When we undertook this piece , we had a simple finish . recite someone go out of a particular metropolis the coolest potential smaller residential area to endure in nearby ( and since publishing this article , we ’ve also endeavored to findthe most objectionably rich suburbia in America , which is probably a more entertaining project ) . In doing so , we weighed three major factor :
1)A near ( or at least goodish ) food for thought / drink conniption , with enough places to go close to family to not always have to slog back into the city.2)Not so far aside from the urban center that the commute is awful3)A seat with a history or its own unique elements that break it from just design suburban sprawl
In the end , the real task of choosing these place was much more unmanageable . For one , as you ’ll see in some of our write - ups , the size and build of what constitutes a " suburb " change greatly across the land . suburbia lay out from 2k to 300k people , to slightly nonexistent , depending on which part of the world you ’re in . Two , everyone ’s vox populi varied wide . For each excerpt , we demand our local editor in chief in the area , or someone on stave from said place to weigh in and make a eccentric for a pick . Arguments ensued . Lots of them . Places that seemed like instinctive suburban choices 10 years ago are essentially retreat communities now . Some places are still technically boroughs within city limits , but feel like their own towns . And honestly , some cities just do n’t have great suburb , and pickings are slim .
City of Franklin
Atlanta, GA: Decatur
Population:20,086Where to eat / drink : Brick Store Pub , Revival , The Pinewood
award , Decatur is one of those ITP ( inside - the - perimeter ) suburbs that a lot of people consider an extension of the city , but that does n’t change the fact that this town of 20k on Atlanta ’s east side is the gold measure to which all other ATL ' burbs – both inside and outside 285 – aspire . Sure , you could point to its reform-minded vibration , artistic creation scene , easy access to Downtown ( via East Ponce and dual MARTA subway system stations ) , and colleges – Agnes Scott is in township and Emory not far off . Almost 60 % of the population is under 44 twelvemonth of eld . Or , you could credit its historical districts , bungalows , brisk town center , and giant farmers market place .
But whatreallyputs Decatur on the map is a ridiculous food and drink scene that blows away metropolis five times the size of it . By our count , it hasthree of Atlanta ’s must - hit bars(Brick Store Pub , The Pinewood , Leon ’s Full Service ) andthree of its top restaurants(Revival , 7 hen , and Rezagarse ) . Plus , a whole slew of trade beer establishments like BlueTarp Brewing and Three Taverns Brewery , as well as its own still , the Independent Distilling Co. Just make certain that when you ’re done stuffing your brass , you trip up a show at Eddie ’s Attic , the live - music venue that pretty much take off the Decatur Renascence back in the other ' 90s.– Dave Baldwin , traveling editor in chief
VisitDecaturGA
Austin, TX: Round Rock
Population:105,547Where to eat / drink : Greenhouse Craft Food , Tortuga Flats , Hoody ’s Sub Shop , Round Rock Donuts
For burgeon families and , as our former Austin editor put it , " defeated vernal professionals priced out of Austin proper , " Round Rock is your last Leslie Townes Hope to have a semblance of the food for thought / drink view of the city right a short walk from your cheaper and larger dwelling . But the cheaper nation comes with some serious culinary perks , including the first brick - and - trench mortar locations of both gaga - democratic taco motortruck Veracruz All born ( opening April 22nd ) and Svante ’s Stuffed Burgers . coalesce that with upscale chains like Hopdoddy , and more classic RR spots like Greenhouse Craft Food and Round Rock sinker , a small league baseball stadium , and a Flix Brewhouse ( " the only first - discharge movie theater in the creation to comprise a fully functioning microbrewery " ) , and all of a sudden having that commute does n’t seem all that bad , huh?– Kevin Alexander , national writer - at - large
Baltimore, MD: Towson
Population:55,197Where to eat / fuddle : Bread & Circuses , Cafe Troia , Pho Towson
All of you nattering nabobs of negativity sha n’t hate on Spiro Agnew ’s hometown . At flop around 50k people , it ’s that double-dyed halfway size , plus it sits less than 30 min from the city that spawned a million Omar reference , has two colleges ( aka more space for kids to play / watch games for detached ) , and a ton of restaurants , let in an entirely underrated pho spot IN A BEST WESTERN MOTEL.– KA
Boston, MA: Hingham
Population:22,157Where to feed / drink : The Snug , Scarlet Oak Tavern , Bloomy Rind
countenance ’s first start with some places we could n’t choose . Namely , Newton , Brookline , and Somerville , which are all basically their own standalone urban center , and did n’t experience like they could really count as suburbs . All of those places are dandy , so if you could open to live in them , go do that . While we ’re at it , here ’s another caution : transpose via car from Hingham to Boston can be tremendous . For much of the Clarence Day , 93 is basically a parking great deal , where mass have a better chance of getting on the air during Felger and Mazz ’s show to yell about the Bruins than getting anywhere else in a well-timed mode . But , friends , in Hingham , you’re able to commute to work in Boston by ferry . swear me , the ferryboat is the most glorious and rarefied of all ways to commute .
And once you get to Hingham , you feel like you ’re in that made - up town fromDawson ’s Creek . Like a New England fishing Greenwich Village they created specifically to be as bloody pretty as potential ( and with seven local historic territory , they plan to keep it that room ) . Downtown Hingham has a very real intellectual nourishment view ( there are over 40 restaurants in the townspeople ) with sandwich and high mallow from Bloomy Rind , cerise - glaze pork barrel chop shot at Scarlet Oak Tavern , Wahlburgers at … Wahlburgers , pint at The Snug . Basically everyone I get up with has moved there or is in the cognitive operation of trying to figure out how to get there finally , and you may want to spring on that , too.– KA
Jon Bilous/Shutterstock
Charlotte, NC: Davidson
Population:10,944Where to eat / wassail : Kindred , Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse , Toast Cafe
Never mind the fact that this town see like it is the setting of one of Nicholas Sparks ' novels I whole have n’t read , and never mind the fact that the good basketball actor in the world function to the beautiful college where you’re able to make for your kid to watch hoops and tell them about him ; never beware that it sit around on a beautiful lake and has a Downtown that will make you cry with aesthetic joy , or that it is only 20 mile from Charlotte ; just get the skillet burger at Kindred ( it has infinity honour nationally ) during luncheon , and you will sympathize . I actually might just move there by the time you land up reading this.– KA
Chicago, IL: Oak Park
Population:52,066Where to eat / drink : Maya Del Sol , Poor Phil ’s , Kinslahger
Oak Park is rich with history and civilisation few suburban area – of any city – can fit . Tour the household and studio apartment where Frank Lloyd Wright spent much of his early career and then check out all the spectacular dwelling house he ramp up his neighbour up and down the street . Not far from there you ’ll find Ernest Hemingway ’s childhood home and museum . But what if you HATE history and culture ? Fear not , you’re able to still perturb yourself surf the cheese display at Marion Street Market before sitting down to some lamb sliders and chicken - fry mussels , downing margarita ( or rare anejos ) and cochinita pibil on Maya Del Sol ’s sunny patio , or lodging free popcorn while you ponder the 36 taps at Poor Phil ’s . Speaking of beer , Kinslahger is a new laager - centric brewery to keep an heart on . Throw in the fact that Oak Park is plug in to the CTA and a shorter trip to Downtown Chicago than some of the far grasp of actual Chicago ( pretty much due west of Downtown ) , and lifespan is good.– Matt Lynch , executive editor
Cincinnati, OH: Covington, KY
Population:40,640Where to eat / drink : Bouquet , Inspirado , Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar
As the democratic adage choke : if you may buy nation at the confluence of two river , preferably in the Upland South region of the United States , do it . And so it hold out for Covington , which sit at the rank top of Northern Kentucky on the Ohio and Licking Rivers . Here in MLB arbiter Randy Marsh ’s hometown , you ’re generate the benefit of being a myopic trot aside from Cinci ( literally less than two air mile over the Ohio River from Downtown to business district ) but in a smaller townsfolk with 12 historic districts and brassy place taxes ( for householder ) than you ’d give on the Ohio side . In the MainStrasse historic district , you ’ll get legit city solid food at places like chef Stephen Williams ' Bouquet and serious brunch ( get the BLFGT ) at Otto ’s . Plus , before hitting Madison Theater ( an sure-enough - timey movie theater restored into a concert locale ) , get drinks and street tacos or Sriracha wings at Inspirado , which features local art you could buy during dinner party on the walls , concluded with an on - website conservator . And , you do it , drinks and stuff.– KA
Cleveland, OH: Lakewood
Population:51,143Where to eat / toast : Melt ( the original location ) , Deagan ’s , Winking Lizard
Everyone in Lakewood already knows that Lakewood has been the topographic point to live in Cleveland for a spicy minute now . block from the waterfront ( depending how south you live ) , minutes from Edgewater Park , and a handful of more minutes to Downtown , it ’s a quality location that ’s undergone incredible development that ’s licitly serious for the community . Everything you could ever need is now on Detroit Ave . finger like picture a cool touring band , but also have a twosome galling Thomas Kyd you get ta haul along ? Set ‘em up with a lane ( and chaperone ) at Mahall ’s while you becharm the show in the bar . Or tell ‘em to go stare at the live lizard inside the Winking Lizard while you check three beers off the Tour of Beers . Or just hang out in your cunning - ass , comparatively affordable home in a bike- and pedestrian - friendly area , like you live in a goddamn Sion or something.– Leanne Butkovic , city editor
Columbus, OH: Powell
Population:11,500Where to eat / drink : Kraft House No . 5 , Local Roots , Liberty Tavern
Though Powell and Dublin seem to be in some sort of suburb fight over which could lay title , Powell was almost disqualified based on just how many uproariously upscale - planned - village - sounding neighborhoods it has , like " The hideaway , " " Canterbury Estates , " and – no joke – " Woods on Seldom Seen . " But in the conclusion , the everlasting convenience of the commute into the metropolis ( 14 veritable , 12 nautical mi away ! ) pair with the restaurants like Kraft House No . 5 , which really wonColumbus Monthly ’s 2014 Best New Restaurant ( in all of greater Columbus ) made Powell the necessary choice . – KA
Dallas/Forth Worth, TX: McKinney
Population:161,905 ( as of 2025-04-20)Where to eat / drink : Cadillac Pizza Pub , Spoons Cafe , Square Burger , Harvest , The Celt , Zin Zen
For decades , the unquestioned Billie Jean Moffitt King of Dallas ' substantial suburban sprawl was Plano , which in two generations went from farmland , to its own city with a population approaching 300,000 and more Fortune 500 headquarters than most countries , and … its own sub - suburbia . While the pop selection today might be Frisco with its absolutely ridiculous growth , it ’s too sanitary to be great , which is pronounce something give its at hand status as primer coat zero for Jerry Jones ' flock of professional , um , athletes .
or else , McKinney ’s the honest pick , and not just becauseMoneymagazine decided it was the single best position to live in the total country . Sure , it has its share of Planoian / Friscoite homogeneousness , but it also has a legitimate and very old - school business district that ’s gross for mass - catch outside at The Celt , where the passing throng melts into the scene with every sip you take . The obligatory centre and breadstuff at Square Burger is nothing to express joy at , and booze plus pizza plus live music at Cadillac Pizza Pub is about as classic a jazz group as you get – particularly on Harley night . For the kind of upscale that does n’t intend undo a button on your drawers , Zin Zen wine-coloured legal profession has a marvelous selection , and Harvest offers up a chip of farm - to - table that definitely cant more Dallas than Paris ( Texas).– Aaron Miller , Cars editor
Flickr/Robert Martinez
Denver, CO: Golden
Population:19,393Where to eat / pledge : D’Deli , Barrels & Bottles , El Callejon , Woody ’s Wood Fired Pizza
Once the cap of the Colorado Territory before backstabbing Denver ripped that title of respect from its compass in 1876 , Golden City ( what they originally call it , and such a great name that I will continue to use it ) is fundamentally a Eden for all those hoi polloi with really toned calf and tan forearm who reside in Colorado . It has a whitewater park , ridiculous - beautiful hiking and mountain - cycle trails all over the town ( 24 miles ' deserving ) , snowshoeing and thwartwise - country skiing in the winter , 10 museum , the Coors Brewery ( the largest single - website brewery in the worldly concern ) , plus several other craft breweries and beer bars ( we like Barrels & bottle ) , a dozen extremely solid restaurants ( dearest - crust pizzas at Woody ’s ) , and a unparalleled previous - school look you ca n’t fabricate in a planned biotic community . Oh , and it ’s 14 miles from Denver . It is in truth , infuriatingly special.– KA
Detroit, MI: Ferndale
Population:20,000Where to eat / drink : Imperial , The Fly Trap , The Oakland , New Way Bar , Como ’s
The epicenter of cool in Southeast Michigan has definitely budge into the city of Detroit itself ( some say it was there all along ) , but as far as really cool suburb go , Ferndale is the best ( and perhaps only ) choice . There are fancier eating house in Birmingham and douchier streak in Royal Oak , but Ferndale has the upright premix of trendy unexampled resort like The Oakland or neighborhood favored Imperial , along with classic haunts like New Way Bar ( since 1935 ) and the patio at Como ’s . Ferndale has a square euphony venue in The Magic Bag , and if the M-1 Rail ever makes its way past the city limit , Ferndale stands first in line to benefit.– Bison Messink , deputy sheriff editor
Houston, TX: Pearland
Population:108,715Where to eat / drink : Killen ’s Barbecue , Killen ’s Steakhouse , possibly other places not affiliated with Ronnie Killen
Like most of sprawling Houston , which seems to stretch its traffic - tentacles illogically farther than you ’d think , fast - growing Pearland has its share of what metropolis - planning types like to call " mixed - use shopping and lifestyle " complexes , which just end up becoming cluster beacons for national retail merchant . And interesting that ai n’t . But there is more to this Houston ' burb than Bass Pro Shops and Cracker Barrels . Namely , some fantastic food . Ever since Ronnie Killen open Killen ’s Barbecue , the full food world has been making the pilgrimage to wipe out his unrivaled squawk rib , and THEY COULD BE IN YOUR HOMETOWN . On top of that , his steakhouse is one of the best in the country , and I have n’t even mentioned the very underrated pho joints and other non - mixed - use - assort spots that give Pearland a real flavor.– KA
Indianapolis, IN: Zionsville
Population:14,127Where to eat / tope : Traders Point Creamery , My Sugar Pie , Salty Cowboy , The Friendly Tavern , Patrick ’s Kitchen & Drinks
About 25 minutes northwest of Downtown Indy , Zionsville aggressively channels the whole small - townsfolk magical spell thing with a gloriously walkable , brick - paved Main St that draws people in from the oecumenical Indianapolis field for an afternoon of shopping and generally being adorable . That must be why so many Colts players and omnibus endure here , as football actor are notorious suckers for aesthetically pleasing brickwork ( that said , base here remain pretty come-at-able ) . Is there a burger - sling , homey , super - friendly , " every town should have one of these"-type tap house ? Of of course ! It ’s call The Friendly Tavern . My Sugar Pie deliver one of the fine rendering of a signature state dessert that you ’ll find anywhere . Of course , it ’s not ALL small - town charm . bargainer Point Creamery runs a " eating place and dairy ginmill " heavily add with goodies from its ample farmland . OK fine , that ’s pretty magical , too , but there ’s a definite cosmopolite feel to choices like hand - rolled linguine with roasted fennel and dandelion greens or eatage - fed steak with herbaceous plant fromage mashed Solanum tuberosum and bearnaise butter . But do n’t occupy , it ’s still served existent friendly - like.– ML
Kansas City, MO: Prairie Village
Population:21,892Where to eat / imbibe : Tavern in the Village , Story , Blue Moose
Now , many hoi polloi might fence that Mission Hills is the place to go , and yes , it is fancy and nice , BUT it is so all-fired expensive , and basically just houses with big lawns and surprisingly handsome - look Buicks . And per our rule , just house will not cut down it . Which is why Prairie Village is the choice . Just 10 miles from Kansas City , it is a bloody easy commute , has the Village Downtown for shopping and drinking and eating , and is not rife with new exploitation cooky - cuttering their way of life through the Ithiel Town . And you could get back into the city and strike The Plaza in 10 minutes . Some decisions are just easy.– KA
Las Vegas, NV: Henderson
Population:270,811 ( ! ! ) Where to eat / drink : I make love Sushi , Gold Mine Tavern , a bunch of weird places in casino
" Then there ’s Downtown Henderson which is actually kind of weird and coolheaded with a biker bar that is rad and really old / weird out - there casinos no one would ever have any cause to go to otherwise . It also has the distinct designation of being THE safest metropolis in the entire land , agree to some kind of criminal offense stats in the last few years ( ED NOTE : Actually No . 2 , harmonise toForbes ) . Because it ’s right next to Vegas and because all of Vegas save for business district search like a suburb anyway , it ’s pretty identical from Vegas proper but for the fact that that all the strip malls and tract caparison looks nicer ( and it does ) . near lead system too . "
Los Angeles, CA: Studio City
Population:37,000 ( estimated)Where to wipe out / drink : Black Market , Sugarfish , Oyster House Saloon
OK , so it ’s not a traditional suburb , but nothing in LA is : the urban center ’s made up principally of ' hoods that variety of relate to each other in a much different path than the traditional suburb / city relationship , which means that Studio City is both near a major tourer destination ( Universal Studios ) and position of job ( uh , Universal Studios ) . But the caparison is affordable , which means it ’s where millennials and Gen - Xers are raising families , which also means a slew of new and great restaurants , including selections fromTop Cheftestants ( Black Market ) and some of the safe sushi in LA ( Sugarfish FTW ) . It ’s also just a 15 - bit driving or so into Hollywood and about 20 to Downtown LA , though the beach can be a hike – but in LA , no matter where you are , there ’s some geographical downside ; here , it ’s utterly livable.– Jeff Miller , aged Los Angeles editor
Miami, FL: Coral Gables
Population:49,630Where to wipe out / imbibe : Uvaggio Wine Bar , The Local , La Casita , Ortanique on the Mile
There is nothing that infuriate Coral Gables more than being called a suburb of Miami . " We ’re our own urban center , " they outcry , as they pedal by in their Hurricanes tankful tops holding a takeout bags filled with pollo asado from La Casita . But considering it ’s less than seven statute mile to Downtown Miami , has beautiful Mediterranean computer architecture design by George Merrick in the mid-1920s during the " City Beautiful " campaign in America ( history ! ) , its own fantastic Downtown with a slew of restaurants that can go toe - to - toe with those in Miami right , the added welfare of being capable to take your kids to a gang of UM sport , and , unlike Miami Beach , will not be underwater in 20 yr , there is really no better option.– KA
Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN: Excelsior
Population:2,397Where to eat / toast : coalescency , Excelsior Brewing Company , Licks Unlimited , The Suburban
If we were voting on meridian for these suburbia , Excelsior ( in the summer ) would be a lock for " best - look . " There are places closer ( the town sits right on Lake Minnetonka 20 nautical mile west of Downtown ) but none that have everything you could mayhap want . So let me ask you : what do you desire ? Do you want an extensive lead internet ? One of those fancy supermarket that has very good loose sample and craft beers ? A Downtown eating house scene with more than a dozen great options within walk length of each other ? A local brewery ? A immense town common right hand on the urine ? Concerts ? A fresh library ? Parking time at the township bob for boaters ? Gorgeous puritanical homes ? A DAMN STREETCAR BOAT pull out of Lake Minnetonka , restored , and used to shuttle people between Excelsior and Wayzata ? WHY DON’T YOU JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT?– KA
Nashville, TN: Franklin
Population:68,886Where to eat / booze : Puckett ’s Grocery & Restaurant , Mantra Artisan Ales , Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop
Franklin has label itself " America ’s Main Street , " which , yes , can voice kitschy and like the slogan of a planned community of interests despairing to attract new residents , but , for this suburb , it ’s curiously fitting . In the last 30 yr , the universe has boomed , and that boom took billet with the old Main St preserved at its center , which gives Franklin the incredibly inviting aura of a gratifying , small southerly town . That it in reality is this , while also standing as the little , Civil War conflict - scarred version of Nashville ( complete with a Puckett ’s Grocery for that go - to comfort food , and solid accession to nightly shows ) but without any awe of run into the weekly influx of tiara - wearing bachelor girl parties , makes this escape even more deserving its 20 - minute commute.– Liz Childers , senior metropolis manager
New York, NY: Montclair, NJ
Population:37,669Where to eat / fuddle : Turtle + the Wolf , The Corner , Egan & Sons
Oh mankind , the fights fence NY suburbs were terrifying . multitude who live in Westchester shout out at people who live in Connecticut . Everyone yelling at the Jersey masses . It was mayhem . But then a armistice arrived in the frame of a township that almost everyone admitted they were on board with . And so we make out to Montclair . First off , it ’s only a 20 - mile drive into the city . But if you ’re guide NJ Transit , it only takes about 31 minute to get into Penn Station . You ca n’t beat that from most neighborhoods in Brooklyn .
Would you like to talk about the food conniption perhaps ? Maybe you need a restaurant from the former culinary director of Tom Colicchio ’s restaurant ? you may have it at Lauren Hirschberg ’s Turtle + the Wolf . Or a place that actually get to fresh deep brown buffalo chip cookies every day at 2:30pm ? Hit The Corner . Or a legit coal - oven pizza shop ? Voila , Mancinni ’s . There is a minor - league baseball arena . Two movie theatre of operations ( one to watch superhero stuff , the other for when you ’re feeling artsy ) . An in reality diverse community makeup . sight of bars along and off of Bloomfield Ave . Four skating rink ! A 20 - minute campaign to Newark Airport . Two local document , somehow . Other suburbs may be able-bodied to top Montclair in one particular category , but none of them are this well rounded.– KA
City of Powell Government
Orlando, FL: Winter Garden
Population:34,568Where to eat / fuddle : alFresco , Moon Cricket Grille , Crooked Can Brewing Company , Taquitos Jalisco
I ’m not run to dwell . I want this to be Dr. Phillips , mostly because I could n’t conceive there was a town called Dr. Phillips , and I had a peck of gag surrounding this premise . But unfortunately , actual enquiry forbid that pick and impart us with Winter Garden , aka " a sorcerous small city with a juicy past " that sits right on Lake Apopka . What divide out WG from most of the frankly bland Orlando suburbs is its historic business district with a row of solid restaurants , and the Plant St Market , which basically run as a totally refurbished indoor market place featuring a brewery , a European bakery , a juice bar , a strong point butcher store , a whole - bean coffee shop class , coal - force out pizza pie , and a freaking atomic number 8 bar.– KA
Philadelphia, PA: Wayne
Population:51,548Where to eat / toast : White Dog Cafe , The Silverspoon , John ’s Village Market , Teresa ’s Next Door
One of my friend ( I ’ll call him Ramsey ) is obsessed with food . Always keep a running list of the best space to eat steak or sandwich within a 50 - mile spoke of wherever he presently is . And because he hold out out of doors of Philadelphia , his list dead line up with our needs for this story , and he proceeded to break down all of the eatable and otherwise glorification of Wayne .
Some hits from his tilt :
Flickr/Ken Lund
Commute:“Train ride into Center City Philly is 28 minutes on expressage . One of smattering of express stops in Philadelphia suburb with verbatim access to Philadelphia . "
Restaurants:“Minella ’s Diner : Wayne institution , place is pretty money even for a diner . ““Margaret Kuo ’s : they have a great deal of awards . "
Delis:“John ’s Deli . Place is money . "
Kimberly Park
Bars:“Teresa ’s Next Door bar : voted best whisky bar in all of Philadelphia byPhilly Mag . attend it up . "
Attractions:“We have a crack - old vintage film theater . ““There is a gambling casino one stat mi aside . ““Valley Forge Park . George Washington passed through here , a lot of people become flat . Google it . "
He also articulate clobber about schools being No . 2 in the country and taxes being downcast , but the peak is , if Ramsey ca n’t deal you on move to Wayne when you have to get out of Philly proper , you should probably just move out of Pennsylvania .
Standees Theatres
Phoenix, AZ: Gilbert
Population:239,277Where to eat / salute : Barrio Queen , Zinburger , Joyride Taco House , Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co.
This is one of those problem we only seem to run into in the West . Gilbert is a Ithiel Town in the metropolitan Phoenix . But it also has over 200k residents . Scottsdale , which we did n’t admit because it ’s its own urban center , connected closely to Phoenix has only somewhat more the great unwashed . And so again , we receive ourselves in splitting - hairs territory . But enough nerd worries !
In 2014 , thePhoenix New Timescalled Gilbert " one of the hottest dining mini - hubs in the Valley " and that was BEFORE they add together a clump of new restaurants Downtown . That Downtown country is now a veritable restaurant row , with home to get chicken and waffle , " Mexico City soul solid food , " coffee and doughnut pancakes from the breakfast spot Snooze , a wine and burger streak from the Fox Restaurant masses , and a pizzeria Napoletana . Oh , and ice cream . And this is before we even get to the bars . Pretty good for the former " Hay Shipping Capital of the World . “– KA
Supannee Hickman / Shutterstock.com
Pittsburgh, PA: Dormont
Population:8,593Where to consume / toast : The Dor - Stop , Fredo ’s Delicatessen , Jamison ’s , back in Pittsburgh
If you have n’t read everywhere , Pittsburgh is the NEW . HOT . food for thought . TOWN . So it ’s in all likelihood important , if you ’re forced to move out of said hot solid food epicenter , that you have a style to quickly get back into the mix . Dormont ( not to be confused with dormant ) does , thanks to its access to Pittsburgh ’s light rail , which can put you into the middle of the city in nine minutes . That is a disk for any of our suburbia , by the way . It is just one square Swedish mile long ( all-encompassing ? ) , but has those silly - handsome craftsmen homes I always see on the wish leaning duringHouse Hunters , from which you may take the air to its completely good " Downtown " dining country ( less of a concern here considering you ’re NINE MINUTES from the city ) . Oh , and it also has one of the " largest municipal pools in Pennsylvania . " Win - profits - win.– KA
Portland, OR: Forest Grove
Population:21,000Where to eat up / drink : Maggie ’s bum , the Grand Lodge , Scottie ’s
Portland ’s suburbs are rife with great thing – historical Downtown Hillsboro has the Venetian Theatre , Beaverton has the best Korean food northerly of LA , Gresham has … um , a compounding A&W / Taco Bell AND a combination Ford / KIA franchise . But to get to those things , you have to get through all the detritus that makes people crawl at the mentation of suburbs . Which makes Forest Grove apotheosis . It ’s one of those suburb that was n’t design as such , a Rockwellian piddling agrarian town that the sprawl just kind of crept up on as Nike and Intel occupy over other towns , but remains just out of grasp , meaning you may still have a restrained loving cup of coffee amid the Pacific University educatee at Maggie ’s Buns , or get a combo moving-picture show / bluegrass show / dinner at the Grand Lodge , a McMenamins property free-base in an honest-to-god Masonic lodge .
There ’s still a little modest - town paper on the main drag , and a small community field of operations , and a cluster of artistic production drift , and enough bars to sustain local rumors . It ’s the last sign of civilization you ’ll see in a while as you get lost in wine rural area or the sea-coast mountains , a suburb that buts up against the bounteous - corner madness of Hillsboro and that can still be reached by Portland ’s public theodolite . But it ’s still a quiet little ' burb with its own identity . That might not last eternally . But for now , it ’s the closemouthed thing to low - town living you could get while in view of the city lights.– Andy Kryza , senior Food & Drink editor program
City of Franklin
Sacramento, CA: Folsom
Population:72,203Where to eat / salute : fairly much anywhere on Sutter St
IT ‘S NOT JUST THE PRISON , o.k. ? Folsom is weirdly pretty , mostly thanks to the fantastic task the urban center has done with its Historic Sutter Street Revitalization , which make it seem like you ’re still last in a amber - mining town , but one with a great British pub ( Fat Rabbit ) , taquerias , and a succus bar .
In term of a commute , you ’re about 20 land mile from Sacramento , so there are emphatically near options , but none with the kind of unique style and offer of Folsom . Plus , if people do n’t know it , you may always be like , " you know … like the prison?"– KA
Smallbones/Wikimedia
San Antonio, TX: New Braunfels
Population:66,394Where to eat / drink : Alpine Haus , Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar , Faust Hotel and Brewing Co. , Pour Haus
Most San Antonio residents ( and Austin occupier , for that affair ) are quite conversant with New Braunfels as a go - to set in motion spot for some fresh tube on the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers , and as the hometown of six - sentence MLB all - star Lance Berkman . But beyond that , there ’s some serious history here – the German ( how ’d you pretend ? ! ) resolution ranked among Texas ' braggart in the 1850s , and that legacy lives on in its yearly autumn Wurstfest , as well as German restaurants like Alpine Haus , where you could get your schnitzel on year - round . Or , should your taste lie more Southern comforter than German , there ’s Gristmill River in historic Gruene ( which lies within the city limits and also boasts a much - beloved euphony dormitory ) . If tubing in naturally occur rivers is n’t enough for you , there are always the weewee slides at monumental water park Schlitterbahn , and if that does n’t get your nerve racing , two Holy Scripture : SNAKE FARM!– ML
San Bernardino/Riverside, CA: Chino Hills
Population:76,572Where to eat / toast : Mes Amis , Oke Poke , Oh Queso
Just to be clear : this is not Ryan Atwood ’s Chino . But if you ’re going to be spending your time in San Bernardino County you could do much worse than Chino Hills , which was fundamentally all trilled hills and meadows and Equus caballus and bootlegger and people Ryan Atwood accidentally hurt emotionally until , like , 1989 . On top of drive by the abode of Vine star Cameron Dallas , Chino Hills give you options . You might be shape in San Bernardino now , but perchance you get transferred to Anaheim , or LA , or , ugh , Apple Valley . If it ’s any of them apart from Apple Valley , you’re able to stay put put , as you ’re relatively equidistant . Unfortunately , as with much of this sphere , there is a high concentration of chains amongst the fancy ranch - esque - sounding neighborhoods , but there are also a few gems , including Mes Amis , which offers up quality Lebanese nutrient . Oh , and belly dancing.– KA
San Diego, CA: Solana Beach
Population:13,236Where to corrode / drink : Pizza Port . All the time .
San Diego is another strange spot where the county sucks up almost all of the surround suburbs pretty far north . Basically until you get to North County and go through Del Mar to get to Solana Beach . But SB is an loose choice here anyway . Not quite as obnoxious and meet with horses as Rancho Santa Fe , or as obnoxious and filled with clotheshorse in cherry tree - red M3s as Del Mar , or as bloody far up northerly as Encinitas , Solana Beach is the more subtly cool North County townsfolk , with a wondrous beachfront , a subtle arts community , the OG Pizza Port ( aka the fantastic place to drink amazing beer , eat solid pizza pie , and play video games ) , and handsome people with toned calf walk around everywhere . And before you ’re like , " But Kevin ! Del Mar has so many more eatery option ! " Well , look , you ’re right next threshold , so you could go deplete and imbibe at them , too.– KA
San Francisco/Oakland, CA: Larkspur
Population:12,204Where to eat / drink : Picco , Farmshop , Silver Peso , Perry ’s
Larkspur is one of those northerly California township that seems made up , with that princely old - timey business district with a vintage theater , redwoods everywhere , and dads wearing straight - brim hat carry longboards . But it is a real position , supporter . And it truly is grand . render to get into SF for body of work ? How about you permute via the Larkspur ferrying , which takes you ripe to Downtown in 25 minutes . Or maybe you ’re trying to go to Oakland ? The Richmond Bridge connects almost directly from Larkspur too . Food you crave ? Picco is one of the gravid Northern California eating place anywhere , and has a next - level casual pizza parlor next room access , Farmshop has fantastic cocktails and pizzas , Donut Alley has the best old - fashioned doughnut in the country , and food truck from SF and Marin come to Marin Country Mart on Sundays . bar ? The Silver Peso is a dive cake institution , and legendary SF bar / restaurant Perry ’s opened a satellite position this twelvemonth , so you could get beers and keep an eye on game on a 60 in TV hidden in a damn mirror .
There are groovy spots all around the Bay Area , but none combine location ( for both cities ) , alone historic aesthetics , and their own great food / drink conniption like Larkspur . Game over.– KA
Courtesy of Somes Tourism
Seattle, WA: Woodinville
Population:11,318Where to rust / drink : The Hollywood Tavern , The Herbfarm , Redhook Brewery , all the wineries
With all due respect to the OG suburbs Mercer Island and Bellevue , Woodinville is the more interesting ( and less outlandishly expensive ) choice for multitude just make the move outside of Seattle . And it is more interesting , partially because you ’re basically moving not that far out of the city , but right into wine country / the hometown of 2006 Miss Washington Tiffany Doorn . I mean , 90 winery right there . Ninety ! That ’s 75 more than 15 , which would be a ton of wineries . Do n’t like wine ? Well , that ’s dazed , but it does n’t matter , because you ’ll have a dozen brewery flop there too , including Redhook , Sumerian , and Triplehorn . Because you ’ll be living there , and need restaurants , there ’s a killer lineup of those too , with everything from an awful coffee and luncheon spot ( The Commons ) , to burgers and booze ( The Hollywood Tavern ) , to the magnificently fancy Herbfarm . We did n’t even check to see if there are schools , but who cares , your tike are belong to be famous wine-coloured barons anyway.– KA
St. Louis, MO: Chesterfield
Population:47,484Where to wipe out / pledge : Balaban ’s , EdgeWild Restaurant & Winery , Bishop ’s Post , International Tap House
St. Louis has lots of sometime money suburbs like Town and Country , and Ladue and Glendale . And if you have the money and want to head there , grand . But Chesterfield has the most potency . In the midst of a structure boom now , it ’s also a big Ithiel Town , and with that larger universe come more action ( but still a very low crime rate ! ) , like concert at the Chesterfield Amphitheater ( have n’t you always wanted to see a Journey protection circle ? ! ! ? ) , the original location of International Tap House for raft of beers , griddle burgers at Bishop ’s Post , and every wine you could possibly think of during particular date night at Balaban ’s . Oh , and they ’re also in the physical process of okay a $ 20 million Brew Hub for craft brewer to work as married person to expand into new markets . As dainty as it is , that is not materialise in Ladue.– KA
Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg, FL: Dunedin
Population:35,321Where to eat / drink : Eli ’s Bar - B - Que , Kelly ’s , Bon Appetit
Dunedin was one of the easiest picks on this tilt . Of course you ’re proceed to pick a place that has one of the best beaches in the world ( on Caladesi Island State Park ) , clear views of the Gulf of Mexico , natural spring - training baseball game from the Toronto Blue Jays to bring your Thomas Kid to , a huge fine - art center , a public library with a damn delivery service , many breweries , arguably the best BBQ in Florida at Eli ’s ( get the chopped pork ) , and a cool Scottish history dating back to the 19th century and involving pigs running rampant . Also : do you think there are other place outside of Florida that could have restaurants named " Kelly ’s , For Just About … Anything " that in reality really forge well?– KA
Washington, DC: Takoma Park, MD
Population:17,721Where to rust / fuddle : Republic , Roscoe ’s Pizzeria
DC suburbs are punishing . You ca n’t count Arlington or Alexandria ( otherwise the Del Ray discussion section would ’ve garner some serious votes ) because they are really their own city . Bethesda and many of the other NoVa basic give you the standard nice suburbia commonplace : handily be after shopping villages with upper - mediate - class chain - store conveniences and the occasional " dress shop " standalone shop to make you kind of palpate like you ’re getting something sovereign . Which brings us to Takoma Park . Long fuck as a hippie - ish community thanks to its " atomic - free zone " proclamation , TP has a more or less different , funkier smell from the other surrounding ' burbs , and that brings with it food and fuddle you ca n’t get elsewhere . Take the exceptional Republic from Jeff Black , for example . It ’s get food from Takoma aboriginal Danny Wells , awing oysters and chorizo crostini , and cocktails with names like Fascist Killer and Sammie Abbott , named for the TP activist . What other suburban area are you going to move to with cocktail named after its leader , huh ? HUH?– KA
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City of New Braunfels
Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
