Mateo Gandolfo's Fine Cuisine Review: Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona edition

Hello ladies and gentlemen, As I sit here in Phoenix, AZ at YBT's hip urban pad in the wake of my first In-n-Out experience I realized that I haven't gotten a chance to discuss some of the great places we have grubbed while working our way out west. I love a lot of things about road trips but none do I love more than partaking in fine meal at a local hot spot. Here are some of my thoughts about a few notable stops.

- Torchy's Tacos, Austin, TX: A local taco shack that can be found in Austin, TX. Torchy's is by far my favorite Mexican spot of all time. If you are ever in Austin check it out and be sure to get a side of their special torchy's sauce, it will put hair on your chest.

- Auslander Biergarten, Fredericksburg, TX: In the heart of Texas' Hill Country is a little town called Fredericksburg. An awesome place who is known for their strong German influence. I know it sounds a little weird but if your ever driving through Texas and have a craving for a schnitzel this is absolutely for you. My regular old whiner schnitzel was great but Beautox's Texas Schnitzel is the dish to get when your enjoying a pint in their biergarten. Awesome place to go for a change of pace and schnitzel is a really fun word.

-Pizza Hut, Alamogordo, NM: I know this isn't a very unique place and I'm sure everyone has had Pizza Hut sometime in their lives but most have never been to the World's best Pizza Hut. Every city in the U.S. try to find that one thing makes them different from everyone else, much like Louisville being the Derby City or how Dalton, GA is the Carpet Capital of the world. Well the town of Alamogordo, NM should start putting "Home to the world's best Pizza Hut" on their brochures. A huge frustration in my life has long been the irresponsibility and inefficiencies of pizza buffets, especially lunch buffets. I'm tired of paying $8 bucks to get a plate for a line up that consist of 2 Hawaiian pizzas that haven't been touched since last Thursday, some half cooked pasta, and cinnastix. I want some pepperoni, some sausage, maybe even some pepperoni and sausage, I would even settle for some cheese but I am forced to hide at buffets like a hunter stocking his prey as I wait for that sacred pepperoni pie that only comes out once every half hour. Usually I am forced to pull out the Kansas city shuffle to assure I get a minimum of three pieces, One time there was a only a couple pieces left and this hungry looking 8 year old in front of me who couldn't wait to get his Elmer glue covered fingers on my precious. So I did what any man would do, spilt my water on his pants and told his mom that your kid just had an accident. At the worlds best Pizza Hut no antics like this are necessary, fully stocked with pizza with different crust varieties (I like to get thin and crispy every once in awhile), bread sticks, and desserts. If you are ever rolling through Alamogordo find the Hut ask for Pepper and tell them Matt sent you.

- Jerry Bob's, Tucson, AZ: When we are in the comforts of our home city we always had places like Barbara Lee's to go after a rough night to help us recuperate with hash browns and biscuits and gravy. Well the Tucson version of Barbara Lee's is a little joint called Jerry Bob's. Massive amounts of food that fits into a Road Tripper's budget, do the Pick 4 for $5 breakfast deal and I can almost guarantee you will not clean your plates.

- In-N-Out Burger: This was my inaugural visit to this west coast staple and it was really good but not legendary like so many have told me. Its real simple, get a burger, fries, and maybe a shake and enjoy being an American. If you are in to these kind of places and can't make it out west for In-N-Out go right across the river to New Albany and check out 5 guys burgers and fries, very good place that not many people have gone to yet.