A "Chickwich" at Hill Country Chicken in New York. [Photograph: Robyn Lee]

Hill Country Chicken: The "serious, counter-service Southern-fried chicken and pie restaurant" from the folks who brought us Hill Country in New York has a ton of things to choose from on its expansive menu, but the skin-on fried chicken that "exhibits the cosmic one-ness between the crust and the skin" is the menu must-have.

"Very Good" Burgers: The Craftsman burgers at 26 Beach in Marina Del Ray, CA are "very good," with a lot of unusual, unique offerings. The Katsu's Original California Roll Burger, a burger topped with a california roll, had a great "salty, soy and seaweed combination" of flavors.

Jersey Dogs: Galloping Hill Inn may be one of the few places in New Jersey "that really does use a 'specially made dog,'" writes Hawk Krall.

Coco Pazzo: The pizzas on this Chicago Tuscan restaurant's menu offer a variety of excellent, well-executed topping options and perfectly cooked crust. The Funghi e Gorgonzola pie, with mild gorgonzola, butternut squash puree, a variety of mushrooms, house cured pancetta and thyme, was "as creative as it was delicious."

Mark Sliders: A new griddle, a new review. Nick Solares takes back his less than favorable verdict on this Manhattan slider joint, citing the new gas-powered grill (with a cast iron top) as doing an "excellent job of cooking sliders to soft, gooey perfection."