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Fat Boy's in Cook's Corner, Maine (between Freeport and Brunswick). It's a true drive-in, with most of the business done from rolled down car windows, although they do have a couple of booths inside for those who don't want to grease up the upholstery. Awesome onion rings, really good crab rolls, and lots more. We're heading up there in exactly eleven days. Can not wait.

Herbert's Taco Hut. San Marcos, TX.

Go to spend the day tubing and swimming in the pristine spring-fed San Marcos River.

Go to Herbert's. Sit at the table with the pictures of the legendary and tragic all-star wrestlers, the Von Erich brothers.

Enjoy the chips and salsa.

Try not to cry because you are so happy.

Order an unsweetened iced tea and a combo #1: Crispy taco, cheese enchilada with chili con carne, queso chip, chalupa, beans, and rice.

Eat.

Go ahead and cry because you are so happy and trying to hide your emotions might make you choke.

Tip very generously.

Resist the urge to hug the staff as you leave the restaurant.

Duck Fat, Portland, ME. We made a side trip there this weekend, on our way further north. The fries (cooked in duck fat, natch), with choice of dipping sauce (duck gravy and truffle ketchup are our faves), are killing, and it is easy to eat way more than anyone should. And the duck confit panini, with local goat cheese and blueberry conserve, is delectable.

And Frank Pepe's in New Haven for the best pizza, anywhere.

Raw fries and about 6 small hamburgers (the proprietor does not like the name 'slider' !) at Phil Rohrer's Lunch in Two Rivers, WI. Yummy.

Lambert's in Sikeston, MO. Home of the Throwed Roll. The food is down home great and its always entertaining watching people try to catch the rolls.

I think this has been my answer before for a previous question (maybe favorite southern food?) but Allen and Son's BBQ in North Carolina. I have no idea where it is because my aunt drives, but I regularly travel from New York to Durham for this BBQ.

I second Erinay77's vote for beignets & coffee at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans!! :D

ANYTHING from the Flour Bakery and Cafe, Boston
Shortbread from Rosie's Bakery, Boston
Herrell's Ice Cream, Northampton, MA
Whole wheat pancakes from the Littleton Diner, Littleton, NH

The Summerton Diner in Summerton, SC. When my wife and I were there at closing time last year, they gave us a giant sack of biscuts on the way out the door so they wouldn't go to waste!

There's a little shack of a place hidden among the trees where a bridge along River Road (PA rt 23 [I think]) crosses the Delaware River towards Frenchtown. While some of the best corn and tomatoes can be had along that winding road, the shack, Dilly's, is a great place to stop for a burger, hot dog, fries, and ice cream. The burgers are juicy and piled with fried onions and peppers, and more than once have I seen people tempted to try the impossible and reach their elbows with their tongues as the burger juices trickle down their arms. I stick with the ice cream. ;-)

this oyster place near seattle (forgot the name) with the best sweet potato fries ever

Eddies Country store in Pinetop Arizona, They have the best BBQ mixed beef and pork sandwich ever!!

The Cathedral Cafe in Fayetteville, WV. It's about an hour away. The women in my family go once a year. They have great apetizers, salads, sandwiches, & deserts. They also have a giftshop new & used books, (a wonderful thing as many of this group are booklovers) pottery, glass, jewelry, & lots of other cool stuff. Oh, I forgot they have realy good coffee,teas, & sodas with exotic flavors. This is not just a chick joint either, my husband likes it too! The area is big in whitewater rafting and you see the rafters eating there at certain times of the year. If you are ever in the area check it out.

We live in Columbus, Ohio and we love taking a road trip to the Amish country (Holmes County) for some serious good eats! Crispy Broasted chicken, pies, fudge, cheese, and so much more. If you go during summer or early fall there's also fresh locally grown produce. My mouth is watering just thinking about that chicken.

Boudin at Don's Specialty Meats in Carencro, Louisiana. Get a pound of boudin and, maybe, a bag of cracklins.

Nothing short of death or natural disaster could stop one of my trips to More Than Coffee in Blacksburg, VA. It serves authentic Lebanese food and cannot be passed up. Who knew hummus and freshly-made pita bread could inspire a two-hour drive?

Mighty Mo's Meaty Meat Burgers (or something like that) in Cali– although it might have closed since I was last there a few years ago. hand-painted sign. Workers just sitting around until you went up to the window. Good Stuff

Flo's Hotdogs in Cape Neddick, Maine

All they serve is hotdogs (and chips and soda) and there's always a line out the door. The best way to have these dogs, and it may sound a little weird, is with relish and mayo. I had to be convinced, but now I'm hooked. The relish isn't really hot, but it mixes well with the mayo. You also need to order at least two, because they're on the small side. We haven't been at all this year, and I feel a road trip coming on!

I love Strickland's Custard in Northeast Ohio. So creamy....and a different featured flavor every day. It is a tradition in my area.

i honestly think i would roadtrip it from manhattan to cali just for in-n-out burger.

Clary's Cafe in Savannah, GA. for Thick sliced sourdough French toast, dusted with cinnamon and topped with pure cane syrup. Wow!

Then again I once set out one morning on my motorcycle for a 500+ mile trip to Goldsboro, NC for BBQ at Wilbers. Pulled pork and hush puppies. Best 11 hour ride I ever took for dinner.

Buy one get one for a dollar burgers on Wednesday night at the Old Town Tavern in Morristown, MN. Try the patty melt and a basket of tater tots.

This is also a short road trip for me:

Anderson's in Buffalo for beef on weck and turtle sundaes!

Lambert's, Home of Throwed Rolls in Sikeston, Missouri or just south of Springfield, Missouri. Veggie plate (all either cooked with a pork product or with sugar added) plus "pass-arounds" of fried okra, mac and tomatoes, fried potatoes and, of course, the famous biscuits!

Edward's fried clams in Lewiston, Maine. Two orders, hold the side dishes.

D'Arcy's Pint in Springfield, Illinois for the Horseshoe sandwich (one slice Texas toast, meat of choice (I recommend the breaded pork loin), a pound of fries, and homemade cheese sauce.

Interstate Barbecue in Memphis, Tennesee for the barbecued spaghetti (burnt ends, barbecue sauce and spaghetti, mixed and grilled -- trust me on this one!).

The Varsity in Atlanta, Georgia for chili dogs, onion rings and cola -- "May I help you please!".

The Sanitary Fish Market in Beaufort, North Carolina for any fried seafood item and hush puppies to die for.

Woofie's Hot Dogs in St. Louis, Missouri for the Kathy Special -- all-beef dog, cheese, bacon, condiments and a "sport pepper". Plus a root beer.

Now I'm hungry!!!!

"Burrito World" in Cali...yep...it exists and it's scary. Be sure to take a big ol' dose of beano with that 'un! :))

Luling City Market in Luling,Tx. on I-10 60 miles west of San Antonio. You buy brisket, sausage or ribs from smoke room in back on butcher paper with crackers, bread, peppers and onions.

You buy cheese, beans and drinks at the front.

I've never had barbecue sauce like it. I think it is mustard based.

David's Catfish House in Atmore, Alabama has great southern fried seafood. I loved the fried shrimp and hubby enjoyed the fried catfish. Even our picky 4 year old enjoyed the food.

Anywhere near Carrizozo, NM-- I like to stop in Cloudcroft for the view-- for cherry cider. It's delicious, sharp, sweet, bubbly, and tangy.

Since you wrote about hamburgers, I will mention White Manna in Hackensack N.J. My friend was in the hospital nearby for over a year and the best thing I did was bring her double cheeseburgers from White Manna. Ultimate joy. It's those little things that mean a lot. When people are in a hurry and there is a long line, they are told to go to McDonalds across the street. If they go, they don't know what they are missing.

The Buckhorn in San Antonio, New Mexico for its fantabulous green chile cheeseburger served with homemade French fries. (hey, if Texas can have a Paris, New Mexico can have its own San Antonio). Try the homemade salsa and homemade corn tortilla chips as a starter; and add a side of pinto beans and chile to round out your meal of the day. Watch out for lifelong cravings.