A little ways down Lee Highway, away from the more high-profile Arlington hot spots—like Michael Landrum's expanding stable of "Ray's" restaurants—is The Italian Store. It's a smallish Italian grocery and deli where, if you're willing to brave the often 30+ minute waits during peak hours and cadre of well-meaning but inattentive young men behind the sandwich counter, you'll be rewarded with one of the best Italian subs in the D.C. area. More

There's no shortage of worthy food-related projects waiting to be funded on Kickstarter, but I'd like to give a shout-out to the good folks at Foster Harris House in Washington Virginia, just down the road from the Inn at Little Washington. Chef-owner John MacPherson is a really good cook who's committed to sustainable agriculture in an inclusive way. He's trying to raise money for a PBS food show, In Season. Read more about the Kickstarter project here. More

My last trip to Roanoke, on official hot dog business, was for the famous Roanoke Weiner Stand, which was delicious. But I had no idea it was only a few blocks away from one of the coolest looking "Texas" themed hot dog joints in the country. Texas Tavern, also known as Roanoke's Millionaires Club , has been around since 1930. More

This episode of Perennial Plate is about the very compassionate Anne Shroeder of Star Gazing Farm in Maryland. She started the farm with just one sheep and two goats, but has turned it into a sanctuary. In this video she introduces us to her animals. "She's on a diet but doesn't seem to be losing any weight," (in reference to her pig). More

In this Perennial Plate video, we take a short trip along the Rappahannock River in eastern Virginia to get a glimpse into the sustainability of oysters. They are pretty remarkable creatures. Learn more about how they filter gallons of water each day from the guys behind the family-owned Rappahannock River oysters company. More

Canadian Geese aren't really supposed to be hanging out in Virginia in huge numbers, eating wine makers' grapes. In this episode of the Perennial Plate's Road Trip series, we follow Jackson Landers, a writer and locavore hunter. "I don't want to wipe out all Canadian geese...but hunting them keeps them from being a problem," says Landers in the video. The geese are made into burgers. Warning: This video contains some graphic scenes. More

We ventured outside the District proper into Maryland and northern Virginia too in search of the area's best tacos. Here are nine favorites for al pastor, goat, pollo, carnitas and more. More

Located in downtown Roanoke, smack in the middle of the incredible City Market—a permanent farmers market with local produce, country ham and crafts, open 7 days a week—is Roanoke Weiner Stand, a old-school hot dog joint that's been there since 1916. Different from the more diner-style southern hot dog spots complete with waitresses, this is your classic urban hot dog counter, optimized for speed with the dogs cooking on a flat top grill in the front window, and minimal seating in the form of a blue counter and stools along the wall. More

Skeeter's is an amazing corner lunch counter in the sleepy small town of Wytheville, Virginia. Famous for their hot dogs, they claim to have sold over 9 million since 1925. It's a neighborhood spot filled with antique soda signs and a wrap-around counter packed with locals. And table service—in a hot dog joint! More

This strip-mall deli (next to the Kmart in Fairfax, Virginia) doesn't look like much, but the Hot Sicilian ($10 for an 8" sandwich, $13 for 12") is a sandwich worth seeking out. The meat is freshly sliced, and the bread just soft enough to make eating this monster sub easier. Topped with fistfuls of salty salami and coppa, fiery hot pickled peppers, and cooling provolone, the flavors mingle under a splash of oil and vinegar. More