37 Tourist Trap Restaurants That Are Actually Really Good

When you're a tourist in a new city, it can be hard to know where to eat. You know the locals have their favorite spots, but even with the help of the Internet, finding those holes in the wall, specialty restaurants, and hidden gems can be impossible. So, of course, you default to the most famous restaurants, the spots in bustling, busy neighborhoods, and standbys.

And, yes, some of those places are overpriced, overly busy eateries with bland food and crappy service. But for every spot like that, you're going to find iconic restaurants with charming atmospheres, great views, a friendly waitstaff, and incredible food. These places may be touristy, but make no mistake: Locals eat here too.

From a small chili joint in Washington, D.C., to one of the most famous doughnut shops in the United States, these 37 "tourist trap" restaurants earn their bustling crowds and destination restaurant status. What place is worth visiting in your next vacation spot? Keep reading to find out.

The sourdough bread at San Francisco's Boudin Bakery is a thing of legend. Sure, you're going to have to elbow tourists and deal with overworked employees to get it, but once you have a bite of the soup du jour in a sourdough bowl, all the stress will drift away.

One could argue that all of Walt Disney World in Orlando is a tourist trap, and that wouldn't be wrong. But it's worth it to brave the screaming toddlers, stressed out parents and oblivious tourists to nab a reservation at the California Grill in the Contemporary Resort. The sushi, specialty flatbreads and ravioli are to die for, and the service is world-class. Not only is the food phenomenal, but if you book a reservation for dinner, you have the absolute best views of Magic Kingdom's fireworks on property.

Corky's BBQ is a one of the best barbecue chains in America, so if you find yourself in Memphis, this place is a must-do. Their hickory-smoked ribs are far and away the thing to order there. They're rubbed, basted, and smoked for 18 hours and are so tender they simply fall off the bone. Want to get served right away? Pro tip: Eat at the bar.

OK, yes. You do still need to wear a jacket at Galatoire's in New Orleans, but it's worth suiting up for. Since 1895, this Creole restaurant has been serving regional classics like oysters en brochette, seafood okra gumbo and black bottom pecan pie. The décor and the food is a bit of a time warp, but it's a trip down memory lane worth taking.

If Geno's Steaks isn't your flavor, go around the corner to visit their arch nemesis: Pat's King of Steaks. They claim to have invented the cheesesteak, and their chopped-up rib-eye steak tastes truly iconic. To find out which Philly spot is your favorite, you'll just have to try them both (which isn't a bad way to spend an afternoon).

No city is home to more tourist trap restaurants than New York City, and no area of NYC is more tourist trap-filled than Midtown Manhattan. But fight through the slow-walking visitors and rushed locals at Grand Central Station to check out the iconic Grand Central Oyster Bar. The landmark restaurant is so gorgeous it recently won a James Beard Design Icon Award, their oyster list spans over five pages, and they serve up some of the finest oysters Rockefeller in the city.

Want to know where to find some of America's best prime rib? Well, look no further than San Francisco's House of Prime Rib. This legendary steakhouse is always packed to the brim, but book a reservation when you're in town to enjoy one of the coziest atmospheres around and a prime rib that has been dry-aged to perfection over 21 days and slowly roasted in a blanket of rock salt.

You can wait over two hours to get a table at Joe's Stone Crab in Miami, but locals and tourists alike are willing to brave the crowds for the massive seafood menu at this South Beach hotspot. As the name implies, you don't want to miss the stone crab. Go ahead and order a jumbo. And in a state that has no shortage of amazing Key lime pie, Joe's takes the prize.

You better pay attention at Lambert's Café, because otherwise you might get pelted in the face with a roll. Perhaps the most famous roadside restaurant in the U.S., this Southern joint is best known for throwing its rolls across the restaurant, but that's not the only reason to stop by Sikeston, Missouri. The Southern comfort food here is top notch, from the country fried steak to the fried okra to the meatloaf. Just, seriously, watch out for the hot rolls.

Not too far from Yale University, there is Louis' Lunch, where Louis Lassen is believed to have invented the hamburger back in 1895. Is this story true? We're not sure, but this burger joint is one of America's oldest restaurants. Whether or not it's the first, the "hamburger sandwich" here is phenomenal; it features a hand-shaped patty served between toast with cheese. Just be prepared to wait in line and leave shortly after you finish your meal; this place gets slammed with hungry customers and students.

There's no shortage of amazing Mexican food in Texas, but even locals will brave the crowds to get the tacos at Mi Tierra in San Antonio. Since 1941, this festively decorated restaurant has been serving some of the best tacos in the country. Our recommendation: The Carnitas Michoacán. Fried pork served with freshly made guacamole? Say no more.

No trip to Las Vegas is complete without neon lights, and you'll find plenty of those at The Peppermill Restaurant. The line goes out the door for this lounge space, but if you're willing to wait, you'll find one of the city's finest brunches, specialty frozen cocktails and portions that are as big as your head for price that will leave you with plenty of money left for gambling.

Tourists and locals alike love an old-fashioned deli, and in LA, it doesn't get older or more iconic than Philippe the Original. Established in 1908, this iconic restaurant serves up the finest French dip sandwich on the West Coast. Unlike many touristy spots, the prices here are reasonable. You can get a sandwich, drink and dessert for cheap.

There are a lot of landmark hot dog stands in America, but Pink's in Los Angeles is in a league of its own. The original location on the corner of La Brea and Melrose will have lengthy lines, but to say you've dined at this famous LA restaurant is worth any sort of time in a queue. The bacon chili cheese dog is a classic, even if the calorie count isn't Hollywood-approved. If you want ultimate kitsch, get a dog named after a celebrity, like the Martha Stewart (mustard, relish, onions, chopped tomatoes, sauerkraut, bacon, and sour cream).

Primanti Brothers has opened new restaurants across the region since it first opened its doors in 1933, but the original location in Pittsburgh's Strip District is a must-visit. Not only was it deemed a classic American restaurant by the James Beard Foundation, but it has some of the best sandwiches you can find. The Primanti sandwich is their namesake and their most iconic dish. It contains french fries, the meat of your choice, coleslaw, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese between two soft slices of Italian bread. Bring your appetite.

When you go to Las Vegas, you need to hit up a big-dollar restaurant, a nightclub and a classy lounge. Well, look no further than Tao, which is all three things under one (gigantic) roof. The atmosphere here will simply blow your mind, with a giant Buddha in the center of the restaurant and Asian-inspired lanterns, photos, statues and flowers everywhere. As you sit in your circular red booth, you will have some seriously solid sushi, scrumptious pork fried rice and a Chilean sea bass with a miso glaze that is so perfect, you'll think you've died and ended up in Nirvana.

If you want to see Boston, and we mean really see all of Boston, you can't beat the view at Top of the Hub. It's one of the toughest tables to get in the city, but if you manage to nab a reservation at the very top of the Prudential Building, you'll have one of the most amazing rooftop views in the world. Fittingly, the food is expensive and the experience is varied, but the Boston skyline looks simply spectacular.

VooDoo Doughnut is very famous, and the shop is very tiny. So it logically follows that there's always a sizable line to get some. But, that line is beyond worth it. Here you'll find the best doughnuts in Oregon, from the simple yet perfect Portland Cream to the outrageous Memphis Mafia, a banana fritter topped with a drizzle of chocolate and peanut butter, chocolate chips, and peanuts.