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Take a trip around the country with these famous foods delivered straight to your door

Jan. 23, 2021
13 min read
10 Best Food Cities: New Orleans
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If you plan your trips around where you're eating, well, welcome to the club.

While many of us may not be traveling for the foreseeable future, all is not lost. There are plenty of ways you can explore the world from the comfort of your own home — and you can also use this time to plan your next trip.

But if you had a Christmas vacation to Florida planned and you're craving key lime pie, or perhaps you've had an appetite for classic barbecue ever since you canceled your Texas getaway -- whatever, we've got you covered. After all, if you can't bring yourself to vacation, you might as well bring the vacation to you, right?

Here's how you can enjoy local delicacies from your dining room table (or sofa — this is a judgment-free zone).

Explore the whole country with Goldbelly

Some of our favorite food memories come from trips we've taken and not our hometowns. Enter Goldbelly, a gourmet food delivery company with offerings from all across the country.

Whether you're looking for New York bagels, South Carolina-style barbecue or deep-dish Chicago pizza, Goldbelly is a great way to satisfy your stomach's sense of adventure. The site has a great feature that lets you shop by region to make traveling from home even easier. Don't see your favorite restaurant or destination listed? Make sure to check the website regularly, as new vendors are always becoming available (think: Cuban sandwiches from Miami's Versailles Restaurant and lobster rolls from the Clam Shack in Kennebunk, Maine).

The company also recently launched the GiveBelly City Subscription Box as a way to give back to health care workers. Each month, you'll receive a box with food from restaurants in the city of your choice. You can choose from New York City, New Orleans, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami. All proceeds go toward delivering food packages to first responders.

Photo courtesy of Goldbelly
(Screenshot courtesy of Goldbelly)

New York

Restaurants and bars in New York are open for takeout and outdoor dining. But with the hospitality industry reeling, it's more important than ever to support your favorite local businesses.

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To that end, a ton of New York City's most popular restaurants are offering food delivery — no matter where in the world you are.

Related: You can enjoy 7 of New York's hottest restaurants from the comfort of your home right now

Ess-A-Bagel

This is one of New York's premier bagel spots. Lines regularly wrap around the block on any given weekend, as their bagels, lox and cream cheese are legendary.

Ess-a-Bagel. (Photo by TennesseePhotography/Getty Images)
Ess-a-Bagel. (Photo by TennesseePhotography/Getty Images)

It's offering a bunch of packages, ranging from plain bagels to bagels, spreads, lox and more to spice up your weekend brunch routine. Prices range from $52 to $139. The best part? Shipping is free.

Russ and Daughters

If you don't make it to Russ and Daughters during your trip to New York City, did you really go to New York City? The answer is no. Stock up on a New York-style brunch for $179, complete with lox, cream cheese, bagels, coffee and the restaurant's famous chocolate babka. Shipping is free and available nationwide within the continental U.S. You can ship to Hawaii and Alaska for an additional $35.

DiFara Pizza

This is arguably as good as New York pizza gets — and that's when you know it's good. While you'll typically have to wait around an hour for one of these pies in person, you can get one of its classic Neapolitan or Sicilian pies delivered straight to your door.

Word to the wise: Get more than you think you'll eat, and save the rest for later. Trust us: You'll want as much as you can get your hands on. Prices range from $89 for a two-pack of Neapolitan pies to $149 for a two-pack of extra-large Sicilian pies. Shipping is free and nationwide (excluding Alaska and Hawaii).To ship to Alaska and Hawaii, you'll need to pay an additional $35.

Related: The best credit cards for dining out, taking out and ordering in

Katz's Deli

Now you can really have what she's having. New York icon Katz's Deli is shipping its salami, pastrami and corned beef anywhere in the U.S. Whether you're in the mood for a Reuben package or just some pulled pastrami by the pound, this is the best way to get a taste of New York City.

Katz's Delicatessen. (Photo by Michael Berman/Getty Images)
Katz's Delicatessen. (Photo by Michael Berman/Getty Images)

Katz's offers free two-day shipping to the entire country on orders over $100.

Magnolia Bakery

This New York bakery has been a staple for cake lovers (and fans of the famous banana pudding) for more than two decades. Whether you're a fan of the original Bleecker Street location or prefer to drop by the Grand Central outpost, Magnolia probably has a sweet treat for you. Get six cups of banana pudding (who knows how long we'll be sheltering, right?) delivered for $65.

Maine

McLoons Lobster Shack

Craving a lobster roll? Well, locals say McLoons Lobster Shack has the best one in the entire state of Maine. It's a way to celebrate summer while picnicking on the beach — or, at least, pretend you're enjoying a summer vacation if you're stuck at home. McLoons is shipping make-your-own lobster roll kits (from $55) and, if you prefer something more simple, whole lobsters.

Pennsylvania

Pat's King of Steaks

If you haven't heard of Pat's King of Steaks, you're missing out. In 1930, it invented what's become a Philadelphia classic: the Philly Cheesesteak. The restaurant is still owned and operated by the same family more than 90 years later. It's currently shipping packs of cheesesteaks nationwide, starting at just $99. But you still have some tough choices to make: "wit or wit-out" onions, and with provolone, American or Cheez Whiz.

Primanti Bros.

This Pittsburgh legend is known for its "Almost Famous" sandwich with coleslaw, French fries and melted cheese. You can order a build-your-own sandwich kit from Primanti Bros. for $89 and choose from pastrami, capicola, corned beef or salami.

Louisiana

Dreaming of a trip to New Orleans? You can experience an iconic dish from the Big Easy without leaving home: a deli sandwich that originated with Sicilian immigrants who came to New Orleans as early as the late 19th century.

Central Grocery

Central Grocery has been a staple of New Orleans since it opened in 1906 and is home to the famous muffuletta sandwich. Your taste buds will thank you for this one: It's made of salami, ham, provolone and a famous olive spread.

Central Grocery in New Orleans. (Photo by Melina Mara/The Washington Post/Getty Images)
Central Grocery in New Orleans. (Photo by Melina Mara/The Washington Post/Getty Images)

Related: The first-timer's guide to New Orleans: Everything you need to eat, see and do.

Prices start at $109 for a two-pack, which serves six to eight people. You can also just order jars of the olive spread from $44 — because yes, it's just that good. You can have Central Grocery orders delivered to your house for free anywhere in the continental U.S. To ship to Hawaii or Alaska, you'll need to pay an additional $35 for overnight shipping.

Florida

Take a trip to the Sunshine State with the bright, tangy flavors of a key lime pie. Specifically, this order is going to transport you to the namesake Keys.

Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe

Key lime pies like the kind you'll find at citrus-colored Kermit's are few and far between. Thankfully, this famous Key West bakery is now shipping all over the country. So sit back, relax, play Jimmy Buffet and enjoy.

One key lime pie will cost you, though: Prices start at $79 for either the signature key lime pie or strawberry key lime pie. Shipping is free within the lower 48 states, but they cannot ship to Alaska or Hawaii.

Related: The best credit cards to use for food delivery services

California

Chowder and matzah ball soup may not be the first things that come to mind when you're thinking of a future trip to California. But you can still experience some of the best-loved restaurants in Los Angeles and San Francisco just by placing an order.

Boudin Bakery

Famous for its sourdough bread, Boudin Bakery is selling its classic San Francisco Sourdough Sampler and a four-pack of classic clam chowder and bread bowl. Bring some of California's best to your home in just a few short days. Shipping is free within the continental U.S., and an additional $35 to Hawaii and Alaska.

Bludso's BBQ

Best known for its former Compton location, Bludso's is a taste of Texas — in the City of Angels. This is the place to go if you're looking for pulled pork, brisket or anything else barbecued. Bludso's is currently offering free shipping on all orders that are good enough to satisfy the whole family.

Wexler's Deli

Wexler's made a splash in the Los Angeles dining scene and now you can bring its smoked fish and pastrami straight to your door. Whether you're just looking for some old-school matzah ball soup or smoked sturgeon, or you want to go all out with Jimmy Kimmel's deli favorites, there's something for everyone here.

Wexler's Deli in Los Angeles. (Photo by Grzegorz Czapski/Shutterstock)
Wexler's Deli in Los Angeles. (Photo by Grzegorz Czapski/Shutterstock)

Prices start at just $32, although your order needs to be at least $60 of food. Shipping costs $30 within the continental United States. An additional $20 fee for two-day shipping (or $35 for overnight shipping) will apply to orders to Hawaii or Alaska.

Phil's Fish Market

In the small town of Moss Landing, California, Phil's Fish Market has been called a must-see location. Over the years, it's even appeared on various lists of top restaurants. The fresh seafood keeps everyone coming back, but thanks to nationwide delivery, you can skip the long (but worth it) lines.

Porto's

This Cuban pastry business has been around since the 1980s. In fact, it's been named one of the best Cuban bakeries in Los Angeles. It's currently shipping some of its most famous items unbaked to hungry customers. If you love empanadas, cheese rolls or spicy pepper potato rolls, this place is for you.

Texas

If your travel plans will take you south after life returns to normal, whet your appetite with an order of Texas-style barbecue — because you deserve a slow-cooked brisket in your life.

Louie Mueller Barbecue

Order up some colossal "dino" beef ribs, legendary Texas brisket or even a chopped brisket sandwich kit from this Texas joint approximately 40 minutes from Austin. Other mouthwatering options include pork baby back ribs and jalapeño beef sausage.

Louie Muller Barbecue. (Photo courtesy of Louie Muller Barbecue)
Louie Muller Barbecue. (Photo courtesy of Louie Muller Barbecue)

Prices start at $99 and it includes free shipping within the continental U.S. An additional $20 fee will apply for two-day shipping or $35 for overnight shipping.

Missouri

Blue Owl Bakery

Best known for its 10-pound, nine-inch-tall Levee High Apple Pie, this bakery will brighten your pandemic blues. You can get this confection delivered right to your door from $99 with free shipping. Just know it's designed to feed up to a dozen people, so be prepared to make it last (or invite some family members over for a socially distant gathering).

Illinois

All you have to do is close your eyes, take a bite of a deep-dish pie and voilà: You're practically in Chicago.

Lou Malnati's

Got a hankering for a deep-dish pizza? Us, too. Lou Malnati's is one of Chicago's most famous — and arguably one of its best — pizza joints. You can order one of their "pizza packs" complete with anywhere from two to six deep dish pizzas from Tastes of Chicago.

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria. (Photo by Charles Cook/Getty Images)
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria. (Photo by Charles Cook/Getty Images)

Prices start at $66.99 for a pack of two, and shipping is included within the continental U.S. If you want to ship to Hawaii, Alaska or Puerto Rico, your pizza delivery order will cost an additional $30.

Girl and the Goat

This Chicago-based restaurant is known for inventive dishes dreamed up by chef Stephanie Izard, a former "Top Chef" winner. Girl and the Goat is shipping dinner kits for four from $89. Be prepared to whip up pork shanks with herbed yogurt and rhubarb chimichurri, grilled shrimp with beef short ribs and corn on the cob and goat empanadas.

Stan's Donuts

Donuts might be just the thing to brighten another morning stuck at home, and few do it better than Stan's. Get a dozen donuts from $59 and choose from classic cake donuts (vanilla-sprinkled, powdered sugar, red velvet), old-fashioned donuts (glazed, lemon pistachio, double chocolate) and fritters.

Bottom line

These are just a handful of the restaurants, bakeries and delis shipping their famous dishes around the country, but it's a great place to start if you're craving a little taste of your favorite destinations. The prices aren't cheap though, so be sure to use a credit card that will earn you bonus points on food delivery services.

Related: The best credit cards for groceries

Our top picks are the Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on dining), American Express® Gold Card (4x points at restaurants) and Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card (4% cash back on dining).

The information for the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

That way, your miniature home vacation is putting you one step closer to your next, real-life adventure.

Additional reporting by Ethan Steinberg.

Featured image by The Washington Post via Getty Im
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.