Favorite Stories

  • Street view of Nathan's Famous hot dog restaurant and stand, with colorful signs and flags, cars parked in front, and a traffic light overhead.

    Wherever You Go, Eat at the Hot Dog Stand

    For Condé Nast Traveler, I wrote about what a hot dog stand can tell you about a place and its people.

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  • Two bottles of Wonderbird Spirits gin, gold cocktail shakers, metallic cups, a glass bottle with a checkered pattern, and a small potted plant on a wooden surface against a dark background.

    Wonderbird Spirits Distills the Flavors of Mississippi

    For American Weekender, I wrote about how a gin goes from rice fields to glass.

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  • A cocktail with ice and lemon slice, with a teapot pouring smoke into the glass, on a wooden surface.

    Fancy a Drink?

    For Chicago magazine, I named the 20 best cocktails in town, which range from upgraded old fashioneds to fancy jungle birds.

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  • Bar with various liquor bottles, Christmas decorations, a t-shirt hanging, and holiday lights.

    To Understand Chicago, Drink at Its Essential Taverns

    For Punch, I wrote about Chicago’s classic bars and what makes them special.

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  • A tray of barbecue food includes smoked meats, sausages, grilled ribs, two dipping sauces, pickles, and sliced bread.

    At Buffalo's Southern Junction, Texas Traditions Meet Indian Influence

    For American Weekender, I profiled pitmaster Ryan Fernandez, who has something fresh to say about barbecue.

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  • Six colorful cocktails on a wooden bar counter, including a latte, a blue martini, a black coffee, a layered pink and white drink, a yellow cocktail, and a latte with foam art.

    The Line Between the Coffee Shop and the Cocktail Bar Has Never Been Blurrier

    For Food & Wine, I explored how baristas are tapping craft cocktail techniques.

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  • A wooden tray filled with chicken, biscuits with gravy, and small bowls of gravy, and dipping sauces.

    Brochu’s Family Tradition Explores the Modern South

    For American Weekender, I wrote about how this Savannah restaurant taps into the region.

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  • A man with a beard and mustache sitting at a bar, wearing a gray button-up shirt with rolled-up sleeves and blue jeans, with a dartboard, an ATM machine, and shelves with various bottles of alcohol in the background.

    Come for a Brandy Old-Fashioned, Stay for Winslow Wise

    For Punch, I profiled Winslow Wise, a longtime bartender at the iconic Caribou Tavern.

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  • A large pancake with butter and syrup, served with a smiley face. Next to it is a sandwich with eggs, lettuce, ham, and cheese.

    The Order: The Big Pancake at Middle Child Clubhouse

    For American Weekender, I got the story behind the Big Pancake, a fan-favorite item at Middle Child Clubhouse in Philadelphia.

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  • From left to right: a close-up of a restaurant or café window with hanging lanterns and the restaurant's name, an onigiri rice ball wrapped in nori with egg and vegetables, and a cozy café interior with people working on laptops and art on the walls.

    The Ultimate Filipino Crawl

    For Chicago magazine, I visited three buzzy new Filipino spots in one neighborhood.

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  • A pale yellow cocktail garnished with a slice of lime or lemon, served in a stemmed glass, on a bar or counter.

    I Never Order Moscow Mules—Except for This One

    For Punch, I got the story behind a beloved take on this classic cocktail in Portland, Oregon.

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  • The storefront of Ricky's Neighborhood Bar at night, with neon signs for Miller Lite and other advertisements on the windows. Inside, people are sitting at tables, some wearing masks, and the interior is warmly lit with decorations. Outside, a chalkboard sign displays menu or event details.

    Ricky's Nails the Neighborhood Bar

    For American Weekender, I wrote about Ricky’s, which reimagines the idea of a neighborhood bar in Knoxville, Tennessee.

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