American food can be a tough cuisine to define. Given that is so heavily influenced by the diverse nationalities that make up this fine country, it is tough to say what is American and what is an Americanized version of foods brought in by or influenced by other cultures. Perhaps it is the fusion of many cultures that makes food American. If you are in the bay area town of Walnut Creek, there are many great restaurants featuring all the favorite American offerings that you could possibly ask for. Read on to learn more about the top American food spots in Walnut Creek.
Located on Lafayette Boulevard, The Hideout Kitchen features many of my favorites. For my starter, I like to order their smoked salmon crudo for the table. Their wild arugula and mushroom flatbread is also great choice for sharing with friends. As my main dish, I find that you just can’t go wrong with the Hideout burger. It features their house made aioli with an over easy egg on top. Another one of my favorite things to get here is their fried chicken waffle sandwich. It features an amazingly crispy chicken sandwiched between two perfected heated waffles. The only thing more American than that is a side of their hot and crispy French fries. To wash it all down, I order myself an ice-cold Arnold Palmer.
What I recommend: chicken waffle sandwich or the Hideout Burger
Location: 3400 Mt Diablo Blvd Ste 4 Lafayette, CA 94549
This location on Mount Diablo Boulevard offers a fantastic wine offering to pair with their American eats. For lunch, I always order their beer can chicken stacker. It features their tender, slow-cooked beer can chicken with crunchy slaw on top of their fresh bread. If you come with your appetite, and you should, try their rib and fried chicken combo. This half slab of smoked ribs along with their buttermilk fried chicken tastes as American as the Fourth of July. If you just want chicken, I would suggest the crispy chicken sandwich and make it spicy! Ask your server for some suggestions to pair your meal with one of their local wines.
What I recommend: Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Location: 1521 Mount Diablo Blvd Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Located, as the name states, on Main Street, this family-owned spot prides itself on using only the freshest of ingredients in their meals. They are open for brunch, lunch, and dinner. When I visit, I start off with their wood fired roasted summer squash or warm olives as an appetizer. As my entrée, I enjoy the grilled Sierra Nevada Farm pork chop. This savory offering is served alongside their caramelized endive with blackberry chutney. Pizza lovers will have plenty of options to choose from as well. I enjoy their prosciutto pizza topped with wild arugula.
What I recommend: Grilled Sierra Nevada farm pork chop
Location: 1358 N Main St Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Many people may think that American food is nothing more than simple fast food or gas station junk food. Thankfully, the influences of many cultures from around the world have joined together to make American offerings some of the best around. From juicy burgers to huge, oversized portions of shareable appetizers, the above restaurants do their best to take a world of culinary influence and slow cooked it with quality ingredients. Be sure to give at least one of them a try the next time you visit Walnut Creek because there's so much more than just wine and crackers nearby.