Best Dishes of 2025

My top food items of the year

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• Roast Beef Sandwich
  • Where I Ate It: Counter Service
  • What It Cost: $19.50 with taxes etc. (Note: I find this to be a rather egregious cost for a sandwich, especially if it’s to-go only.)
  • Why It’s So Freakin’ Delicious: That semolina bread was perfectly toasted. The topping ratio was on point.

• Focaccia Sandwich
  • Where I Ate It: Radio Bakery
  • What It Cost: $8.50
  • Why It’s So Freakin Delicious: Everything that comes out of the Radio Bakery ovens is well above par, but those items made with their focaccia are true standouts.

• Cheeseburger
  • Where I Ate It: Hoexter’s
  • What It Cost: $29
  • Why It’s So Freakin Delicious: This bistro burger has joined the ranks of best in the city. And the fries are incredible too. Something about the seeds on the bun, the special sauce on the burger, and all that juiciness.

• Bahn Mi
  • Where I Ate It: Saiguette
  • What It Cost: $12
  • Why It’s So Freakin Delicious: This sandwich is huge, priced right, and filled with tender lemongrass pork and spicy sauce.

• Fried Fish
  • Where I Ate It: Make My Fish
  • What It Cost: $15.25 (if you get fish with the be side – $12.50 for fish with fries)
  • Why It’s So Freakin Delicious: It’s rare for me to say something tastes like it does at home, but this is one of those times. The batter is thick and nicely seasoned with pepper, but you don’t lose the fish itself. Skip the collards, but they bake the mac and cheese (again, like home) so go for that as your side.

• Capri martini
  • Where I Ate It: Amarena
  • What It Cost: $22
  • Why It’s So Freakin Delicious: This martini is made with extra virgin olive oil-infused Verità vodka, basil-infused Dolin dry vermouth, and “caprese” bitters. It’s refreshing and light without being sweet and fruity. It’s like drinking a caprese salad in the best possible way.

• Salad Dressing
  • Where I Ate It: Purchased at H Mart, used at home
  • What It Cost: $6.99 (according to the internet, but I think it’s less in-store)
  • Why It’s So Freakin Delicious: This is basically the best restaurant-level sesame dressing. I often rank my sushi or hibachi spots based on who has the best dressing. This is better than most of them.