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Lessons learned taking a Tesla road trip.

From classic Italian street foods to Maine’s well-loved lobster rolls, these summer food festivals will please plenty of palates.

Using Portland as your jumping off point, you’ll find a bounty of rejuvenating outdoor adventure and remote, natural beauty in this seafaring state.

Whether you want one last great meal before leaving the city or you’re looking for comforting food on a long layover, there are plenty of places worth seeking out in LAX.

From the rebirth of the world’s most beloved dining experience to a New York chef’s foray into Los Angeles, here are the restaurants to visit in 2018.

Never has a yummy treat been mired in such controversy as the Whoopie Pie. First, how did this burger-shaped cake with the sugary cream filling get its name? Does the name come from the exclamation that schoolchildren shouted upon opening their lunch bags to discover these delights? Or does it come from the Amish farmers, who were rewarded with these portable “pies” in their lunch boxes? My vote (and Pennsylvania Dutch lore) favors the school kids. But wait—there’s more controversy! While I am one hundred percent certain that these little cakes called pies originated in my lovely state of Pennsylvania, it seems that the state of Maine has also laid claim to their origin, even going so far as to name the Whoopie Pie as its “official state treat.” Other research points to somewhere in New York state as their birthplace. We may never know… There was a time not long ago when Whoopie Pies felt much like a prized local secret because no one outside of Pennsylvania had ever heard of them (excepting, I guess, some of those Mainers). These days, though, you can even find Whoopie Pies in the bakery sections at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. But the most authentic and delicious version can only be found at the Amish bakery Beiler’s in the Reading Terminal Market. My personal favorite is the pumpkin flavor, but the chocolate is also delicious. Or maybe try the oatmeal, or the red velvet. Better yet, try one of each—they’re portable!

For several years, I’ve been reading about Bunk Sandwiches in Portland, Oregon. There are now two locations of the casual breakfast- and lunch-only spot (one close to the Pearl District; the original on the SE side of town). My dining companions tried the Italian cured meats with Bunk marinated hot peppers and provolone picante (pictured), the spicy roast beef, and the pork belly Cubano. Portions are big, and sharing should be encouraged. I only wished we’d saved room for the homemade Whoopie pies.

When I heard Smeeks was moving from their downtown Phoenix location I thought I might lose it until I heard about the hip new concept they were becoming a part of thanks to the opening of Union at Biltmore Fashion Park. It is a one-stop shop for all of Phoenix’s local treasures. It’s an exciting idea that houses a broad and ecletic mix of 18 distinct boutiques. Most of the places featured are known for having a strong local following including: Willows Home and Garden, Whoopie Baking Co., Trattoria del Piero, R + R, and of course Frances and Smeeks. This is a perfect place to get quick access to some of the best shops in Phoenix and you might even be able to cross off a lot of items on your holiday wish list.

Tracy Silverman opened Sweet Lucy’s on South Street in 2011. Before starting her own bakery, Tracy worked in finance, which makes her at least the fourth person I know of who has made the transition from banker to baker. Seriously, it’s some kind of trend. (Maybe it’s because the two professions occupy the same page in the dictionary of possible vocations.) The cupcakes and whoopie pies are the way to go here—made from scratch, every day, and so good that they’ll make you want to get down on one knee. Free Wifi.