Queens Tribune

Seeing as how it is summer, and how people tend to head off to some distant, secluded place for a little R&R, it makes sense that rather than focus our energy on one restaurant in particular this week, we introduce you to a great Web site that will take you to thousands of restaurants across the country.

Roadfood.com is an interactive community of road travelers who find the diners and dives that make this country great, take awesome pictures and make you want to get in your car and head for a small town in the armpit of Montana to get the best chicken fried steak in the country.

Rather than a tried-and-true formula for a fine dining guide, this is a site made by and for the people who ride the asphalt highways of the country, and who know a thing or two about dining on the road.

That doesn’t mean they’re strangers to Queens however; three Italian places and a Greek diner –all in Astoria – have made the site. Forno Italia at 43-19 Ditmars Blvd gets a nod for the crust on its pizza. Rizzo’s Pizza, at 30-13 Steinway St., is admired on the site for its exquisite Sicilian style pie. Rose & Joe’s Italian Bakery, 22-40 31st St., gets top marks for its semolina loaves and cannoli. Rounding out the list, Taverna Kyclades, at 33-07 Ditmars Blvd., is noted for its excellent Greek menu.

Going somewhere this summer? Just pop in the city or state where you’ll be headed, and prepare to make a detour. In Connecticut, swing by the town of Newington and sink your teeth into a 16-inch hot dog. When in Boston, be sure to drive northeast to Essex and check out the clam strips at Woodman’s.

If you’re going up the Hudson, drop in to the Town of Pawling and experience breakfast at Karen’s before crossing the river to New Paltz for a burrito at the Taco Shack on Main Street.

And if you’re ever in Wakefield, Va. (the town of one of this author’s former newspapers), stop in at the Virginia Diner – the biggest exporter of peanuts in the world (and some of the tastiest). They come served as a side dish for every meal.

So wherever the road takes you this summer, be sure to pack well, have fun and take a chance on some food from the road. Go out and enjoy!