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Established in 1865, Cold Spring Tavern came from a time of stagecoaches. Today, bikers line up for the Bar-B-Q Beef sandwich, one of Cat Cora's favorites. Made with hunks of tri-tip beef, barbecue sauce and spicy salsa, the sandwich satisfies her hankering for the perfect meaty bite.

Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is the perfect port for hungry diners. Owner Tom White keeps prices low so customers can buy lots of fish and he can make space for daily fresh catches. Rachael was impressed by this commitment to freshness, as even her Caesar salad dressing was mixed to order.

Sojourner Restaurant & Cafe is also an art gallery and keeps food prices low to encourage diners to purchase original art. Rachael said she was tantalized by an "amazing selection of whole foods and homemade desserts," declaring the huge piece of cake she ate to be "three layers of chocolate bliss."

Denver's oldest craft brewery, the Wynkoop Brewing Company, is a local favorite. Take a complimentary tour of the brewery, then head to the bar for four-ounce samples of anything on tap. At $1 each, Rachael recommends trying the Mile Hi.P.A. and the "very drinkable" hard cider.

An Italian market and deli, Parisi serves some of the best lunch specials in Denver. With fresh pizzas, salads and pastas with homemade sauce, there are authentic Italian options to please every palate. Rachael recommends trying a sandwich with fresh mozzarella on "fantastic" homemade focaccia.

In Palm Springs, CA, Rachael Ray dines at More Than a Mouthful Cafe, known for their heavenly breakfasts, like homemade sausage, corned beef hash and pancakes on Food Network's $40 a Day.

Seafood is in the blood of the Sancimino brothers' Swan Oyster Depot. The century-old wholesale fish market and restaurant pushes tons of daily fresh catch through its out-of-the-way store - all the more value when you belly up to the bustling counter for oysters, chowder or cracked crab.

A trip down Pacific Coast Highway would be remiss without a bite of local seafood at Neptune's Net. Frills are not this beachside fish shack's forte, but plates of the freshest catch around are. The restaurant side's grill and fryer has your fish and chips fix, and the seafood side steams to order.

MooTime Creamery serves handcrafted ice cream made at its nearby factory. Customers can create flavors by picking a base from 62 kinds of ice cream, sorbet, yogurt or sherbet, then adding in any of 37 mix-ins that are then blended together for a dessert that a dazzled Rachael promises "is divine."

The Big Kitchen made Rachael a believer in tofu with its flavorful Tofu Rancheros. Nurturing owner Judy Foreman believes in giving diners great food at a great value, vowing, "If I'm taking their money, I'm stuffing them" — a promise she delivers on every piled-high plate.

Point Loma Seafoods is a family-owned takeout cafe and fish market dedicated to offering the best quality seafood daily from local fishermen and importers. Rachael was wowed by the homemade chowder and the scallop-sandwich at this seaside shop. She confirmed, "It doesn't get any fresher."

Old Town Mexican Cafe is known for using fresh ingredients and authentic recipes to make "mouthwatering traditional Mexican dishes." Slow cooking keeps the pork tender; legendary margaritas keep the bar scene vibrant. Thrilled with her carnitas and mango margarita, Rachael raved, "That's killer!"

First Awakenings is starting the day off with a California fusion breakfast. The signature Crepeggs are just what they sound like - a sweet French crepe shacking up with scrambled eggs (think of them like really delicate omelets). Get it like the natives do, with avocado, ham and Jack cheese.

For a hearty meal and delicious breakfast to start the day, head to Guelaguetza, located in Los Angeles. This restaurant is known for its authentic Oaxacan dishes. Rachael ordered tamales with the specialty mole negro--a complex near-black sauce with more than 20 ingredients, including chocolate.