If you’re looking for a nice sit down in DC (if that’s what you mean by Washington) then try the oldest restaurant in the area, Old Ebbitt Grill! People call it a tourist trap and they’re kinda right nowadays but tourist traps aren’t always a bad thing. The food and cocktails are great, the restaurant has a beautiful old federal DC style, and it’s a stones throw from the White House and monuments.
Otherwise DC is known for the insane variety of food truck usually positioned along the national mall and by L’Enfant Plaza
Pastrami on rye, at a deli. Katz’s Deli is the famous choice where it is hand cut, but you can also get pastrami at Sarge’s Deli (personal pick) and Second Avenue Deli (which is on Third Avenue now) in midtown. I also liked Pastrami Queen. You can also get a knish or maybe try some brisket, bagels or bialys or rugelach. Corned beef is another thing, known as salt beef elsewhere.
You can also try various pizza types from slice joints. For a tourist, I would recommend Upside Pizza in midtown instead of tourist traps. There are also ethnic foods you may not have tried, like Dominican food, Cuban food, or Jamaican food, I am fond of Jamaican beef patties and the occasional Cuban sandwich.
All three of those should be served with country gravy, which is made with fat drippings, milk, and flour. Some people like brown gravy, but country gravy is more American.
Also if you can find a Honeybaked Ham shop, American smoked ham is worth trying. Ham seems to be moderately different all around the world. They are all good, but American smoked ham is unique to the USA.
A good rule of thumb is that if you’re on a two-lane highway between towns/cities and there is a pull-out with a restaurant, it’s probably well worth stopping in even if only to grab a bottle of sauce (many sell retail versions of their items).
edit: two-lanes in this context means one-lane in each direction with a double-yellow stripe in between
New York go to the local delis. I’m not from there, locals will be able to tell you the best spots. Katz Deli is famous though. Get a dirty water hot dog in New York from a stand. Try a slice of New York pizza. Chopped cheese sandwich is big there too. New York has a world class food scene and you can find cuisine from all over the world but I would be prioritizing what New York is known for.
In the Carolinas get BBQ. Get all the BBQ you can eat. They’re famous for pork BBQ and it’s amazing.
Orlando I don’t know locals can tell you. It’s not famous for any food that I’m aware of. Key lime pie is big in Florida there’s probably somewhere in Orlando that has the best one in that city. Ask the locals. Also they have a ton of chains there. If you want try some American chains do it in Orlando not in New York or the Carolinas. Sorry to any folks in Orlando for advising this person to eat at chains in your city go ahead and correct me if I’m unaware of food Orlando and not just Florida in general is famous for.
While visiting Charleston, I had amazing shrimp and grits. I found someplace that had an award for it and it did not disappoint. This was several years ago so I don’t remember the name but shrimp and grits seems to be a Charleston specialty. Maybe you can get recommendations on a Charleston specific subreddit or on Yelp.
Also, DC has a large Ethiopian community so visiting an Ethiopian restaurant there might be fun. I recommend a vegetarian platter and sambusas.
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For Raleigh and Charleston, you need to try some local BBQ restaurants. Both North Carolina and South Carolina have unique styles of BBQ.
Try the salmon at Dennys
Seriously OP if I find out you visited a single chain restaurant I’m gonna be under your bed.
Visit a chain or two for fun but otherwise check those area’s local subreddits for recommendations for actually good independent restaurants.
Waffle House is kinda a southern icon, albeit mediocre.
But unless you really tie one on it can be skipped.
Bloodhound Gang mentions them in a song. lol
If you’re looking for a nice sit down in DC (if that’s what you mean by Washington) then try the oldest restaurant in the area, Old Ebbitt Grill! People call it a tourist trap and they’re kinda right nowadays but tourist traps aren’t always a bad thing. The food and cocktails are great, the restaurant has a beautiful old federal DC style, and it’s a stones throw from the White House and monuments.
Otherwise DC is known for the insane variety of food truck usually positioned along the national mall and by L’Enfant Plaza
Pastrami on rye, at a deli. Katz’s Deli is the famous choice where it is hand cut, but you can also get pastrami at Sarge’s Deli (personal pick) and Second Avenue Deli (which is on Third Avenue now) in midtown. I also liked Pastrami Queen. You can also get a knish or maybe try some brisket, bagels or bialys or rugelach. Corned beef is another thing, known as salt beef elsewhere.
You can also try various pizza types from slice joints. For a tourist, I would recommend Upside Pizza in midtown instead of tourist traps. There are also ethnic foods you may not have tried, like Dominican food, Cuban food, or Jamaican food, I am fond of Jamaican beef patties and the occasional Cuban sandwich.
Biscuits and gravy
Country fried steak
Real southern fried chicken.
All three of those should be served with country gravy, which is made with fat drippings, milk, and flour. Some people like brown gravy, but country gravy is more American.
Also if you can find a Honeybaked Ham shop, American smoked ham is worth trying. Ham seems to be moderately different all around the world. They are all good, but American smoked ham is unique to the USA.
Go to Burger Village in Raleigh! They do different types of meats, and they’re pretty allergen/health friendly.
I used to live in Washington and currently live in Raleigh. Can give suggestions for both!
A good rule of thumb is that if you’re on a two-lane highway between towns/cities and there is a pull-out with a restaurant, it’s probably well worth stopping in even if only to grab a bottle of sauce (many sell retail versions of their items).
edit: two-lanes in this context means one-lane in each direction with a double-yellow stripe in between
New York go to the local delis. I’m not from there, locals will be able to tell you the best spots. Katz Deli is famous though. Get a dirty water hot dog in New York from a stand. Try a slice of New York pizza. Chopped cheese sandwich is big there too. New York has a world class food scene and you can find cuisine from all over the world but I would be prioritizing what New York is known for.
In the Carolinas get BBQ. Get all the BBQ you can eat. They’re famous for pork BBQ and it’s amazing.
Orlando I don’t know locals can tell you. It’s not famous for any food that I’m aware of. Key lime pie is big in Florida there’s probably somewhere in Orlando that has the best one in that city. Ask the locals. Also they have a ton of chains there. If you want try some American chains do it in Orlando not in New York or the Carolinas. Sorry to any folks in Orlando for advising this person to eat at chains in your city go ahead and correct me if I’m unaware of food Orlando and not just Florida in general is famous for.
While visiting Charleston, I had amazing shrimp and grits. I found someplace that had an award for it and it did not disappoint. This was several years ago so I don’t remember the name but shrimp and grits seems to be a Charleston specialty. Maybe you can get recommendations on a Charleston specific subreddit or on Yelp.
Also, DC has a large Ethiopian community so visiting an Ethiopian restaurant there might be fun. I recommend a vegetarian platter and sambusas.