Of the many past and present Spoon article trends (Trader Joe’s Hacks, How to Eat Like This Celebrity, Make It Into a Cookie), “50 Things to Eat in _____ Before You Die” articles are my favorite. The listicles invite us to virtually sample the best a city has to offer by scrolling through mouthwatering pictures and getting a sense of a city’s cuisine from its array of restaurants. But how much would it actually cost to eat your way through these lists?
I decided to find out, and let’s just say your wallet won’t thank you for these food quests. In order from least to most expensive, here’s how much it would cost to complete these bucket lists for nine big cities around the country:
9. 50 Things to Eat in Honolulu Before You Die: $354.02
Photo courtesy of dude4food.blogspot.com
Most expensive item: Katsu from Kimukatsu, $19.
Katsu is a dried tuna prepared in hard blocks. No surprise that fish features heavily on the Honolulu list.
8. 50 Things to Eat in Atlanta Before You Die: $434.49
Photo courtesy of @englishanj
Most expensive item: Sashimi Assortment at Craft Izakaya, $29.95.
Atlanta is a cosmopolitan city, no doubt about it, and the food reflects it, with phenomenal sushi, pizza and pho. You’ll find southern dishes, such as biscuits and ribs, too.
7. 50 Things to Eat in Seattle Before You Die: $462.97
Photo courtesy of yelp.com
Most expensive item: Penn Cove Clams, Pancetta Tesa and Lemon Thyme Pizza from Serious Pie, $19.
Seattle’s all about that fresh seafood and Pike Place Market trips.
6. 50 Things to Eat in Denver Before You Die: $483.21
Photo courtesy of denver.eater.com
Most expensive item: Cracklin’ Chicken from The Plimoth, $22.
Additionally, the Mile High City has plenty of awesome breakfast and brunch spots to fuel up before a day of adventure in one of the country’s most active cities.
5. 50 Things to Eat in Milwaukee Before You Die: $492.77
Photo courtesy of pinterest.com
Most expensive item: The Beast Bloody Mary from Sobelman’s, $45.
Not interested in dropping almost $50 on your favorite brunch drink? Make your own here.
4. 50 Things to Eat in LA Before You Die: $511.88
Photo courtesy of losangeles.cbslocal.com
Most expensive item: 6 Pieces Chef’s Choice from Sushi Roku, $29.
Like New York, LA does everything well and often out of a truck.
3. 50 Things to Eat in Boston Before You Die: $513.69
Photo by Dyan Khor
Most expensive item: Seafood Paella from Toro, $52.
You’ll also find the city’s famed Boston Cream Pie and a healthy sampling of hot chocolates to get you through the colder months.
2. 50 Things to Eat in NYC Before You Die: $556.00
Photo courtesy of eater.com
Most expensive item: Porterhouse from Peter Luger Steakhouse, $103.
This list features all of the food that we regularly salivate over on Instagram – the food that has us declaring we’ll relocate to the Big Apple ASAP (think: cronuts, Black Tap milkshakes and Levian Bakery cookies). But it also features plenty of burgers, brunches and mac n’ cheese creations.
1. 50 Things to Eat in Philly Before You Die: $588.52
Photo courtesy of phillystylemag.com
Most expensive item: Vetri Ristorante Tasting Menu, $115.00.
Well, specifically their Spinach Gnocchi. But Vetri only offers a tasting menu, so you’ll have to fork out over $100 to try it. Luckily, Philly has plenty of affordable food too, including cannolis, epic sandwiches, cheesesteaks and fried PB&Js.