The Best We've Ever Had 

 
This list is in no way meant to be comprehensive (yet), but is to serve as guide for people who are traveling and looking for excellent meals.  If you know of a great meal, please share it with us by using our feedback form  (Write it well and we'll post it).

Steaks

Al Biernat's - Dallas, Texas
Notes:  There are 2 New York Strips on the menu, so we ordered one of each and halved them.  There is a 19oz dry aged, bone-in and a 16oz wet aged strip.  Both were excellent.  The seasoning may have been different on each, as the wet aged exhibited a more potent crust and had a slightly better texture, but the meat within the confines of the bone was extraordinary.  While described to be some ebullient host, Al himself was nowhere to be found.  Maybe the Honda Civic and spartan order kept him away from our area.  Also, the AAA Guidebook lists Al Biernat's as "Italian" which did not appear to be the case, except maybe for the interior.
 
Murray's  - Minneapolis Minnesota.
Notes: 42oz New York Strip Silver Butterknife dinner for 3 (split 2 ways).  Virtually no inedible pieces on the meat.  Cooked to perfection and carved tableside.  The full-time butcher allegedly rejects 9 out of 10 sides of beef he looks at, and meticulously prepares each cut.
 
Chicago Chop House 
Notes: We happened along this place totally by accident.  We arrived too late to eat at another place, and we were fairly clueless about the great places to eat in Chicago.  The special cut that day was a bone-in prime rib (I think it was prime rib...possibly a ribeye, but I recall it being unusual) that was finished on the grill to put a little char on it.  While not my favorite cut, I went ahead and was rewarded handsomely.   I would very much like to go back and try one of my preferred cuts - namely a NY Strip or a Porterhouse.  Disclaimer - This meal was eaten in 2002.
 
See a list of Best Steakhouses as culled from user submissions to the Roadfood forums.
 

Barbecue

Ribs

Cozy Corner - Memphis, Tennessee.
 
Notes: The white bread costs extra, and the beans are different, but good.  We get the mild sauce, and I've heard the hot is a tad too hot.  For the hot heads among you, there is apparently a "Black Folks" version of the hot sauce.  We divined this from a customer in line behind us who remarked: "give me da 'black folks' hot sauce.  I don't wont nunna dat white folks sauce."
 

Beef

 
City Market - Luling, Texas
 Thanks to the Tour Guide, my introduction to Texas Smokehouse fare was at City Market in Luling, TX.  Everything about the experience was new to me and it was fantastic.  You enter through the dining hall, and proceed to the line forming around a closed off room in the back where there will be a line.  This room houses the pit area, is dark and smoky, and is serviced by men in hard hats. We were most concerned with the brisket and sausage, but I believe we ordered some pork ribs too.  The brisket is outstanding and the sausage is unlike any I've ever had.  Being from (and living in) one of the two rib Mecca's - Medinah to extend the metaphor - the ribs aren't really worth it.  However, if you have not been to Memphis or Tuscaloosa you will probably enjoy them.  After ordering and paying, your proceed out of the pit with your butcher paper full of beefy goodness and Buttercrust bread and then to the front to buy sides, sauce and Big Red in a bottle.  Any trip remotely close to Austin or San Antonio should include a stop in Luling.
 
Kreuz Market - Lockhart, Texas

Sandwiches

Iowa Loose Meats 

Taylor's Maid Rite - Marshalltown, Iowa. 
 
Notes: According to local legend, this is the founding store of the Maid Rite chain, and is now a renegade outfit - the last one to still grind the meat on the premises.
 

Fried Pork Tenderloin

Joensy's Restaurant - Solon, Iowa. 
 
Notes: The sign reads "Home of the Biggest & Best Pork Tenderloin in Iowa."  A good bargain at only $5.
 
 
Soups
 
Saffron Chowder - Phillip M's at Pearl River Resort in Philadelphia, Mississippi. 
 
Notes: I had been meaning to mention the saffron chowder, but just hadn't gotten around to it.  Thanks to a reader (whose remarks I've added below) it is now up for all to see.  This is probably the best soup I've ever eaten.  Ten dollars originally seemed a bit pricey for soup, but 1) you're in a casino 2) the contents include several varieties of good seafood (shrimp, lobster, crab) 3) saffron is quite expensive.  The soup arrives in a deceptively large ceramic bowl which has been capped with puff pastry and placed under the broiler until the pastry puffs and turns a golden brown.  During my first repast with the chowder, I ordered it as an appetizer prior to their large cut of prime rib.  I promptly learned the chowder to be a meal in itself, and it will dominate anything else crossing your taste buds thereafter, but in the best possible way.
 
[user submitted comments follow]

I recommend the Saffron Chowder at Philip M's in the Silverstar Resort and Casino, Philadelphia, MS. And at only $10, with some free bread, there's no reason to ever visit the buffet... unless you don't have reservations (call 866-447-3275 to reserve your seats). Sincerely, --Hungry in Alabama