Owner Tyrone Bully built this joint by hand from the ground up, and he puts the same care into every rack of ribs he serves. Each rack is dry-rubbed and marinated for three days to start. Smoking the ribs over hickory and cherry woods and steaming them in their own juices create bold, smoky notes and fall-off-the-bone tenderness. A coating of Bully’s barbecue sauce adds a punch of flavor.

Giada says Tia Sophia’s breakfast burrito makes for “the perfect hearty breakfast.” Soft tortillas are stuffed with bacon and hash browns, smothered in melted cheese and served with a poached egg on top. For added kick, order the Christmas version that comes with extra-spicy red and green chiles.

Head to this Mexican spot for tasty pork tamales. These beauties feature the traditional dough known as masa, which is punched up with pork drippings and a filling of savory shredded pork mixed with chile pepper sauce. They come topped with Christmas sauce: a flavorful combo of red and green salsas.

This diner is still going strong after 70-plus years in business, thanks to a varied menu rife with reliable standbys and upscale spins on comforting classics. A standout is the Lobster Mac & Cheese, which earned rave reviews on Top 5 Restaurants. Canadian hard-shell lobster is the star of this creamy dish, which combines succulent tail and claw meat with a cognac-laced sauce that features three different cheeses: Grana Padano, fontina and sharp Vermont cheddar.

For an over-the-top meal to match Sin City’s opulence, head to the 600-item buffet at Caesars Palace. Particularly mouthwatering is the roast suckling pig on the holiday menu. The meat is slow-roasted until perfectly tender, then finished over an open flame to ensure a satisfyingly crispy exterior.

After Massachusetts banned happy hour in 1984, this tavern came up with a 25-cent wing deal that continues to draw customers. The wings are parboiled to lock in the meat’s moisture, then left to cool overnight. Before being plunged into the deep-fryer, they’re coated in a seasoned rub to punch up the flavor. The finishing touch is a honey Buffalo sauce, made from vinegar, hot sauce, butter and a spice mixture, as well as honey to offset the heat.

Sicilian cuisine is the specialty of this family-run spot, which even offers a delectable trio perfect for the Italian holiday meal known as the Feast of Seven Fishes. The lobster fra diavolo could be a feast on its own: Six types of seafood are stewed in tomato sauce to create this flavorful dish.

You won’t find rice at this traditional Chinese noodle shop, where the chef slings bowls of garlic-tinged wide noodles instead. Hand-pulled by Chef-Owner Gene Wu, these noodles emulate the ones made in Xi’an, China, where wheat noodles became a local staple because of a climate that’s too dry for growing rice. The noodles are so flavorful that they don’t need broth; instead they’re topped with scallions, cilantro and hot pepper, then finished with a splash of sizzling sesame oil to blend the flavors.

When it’s sometime between midnight and 6 in the morning, and you’re not sure if you’re craving dessert or breakfast, head to this 24-hour joint. Their busiest hours are between 1 and 4 in the morning, when night owls pack in for the Boston Cream Pancakes. This spin on the classic pie is made with fluffy pancakes that are layered with creamy Bavarian custard and topped with indulgent chocolate ganache.

Head to this diner for comforting dishes made from family recipes. A standout is the chicken pot pie, which has a buttery crust composed of dough made fresh daily. The crust serves as the base of the pie, which comes piled with a hearty mix of chicken and vegetables topped with a creamy gravy.

Area Four draws the crowds with scrumptious dishes made from scratch. The pizzas are especially popular, with irresistible ingredients such as hand-pulled mozzarella. A must for meat lovers is the Carnivore pizza. It is packed with porky goodness — bacon, soppressata and sausage.

This spot serves ice cream in irresistible ways. There’s a grown-up version of a float that’s bittersweet in the best way: raspberry lambic beer poured over vanilla ice cream. Another star is the sundae featuring scratch-made dark chocolate ice cream and a fudgy brownie drenched in a rich sauce.

This spot is a Boston tradition, serving cops, construction workers and even Bill Clinton. Try The Pilgrim Sandwich, which stars a Thanksgiving feast on a massive roll. This beauty comes layered with homemade cranberry sauce, fresh-roasted turkey and savory stuffing topped with herbaceous gravy.

Macaroons are a boyhood favorite of Andrew Zimmern, so he was delighted to discover this bakery’s elevated version, which uses tapioca syrup and fresh vanilla bean. Also try the Surly Cake, which pairs a beer-infused chocolate batter with salted fudge frosting. Cream filling completes the creation.

Hidden behind a gas station is a small hole in the wall where Chef Rodrigo Albarran-Torres is using his mother's recipes to cook up some authentic Mexican food. Guy and Joe Theismann, former NFL quarterback, devoured the lamb taco enchiladas and tacos al pastor, praising the balance of flavors.