American Weekender
@americanweekender.bsky.social
Travel and road trip inspiration + Restaurant recommendations + Great cocktails, bars and more!
Who’s ready for a Martini? In today’s newsletter, cocktail expert @robertsimonson.bsky.social shares eight favorite Martinis from around the country. Robert will be hosting the second ever Martini Expo from September 13-20. We’ll see you there! 🍸
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americanweekender.substack.com/p/robert-sim...
8 Great Martinis with cocktail expert Robert Simonson
The author of "The Martini Cocktail" shares his eight favorites ahead of Chicago’s Martini Expo in September.
americanweekender.substack.com
August 28, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Who’s ready for a Martini? In today’s newsletter, cocktail expert @robertsimonson.bsky.social shares eight favorite Martinis from around the country. Robert will be hosting the second ever Martini Expo from September 13-20. We’ll see you there! 🍸
americanweekender.substack.com/p/robert-sim...
americanweekender.substack.com/p/robert-sim...
Our first horseshoe was on a drive through Illinois many years ago. But there is more to love in Springfield beyond its signature dish. This week, we’re having sackfuls of smashburgers, modern cocktails, and a cozy dinner at classic red sauce joint.
americanweekender.substack.com/p/springfiel...
americanweekender.substack.com/p/springfiel...
Overnight Stay: Springfield, Illinois
Let's explore Illinois' state capital, home to horseshoes, Route 66, custard, Abraham Lincoln, and much more.
americanweekender.substack.com
August 23, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Our first horseshoe was on a drive through Illinois many years ago. But there is more to love in Springfield beyond its signature dish. This week, we’re having sackfuls of smashburgers, modern cocktails, and a cozy dinner at classic red sauce joint.
americanweekender.substack.com/p/springfiel...
americanweekender.substack.com/p/springfiel...
Upstate New York is full of regional specialties when it comes to food. This week we wrote about a few of those dishes, from beef on weck and Buffalo wings to coneys and chicken riggies. Let’s go!
americanweekender.substack.com/p/upstate-ne...
americanweekender.substack.com/p/upstate-ne...
7 Great Regional Specialties in Upstate New York
The area is packed with fun local bites, from beef on weck and Buffalo wings to coneys and chicken riggies.
americanweekender.substack.com
August 19, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Upstate New York is full of regional specialties when it comes to food. This week we wrote about a few of those dishes, from beef on weck and Buffalo wings to coneys and chicken riggies. Let’s go!
americanweekender.substack.com/p/upstate-ne...
americanweekender.substack.com/p/upstate-ne...
Kansas City is one of America’s top barbecue cities, but there’s a lot more to explore. Get all our recommendations in this week’s newsletter.
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open.substack.com/pub/american...
Weekend Getaway: Kansas City
Where the Midwest meets the Great Plains, this city's food scene goes way beyond smoked meat.
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August 7, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Kansas City is one of America’s top barbecue cities, but there’s a lot more to explore. Get all our recommendations in this week’s newsletter.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
This week: Three standout spots in Kentucky for sausage biscuits, burgers and barbecue.
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open.substack.com/pub/american...
On the Road: Bourbon Trail Pit Stops
On Kentucky's backroads, we hit three spots for standout sausage biscuits, iconic cheeseburgers, and Texas-style barbecue.
open.substack.com
July 31, 2026 at 1:02 AM
This week: Three standout spots in Kentucky for sausage biscuits, burgers and barbecue.
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open.substack.com/pub/american...
Reposted by American Weekender
ST. LOUIS: SOLD OUT! Second night added and new tickets at www.toasttab.com/catering/the...
July 30, 2026 at 11:46 PM
ST. LOUIS: SOLD OUT! Second night added and new tickets at www.toasttab.com/catering/the...
One of our favorite cocktail bars anywhere is Lone Wolf Lounge in Savannah, Georgia. Read about it and a few other great spots to grab a drink in Savannah in this week’s newsletter. open.substack.com/pub/american...
July 22, 2026 at 3:54 PM
One of our favorite cocktail bars anywhere is Lone Wolf Lounge in Savannah, Georgia. Read about it and a few other great spots to grab a drink in Savannah in this week’s newsletter. open.substack.com/pub/american...
This week, we have a special giveaway from our friends at American Spoon, plus we have 8 great road trip ideas for your next getaway. Let’s go!
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Eight Great 10-Hour Road Trips
Plus: We're celebrating our 3-year anniversary with a giveaway from American Spoon!
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July 16, 2026 at 1:28 PM
This week, we have a special giveaway from our friends at American Spoon, plus we have 8 great road trip ideas for your next getaway. Let’s go!
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
This week we’re sharing some of our go-to spots in Brooklyn, including a classic steakhouse, new-school bakeries, coffee shops, and one of our favorite cocktail bars anywhere. Let’s go!
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
Weekend Getaway: Brooklyn, New York
Our guide to the borough features classic steakhouses, new-school bakeries, cocktail bars, coffee shops, and much more.
open.substack.com
July 5, 2026 at 7:09 PM
This week we’re sharing some of our go-to spots in Brooklyn, including a classic steakhouse, new-school bakeries, coffee shops, and one of our favorite cocktail bars anywhere. Let’s go!
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
We had a great dinner at Charlie’s on a recent visit to St Helena, California, and for this week’s newsletter we talked to the chef about his inspiration for his menu.
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open.substack.com/pub/american...
Charlie's Taps Fun and Nostalgia in California Wine Country
Elliot Bell serves memorable dishes using the best ingredients of the region at his St. Helena restaurant.
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June 30, 2026 at 7:40 PM
We had a great dinner at Charlie’s on a recent visit to St Helena, California, and for this week’s newsletter we talked to the chef about his inspiration for his menu.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
This week, we are talking about some of our favorite places for bagels, steaks, cocktails, and more in Midtown Manhattan. (And if you’ve never been to the Grand Central Oyster Bar, you’ve been missing out.)
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open.substack.com/pub/american...
Overnight Stay: Midtown Manhattan
Our favorite places to eat and drink, including bagels, steaks, cocktails, oysters, and more.
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June 25, 2026 at 2:54 PM
This week, we are talking about some of our favorite places for bagels, steaks, cocktails, and more in Midtown Manhattan. (And if you’ve never been to the Grand Central Oyster Bar, you’ve been missing out.)
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
Seafood tastes better by the sea, so this week we have a few fantastic shacks for hot, buttered lobster rolls and fried clams along the Connecticut coast.
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open.substack.com/pub/american...
On The Road: Seafood Shacks of Southern Connecticut
Seafood tastes better by the sea, so here are a few fantastic spots for hot, buttered lobster rolls and fried clams along the coast.
open.substack.com
June 17, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Seafood tastes better by the sea, so this week we have a few fantastic shacks for hot, buttered lobster rolls and fried clams along the Connecticut coast.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
This weekend we’re rolling out a five-day eating and drinking guide for Napa and Sonoma, one of the most beautiful wine regions in the country. Read more in this week’s Weekend Getaway newsletter.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
June 6, 2026 at 5:26 PM
This weekend we’re rolling out a five-day eating and drinking guide for Napa and Sonoma, one of the most beautiful wine regions in the country. Read more in this week’s Weekend Getaway newsletter.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
This weekend, we talked with the folks behind Ricky’s, a fantastic new neighborhood bar in Knoxville with an excellent smash burger, Seattle style hot dogs, ice-cold Black Manhattans, and more.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
June 2, 2026 at 4:25 PM
This weekend, we talked with the folks behind Ricky’s, a fantastic new neighborhood bar in Knoxville with an excellent smash burger, Seattle style hot dogs, ice-cold Black Manhattans, and more.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
For Memorial Day weekend, a book excerpt from “Eaterland” that dives into some of the most beloved burgers in the Midwest.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
May 25, 2026 at 5:30 PM
For Memorial Day weekend, a book excerpt from “Eaterland” that dives into some of the most beloved burgers in the Midwest.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
Eaterland, a new cookbook from the folks at @eater.bsky.social, is out next week. The book does a deep dive into beloved regional dishes from around the country. This weekend, we talk with the editors to explore what it says about eating in America today.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
“Eaterland” Digs into Regional American Food
The new cookbook from Eater is out next week. We talk with editors Missy Frederick and Sarah Zorn to explore what it says about eating in America today.
open.substack.com
April 25, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Eaterland, a new cookbook from the folks at @eater.bsky.social, is out next week. The book does a deep dive into beloved regional dishes from around the country. This weekend, we talk with the editors to explore what it says about eating in America today.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
This week we are sharing a few favorite spots in Lexington, Kentucky for southern dishes and plenty of bourbon.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
Overnight Stay: Lexington, Kentucky
Our perfect day in Lexington features grilled country ham and pimento cheese sandwiches, dinner at a classy new Italian joint, and plenty of bourbon.
open.substack.com
April 23, 2026 at 3:39 PM
This week we are sharing a few favorite spots in Lexington, Kentucky for southern dishes and plenty of bourbon.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
This weekend we’re in Knoxville, Tennessee for some southern farm-to-table dinners, great bakeries, hot chicken, and laid back bars. Let’s go! #rockytop
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
April 3, 2026 at 4:51 PM
This weekend we’re in Knoxville, Tennessee for some southern farm-to-table dinners, great bakeries, hot chicken, and laid back bars. Let’s go! #rockytop
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
If you haven’t planned a spring getaway yet, can we offer you some options? We’ve got lively college towns, vacation spots to hit before the summer rush, and some off-the-beaten-path places that you need to put on your radar.
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open.substack.com/pub/american...
8 Great Spring Getaways
When that first warm breeze blows, it's time to hit the road. Here's where we suggest going this season.
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March 13, 2026 at 1:55 PM
If you haven’t planned a spring getaway yet, can we offer you some options? We’ve got lively college towns, vacation spots to hit before the summer rush, and some off-the-beaten-path places that you need to put on your radar.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
This weekend we’re in Cincinnati sharing 8 great places to get a drink, from a cozy Over-The-Rhine wine bar to a world-class brewery inside an old church. Let’s go!
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
February 27, 2026 at 7:11 PM
This weekend we’re in Cincinnati sharing 8 great places to get a drink, from a cozy Over-The-Rhine wine bar to a world-class brewery inside an old church. Let’s go!
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
This week, we take you on a beach getaway to Sullivan’s Island in South Carolina and share our favorite spots for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks.
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open.substack.com/pub/american...
February 22, 2026 at 11:13 PM
This week, we take you on a beach getaway to Sullivan’s Island in South Carolina and share our favorite spots for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
Mardi Gras is next week and if you are headed down to New Orleans to join the celebration we have some fresh restaurant recommendations for you in this week’s newsletter, including this outstanding roast beef debris po’boy.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
February 9, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Mardi Gras is next week and if you are headed down to New Orleans to join the celebration we have some fresh restaurant recommendations for you in this week’s newsletter, including this outstanding roast beef debris po’boy.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
The 49ers are hosting the Super Bowl but their stadium is actually just across the river from San Jose. We are sharing some of our favorite places to eat there, including Goodtime Bar, a fantastic spot pairing California wines with dishes like tom yum bucatini. open.substack.com/pub/american...
January 31, 2026 at 4:35 PM
The 49ers are hosting the Super Bowl but their stadium is actually just across the river from San Jose. We are sharing some of our favorite places to eat there, including Goodtime Bar, a fantastic spot pairing California wines with dishes like tom yum bucatini. open.substack.com/pub/american...
This weekend we take you to three great burger joints in northwestern Indiana — “The Region” as the locals say — including a classic spot that has been open since 1932, a beloved local chain, and a newcomer that’s become a local favorite.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...
January 25, 2026 at 5:44 PM
This weekend we take you to three great burger joints in northwestern Indiana — “The Region” as the locals say — including a classic spot that has been open since 1932, a beloved local chain, and a newcomer that’s become a local favorite.
open.substack.com/pub/american...
open.substack.com/pub/american...