birria Nacho Tower, a Skirted Double Cheeseburger, Milk Bar Truffles for dessert. Happy hour at Minneapolis: $3 drafts, $1 wings, $10 burgers. “$9 After 9” on Saturdays.

Ranch Water

San Rafael, CA

Johnny “Love” Metheny — Bartender Hall of Fame, the guy behind Blue Light and Toy Soldier — opened this tequila-focused bar in downtown San Rafael in January 2024. Forty-plus tequila selections, frozen margaritas, and a signature Ranch Water cocktail made with Lalo Tequila, mango puree, lime, and Topo Chico with a Tajin rim ($13). No kitchen of its own — Extreme Pizza next door serves food you can bring in. Spectacular mural by artist Alexis Volpe. DJ Fridays, live music Thursdays and Saturdays, karaoke Wednesdays. 4.9 stars on Google.

Red Phone Booth

Durham, NC

1920s speakeasy concept — you get a nightly secret code, dial it inside a restored red London phone booth, and the door unlocks. The Durham location opened August 14, 2026, joining spots in Atlanta, Nashville, Dallas, and Miami. Craft cocktails with hand-chipped ice, fresh-squeezed juices, and pre-Prohibition-era recipes. The Smoked Old Fashioned is the signature. They also serve true Neapolitan pizzas blistered in a 900-degree oven with ingredients from the Campania region. Optional membership unlocks priority seating and private tastings.

Red Robin

ID/WA (national chain, 30 locations)

Gourmet burger chain since 1969 — 100% fresh, never-frozen beef and Bottomless Steak Fries that keep coming as long as you’re sitting there. Signature burgers include the Whiskey River BBQ, the Royal Red Robin with a sunny-side-up egg, and the Banzai with teriyaki glaze and grilled pineapple. The Dinner Double Feature is $17.99 after 4 p.m. All-day deals: $8 margaritas, $5 beers. Also serves Donatos Pizza, chicken wings, and gourmet milkshakes. Thirty Dinova locations across Idaho and Washington.

Silver

DC/MD (2 locations)

New American brasserie with locations in Bethesda and Cathedral Commons in DC. Executive Chef Ype Von Hengst won Food Network’s Chopped and appeared on Beat Bobby Flay. Richard Torres runs the cocktail program — he’s won multiple DC competitions and mixes pre-Prohibition-style drinks with local spirits. The Creekstone Farms Hanger Steak Frites is $35, the new Ribeye is $47, and the Angus Cheeseburger is $19. Happy hour runs twice daily: 3 to 6:30 p.m. and again from 9:30 to close, with 30-plus drinks starting at $5.

Silver Diner

Northeast (24 locations)

Bob Giaimo and Chef Ype Von Hengst visited 500-plus diners across America before opening the first Silver Diner in Rockville, Maryland in 1989. Now about 23 locations across MD, VA, and DC. They launched a Fresh & Local menu in 2010 sourcing from 15 local farms. Won the Menu Masters Award for their healthier kids menu and the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s Legacy Award. They’ve raised over $1.5 million for local school nutrition programs through their “Eat Well Do Well” initiative.

Speedy Zapatos

Fresno, CA

Family-style Mexican restaurant on Blackstone Avenue in Fresno. The chile verde gets the most praise in reviews, and the portions are huge — regulars describe it as “grandmother’s cooking.” Burritos, enchiladas, tacos, menudo, combo plates, and nachos. The Supreme Burrito and Super Nachos are popular orders, where they hold a 4.5-star rating across 1,000-plus reviews. Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays until 7 p.m. Beer and wine only.

Steven’s Deli

Louisville, KY

Family-owned delicatessen on Bardstown Road in Louisville’s Highlands. The Big John — corned beef and pastrami stacked on rye — is $18 and their flagship sandwich. The Ziegfeld is a corned beef Reuben with sauerkraut, Swiss, and Russian dressing for $17. Sleeps with the Fishes ($15) is their lox sandwich with arugula and capers. Scott’s Grilled Cheese is $7. Everything’s made fresh — soups, salads, sides. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. only.

Table 7 Bistro

Houston, TX

American restaurant at 1085 Rusk Street in downtown Houston, inside a hotel property. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a curated display of colorful artwork. Serves breakfast starting at 7 a.m. on weekdays, brunch on weekends, and dinner until 9 or 10 p.m. Connected to the Savor 7 Catering operation, same as the District 7 family of restaurants. Private events, VIP membership, and room service available.

The Coffee Spot on Main

Williamsburg, KY

Locally owned coffee shop at 306 Main Street in downtown Williamsburg, near the University of the Cumberlands campus. They serve Blue Line Roasting Company coffee, freshly baked muffins, and simple lunch sandwiches — BLT, chicken salad, tuna salad, all $7. Iced coffee is $3.75, frappuccinos $5.25. Owned by Becky and Bryan Lunsford, the same couple behind Charming Magnolia Eatery in Lexington. Open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekends until 3 p.m.

The Kitchen Italian Cafe & Pizzeria

Pasadena, CA

Italian cafe in Old Town Pasadena with exposed brick walls in a beautiful old building — one customer has been coming for 20 years. Pizza runs four styles: New York, Sicilian, Chicago deep-dish, and gluten-free. A NY slice is $6, a full 18-inch pie is $23. Meat Lasagna is $21. Chicken Marsala, Chicken Piccata, and Chicken Parm are each $24. Shrimp Scampi is the top-end entree at $26. Open every day 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 78 W Union Street.

The Water Dog

Lynchburg, VA

Owner Dave Henderson left a digital marketing career at one of the world’s largest banks to open this craft beer bar in Lynchburg. Thirty-six draft brews sourced as locally as possible, a 2,000-square-foot beer garden, and a 150-inch projector screen. Executive Chef Candace Vinson runs the kitchen — raw oysters, coconut curry mussels ($16), jerk chicken nachos ($15), and five different oyster shooters ($8 each, spiked with vodka, bourbon, tequila, or beer). The Water Dog hot dog comes topped with crab ($16). Fresh-baked cookies, but give them 15 minutes. Kids get their own menu; dogs get free water bowls and chin scratches.

Toy Soldier

San Francisco, CA

New American spot on Belden Place in San Francisco’s Financial District — the same alley as Buena Vida Cantina’s second location. The all-day $1 oyster deal is one of the FiDi’s worst-kept secrets. Cast Iron Sea Bass over risotto and Lamb Chops with pomme puree headline the menu. They brew their own Toy Soldier IPA in-house. Live music, outdoor dining in the alley, and private event space for up to 250 guests. Part of Johnny “Love” Metheny’s bar empire. Open weekdays for lunch through dinner, Saturdays for dinner only.

Turning Point

FL (multi-state chain)

Breakfast and brunch chain with 40-plus locations across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Florida, and Virginia. Open 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day, closed by dinner — their staff promise is “no nights ever.” The Nantucket Benedict stacks lobster, bacon, and avocado with lemon cilantro hollandaise. OMG French Toast comes with bacon, candied walnuts, and caramel. They run their own coffee roaster, Cowabunga Coffee, including a Hawaiian Kona Blend and Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend. Turkey chili recipe hasn’t changed since 1998. The “You Pick. We Plate.” fan vote brings back archived dishes monthly.

U.S. Pizza Co.

AR (12 locations)

Stone-hearth pizzas across 12 Arkansas locations — Conway, Fayetteville, Little Rock (multiple), Cabot, Springdale, and more. They’re known for their patios, which have won local awards. The famous house dressing goes on salads that anchor the lunch combos: 6-inch pizza and salad for $8.99, half sandwich and salad for $9.99. Stuffy Stix — breadsticks stuffed with mozzarella, garlic, butter, and toppings — are a menu staple. Weekend brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All locations close at 9 p.m.

West Coast Sourdough

CA (50+ locations)

“San Francisco Born & Bread.” Sourdough sandwich chain with way more locations than you’d expect — 50-plus across California, Nevada, Indiana, Tennessee, and Texas, including two inside Sacramento International Airport. Twenty sandwich varieties on fresh-baked sourdough: the French Dip with au jus and Swiss, the BBQ Brisket with jalapeño ranch coleslaw, and the Chicken Salad with dried cranberries and almonds are highlights. Clam Chowder and Tomato Bisque served daily. The daily rotating soups include Chicken & Poblano on Mondays and Broccoli Cheese on Saturdays. Freshly baked chocolate chip and lemon white chip cookies.