These Tourist Hot Spots Are the Most Underrated Food Cities in the U.S., According to Phil Rosenthal

"Through his beloved Netflixseries, Rosenthal hopes to inspire viewers to think about these towns differently. Initially, he was skeptical about Orlando as a culinary destination. "I said, really? Come on," he admits. "But once I got there, and saw the incredible diversity, it just clicked. Puerto Rican, Filipino, soul food, ramen ... it's all there. And it's not just good, it's shockingly good.""

"The seventh season's Orlando episode highlights the city's genuine local flavors, skipping amusement park eats for standout mom-and-pop spots. There's Sampaguita, a Filipino ice cream shop serving up colorful halo-halo sundaes and creative scoops like ube-latte and coconut-pandan, as well as Kook'n with Kim, a popular family-run eatery in Eatonville, Florida, that puts an Asian-inspired twist on soul food classics."

Las Vegas and Orlando emerge as vibrant, authentic food cities beyond neon lights and theme parks. Immigrant workers who built and maintained major attractions established surrounding communities that produced a microcosm of American cuisine. Orlando displays strong Puerto Rican, Filipino, and Southern influences alongside ramen and other global offerings. Notable local spots include Sampaguita ice cream, Kook'n with Kim in Eatonville, and Crocante with Latin-style porchetta and plantain tacos by chef Yamuel Bigio. The culinary scene emphasizes mom-and-pop eateries and genuine local flavors rather than amusement-park fare.

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